March is here!

First up – my apologies! I ran out of time for my last instalment!

Okay, updates.

Kindle Unlimited

Both stories are finished. Just waiting for beta readers still, then they’ll go to editing. Once they’ve gone through editing I’ll be able to get their covers and upload them! Excited and scared to see how they go.

Clans in Conflict

The Dark Road

Still waiting to hear back from the beta readers, but it shouldn’t be too long, now. I hate waiting. What about you?

Dark Beginnings

I am still writing this but I have given it a rest while I see what’s going on. I will get back to it, but I’d like to get The Dark Road out there first.

Consequences

Heart of Deception

Still waiting for beta readers. Again, shouldn’t be too long.

Legacy of Risks

I have actually sent this to a friend who can give me a better understanding of how this is going. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy what I have written.

Dangerous Heart

Currently tweaking this to fit with the other two books. I’d rather have it close to what they are before publishing it.

New universes

I have been working on the shifter, Alek. That has become very complicated family-wise as well. I don’t know if he and his cousin will forgive me.

Paranormal

I am looking at putting one of those into an anthology that a group I am part of is putting together this year. Just have to go through it.

The English Language

What is it with our unique language? Some words get combined while others don’t. Take the list below:

Insofar

Straightforward

Loungeroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Nevertheless

Moreover

Moreso

Northbound

Westbound

Eastbound

Southbound

I know there are more out there – I should make a list of them! But why not the ones below:

Diningroom

What is it about those words that allows them to be combined, yet others aren’t allowed to be combined?

And what is it with spelling a word and yet the context used either has two different sounds or meanings?

Take

Lead – you either lead someone around or it’s a metal

But the metal sounds like “led”

February start

Wow! Already February! Hopefully, it won’t be as fast (I know, wishful thinking). Anyway, I have a lot of news.

Big one, big one – I have entered the Western Australian State Premier’s Writing Awards. Fingers are crossed that something will come of it.

Also, I have expanded my distribution and all 3 books will be released to other online stores on Wednesday 12 February. There are a few places I wouldn’t mind adding, but they’re emails to the company and I’ll look into that later.

That took me just about all of yesterday (Saturday)! But I got it done!

Kindle Unlimited

I have finished two stories to go into Kindle Unlimited, I’m just waiting for beta readers to have a look at those.

They’re both part of the Clans in Conflict universe and Alex Travis plays a role in those.

Clans in Conflict

I am still waiting on beta readers for The Dark Road. I’ve been promised they’re nearly finished, but I’m getting a little antsy on that.

For that reason, Dark Beginnings is still on hold. And that one I’m actually struggling with because there’s going to be a lot of politics in it and – well, that’s not really my strong point.

Consequences

Still waiting on proof readers to finish with Heart of Deception but it shouldn’t be too much longer.

I’m still editing Legacy of Risks and that’s still plodding along.

New universes

I had a quick look over Malevictus’s story yesterday and, yeah, that will need looking at before it goes out to beta readers.

And I’m still writing Alek’s story. (Don’t worry, I’m a little annoyed that it’s another Alek/Alex, too.) Poor shifter’s been through the ringer, just like his cousin.

Paranormal

I’m looking at a publishing house for the paranormal, but that will be a long way off. Any short stories will probably go under that banner as well.

New writing program

As I said last time, I have discovered Lore Forge and while I love it, I have had a few instances in the past week where it has frozen and blanked all the text. When it came back, all the text was there, but it was a little disconcerting. (Understatement – heart-pounding, sweat pouring – come on! Where are those words????)

I still like using it, though. It’s stripped back and works with my strange brain!

We’ve finally hit some cooler weather, but only until next Friday, then higher temps again. Oh, well, summer will be over soon. Like, 2 more months … then I’ll probably be complaining about the c-c-c-cold! Haha

Anyway, got some more writing to do, so have a great 2 weeks!

New year

Well, it’s almost the end of 2024!

What a year it’s been.

I’ve successfully wrenched control of one of my books from the defunct publisher and managed to publish a second edition of it. So, it’s in 2 parts, but in the future I may put out a single version so both parts are in one book. At over 160,000 words, it’s going to be a huge book.

