Another month and time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. Today's co-hosts are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend and Lee Lowery.
Wednesday, 3 August 2022
IWSG August 2022
Friday, 15 July 2022
Reckoning Cover Reveal
Happy Friday! Today I'm proud to unveil the cover for Reckoning, the final book in my Black & White trilogy. Drum roll...
The time has come for those who perpetrated wrongdoing and suffering on the land of Loretania to face their judgement. Lord Histender and the other members of the deposed Reformers’ Government are in jail awaiting trial for keeping that country in a state of disease-ridden deprivation, alongside other heinous crimes.
Wellesbury Noon and Ezmerelda Dontible, the kind and benevolent new rulers of Harmonia, are looking forward to seeing justice finally being done. But nothing is that simple. Lunkin, the psychotic former Chief Scientist, has one more trick up his sleeve and is wreaking havoc even from behind bars. Soon, Loretanians who have come to make a new life in Harmonia are falling victim to hate crimes and brutal attacks. And things take a turn for the desperate when Wellesbury himself becomes compromised.
Can Welles and Ez turn the tide of public opinion and secure justice for the people of Loretania before it’s too late?
Wednesday, 6 July 2022
IWSG July 2022
Another month and time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. Today's co-hosts are J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor and Diane Burton.
Let's have a look at this month's optional IWSG question: If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?
This has to be an easy one for me - Terry Pratchett's Discworld (although I'd maybe like to just visit rather than live there because it can be brutal at times). I'd be like the tourist Twoflower who travels around with a luggage chest on legs that can present clean linen when needed and turn into a vicious killing machine with teeth when there's danger. There's so much to see - from the great city of Ankh-Morpork, which has a lot of insalubrious areas and a river so polluted you could bounce off it but also has sights like an opera house, the Patrician's Palace and a wizards' university - to Djelibeybi with its pyramids, Uberwald with its lush Alpine landscape (just watch out for vampires, werewolves and Igors), the mysterious continent of Klatch and even the fabled land of Fourecks (known for kangaroos and boomerangs). So many interesting people to meet too, from the inscrutable witch Granny Weatherwax to versatile street trader/conman Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler and of course the Librarian ("Oook!").
Interested to hear what other people answer for this one. You can check out other IWSG posts here.
Before I go I have a few mini-announcements to make:
My debut traditionally published novel, The Becalmer, set for release in August 2023, has been added to Goodreads. You can find it here. As has the finale of my YA trilogy, Reckoning, coming September this year, which is here.
I'm still looking for a few members to make up a street team to spread the word about The Becalmer. You can find details about that here. Alternatively, let me know if you'd like to help by reading an ARC.
Finally, I have a few spots still available for my blog tour for Reckoning, which runs 19th September to 1st October. Details for that are here.
Phew, that's a lot! Don't, by any means, feel obliged to do all of it. Any bit of help you can offer is humbly received.
I'm away this week for a lovely holiday on the coast of Scotland, so I'll get round to visit you after Friday. Hope my American friends had a great holiday weekend.
Monday, 27 June 2022
Street Team for The Becalmer - Help Needed!
As we head into another week, I have another exciting announcement to make. I'm looking for five to ten people to form a street team to help generate some buzz about my upcoming traditionally published debut, The Becalmer. You would need to:
- Be excited to read The Becalmer
- Be willing to help spread the word - you'll receive emails from me or my publisher with marketing materials for social media posts
- Generally get out there and talk about the book, why you're excited about it etc.
Monday, 20 June 2022
Reckoning Release Date Announcement
Hope everyone's doing well as we head into another week. I'm kicking mine off with some exciting news - I've completed the final part of my Black & White trilogy, entitled Reckoning, with a release date set for 19th September. This follows the first two parts, Black & White and Corruption. It's been a while coming, so it will be great to get the series wrapped up at last! As the title implies, this book sees judgment coming against those who have committed wrongdoing - but of course things don't go quite that smoothly.
It would be amazing if you could help me out once again by spreading the word via a blog tour. I've pencilled in dates from 19th September to 1st October, and I'll be sending out ARCs too. Don't worry if you haven't read the first two parts, it's quite easy to pick up on the action. There's a cover reveal for 15th July, so let me know on the Google form if you'd like to help out with that.
Wednesday, 1 June 2022
IWSG June 2022
Another month and time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. Today's co-hosts are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Joylene Nowell Butler and Jacqui Murray.
Let's have a look at this month's optional question: When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?
This is a great question for where I'm at. I estimate I'm about a third through a first draft or not far off that, and I'm at that crunch point where things could become severely difficult for my protagonist or I could give them an easier ride. Of course I always gravitate towards the former, otherwise there wouldn't be much grip to the story, but I know it's going to be gutwrenching and emotional. Being a plotter/pantser hybrid, I also probably need to make a pitstop around now to nail down some nuts and bolts to the story and how this world works. It would be better to have that all worked out in advance, but I actually need to spend some time in a location to get a feel for what's going on. It feels like I've got a lot of ideas swirling around, which I'll have to iron out and make sense of on the second draft - basically I'm throwing a lot of stuff at the wall and I need to see what sticks!
So to answer the question - or the first question - what keeps me going is the need to see my characters through whatever trials I'm putting them through and get some sort of conclusion. I don't want to leave them hanging once I've taken that initial step! Also, I told my publisher I'd have a draft to send by the end of the year. Outside accountability definitely helps.
I'm interested to read other answers to this question, especially from those trying to get started. Check out those answers here.
Friday, 13 May 2022
A Quick Death release week
I'm trying to make this Friday 13th a good one by sharing the release of Patricia Josephine's new book A Quick Death, which looks like a fantastic collection of short fiction. Over to Patricia...
Death
Murder
The Afterlife
These things fascinate our imagination. Delve into a collection of tales that
explore death and murder. Each story is told in exactly 200 words and designed
to give you a quick thrill no matter how busy your day is.
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE END?
Guest Post: The
Fun of Short Fiction
A Quick Death is my third collection of 200 word flash fiction. I have two more collections in the works. It’s something I find myself coming back to again and again. I love writing it. I love reading it. They’re fun bite-sized stories that you can consume like candy. (The perk being that the stories won’t add to your waistline.)
The thing I really enjoy about shorter fiction is it allows me to read an entire story in one sitting. I am notorious for reading a book in one go. I’ve missed appointments because of the fact. There’s also a certain amount of emotion that a full length novel requires. At least for me. There’s a roller coaster ride you go on with a novel. You can go through so many emotions. You get attached to the characters. You cry when the author kills your fav. (WHYYYYYYY?????) I enjoy novels, but my energy reserves aren’t always full enough.
That’s where short fiction comes in. Where novels are roller coasters, short fiction are more like a kiddie rides at the park. They take you for a safer ride and you get off and say, “That was fun.” But your legs won’t be left shaking from the adrenaline. They don’t drain me as much as a novel does. That’s important since reading is a vital author task. (Yes, it totally is! Don’t argue with me.)
If you’re ever feeling a little worn out but still want to get some reading in, check out some short fiction. There’s a ton out there and, while they may not take you on a roller coaster ride, they can still make you say, “Wow.”
THE FINE PRINT: Giveaway is US only. (Sorry, but the packages I've sent international have vanished in transit.) Entries only valid for new subscribers and followers. Contest ends May 18th.
Buy Links
About the Author
Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, and has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow.
Social Media Links
Patricia Josephine:
Patricia Lynne: