August events and a quick update

August 1, 2024 By JPMcLean 2 Comments

August’s in-person events include two of my favourites:

cartoon pirate parrot logo for Comox Nautical Days The first event is Comox Nautical Days in Marina Park. It takes place over the August long weekend, August 3, 4, and 5. Nautical Days is a three-day family-orientated party, and it’s the biggest event on my calendar. There’s live music, children’s entertainment, food trucks, a beer tent, a splash park, a parade and vintage car show, and more than a hundred juried vendors! I’ll be signing books at booth #63.

If you’ve never been to Nautical Days, you’re in for a treat. Marina Park has spectacular views of the harbour, boats, and the glacier. You’ll also appreciate the clean washrooms, and that this event is organized and well-run.

The second event is my annual trip to Ontario to visit my family. Though I hate the travel portion of the trip, I look forward to lazy hazy days sipping coffee and wine on my sister’s porch, or my parent’s deck, and cooling off in the Manitouwabing River. I’ve posted photos on previous visits here and here (scroll down to see the photos).

And finally, thank you to everyone who came out to the Christmas in July event last Saturday at the Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Bay. I donated a copy of Blood Mark to the door prizes and hope whoever won it enjoys the story.

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Margaret Atwood visits Denman Island

June 21, 2024 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

Margaret Atwood’s visit to Denman Island was a huge success. Not only did she lend her name to a charity fundraising cocktail party that benefited many Denman charities, but she was generous with her time and attention, chatting with many of us, and allowing her photo to be taken with anyone who asked. She's small in stature, so I scooched down for this photo.

She told me she’d visited our local bookshop, Abraxas, and had been keen to learn about what locals call Denman’s Green Cemetery, though it's official name is Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery.

The following day, she attended two events. In the morning, she read a short story from her latest release, Old Babes in the Wood: Stories, after which she took audience questions. Her answers were thoughtful and often included humourous or poignant anecdotes from her life.

And in the evening, she and Des Kennedy—a cherished local author and seasoned interviewer—sat down to talk about her life and work. Again, she answered audience questions and often had the audience in stitches—she’s got a great sense of humour and has lived an interesting life.

Upcoming Social Media Changes

I’ve written previously about how many hats I wear as an indie author in the publishing business. As much as I love it, it’s been a struggle to keep up. My writing and personal life are falling off the edge of my desk. So, I’m making some changes that I hope will free up a little more time for the things I love most.

Over the coming months, I’ll be transitioning this blog into a much shorter news and upcoming events post. If you wish to continue getting my author-life updates and behind-the-scenes scoop, then please sign up for my monthly VIP Reader Newsletter. I’ll never sell or trade your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Over the coming months, I’ll also be streamlining my Facebook accounts. I currently have two pages, a personal page, and a business page. The dual effort to maintain both pages, when the business page gets minimal traffic, is not a productive use of my time.

If you’ve “liked” or are “following” me on my business page, please consider “friending” me on my personal page instead. I’ll post my intent on Facebook, but most of the people who have liked or followed me there won’t likely see that post.

All is Quiet on Christmas Eve

December 24, 2022 By JPMcLean 7 Comments

Ah, Christmas Eve . . .

My favorite day of the holidays. It’s the day that’s still pregnant with possibility. It’s the day my ultra-organized self can relax because all the prep is either done or I’m resigned to it not getting done. I can put my feet up, sip a hot toddy, and enjoy a crackling fire with zero pressure. That’s what I wish for you, too, this holiday season. Zero pressure. I know the holidays aren’t easy for everyone, but I hope you can all find that quiet place where there are no expectations.

On the Writing Front

I continue to pluck away at the next Dark Dreams novel, though I’m making slower progress than I’d like. Some books are like that, making me work harder for the story, but I don’t mind. It’ll be all the sweeter for the effort when it’s done. In many ways, this is the best stage of writing. It’s where the outline is still fluid, and anything can happen.

Ghost Mark News

Though it feels longer, can you believe it’s only been six weeks since Ghost Mark was released? My publicist, (Shout out to Mickey Mikkelson!) has kept me super busy with interviews, podcasts, Vlogs, signings, and even a CTV Saskatoon interview with host Jeff Rogstad. All my media events are available to watch or read on my Media tab here.

Thanks to everyone who braved the unseasonable cold and snow to chat with me and get signed copies of my books at Blue Heron Books in Comox and Abraxas Books on Denman Island. If you got stuck in the snow, they still have signed copies available. Signed copies of my books are also available at Coho Books in Campbell River.

What I’m Reading

On the recommendation of Dirk, the owner of Blue Heron Books, I read Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Carmilla is the book that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and is considered the original vampire story. Written 26 years before Dracula, Carmilla has become a cult classic, “steeped in sexual tension and gothic romance.” Given all that, how could I not read it?

What’s Next

The frantic pace of Ghost Mark’s book-release promotion is slowing down, and I’m settling into a quiet lull. I spend my days writing, and most evenings we have a fire going. It feels like heaven.

Next week will be full of “looking back at 2022” from all the usual news and entertainment outlets. When I look back, I see a year of unexpected surprises. Blood Mark has earned ten awards and high praise from reviewers. Ghost Mark is just starting out, but has already earned a Gold Literary Titan award, a glowing review from the Ottawa Review of Books, and a RONE crowned heart review published in InD’Tale Magazine.

Thank you for your kind support this past year. Your reviews, comments, and word-of-mouth recommendations for my books warms my heart. May 2023 be a year filled with joy and health for you and your families.

With much love, from my house to yours, Merry Christmas.

Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

I’m on the Cover of Books & Buzz Magazine

September 5, 2022 By JPMcLean 13 Comments

I’m so proud and honoured to be featured on the September cover of Books & Buzz Magazine. Inside is my interview with Editor-in-chief, Timothy Pike. Also in this issue are articles by bestselling author David D. Schein, Nicole Fanning, & USA Today bestselling author Cari Lynn Webb.

I’m also pleased to share some early buzz Ghost Mark is getting. It’s out November 1st and on preorder right now Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Apple

First Editorial Review:

McLean’s writing is as ingenious as her protagonist, ranging from grunge
to repartee to sophistication to laugh-out-loud snarks. Ghost Mark is gripping.
You won’t put it down till it’s done.

—OTTAWA REVIEW OF BOOKS

First Award:

Will keep you on the edge of your seat . . . an intense, riveting, and fast-paced novel.

—LITERARY TITAN ★★★★★

First Endorsement:

JP McLean’s GHOST MARK has it all—kick-ass characters, a thrilling mystery,
and tons of action, all with a supernatural twist!

—Ann Charles, USA Today bestselling author of the Deadwood Mystery series,

I’m a huge fan of Ann Charles’s books and have recommended them before, so having her endorse Ghost Mark with a blurb is an incredible point of pride for me. Ann writes mysteries infused with witty humour and well-drawn, relatable characters. You’ll laugh out loud at the antics her characters get up to. Learn more about Ann here.

Pre-order Ghost Mark right now and it will be on your e-reader when it releases November 1st! It’s available from all the usual retailers:

Kindle ~ Kobo ~ Nook ~ Apple ~ Direct

Download a PDF preview of Ghost Mark here.

McKellar Vacation

After three long years, I finally braved the airport and a plane to visit my family in McKellar. My sister met me in Toronto, and we spent a few nights with my niece and her partner, which is always fun, and then drove up north. First to Parry Sound for groceries, a wine supply, and a mani-pedi, and then on to McKellar. Ahhhh. It’s so relaxing and beautiful here on the Manitouwabing River.

I helped Mom organize her potting shed, putzed with Dad on a few things in the driving shed, and there’ll be more projects this coming week. But mostly it’s just so nice to catch up in person. Yesterday, my cousin arrived from Haliburton, and we all piled into the pontoon boat for a cruise down the river. Along the shores, the shanty shacks of our youth are now jaw-dropping mansions. My grandfather’s old house is one of them, and another stands in his old potato field.