Categories
marketing writing

Dowser 1 – BookBub promo

I have a BookBub promo running on Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1) today. A BB ad is always super fun (though a bit nerve wracking as well). I’ll check in a few times during the day to see how many books I’ve given away or sold, then some time in the afternoon Amazon’s ranking system kicks in and I’ll get to see where the book is ranked in the store. Tomorrow, I’ll get to see where the book was ranked on iBooks, B&N, and Kobo. 🙂

BB writes the blurbs for their promos. This one is interesting … cute to begin, then ominous. Just like the book.

Book Bub promo shot 2015-02-03

Thanks BB – fingers crossed for a successful run together!!

Categories
publishing self-publishing writing

Dowser Series – trilogy structure

Okay, I’m just dashing off this post because I’m supposed to be editing. 😀 So, if you have any questions, please comment below and I’ll add the answer to the post.

A few eagle-eyed readers have noted that the title of Dowser 4 does not follow the structure set up by the titles of Dowser 1, 2, and 3. And they are absolutely correct.

trilogy annoucementDowser 4 – 6 is a new trilogy. Brand-spanking-new characters will mingle with old favourites. What is set up in Dowser 4 will be concluded in Dowser 6, though I seriously doubt that will be the end of the series. I imagine there will be Dowser 7 – 9 … because I already know how Dowser 7 begins …

Okay, back to editing!

 

Categories
publishing self-publishing writing

Dowser 4 – release date

Okay! If all goes as planned. If no one gets sick, no computers crash, and I work my ass off. I should be baking four new cupcakes and sending out an email to announce the release of Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic on:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 26 2015

Shadows (etc) ebook cover

I’m not going to bother with a preorder, because I don’t want to wait the extra ten days that takes. And the paperback might take a week or two longer.

That also means that from Feb. 19th to Feb 26th I will be running a series of giveaways with items I’ve been collecting for a couple of months now. And eARCS!!

Before that, I’ll share the synopsis and an excerpt (probably with a flash giveaway like I did for I See Me). And some new cupcake recipes!!

Want to know about the novel as soon as it’s available on all platforms? Make sure to sign up for my new release mailing list.

Want to know about all the giveaways? Make sure you’re signed up to follow this blog (via the link second to the top on the righthand side).

Categories
publishing self-publishing writing

Reading order – the Dowser Series and beyond

I thought I better do some housekeeping before releasing Dowser 4, so this is the first in a couple of posts that will revolve around what is happening with the Dowser series and the universe at large.

I’m beginning to branch off from the Dowser series into other related series. The first of these branches is the Oracle series, which began in the already released I See Me and will span at least three books.

ISeeMe_catchaglimpse_promo

Every book I release in this (now) multi-series universe will continue the timeline of the universe as a whole. So, if you are the type of reader that likes to know every tiny tidbit about your favourite characters, I recommend you read all the books in order. I, of course, (read: the editor) will make sure that there are mini recaps of important events in the main Dowser Series novels, so you will not be completely lost if you prefer to only read Dowser books.

An example? Jade and Co do appear in I See Me, and Jade’s storyline does progress even though the book is about Rochelle. The events that occur in Oracle 1, set up some of the plot points of Dowser 4. The connection will be thinner in Oracle 2, but minor plot points will continue to inform the events of Dowser 5 and 6.

At the same time, the Oracle series (and the character of Rochelle) impacts the MAIN plot of Dowser 4 – 6. [I removed a spoiler here].

The recommended reading order is as follows:

Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1)

Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic (Dowser 2)

Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic (Dowser 3)

I See Me (Oracle 1)

Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic (Dowser 4)

This summer, and through the fall, the reading order will expand with each book I release like so:

Maps, [spoiler], and Other [spoiler] Magic (Dowser 5)

I See You (Oracle 2)

[Spoiler], [Spoiler], and Other [Spoiler] Magic (Dowser 6)

[untiled] (Oracle 3)

Confused yet?

Then, depending on where the muse takes me later this year, my second branch from the Dowser Series will either be the Reconstructionist Series (with Wisteria and Kett), or a little something I have brewing for my favourite green-haired werewolf … or may be something else born out of Dowser 5.

This entire post was simply a long winded way of saying, if you want to know everything little thing about the Dowser universe, make sure you read I See Me (Oracle 1) before the about-to-be-released Dowser 4.

