I am so excited! When I started writing Jade Stone Chronicles, I didn’t know what I was doing. I just wanted to write this story about Jade, who had everything together. In Wolf Healer, She headed on a spring break trip with her best friend and bam! life unwinds.
I wanted to add to the book a new twist on ways a teenager’s life could be a challenge with the adults in their life. Jade and friends have understanding supportive parents… but this trip pushed her parents’ werewolf pack farther than they’d expected to go. She had to rely on her smarts, her friends, and her brother to put the pieces of her life back together.
In the second book, Epsilon, a young girl comes into her family and pack. A rouge wolf comes into their town. It’s a darker story.
Honestly, for over a year I thought I’d stop after these two books, but my oldest son kept asking for more. I finally relented and wrote the third book… and I am so glad I did. Alphas is one of my favorite of the six books in the Jade Stone Chronicles. I love the different story arcs that happen.
This book closes out here Junior year, and her high school years. After this, books 4, 5, and 6 will see Jade and the gang in college.
I hope you are as excited as I am and love this book as much as I do!
It is July, and it is a time for so much exciting news! A new author, Christina Wallace, has her debut book, The Light Keeper, coming out May 30th, 2023. Starry Ink Press is her amazing new publisher, Starry Ink Press. Her book is a middle grade/preteen fantasy, and she’s releasing her cover today! Like, right now! Isn’t it great! You can pre-order her book in some places already as well.
You can find Christina on Instagram. The details on her book are below.
Speaking of books coming out, A.R. Grimes’s first book, Wyldling Snare comes out on September 10th. You can find information on her book below, as well as her recently released cover. Her book is a YA Christian Portal High Fantasy. I’ve read this book, and it is amazing! Five stars. You can find A.R. Grimes on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and her own website. She puts out great advice on writing.
And then there is C.C. Davie. Her book, Heliacle Rising, was suppose to come out in September, but just came out this month. Unlike Christina and A.R. Grimes, C.C. Davie’s book has a bit of spice in her high fantasy book. You can find C.C. Davie on TikTok, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.
Lastly, my book, Alphas, comes out on July 21st, that’s in less than a week! Gah, four books over the next year. I tell you, it is all so very very exciting!
I hope you are all as excited as me.
Huckle
The Light Keeper – Christina Wallace
Wishes aren’t all they’re cracked up to be… especially when you have to capture the Fairies who grant them to you.
Er… make that faeries… and not the normal, hiding-in-plain-sight magical kind.
When a misadventure cleaning out the attic leads Isaac to release a faerie trapped in a glass ball of light, he believes he’s struck gold–in the form of wishes. All he has to do is mention the name that was engraved on the ball, and the indebted faerie would grant him any three wishes he wanted.
The best part of all was knowing that there was an entire chest of captured faeries waiting to be freed…
But when strange things start to happen around town, Isaac begins to wonder if the increasingly unfortunate events are his doing.
Only his mysterious neighbor, Yara, knows the truth about his lineage as a Light Keeper.
Can Yara’s strength and wisdom guide Isaac into his new role?
Can Isaac make things right again?
Or will his dream-come-true turn into his worst nightmare?
Wyldling Snare – A.R. Grimes
What if, at the tender age of sixteen, you suddenly found yourself responsible for the government of an entire realm? And what if your innate magical abilities as a wyldling surfaced at the same time? Welcome to the world of Enoch Northward, a young man whose secure and predictable life has just turned upside-down.
Enoch returns home from the Resurrection Festival to discover that his beloved guardian, the Baron-Knight of the Northern Marches, has passed away. The youth must now act as Baron-Knight under the strict tutelage of his dreaded mentor, Commander Storm. Lacking confidence in his ability to lead others, Enoch neither expected nor desired this heavy responsibility to fall upon his shoulders.
Hoping to prove himself as a leader, Enoch enters the forbidden Darkenwood Forest to search for people from his village who have gone missing. Instead, he discovers a secret Wall that connects him to Annabelle, a girl from Earth, with whom he’s been sharing dreams and seems like a sister. Grieving and desperate for a family, Enoch wants Annabelle in his life and is willing to take risks and break the rules to ensure this. However, time is running out. Enoch doesn’t realize it, but a young sorcerer’s scheme to ensnare Enoch for a dark purpose is close to fruition. Can Enoch bring Annabelle to his world, Tehara, before it’s too late? For–all unknowing–Enoch has set into motion a shadowy adversary’s plans that will entangle the fates of three teens from very different worlds.
Heliacle Rising – C.C. Davie
Taken in as ward of Lord Drakon after her parents’ slaughter. Forced to navigate a new life, trying to become what is required of her in a world so vastly different than what she had known.
Then Attica, Kingdom of the Wytchlings, moves to rise again. Territories long alienated are forced to unite. Secrets begin to unravel. Secrets that make her question everything.
