Another Medal
I’m thrilled to announce that Blood Mark has won another medal! It received silver at the 2022 Global Book Awards for occult and supernatural fiction.
And there’s more. Because Blood Mark earned a five-star review in InD’tale Magazine (page 103), it’s now nominated for a RONE award.
RONE awards are selected by readers just like you! But you have to register first. You can register here.
Verify your email address, and then cast your ballot here (NOTE: Voting has now closed). You’ll find Blood Mark under Week 3, Paranormal Long.
I know it’s bit of work, but I’d love your support if you’re up for it!
A Blank Calendar
I’ve had my share of techno scares. Screens that flash black and don’t come back, a computer that boots up to display a desktop stripped of icons, a document you were certain you’d put in Dropbox but can’t find now that you’re away from home.
It’s why I don’t trust on-line calendars to keep track of my schedule. Sure, I have one, but the calendar I depend on is the paper version beside my chair.
Each Sunday night, I flip the page on my calendar to look at what’s on the following week. Living on an island, I have to plan ahead and check ferry schedules, even for mundane chores like shopping. This week, when I turned that page, there was nothing but white squares stretching all the way to next Sunday! A blank calendar (be still my beating heart).
I got so excited. An entire week with no obligations! I can write to my heart’s content, garden if the weather goddess plays nice, find a quiet corner and read until some body part goes numb. Heaven.
Speaking of heaven, and writing
I’m happy to report that the first draft of the second book in the Blood Mark series is almost finished! It’s so close that I’ll go out on a limb and say it’ll be done by my final blank calendar day, this Sunday.
I’ve already peeked ahead in the calendar to next week. It’s a full one with an overnight off-island trip, and a newcomers’ welcome event at the facility where I volunteer. Knowing I’m going to be tied up next week, and now that I’ve put my deadline in writing, I’d better get busy and make good on finishing that draft.
Wish me luck.
And if you want to get your hands on Blood Mark, you can buy it from your favourite retailer right here.
Book Club Mom says
All great things, JoAnne! How wonderful to have a blank calendar. And congratulations on the success of your book! By the way, we keep a paper calendar and a spreadsheet calendar, but the one I rely on most is a huge wall calendar that I do each month with erasable markers. Been using that one for 25 years 🙂
JPMcLean says
Thanks, Barb. Ooh – wall size! Love it.
Terry Gibson says
You’ve done it again, JP! A Silver Medal! Soon you’ll be adorned by so much dazzling bling, you’ll need an assistant to haul the latest to your Mantle for the Mahvellous Muse.
JPMcLean says
Haha – thanks, Terry! I’d better get busy building some muscle.
Sally Rae says
Huge congratulations JP on your ever growing accumulation of awards … woohoo!!!! As for the paper calendar, I can’t live without mine and have never been comfortable with a computer version. Old school I guess but so easy and reliable!!
JPMcLean says
Thanks, Sally. Glad I’m not alone in the paper calendar decision!
DIANA STEVAN says
Wow, and wow and wow! Congratulations! You’re going to have to buy a wheelbarrow for all your awards. Well-deserved. Enjoy.
JPMcLean says
Thanks so much, Diana. I’m feeling very blessed.
Inese says
Such fantastic achievement! Congratulations! You are doing very well!
JPMcLean says
Thanks, Inese. Each award is a lovely surprise.
Debra Purdy Kong says
Congratulations on the silver medal and your other achievements. I’m happy to hear the second installment is coming along. I use paper calendars too. Always find them handier than online versions.
JPMcLean says
Thanks, and glad I’m not the only one who relies on paper calendars.