I usually start this with a music video, but I’ll put that at the end. Going to start with an update on Legends of Windemere: The Mercenary Prince:
Uh, it’s staying small . . . Is WordPress trying to make me write for ants? I apologize for the eye-strain. Although, you could click on the book title, which will bring you to the Amazon page and you can see it full sized. This is where I’d say you can buy it too, but I have too much . . . oh . . . never mind.
Seriously though, I’m happy the book is doing so well because I needed some good news this year. I know it’s only 3 days into 2016, but it’s kind of been a continuation of 2015 and its terribleness. Not going to get into it here. One thing I will ask is in regards to the Top 100 lists on Amazon. Why is there shape-shifter/lycanthropy romance erotica on nearly every fiction list? I know Sword & Sorcery is commonly defined as fantasy with action (sex?) that incorporates magic (transformation?) and swords (there’s a long list of lewd jokes here), but come on. Try to have some understandable rationale. Especially since it appears that nobody can outsell erotica. You know what, do what you want to do because obviously people prefer to read one-handed and with no pants?
By now you might have caught an edge or openness to how I’m talking. While I’m gearing up to edit Crossing Bedlam this week, which means I’m letting my filters down to keep Cassidy and Lloyd as they are. Seems to bleed over. Now, let’s get on with the 2016 Author Goals:
Let’s get the big one out of the way. I plan on publishing Tribe of the Snow Tiger, Charms of the Feykin, and The Spirit Well by the end of the year. Those cover the last 3 temples and set everything up for the final act of the series. Not the final battle exactly because a disaster strikes at the end of Book 12 that needs to be fixed in Book 13, Book 14 focuses on an important side mission of supporting characters, and then the big bad Baron gets to flex his muscles. Still not sure what I’m calling the last book. I still wish I knew where I wrote down the great title I had 2 years ago. Anyway, I’m going to be writing the first drafts of the last 3 books since the 3 for this year have already been written and only need editing. That means 2017 will be a smaller writing year since I’ll be outlining the next series on my list. I’m going to wait a year or 2 after Book 15 before I did an epilogue book for one of the survivors. That’s a long plan.
Ichabod Brooks & the Starwind Egg
Guess who’ll be back for another summer adventure! I’ll be writing this story up in January since it’s outlined and won’t take long. I’m thinking a June release and I’ll be using beta readers in the spring. This is an easy project that will be a great way to revive the author mojo after the long break. Yeah. I didn’t get to any editing like I had planned.
Raven’s Hold Sequel
I know people liked this and wanted a sequel. I’m going to try and write one after Ichabod and before I dive back into Windemere. Characters, plot, and outline are ready to go, but I have a feeling it won’t be as good as the first. The monsters have been revealed, so there’s not suspense beyond the twist I have at the end. Oddly enough, this feels like a common problem in horror since the fun of the first one is that you don’t know what to expect.
The story line is that Corvus and Dawn are running a resort company that gives them access to several cities. So they can get victims without drawing too much attention to themselves. Dawn gets bored and convinces Corvus to invite special guests for a game. Whoever eliminates the most of these guests wins, but Dawn promises to reveal Corvus to the world if she wins. She gets to do the killing (not by her own hand) while he has to drive his targets insane. So every chapter is more about who will get the victim, how it will end, and how the targets interact with each other. Like I said, it seems to lack the oomph of the original right now. Funny thing is that I have a better idea for a third book, which would return to atmosphere of the original.
As last time, I won’t be editing this book and giving it to the audience in its raw form. It’s a Halloween treat, so typos could add to the horror. 😛
Crossing Bedlam
I’m excited about this one, so I really hope I get it ready by February 12th. Half of January and February will be about hyping this book. If you’ve been with me since 2013 then you probably remember the kinds of Windemere posts I made before spoilers were a problem. You’re getting that here. Since the Bedlam series doesn’t have an ongoing plot, I don’t have to worry about that. Just Cassidy and Lloyd surviving and getting into more cross country trouble. This does pose a rough question:
What do I choose as their second adventure?
If this year runs smoother than expected then I might even release a second book of this series near the end of the summer. Depends on if I can write, edit, and cover art it in time. I said yesterday that I had 9-10 other adventures, but without an ongoing plot, I can’t figure out which one to take. There’s one that I might drop too. It involved them capturing a celebrity for Hollywood, which is now run by fans who wish to keep their idols in captivity. Cassidy and Lloyd get dragged into a rebellion led by other celebrities, but that’s as far as I got. Problem with this is I spent so much time establishing that this is our world in chaos that I kind of want to use real celebrities. I don’t know how far I can go with this. Sure fake names could work, but Lloyd is the type who would give big hints as to who they are interacting with. It’s really a silly, stubborn author issue. Maybe I can make a poll with the plots (minus the one I tagged as a the finale) and see what people think.
