#BristolCon Aftermath: #Cosplay For The Win!

Some of you may remember the absolute disaster of BristolCon last year, when car failure stranded us halfway there and resulted in us being towed home and missing the whole shebang. It is not my favourite memory.

via GIPHY
So I was extremely nervous preparing for it this year. Finances meant my plan of taking a hire car got scrubbed. We did all we could to ensure our old banger was as journey worthy as possible (although the same precautions last year didn't and couldn't have prevented the breakdown). However, we planned to leave earlier in the day so if we did have a repeat of last year we still had time to abandon car and jump on a train instead (I learned later that the trains into Bristol were fubar'd - probably just as well I hadn't know that beforehand). >_<
Getting stuck in a traffic queue where we broke down last year was one of the most terrifying few moments of my life. But we made it to Bristol. The relief of getting here was like Christmas coming early! Parking was a bit of an issue, but the hotel we'd booked was lovely (as were the staff), and later I was able to move the car to the convention where it was free (bonus!).

I'd originally planned to do most of the set up on the Friday night but leave the books until the following morning. However, as they were locking the dealers room overnight I figured my books would be safe. I had a gorgeous black velvet table cover (courtesy of a local charity shop) and had already talked to the lovely KS Turner whom I was sharing the table with but who wouldn't be arriving until the following morning. Hubs and eldest had some 'suggestions' on the set up, wanting me to move my two character dolls to the centre, but in the end I stuck with my original plan.

BristolCon is one of the most relaxed and friendly conventions I know (admittedly my recent experience is limited and BristolCon is the only one I've attended as a dealer rather than just a visitor) but the atmosphere is so lovely. I am not a natural socializer and rather shy. Social situations exhaust me. But by the end of the con I was so jazzed I wanted to do it again the next day (not normal for me but a tribute to BristolCon for creating such a conducive atmosphere).

While I didn't sell many books, overall it was such a positive experience and so fun that it's given me a much needed confidence boost when I really needed one. I did sell three books, had enquiries as to whether they were available in ebook form, was approached by a reviewer, had a few people tell me they had things I'd written like Tales (and the lovely author/editor from Grimbold Books - Kate Coe - told me she had When Dark Falls on her to read and review list for this year. That gives me such a buzz, since most of my audience is US). Bookmarks and business cards were picked up. Another Grimbold author - Allan Bott - told me about Ludosport: learning lightsaber duelling as a martial art. We got compliments on our cosplay and I even got asked for a couple of photos (you can also find some convention photos HERE).
I also picked up some books (surprise!). Two Anne McCaffrey books from the swap table (having traded them for my Brent Weeks Way of Shadows trilogy). I spent my earnings on two steampunk urban fantasies for eldest from Rob Harkness, and of course both eldest and I got our favourite authors to sign a book each (Jaine Fenn for me, Janet Edwards for her). Both were also kind enough to come to our table and chat, as well as gifting eldest tokens for her cosplay.

And the highlight of the evening (though we missed it originally and it was only thanks to a BristolCon minion that we got spotted coming in late) was my eldest winning the cosplay contest with the Rey outfit I made. Admittedly there hadn't been much competition, but to have something she asked for and that I'd spent time and effort on be appreciated by others was just awesome. We had to go on stage to collect her prize - a rather awesome trophy, a book, and a book token. I don't think she could have been more chuffed (or I more proud).

All in all it was a wonderful experience. I have to say such a huge thank you to BristolCon:
Its members, organizers (especially Mark Robinson, dealer herder) and minions (especially Scott Lewis who shouted out our late arrival at the closing ceremony for the cosplay award), to my fellow authors (especially those from Grimbold Books who came to chat), to everyone who gave my eldest tokens for the cosplay contest, to Janet Edwards and Jaine Fenn (our two favourite authors who came to chat to us at our table and later signed our books), to the chap who took my photo for his blog and said more female Jedi were needed, to my lovely fellow author KS Turner and her husband who were a delight to share a table with, and lastly to my family (particularly my tolerant husband) but most of all to my eldest who shares my love for cosplay and books. *takes a deep breath* Gosh, I hope I didn't miss anyone out.
But best of all, it looks like we'll be going again next year ^-^

Events
The iBooks special sale event is still going strong - you have one more week to pick up one or more of 21 award winning scifi romances right across the spectrum of SFR. Don't put it off! It'll be gone before you know it.

