But First, Coffee

Good morning! I’ve got my latte, my protein shake, and I’m ready to start my day. I think it’s time for an update on my writing, and I’m also posting this on my Facebook page because there are still quite a few people that don’t realize that I’ve gone indie, or that I’m still writing a LOT of new books.

Two years ago this month, I released my first full indie novel—Fury Rising. And I haven’t looked back!

For those who are still unclear as to what indie means, essentially — after twenty years, I decided to step out on my own and become my own publisher. Traditional publishing wasn’t—and still isn’t—looking for what I like to write. And I don’t want to write what they want. That was true two years ago and it’s even more so today.

And while it is true that in publishing everything is cyclic, I simply have no desire (or the financial ability) to wait around for them to decide they want paranormal and urban fantasy again. I LOVE being able to write more than three books a year (they wouldn’t let me), and frankly, they’re nickle and diming authors to death now.

So two years ago I stepped out on my own and said, “Bye, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out” to my ex publisher. And I’ve never regretted it.

The first year was rough and scary. And it wasn’t easy explaining over and over again to upset readers why I made the choice that I did. But the facts were, and are, that my ex-publisher chose to pass on any more books from the series I was writing. And that’s the end point. They didn’t want to buy what I was writing. I didn’t want to write what they were buying.

Now, two years later, I’m writing work I never could have published through them — it’s hard enough to write cross genre work with a traditional publisher, but writing what I’m writing now? They wouldn’t have a clue on how to categorize it or sell it.

So what am I doing?

  • Well, I have released four books in the Fury Unbound series, and will be starting the second story arc this fall.
  • I have released four books and several novellas in the Bewitching Bedlam series. I’m working on the fifth book now and there are three more to come over the next year or so.
  • I have released two books in the Wild Hunt series, and the third will release on August 6. I am planning at least five more books in the series, and a couple spinoffs. In fact, this is my new favorite series and I absolutely love writing in this world. I see so much potential to expand it as I go along!
  • I have gotten the rights back to the Indigo Court series and re-released them in the e-format with new covers. As to whether that will be new books in this series now that I have it back? That will be determined on whether the series sells well  in indie.
  • I have gotten the rights back to the Chintz ‘n China series and re-released them in e-format.
  • I have also gotten the rights back to the Bath and Body series and re-released them under my own name.
  • I have released two more books in the Otherworld series, along with a lot of shorts, and I will be releasing the last book next year. I am not planning any spinoffs of this series as of now.

 

So where does that leave the Fly By Night series and the Whisper Hollow series?

Well, the Whisper Hollow series is on indefinite hiatus until I get the rights back. Yes I would like to write more in that series, but I simply will not do so until I can control all of the books. It’s economically a very bad move for me to do so and this is my career, not a hobby.

As far as the Fly By Night series, I have decided to permanently retire it. I was asked to make a major change when writing the first book that I really didn’t want to make, and it impacted the entire series. Even if I get the books back, it wouldn’t feel right to me. I’d have to re-write both books entirely to get it to the point I had first envisioned, and I have no interest in doing that.

But, here’s the thing, peeps. I’m so much happier now than I was a few years ago. I love what I’m writing, I love the freedom and control that I have. And at this point in my life, I really don’t want to answer to other people.

I was in traditional publishing for twenty years, and I had to make a lot of changes to a lot of books that I really didn’t want to—editorial changes that fit the publisher’s vision but not my own. Now, I’m writing true to my nature. And what a priceless feeling that is.

So I’ll be bringing you more Maddy books, and a LOT more Ember books, and more Fury, and I have so many ideas for the future that it’s hard not to just want to write them all right now! I’m in a creative renaissance, and I am loving it. And I want to thank my readers for coming along for this ride.

And just a reminder for those who have stuck with this post and read it fully, you cannot find my books in stores now. They are available in e-format for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and iBooks, and the full-length new novels are available in print-on-demand, trade size, through Amazon.com.

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But First Coffee: Update on My Writing

4 thoughts on “But First Coffee: Update on My Writing

  • 06/10/2019 at 6:15 am
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    Love the Whisper Hollow series & I’m sad you don’t have the rights back yet. Amazon has removed the digital ebook possibility of the individual books from it’s choices but is still offering the paperback & audio versions so hopefully that means the rights can soon revert back to you so you can continue on with series.

    Reply
  • 07/30/2018 at 12:33 pm
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    I am enjoying your new writing, and it is great that you are too. Of course I loved the Berkely stories as well. It is nice to know the writers I read love what they do. You have my support no matter what format you use.

    Reply
  • 07/30/2018 at 10:45 am
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    You write wonderful, creative stories. So glad that you had the courage to step out on your own.

    Reply
  • 07/30/2018 at 10:15 am
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    I am loving your new indie books. I am so glad you decided to publish what you want. You can tell in the writing that you love these characters and I am enjoying the fact that your books are not a publishing mold. It makes each of your books fun and new and not the same as other books.

    Reply

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