She is Amylia Sylvers. And she is about to show the world that even the most unexpected … can burn the brightest.
Alphas goes live in 21 days… 3 weeks… and the cover is up… now! What do you think? Isn’t she a beauty? You are the first to see it!
I have found marketing my book is hard… no, harder than that… a bit harder… there. Yep, really hard. I didn’t go to school for this, and to be honest, I’m making it up as I go. I joined a book promotion for this month… check it out! Right here! There are lots of book available on the site. You could even share the link with others!
In June I traveled to Florida, but didn’t have the same adventure Jade did. In July I’ll visit New Orleans… maybe a future book will have adventure taking place in the French Quarter.
Now for the big news, the winner of the free signed copy of Alphas. Drum roll please. The winner is… Samantha Day (I know she’ll be thrilled!)
I want to welcome all my new subscribers, and a warm thank you to the ones who’ve stuck by me from the beginning. With the release of Alphas later this month, half of Jade’s story will be released into the wild.
People today won’t buy things that others haven’t reviewed. Even if we’re at a brick-and-mortar store–are they still really made from bricks and mortar? I digress. Even in these situations, we scan the bar code and check out what other people have found out about the items we want to buy.
Is it any wonder I’ve offered reviewing my book as one of the ways to win a free copy of book three in the Jade Stone Chronicles? It comes out on July 21st. The time is almost upon us! On July 1st I’ll reveal the cover, and announce the winner of the signed paperback book. If you haven’t put up a review, what’s stopping you? If you have and haven’t commented that your review is up, do so now! I need to know to add you to my list.
This offer is quickly coming to an end. The next time you’ll be offered such an amazing deal will be sometime in October or November for book four. Unless I do a whole party, which had a ton of gifts and prizes!
If you are curious, here is a list of each of the books and when they are coming out.
Hope that makes you as excited as I am! Find all of the links ok each of the books pages on my website. Or on my linktree here!
Hi all! Alphas comes out July 21, 2022. I am very excited to share my third book with you. It is the end of Jade’s high school years. I will be including a short story in Bevin’s point of view at the end of the story. All of the Jade Stone Chronicles are in Jade’s point of view and she doesn’t know everything. Bevin wanted all of you to know something, and asked that I include this short piece so you knew how his story played out.
On July 1st I’ll reveal the cover. That will be the deadline for joining the website to enter to win a free signed copy of alphas. If you’ve already been signed up, all you need to do is review Wolf Healer and/or Epsilon to enter one or two times to win. If you review, please drop a comment on his newsletter so I can make sure to know that you have those extra entries!
It is June and I have a flash fiction that will be up for a few more weeks. Check it out and let your creative juices flow!
Alphas comes out on July 21st! If you aren’t signed up to my website, do so to be entered to win a free copy of the third installment of the Jade Stone Chronicles. If you are already part of the page, leave a review for Wolf Healer and/or Epsilon for a chance to win the book. Comment to let me know you’ve left a review. You could be entered three times!
You all are the first to hear of this, but I am planning on adding a short story in Bevin’s point of view to the end of Alphas. I feel it will round out the book nicely.
The cover reveal is for Alphas is coming in July! Details coming soon!
Book four of the Jade Stone Chronicles, Traitor, will come out late November or early December. It is just in its infancy of clean up, editing, beta reading, and so on. My team is busy, so if it gets pushed off later, you’ll just have to wait to see what college brings to Jade.
Again, as we hit the middle of pride month, I hope you’ve taken up the challenge of reading books either by authors in the LGBTQ+ community and/or with LGBTQ+ characters. If you want something steamier than my books, here is a book that is both by an author in the community, with LGBTQ characters. It is a romance, but the scenes are fade to black.
The online writing and reading community is amazing. I have found, over the last few years, people who have become life long friends. I honestly can’t imagine what writers did before the invent and standardization of the interwebs.
** Not me or my actual friends Photo by Sharefaith on Pexels.com
There are places online to find writing help and fun challenges, like the flash fiction I offer! Recently I joined a Summer Reading Competition hosted by a Facebook page. It focused on indie fantasy authors, and being one, I was thrilled. Talk about supporting the community.
After submitting my first review, not only to the site, but to goodreads and Amazon, I asked if I could recommend Wolf Healer to the site. I was informed that without more than werewolves, my book was considered PNR. For those of you who don’t know, that means paranormal romance.
But, I sputtered to myself, I wrote the book to be accessible to all ages…I wrote it for my kids! It isn’t romance. Frustration steaming from my ears, I calmly informed the person who told me my book was romance, that no, it wasn’t. “Too bad, so sad!” No, she didn’t say that, she sent me a link to the pages rules, which stated no shifter books allowed.
I may have mentioned before that marketing is hard! I don’t know how to convince people online to check out my books. This page seemed so perfect! More than that, until June 6th, my ebook is available for FREE! But nope, it’s a no go. My book is anathema to this page.
