Huckle audiobook, Book Annoucement, book sale, books, huckleberry rahr, Short Story, TikTok, wolf healer

That’s A Wrap!

Hi my friends! Today Pack Present went live. It answers some of the questions you may have had at the end of Battlefield. I hope it answers all the lingering questions, and answers some you didn’t even know you had! It’s a short Christmas Novella, but it packs a punch.

Some fun facts about the book:

  1. It has MORE than just Jade’s POV!! I know, this was fun for me as well. There are, I believe 3 points of view in the book. I’ll tell you Bevin is one of the other POVs, but I’m not going to tell you the last, it would be a bit of a spoiler.
  2. The pack has cats!! Right! If you look at the cover of the book, you can see the cat. There is a cat anthology coming out in 2024 and I submitted a short story about how the pack get kittens. Well, the short story takes place BETWEEN Battlefield and Pack Present, so now the kittens are cats.
  3. The cat’s name’s all come from the book: Wyldling Snare, by A.R. Grimes. I believe the book is either free or on sale right now. As is book 2, Wyldling Trials in the series. A fantastic series by the way.

Other fun facts. The next series, yes, I plan on writing Pebble’s story, but before that comes out, I have two books in a phoenix shifter series written: Veiled Phoenix. I’m actually collecting names for an ARC team. If you think you’d be interested, fill out the form. The main character is nonbinary. Writing a main character with they/them pronouns has been a trip. https://forms.gle/B5LYJDJfkZkHfKrt53

I have a few TikTok videos. If you go and watch and comment, you could win free audiobooks version of Wolf Healer (and beyond!). They audiobooks are amazing. Here is one of the videos: TikTok Video!!

Happy Holidays!

Huckle

Huckle books, cover reveal

Excited!

Hi all! I’ve been working behind the scenes, trying to get things done! You can now order signed paperback books from the website! If you’re in the continental US, the price includes shipping. If not, send me a note, and we’ll figure it out. I’m thinking about getting book plates (signature stickers) to mail out so you can get your book signed from afar! With every ordered book, you’ll also get a bookmark!

Now, for the next new bit of news, I have a new short story I’m giving out to newsletter subscribers. I know, you’re already subscribed! Well, if you want the short story, let me know. There is a contact form, send me a note with the email you want me to send the short story, and I’ll get it sent to you! It’s a steam punk short that’s a fun quick read.

If you know anyone who may be interested in joining the website and getting the free short story, flash them this QR code, and they be part of our Wolf Healer family!

Just a reminder, I’m working hard to get Pack to snuff. It’s getting edited and the cover is being made. I’ll let you all see it as soon as it’s done. The book is scheduled to post in May, May 8th to be exact…Bevin’s birthday!

Hope you’re enjoying February!

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle book deal, Book Suggestion, books, Instagram, new books, New Release, publishing, TikTok, Writing

A new day, a new release!

Hi all! Check out this new book by Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant. It comes out on September 14th, 2022, and is the much anticipated sequel to Russell’s Divinity Twilight: Rebirth. Rebirth came out in June of 2020 and already has 4.4 stars with 113 ratings.

The series is a mix of fantasy, magic, and steampunk. With strong characters and rich world building, it is a story everyone will enjoy. You should go out and, if you haven’t read the first, check out both in the series!

Once you read this (or these) book(s) and fall in love, you can follow Russell on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Don’t forget to drop a review, the best way to thank an indie author!

Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth – Christopher Russell

Their legends are lies.

Long ago, one man tried to vanquish the seven races of Lozaria. To cleanse the world of life, claim the power of their vanished gods, and begin creation anew.

He failed . . . or so the story goes.

Centuries later, the magic of history’s greatest legend is reborn in Vallen Metellus, a military cadet with a dubious past. He rejects it. The feuds of the eastern empires, their air fleets forever locked in a deadly stalemate, have nothing to do with him. Vallen will not take up his predecessor’s mantle. He will not fight for peace.

He isn’t a hero, not with the sins tainting his soul.

But when an ancient seal breaks and an exile appears before Vallen, he’s drawn into a battle he never wanted—a battle that will dredge up the darkness he’s long suppressed.

The truth will be known, and it will doom them all.

Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant – by Christopher Russell

Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant is the much-anticipated sequel to the multi-award-winning epic fantasy novel, Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth.Power is a curse.

As Vallen and his fellow cadets flee fallen Darmatia, he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past. The friend who perished that he might live. The girl whose smile haunts his nightmares. Now, a third voice joins them—something dark, something ancient. And the more Vallen uses his magic, the stronger it becomes.

Tools exist to be used.

The flames of Sylette’s vengeance are all but quenched. With each passing day, the dominion of the Sarconian Empire grows, and her treacherous father’s throat drifts further from her reach. Sylette’s last hope is a coded message, one that promises a growing resistance against the Empire. But even if she gains the means to avenge her mother’s murder, one question remains: how many ‘tools’ is she willing to sacrifice to see her vengeance through?

What color is love?

Renar has learned to hide a great many things: his emotions, his art, and one truly devastating family secret. But when he must face the man who’s controlled his life from the shadows, will he choose the family he’s always known, or the dysfunctional crew he’s been shackled with?

For every ending, a beginning.

Embers of conspiracy flare in Nemare and Sarconia. A resurrected Sarcon plots to reclaim his imprisoned flesh. As the winds of war swirl and forgotten myths rise, the choices these cadets make could save their country . . .
. . . or unleash something far, far worse.

Huckle book deal, books, Instagram, Marketing, new books, Newletter, publishing, TikTok, Writing

So Many Good Books!

I love to bring you good books! Today I have so many!

Photo by Thought Catalog on Pexels.com

I am currently reading Blasted Research by Coffee Quills. I am almost half way through reading this gem of a book, and it is fantastic. Jules, our hero, lives in a dome in this post apocalyptical future. The premise of the story is excellent, but I also wanted to read this book because of the use of the neo-pronouns xe/xem, it intrigued me. In books 4 – 6 of Jade Stone I do introduce they/them characters, but his is so much more.

In the dome, everyone is required to marry and have kids. Jules doesn’t want to pair off. This is only one of the story arcs. Xe is also asked to travel out of the dome to help gather materials to test the radiation.

The story is fast paced, and the characters are fun. If you want to check out Coffee Quill, they have a website, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and so much more!

Another book I love just came out this month: Romancing Celia by Parker Love. It is the second book in this series. It is a sweet, sapphic, fade to black romance that takes place in the Wild West.

In this book, the characters take a path of discovery to learn who they are, and what they are willing to do to live the life they feel in their heart. In Ann’s case, she knows who she is and who she loves, but she also understands what happens if a community doesn’t approve. For Celia, it is a story of growth into the person she wants to be and learning who she loves.

The last book I want to feature is Wylding Snare by A. R. Grimes. I talked about this book before, but in case you missed that newsletter, it is a fun-filled high fantasy/portal fantasy that comes out in a few weeks! On September 10th, when it arrives to Amazon, I hope you’ll take a chance on it. The author, like me, spends a lot of time creating fun loving characters who you just can’t help but love.

As always, I, myself, have three books out in the Jade Stone Chronicles series. If you haven’t read them, I’d love for you to check them out. If you have read them, please drop a review, tell a friend, or share on social media! The fourth book, Traitor, comes out in December and is available to pre-order now. This year has been a whirlin of crazy… so exciting! I think you for your continued support.

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Newletter, publishing, Writing

Alphas is out!

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.

Photo by Wesley Carvalho on Pexels.com

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!

Cheers!

Huckle

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Exciting News!

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.

Huckle Marketing, Newletter, publishing, Short Story, Writing

A Day in the Life…

So much to do….

Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA on Pexels.com

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.

Mail Order Bride Mix-Up by Parker Love

Mail Order Bride Mix-Up By Parker Love

In case I haven’t done this before, or you haven’t checked it out on my home page, here is my linktree. A list of links to find me!

Cheers!

Huckle

Join my website!

Huckle Marketing, Newletter, publishing, TikTok, Writing

TikTok take 3

As I dive deeper into the TikTok world, I am learning more and more that… I know nothing, but it’s fun to pretend. I present to you my latest list of: how to be famous, when I am not… but maybe you can be!

