Writer's Life: Writing Derailed and 3 Steps to Reclaiming Your Momentum (Katie)

 Writer's Life: Writing Derailed and Reclaiming Your Momentum (Katie)

Show of hands--how many of you have ever had what's known as writer's block? I'm not talking about a little bit of writer's block. No, what I'm really referring to is the major derailment of your writing mojo. 

While I am definitely going somewhere with this, let me start by telling you a story. In 2016, my family experienced a major life upheaval. It was a lifechanging event that shifted the course of our lives forever. Since that time, I have struggled to create. Writing became hard where it once had been easy, and nothing I put together seemed to be right.

The desire to write mixed with my guilt at not actually writing was extremely draining on my emotions. Earlier this year, I made the decision that it was time to put my writing aside for a bit. I recently completed my teaching degree, and I decided to put all my effort into teaching for the foreseeable future. I even spoke with Laurie here at Lands Uncharted to let her know it was time for me to step away from the blog. In fact, this will be my last scheduled blog post with Lands Uncharted, but I hope to visit from time to time in the future!

I am SURE I cannot be the only writer who has experienced this type of writing derailment. 

A Turning Point

Once I had settled on these decisions, and forgiven myself for not being able to create, the most wonderful thing happened. My writing mojo began to ink back into my life. 

I have picked up an abandoned manuscript and made tremendous progress with it. I've begun browsing writing-related websites the way I did in years past. I've even considered attending a writer's conference, which I thought I would never do again. 

So again I pose the question to you. Have you ever faced a major writing derailment? Do you want to get your momentum back but don't know how? Here are a few suggestions that might help you the way they helped me.

1. Give yourself some grace

It can be kind of a joke, but adulting is hard. Living is hard. Life can be H-A-R-D. That grace you'd give to someone else? Save a little for yourself. Your manuscript will still be here. Trends come and go, and your big chance will not pass you by forever. You have permission to take a break.

2. Strongly consider cutting back

It was a difficult choice to step back from Lands Uncharted. Beyond blogging, though, I have also been involved in endorsing several books in the last couple years, as well as critiquing manuscripts for friends. I have stepped back from those things, as well. It was not easy to say no, especially for those who have been very kind and caring to me over the years.

But the truth? The truth is those kind and caring people all understood. (They gave me that grace I mentioned earlier, you see.)

3. Refocus and take off the pressure

Deciding to focus on teaching took pressure off my creative side and refocused it somewhere else. I honestly did not realize how CREATIVE this would make me feel. 

I am now looking forward to the New Year and what I *might* accomplish (NO PRESSURE!!!) It isn't a chore or a requirement, because I'm not setting any goals for myself. While I completely understand the importance of goals, there are times in life where a different strategy is needed. That's what I'm talking about here.

If you have any other tips for getting back your writing momentum after a major life setback, please feel free to share them below. In the meantime, I wish you all a Happy 2021. I will miss contributing to Lands Uncharted on a regular turn, but I'm sure I'll see you all around 💛💛💛. Happy New Year!

Weekend Reads: Fear No Evil (Katie)

Weekend Reads: Fear No Evil by Allen Brokken

I hope everyone in the US had a lovely Thanksgiving. Earlier this year I told you about Allen Brokken's latest book, Still Small Voice. Hold on to your (santa) hats because book 3 is coming soon! Fear No Evil is not to be missed!

I was thrilled to be asked to read an advanced copy and provide a review and feature on Lands Uncharted. (It goes without saying, but all opinions here are my own!)

Lost and alone in a valley of darkness, Lauren, Aiden and Ethan must call upon their faith to stand against the Dark One's forces and prove they will fear no evil.

Across the land of Zoura, people and creatures alike continue to fall prey to the persuasion of darkness. The seeds of evil pollute not only those outside the Light, but those within it. Pitting neighbor against neighbor. Brother against brother. The Dark One gains ground in his pursuit to shroud the heathlands in eternal darkness. Zoura's only hope lies with three children.

Twelve-year-old Lauren and her younger brothers, Aiden and Ethan, are determined to reignite the Tower of Light in Blooming Glen. But an attack by dark forces separates them, driving them into a valley of darkness. Without each other or their Knight Protector, the three siblings must navigate the wilderness while fending off creatures tainted by evil. They fight not just for Zoura, but for their own survival.