Cool. Next post I’ll talk about the trilogy structure of the Dowser series, which some eagle-eyed readers have already sussed out based on the title of Dowser 4.

Categories
ebook publishing writing

Dowser 4 – Cover Reveal

I’m tidying up all the Dowser books in preparation for the release of Dowser 4, and I just uploaded this into the back of Treasures (Etc), so I thought I better share it here as well. 😀

I’ll have a synopsis and release date for you soon – the book is still with the editor – but for now, you (and I) will have to make do with a first glimpse of Dowser 4:

Shadows (etc) ebook cover

This tasty morsel is the work of the lovely and talented Elizabeth Mackey.

More treats to come … including blackberry cupcakes!

Shares, likes, and tweets are welcomed and appreciated. Make sure sign up for my new release mailing list to be the first to know when Dowser 4 is available.

What do you think?

Categories
cats photography writing

Cats don’t get coffee breaks

I just wandered down to the kitchen to make myself a hot chocolate as I do almost every day for my coffee break. Because his office is also the dining room off the kitchen, Michael and I tend to chat for the time it takes me to heat milk and melt chocolate. Today I was a bit earlier than usual, and Leo was howling from the laundry room.

The following conversation ensued:

Me: What is up with Leo?

Michael: He wants dry food, but it isn’t time for lunch.

Me: I guess it’s coffee break.

Michael: Cats don’t get coffee breaks.

Me: Yeah, their entire life is a coffee break.

cats don't get coffee breaksYes, I should be writing 😛

HAPPY MONDAY!

 

Categories
Little Pleasures lovely readers personal reflection photography Salt Spring Island writing

Breathing the moment – Jan 8, 2015

This morning, despite the looming deadlines I’m attempting to tame with schedules and to-do lists, Michael and I took a moment to let the chicks wander out of the run and into the barren, fog enshrouded garden. And each time I started to say that I needed to go back to work I took a breath instead of speaking. This lasted for maybe ten minutes, but probably more like five.

chickencoopinthefog_Jan8_forblog

Then we returned to the house, drank our smoothies, and chatted about our schedules for the day.

Now I’m cozy in my office with my writing buddy Parker spread out on the desk to the right of me. I can just barely hear Michael playing guitar, and singing quietly, while he writes a new song downstairs in the dining room. And, after I cross a few things off the to-do list, I’m going to fill the afternoon with words scribbled on paper … just as they occur to me.

This is this moment.

I breathe. I type. I sip my hot chocolate.

Tomorrow will be completely different in a hundred almost imperceptible ways.

It’s a lovely life.

Thank you for being apart of it.

Categories
On My Desk Today writing

Welcoming 2015 …

I’m celebrating the advent of 2015 by opening a fresh notebook, and filling a new fountain pen with brand new ink. It’s time to get Dowser 5 out of my head. Here’s to 2015!

new notebook and new pen

 

Categories
On My Desk Today publishing self-publishing writing

Dowser Series – three paperback proofs

Guess what arrived in today’s mail? The paperback proofs for Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1), Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic (Dowser 2), and Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic (Dowser 3).

I absolutely adore these three grouped together! As I did for I See Me (Oracle 1), I chose a matte finish for the covers and I think it’s perfect.

The covers – front and back – were designed by Elizabeth Mackey.

The inside is also perfectly pretty. Mark over at 52novels designed the interior layout and Elizabeth Mackey designed the knife image for the page breaks.

You know what all of this REALLY means? The Dowser 4 giveaways are on the way!!

Categories
giveaways writing

Christmas paperback giveaway – 4 of 4

CLOSED: WINNER TBA

Fourth of Four: After The Virus

afterthevirus_paperbacks

I’ve held on to these two paperbacks because the spines aren’t perfect – the printing is slightly offset. But that doesn’t make the front cover, by Irene Langholm, any less pretty 🙂

The paperback for this fourth and final giveaway (just to help me distinguish) was printed August 13, 2013. I’d be happy to sign it, with or without a specific inscription.

Want to win it? Just comment below. I’ll assign a number in order of the comments … 1, 2, 3 … and then run a random number generator on December 27, 2014 to pick a winner. Make sure you include your email address in the form the blog makes you fill out to comment, so I can get in touch with you for your mailing address.

One comment per giveaway. Open internationally.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Giveaways

First of Four

Second of Four

Third of Four

Fourth of Four