MCD’s Coconut Macaroons, etc

[Updated July 23, 8:41 am – added missing cooking times to recipe]

I just had virtual coffee (via the SFWA auction I mentioned some time ago, like a month ago? Who knows? What is time??) with Anetia and Barb (my two other readers were MIA 😰), and for fun, I typed up the recipe of the treat I was eating during our chat. I thought I’d share the recipe here as well (also as kind of an apology for being a bit ‘sensitive’ over on Facebook yesterday).

How’s that for a lot of brackets stuffed into one paragraph??!! (Do you think I can manage a few more?) 😜

Without further ado, here are my treats this weekend:

Pictured: chocolate coconut macaroons and coconut almond macaroons.

DOWNLOAD COCONUT MACAROON PDF

[If you have the time] Use the leftover yokes for mousse, ice cream, or lemon curd!

And I totally think Jade would whip these tasties up for Cake in Cup!!

MCD’s Virtual Tip Jar

I’ve had a few lovely readers ask me to add ‘tip jar’ function to the audiobooks I’m selling direct and/or to the Conduit Series serialization that I’m currently posting on my blog weekly on Tuesdays. I’ve always shied away from the idea of a monthly Patreon or a tip jar because I feel like it has the potential to create an imbalance between myself and my readers. I prefer to produce a product and make it available for purchase only after I believe I’ve made it the best it can be. In the case of a monthly Patreon, I also worry that it would put too much pressure on me in general and on the writing of new words specifically.

But I understand that a few readers feel like I undercharge for my work, and that specifically, I’ve priced the direct sales audiobooks too low. [Remember that I’ve priced for my Canadian readers, so my USA, UK, and some other international readers currently get a 30% (or so) ‘discount’ because of the exchange rate].

If you want to support me, and the writing of new words, the best thing you can do is purchase one of my books (in any format). I’ve broken down the ‘profit’ I see from those just so you can get a sense of how of your much of your money filters into my accounts already, thusly supporting my chocolate and character art illustration habits. Plus, you know, helping pay my mortgage. 😁 Because you all freaking rock.

The numbers below are ‘before’ the actual expense of the production of a book, of course. I’ve blogged about that somewhere before in more detail, but in short, an ebook/paperback combo costs me $5k-7k (depending on the cover designer and any ‘extra’ art, etc) for editing, proofing, formating, etc. And an audiobook costs around $5k now (the exchange rates are seriously killing my budget).

I clear $3 to $4.50 on eBooks. I am in the process of raising my prices by a dollar, but you know, I’m a little crazy busy and it’s a slightly involved process so, well … I’m getting to it slowly.

I clear $3 to $4 (or so) on paperbacks.

I clear $2 to 3 on merchandise (currently really just T-shirts, etc).

And, I clear $8 (or so) on any audiobooks you buy from me directly (current list)(more coming).

So … if you’ve purchased all my eBooks, and aren’t interested in collecting paperbacks or T-shirts (or you already have what you want), the best way to funnel extra cash to me is to grab one of the audiobooks I’m now selling directly. I will be adding to my audio catalog, slowly and steadily, until you can download every audiobook I have available. Yay!

Side note: a lot of us are feeling financial strain right now. Food is suddenly crazy expensive, rents are crazy high, and extra cash just isn’t a thing. Even I’m on a chocolate/yarn/book-buying moratorium at the moment (and you know I don’t give up any of those easily). That’s why I already make my books available for free via libraries (OverDrive charges libraries a minimum fee). I’m also slowly adding my titles to KoboPlus (a monthly subscription that includes audiobooks) and my books have always been available via a Scribd subscription as well.

The other way to support me – and all your fav authors – is to talk about our books! Share our ‘marketing’ social media posts or make your own. Genuine word of mouth is the kind of publicity we can’t actually buy.

If you still wish to support me beyond the eBooks/paperbacks/audiobooks, and/or specifically for the Conduit Series, I have set up a Paypal donate button thingy. I would genuinely prefer you buy an eBook or audiobook, etc, but if you’d also like to ‘tip me’ for the Conduit serialization or simply buy me a hot chocolate, here is the PayPal Tip Jar link (you don’t have to have a PayPal account to use it):

MCD’S TIP JAR

If you are so inclined, and you are specifically ‘donating’ toward the ongoing serialization of the Conduit Series (I added a drop down menu because I thought it was fun), I’d love to list your name in the acknowledgments in the back of Conduit Book 1 so please fill out your preferred name in the ‘add a note’ section!

Again, please don’t feel this necessary or expected by me at all. Your support already means the world to me – I wouldn’t have this career without you! I will (eventually) get the next book written and will be genuinely pleased when you buy it or borrow it from your library.

Sunshine & Lollipops!