Anyway, that’s the big plan that I’m sure very few people read entirely through. Here’s the video.
Legends of Windemere 
Big plans, I hope they all come through for you, pal. Your work ethic is inspiring, Charles.
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Thanks. We’ll see if I can pull it off. Already hearing of several events that will make things tight.
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Lots of your plate Charles. You can do it! ~Elle
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Thanks. 🙂
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That’s a bunch. I’d have to burn all my vacation to take that on. Good luck with it all.
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Thanks. A big part of the goal is to get Legends of Windemere done to the first draft level. That way if things go bad in 2016, I’m not in too much trouble in 2017.
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Big plans, Charles, but you are a most productive writer, so I have no doubt you’ll reach your goals, even with foggy windows!
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Thanks. Just hope the fog clears. Seems I’m still running out of energy fairly quickly during the day.
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Looks like a busy time. Glad your numbers are doing so well. Have a great week
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Thanks. Have a great week too. We’ll see how mine goes. The ‘joy’ of editing. 😀
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Me too.
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You’re doing fine, Charles, and much better than most. I’m amazed at how much you get accomplished in a month.
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Thanks. The last couple of months have been rather slow for me. The change of my son’s school schedule really threw me for a bit.
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As always, I wish you the best of luck with all of your projects and repeat: don’t beat yourself to hard! I know it doesn’t sound too comforting, but your determination and effort are truly admired by many, me included.
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Thanks. I’ll try to keep the beatings to once a month. 😀
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You have so much on your plate! I know you will shine as usual Charles! Best of luck. I am always happy to help promote your books. 😀 ❤
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Thanks. Glad to have the help. Indie authors have to stick together. 🙂
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Absolutely! 😀
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You can do this, you are an inspiration and your dedication keeps us all going. Good luck and lots of prosperity wishes for you.
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Thanks. Good luck with 2016.
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Thank you Charles
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Wow but really, WOW! Good luck with all of that, I am so in awe. I will be publishing one book, I hope, which I haven’t started and I’ve no idea what it’s called yet!
As for erotica, don’t start me. I was looking at the top 20 Young Adult books the other day. I’m sorry but there is no place on a young adult list for a sex book called ‘fisted’. It’s like they optimise it for any old shit. I know it’s hard for them to get seen in their own genre but the rest of us are sinking under a tidalwave of porn! Phnark.
Happy New Year and good luck with the goals, if anyone can achieve that lot it’s you!
Cheers
MTM
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It helps that I have the books already written for this year. Those years of outlining and planning while working office jobs do have the advantage of preparation.
I’m surprised that book was allowed to get so far on that list. I know some romance authors who have been pegged as erotica and removed from lists, but it seems to be a rarity. The amazing thing is how the erotica books outsell everything else and get so high. I’m guessing low pricing and a lot of free copies handed out for reviews, but it’s still rather baffling.
Happy New Year to you too.
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Ah that was cunning… as for erotica, either the rest of us are missing something or everyone is much randier than we all think! Phnark.
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I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the second option. Seems to be a lot of restrained sexuality these days, so erotica would be a form of ‘release’.
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I gues so. If you can’t do it read about it, kind of thing. 🙂
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I’m glad 2016 is bringing good things to you!
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Hope so. Honestly, it isn’t starting off on a great note. Kind of a continuation of 2015’s stress.
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I’m sure it’ll get better. The end of 2015 was rough for a lot of people I know.
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2015 was a really odd year. Seemed to go south rather quickly for people.
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Yes, it did.
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I laughed so loud at some of your comments – Cassidy and Lloyd’s influence on your ‘openness’ is a delight! 😉
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They’re definitely a lot of fun to write. 🙂
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I can imagine. They’re definitely my kind of characters!
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Hopefully the book gets a big, warm welcome when it debuts.
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I’m certain it will. I’m really looking forward to reading it 🙂
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I wondering if I should give out a few early copies for free, but I never had luck with that. People tended to grab the books and disappear.
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Yes, that’s my experience too. If it helps, when it’s released I’ll get my copy early and write a review.
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Thanks. I appreciate it. 😀
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