Will the darkness overtake Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan? Or will they prove their faith is stronger and that they fear no evil?

Fear No Evil starts where book 2 left off. Ethan, Lauren, and Aiden (and their beloved pets!) are once again in the middle of danger and adventure, only this time their determination is tested even further when each are forced to face battles on their own. It was an exciting but rewarding ride, and I know fans of middle grade fiction will be wholly satisfied with this continuation of the series. The book will be available December 5th, and can be found on Amazon here!

About Allen Brokken:

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He's a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age appropriate way. He's dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children's ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college he's sharing his life experiences on social media @towersoflight, @twodadsandajoke, and through his blog https://www.towersoflight.net

 Story Snippets: The Compound (Katie)

One of the most popular questions I get asked is whether I've ever written any other stories set in the dystopipan world of my Enslaved Series. The answer to that question is yes...but it's never seen the light of day. I've always meant to finish up this other story within that story world, and because I was once again asked about it recently, I thought I'd share a snippet of that story here.

Before we jump into it though, I wonder. Have you ever read the Enslaved trilogy? What about other dystopian stories? Do you like dystopian as a rule?

The Compound

Amelia stood on her tiptoes but it didn’t help. Hammond stood in line in front of her—the big oaf—and she couldn’t see a thing past him. She wiped her sweaty palms on her pants and tucked a wisp of blond hair back into its bun at the nape of her neck. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and her irritation.

It would be different if she hadn’t been waiting her whole life—twelve years—for this moment. Twelve years of living indoors, never seeing outside. No sun, no stars, no fresh air.

But this year she’d reached the mark. She had turned twelve just last week, and that qualified her for this quarter’s new worker assignment ceremony. They waited in line now for their first tours of the outside world and their assignment stations. Life outside the dormitory walls would be amazing. Amelia knew it.

“Can you believe this?” James whispered. “We’ve been waiting our whole lives for this moment.”

Goose bumps prickled Amelia’s arms and she grinned at her very best friend in the compound. “Yeah, but this is different for me. They let you outside last week. Today is my first time.”

James opened his mouth like he would reply, but they were interrupted.

“Amelia, did you have something important to say?” Guard Meyers strolled toward her in the narrow hallway, swinging his electricity stick in a long arc.

Amelia eyed the stick. “Sorry Sir. I’m just excited.”

His gaze hammered her. “Everyone’s excited. Keep quiet, please. We have these rules for a reason.”

“Of course. I mean, yes sir.” Amelia quickly looked away. Her mother had warned her to show more respect to the guards, but especially to Guard Meyers. He’d been her father’s best friend back when her father was alive. Not that she remembered much about her father now, but she did know he’d been close with Guard Meyers. That made Guard Meyers her favorite, and she was his favorite too. Everyone knew it. But if she was caught being too familiar or disrespectful, it would cause trouble. That would be bad, for Amelia and possibly for Guard Meyers.

She craned her neck again to see around Hammond. How far back were they from the door?

Finally, the buzzer sounded and Amelia’s breath caught. This was it! She was about to see sunlight. Smell fresh air. Maybe even feel a breeze on her cheeks.

The doors started their slow crank apart. Amelia pressed her eyes closed and took a deep breath. Would she cry?

Don’t be a baby.

The line inched forward, and Amelia marched in formation toward the doorway. Already the air felt different. Sticky instead of dry.

“Name?”

Amelia glanced at the guard. It was someone she’d never seen before, a woman. She didn’t smile at Amelia, even when Amelia smiled at her. “Amelia Linden, twelve.”

“You are all twelve,” the woman said. “I only asked for your name.”

Amelia gulped. “Sorry.”

The woman typed something into her comp screen. “You may pass,” she said without looking up.

Amelia gulped again and stepped outside. Warm air hit her arms and she grinned. Sunshine. It was sunshine on her arms! She let herself look up toward the sky for the very first time ever. Her breath caught and she paused. A bluebird—something Amelia had only seen in pictures—swooped through the sky and landed on a tree branch. An actual tree!

A large courtyard surrounded the front doors of the compound. Intricately carved bushes and plants lined the concrete walkways, and benches were placed throughout the area.

She could stay here forever.

 

It's Party Time! (Katie)

This week marks the release of The Rebel Princess, book 2 in my princess series. To celebrate, I'm throwing a book release party right here on Lands Uncharted! The best part? You're all invited!