I have also successfully published its sequel. This was due to be published by the original publisher, but I’m glad it wasn’t because I didn’t have to jump through any hoops to publish it.

So, on with news!

Clans in Conflict

As I said, Dark Dimensions Parts 1 and 2 are available to purchase from Amazon. I have yet to take it to other distributors. I’m still working on that.

Dark Reign, the sequel, is also published through Amazon and will be distributed more widely hopefully some time in the near future.

The Dark Road, the third book in the series, is with beta readers to check for its pacing, etc., and whether it actually works as a story.

Dark Beginnings – the story of Vlad the Supreme – is currently being written, but I still have a lot of other things to do before I can finish that.

Dark Dimensions Parts 1 and 2, and Dark Reign can be found here: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CTHRMJQW

Consequences

Heart of Deception Edition 2 has been edited and is with a beta reader to see whether they can pick up any issues with it. Cover artist is already working on the cover art for that.

Legacy of Risks is still being rewritten. It will be an edition 2 when it’s completed. That needs to go to the editor and beta readers, so it will be a while yet.

Dangerous Heart has been edited but needs tweaking, but as it has not been published it is still an edition 1.

Website

I am still working on my website rebuild. With all of the upheaval with Christmas and New Year, I didn’t really get a chance to work on it, but I will get back to it. I have built some of it but I need to really spend some time on it.

General stuff

Aircon is fixed just in time for another heat wave from Tuesday onwards! We’ve had some cooler weather which was a great respite, but now the aircon is fixed it’s much more bearable.

Hopefully, next time I’ll have more news to share with you!

In the meantime, have a safe and great New Year and talk to you in 2025 (oh, that’s scary!)!

Christmas – New Year

So, we’re at the end of the year.

It doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s all about letting off steam and letting go of worries. Of course, it isn’t always like that. Sometimes there’s strife in the holidays.

But that’s part of life. I wish everyone a great two weeks – or three – depends – and be sure to stay safe!

Anyhow, onto my work.

Clans in Conflict

As you’re aware, Dark Reign has been out for a while. This is a sequel to Dark Dimensions and you can find all of the books for Clans in Conflict here.

www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CTHRMJQW

I am still working on a new website, but unfortunately, the above link is where they are available.

The Dark Road

The Dark Road is a follow-on to Dark Reign and it is currently with beta readers who are picking through it to see if it’ll work. They’re probably already pulling their hair out regarding what I subject Alex and Fernid to.

Consequences

As you all know, I have also rewritten the first two books of the Consequences series and I have got Heart of Deception back from the editor and am currently working my way through the changes she has suggested (and her comments that are amazing, by the way). Some of the comments mean I have to go back and look at what I’ve written and look at new ways of writing it. Which is part of the process every writer goes through. She did tell me, however, that the additions I’ve included have really rounded Marek’s character and given you all a deeper look into his history as well as his character.

I am still editing Legacy of Risks, which has also been rewritten. This follows-on directly to Heart of Deception and again has inclusions there much like the first book has. I will finish it, I promise.

The third book of the series, Dangerous Heart has been rewritten as well and is waiting in the queue.

Now, new stuff.

I have put my other stuff, like paranormal and my synergist books on hold at the moment, but their characters are still niggling at me, so I will get to them. I promise.

I have slowed down over the last week, but that’s because of Perth’s weather and the fact that the fan motor for our air conditioner decided it was too old and refused to help keep me cool over the last week. The motor is currently with the installer and he has promised us he will install it on Monday. Which is just as well because there is more hot weather coming. I made great use of a spray water bottle and the spa in the last week since the motor went.

So, I should be back to full throttle in my writing and editing from tomorrow. Thankfully, the weather has cooled today and tomorrow – just in time for the motor to be installed, because, let’s face it – who wants someone on their roof on a 39C day? (For those with imperial temps, that’s 102.2F and that was one of the cooler days – we got up to about 42C – 107.6F – I think.)

Okay, more real life stuff to do! Catch you next time!

It’s finally here!

Dark Reign has been released – well, it will on 2 December 2024.

This is the first time this book has been published and I’m really proud of it.

