Author Events Archives - Page 6 of 14

Big Island Book Fest

October 13, 2023 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

Autumn is rolling onto Denman Island in foggy waves, which is the perfect atmosphere for tomorrow’s Big Island Book Fest in Courtenay. There will be 50 local authors attending, book signings, book readings, children’s face painting, and live music.

JP Bailey (another JP!) is the main driver behind the event, and she’s done a stellar job promoting the event, including a terrific article in the Comox Valley Record and coverage in Compass Magazine.

Big Island Book Fest is tomorrow, Saturday October 14, from 10 to 4 at the Florence Filberg Centre (the one in Courtenay, not Comox). The address is 411 Anderton Ave, Courtenay, BC. There’s lots of parking outside on both levels of the building. We’ll be on the top floor.

Canadian News Ban

I ran up against the social media ban on sharing Canadian news when I tried to share the Comox Valley Record link on social media. Facebook prevented me from sharing it. It’s really too bad that issue can’t be sorted out equitably so we can get back to sharing these events.

Dark Dreams news

Scorch Mark has a wonderful new review:

Scorch Mark is glamor and grit, spliced with a magical sense of the macabre. —W.L. Hawkin, award-winning author of Lure and the Hollystone Mysteries.

If you are interested in joining my early review street team, reply to this newsletter and let me know. I’m looking for readers who can review Scorch Mark on book retailer sites and help me get the word out. Speaking of which, don’t forget, Scorch Mark is available for preorder right now from your favourite retailer.

What I’m reading

I just finished reading The First Time I Died (Garnet McGee) by Jo Macgregor. The title drew me in, and the description sealed the deal. It’s a murder mystery with a touch of the supernatural. That’s exactly the type of book I’m devouring right now. And Macgregor did a fine job of creating memorable characters and a story that made it easy to suspend disbelief. Five stars.

I’m off to pack the car for tomorrow’s Big Island Book Fest. With ten+ books now, it’s quite a load. I’ll be at booth 4 against the back wall. Stop by and say hello!

Until next time . . .

A New Book Award and a Huge Festival Event!

August 4, 2023 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

A New Book Award:

This just in: Ghost Mark has won an Indie B.R.A.G. award! I’m very proud to join B.R.A.G.’s list of honorees. The news is so fresh that (last I checked) Ghost Mark wasn’t yet listed on their website. The B.R.A.G. president advised me they will make an announcement and add the title to their online honorees in the coming days.

My Next Festival Event is a Big One:

I’ll also be signing books at the biggest festival I’ve ever attempted. Comox Nautical Days runs from Saturday, August 5^th through to Monday, August 7^th, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday. The festival is held annually in conjunction with the Filberg Festival. This is its 63^rd year. Stop by and say hello. I’ll be at booth #63 in the Comox Marina Park at the foot of Port Augusta Road. (It feels like an excellent omen to have booth 63 on the 63rd anniversary!)

Dark Dreams Update:

Scorch Mark has a release date! November 14. The manuscript has been through its story edit and is now in the hands of the copy editor. After the copy edit is done, the book will move on to proofreading and formatting. I can’t wait to share Scorch Mark’s cover with you, after which I’ll put the book up for preorder.

The Gift Legacy Update:

I’m removing The Gift Legacy books from Kindle Unlimited/Kindle Select effective September 2^nd. The final countdown deal will run from August 17 through 20^th and will include 99c sales on the three original books in what was once a trilogy, Secret Sky, Hidden Enemy, and Burning Lies, (Books 1-3). If you’re in the Kindle Unlimited program, download the books to your Kindle before they disappear. After September 2nd, the books will once again be available to buy from all retailers.

What I’m Reading:

I’m rereading Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy. It was great the first time, and I’m loving it all over again. I’m also watching the mini-series based on it, which is available on Prime. It’s fascinating to see which scenes made it to the screen, and which were altered. As much as it’s entertaining, it’s also research and educational: research for my next book, which will be about witches, and educational because I’m plucking away on a screen play for The Gift Legacy series.

Both of those projects are a long way off. In the meantime, I’ll be heading to Ontario for my annual trip to visit my family.

Until next time, XO

June Update

June 17, 2023 By JPMcLean 14 Comments

I’ve been splitting my time between the gardens and indulgent reading.

I can’t remember when last it was I’ve spent this much time with soil under my fingernails. It’s incredibly gratifying to see the neat edges and weed-free soil. Though we have had little rain, and the gardens are dry, we’re fortunate to have rainwater stored and have been using that to perk up the plants. It’s mostly flowers and shrubs now, though we still grow garlic and a few other veggies in two raised beds.