First, we must have snacks! Have a few, and don't forget to grab a drink!

Now that we're all prepared with yummy goodies, let's talk books! Fairy tale retellings are some of my favorite types of books. I love all stories of princesses, adventures, and mysteries. Here are a few that inspired me to write my own, as well as a few I've read since!

(Where have I seen that author's name before?! *wink wink*)

The Dreamworld Duology, which I devoured!

All books by my dear and talented friend Melanie Dickerson!

Oldies but goodies, and oh so good at that!

I'm thinking The Selection was the first book I read that introduced me to this world of nontraditional princess stories!

Brimming with mystery and palaces!

The best part about these books is that none of them are exactly new, and most can be found in your local library. You'll have to let me know if you've read any of these or if you've added any to your TBR pile.

DRUM ROLE PLEASE!

Now let's talk about our guest of honor, The Rebel Princess! Here's where you can learn all about her online!

Goodreads

Instagram @KatieClarkBooks

Facebook @KatieClarkBooks

www.katieclarkwrites.com  

Amazon

A traitor. A future king. A doomed love story.

Merry Stern has never been a spy, but when she's offered asylum in exchange for her help uncovering remaining rebel bands, she accepts in hopes of freeing her father.

Working with the royals is no easy feat, especially considering that Prince Gregory Hamilton considers her untrustworthy and duplicitous. As she and the prince navigate their uncomfortable relationship, Merry is introduced to questions she did not know she possessed; questions of light and darkness, good and evil.

Princess Roanna is finally engaged to Prince Benjamin of Lox, only the marriage seems stalled, and she cannot determine at whose hand. The Dawsons won't let her out of their sight, Chester's Wake is focusing all efforts on finding their lost princess, and Lox refuses to acknowledge her position entirely.

Truth and lies are brought to light as those who seek to control and destroy are finally uncovered in The Rebel Princess.

I'm so excited to introduce Merry and Gregory's story to the world! I hope you've enjoyed my little virtual celebration, and if you happen to read The Rebel Princess I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!

A Writer's Life: Having Your Books Turned Into Audiobooks (Katie)

The day I opened the email letting me know my Enslaved trilogy would be turned into audiobooks, I thought it was a mass email being sent by my publisher to all of our authors. I thought it was an email about audiobooks in general, and that it would have nothing to do with me or my books. Little did I realize it was an email sent specifically to me, letting me know my beloved first YA series was soon to be available on audio. #swoon

Since I've been telling others about this exciting turn of events, the most common question I've received has been how I made this happen. The truth is, I had nothing to do with the decision. My publisher approached me, not the other way around.

However, I thought I'd walk you through the process. If you have your books with a publisher, it never hurts to reach out and ask about audiobooks. I'm not sure why I didn't do this on my own earlier. I guess I just never really thought about it--but I couldn't be more thrilled!

A Quick Read Through

The first thing I had to do was a quick read through of my books. I needed to note any unusual words that a narrator would have a hard time pronouncing, as well as any tones or emotions I wanted to be portrayed throughout the story.

This was a little time consuming since there are three books in the series!

Making a Pronunciation Guide

The next step was making a detailed list of names and words which needed a guide. I had to note the words along with their phonetic spellings. I also had to make a syllable emphasis guide, so the narrator would have an idea about how to emphasize unfamiliar words.

That's All!

The process on my part was fairly simple. My publisher had the say-so as far as hiring the narrator and giving final approval on the audio files. If you are a self published author, you will obviously be in charge of every step rather than only the few steps I had a hand in.

I can't wait to share with everyone a date for available purchase, once I receive it. 

You'll have to let us know, do you like audiobooks? I used to hate them, but they have grown on me over the years.

Weekend Reads Book Feature: Still Small Voice by Allen Brokken (Katie)

Still Small Voice by Allen Brokken (Katie)

Today I'm featuring Still Small Voice by Allen Brokken. This is book 2 in the series, and it's a fantastical adventure aimed at Middle Grade readers and their families. The best news is that it's available for purchase as of today, July 24!

I first met Allen online through the Realm Makers organization. We were in the same critique group and that's where I was first introduced to his writing. We met in person at a RM writer's conference, and I was convinced of his desire to provide clean, inspirational fiction for kids and their families. When Allen approached me about endorsing the book and featuring it on Lands Uncharted, I was honored and happy to do so.

