On Writing Archives - Page 4 of 29

A Look Back

June 25, 2021 By JPMcLean 16 Comments

Finding this old photo of me signing my first novel reminded me how far my writing career has come.

This photo was taken at Abraxas Books on Denman Island in October 2012. I was signing copies of Secret Sky with its original cover and title. Abraxas has sold more Gift Legacy trade paperbacks than any other indie bookstore! (Thanks, Abraxas!)

Since then, there have been a few big milestones . . .

1. I’ve completed SEVEN books in the Gift Legacy, an urban fantasy series about Emelynn Taylor and a secret society of Fliers who live among us and have the gift of flight.

2. The books have received over 225 reviews like this recent one from Midwest Book Review:

“A deftly crafted, impressively original and inherently compelling read from first page to last, Secret Sky launches a new The Gift Legacy series by J. P. McLean. A fully entertaining, plot twisting novel that will leave its readers looking eagerly toward the next thrilling installment, Secret Sky is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library action/adventure, romance, and metaphysical fiction collections.”

Steeping the First Draft

October 9, 2019 By JPMcLean 12 Comments

First Draft Complete

The first draft of Witness is done! Though I didn’t quite make the September 30 deadline I set for myself, it was close. I’ve now stepped away from the manuscript to let it steep. I’ll resist tinkering with the first draft as long as I can—a few weeks, a month or two if possible—so I can read it with fresh eyes when I’m ready for the first edit.

And if you’re wondering which name I chose for the psychiatrist in Witness, wonder no longer: I chose Reuben (my apologies to all the Reubens out there.) You might remember this character is shady and his name had to start with an “R”. Reuben has the bonus feature of a dual identity, Reuben AND Ben. Brilliant! Thanks for the suggestion.

An Invermere Interlude

Photo of Elinor Florence outdoors standing beside a life-size rusted metal-sculpture of a moose in Invermere BC — Elinor Florence and moose in Invermere BC

Though the first draft is done, the new book is a long way from done. Still, a completed first draft is an achievement worth celebrating. To that end, I took a short trip to Invermere. It was a writers’ retreat with Elinor Florence, author of Wildwood and Bird’s Eye View. Here she is with Rusty the Moose. I say writers’ retreat with tongue in cheek—very little writing happened. We did, however, enjoy an abundance of laughter, fine wine, and delicious meals.

We also toured local bookstores and libraries from Invermere to Canmore and points in between. I’m pleased to report that Secret Sky is now available at the Invermere library, Radium Hot Springs library, and it’s under consideration at the Canmore Library.

In addition, Café Books in Canmore is now carrying it. This must-see bookstore is larger than it looks, and if an enticing aroma makes your mouth water, it’s their in-store café! You’ve got to check it out.

While at the Radium Hot Springs Library, we took in a talk on Writing Romance by Roxy Boroughs and topped off the day by getting thoroughly wrinkled in the pool at Radium Hot Springs.

Banff

A highlight for me was a visit to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The old Canadian railway hotels have a special place in my heart. When I travel, I seek them out and wander their halls, enjoy a drink or a cup of tea, and soak up their majestic ambiance.

Vancouver Social

Prior to my Invermere interlude, students of Mark Dawson’s Self-publishing Formula (SPF) were invited to a Vancouver social at the Tap and Barrel downtown. It was a pleasure to meet James Blatch in person, having seen him on the show for more than a year now, and to meet one of their camera gurus, John Dyer. It was a terrific opportunity to connect with other SPF and Creative Academy peeps.

Short Story Giveaway

And finally, because the short story giveaways have been so popular, I wanted to let you know of another one. A Mysterious Case of the Strange includes FREE short stories in the mystery/suspense and science-fiction/fantasy genres.

My short story Ghost Crimes is in the mix. If you’re one of my VIP readers, you’ll have already received a download link for it. If not, download Ghost Crimes now and let me know what you think.

These short stories are a great way to test drive a new author. I’ve already downloaded six short stories (and I might go back for more).

Mountain header photo credit Kenny Sexton on Unsplash

If you’re looking for a binge read, check out Secret Sky, Book 1 of The Gift Legacy. Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.

Question for you

August 19, 2019 By JPMcLean 34 Comments

Will you help me name a character in my new book? He’s a psychiatrist, fifty-five years old, and a bit shady with a rather high opinion of himself. The guy below fits the image in my head. Right now his name is Richard—a perfectly fine name—but it’s too fine for this guy. The one limiting factor is that his name has to start with R (and no, I won’t tell you why!).

Name a character

Which of the following names do you prefer? Or if you’re so inclined, add a new name suggestion in the comments.

1. Riker,

2. Roman,

3. Ryder

4. ??

Progress on Witness

The new book, which I’ve titled Witness (unless I find something more fitting), is now three-quarters written, and though I’m still struggling with the daily writing/marketing mix, I expect to finish the first draft by the end of September.

There! Putting it out there. In writing. It’s a little game I play with myself to help me hit the mark.

Denman Island Saturday Market

What else have I been up to? Again this summer, I’ve been setting up on long weekends at the Denman Island Saturday Market. It feels like a reunion every time, with neighbours dropping by to catch up in the shade of my tent. Mary Ann Clarke dropped by last time, which was a nice surprise. (For anyone who’s looking for me at the DI market on the Labour Day long weekend, my apologies, but I’ll be out of town. Instead, I’ll set up on August 24^th. )

Beach header photo credit Ethan Robertson on Unsplash
Richard character photo credit Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

If you’re looking for an addictive summer read, check out Secret Sky, Book 1 of The Gift Legacy. Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.

Technical Difficulties

June 29, 2019 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

Tech and I have a difficult relationship.

It thinks I should intuitively know things I do not, and is entirely too smart for its own good. In the past few weeks, it’s tossed three major salvos my way – first, a widget on this website broke, crippling the website. Second, my cellphone had a meltdown. And finally, one of my books on Amazon went on a walkabout. You can’t believe what a headache that caused.

Thankfully, with the assistance of some folks who are smarter than me, a bit of cash, and mind-numbing patience, Tech has been brought to heel. Fingers crossed, it stays in line for a while. The upside to these glitches is that each one forces me to learn something new.

Speaking of learning something new, I’ve now finished both the Facebook and the Amazon components in the Ads for Authors advertising course I’m taking. I’ve not had a lot of success with either platform yet, but I’m working on it.

One thing in particular has become painfully clear – I need more reviews for my books.

Reviews are social proof that my books are worth someone’s time. Reviews are doubly important for indies like me whose name and work isn’t well known.

I would really appreciate it—and it would help me tremendously—if you could leave a review for my book(s). A review doesn’t have to be more than a sentence or two. Perhaps what you liked about the book or who you would recommend it to. You can find some examples here: https://jpmcleanauthor.com/testimonials/

The preferred place to leave a review is on Amazon—they are the major player (by a long shot) in online book sales. (You’ll need an Amazon account and you’ll have to have spent $50 on Amazon in the previous year.) The following links will take you directly to The Gift Legacy’s Amazon review pages:

In Canada:

In the USA:

If you are unable to leave a review on Amazon, please consider leaving a review on Kobo or Goodreads. I am ever so grateful for your support. Thank you.

And if you’d like to discover a new indie author, there are still a few days left to pick up some great deals in the “Too Good to Miss Urban Fantasy Book Fair.”

Leading photo of angry sky by Victor Rodriguez on Unsplash

Secret Sky is the book that went on a walkabout and caused all kinds of havoc. Get your copy of Secret Sky from Kindle with one click right here. And if ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.