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A long blog post for you today, starting out with the exciting news that I have gotten a starred review from Publishers Weekly for FLIGHT FROM MAYHEM. I’ve gotten good reviews from them before but never a starred review, which is big news. Among other things, they had this to say:

Galenorn delivers suspense, myth, and stunningly relatable characters in her second Fly by Night paranormal contemporary (after Flight from Death), which continues the saga of blue dragon shape-shifter Shimmer and her coworkers at the Fly by Night Magical Investigations Agency…

There are a lot of vampire, fae, and shifter identities to keep track of, but each character is someone the reader can imagine befriending. The suspense builds, layer by layer, as the central mystery is addressed and a wide variety of smaller, more personal issues are teased out, leaving readers with an almost desperate need to know what happens next. Each detail seems specifically chosen to enhance immersion into a beautiful, complicated setting.

FLIGHT FROM MAYHEM will be released on August 2 — and it is one of the last two books you will be able to pre-order a signed copy of from Seattle Mystery Books. So I suggest, if you want a signed copy of one of my books, you do it with either this one or with SHADOW SILENCE. Both are available for preorder from Seattle Mystery Bookshop.

Now, to other things. Well, it’s been a long road the past year and a half, for both Samwise and myself. We had to go through a whole lot of changes and shifts in our careers and let me tell you, it has not been easy, and it’s been a little scary. But I have to say, things are settling in now. Sam started a new job today, and while it’s not permanent it sounds like a good fit for him for now. We also got some other good news — a little more private — but it takes a bit of the load off.

As for me, of course, it’s been the ongoing saga of my ever-changing career. As the industry has shifted and evolved, publishing traditionally has become a game of hardball for authors — best-selling authors, mid-list authors, and beginning authors alike. It doesn’t matter where you’re at, if you’re pubbing with the trad houses, the road has been rocky.

Most of you know by now that my time with Berkley has come to an end. After the two last releases this year with them (FLIGHT FROM MAYHEM and SHADOW SILENCE), I will be fully indie. At least until further notice.

I don’t mind telling you, the thought of this has scared the hell out of me. No more advances to live on while I write the book, a total shift in mindset on how things are done. More work to do, having to explain to readers how and why the process is different…none of it’s been easy.

One thing people still don’t understand is that in traditional publishing, writers have far less influence and power than most readers think. We aren’t the ones who decide whether we’re going to get another contract or not. We usually don’t have control over our covers. Quite often the content of our books has to fit a certain parameter to be accepted. I’m very lucky in that my editor at Berkley and I worked very well together, and our vision was similar. A lot of my author friends weren’t so lucky. But now, since Berkley is taking another direction with the fiction they want to publish and since the industry is in such a flux, there’s no room there for me.

I’ve been in this game for twenty years and watched proverbial boats crash on the shore time and again. You know what? I’m tired of being a passenger. I want to steer the boat, so to speak. Or at least, steer my OWN boat. Then if I see a crash coming, I can do something about it instead of watching helplessly as somebody else makes decisions about my path.

Which brings me to my first indie release.

I have had so much fun writing Fury Rising. I wrote completely to my own vision. I took the book places where I knew it wouldn’t work for Berkley. I made it 100% mine.

And the response has been extremely gratifying so far — readers are loving the book. I’m starting the second one already, and sales are fairly good for my first indie. (Which they need to be, to be honest. I don’t do this is a hobby and I only can continue to write the way I do as long as I can make a living from it). And now I’ll admit something else: I’ve been worried as to whether readers really would follow me into this new direction, especially since so many of my sales were in print rather than E-format. I’m grateful that so many of you already have.

A number of readers who don’t hang out online probably won’t know that I’m still writing in a couple of years, unless they check my website. But I also know that all things change, and if they drop off, I’ll find new readers. And those of you staying along for the ride? We’ll have a blast with my new books and I hope you’ll love what I’m planning for the future.

On that note, just to let you know: I’m also excited because I’ve got covers in the works for the next three Otherworld books — and they are awesome. No, they won’t be from Tony, but they’re good and I’m happy with the way they’re coming out and that’s all that matters.

I’m going to post part two of this blog for tomorrow, because it’s so long. Till then!