A double cover reveal for Susan Grant's 2176 Freedom series is taking place across the internet, but you can check out my post HERE or on the Brigade blog HERE.

And Gethyon is on sale for just 99 cents until the 8th of November!

Gethyon

A Scifi Adventure Novel

Goodreads | Webpage

Amazon | Omnilit

B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Smashwords

Print:
CreateSpace
Amazon | B&N

Abandoned. Hunted. Out of control.

Gethyon Rees had always felt at odds with the universe, and hoped for an escape among the stars. But discovering he has the ability to cross time and space with just a thought brings more problems than it solves--a deadly bounty hunter who can follow him anywhere, the return of Tarquin Secker, the mother who abandoned him, and an ancient darkness that seeks him and all those with his talents. 

When an unforgivable act sets him on the run, it'll take more than his unearthly powers to save his skin and the lives of those he cares about. It'll take a sacrifice he never expected to have to make.

A science fiction adventure novel previously published 3rd June, 2013 by BURST (Champagne Books), and part of the Travellers Universe. A 2014 SFR Galaxy Award winner for Most Awesome Psychic Talent, and a 2015 EPIC eBook Awards finalist in the SF category. Also now includes the SF short story The Bones of the Sea. Returning September 2016. Available in all digital formats from Amazon, Omnilit, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, and Smashwords. Print available from CreateSpace, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Download a free pdf sample and read the reviews at Goodreads.

"With colorful worlds full of nuance and dimension, characters that walk off the page, and themes that anyone who has been either parent or child can relate to." J.C. Cassels, author of The Black Wing Chronicles series

Status Update

I've come down with post convention lurgey - not what I needed after coming back to an overflowing inbox but not entirely surprising. I'll soldier on! I'm not doing NaNoWriMo this year, but the prospect of returning to BristolCon next year has prompted me to think about getting Keir Book Three done so I can have it in print for then, plus a nudge to get a move on with my short story collection if I want those out in print too. Don't hold your breath, though! That's a big ask considering the current state of both. >.<

Chook Update

The girls survived three days without us, although Pitch has been noisy since we got back - scolding us maybe? I'm not entirely sure whether they can miss us, but they seemed grateful for some treats - mealworms and sunflower hearts - so at least their stomachs apparently missed us!

Left to right: Chiana, Scoop, Fizzgig, Pitch, and Effie

Near left to right: Effie, Chiana, Scoop
Under table left to right: Kyru, Fizzgig, Pitch

The Big @iBooks SFR Event & #BristolCon: Final Countdown! #scifi #romance #sale

Today sees the start of a very special SFR event at iBooks: 19 discounted novels from award winning authors across the broad spectrum of SciFi romance (including my time travel romance Keir). The lovely people at Apple have provided a direct link to the feature page HERE (unfortunately you can only access and purchase the books if you have an iPhone or iPad). The sale runs for two weeks - a great time to stock up on reads ready for Christmas (or if you'd rather lose yourself in a book than sit through yet more presidential campaign). ;)

Status Update

It's just four days until BristolCon! O.M.G.

This was my final practice set up before the con, so I know exactly what I need/want to take and how to lay it all out. I'm kind of relieved I don't have any other titles in print right now because I'm struggling for space with just half a table to myself! A good problem to have?

I've been doing final prep and packing for the past week, and it's pretty much consumed my attention. We are having a very minor car issue (not again!) but only with her starting on the now cold mornings. As long as she starts, we're good. I absolutely refuse to be thwarted by a machine again - our mechanic is stumped by her starting issue but otherwise sees no reason for her to break down on us. Let's hope those aren't famous last words...