Here are some more garden pics:

Reading

And I’ve been devouring books. I finished Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us. Though I’m not a huge romance reader, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I wasn’t expecting to like it, and I LOVED it. I then read Hoover’s follow-up book, It Starts With Us. It wasn’t as urgent or earth shattering, but I’m glad I read it and know the rest of the story.

I’m also doing a beta read of a book that's expected to come out this fall. It’s by W.L. Hawkin and it’s fabulous. I’ll share more about it when I’m able.

When I’m not reading or gardening, I’m preparing for the indie-publishing workshop I’m presenting at this year’s Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival. There’s still room if you want to learn if indie publishing is a good fit for you, and what’s involved in the process. It’s scheduled for July 20th from 10:00-1:00 at the Denman Island Community School.

Kindle Unlimited

You might remember I told you recently I'd put my Gift Legacy books into the Kindle subscription program. Well, I'm happy to report that my first Kindle Countdown Deal was a tremendous success. By the time the dust settled, 2,650 readers had taken advantage of the sale. And two months on, I’m seeing follow-up interest in other books in the series, including read throughs in the Kindle subscription program. This makes me very happy! I'm thrilled to share the books with those of you who subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. But it’s a limited engagement, ending on September 2. Download the books, or the boxed sets while they’re still in the program.

Saturday Markets

And finally, if you’re in the Black Creek neighbourhood on Vancouver Island on June 24th, I’ll be at the McLarey Avenue Spring/Summer Market. Drop by and say hello. I’m happy to inscribe a book to you or a friend.

Can't wait to share Scorch Mark's cover with you. Happy Father's Day to all the father's out there. (I'll chat with you tomorrow, Dad!)

Until next time, XO

Spring has Sprung on Denman Island

March 29, 2023 By JPMcLean 5 Comments

Spring has sprung on Denman Island, though you’d never know it from the colder than normal temps. But new lambs and calves are making their appearances at farms across the island—and the calendar confirms it—so it’s official: spring has sprung.

This morning I bundled up and joined another dozen volunteer gardeners at our Denman Activity Centre to help dig up some overgrown gardens to prepare for a new, and much needed, revamp. After the soil is amended, new plantings will be put in place. I can’t wait to see the results. I’ll share some photos next month.

My ~~weed patches~~ gardens are also a bit of a mess, which is what happens when I neglect them. Balancing my writing and chores is always a challenge, but seeing the sorry state of my gardens is a reminder that I can’t do it all. I’m removing two of the smaller garden beds, which will lighten the load a little, and I’m slowly replacing plantings that require a lot of work with low-maintenance shrubs. Gone are the days when I rushed the season hunting for brightly coloured additions. It’s been almost ten years since I wrote about my bout with spring fever when I went a bit crazy in the garden centre way too early.

On the Writing Front

I’ve been busy indoors as well. I’m about halfway through my first re-read/edit of the new Dark Dreams novel, Scorch Mark. It’s shaping up nicely and I should have it ready for the editor in the next few weeks.

Gift Legacy News

As I mentioned in my February blog post, I’ve now moved the Gift Legacy books into the Kindle Unlimited program. They remain available to purchase on Amazon, but if you’re a Kindle Unlimited (KU) or Kindle Select customer with a monthly Amazon subscription, you can now binge the books for free. I hope you enjoy them.

A New Review

Reviews are SO important. Not only do they help new readers discover the books, but they keep me motivated. Here’s one that recently came in:

“Ghost Mark” is the second installment of the Dark Dreams Series by JP McLean and continues to showcase her natural flair for originality, memorable characters, and deftly crafted plots replete with unexpected twists and turns in the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that keeps the reader’s rapt attention from first page to last.

—Midwest Book Review

Upcoming Events

On April 2nd, I’ll be at the Union Bay Spring Craft Fair from 10 am to 3 pm. The address is 5401 South Island Highway in Union Bay, BC. I’ll be signing books and I’m happy to write an inscription for you or someone special. Pop by and say hello.

In Other News

Next month, I’m travelling to Vancouver for research. I’ll be attending the Vancouver Law Courts to witness a criminal trial. I won’t know which trial until I get there, but I’m hoping to find something similar to the one I’m writing about in Scorch Mark. It’s the small details that add authenticity to a book; what does it feel like? Smell like? Sound like? Are the seats comfortable? Etc. I’ll be taking lots of notes. And also, it’s Vancouver—one of my favourite cities—so there I’ll be lots of walking and shopping and eating out! Can’t wait.

I hope spring has sprung in your corner of the world. Happy Easter.

Until next time, XO