Honourable Mention for Awakening!

October 22, 2016 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

Psst? Have you seen the shiny bronze medallion that now graces Awakening’s cover? Last weekend I travelled to the Whistler Writers Festival where the Whistler Independent Book Awards were announced. I’m thrilled to tell you that the judges awarded an Honourable Mention for Awakening. I haven’t stopped grinning since I heard the news.

Here are a few photos from the Festival taken during my wanderings around Whistler Village.

Though it was a soggy weekend, the setting was so beautiful a few drips didn’t ruin a thing. Sadly, my husband suffered a torn Achilles and he’s now in a boot cast, so he was unable to accompany me to the festival. Happily, I was kept company by the terrific writers, readers, and volunteers who make this annual festival a real treat to attend.

(Have I mentioned that I was also kept cozy by the glowing warmth spilling out from the Honourable Mention for Awakening?)

In Lover Betrayed news (formerly The Gift: Betrayal), the manuscript is going through its final edit, the cover is almost done (OMG it’s dark and it’s beautiful) and the book is on track for a November 15 release. I can’t wait to share all of that and more, with you. Stay tuned.

The bones for Lover Betrayed (formerly Betrayal) are buried in Secret Sky (formerly Awakening). If you can’t wait for its release, get your copy of Secret Sky with one click right here. But be careful! I hear it’s addictive. Or click on the image for more purchase options.

You know that feeling?

May 27, 2016 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

Do you know that feeling? Like you’ve just crossed the finish line of a gruelling marathon, but you’re the only one in the race. Hands on hips, you catch your breath as you look about and wonder, “What now?”

Yeah, that feeling.

I’ve been working on another book in the Gift Legacy series for a year and a half (had to go look that up), and on Tuesday, I wrote the final scene. Since then, I’ve been fumbling around not quite sure what I’m supposed to be doing.

Don’t get me wrong – there’s no shortage of editing, re-writing, and catch-up marketing to do, and let’s not get started on house cleaning, weeding, laundry, etc. (no really – let’s not get started!), but after eighteen months of concentrating on this one project, having it done feels . . . I don’t know . . . airy.

Each time I finish writing a book, it feels different. I wrote about it here. I feel good about this one. Optimistic. Excited.

I think I’ll take a week off and play in the garden. I might even clean the windows so I can see the garden when I get back to writing.

The next book is called Lover Betrayed. It’s Jackson Delaney’s story. I’ll tell you all about it next time. If you’ll excuse me, I hear the garden calling …

And what better way to enjoy your garden, than from a hammock reading your own copy of Secret Sky, the book that started it all? Get it from your favourite retailer right here!

Dandelion Photo by Jason Long on Unsplash

On Festivals and Readings

August 19, 2015 By JPMcLean 5 Comments

On Festivals and Readings . . . When you don’t hear from me for ages, you can assume the writing is going well, but even so, where did August go?

JP's luggage inside the Vancouver airport I’m at the Vancouver airport on an extremely long **yawn** layover to Toronto, and thought I’d take the opportunity to catch up with you.

In July, at the Denman Island Reader and Writer Festival (DIRWF) I had the great pleasure of introducing award-winning author, Eliza Robertson. She read three short stories from her book, Wallflowers. I also had the opportunity to introduce eight of Denman Island’s local writers to the stage, and I then shared a reading from Penance (now titled Lethal Waters).

I also attended the DIRWF writer-in-residence program with Steven Price. You might remember that I’ve got a few writing projects on the go. One of them is a companion piece to Secret Sky. It’s the story told from Jackson’s perspective with the working title Sins of the Father. I took Sins to Steven Price’s workshop and the participants’ feedback improved and inspired the story. Can’t wait to finish it.

A New Story is in the works

Dinosaur hanging inside the Comox airport I also have a new work in progress tentatively titled Witness. I’ve worked out most of the outline and even written a number of chapters. Interestingly, because I’m writing Witness from the third person point of view and Sins from the first person point of view, I’m finding it a challenge to work on both at the same time.

Last week I attended When Words Collide in Calgary and had the opportunity to meet the extremely personable Diana Gabaldon and hear her read from the as yet unpublished ninth book in her Outlander series. What a treat.

Which brings me to now . . . waiting to board a plane to Toronto and from there, points north. In addition to visiting family, I’ll be doing a reading at McKellar Public Library on Monday, August 24^th at 1:30. If you’re in the neighbourhood, please stop by (701 Highway 124, McKellar, Ontario). I’ll be reading from Lethal Waters and offering a few other surprises. Come and check it out, and then check out a fishing rod and head down to the river to catch your dinner.

See you there.