  • At the start, you will need to interact with a lot of people to get them to interact with you.
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
  • I know some account(s) follow very few people and have thousands of followers. I can only imagine they’ve spent hours interacting with the people they hope will follow them. Personally I like the community and follow accounts. They follow me. It’s a thing. At the end of the day, TikTok is a community, and interacting is how you get people to follow you.
    • But Huckle, you ask, how do you interact?
      1. Watch videos to the end, if you don’t, that hurts the person you are interacting with.
      2. Like their video.
      3. If someone likes your video, head over and watch one of two of their videos.
      4. If you don’t love the way they present their content, you could watch while doing chores… at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to figure this out.
      5. Comment, it can be an emoji, word, phrase, anything really.
      6. Copy the link to their video. Sharing is awesome, but copying is usually enough.
  • Did you know, you can like your own videos? You can be your own fan.
  • Make sure the people you are interacting with are the people who will be interested in your videos. I do videos about writing and books, so those are the accounts I interact with.
  • There are a lot of bots – and a lot of opinions about what to do with them. They can up your follow numbers. I’ve heard deleting them helps you to get more views from the people you want.
  • Once you reach 1000 followers, start going live…once a week? I did my first live with a friend and it was a hoot! So much fun!
  • When you create a video, speak in a relaxed voice, but remember, you aren’t talking to friends. Speak directly and don’t repeat yourself… in other words, speed up!
    • I watch friend’s videos and they babble on and on and I just can’t.
  • Make the word videos readable.
    • If I can’t read the words as they flash by, what’s the point?
  • If you make a page or flip video, add the title and author of the book!
  • People aren’t watching your videos sequentially, don’t assume they saw ‘the last one’, or ‘yesterday’, or any other of your videos.
  • Never be afraid to ask questions if you are confused. We’ve all been there. How do you add stickers? Where is the cover words? How many hashtags? What type of videos should I make? What’s the right number of videos to post a day? (Two… two a day…) Will TikTok be scary? Will it help me to sell books? Are people on TikTok nice? (Mostly, but some can be rude, you can block them)… So many questions. Just… ask. There are a lot of lovely people who will answer these questions and more.
  • In the end, have fun. TikTok is a place to enjoy yourself.

Cheers!

Huckle

If you want to see more of my musings, or have a chance a winning one of my book, join my site!

Huckle Marketing, Newletter, publishing, Writing

So you want to be on TikTok?

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

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!)

Photo by Mahrael Boutros on Pexels.com

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.

  1. 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!>
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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!

Cheers!

Huckle

Huckle Newletter, publishing, Writing

Is There Such Thing As Bad Followers?

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I’ve recently been hit with the TikTok bug. Okay, it isn’t a bug so much as a hope for free marketing, a word I feel is as close to a swear as they get. There is SO MUCH ADVICE!

  • Only follow book people (I don’t)
  • Only allow people who want to read YOUR book to follow you
  • Create one to three videos a day (or is it ten!!!)
  • Watch other people’s videos (TO THE END) or it will hurt them
    1. Along with this, like, comment, share… Show the love
  • Create videos with controversial content
  • Create videos with book flips (OR DON’T!!)
  • Create videos with the latest sounds…. or don’t
  • Allow the bots to follow you… or don’t (bots are BAD FOLLOWERS!)
  • Get to 1000 followers so you can…
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

You can see where this gets to be confusing. What have I done over the last few weeks? I have tried to make two videos a day, three if I’m REALLY pushing it. When I got sick there were a couple of days of just one video.

I usually pretend I’m talking to a friend and chit chat to the phone, but that’s me. I find a topic, and give as short a video as I can. Personally the videos that are all music I don’t tend to stay for. I also won’t stay for really LONG videos unless the person is fun to listen to. I figure it’s the same for others. If I treat the viewer as a pal, then maybe they’ll stay to listen.

What I haven’t figure out is, how to get more comments. OR, how to get the views to translate into people reading my books.

So, does this work as free marketing? I assume it will work…eventually. It has worked for others. At the end of the day (or start, since that’s when you’ll find me in the app) it IS free, and there is no harm in seeing my mug talk talk talking away.

Photo by Javon Swaby on Pexels.com

Cheers!

Huckleberry