Creative Edge Publicity Archives

Publication Date for Blood Mark

April 29, 2021 By JPMcLean 10 Comments

Blood Mark has a publication date: October 19, 2021!

If that seems like a long way off, I agree. But there’s still a lot of work ahead, e.g. incorporating copy and proofreading edits, finishing the back-of-the-book description, and writing the front and back-end matter. And before a cover can be finished, the interior files need to be formatted and review quotes and endorsements finalized. The good news is that all of this is in the works!

In other writing news

I’ve written a new short story called Scaredy Cat. It was my contribution to the Horror Tree. You can read it on their website.

I also finished the first draft of my Christmas story, Crimson Frost. It’s novella length, sitting at 19,000 words. The next step is to let it steep for a month before revisiting it. It will be out before Christmas.

On a personal note

I’m getting my first jab on Friday, April 30th! Yay. Can’t wait. As the last person in my social bubble to get a shot, I’ve been feeling a bit like Typhoid Mary when I’m around them.

Mickey of Creative Edge Publicity continues to keep me busy. I feel like I’ve turned a corner in terms of VLOGs and Podcasts. Repetition has done wonders to quell my nerves. You can watch my appearances and read my interviews by visiting the Media tab on my website.

What I’m reading

I recently finished Kelley Armstrong’s A Stitch in Time. I love Kelley Armstrong’s stories–even had a fangirl moment when I met her briefly at The Creative Ink Festival a few years ago. A Stitch in Time tells the story of a young woman who inherits her family’s old mansion and rediscovers a time slip through which revisits a lost love.

I haven’t quite finished reading Marie Powell’s Last of the Gifted Spirit Sight, but I’m loving it. Powell set her fantasy in 13th century Wales, when Wales and England were at war. The story is about how two siblings with supernatural abilities aid their country’s war efforts. I love all the historical details Powell infuses in her story, from clothing to food to legends.

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).

Book shelf photo credit: Photo by Alexandra Fuller on Unsplash

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.

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).