Between BristolCon prep, the iBook event, arguing with ParcelForce over their inability to take my customs charge payment and deliver my package, and my cosplay, no writing or editing is getting done. I'm hoping to go back to Keir book three in November, but I'm not making any promises right now. >_<

Chook Update

My girls are all nicely fluffed up for winter but very reluctant to emerge of a morning now it's chilly and the days are shortening. Last week they had a little wander in the garden on one of the warmer days when I could tolerate sitting out there.

See you after BristolCon!



Sith-ing Pretty at Nor-Con 2016 #scifi #cosplay

Me in my Anakin cosplay in the Iron Throne.
The idea of a Sith queen certainly gave me plot bunnies!

This weekend my family and I got to geek out at Nor-Con in Norfolk. It was the first convention for my youngest, and only the second for my older two after they got to visit the Star Wars Celebration Europe with me in July. This year has seen me get back to conventioneering after...gosh, some 25 years, and to be able to share it with my family. I'm happy to say even hard-to-impress 12yo straight out said he enjoyed it - a rare admission!

Nor-Con was a fairly last minute decision with BristolCon already booked for the end of October. I'd looked at going the past couple of years, though more to check it out as a potential venue for me as an author selling my books than simply as a visitor. But hubs kind of pushed me a little, and with it so close (relatively) it seemed just plain silly not to go... Of course, we went in cosplay, although hubs settled for just a geek tee (spoilsport). I wore my newly completed Anakin outfit, 12yo was once more Hux, youngest had a Mace Windu outfit (a bought one because I haven't got around to making him one yet), and eldest in tribute to Connor Temple.

"Welcome to NOR-CON, the Norfolk TV, Film & Comic Convention organised by NOR-CON Events Limited and described in Sci Fi Now magazine as "The friendliest convention on Earth", we are quite proud of that you know......." 

Nor-Con 6 took place at the Norfolk Showground, their first time at this venue, and I thought it was fab. A single massive enclosed space with dealers, guests, exhibits, a stage and a photo shoot zone, and still plenty of space to move around. Unlike the London ComicCon in May, the handful of guests were far more accessible to visitors, sitting at tables with a price list for autographs and photos, proper photo shoots booked, and set chats on stage. Although not as big as the London conventions, that was actually an advantage and we spent the entire day there without getting bored. Eldest and I got a couple of selfies, while she got to chat to her two favourite actors from Primeval (Hannah Spearritt who played Abby Maitland, and Andrew Lee Potts, who played Connor Temple), and had a photo shoot with them both. 

The very lovely Norman Lovett (Holly) from Red Dwarf

Eldest and I with Danny John Jules aka Cat from Red Dwarf
(the second time I've met him - lucky me!)

Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor) and Ian McNeice (Churchill) - both from Doctor Who, though they've both done far more than that - were also present.

A rag tag, fugitive fleet... or models of anyway.

The Norfolk Star Wars club had some awesome sets!

There were two R2 droids and a Dalek trundling around, as well as lots of other awesome cosplay. The merch was varied and unlike the London cons the prices weren't hiked up. Everything was so relaxed and well set out, and it was just a lovely experience overall. We will definitely be going back next year! I highly recommend going to check out their gallery of photos from this year's event by going HERE to see what y'all missed. There's also some video footage (the sharp of eye might even spot me in the queue in the first few seconds).

Status Update

Not much is happening on the book front right now. My cosplay is pretty much done for the year aside from a second Rey outfit for a friend, and painting up the NERF Rey blaster for eldest's cosplay for BristolCon. You can see a round up of all my cosplay creations at my Tumblr blog HERE, and a post on the repaint will go up next Wednesday. With Nor-Con done my attention is now completely on BristolCon at the end of this month. Eeeep!

Chook Update

My girls are all well but not impressed by the sudden drop in temperature and are quite reluctant to emerge each morning now that autumn is well and truly upon us. Frankly I don't blame them - I'd quite happily stay in bed!

I won't be posting next week as the crew of Spacefreighters Lounge have been doing some swapping around (in case you hadn't already noticed I'm posting on a Friday and Laurie posted on the Tuesday). I'll be back on the 25th with a special announcement!

