Saturday, December 18, 2021

Review of My Writing Progress in 2021

 


Every December, I post my annual report about my progress, especially in writing fiction. 2021 was another stressful year. The covid pandemic exacerbated problems with family health and jobs. The major source of distress was my father-in-law’s drastic decline in health. My husband and I helped him find suitable care. He was hospitalized several times, entered hospice and died in September. We are still dealing with his possessions. Our university jobs also became increasingly difficult. We decided to retire in January in order to travel more and to pursue other opportunities such as writing fiction and photography.

Despite the difficulties, I published two novels and took a family camping trip to Connecticut. Here's a view of our first campsite on the way north and a scene from Harper's Ferry on the return journey.   


 

Books Published in 2021

 


Baswin, Book 5 of Taxyon Space

Near future Sci-Fi adventure and romance starring alien mermen

Can a psychic woman from Earth find a home among the alien Warrish?

Alien merman, Baswin Kenton Tallis, Second of his Triad, lives on Earth disguised as a human. When the Earth authorities discover the secret identity of his older brother, Bas must flee to the Warrish base in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

Psychic sensitives, Holly Moon and her younger sister Rosie, were chosen as candidates for Warrish training as hyperspace navigators. Rosie is eager to contribute to humanity’s advance into space. Yet she fears she may not adapt to the neuro-implants or might fail the arduous tests.

Holly meets Baswin on an island in the Pacific Ocean, but their destiny lies farther away. What obstacles will block their journey to a happy reunion with the Flaming Comets Triad? 

Available at: Amazon   iBooks   Kobo   B&N   GooglePlay  Other

 

 


Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf

Fantasy romance. A young witch flees the destruction of her home to seek the fabled land where elves and humans live in peace.

In a land threatened by cruel invaders from the east, Bridget Bramble barters medicinal herbs and buttons for a living. When marauders target her village and murder her family, she flees into the woods. Armed with her Granny’s advice and a bag of magic buttons, she sets out on the perilous journey to Oakenwald, the fabled land where elves and men live in harmony. On her travels, she encounters malicious creatures from the worst kind of folktale.

Lost in the foothills of the mountains, Bridget meets the elf, Windswift the Wanderer. He offers to guide her across the mountain range. But what is the elf doing in human lands? Can an ordinary, or almost ordinary, human girl trust a cold hearted elf to lead her to safety? 

Available at Amazon   iBooks   B&N   Kobo  GooglePlay   Other

 

These two books bring my total output for the past 7 years to 20 full-length novels, 2 novellas and 4 short stories, 5 box sets and an anthology of shorter works.

  

Major Promotions in 2021

Grand Master’s Pawn, book 1 in the Grand Masters’ Galaxy, was free in 2021 as an experiment. This strategy did generate sales of the other books, although results were not impressive. People who bought the second book generally continued to the current end of the series. 

BookBub Featured Deal: Taxyon Space Triad, boxset of books 1-3, was accepted for a US and International Featured Deal at 99c in November. The Boxset was briefly a US and International Bestseller on Amazon. It had more than 2500 sales that month plus a good readthrough with sales of the next two books in the series.

 

My Goals for 2022

1)      I plan to complete the second book in my new epic fantasy series Chronicles of Oakenwald.

2)      Next, I hope to finish the sixth book in Taxyon Space, and also publish a boxset of books 4-6.

3)      I hope to produce more print books. Eight of my stories are available in print.

Grand Masters’ Galaxy, my longest series includes a prequel, six full-length novels, and two boxsets. The first three novels are available in print.

Taxyon Space  includes five novels, a short story, and a boxset. The sixth book is planned. Only the first two books are in print.

Secret Supers has three novels, a boxset plus a short story.

Atrapako on Eden comprises three novels and a boxset. The first two books are available in print. 

4)      Besides continuing my current efforts to market my books, I would like to explore new opportunities in social media.

 

Friday, December 10, 2021

Lake Neely Henry in North Alabama

 


This week, we spent a couple of days at Greensport campground on Lake Neely Henry in North Alabama. The place was quiet since it is winter and rain is forecast. It must be bustling with people and boats in summer.


     
The lake had herons, a flight of cormorants, and seagulls.

 


You can walk through the pine woods along the lake shore.

 


The campsite is family and pet-friendly. Our dog enjoyed playing frisbee in the dog park.