Here's what I had to say about Still Small Voice...

Still Small Voice by Allen Brokken is an adventure of a lifetime! Filled with mystery, action, family bonds, and a healthy dose of animal friends this second book in the Tower of Light Series is a fantastic continuation of the journey of siblings Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan. Their quest to spread the Light as Darkness creeps across the land is a faith-filled adventure worth joining. More About Allen and Still Small Voice... Back Cover: Because of their faith, twelve-year-old Lauren and her younger brothers, Aiden and Ethan, prevailed in the battle for the Tower of Light. But their victory did not stop the Dark One. Darkness continues to spread across Zoura's frontier. Now, in a vision, Mother tells them to light a second tower in Blooming Glen. Before they can set out on their journey with the Knight Protector, their Uncle arrives with a different set of instructions. He doesn't trust the Knight Protector or the Mighty Mercenaries and believes the children should go to grandma's house instead. Unyielding in his belief, Uncle unknowingly leads the children off their path. And a misguided acolyte follows them. Lurking in the shadows, he strikes at every opportunity as the dark forces prepare to descend. Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan are Zoura's last defense. Can they convince their Uncle of the truth—that he must listen to the still small voice—and make it to Blooming Glen before the Dark One's forces overtake them? Fans of Little House on the Prairie will feel at home in the series' classic frontier setting, and the sincerity of the children's love for one another and desire to do the right thing will bring a smile to readers and listeners of all ages. Read Still Small Voice aloud to your family or confidently give it to your middle grade reader, knowing he or she will be ensconced in a wholesome and riveting experience, beginning to end. About the author: Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He's a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. Check out Allen's author page to find more resources where your children can grow their own faith and love of God by following the adventures of Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan (plus their pets!).

Starting A Book Club (Katie)

Do You Book Club? (Katie)

Have you ever been part of a book club? It's something I've never honestly considered until a few weeks ago. My sister recommended a movie to me (which I loved), and it featured a book club. The club looked so fun and interesting, and it left me wishing I could be friends with those people. The idea percolated for a while, and this weekend my sister and I decided we were going to do it--we were going to start a book club!

Full disclosure, this is supposed to be a Story Snippets post. If you came here looking for bits of a story, I do apologize. I'm just so stoked for the book club to begin I thought I'd share about our process instead.

If you've ever been part of a book club I would LOVE to hear what you do for your club. Is it in person or online? Do you stick to one genre? How many people are involved?

Our club will feature a few things:

* Online using Facebook groups and messenger

* A few members to start out, but we will be hoping to grow

* Open to almost all genres because we want to keep ourselves open to learning new things

* Reading one book a month, chatting about it via the FB group, and doing a video chat at the end of the month to discuss our overarching thoughts

The club will officially start on July 1, 2020. We will be reading an inspirational women's fiction book. I'll be honest, this isn't typically my go-to genre...but like I said, we all read different things and want to stay open minded!

My recommendation for an upcoming book was The Gold-Son by Carrie Anne Noble, and it was well received so I'm looking forward to that month!

Again, if you're part of a book club I'd love to hear all about it! We don't really know what we're doing, but winging it is always fun. We could use your tips!

Author News! The Rebel Princess Release Date (Katie)

AUTHOR NEWS!!!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

I'm excited to announce that book 2 in my princess series now has a release date, and it's sooner than you think!

You can pre-order here!

Merry Stern has never been a spy, but when she's offered asylum in exchange for her help uncovering remaining rebel bands, she accepts in hopes of freeing her father.

Working with the royals is no easy feat, especially considering that Prince Gregory Hamilton considers her untrustworthy and duplicitous. As she and the prince navigate their uncomfortable relationship, Merry is introduced to questions she did not know she possessed; questions of light and darkness, good and evil.

Princess Roanna is finally engaged to Prince Benjamin of Lox, only the marriage seems stalled, and she cannot determine at whose hand. The Dawsons won't let her out of their sight, Chester's Wake is focusing all efforts on finding their lost princess, and Lox refuses to acknowledge her position entirely.

Truth and lies are brought to light as those who seek to control and destroy are finally uncovered in The Rebel Princess.

Weekend Reads (Katie): Until June and the TBR Pile

Weekend Reads (Katie)

Until June by Barbara Britton

Hi fellow explorers (of Lands Uncharted...get it? No? Oh. Sure. Let's move on...)! Today I want to talk about the book I just finished reading as well as two books on my TBR pile that I'm about to start (yes, I sometimes read more than one book at a time).