So, where does this leave me? I don’t know. Part of me wants to walk away from the summer reading challenge. They don’t want me, I don’t want them. I’m also very busy. But, It is early June and the reading competition goes through the end of August. I convinced three of my friends to join as well, and don’t want to walk away from them.
In the end, I was mapping out how to read a bunch of books I didn’t have time to read. This may be a blessing in wolf’s clothing. I will read books for the competition as I have time, but focus my time on the things I really need to do.
In the end, if you are a writer or reader, finding these groups can help you find people who have similar interests. You can meet great friends. And, in all honesty, I have experienced way more of the good than the bad or ugly.
Cheers!
Huckle
P.S. If you aren’t subscribed to my site and do so before the cover reveal, you can enter to win a signed copy of book 3 – Alphas. If you ARE subscribed and leave a review on Amazon/Goodreads for Wolf Healer and/or Epsilon before the cover reveal you can be entered… once per review. Just comment on here to let me know.
I’ve been playing around on my website. I figure out how to make my social media links ACTUALLY work… I hadn’t realized they didn’t work. I created a new page for newsletters! And now, today’s post, marketing.
Over the years I’ve met a lot of indie-authors who have helped me become the author I am today (yes Wes, yes Angela, I just said that to the internet at large!) I plan on highlighting them in the weeks to come, their books, their websites, and more about them. You should support more than traditionally published authors. People who do this on their own are amazing!
But wait, I teased you with a free book! My third book, Alphas, comes out on July 21, 2022. If you subscribe to my site before the cover reveal, you could win a free signed copy of the book.
But wait, you say, I’m already subscribed. Well, comment on this post that you’ve left a review about book 1 or book 2, and you’re set! If you’ve commented on both, you’ll be entered twice for being a long time fan. I believe in honoring those who’ve supported me!
Well, maybe not the kind of party YOU’RE thinking of… unless you know me. I joined a Cover Reveal Party! Now all of you are like, yep, that sounds legit! It’s a Facebook party, one I can do from the comforts of my home. And guess what, you can join… today even, and win prizes!
The party exists HERE! And who is throwing the party? Author Lou Grimes! He even has a few of his books available for you to read to catch up in his series. It’s a total win win! Get in fast while the getting is good!
I hope to see you there. The party goes through the end of May.
A couple of months ago I started on TikTok… and had no idea what I was doing. This is a pretty common opinion. Everyone I talk to on TikTok is muddling through their daily videos trying to figure out how to get followers, views, likes, comments, and shares.
I have it all figured out. (let the laughter commence!)
Okay, okay, I don’t have it all figured out. But here is what I’d do if you want to follow in my fabulous footsteps… and my almost 1000 followers.
Decide on the type of videos you want to make.
I want to sell my book, but those videos don’t get views on my account
TikTok is the LONG game.
Writing videos get views. So, those are the ones I make
I will sprinkle in book videos too with the plan of making more as I get more followers <a plan!>
I believe hashtags help
I have seen a LOT of debates. Some say none, some say one or two, some say ALL the hashtags
I find the videos with hashtags help, the more the merrier
Some people say using hashtags with MORE followers is better. I find the ones with fewer followers work better, it’s like I’ve found my people.
Use focused hashtags, not just anything that pops in your head, the hashtags should align with the video you’re posting. I don’t use the same ones every time.
This is BIG and I just started attempting this… it takes time – if someone engages with your account – ENGAGE BACK, make your community stronger.
I know, you’re thinking, ‘But Huckle, this will take forever!’, but trust me, it’s worth it. You don’t have to do a lot, but they’ve given you love, share it back.
Everyone is trying to grow their account.
This is just me… don’t make EVERY video music only.
Maybe this is just me, but I need some talking… I will engage more if I can hear something from you.
I may be the only person who thinks this.
Personally, I have found two (2!!) videos a day works best. When I have done a third, it doesn’t get views.
You can do the effects videos “what type of cheese am I?” and other silliness.
If you are joining a community like #booktok, or #indiewriters realize it is a small community. People have opinions, be nice.
I had a friend who gave his opinions and got a lot of hate comments. We are all people, and if it isn’t helpful, maybe just swipe past to the next video.
Only engage with the videos you want to see more of or you’ll be inundated with more of what you don’t like.
This goes with following as well. Follow what you want to see.
On the flip side, you don’t need to make a video telling people who you will and won’t follow, it comes off as rude.
Personally, if I see someone with a bunch of followers and few they follow, I WILL NOT follow. I need followers. I follow who I think is interesting, but also to get followers.
Each person has their own opinions, but if you aren’t following, that is your choice.
Going viral would be amazing… but not everyone does, it’s a slow game we’re playing.
I hope this helps. If you have other thoughts, add them to the comments! If there are enough, I’ll do a follow-up! Don’t forget to join my page if you haven’t!
Huckleberry Rahr - Author 