JP McLean

Farewell February

February 23, 2020 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

Farewell February

Have you noticed the days getting longer? I sure have. It’s almost 6:00 in the evening and still sunny outside. The logjam of short winter days is breaking up! And now that the snowdrops and crocuses are up and showing off, it feels like spring isn’t far away.

A change of season is just what I need to get the cobwebs out of my head. It’s been a long, wet winter and I haven’t kept up with newsletters or this blog.

Learning the Advertising Ropes

Instead, I’ve been spending my time figuring out Amazon advertising. It’s been a tough slog. I started tinkering with it last June, but didn’t really dig in until November. In December, the ads started getting traction. In January, sales were up. But February is the only month to date where my spend on ads hasn’t exceeded my earnings.

And the month’s not over. I could still end up in the red for February.

On the writing front, the new book is back from the first batch of beta readers. Their input, as always, helps improve the story. I’m continually surprised at what their fresh eyes pick up that I’ve missed. I’m still months away from a final draft, but it’s coming along nicely.

Whistler Getaway

Two weeks ago, we made a trip to Whistler. The last time I was there was when Secret Sky won honourable mention at the Whistler Independent Book Awards.

This time we were dog-sitting. Our sweet rent-a-dog was Babe, a nine-month-old poodle. She’s a bundle of energy and still has the puppy clumsiness that I find adorable. She also kept us active, walking at least six kilometres each day. Babe did a stellar job of tiring us out so we’d sleep through the night.

How about you? Any plans for getting a vacation in before summer is here?

If you’re looking for a $2.99 mini-vacation, download Secret Sky and enjoy an escape to Emelynn’s beach. Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.

Crocus photo by Arseny Togulev on Unsplash

Christmas Greetings from Denman Island

December 24, 2019 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

Christmas Greetings from Denman Island

December 24^th is my favourite day of the holidays. For me, it’s the calm before the storm. The day when I concede that if it (insert: baking/decorating/shopping) hasn’t gotten done, it’s not going to.

Time to grab a nog, hunker down by the hearth, and relax.

As 2019 winds down, I’m reminded how very fortunate I am. Fortunate to have a loving family. Fortunate to have friends to share a glass of wine and a laugh with. Fortunate to have a warm home and food in the cupboards. All this, and more I wish for you this holiday season and always.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, winter solstice, Kwanzaa, New Years and everything else you celebrate!

Thank you for being a part of my good fortune. I’m grateful for your continued support, enthusiasm and the small kindnesses that make my days brighter. Christmas Greetings from my home to yours.

Cheers,

Jo-Anne

You can get Secret Sky for your stocking from your favourite retailer right here.

MERRY Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

I Remember

November 10, 2019 By JPMcLean 7 Comments

In grade school in the days leading up to Remembrance Day, I remember taking home a small envelope, no bigger than the poppy tucked inside.

Parents replaced the poppy with a small donation for our veterans. They would send us back to school with a coin or a bill, something that said I remember.

The poppies then were much like today except the centre was made of felt. I remember assembling the poppy in class, threading the green centre and bright red flower onto a bent pin.

November 11

Every November 11th Remembrance Day, the students and teachers stood in silence at the appointed hour. I remember crying for men and women I didn’t know, but who looked very much like my grandparents.

As a young woman, I remember shopping in a large department store on November 11. At eleven o’clock, the overhead speakers went silent, and all around me people stopped and bowed their heads.

On this November 11^th, I will again remember our veterans’ and their family’s sacrifices when I observe a moment of silence at eleven a.m.

Lest We Forget

Helping us all remember are two inspirational Canadians whose work shines a spotlight on our nation’s veterans.

In 2016, Elinor Florence published the stories of twenty-eight World War Two veterans. Many of the men and women she interviewed for My Favourite Veterans had never before told their story. In 2017 a veteran’s memorial banner project she spearheaded came to fruition. For the next few years in streets and towns in the Columbia Valley, banners honouring individual veterans will be unfurled and on display for October and November.

In 2018, filmmaker Eric Brunt, inspired by his grandfather, began a cross-Canada trip to capture the stories of World War Two veterans before they and their stories are lost to us. Brunt’s collection of stories is a documentary in the making called Last Ones Standing. You can read about his efforts in two CBC reports, one in 2018 and another earlier this month.

Thank you for honouring those who died in service to this country.

Steeping the First Draft

October 9, 2019 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

First Draft Complete

The first draft of Witness is done! Though I didn’t quite make the September 30 deadline I set for myself, it was close. I’ve now stepped away from the manuscript to let it steep. I’ll resist tinkering with the first draft as long as I can—a few weeks, a month or two if possible—so I can read it with fresh eyes when I’m ready for the first edit.

And if you’re wondering which name I chose for the psychiatrist in Witness, wonder no longer: I chose Reuben (my apologies to all the Reubens out there.) You might remember this character is shady and his name had to start with an “R”. Reuben has the bonus feature of a dual identity, Reuben AND Ben. Brilliant! Thanks for the suggestion.

An Invermere Interlude

Photo of Elinor Florence outdoors standing beside a life-size rusted metal-sculpture of a moose in Invermere BC — Elinor Florence and moose in Invermere BC

Though the first draft is done, the new book is a long way from done. Still, a completed first draft is an achievement worth celebrating. To that end, I took a short trip to Invermere. It was a writers’ retreat with Elinor Florence, author of Wildwood and Bird’s Eye View. Here she is with Rusty the Moose. I say writers’ retreat with tongue in cheek—very little writing happened. We did, however, enjoy an abundance of laughter, fine wine, and delicious meals.

We also toured local bookstores and libraries from Invermere to Canmore and points in between. I’m pleased to report that Secret Sky is now available at the Invermere library, Radium Hot Springs library, and it’s under consideration at the Canmore Library.

In addition, Café Books in Canmore is now carrying it. This must-see bookstore is larger than it looks, and if an enticing aroma makes your mouth water, it’s their in-store café! You’ve got to check it out.

While at the Radium Hot Springs Library, we took in a talk on Writing Romance by Roxy Boroughs and topped off the day by getting thoroughly wrinkled in the pool at Radium Hot Springs.

Banff

A highlight for me was a visit to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The old Canadian railway hotels have a special place in my heart. When I travel, I seek them out and wander their halls, enjoy a drink or a cup of tea, and soak up their majestic ambiance.

Vancouver Social

Prior to my Invermere interlude, students of Mark Dawson’s Self-publishing Formula (SPF) were invited to a Vancouver social at the Tap and Barrel downtown. It was a pleasure to meet James Blatch in person, having seen him on the show for more than a year now, and to meet one of their camera gurus, John Dyer. It was a terrific opportunity to connect with other SPF and Creative Academy peeps.

Short Story Giveaway

And finally, because the short story giveaways have been so popular, I wanted to let you know of another one. A Mysterious Case of the Strange includes FREE short stories in the mystery/suspense and science-fiction/fantasy genres.

My short story Ghost Crimes is in the mix. If you’re one of my VIP readers, you’ll have already received a download link for it. If not, download Ghost Crimes now and let me know what you think.

These short stories are a great way to test drive a new author. I’ve already downloaded six short stories (and I might go back for more).

Mountain header photo credit Kenny Sexton on Unsplash

If you’re looking for a binge read, check out Secret Sky, Book 1 of The Gift Legacy. Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.