When seventeen-year-old seamstress, Josephine Nimetz, agrees to take care of a WWI amputee in a remote Alaskan lodge, there's enough friction to melt the Mendenhall Glacier. Her position is only until June, and it pays well enough to overlook the hardship of managing a rustic home and a shell-shocked veteran.

Geoff Chambers makes it clear that he isn't too fond of the runt sent to take care of his needs, nor of her painful mistakes. Dealing with a depressed and addicted veteran pushes Josephine to the brink of leaving, if not for the money her salary brings.

But Josephine is a perfectionist, determined to get Geoff back on his feet—figuratively...Although, sending a rich, handsome veteran back into society may cost Josephine the man she has grown to love.

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved this book! When I first read the description , I was immediately interested for the mere fact that it's set in Alaska and my family happens to have a trip booked there in 2021.

Within the first couple pages, though, I knew I had made a good choice in picking up this book, and by the halfway point I was hopelessly devoted and couldn't put it down.

The story is beautiful. The characters are real, and their problems are real--but the entire story is handled with such HOPE. I loved it, start to finish.

Until June gets two big thumbs up from me.

You can find it on Goodreads here!

On To the TBR Pile!

The Story Peddler by Lindsay Franklin                        

This book isn't new, but it's one I've wanted to read for a long time and haven't gotten around to it. So, I'm excited to dive in!

Here's the description:

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.

Magician's Rivalry, Book 1 in the Spellsmith & Carver Series by H.L. Burke

I've been reading lots of H.L. Burke books lately (and loving them!). I've already started into this one and I can't wait to keep going! Here's a little more about it:

An estranged son. An adopted heir. A magical attack that forces them to work together.

The disappearance of Auric Spellsmith’s mother has strained his relationship with his father to the breaking point. Now, after five years away at the Magicians’ Academy, Auric returns home, determined to prove himself to his father and claim his birthright.

Apprentice Jericho Carver has held Spellsmith Manor together in Auric’s absence. Now his master’s son is back, and if he can’t get rid of Auric, Jericho will forfeit his career and lose all hope of wooing the master’s enchanting daughter.

Neither man intends to back down.

But then Master Spellsmith vanishes into the mysterious Fey Lands. With Fey magic threatening the mortal realm, Auric and Jericho must work together to save the man they both see as father.

So, what about you? Have you read any of these books? What have you been reading?

Writer's Life: Networking & Marketing Tips and Encouragement (Katie)

Writer's Life: Networking & Marketing Tips and Encouragement (Katie)

Writing can be exhilarating and fulfilling. Painting word pictures, teaching new concepts and ideas, creating worlds--for a writer, few things in life are as fun as this. In today's world, though, more is needed from a writer than simply writing. At least, more is needed from a writer who wants to get their work out there for others to see.

Networking and marketing are two tools in a writer's toolbox that can help them get their writing into the hands of readers. You might be asking, What is networking and marketing? The answer can be fairly simple or super in depth, but for the sake of this blog post we're going with the simple.

Networking

Networking is the meeting and forming of relationships with industry professionals. In short, it's meeting other writers, editors, publishers, marketers, or literary agents.

Marketing

Marketing is promoting your goods (in this case, your writing) in order to get other people to read it. Think about the commercials you see on TV, the flyers you find on your windshield from time to time, or the emails you find in your inbox.

Tips & Tricks 

So, you have a basic idea of what these things are. How can you use them to help yourself? How do they relate to each other? What about the introvert? ( I am an introvert, BTW)

Both networking and marketing can be super intimidating for writers, but over the years I've learned a few things I find useful. In no specific order, here are some tips and tricks for networking and marketing that I've been able to use.

1. Find something you ENJOY

There are dozens of ways to market your books. Social media, in-store book signings, mailing out bookmarks and stickers and candles, blog hops, podcasts, libraries or school visits, writers conferences...the list goes on and on.

What I have come to see is that the things *I* enjoy the most are generally going to be the most successful for *me*. If you're a pro at all things social media? Well, use that. If you love and adore in-person events but hate social media? Well, skip the Facebook live and hit the pavement to set up a few library or independent bookstore signings. If you love receiving SWAG, utilize your love and knowledge to set up a fantastic SWAG campaign. 

