Fall is in the air

September 1, 2024 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

September’s in-person events:

Though fall is in the air, summer’s not over yet! My final summer in-person event will be September 8th, where I’ll be signing books and chatting with visitors at the Union Bay Fall Craft Fair and Luncheon. It will take place from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm PST at the Union Bay Community Club, 5401 South Island Highway in Union Bay. What I like most about this annual event is that it feels like a block party with lots of laughs and fabulous food.

My last event, Nautical Days in Comox over the August long weekend, was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth. For those of you who picked up the first books in the series, I’ll have all the other books in both series available at the Union Bay Fair. I’ll also have the popular three- and seven-book gift packages of The Gift Legacy with me.

In other news, I’m still in Ontario visiting family. I’m relaxing and spending quality time with my mom and dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbours. Our family’s history goes back several generations in this small community, so there’s lots to catch up on. This is a photo of where I’m staying, taken from a boat on the tea water of the Manitouwabing River. It’s a gorgeous spot.

I do hope you’re enjoying your summer. If you’d like to see more photos, please join my VIP Reader newsletter list. I send out a monthly newsletter with FREE short stories, insider scoop, new release news, and writing/audiobook updates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and I never share your contact details.

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.

To receive FREE short stories, insider scoop, and new release news, please join my VIP Reader newsletter list. I send out a monthly newsletter with photos, news, and writing/audiobook updates.

JP’s July Events

July 9, 2024 By JPMcLean Leave a Comment

A New Book Award and a Huge Festival Event!

August 4, 2023 By JPMcLean 18 Comments

A New Book Award:

This just in: Ghost Mark has won an Indie B.R.A.G. award! I’m very proud to join B.R.A.G.’s list of honorees. The news is so fresh that (last I checked) Ghost Mark wasn’t yet listed on their website. The B.R.A.G. president advised me they will make an announcement and add the title to their online honorees in the coming days.

My Next Festival Event is a Big One:

I’ll also be signing books at the biggest festival I’ve ever attempted. Comox Nautical Days runs from Saturday, August 5^th through to Monday, August 7^th, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday. The festival is held annually in conjunction with the Filberg Festival. This is its 63^rd year. Stop by and say hello. I’ll be at booth #63 in the Comox Marina Park at the foot of Port Augusta Road. (It feels like an excellent omen to have booth 63 on the 63rd anniversary!)

Dark Dreams Update:

Scorch Mark has a release date! November 14. The manuscript has been through its story edit and is now in the hands of the copy editor. After the copy edit is done, the book will move on to proofreading and formatting. I can’t wait to share Scorch Mark’s cover with you, after which I’ll put the book up for preorder.

The Gift Legacy Update:

I’m removing The Gift Legacy books from Kindle Unlimited/Kindle Select effective September 2^nd. The final countdown deal will run from August 17 through 20^th and will include 99c sales on the three original books in what was once a trilogy, Secret Sky, Hidden Enemy, and Burning Lies, (Books 1-3). If you’re in the Kindle Unlimited program, download the books to your Kindle before they disappear. After September 2nd, the books will once again be available to buy from all retailers.

What I’m Reading:

I’m rereading Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy. It was great the first time, and I’m loving it all over again. I’m also watching the mini-series based on it, which is available on Prime. It’s fascinating to see which scenes made it to the screen, and which were altered. As much as it’s entertaining, it’s also research and educational: research for my next book, which will be about witches, and educational because I’m plucking away on a screen play for The Gift Legacy series.