– MCD

Archivist 1: reviews

I know I haven’t been as engaged with promoting and chatting about (etc) my newest release, Invoking Infinity (Archivist 1) as I usually am – I thought the headache was bad before my Covid shot, but boy, was I sadly wrong (and I have my second shot booked on July 21. Ugh.) – so I’m even more overwhelmed and excited by how my lovely readers have embraced the newest offshoot of the Adept Universe. Your support – reviews, retweets, shares, photos, etc – means so much, and never more than when I’m still seriously struggling (it’s been a ridiculously hard 18 months for the world at large)!

On Amazon USA alone, Invoking Infinity already has more reviews/ratings in the month and half that it has been available than the bulk of my other books. Yes, the bulk. And word of mouth is everything. Everything!

Thank you, thank you.

The day after a release day, part 25

So I had to count – novels only – to get the number of novels I’ve released to date. TWENTY-FIVE. Absolutely crazy! And I’m about to send number 26 (Invoking Infinity) off to the editor for story editing.

Yesterday was a lovely low-key release day for Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0) but with surprisingly strong sales numbers/ranking. Surprising, because I know a bunch of people had already read the book. I took a few screenshots of bestseller ribbons (B&N) and other fun things (Trending Now at Kobo) and I’ll share them on my social media for fun and to say thank you to everyone who won’t see this blog post.

Launching a new series is always a risk, but you’ve seemed to have enjoyed Dusk and Sisu’s prequel story, and I hope you love how their story continues to unfold.

As always, I couldn’t do this without you … I mean, I’d continue to write, of course. I can’t not create. But I wouldn’t have such a lovely life without your support, whether it is buying my books or getting them from the library. As well as all the conversation and reviews and recommendations.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I’ll be spending the next couple of days writing Kandy’s next novelette … with the fear that it’s actually a novella. And then I’ll start work on the next Archivist book – I have a ton of ideas but I have to figure out where each major reveal falls in the series overall. Lots of secrets that all must come to light at the perfect time!

Working out the structure for Kandy 0.5 aka In Less Than a Moment (Moments of the Adept Universe 0.3).

Don’t forget to enter the Archivist 0: release day giveaway!

The one time I ignore my phone …

After a few hours of working yesterday – managing my inboxes, social media, checking sales/rankings, etc – I was suddenly hit with this feeling of utter rawness, of overexposure. Nothing bad had happened (the complete opposite, in fact) but apparently I just exist close to that edge with the constant headache/state of the world, etc.

It was an acute enough overwhelm that I had to sit down on my pilates machine and just breathe. When that didn’t alleviate the feeling, I put on my runners, snagged Michael, and walked down to the mailbox. On our way back to the house, we discussed me taking a few days (mostly) off – writing if I felt like it, but letting my inbox, etc, slide – and then, come Monday, implementing a new schedule that prioritizes the writing of new words and limits my inbox/notifications running me quite so thoroughly.

So, of course, when I actually set my phone aside – physically across the room, and muted as always – Michael got stuck on the roof of the cabin addition.

Yep.

Hooked into his harness on the steep pitch of the garage. Can’t reach the ladder. Completely stuck.

He texted.

He called.

He yelled.

I was listening to an audiobook while knitting. ‘Unplugged’.

Michael had to flag down the neighbour to help him (Thank you, Jim!) even though I was hanging out less than the length of the house away. Ironically, I heard them talking, but not what was being said.

So … turning off notifications but keeping my phone nearby might help today’s ‘day off’ run a little smoother.

Oooo, look! A pretty green bestseller ribbon for Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4) on Barnes and Noble. Thank you to all my Nook readers!! Amplifier 4 also ranked highly in the store and in its categories on Apple Books, Kobo, and Amazon (though Amazon calculates things a bit differently), and I am very very grateful to all my lovely readers without whom there would be no roof for Michael to get stuck on!

The day after a new release, part 24

Release day for Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4) was delightful – filled with little treats and lovely messages/comments/early reviews from absolutely lovely readers. But this morning I found I was feeling a little (extra) rundown. So, after making my daily hot chocolate at 10:30 am, I decided to set up on the kitchen table and get all the giveaways packaged and labeled all at once.

Then I thought I’d treat myself to a new book.

It is now 3:48 pm.

I took maybe thirty minutes for lunch.

Haven’t even had a chance to look at my TBR list.

4.5 hours! 4.5 hours of packaging and signing and weighing and printing shipping labels. That is way, way too many giveaways! [My fault completely]. And I feel a bit badly for the two winners who haven’t gotten back to me yet. Who knows when I’ll actually force myself to get their autographed paperbacks in the mail now.

Speaking of ongoing giveaways, The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0) is still FREE on all retailers but only until the end of October. Also, you can still enter to win all the paperbacks in the Amplifier Series.

