The Business side of Writing Archives - Page 2 of 3

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 . . .

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.”

Blood Mark Update

March 27, 2021 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

Blood Mark News

Have you noticed I haven’t mentioned my new book, Blood Mark, in a while? The crickets are because I’ve been searching for an agent to represent it. I only approached a handful of select agents who had access to the biggest publishers. And though I knew it was a long shot, the last agent who’d shown interest in the manuscript, has turned it down.

The agent wrote that she loved the premise and setting of Blood Mark, the compelling conflict and tension, and added that I am a terrific writer, right down to the sentence level. It’s hard to be upset about getting turned down on top of that praise!

Though I’m disappointed I won’t get to experience life on the traditionally published side of the street, my indie leanings will serve me well going forward. To that end, Rachel Small, editor extraordinaire, is on board and ready to go. I’m exploring book cover ideas and researching launch tactics. I don’t have a release date yet, but I expect it will be sometime this fall.

This Time Around

Happily, I’ll have Mickey in my corner. He’s the publicist I signed with at Creative Edge Publicity. He continues to keep me busy with interviews, guest VLOG appearances, magazine features, and radio shows. I still find the live events nerve-wracking, but I know it’s good for my career, and good for the books. So, I’ll keep stretching, learning, and practicing until my nerves are just a low rumble in the background. I post the events as they go live on social media, but you can check out the full listing under the Featured On page under the Media tab on my website.

On the Home Front

With the weather warming up and the soil drying out, I’ve been getting my hands dirty in the garden beds. Our crocuses and snowdrops are finished, and we’ve moved on to daffodils. The tulips are coming on strong, the clematis and other vines are growing, and the bushes are leafing out. On the ocean, the annual herring spawn has come and gone, but the sea lions, seals, eagles and seagulls are still here livening up the spring orchestra.

What I’m Reading

My latest reads are Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series about a future world divided by the colour of their blood. Red bloods are the servants to the silver blooded elite who exhibit imaginative supernatural powers. I loved it! Gobbled up the whole series.

I’ve also read two books by other Creative Edge authors, and I’d recommend them both:

The Witching Vault by Kathrin Hutson. Sassy and fun urban fantasy about a witch who takes on an apprenticeship at a magical bank.

Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent by Jennifer Anne Gordon. This multi-award-winning book is a perfectly creepy horror about a man’s descent into madness after losing his wife and son.

What are you reading? I’m always looking for a good urban fantasy or supernatural thriller.

Speaking of good urban fantasies, Secret Sky is just $2.99. 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).

Empty highway photo by Maksim Shutov on Unsplash

Spring lamb photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

I’ve Signed with a Publicist

January 31, 2021 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

Recently, I took a huge step forward in my career. I’ve signed with a publicist: Mickey Mikkelson of Creative Edge Publicity.

Why? The business of being an author includes many tasks. Though it’s taken me a while, I think I have a handle on most of them:

Write the book → Check!
Hire editors and cover designers → Check!
Organize beta readers → Check!
Format the book → Check!
Upload the book to retailers → Check!
Track expenses and income → Check!
Promote the book → Not so much 🙁

Promotion has always been a weak spot. I’ve yet to master finding quality promotional opportunities that are a good match. And I’d rather chew off an arm than make a cold call to a book reviewer, blogger, or podcaster.

I know it makes no sense, especially after all the work I’ve put into the books. I’m proud of The Gift Legacy and want the books to find new audiences. Emelynn Taylor flies—I want my books to fly, too!

While studying business at UBC, one of the core lessons was recognizing your weaknesses and putting a plan in place to address them. I’ve sidestepped my lack of promotion finesse for far too long.

But no longer – I’ve signed with a publicist

And Mickey has kept me hopping since January. He has organized more publicity in a month than I’ve managed in a decade. In fact, Mickey has kept me so busy I’ve not had time for much else this month. If I’m not prepping for a podcast, I’m writing guest blog posts or answering interview questions.

The following are just a sample of the gigs Creative Edge has already organized for me. PLEASE share the links on your own social media and “up vote”, “like”, or mark them as “helpful.” Every little bit helps.

Secret Sky reviewed by Anthony Avina
Author appearance on Minddog TV
Character interview with Emelynn Taylor hosted by J.M. Northrup
Author interview on Urban Lit Magazine
Secret Sky featured on Readers’ Entertainment Magazine

There are more. If you’re interested, you can find all the links on my website’s “featured on” page.

On the writing front

I’ve queried a few literary agents about the new book, Blood Mark, and had some interest, but so far haven’t had an offer. I’m not giving up yet, though. I’m also making progress with Crimson Frost, my short Christmas story. Hopefully, it won’t take me until then to finish it!

And if you still haven’t picked up Secret Sky, the eBook is just $2.99. 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).