Every type of marketing has its place, but finding things that can fit with your lifestyle will most likely be the *most* beneficial for YOU. Why? Because you'll actually be able to stick with it, and not only that but stick with it with enthusiasm. Guess what? Enthusiasm sells.

2. Be nice!

Talking to people is very intimidating for me. I generally think that most people are busy and they likely don't want to hear from me. If I reach out to them I might be bothering them. Right? I know I'm not the only one who thinks this way!

But the truth is, the majority of people on this planet just want a friend. Be nice to people, and you'll find it goes a long way in networking (and marketing, too!).

If you're part of a writer's social media loop and someone on the loop asks for advice? Offer some. If they need a beta reader and you have the time to fit it in, volunteer. If you have a book or two out on the market, and a beginning writer asks you to endorse their book, give it an honest consideration before simply answering with a "no."

I'm not saying you can't ever decline a request for help. Lord knows we are ALL busy. Sometimes we must say no. But, if you can say yes, show a little kindness. It goes a long way.

In that same vein, if you read an author's book, or if you listen to an industry professional's podcast, or if you see an interview with an aspiring author and enjoyed it? Tell them! Send that bit of encouragement. Be the light. 

Like we often tell readers when it comes to reviews, it doesn't have to be long! Just shoot them a note to let them know you enjoyed their content. Trust me, they won't forget it.

3. Try something outside your comfort zone

Earlier I said to find something you enjoy, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't ever consider stepping outside the box. Sometimes you'll find you love something you never thought possible. You might NOT find that you love it, but it could still hold big benefits.

Here's a secret. I HATE writer's conferences. I have been to several. I have never enjoyed any of them *that* much. That's not to say I haven't loved the relationships I've formed (think networking!). That's not to say I haven't learned a ton about the craft of writing. I have! But overall, they're very intimidating for me.

Yet, I keep stepping outside my comfort zone and attending. Why? Because sometimes it's good to do things that scare you. It can open doors that would otherwise remain firmly shut (hello networking!).

So, stop by your local independent bookstore. Visit local libraries. Get to know people. Comment on people's social media posts. Design a cool bookmark to go with your book and ask your librarian if you can leave a stack at the checkout counter.

Start a podcast. Speak at a writer's group. Join a writer's group! Whatever "new" is for you? Try that, at least once or twice. You might be glad you did!

Weekend Reads: The Mapmaker's Daughter (Katie)

Weekend Reads (Katie) and a vlog!

Hi everyone! I'm excited to bring you another vlog from Katie's Thoughtful Spot, (1-2 minute videos where I talk about books!), in which I'm featuring a book for St. Patrick's Day.

You can see which book I'm referencing below, and I hope you'll check out my vlog to hear my thoughts about it!

The Mapmaker's Daughter by Joanna Emerson

A Steampunk Novel
Winner of the 2018 Realm Makers Award for YA Fiction

The Potato Famine is almost a decade behind young airship builder, Paddy O'Brien, but its effects still haunt him.

Then he finds his mother dead in the garden. But he has no time to investigate her murder, because a refugee falls from a strange airship, practically into his arms.

How did a gorgeous Asian woman ended up on the south coast of Ireland? Under usual circumstances, her company would be more than welcome. But she's being pursued by pirates, and Paddy's been drafted into a militia. These are anything but usual circumstances.


***Please let me know how I can pray for you during this stressful time. I am more than happy to do so, and I'll be checking in throughout the week. {{{HUGS}}}

Story Snippets (Katie)

Story Snippets: The Rebel Princess (Katie)

Choosing snippets of a story to share before publication always puts butterflies in my stomach. Which snippet should I choose? Will people judge it unfairly without the full context of the story? What if I choose the wrong snippet?! I worry too much, I know.

Today I'm sharing an excerpt from my upcoming novel, The Rebel Princess. This is book 2 in my princess series, and I absolutely loved writing it. I don't have a publication date yet, but all edits have been turned in to my editor at Pelican Book Group, and I hope to hear soon. Don't worry, you'll all be the first to know!

The Rebel Princess

Merry Stern…

Merry Stern gripped the envelope as the auto approached the palace in Chester’s Wake. Fog filled the air—fog or smog, she wasn’t sure which. It was nothing like the clean, open air in the Dawson’s Edge countryside. She recognized the landmarks throughout the city as she passed—a large fountain outside the city’s huge cathedral, the palace on the riverfront, and most notable the various Rejected homes. She’d never seen such homes before her first visit to Chester’s Wake a few months ago.