Dark Reign is the sequel to Dark Dimensions and although Troy plays a strong role in it, most of the story is from the viewpoint of Alex Travis.

Whilst there are science fiction elements in this story, such as dimensional travel, multiple versions of the same people, a lot of this story is how a detective, namely Alex Travis, goes through life learning about how to cope with a world that constantly changes around him.

In Dark Reign, Troy has mostly taken control of his city, but, as I said, this story is from Alex’s point of view and Alex has a strong idea of what his world is about.

Through this book, Alex has to come to terms about his place in the world and what that actually means.

While you don’t have to read Dark Dimensions to understand Dark Reign, Dark Dimensions is the first in the Clans In Conflict Series and Dark Reign is the second.

On a different note altogether, Heart of Deception, the first in the Consequences series, is currently with the editor. This will be coming out early 2025 if all goes well.

This, like Dark Dimensions, is a second edition as there are many changes to the storyline as sometimes happens when an author looks back over previously published works. Already, the editor is saying that the book is much more tightly packed with the pacing much better and the storyline tighter.

Having said all that, I will probably experience the same issue with Heart of Deception (and with Legacy of Risks, the sequel) that I did with Dark Dimensions, so I intend the release date to be two or more months’ in length to give that process time to be resolved.

I am currently editing Legacy of Risks currently before that goes to the editor.

Also, The Dark Road, the third in the Clans in Conflict series, is currently with a beta reader for analysis before anything further goes through with that.

I still have other stories on the go and hopefully an updated website will be up and running soon whereby I can add things like maps, character backgrounds and stuff like that for the published books – along with small snippets of their lives.

Mal’s story is currently on hold, only because I am trying to concentrate on these other stories, but there are currently two books in that series – not one on Mal and one on Alloric, but two books, nevertheless.

Of course, with the heat we have just experienced, I’m heading for the spa to cool down!

Talk to you all later!

Julz.

PS. You can find all my books here

Two steps forward, one step back

Well, I seem to have found an obstacle with Amazon, but I am looking into things. Having said that, there are alternatives, including looking for a traditional publisher. I am waiting to hear back from Amazon and hopefully it will all be good.

Otherwise, I might have to hunt up alternatives.

But onto more things. I do have a few things in the mix, including the Consequences series and I hope to have that ready to go soon. Although the rewritten books, Heart of Deception and Legacy of Risks still have to go to beta readers and the editor along with Dangerous Heart which is the third book.

I’ve also got a companion book about Marek from age sixteen right up until Heart of Deception, which was fun to write. It establishes his reputation as a highly successful acquirer of items, etc., and that’s all I’ll say. Not too many spoilers for those who haven’t read the series.

For those who have, I have removed that very detailed scene at the beginning of Heart of Deception. It took me a while to see that that wasn’t really what people wanted to read. I have also included references to those earlier years of his life that weren’t in the first book.

Speaking of those references, one raises its head in Legacy of Risks, but, again, I don’t want to give too much away because I think, in the long run, the companion book will be an enjoyable read – albeit rather dramatic.

I am still working on the other two new books and along with those I am writing a follow-up to Dark Reign. I have already written the third book, The Dark Road, but there are a few years between and that book may be a companion book, too.

Dark Beginnings is coming along nicely, but still only in the first stages.

Going back to Amazon, I had thought of doing the 90 days KU exclusive, but I have decided against that – I know there’s a market out there and I’ll find it. I am determined!

Hopefully, in one of the next few posts I will have pre-order info for everyone, along with the new covers for both parts of Dark Dimensions.

In the meantime, happy writing and reading and be safe!

Exciting News!

I have allocated and am one move away from registering ISBNs for Dark Dimensions Parts 1 and 2, edition 2. Which means we are one step closer. My next step is to decide when to publish. Then I can put that into the registration and that’s the registration done.

Once that is complete, I’ll be able to concentrate on Dark Reign which is the second in the Clans in Conflict series and the sequel to Dark Dimensions.

When those books are up and published, I’ll be able to work on Heart of Deception and Legacy of Risks, Consequences books 1 and 2. Due to those changes when Marek was younger, these updates have yet to go through beta readers and back through the editor to ensure enough of these make the books edition 2s.

