 It's launch day for Down Falls The King: A Splitting Worlds Novella!
In what seems to have been a whirlwind six months since Down Falls The Queen (the first volume in Rei's duology of Splitting Worlds novellas) came out, it's so exciting to see this chapter of Rei's story shared with the world. The story has honestly taken me by surprise in many ways. I cut and re-wrote my entire ending a month before release (thanks to superb editors). The ending you will read is so much better! There's also a light hint at the special relationship between Rei and Natius (the Demon King), which has wormed its way into her heart as the beginnings of a romance which respects who she is at the same time (no steam is in this book). Since it's launch day for Down Falls The King: A Splitting Worlds Novella, anyone should now be able to grab a copy exclusively on Amazon HERE. Want to know where the Splitting Worlds series is headed next? -Check out the cover reveal for Angel's Ascendance on Instagram HERE. -Be the first to hear more about the upcoming Angel/Oracle duology of novellas in the Splitting Worlds series by signing up for my newsletter HERE. -You can also receive a free copy of Splitting Dusk exclusively through my e-mail list; it isn't available anywhere else to purchase. I look forward to sharing more of this world with you! Thank you for celebrating launch day with me!
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-I edited A LOT of books for other people for work -I reviewed some books for Reedsy Discovery -I attended several lives with amazing writers -I did a reading live for Down Falls The King -I celebrated the one-year anniversary of publicly sharing my writing journey And those are just the highlights!
If your writing is a long-term part of your life, you never really "cross" your finish line. Instead that line gets pushed back again and again and again.
So remember to be kind to yourself. Show yourself the same care you show others. And allow yourself to be human.
 I lost one of my most beloved family members this week. A family member who shaped many of the core characteristics of who I am since I was a child.
Loss of a loved one is impossibly hard in so many ways and for so many reasons. Dealing with loss... as a writer... has far more impact than I realized, though. And while the impact is brutally painful, and the reality is that my perfectly controlled worlds will never be carried over into the plain of existence I currently inhabit, the impact of a loss on me as a writer shows me positive sides as well. Experiencing loss makes us human. The never-ending struggle with grief following the loss of a close loved one is exhausting, but it's one that most of us battle through. Some days will be better than others. 'They're in a better place,' some say, and yes, in this case I personally agree, but I'm not here to argue religion. "They're not in pain anymore," others will do their best to console, and yes, you know they're right, too. But where do we, Fantasy readers, often turn when societal norms seem to fail us? If you're like me, you turn to books. Books where characters struggle with life, death, love, loss, and more in richly-detailed glory. Why is that? Because the writer poured a piece of their soul into those pages. We find in their words a connection to someone else who at the very least imagines a pain similar to our own. We know someone in this world exists who understands us, who can truly imagine what it is like to be in our shoes. And those scenes, the ones that really mean something to us as readers, don't happen on accident. They are born out of the raw reality of the writer's own soul. They represent the heartaches and joys, the highest highs and soul-crushing lows of their progenitor. So while writing is the last thing, emotionally-speaking, that I feel like doing right now, it is, perhaps, the best thing to do. I'll take a pause, work through the emotions and the memories, and then pour those emotions into scenes which may one day be read by others seeking the same comradery and escape that I seek as I read today. Hold your loved ones a little tighter the next time you see them. Each day is a gift. And gifts are all the better when shared with those we love. Are you new to my writing/self-publishing journey? Check out my about me blog HERE  Are you self-publishing savvy? Or self-publishing struggling? Or, quite honestly, slipping back and forth between the two? Yesterday I had the great privilege of speaking with AutoCrit Editing about not only my personal self-publishing journey with The Vow That Twisted Fate, but also about the self-publishing process overall. There are so many different approaches to self-publishing (or "indie" publishing), that I humbly share my experiences as a fellow beginner "indie" author with the hopes that it will provide clarity for other writers in my shoes. While most of my blogs are brief and related to my projects and supporting other authors in the indie author community, the response from yesterday's live was too overwhelming to leave at that. Here are the key points that I discussed on my live with AutoCrit: 1.) Writing inspiration (in my case, a dream hijacked my 2016 NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month - plans) & my mentor, Lindsey (owener of Of Ink and Pearls Publishing) 2.) The five levels of editing (developmental edit, line edit, copy edit, proofread, galley proof) + Beta Reading & Self-editing using AutoCrit. 3.) Distribution Platforms (KDP, Barnes & Noble Press, Ingram) and Formats (AudioBooks, Print, etc.) as well as formatting/cover design 4.) Timelines (from revisions to print); what I wish I'd done sooner and why 5.) Budget (how much did it cost me to truly self-publish and what that went toward - overview) 6.) Reviews (trade reviews and reader reviews, what I did to set up review tours, and post-launch marketing) 7.) Marketing in general (*still navigating this part myself* - From pre-orders to Amazon bestseller to post-launch slow-downs)
For that reason, I am truly grateful for the money-saving, headache-relieving role that AutoCrit played in my self-editing process.