That visit seemed so far away now, like a dream.

Unease crept into her stomach as the auto drew closer to the palace gates. It twisted and fluttered, and she took a calming breath to steady herself. Laying the envelope aside for a moment, she pulled a handkerchief from her bag and wiped her sweaty hands on it. She touched her blonde hair, which had been coiled into an elegant knot at the nape of her neck, and she smoothed her plain brown skirt and white blouse. Everything was in place.

She shouldn’t be so nervous. Chester’s Wake had approached her, not the other way around. They’d offered her asylum in exchange for information. Wanted to use her to infiltrate the rest of the rebels within Dawson’s Edge. Make her a spy against her own people. Against Papa.

She had never been a spy before, but she had been deceptive plenty of times.

She bit her bottom lip and stared straight ahead. A moment passed and her teeth released the delicate skin insider her lip. She straightened her shoulders. She could do this. Would do this.

Must do this.

Papa would not rot in prison because she’d foolishly trusted Roanna Hamilton, the exuberant and charming princess from Chester’s Wake. Or rather, Roanna Dawson, the lost princess from Dawson’s Edge.

The thought gave her another moment’s pause, and she almost returned to gnawing her lip, but she refrained.

The auto pulled to the front of the palace and an armed guard met them. The sight of the weapon at his hip made her heart skip a beat. Asylum or not, she was barely more than a prisoner here. She was a Dawsonian rebel. It seemed fitting that the one to greet her should be an armed guard.

A moment passed and another figure stepped from the castle—Queen Charlotte Hamilton. They’d been friendly when Merry visited months ago. Of course, that was before anyone had known she was a rebel.

Queen Charlotte smiled as Merry climbed from the auto. She took Merry’s hand and pulled her close. “So nice to see you again, Lady Merry.” She kissed Merry’s cheek.

Heat burned under Merry’s skin. Why was Queen Charlotte being so friendly? She wasn’t sure what to feel or expect at this point. She’d been wrong enough lately, hadn’t she?

“It’s nice to see you again as well, Your Highness. Thank you for hosting me.”

Hosting me. As if she were a legitimate guest.

But Queen Charlotte only smiled sweetly. “You are most welcome. Please, come in and I’ll show you to your rooms.”

Rooms.

Merry had half expected to be forced to bunk with the servants, or to have a room in the dungeon. But the queen led her up the grand central staircase and to the right, toward the guest wing.

Merry marveled once again as they maneuvered through the palace, much as she had marveled on her first visit. The royal residence was so open and light, not like the dimly lit halls of the Dawsonian palace in Dawson’s Edge. Here in Chester’s Wake, windows lined the walls, and electric lighting illuminated every nook and cranny.

They climbed a smaller staircase, and a moment later, Queen Charlotte led her through a doorway.

Not only did Merry have her own room, she had a suite of rooms. Odd, considering not six weeks ago she’d been arrested for treason in her own country, caught by Queen Charlotte’s own daughter. Or the girl Queen Charlotte thought was her daughter.

Merry sighed inwardly. The whole situation was too bizarre and confusing.

“You’ll be comfortable here?”

“Quite.” Merry took in the sitting room, dressing room, and bedroom. “In fact, I worry this is much too grand for me.”

“Nonsense. You are our guest here. You may rest for the remainder of the day, and tomorrow, you will begin working with me in my offices.”

“Your offices?” This was quite a surprise. She’d imagined hours of interrogation in the king’s office, under lock and key. Perhaps even while in shackles. “I look forward to it, Your Highness.”

“Supper will be at seven. Someone will come for you.”

Merry smiled her thanks, and the queen left her alone in the suite as she awaited the servants bringing her luggage. She took in the room again, and tears sprung to her eyes. This was so much more than she could have ever hoped. So much more than she’d expected after weeks of house arrest in Dawson’s Edge.

Perhaps Chester’s Wake didn’t intend to use and break her so much as work with her. It could be they truly forgave her for her crimes. For working toward an end that would result in their princess’s death—albeit, Merry hadn’t known Roanna possessed an anomaly at the time.

