A Book and a Box of Chocolates

Some of Lori Flynn’s beautiful creations

I have to say, this combination has a lot going for it. This past Thursday, August 29, 2019, which happens to be my late father’s birthday, I had a book signing at Concetta’s Chocolate Shop (https://www.concettascandies.com/ ). I connected with some old friends I hadn’t seen in a while and met some new friends. I had a great time. Topping it all off was some very good chocolate to go with it. I sold out of books so I am ordering more and will have some for those who are waiting in a couple weeks.

One thing I may not have mentioned is that we were supporting three charities. She was focusing on the Rotary Club, and I have two very near and dear to my heart. One is the Dare to Dream Ranch which treats veterans with PTSD (https://www.daretodreamranch.org/ ) run by Karen Dalton and the other a local wildlife rehabilitation place ( https://www.sweetbinks.org/ ) run by Pamela Hood. What I love about these two places of healing is that these women do this on their own. That doesn’t mean they don’t get help, but it does mean that they have to find the money to keep going. I am more than happy to contribute a percentage of everything I make on my writing to these two warrior women. Their strength and dedication inspire me. I haven’t made much for them yet but I will do what I can.

Corrections in progress!
I asked, you responded. My dear readers have found 3 mistakes that will be corrected in the next batch of printed books. They are minor, 2 typos (missing an ‘s’ at the end of two words) and one paragraph that managed to get itself justified instead of flush left. Naughty paragraph! So I thank you very much. From here on in I hope the book is perfection in all ways.

I also want to give a shout out to my “international” readers. I have some fans in Australia, Wales, and Finland. It’s nice to hear from so far away that there’s enough universality in The Eversilver Sword to captivate people from different continents!

Book II Complete! Sent it off like a boss!

I am very happy to announce that Book II is done and sent off to the publisher today. It was a lot of hard work to get it to the final stage–much more difficult that I anticipated–yet it’s done earlier than I expected. I can’t tell you right now when it will be available but it won’t be too much longer. A cover needs to be done and the manuscript put into final form for printing.

It will be a thrill to see both books side by side! I can’t wait to hold The Crown of the Crescent Moon in my hand!

I will make myself take a break for a while before diving into Book III. That one will be even more work because it’s in a rough draft that is–well–very rough. I hope to finish it this year though, and I think that is very likely because it’s only August. It will be great to get it finished this year.

A Magical Review from Australia Which You Can’t See in the U.S.

Apparently if you submit a review in Australia under the Amazon.au site, it does not appear in the United States. So let me share this charming review here:

“I love the story, the characters and the place inside myself that this book takes me. I am sure I remember a time where magic and mystery was as alive as it is in C.K.’s enchanting book. I just love that every time I pick it up and read a bit more, that I expect more from my world, which also seems to respond to those feelings. I am left wanting more and more magic from Sholly’s books. Wonderful job, keeping writing about your inner world, because it is just beautiful. Many thanks Alyssa Rose.”

I am fond of this review because if there’s anything I would like to leave the reader with, it’s a spill-over of magical possibility from that world to this. Self-help, spiritual how-to’s, and healing books can be instructive, but after a while, they are a bit tedious. As the editor of Body, Mind & Spirit magazine for seven years, I learned that you can quickly get your fill. I wanted to write a book that gave you an adventure, a story that showed how Spirit can work in difficult situations.

Magically yours – C.K.

Greylin’s Appearance

For those of you who have already started–or finished–Book I, you know that Greylin’s appearance changes every time an obscuration spell is put on or taken off. What does she really look like without any spells?

I started searching for just the right photo. The painting on the cover of The Eversilver Sword is close, but it’s still not completely free of changes to her appearance. The painting below nailed it. That’s who she is!

After a while, I will post a version of Grae, but I’m not giving any spoilers away so soon.

Reviews

Now that the book has launched and the promotions begin, I look anxiously for reviews knowing that it makes a big difference when it comes to how Amazon in all its power and glory is going to handle things. Will they recommend it when someone types in “YA Fantasy”? Or will they let it die in the backwaters of their search engine?

So it’s very exciting and gratifying to see positive reviews. I received a private one that I would like to share with you. It may or may not get posted to Amazon (one never knows if they will approve it or not) so I asked her permission to present it here:

“I am impressed, nay, awed by your talent. I loved your book and am overwhelmed by the fact that you created a world, characters, animals, government, spells, superstitions, astronomy, history and so much more. Your characters are many, and all fleshed out enough to be known, but also left with enough mystery to leave room for future developments. Your heroine is sweet, kind and brave. Your story has a main plot but lots of twists, turns and complexity. You only killed off the bad guys. I loved your use of language, and probably my favorite was your use of “widdershins,” which I came across in a fairy tale over half a century ago, but always have remembered. Thank you for writing, can’t wait for the next one! In fact i avoided reading the excerpt from part 2 because i knew i would be frustrated!”