The #BristolCon Countdown...again!

I'm going to admit I'm both excited and nervous about going. Excited because BristolCon is a fab, friendly place to go and my favourite author is there, as well as fellow Brigader Misa Buckley. I'm nervous because...people! I'll be trying to sell my books, and I'm terrified! But more than that. Last year, after two months of prep, our car broke down halfway there and we missed the whole thing. I cried for a week! The only bonus is that at least I had a ton of stuff already prepped and stowed away so this year has been a lot less stress preparing for it. Well, other than a mild panic over whether the print editions of Gethyon would arrive in time after having to priority ship two sets of proofs before I was satisfied with the product.

But just yesterday the last couple of things I was waiting on arrived: carrier bags for any books I sell, and a couple of menu card holders to put my special offers on. The tub of chocolates I plan to use as bribery will have to wait to closer to the time otherwise they'll never survive to the convention.

My costume is almost complete. Yeah, I've gone for an Anakin cosplay. I'm not really much of a princess and definitely lean more to the Dark Side. :P

While my eldest just needs her Rey blaster painted up (and maybe a little BB-8 toy to carry.

I've had a practice set up for my half a table, though it still needs some tweaks. Boy, I've accumulated a lot of my titles in print since last year. I'd planned to showcase a few Brigade titles to represent our group, but I'm literally not going to have space (other than Laurie's Inherit the Stars that she sent me last year, and Sharon Lynn Fisher's Ghost Planet with the old cover). The Brigade merch I made up will be going into the free goodie bags I'll be handing out with any book purchase.

And just last week my print editions of Gethyon arrived. ^-^

I'll be doing the last few bits of prep after this week because...

While BristolCon is still almost four weeks away, I've got a nice geek orientated distraction this coming weekend - Nor-Con! Aside from ComicCon in London, this is my nearest convention, but it'll be my first time visiting. Partly for fun but partly to see if it's worth considering as a dealer with my books. I'll be testing out my Anakin cosplay while eldest is wearing a Connor Temple cosplay (and she has a joint photo shoot booked with Hannah Spearitt (Abby Maitland, Primeval) and Andrew Lee Potts (Connor Temple, Primeval). She's so excited! I already got my photo with Andrew back in May at ComicCon.

The car has been serviced, fully checked over, and goes in for a minor repair this week. Fingers and toes crossed that car failure doesn't stop us from either convention this month. >.<

Status Update
Gethyon is finally back out, in ebook and this time also in print. This now means I am a fully indie author with eighteen titles listed on Goodreads. That's not bad in five and a half years.

Gethyon

A Scifi Adventure Novel

Goodreads | Webpage

Amazon | Omnilit

B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Smashwords

Print:
CreateSpace
Amazon | B&N

Currently I'm not writing, haven't written in weeks, and don't seem to care. With two conventions this month, I figure it's time to take a break, focus on other stuff and see how I feel after the end of this year. I'm job hunting, picking at book three for Keir, and I have three sets of edits I could be working on but ain't. Real life stuff is taking priority, and since I have no deadlines except those I set myself, I'm letting myself take a step back.

And finally...

Chook Update

With the sudden nip in the air and the nights drawing in now we're past the autumn equinox, my girls are spending less time in the garden and they've stopped laying. They've also moulted so abruptly their run looks like the floor of a real feather pillow making factory! It's now too wet or too cold for me to sit out with them, but they spent last Friday mostly sunbathing when I let them out.

And I finish with one last photo from the garden, a frog onna log by our pond. Have a good week!

Why Zombie Girl is back #YA #zombie #dystopia

Original cover

After much inner deliberation, last week I took the decision to put my last missing ex-Lycaon Press title back up. It's been sitting on my hard drive gathering virtual dust since Breathless/Lycaon closed May 2015, and I'd had no real inclination to re-release it at the time.