Papa had worked with the Maynes as the heads of the rebel forces in Dawson’s Edge—forces that aimed to remove the Dawson family from the throne. The rebels had one goal, and that was the advancement of the kingdom. Too long had the Dawson family’s backward practices held back the success of their people.

But Merry had trusted Princess Roanna, and the rebel band had been caught. Papa was thrown in prison, along with the Maynes and several others. Merry had been separated from her sister, Rachel, who was innocent in the whole affair. Her shy nature had never lent itself to rebel work. Now Rachel lived with a different noble family within the kingdom. Merry hadn’t heard from her in many weeks.

The unpleasant memories filled her mind, and her resolved wavered. What about Papa? She couldn’t implicate him, no matter what the Chester’s Wake royalty said. Couldn’t sentence him to life in a dungeon, no matter if Queen Charlotte treated her as an equal instead of a criminal. It didn’t matter if she was given her own suite of rooms in the palace. Her main objective was not helping the Hamiltons trap rebels. It was helping exonerate Papa, at any cost. She must free him from the dungeons in Dawson’s Edge.

She remembered the envelope she still held in her hands. It contained her legal papers. Her freedom. But she had another envelope hidden deep in her suitcase. Father had pressed it into her hands moments before the guards had arrested him weeks ago. Instructed her to hide it and keep it safe.

She would use it only if necessary.

She trembled.

To Be Continued...

Weekend Reads: Convergence by Clare Revell (Katie)

Weekend Reads (Katie)

Review of Convergence by Clare Revell

Clare Revell excels at the creepy and fun psychological thriller. Convergence was a quick, intriguing read filled with time travel, mystery, and a battle in the mind between good and evil.

Etta is our main character, and she’s in love with the man of—or rather, from—her dreams. Trouble is, he doesn’t really exist. Does he?

Here are a few things I loved about Convergence:

• The sharp wit of the main character 

• The creepy factor of the villain (the dark man)

• The mysteries of the real versus the imagined

If you like mysteries of the mind (I do!!!), time travel, and lots of sharp wit than you will definitely want to give this one a try. The book releases in just a few days (yay!), and you can find it online here.

I mentioned Clare excells at these types of books, so I thought I’d give a little extra proof of that (because if you like this one you’re going to want more!). Last year, I read Clare’s Down In Yon Forrest (check it out on Goodreads!). It had a similar tone, and I absolutely loved it so keep that in mind for the future.

 Happy reading!

Christmas Giveaway: We have winners!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first Lands Uncharted Christmas Giveaway! We have our winners! I'll list them below along with the "basket" they won. (Note: Winners, it may take a few days for the author whose box you won to contact you, but be sure to keep an eye on your spam folder in case the email goes there.)

Lizzie's gift box: Holly Flores 

Katie's gift box: Jill Hackman 

Laurie's gift box: Kelly S. Delrosso 

Lauricia's gift box: Laura Pol

Congrats again to the winner, and I hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start!

Top 3 Reading Nooks (Katie)

Top 3 Reading Nooks (Katie)

One of my first memories of reading is being at a library as a young child. I can picture the children's reading room and being grouped with other small kids on a large rug. I remember the color yellow, though I can't remember what exactly was yellow (the rug? the walls?). While I do remember always having a love of the library, today it isn't one of my favorite reading spots. I do, however, have a few spots I really love to cozy up with a good book. Today I'm going to chat about those, and I hope you'll give me your ideas, too, because I'd love to do a follow up post with all of your great ideas!

 #3 The Front Porch Swing

We have this view off our front porch that's perfect for quiet relaxation. There are trees, open pastures, and cows, along with lots of birds and a creek in the distance. It really is the bestest.

We have two porch swings (one on each side), and when the weather is nice I love curling up with a great books and swinging to the sounds of nature.

#2 The Bathtub 

(No, these are not my toes!)

OK, so maybe this one is a bit weird for some people. There is water involved, and also books. Maybe not such a great combo! But, I typically read on my Kindle, and when it comes to the bathtub I slip it into a gallon sized Ziploc to keep it air tight.                                                             

#1 The Recliner

Nothing exciting here. My favorite place to read is curled up in the recliner in my living room, underneath the warmth of my weighted blanket. Add a cup of hot tea or cocoa, and I'm really in Heaven.

What about you? Do you read in bed? A hammock? Do you prefer audiobooks? Tell me all about it!