Returning to Clans in Conflict, I have written what was the third book in that series, however, we have since realised there needs to be a book in between. I am currently working on that, however, that may have been started in the wrong point of view, so I am toying with that, also. And it may be that that becomes a novella instead of a full-sized book.

The Dark Road then becomes book 4 although I could adopt Robert J Crane’s approach and make the interim book 2.5 keeping The Dark Road as book 3. That will depend on what Robert says because I won’t step on his toes without permission. Yeah, I know, it’s probably too much to worry about, but I’d rather keep friends than make enemies.

At any rate, The Dark Road is complete and just needs beta readers to read it and then the editor.

So, swapping back again to Consequences, book 3, Dangerous Heart is finished but again needs to go to beta readers and then to the editor. Once that’s done, that will also be published.

Now, the new book that I mentioned in my past post is still with a beta reader and I am still working on the second book in that series, but that is more for the future. I don’t even have a name for that series!

So, that’s the state of the situation at the moment. More will be coming in two weeks! Now, time for something – wait, kitchen is calling!

Updates

So, I have caught up with my cover artist and the art is coming along nicely. Once it is completed I will take all the other steps to getting Dark Dimensions out there. Then will come Dark Reign.

Once those are both done, then the rewritten versions of Heart of Deception and Legacy of Risks will be sent to the editor and beta readers just to make sure they’re on track.

I’ve been keeping something very close to my heart, but I feel it is now time to reveal it. I have written some short stories about Marek between the ages of 16 and 25. He had some really big events happen and those events had to be reflected in the Consequences series. I believe the books show more depth to Marek’s character because he’s still dealing with some of the after effects of these events and these after effects really emphasise the reason why I called the series Consequences. Because Marek learned very early the consequences of actions that we each take.

Anyway, I’m hoping to put a book out in the future with these stories – it’ll be like an anthology of Marek’s life and I hope that everyone enjoys the antics he gets up to in those early years.

I have a new book that is currently going through checks for plot holes, etc, and I hope to have this to beta readers soon. I was intending to go back to Dark Beginnings, the story of Vlad the Supreme, however, the protagonist in this particular book has been yammering at me to write a second book, so I’m just putting down the barebones of that one so that I don’t lose momentum on it.

I have been working on Dark Beginnings and I am also working on a book between Dark Reign and the book after it – The Dark Road. That one is being a hard slog, so it may come out after Dark Beginnings. More updates to come on that one.

I’ve got some other works on the way, but they are quite some distance off being ready, so I won’t give you any more than that.

Apart from the weather turning chilly, all is advancing as planned!

Change in weather

Well, our seasons have finally changed. We’ve still got warmish days, but the nights are definitely cooler.

I’m still working with the cover artist for Dark Dimensions, but we’ve both had real life interpose itself between things, so it’ll be a little bit off yet. Currently he’s playing around with The Stronghold and other images to see what works best. I can’t wait for some of what he comes up with. Exciting times!

I’m currently editing the book I began in January. I finally had it all edited and had left it for a week to percolate when suddenly the main character tells me I’ve missed out on his brother.

So, I had to write his brother’s story to get a handle on how my main character would feel about him and then go back and tweak the main story.

Sad to say, this one-off book has at least one sequel coming out where the brother’s story will play a larger role. And if I get a chance, I will write the brother’s story, but at the moment, what I have written is for background information only.

I am still working on the murder mystery story in Sydney, but that has taken a backseat while I sort this one out, too.

And I’ve got the Consequences series ready with Heart of Deception and Legacy of Risks both going up as second editions like Dark Dimensions. Not only are they second editions due to the collapse of Corvus Quill, but I did some background stories on Marek Janosik and had to tweak both books to accommodate that information, too. So those are going up after we sought out the Clans In Conflicts books.

I am two thirds of the way through my editing course and I have learnt so much through that, it’s been amazing! I passed the first assessment, still waiting on the results of the second assessment and have one last assessment to go. Whilst I don’t need the results to be high for further studies, I do want to do a great job in those assessments for my own – okay, I’ll say it! For my own gratification!

Anyway, that’s it for now. Have a great week and I hope everything goes well for you!