Why the change of heart? Well, things happened. I originally wrote Zombie Girl specifically for Lycaon's call for YA short stories after the whole thing came to mind while I was at a music concert for one of my daughter's favourite bands. It released 22nd April 2015, just nine days before my publisher shut for good, and just as I reached the final stretch of writing book two for the April Camp NaNoWriMo. Bummer.

Despite the fact BP/LP let us use the edited versions of all our books for free, Zombie Girl was the only one of my five titles with them that I decided not to put back out with the rest. I'd already planned to re-release my debut novel Keir in May after the sale of that publisher resulted in my rights reversion, and suddenly I was another five titles down that would still need artwork paid for in order to re-release them. So I ended up re-releasing one novel, three novellas and a short story over May because they'd proved they were earning money, while Zombie Girl hadn't had the chance to. It was a killer month! Afterward, with the shock of BP/LP's closure finally setting in and the exhaustion of redoing and republishing five titles, I was done. My thoughts on Zombie Girl had changed, and I had other commitments.

But nine months on, I figured Zombie Girl should be out earning her keep. It was edited, and I thought that just for once I'd do my own cover and re-release it (FYI, in the end the marvellous Danielle Fine actually took my makeshift attempt and turned the rough draft into a polished gem). Zombie Girl: Dead Awakened was uploaded Thursday for a release date of 15th February. I wish I could put everything out that quick and clean!

I don't expect huge sales and I'm not pimping it (I already did the launch with Lycaon last year, so I'm not willing to do it over). The next book won't be coming out any time soon either, I'm afraid. I have other priorities and budget commitments until next year.

But I did learn some reassuring things during the upload. Despite managing to bodge up my pdf file five times (I kept checking through and finding things like I hadn't made the blurb the same size font as the rest, line spacings differed, I'd missed a link - stupid little things, really), I had ZG formatted as Amazon, general, and pdf galleys in half a day. It took me just three hours to upload it to Amazon, Draft2Digital, All Romance eBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords, and to check the resulting files. Aside from a slight hiccup at ARe (trust me, that's really minor compared to my usual battle with them), it all went perfectly (yup, even the Smashwords MeatGrinder, though I'm actually more familiar with that than conversion at any of the other distributors).

For the first time ever my D2D files were perfect on the first attempt. And to cap it all, Amazon had my pre-order live in a couple of hours, SW within an hour, and Kobo by the end of the day. Even iTunes was live in less than 24 hours, with B&N finally crawling in over the weekend. Kobo did make me hunt for my title after an email informing me that it was live (for a moment I envisaged the seven weeks of repeated emails trying to get a previous title to show up in their search engine *shudders*, but it popped up by itself). And the crowning glory came from Amazon in telling me I had 0 possible spelling errors during its conversion of Zombie Girl. Woot! (Normally it at least highlights my invented technological terms if nothing else, or takes aversion to a character name).

My excitement stems from this being an unheard of occurrence. Formatting, converting, uploading and checking the various ebook files is probably one of the most mind-numbingly tedious parts of being an indie author, and one I've come to loathe (for most of my self pubbed titles, Dani has actually formatted the digital galley for me, and she does all the print ones--check out her services HERE--but the ex-BP titles I did by myself (addition - Tethered was formatted for me by the lovely Gayl Taylor, formally of Breathless Press, and her official page is HERE)). But the smoothness of this particular title made it much more gratifying. Dare I hope I've actually got the hang of this author thing? At least this particular aspect of it anyway...

Zombie Girl: Dead Awakened--a YA dystopian zombie novella set a hundred years in our future--is now available for pre-order at the retailers listed under the book cover, with a release date of 15th February. You'd better start running!

YA Zombie Dystopia Novella
Goodreads | Website
Available from...
Amazon | iTunes | Omnilit
Kobo | Smashwords | B&N

Blurb:
Imagine waking up to find the world has ended, but unfortunately you're not alone...

For Connor Innis, awakening from a year-long coma with no memories, no ability to move, and unable to speak was bad enough. Then he learns that a bioweapon set off a zombie apocalypse—for real—while he was sleeping, and the world he can't even remember no longer exists.

Rehabilitation might be torture, but far worse awaits him outside. All too soon, the hospital Mentor declares him fit to leave with nothing to go home to except a city full of mindless, flesh-eating monsters. That is, until he forms a strange relationship with the one he nicknames 'Zombie Girl'.

Previously published by Lycaon Press, 22nd April 2015.

WARNING: contains swearing, and some moderate gore and violence.

Happenings

Want to read my books for free? Well, there's a couple of ways you can do that completely legitimately over the next couple of months. Keir is up at NetGalley again to read and review for free. Keir's Fall will go up next month (March). And there's a print edition of Keir's Fall up for giveaway at Goodreads.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Keir's Fall

by Pippa Jay

Giveaway ends February 29, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Yesterday Keir took part in the Hunky Hero-fest over at Audra Middleton's blog, where he was interviewed about the new-to-him concept of Valentine's Day. It put him into a bit of a panic, I must say! The event is continuing over the whole of February, with giveaways included, and there's a vote for the best hero. Needless to say I'd love you to go vote for Keir.
On the 11th I'm guesting at Dawn's Reading Nook and talking about five killer kisses.
On the 17th Keir is also taking part in the Great Pick-Up Line at The Delighted Reader blog. Again, it's a month long event with giveaways.

Status Update
Reunion at Kasha-Asor, my planned release for 21st May and a side story in Keir's Redemption series, is in second round edits but I'm currently brainstorming some ideas with Dani (my editor, designer and all round hero) and Laurel (editor, proof reader, and general sounding board). My planned June release is now back for first round edits. My proposed 31st March release, space opera short Quickshot, has been given a glorious cover by the talented Dani Fine (seriously, it is totally awesome and HAWT!) despite the highly demanding requests I made for my two MCs, so that should be releasing on schedule. If the February SFRB Presents goes ahead I'll be doing a double cover reveal for Reunion at Kasha-Asor and Quickshot.

These will bring my published works up to 15 titles, with Keir's Shadow (Book Three of Redemption) a definite release for 2017. Anything else will depend on having the funds to pay for editing/cover art. At the moment I'm focusing on a few more bits and pieces for BristolCon in October, including having to pay for accommodation and transport. I'm not risking my old car again, so I'm looking at hiring something that will hopefully ensure we'll get to the convention this time!

Ping Pong
Best of luck to Donna as she approaches launch day for Trouble in Mind on the 16th February.
Hugs to Laurie as she battles with her edits.
Seems both Greta and I were feeling featherbrained last week with us both posting on the topic of birds, though admittedly her ones would probably eat mine for breakfast... >.<

#BristolCon Blues & October Auctions #cancer #charity #books #free

So, after all the build up, planning, effort and excitement, BristolCon was a bust. Not because of the wonderful organizers or guests or attendees or hotel. Nope. It was a bust due to a cracked expansion tank in my car that left us stranded less than halfway to the convention. Despite not being a serious problem, it wasn't reparable at the roadside due to being a specialized part, and the only solution was for a tow truck to carry us and our car home. I cried repeatedly from the moment I realized our trip was off until we got home some seven hours after leaving. Then I cried again the next day. It wasn't just the disappointment of missing the con. I felt bad for letting down fellow Brigader Misa Buckley, the other members of my reboot panel, and the organizers. I felt bad for my eldest after arranging for her to interview her favourite author face to face, and all the panels she wanted to go to. I felt bad for those people expecting to see me there, for those that I was taking books or swag to the con for, and for the rest of my family hoping for a fun break in Bristol.

It was nobody's fault. The break wasn't something that could have been checked for or anticipated. Just a part finally worn out on an old car that chose a bad moment to give up the ghost. Just one of those things. But none the less disappointing and frustrating for it.

My convention table that should have been. Sigh

I have to thank Joanne, Mark and Meg of BristolCon for doing what they could. They moved Misa so she wasn't alone, covered my absence on the panel, and even refunded my part of the table - an unexpected kindness. I still had to pay for hotel rooms we never got to use, but at least our roadside rescue was part of the car recovery service we were already paid members of, so didn't cost us any extra. All my convention stuff is paid for, packed, and ready to go to another convention, although we *had* to eat the chocolates I'd have been handing out. Well, they won't keep! :P

My unused reboot panel notes.