If you have any questions at all, or comments about your own experience self-publishing, feel free to drop them in the comments; I love hearing your feedback! If you would like to try AutoCrit's self-editing software for yourself, you can do so by signing up for their Free Forever membership HERE. Want to read the finished version of The Vow That Twisted Fate? It is on sale for only 99 cents (e-book) or $10 (paperback) on Amazon now thru October 4th 2021, so grab your copy today HERE.  Something big is coming... something so big, that I have not dared breathe a word of it 'til now, and I tremble at mentioning it, as though the words leaving my fingertips as I type this are jinxing something.
And yet, here we are. *Deep breath.* I'm going to let you in on a secret. One of the biggest secrets of my writing career: I am participating in a project. This project may *cough* involve other amazingly talented authors. And it may *double-cough* have a HUGE event coming up in the next two weeks. An event that will change my career and launch me into a writing frenzy that won't slow down for over a year. Ready for the spoiler? The one just for you? Splitting Dawn, the first full-length novel in my Splitting Worlds series, may *triple cough and looking around for falling bricks* be involved. Something big is coming... I am literally shaking as I write this. You won't find Splitting Dawn in the drop-down section under "My Books" tab...not yet. There is only a working cover there right now (not the final cover), and a vague blurb as it is all I am able to share right this second. However, make a note, set a reminder, or keep a close eye out for an e-mail from me September 8th 2021 (CST). That e-mail will be the one to finally pull the veil off what this HUGE project is, and you will have front-row first access. If you are not already an e-mail list subscriber, but you want "in" when the announcement comes on September 8th, you can sign-up for my e-mail list HERE and receive the first novella in the Splitting Worlds series, (Splitting Dusk) to read while you wait for the announcement. I am so excited to share two new author interviews: July 2021 with you today! First, though, I was to personally thank each and every person reading who has ordered, read, rated, or reviewed The Vow That Twisted Fate! Launch day blew me away, quite frankly, and I was overwhelmed by your support and encouragement. Among that encouragement were two authors/bloggers who were so kind to feature me in their blogs with blog interviews. Here is more informaiton about both of the two new author interviews: July 2021:
Thank you so much, Helen and Havelah, for taking the time to interview me and share with your readers! This author journey is amazing, and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without you.
 Even though I love the work I writer, sometimes I end up changing my best-laid plans: my story mutinied...
My mind is filled with amazing stories from multiple series. When I decided to make The Vow That Twisted Fate my debut novel, I was left with the daunting task of selecting which of those series I would launch once The Vow That Twisted Fate (a stand-alone novel) is released. After much discussion with my muse, my mentor, and my partner, I made a decision and started writing away. The story was coming along swimmingly! Characters surprised me with the twists and turns in their decisions. Lightbulbs were going off left and right. Yes, I was sure that Kritinia: Shadow Child was going to be the next full-length novel to see the light of day, and its arrival would kick-off the five-volume Kritinia series. Then, something highjacked my best-laid plans: my story mutinied. You read that right. Everything froze. The characters quit moving. They sat themselves down with a merry picnic of the best fried chicken and a heaping dose of indifference. And my attempts at prodding them forward was less successful than beating a certain green Jedi master at a lightsaber duel. But it worked out for the best! You may have seen a poll go out earlier this month (which is open through May 30th 2021 HERE) asking for help choosing the name of my next novel. Flaming inspiration for that novel and its counterpart (it is a two-volume series) has been fanned hotter and brighter within me, and I have now begun the process of vigorously writing volume one. So yes, there has been a change in my best-laid plans: my story mutinied, but that doesn't mean that Kritinia is forgotten--merely delayed. I am excited to share more about the new series in the coming weeks here on my website, so sign up for my e-mail list if you'd like to hear the news first. Are you a writer whose story has mutinied? I'd love to hear what you decided to do! Drop it in the comments. Can't wait to read more about my next novel (currently in progress as of the time this blog is posted)? -Pre-order The Vow That Twisted Fate (July 9th 2021 release) and upload your receipt HERE to start reading a digital copy now, while waiting for news on the new series! -Check out Kritinia: Shadow Child's page HERE to see more about the story that mutinied. -Follow my Reedsy Reviewer account HERE to see what books I'm reading/reviewing to give myself self-care breaks while writing.  I got some super-exciting news today! The Vow That Twisted Fate is now IndieReader Approved!
When I saw the e-mail about the perfect five-star review, I was absolutely astounded. I had hyped myself up for a 3 (IndieReader labels a 3 as "Worth Reading"), since this is my debut Adult Fantasy novel and my comback from two flops I wrote back in college. But no, it's real! And you can see the whole five-star review right HERE. My mind is spinning knowing that The Vow That Twisted Fate is now IndieReader Approved...I hope this is the seal that official signs off on the fact that every author can make a come-back! If I can do it, so can you! -Want to learn more about The Vow That Twisted Fate? Check out TVTTF's page HERE. -Ready to read it? Pre-order your copy on Amazon, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, or my website shop and upload your receipt HERE to receive an advanced copy to start on now (before the July 9th 2021 release)! -Curious what other readers have to say about The Vow That Twisted Fate? Check out some of the reader reviews HERE. -Have you read The Vow That Twisted Fate and want to add your review? Review it on Goodreads HERE. Lindsey Teske |
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Katherine D. Graham - Author Official Website
Proud participant and supporter of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
