We Have a Title!

May 10, 2025 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

I’m thrilled to share with you that we have a title for the new book. Thanks to everyone who submitted their choices, added new ideas, and shared their opinions. It was a nail-biting decision, but it’s done. The new title is—drum roll please . . .

The Never Witch, A Thorne Witch Novel

The wheels are now in motion to get the publishing ball rolling. I’ve received the ISBN numbers, the copyright certificate, and I’ve engaged a cover designer. I’ve finished writing the front- and back-end material, and I’m also familiarizing myself with new software, Affinity Publisher, which should make laying out the interior of the book much easier.

While I wait for the manuscript to be put through its paces, I’ll get caught up with the weeding (is anyone ever caught up with weeding?) and when the sun goes down in the evenings, I’ll pick away at creating marketing material. With a glass of wine.

What I’m reading

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin Loved this book. Griffin gives us a new take on magic and witches with a strong tie-in to the environment. Lovely language and writing. Romance and magic in perfect balance. I also love the book cover. Highly recommend.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Another excellent book. It’s about a woman who makes a deal with the devil to escape an unwanted marriage . But the devil is in the details, and the deal she thought she’d made isn’t what she’s dealt. Though mildly repetitive, I’d still recommend it.

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Happy Mother’s Day.

Until next time . . .

Would you help me choose a book title? 🤔

April 30, 2025 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

Firming up the Title for The Warlock Witch

Though I’ve used The Warlock Witch as my placeholder title for the new book, it’s time for me to firm up a name. Would you help me choose a book title? My track record for picking good ones is abysmal. With the help of my friends, we’ve compiled the following list. Let me know which title grabs your attention: (If none of them works for you, I’m open to suggestions.)

The Runed Witch
The Never Witch
The Warlock’s Witch/The Warlock Witch
Adeline Thorne, the Runed Witch
The Magic of Thorne
The Nevermore Witch

Also, please let me know which series title you like best:

The Runeglyph Series/A Runeglyph Novel
The Warlock Witch Series/ A Warlock Witch Novel
A Thorn Witch Novel

Back-of-the-book Description

And if you’d like a little more insight into the book, the following is a draft back-of-the-book description:

When power bites back, beware the Warlock Witch

Adeline Thorne was a witch in name only. She never inherited the magic that should have been her birthright. But she’s learned to accept it. She’s built herself a quiet life on the west coast as a better-than-average portrait painter, a big sister, loving aunt, and ex-wife. And that was enough. It had to be.

Until a convicted warlock, in an act of desperation, dumps his magic into her. To him, she was only a vessel. He didn’t care that warlock magic was incompatible with her witch’s DNA. He didn’t care that his attack would jeopardize the fragile peace between witches and warlocks. And he didn’t care that his power would tear Adeline’s world apart.

The Warlock Witch now had magic, an irresistible drug. The only problem? He wants it back.

If you can’t get enough of Rachel Griffin, Shanna Swendson, Emma Törzs, then you’ll love The Warlock Witch

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Book Recommendation

This month’s book recommendation is Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young. I had a hard time putting this one down. It’s imbued with subtle and devastating magic. I found myself picking apart the writing to see how Young had accomplished the deep pull of emotion. Great writing. Great story. I think you’d like it.

Until next time…

Blood Mark has a New Award

June 2, 2022 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

Blood Mark has a new award. This one from the Eric Hoffer Awards, and I couldn’t be more proud.

When I submitted Blood Mark to a handful of contests, it was a leap of faith. Seeing how well it’s done, I’m so glad I put the book into the ring. It’s now earned seven awards! And it’s not over yet—Blood Mark is still in the running for a few awards that won’t be decided until later in the year. I’ll keep you posted.

New Book Title

First, thank you for your thoughts on the new book’s title. After much discussion, research, and consideration of your input, I’ve named the new book Ghost Mark. As you know, this has been its working title, but it also came up as one of your favourites in the feedback. And because it’s a good fit with Blood Mark and a good match for the book’s subject, I think we’ve nailed it. So, again, thank you!

Ghost Mark Update

I’m thrilled to tell you that the first draft is finished, the first run-through edit is done, and Ghost Mark is now out for the big-picture edit. Whew! When I get that feedback, I’ll incorporate it, and then it’s off to betas. Next up will be the copy editor.

And now that Ghost Mark is on its way, I’m considering a series title. Originally, I planned to use Blood Mark Series, but I’ve been told that repeating the first book’s title is a wasted opportunity to include additional search words to help readers find the books. My first choice for a series name is one Roxy Boroughs suggested (Thanks Roxy!): Dark Dreams. Each of the books would be A Dark Dreams Novel and/or part of the Dark Dreams Series. What do you think?

I’ve now turned my attention to the other pieces of the writing puzzle that make up a book: writing the acknowledgements, teasing out the back-of-the-book description, working with the cover designer, planning the release with publicist extraordinaire, Mickey Mikkelson of Creative Edge Publicity, etc.

One Last Thing

Today, June 2nd, Hidden Enemy is on sale for 99c. It’s the second standalone book in the Gift Legacy Series. You can get it from Amazon, Kobo, Nook, and everywhere else books are sold. Scribble’s Worth Reviews says: the second book starts off with a thrilling scene and heart-pumping narration! OHHHHH YEEEEEAHHHH! JP McLean knows how to grip us at once and make us curious in the first scenes. Awesome!

Until next time . . .

Slow but Steady Progress

January 28, 2022 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

The second book in the Blood Mark series is coming along with slow but steady progress. I discovered the outline wasn’t as strong as it needed to be, so I’m beefing it up, adding scenes, increasing the tension. A popular saying repeated in writing circles is that the writer’s job is to get the main character up a tree, and then once they are up there, throw rocks at them. At this stage, I’m throwing rocks at them.

I considered adding references to the pandemic but decided not to. Figured we’re all getting enough of that stress in our day-to-day real lives and don’t need more of it in our downtime. Besides, having the characters masked, socially distant, and staying home feels a little (a lot) boring.

Working Title

I’m still uncertain about a title. The working title is Ghost Mark, but I’m open to suggestions. If you’ve got one, jot it down in the comments below. If I use it, you’ll get credit in the book.

Last month I told you about becoming a bestselling author in three Amazon categories: New Adult and College Fantasy (Books), Ghost Suspense, and Occult Horror. The novelty of calling myself a bestselling author hasn’t worn off.

Now there are two more achievements to add to Blood Mark’s success. On January 12, it was short listed for the 2021 Chanticleer Paranormal Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction. And on January 5, Blood Mark placed 3rd on Go Indie Now’s 2021 books of the year.

Hidden Enemy

And if you haven’t yet, you’ve got to read the review for Hidden Enemy on Scribble’s Worth Book Reviews. I’ve read it a dozen times and it still makes me laugh. Julio Carlos’ enthusiasm is over the top. You can read more about Hidden Enemy here, where you’ll also find buy links and a downloadable PDF of the first chapter.

Successes like those keep me motivated. I can’t say it often enough: Thank you for your part in supporting my books, whether it’s recommending them to a friend, asking your local library to shelve them, or writing a review. Your support means the world to me.

What I’m Reading

On the reading front, I’ve just started Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie. It was a recommendation from someone in the “Fans Of Urban Fantasy!” Facebook group.

I’m always on the hunt for books like mine, commonly referred to as comps (as in comparables) in the book world. If you’ve read a book that would fit on the bookshop shelf alongside mine, I’d love to know about it. Put the title/author in the comments below.

Until next time . . .

XO Jo-Anne

Throwing Stones Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash