JP McLean

Writing Addictive Fiction

A Double-header this weekend

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Two Christmas Craft Fairs

Christmas-themed poster for Qualicum Bay Christmas MarketPoster for the 2023 Union Bay Christmas Craft Market. Yellow lettering on green background

I’m excited to be attending a double-header this weekend. On Saturday, November 18, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, I’ll be at the Qualicum Bay Christmas Market. Then, on Sunday, November 19, from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, I’ll be at the Union Bay Christmas Craft Fair. There’s plenty of parking at both venues. I love these Christmas markets. It’s my first real taste of the holidays and for me, there’s no better way to ease into the Christmas season. I hope they’re playing Christmas carols!

And speaking of double-headers!

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June Update

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Ah, June. It’s a perfect month to be at loose ends, which is where I find myself. My in-depth self-edit of Scorch Mark is done, and the manuscript is in the capable hands of the developmental editor. Which means I get to play!

Gardening

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.

And I’m almost finished This Broken Memory (Cold as Iron Book 1) by Kayla McGrath which I am enjoying. It’s about Seelie and Unseelie faery realms and includes tons of action, high stakes, hidden agendas, and mistaken identities. I’ve also finished Dreams of a Dragon Girl by Bonnie Jacoby, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Must remember to post some reviews!

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

A Kindle Unlimited Surprise

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There’s a Big Sale Underway

I have a Kindle Unlimited surprise for you. There’s a big sale underway! I’m super excited to announce that Secret Sky, the first book in the Gift Legacy, is FREE right now. I’ve also deeply discounted books two through five! The deals are only on for a few days, so load your Kindle or gift them to a friend before the special pricing disappears.

Writing Research

Earlier this month, I travelled to Vancouver for research on the court case that takes place in Scorch Mark. Over the course of two short days, I attended several trials at the Law Courts Building, including a murder, a sexual assault, a major fraud, a contract dispute, and a custody battle.

The most surprising aspect of my visit was the ease with which I could sit in on these trials. Though armed sheriffs are present throughout the building, I was free to walk into any of the open courtrooms. In all the time I lived in Vancouver, I’d never ventured inside the lofty building. I imagined I’d be searched or have to go through metal detectors, maybe even questioned. None of that happened. Though there were metal detectors available, they weren’t in use at the courtrooms I attended.

Another interesting aspect of some courtrooms is the bulletproof glass that protects the defendants. I also peeked in through the windows of Court 20, which is the courtroom in the basement that was built for the Air India bombing trial, and most recently used for the hearings around Huawei’s chief financial officer. It’s the largest courtroom in the building, and the most secure.

JP McLean standing outside the Vancouver Law Courts Building
Inside the atrium of the Vancouver Law Courts Building

Update on Scorch Mark

My first run-through edit of Scorch Mark is chugging along. Some days I shake my head at what I’ve written. What was I thinking? What the heck was I trying to say? Other days, I find opportunities for a new scene, or additional details that add depth or tension to the story. With each tweak, the story improves. It won’t be long now until Scorch Mark is ready for its first professional edit.

Canadian Independent Bookstore Day

Canadian Independent Bookstore Day is April 29th. This year, anyone who buys a book from a Canadian indie bookstore has an opportunity to win $1000, $500, or $250. (NOTE: The contest is now closed)

What I’m Reading

I just finished, We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies, by Tsering Yangzom Lama. A finalist in the Scotiabank Giller Prize, it’s a beautifully written story of home, told through the lens of three generations of a Tibetan village in the wake of China’s invasion and occupation. I will have the pleasure of introducing Tsering Yangzom Lama at this year’s Denman Island Readers' and Writers' Festival. I’m looking forward to meeting her.

 

We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies book cover with two hands

Activity Centre Garden Bed update

In my last post, I mentioned that a group of volunteers had dug out the overgrown garden beds at the Activity Centre here on Denman in preparation for a much needed revitalization. I found some photos of what it used to look like, and I’m happy to share the results of our labours to replant the beds. Thanks so much to the Denman Garden Club for their financial help and the slate of volunteers who put in the sweat equity that saw this worthwhile project completed.

Before photo of the Denman Activity Centre walkway gardens

DAC walkway garden BEFORE

Before photo of the Denman Activity Centre front garden

DAC front garden BEFORE

After photo of the Denman Activity Centre walkway gardens

DAC walkway garden AFTER

After photo of the Denman Activity Centre front garden

DAC walkway garden AFTER

Don't forget to take advantage of the Gift Legacy books while the Kindle Unlimited promotion is on. Whether it's for yourself or a gift for a friend, you can't go wrong. Get the books here.

Until next time, XO

Spring has Sprung on Denman Island

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New spring lamb in green field

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