Blood Mark Archives - Page 3 of 6

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 . . .

Another Medal and a Blank Calendar (be still my beating heart)

April 26, 2022 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

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!

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.

Celebrations Amid the Chaos

March 20, 2022 By JPMcLean 16 Comments

Some days it’s difficult to celebrate the wins, especially under the black cloud of chaos caused by a madman in Russia and the ongoing pandemic. Still, there are celebrations amid the chaos, nuggets that shine despite the gloom around us.

What I’m celebrating:

Bood Mark is now a finalist (FINALIST) for two (TWO) international book awards!

The Chanticleer Paranormal Award for Supernatural Fiction. The winner of this US book award will be announced in June.

The Wishing Shelf Book Award for Adult Fiction. The winner of this British book award will be announced in April.

I am so proud to add these new nominations to Blood Mark’s cover.

I’m also celebrating:

Mandatory mask mandates lifted in BC.

Although the pandemic is not yet over, it’s a relief to see the mask mandate lifted. A small, but hopeful celebration. Though I hate the damn things, I’m still wearing one in crowded situations. I’m not alone. In my outings since the lifting, I’d guestimate 2/3 of shoppers continue to wear masks. It’ll take time for people to get comfortable re-entering this new normal.

As much as I’d rather be celebrating Russia’s defeat at the hands of brave Ukrainians, and the end of the pandemic, I’ll take these small wins and celebrate the hell out of them. It’s me thumbing my nose at the madman and the pandemic.

These are my small celebrations amid the chaos. I hope you find nuggets of your own to celebrate. Every win counts.

You can purchase Blood Mark at your favourite retailer or right here.

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