Monthly Wrap Up
September Zoom By
This year is blowing by, but I’ve been busy! I will not regret pushing some things aside for now because of what occurred with the larger projects of the year. The last quarter of the year looks just as busy. Let’s dive into the life of this authorpreneur in September.
Council of Light
I am so enjoying the editing based on the feedback from my beta readers. There are some definite overhauls to work through, along with some additional scenes to add. I need to work the ending for a solid character oriented one rather than a plot one. There are a couple of smaller plot items that did not wrap up as well because of this. I’m halfway through this part of the process.
There are more steps to the editing after this phase and some of my beta readers have agreed to check out version two. I’ll be printing it out and following along as I have Word read it to me to find further issues while incorporating the version two feedback. I honestly don’t know if this will work out for the November release I wanted, but I will not rush it either. I’ll have a better idea after next week.
There is no way I would have produced any of my books without an outstanding team to help me polish my ideas into truly engaging stories.
I teased about Council of Light’s cover on social twice, but you’ll get to see it here first. I used 100Covers, and once again, they did not disappoint. We’re getting a lot better at combining our artistic visions. I never talk to the artist, but I love my project lead there. I’ve learned a lot of how to put into words my idea that, like book two, we only had one round of tweaks after the first cover draft.
Coaching and Classes
I completed coaching certification with Hope*Writers in August. Since then, it’s been setting up the business and producing a website. It needs more work, but it has enough for the moment and I plan to have fun with it once Council of Light is in launch mode.
Why wait to fix the site? As a certified coach, I stepped up to help run a class with the organization for this autumn. I need to be ready for the first session on October 8th. It is 6 weeks long and runs for an hour for each live session. A special group area will be used for sharing and further discussion via posts between live sessions. I’ve run a mastermind oriented class for them last year, so I have ideas of how I can gear this to a book study and have a similar feel.
I’m at the point where I have the finances to add in person conferences, but I get to go to the Hope*Story conference free as one of their coaches. That helps some because I will still need travel, hotel and food around what is provided. It is also a shorter conference, so it is a good one for a test run to see how it affects my multiple sclerosis.
Books to Check Out
I’ve been reading writing craft and business books this month, so don’t have any reviews to share, but here are some books on my TBR pile.
Illusion’s Reign by Sarah Pennington
It is the second book in the series but is actually prequel to book one, Song of the Selkies. This wonderful indie author walked away with the Book of the Year at RealmMakers this year, so this book should be as much of a treat. I look forward to when my reading time returns and I can dig through both of her books.
Teaser
A transformed princess is determined to reclaim what's hers — but can truth prevail when illusion wears the crown? Discover what happens when "The Goose Girl" meets "Puss in Boots" in this prequel to the award-winning Song of the Selkies.
Wyldling Armor by A. R. Grimes
This is book three of the Wyldling Dream series, which is a YA Portal Fantasy. This book is available for preorder and releases on October 8th.
Teaser
The zeal to serve once burned in his heart. Now that he's failed in his duty, all his dreams have gone up in smoke. Will he rise from the ashes to rekindle the spark of meaning in his life ... or will he destroy everything he touches? A coming of age story with underlying themes of faith, friendship, and found family.
Among the Crimson Snow by Angel R. Watts
I followed this one on Kickstarter. It is now available for preorder on Amazon with a release date of October 1st. It is of a darker vein than the others I’m listing or compared to what I write, but she does well with Bjorn’s sharing of his faith and God, so it builds the character well.
Teaser
Bjorn is a nomadic northern priest that often gets into dire trouble trying to erase his past mistakes. (But he doesn’t mind risks.)
Togo is a legendary mercenary that wants to be left alone. (It’s not asking for much.)
Maude is a chronically ill poet with a Gift of prophecies. (She wouldn’t say it’s a gift.)
For lovers of action, heartfelt themes, and adventurous fantasy, get your next binge-read with one click! This standalone novel is great for readers who want gritty fiction with themes of redemption and courage.
To Come
Look for a shorter update about the Council of Light around mid October to keep you abreast of the editing process and when the book will launch. Thanks for bearing with me as I work to bring you the next book I know you are waiting for. I already have fun ideas of other books to revolve around this series, so expect me to keep on writing about Karnum while I mix in other fun writing and coaching adventures.