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Updates, Part One

13 thoughts on “Updates, Part One

  • 07/17/2016 at 3:42 pm
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    I will pick up Fury Rising today! I love having at least on ebook on the go so that I always have something to read with me when I don’t feeling like haulting a paperback (definately never a hardcover!) around. I love the cover. I’m sure the inside will be amazing as well. Congratulations on taking control! I can’t wait to see what you do when you’re unfettered by a publisher!

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  • 07/12/2016 at 7:19 pm
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    Congratulations on becoming an indie author!
    Love your OW series, just finished actually, will Cassandra Campbell continue to narrate? She and you make my 2 hour work commute more bearable, even something to look forward too!

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  • 07/11/2016 at 11:49 pm
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    I have been reading your books for many years. I love the direction you took with Fury Rising. It had a different feel.. I loved it… Cannot wait to see where you take us!

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  • 07/11/2016 at 11:00 pm
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    I’m already halfway through Fury Rising and I’m so thrilled to be reading it. It’s something different and I find it enjoyable. I’ve also been telling my friends and family about it to get them to read it. Many of them like that kind of story and so I know they’ll enjoy it. Since I began reading your books, Darkling had only just been published then, I’ve found worlds that I enjoy more than most. And everything you’ve written has been interesting to me, which still shocks me to this day as I normally have trouble getting into a different series from the same author. I’ve had no problem with that in regards to your work and will definitely keep on reading whatever you write.

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  • 07/11/2016 at 8:54 pm
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    I started reading Fury Rising this morning and I can not put it down. I love it. I have read all the Otherworld books and have gone on from there. I love your writing and the worlds you create. Thank you. I will keep buying your books.

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  • 07/11/2016 at 8:29 pm
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    I love your books! I bought Fury Rising right away!

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  • 07/11/2016 at 8:26 pm
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    I have followed you since I picked up your first book Witchling and fell in love with your worlds you created. I am looking forward to seeing where you go, what characters you create and more. I am thrilled you are continuing to write and look forward to more wonderful books from you.

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  • 07/11/2016 at 7:03 pm
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    I will definitely be reviewing your books more on Goodreads and Amazon. And sharing those reviews on my vaious social sites and blog. Hopefully many of us who purchase your Indie books will review them. I’m looking forward to seeing where the various series’ will go now that you’ve been given free rein!

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  • 07/11/2016 at 6:38 pm
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    You will always have a faithful reader with me. Your career is hard and you have to do what’s best for you. I’m sorry the new covers won’t be from Tony. His work is amazing. Just continue to do what right for you and the faithful will follow. Blessings

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  • 07/11/2016 at 6:22 pm
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    I do hope this works out for you. And that once you get the hang of it you’re making enough to maintain your career. Best wishes!

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  • 07/11/2016 at 6:20 pm
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    Great job! I can only imagine what you have been going through but I hope that your new indie career will exceed your expectations! While I have to wait a little bit before I can afford to purchase your most recent releases, I am excited to see how your new independence is reflected in your writing. I have enjoyed absolutely everything that you have written and I know I will love everything you write in the future! I follow several of my favorite authors online and on Facebook, but I have to say that of all of them only you and Robert J, Crane put in any time to interact with your readers online, not to say that there aren’t other authors out there that interact like you do. Because of this, I am able to see, to a point of course, what kind of person you (and Robert) are and this endears me to you and makes me more interested in keeping up with what you write, blog, post, etc. Anyways, keep up the excellent work! I will do my best to read, share, and review often =)

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  • 07/11/2016 at 5:53 pm
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    I can understand how scary indie publishing is, and I’ve been with your books for a while. I love them, and I can’t wait to see your books in the future. It’s all for the best though, and it feels good to be the one in control. I admire you, and one day I hope to be as successful as you do. Keep them coming because the future is looking good for writers everywhere. I also love your witchcraft books, and I love your view so it will be cool to see that as well.

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  • 07/11/2016 at 5:31 pm
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    I have followed you since the beginning of The Itherworld Series, and I will follow you until you decide to stop. I love your work, creativity and your enthusiasm. I have mentioned to you on Facebook that you are one of the main reasons I began to embrace my own writing and I aspire to eventually become a published author myself. All because of a contest you held many many moons ago. Thank you Yasmine for all of your hard work and your dedication to make this new path work. You have millions and millions of fans that love your stories, you will succeed in the indie realm. Blessed Be )0(

    Reply

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