Also a hug thank you for all the virtual hugs and sympathy. It's much appreciated. While it still sucks that I've missed BristolCon, there *is* a silver lining. Well, several. We made it home safe and alive. The car repair isn't a huge deal, nor expensive - just a time consuming inconvenience. But best of all, we *will* be trying again next year...with safety nets planned in. We'll be leaving earlier and probably in a hire car. I already have my gear bought, prepared and packed, but now I can spend the next 13 months (BristolCon 2016 is back to its normal October spot) to buy in some extras. My husband is proposing to do some of his artwork to add to the table (he paints in acrylics). I will also have at least three more titles, with possibly two of them in print. I don't think I'll sign up for another panel - I don't want to let people down again. Hopefully by leaving earlier then worst case scenario we can abandon a defunct car for train/bus/taxi to get there in time. Missing BristolCon 2015 still sucks, but at least there's next year! In the meantime...

Happenings

The cancer charity event Scream! For the Cure began this week and will run to the end of October, and first up is a Science Fiction/Fantasy bundle worth over $100! It includes two of my titles (Keir and Tethered), books by Jessica Subject, Anna Hackett, Cate Peace, and CE Kilgore (authors that I highly recommend), and more. You can check out the bundle HERE, check out the auction rules HERE, and bidding opens on Friday the 2nd of October. Pretty much my entire backlist will be part of the several bundles over October, and one will include a print edition of Keir. There will also be a very personal post by me about why I'm taking part in this event. Please stop by and show my friend Cate Peace your support for this cause by visiting the blog HERE. All book bundles will be open for viewing on each Monday, with the auctions taking part each Friday, so be sure to stop by each week to see what's on offer.

October is an insanely busy month for me this year, both in real life and my writing life, so here's a quick itinerary of where and what I'll be doing book-wise:

1st - Cynthia Sax swings by my blog to talk cyborgs and other scifi heroes, and she wants to know which is your favourite.
2nd - When Dark Falls is featured on my blog as part of the SFRB Showcase, and my decopunk superhero romance will also be FREE at Amazon for the 2nd and 3rd. Plus the SFF bundle is being auctioned off at Scream! For the Cure. And I'm at Cate Masters' blog talking about spooky happenings, sharing a Halloween recipe, and giving away a digital format of my Halloween-themed short story.
3rd - I'm part of the Halloween-inspired one-liners at Allie Ritch's blog, and Zombies are the theme in the Love Romances Cafe Yahoo group.
5th - my personal post is live at Scream! For the Cure.
7th - read an interview with the ever so creepy Siah-dhu from Keir in Villain Visitations at Audra Middleton's blog.
8th - guest post on my blog with SA Check and his latest release, a kind of scifi/paranormal fusion of The Matrix with Ghostbusters!
16th - I'm posting about magic, spiced elderberry and brownies at Romancing the Genres.
21st - I'm part of the Halloween event on Natalie Wright's blog.
29th - author feature at Deanna's World.
31st - LRC Halloween party.

Also, All Romance eBooks are doing random giveaways during October to anyone buying books from their site. Keir and Hallow's Eve will be two of those titles in the giveaways.


Status update
First round edits for Keir's Fall went back to my editor on Friday, just in time for first round edits for my gritty space opera short to arrive the same day. The latter is my project for this week...and however much longer they may take. My editor's notes are quite...comprehensive. :P
I was aiming for a November release for Keir's Fall, but I think this may have to be pushed back until December. Sorry!

Ping Pong
Both Greta and Donna have posted about the importance of diversity in fiction, and Heather Massey of The Galaxy Express (a huge supporter of SFR and diverse books) posted a selection of resources for finding such books in the comments of Greta's post. Go check them all out!
And check out Laurie's post on first lines. In my opinion it's a great hook, but I can understand it's not for everyone. What's your view on the use of expletives?