And! Don’t forget there is a short story from Opal’s POV, The Music Box (Amplifier 4.5) bundled with Amplifier 4.

Thank you for all your preorders, and release day purchases, and messages/comments!! Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.

Amplifer 2: early reviews

Bonds and Broken Dreams (Amplifier 2) released one week ago today! And readers appear to be enjoying another Emma story – thank goodness!

I’ve quickly cobbled together some lovely, early reviews. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review on their preferred site. It’s very appreciated!! (By ALL authors).

5 star. Heart Stopping. “… takes you on a fast paced journey where you laugh, cry, and ignore anything else happening around you.” – Diana, Amazon USA

5 star. Intense breathless magical suspense. “A wonderful journey through Emma Johnson’s (Amp5) struggle to build a “normal” life and the enormous pitfalls that come with being extra ordinarily magical.” – Lisa M. Amazon USA

5 star. Loved it. “[Meghan Ciana Doidge] pulls me into her world of the supernatural, and of kickass female protagonists and I never want to leave.” – Sheryl, Amazon CANADA

5 star. Loved this. “Kept me guessing till the end.” – Amazon UK

5 star. “I love the magic in the world, this character’s journey to find herself, and just the right touch of romance.” – Gillian, Goodreads

5 star. “Bonds and Broken Dreams is another fantastic story by Meghan Ciana Doidge. This author never disappoints, her plots grab you and pull you into her Adept Universe, her characters have your heart and you’re left counting the days until her next book.”– Jacqueline, Kobo

5 star. Emma is a treat. “Emma is forced to face her past and step into a possible future. Loved it.” – Barnes and Noble

BONDS AND BROKEN DREAMS IS NOW AVAILABLE ON:

– AMAZON – KOBO – APPLE BOOKS – B&N – SMASHWORDS –

Are you new to the Adept Universe? Book one is Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1).

Click here for the reading order of the Adept Universe.

The day after releasing Dowser 9.

The day after releasing Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (Dowser 9). My 18th novel.

The sun is shining (though it is chilly) and I’m back in my writing shed, treadmill rolling underfoot, hot chocolate in hand, to write an utterly thankful post to all of you who have supported me, my work, my dreams, and the words that haunt me until they make it onto the page and are released into the world.

I am utterly blessed.

Tired, drained, but completely content this morning.

It’s been slightly difficult year. Things are shifting in the indie publishing world, sales are down across the board for any author who is unwilling to play in the Kindle Unlimited pool, and it is getting more and more difficult to reach even the readers who have indicated they want to be notified of new books, etc, let alone building up a readership. So I am also shifting, trying new things, and in 2019 I’m going to be expanding – via the audiobooks and launching two, possibly three new series, as well as trying a few new ventures – giving Amplifier 0 away for free on my blog chapter by chapter (starting Jan 8), being part of an author bundle (also in January), going more ‘traditional’ with some new book covers, attending the Nebulas in May, etc.

But yesterday and this morning, I know that no matter what I have planned for the future, I have already found a lovely, supportive reader base. And I’m so thankful that you are on this journey with me. So, so thankful.

Today, I have this blog post to write, and nine giveaways to package up – from the release day party yesterday – but I might actually take it easy for the rest of the day. Some reading and knitting sound perfect.

Tomorrow I’ll dig into the third draft of Amplifier 0.5 (preorder novelette) and Amplifier 1. And hopefully I’ll get my hands on the proof of the paperback for Dowser 9 soon because I have some swag boxes to fill!!

And after that?

The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0), Chapter One, Part One, drops HERE on January 8, 2019. Yep. As a thank you and a way of introducing you to the Amplifier herself, I’m giving away the prequel novella (38K) for free over a series of weeks on my blog. It will be available on stores after that, of course. But I’ll thought it might be fun to build to the release of book 1 and hopefully have a conversation about the world and the characters along the way. I promise to post (and email if you are on either of my mailing lists) about it in more detail closer to the date.

In 2019, I’ll be releasing Amplifier 1 and 2, along with prequel short stories. Then in some order (depending on what I write and when I write it) Misfits of the Adept Universe – Mory’s 1st book, Jasmine Bytes – Jasmine’s first book, and Amplifier 3. And maybe, just maybe … I’m toying with an idea for Oracle 4, but I need to have conversation about how to launch it (it might actually be better combined into the Misfits series because of the jump in time since Oracle 3), so this might not happen, or it might just be a passion project … We shall see!!

But for now, thank you, thank you, thank you – for buying the books, yes. But also for reviewing and sharing and reading through your library, for talking about them with your friends and family, and all your interactions with me online.

You all completely rock!

December 5, 2018 – the view from my office window – feeling very blessed.

Dowser 9 swag boxes

Update: I’m now running a wait list for the swag boxes. Email me the info I requested below to be added to the list. First come, first served, if I have any extra boxes.