My First Book Signing

Today I had my first book talk, reading, and signing. I didn’t know what to expect, and all I can think of is the Tarot card for The Fool who is about to saunter off a cliff and is likely to be only saved by his dog. There she goes.

Image result for the fool tarot card

A lot of people showed up, more than I expected, and I ran out of books! I had a feeling about that so I ordered more but they didn’t arrive in time. Some people I still owe a book to but I think that will get sorted soon.

The best part for me was the interest in the book, the fact that people asked questions and the enthusiasm displayed for creativity in general. It was heartwarming to see people I have not seen in weeks, months, and even years. How I do love them!! Though I do admit, it was throwing me off because I just wanted to be hugging and squeezing a lot of them!

Does this ever get old? I can’t imagine. I get to talk about something I know about and people are interested and then actually hand me money! How would any writer –or artist or anyone in any kind of art–anywhere not be grateful for that?

I hope to do another one soon. There are a few who couldn’t make it. It was the hottest day of the year so far and there were some car air conditioning failures and trips planned, so another one is in the works for those I missed.

I truly thank all who came.

The Day Has Dawned

Today, this day, is extraordinary.

Today is the 5th birthday of my beautiful granddaughter.

Today is the official release of my book The Eversilver Sword.

I’m not very good with dates. I once forgot my first husband’s birthday. Entirely. (Which probably went a long way toward precipitating the divorce.) So until today, I didn’t realize that both of these events were happening on the SAME day. I think it is auspicious. Even in spite of the fact that we went right into a Mercury Retrograde just before the book’s debut. I don’t put too much stock into such things, but I can’t help being a little glad that advance sales of the book started long before that pesky little planet decided to start backing up.

I have already sold a few books. This astonishes me. I have spent many years deep into the world of Allanda. The characters are as known to me as thoroughly, or perhaps more so, than my own friends and family. Suddenly other people know about them. It is as though I have been invisible these many years and suddenly someone can see me. Such an odd feeling. Then to have someone respond with “I love the book. Can’t wait for Book II. Greylin inspires me” is so rewarding, so validating, that I am eternally grateful. I want everyone to love the characters as much as I do.

Next week I will do my first “book talk and signing”. That will be new. I am glad I am having new experiences. It keeps me from settling so deep into myself that I forget to come up for air. If you’re not doing anything next Saturday, in July, with ocean and lake shores beckoning, then the flyer below will tell you where I’ll be!

About typos

There’s not much more thrilling than when you hold your first printed-up book in your hand, unless it’s the day someone hands you the baby you just birthed. (Having experienced both I can say I have lived well.)

Following this most recent high, I can say the next experience–having someone open the book you excitedly put in their hands and who then immediately spots a typo–is a bit crushing. One has to accept that with a lot of humor. Self-deprecating humor. My face–it’s falling into–a grimace. Is that a twitch under my eye? Why aren’t I laughing this off?

Truth is, I went through the editing process SO many times. I’ve had it edited by editor friends, had others’ input. I listened to it twice with the monotone drone of the computer voice. I thought I had caught every possible mistake but–typos happen. I can groan about it, but better to accept it, try to move forward, and correct it whenever possible.

So I am making a list. For those who now have the book–it is shipping early, hurrah!–please let me know if you find any mistakees. They can be corrected in later printings. Thank you!

Great Synopsis from My Translator “Petra the Poet”

She will probably laugh but I do think of her as Petra the Poet because her skill with words in two languages is deserving of that title. See for yourself.

I met Carol on Facebook by accident. I saw in a random thread on “Very Finnish Problems” that a Finnish-American woman was writing a book and needed translation help from someone who spoke Finnish. I got a strong feeling that I should contact her, so I did. I thought she might be writing a family history and need some Finnish documents translated. When we started talking, it turned out that she was actually writing a fantasy book, in which Finnish language had a quite essential role since it was the language of magic (and also an ancient language that no one spoke anymore). I got so excited! We agreed that I was just the right person for the job. Carol and I stayed in close touch regarding the book and also life in general, and we quickly became friends during the project. Now I am happy to tell that her hard work is being rewarded: the publishing of the e-book is at hand, and Amazon has opened it for preorder! I heard that a paperback is also going to be available later. This book is the first part of a (so far) three-part series, and I have also been involved with the next two parts.

(Then there’s the link to the book and instructions on what you need to buy and read it)

I warmly recommend the book – it’s a good book with interesting characters, and for a Finnish reader there are some delightful surprises to be found. The genre is young adult fantasy, so it’s also excellent for youngsters who want to strengthen their English skills.