Since I didn’t manage to make it to any signings or conferences in 2018, I floated an idea about a week ago in the Facebook reader fan group about a ‘Dowser 9 swag box’ and a number of readers expressed interest. I checked in with Chocolate Arts about getting a bulk order of the chocolate bars, and they also said yes. Yay!

Obviously I don’t have a picture of the actual box yet, but each box would include:

an autographed paperback of Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (Dowser 9)
the actual chocolate bar mentioned in the book – a cranberry and candied pistachio bar from Chocolate Arts
nine Dowser recipe postcards
four Cake in a Cup stickers
Three butterfly temporary tattoos

Not pictured: autographed paperback and ninth recipe card

Cavets:

Shipping: Unfortunately I’ve discovered, after weighing a ‘mocked’ up box (since I don’t have all the items yet) that the shipping (remember I’m on the West Coast of Canada) is more expensive than I originally thought, so I decided to limit the ‘swag’ so I could lower the estimated price by five dollars. The shipping is NOT trackable.

Timing/Delivery: I need to get the chocolate bar count into Chocolate Arts on November 9, 2018, so I’ll only take orders until November 8. But the earliest I’ll be able to get my hands on paperbacks will be early December. Which means the likelihood of you receiving the box before the holiday season is slim. I’ll try my best and some Canadian or USA address might get the box before the 25th. But there is absolutely no way the international boxes will make it in time. In fact, the last time I mailed a giveaway to New Zealand it took FOUR months for it to show up.

No substitutions or additions. I’ve set the shipping rate as low as I can, and therefore need all the boxes to weigh the same. Also packing different packages for different readers would be crazy time consuming. Every minute I’m working on the swag boxes I’m not writing.

Chocolate bars: for countries that are currently experiencing or going into their hot season – or for international countries in general – I cannot guarantee the quality of the chocolate. There is a reason why most companies don’t ship chocolate internationally, and of course I’m no exception. Readers in Australia and New Zealand might want to wait for the next opportunity to get an autographed book.

Questions asked and answered:

Is PayPal the only way to pay? Yes. That is the only way I have to send international invoices and accept payments. But you can pay through PayPal with a credit card without having an account.

When do the invoices need to be paid by? November 8, 2018. So I can place the order with Chocolate Arts. It doesn’t really make sense for me to order way more than I actually need for the swag boxes. But again, I will run a wait list in case I have any extra boxes.

Is the chocolate dairy free? The bar is marked VEGAN on the front and says, “created in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs” on the back.

To order:

Email me at info@madebymeghan.ca with your mailing address, email address, and phone number (for customs). Please don’t send me abbreviations (I’m from Canada, I don’t know all the abbreviations for all the States, etc 🙂 ). I will send you an invoice via PayPal.

Price: $30 plus shipping

Shipping:

Canada/USA: $17

United Kingdom (including England, France, Germany): $21

Australia and New Zealand: $22

OTHER INTERNATIONAL: please email for a quote.

ORDERS CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 8, 2018 at 8pm PST. I will start a waitlist but I cannot guarantee I will be able to fulfil orders submitted after November 8 – items need to be ordered and getting them shipped to me also takes time.

If you have any questions please ask them below.

Fun! Fun!

Dowser 7: early reviews

Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (Dowser 7) has been officially released for a week today. Yay! And many of my lovely readers have lovely things to say about the newest Jade book, so I thought I’d share a few snippets here:

A solid 5 star series – Outstanding plot continues and gets richer and more exciting with each book. Similar to the other books in series, you won’t want to stop reading until you’re forced to because you have reached the end. – Liz via Amazon USA

More, more more – I just want to keep reading and never stop! – Randi via Amazon USA

Brilliant as always – Love this series. It incorporates magical beings with sass and superpowers within the modern world. With a cupcake or two thrown in. – Inka via Amazon UK

Left me wanting more – As usual this was a smart, sassy and engaging book that I couldn’t put down. I love the interplay between the characters and how Meghan weaves the different series in the Adept Universe together. – Carmen via Amazon CANADA

5 stars – I love how these characters are so well rounded – it was a real pleasure to join them on another adventure! …and the cupcakes! – Maggie via Kobo

5 stars – If you are a fan of snark, cupcakes, and kick a$$ strong female characters then this book is a must!!! – Shawna via Goodreads

Thank you so, so much for reading and reviewing. I’ve yammered on about this before, but supporting any author – indie or traditionally published – in the first 30 days of a book release is not only great for the author but it also does all sorts of the good things behind the scenes, such as ‘juicing’ algorithms on retailers, getting titles on best-seller or hot new release lists, etc. All of which calls attention to the book. So, thank you, thank you!

Now back to writing Dowser 8 …

[No release date yet, for anyone who was about to ask. 😉 ]