|
Hello, and welcome back or for the first time really, since it’s been long enough that I really should re-introduce myself. I’m sure you know who I am, but just in case you’ve forgotten I’m your friendly neighborhood absentee indie author, but as I say in my videos, you can call me Michele.
I had meant to write a newsletter for the new year and then that rolled around and it felt nothing like a roll over, or a change over, or a new beginning, or even a beginning of any kind. It crept in slowly, turned the page of a calendar I no longer possess, and here we were, in the depths of the darkest timeline. It hasn’t been easy of late, I think for anyone. Bombarded with news stories that chill us the core of morality itself, questioning whether or not good still lives in any form in the world. This is what they do, they ply you with fear until you are numb to the horrors. I will never be numb. I turned to finding the good in the world. I search out wildlife, nature, and news that is about pulling humanity and the planet forward into a future that looks less like a dystopian world government of power-hungry sociopaths, and more into a prosperous, eco-friendly, cooperation of nations. It helps combat the atrocities. I tell you this, because it’s brought me back from the brink of hopelessness to the precipice of hope. Where there is hope, there is imagination and creativity. So, enough about this world, and on to the ones in my head. The Aeternum series has been whirling in the background this whole time. While I may not have been actively editing, I have been plotting away in my head. I did a full review and commentary on my first draft of Waning of the Moon and discovered many things that need work. So, as I layer in the plots that need better plotting, the motivations that need better motivations, and the subplots of new and beloved characters that need some sprinkling of intrigue, I find myself overwhelmed to say the least. But, I have set myself a timeline. These changes need to be made, integrated, and read through before April rolls around so that my betas can have a swing at it, and me. Keep in mind, this is during a time where I still need that full-time adult job to you know, eat food and be housed. I’m also taking some courses to bolster my adult job to get a little higher up in the organization so that I have a little more say in what happens around me. I am also writing short stories for multiple contests to try and get some cash scraped together to publish Waning of the Moon hopefully in the near future. And with all that, I am also going to local markets to continue to peddle Dawning of the Sun for a larger, more engaged, reader base so that when Waning of the Moon does finally make it to print, I won’t go as broke as I did the first time around. If you’re a local and you want to send some friends my way to purchase a book and other bookish goodies, here are some upcoming market dates: March 21 – New West Craft Market April 12 – Vancouver Pop-Up Market at Heritage Hall May 2 – New West Craft Market (Tentatively) June 21 - Vancouver Pop-Up Market at Heritage Hall For more info on these events, visit my events page. Thanks for coming around, reader. I’m glad to know you’re still here.
0 Comments
Click heWhat the actual eff have I been doing!? It’s been nearly a year since my last update? What? I honestly hadn’t the faintest idea that this was the case. Life has been life-ing and all I have to show for it is a whole lot more work to do!
If you’re been keeping up with me on “the socials” you’ll know that I’ve attended a few local markets to sell off my stock of Dawning of the Sun. I have yet to make any money at these things and haven’t broken even once yet… so that’s fun and discouraging. I even made fun bookish totes and pouches but no one seems interested in these either? I have one more event scheduled for this year, which isn’t a market but an actually literary festival so I’m hoping to do better there. I’ll be at the Vancouver Word Festival on September 20th. So, if you’re local or in town and want a signed copy of Dawning of the Sun or a fun tote then come on down! These past few months of terrible heat I’ve been trying to get out and enjoy my local lakes as I’ve developed a love for paddleboarding, as most of the locals have. It’s been lovely and I’m hoping it has helped my Vitamin D deficiency. On that note, I’ve also been struggling with getting my health in order this past year so that’s sort of taken over for a while, but it finally looks like I’m on the right track to balance out my lifestyle changes, medication, diet, etc to be a semblance of healthy. If you have any chronic illnesses you’ll understand how much of a struggle this can be. Although I have two and while they can be mild when managed properly they can still kick my ass six ways to Sunday if I’m not careful. Oh the joys of aging. On the creative front, I am happy to say that revisions are underway for Waning of the Moon, albeit slow going. I had hoped to get a decent copy of the manuscript to my betas this summer, but it’s looking like I won’t be managing that until the end of this year. Yikes, I know. Despite the major changes I need to make I am actual really excited about this next iteration in the Aeternum Series. For a little tidbit, there will be multiple POVs this time, a search for missing siblings, a ship wreck, a powerful need for coin, and the gods will be playing a much bigger role in what happens to the crew, old and new. I’ve also been working on a second project slowly and in the background. I’ve spoken about it before, but it will not take place in the Aeternum universe. It will be a one off novel set in 19th century London, so I have to start researching that soon. I hope to keep my newsletter up and running again despite the mad dash of marketing, revisions, and all the other stuff that comes with being an indie author. re to edit.  I’m not sure what happened to September. It just vanished right out from under my feet. Dawning of the Sun was officially released on August 21, 2024 and thereafter followed a time-lapse montage of receiving boxes, signing books, shipping books, handing out books to family, friends, and friends of friends who all purchased a book. Then came the hailstorm of trying to market, which I’m terrible at, by the way. I spoke to a professional and I was told I’m doing everything right, and yet it all feels so terribly wrong. It doesn’t help that my efforts are all short lived and not yielding any book sales... so that’s super fun. I know it all takes time. I know I still have a million things to do to keep this train going. I feel like if I step away from social media for even a second, I’ll lose that tiny foothold I’ve clawed my way into having and I’ll just become unheard of, unknown, completely irrelevant. Oh, the woes and perils of modern day... Needless to say, but I’m going to say it anyways, Waning of the Moon, Book Two of the Aeternum Series has not seen much action. By which, I mean revisions. I’ve been so focused on figuring out the secret sauce to marketing and going viral (I have not figured it out, clearly), that Waning of the Moon has fallen by the wayside. I got through about 3 chapters in the last month... which is not good. Every person, and no, I’m not exaggerating, every single person who has read Dawning of the Sun asks about the next book in the series. “When will it be out?” “Have you written it yet?” “When will I be able to read it?” My lovely, readers, I am SO grateful for your enthusiasm. It honestly fills a void in my soul I didn’t know I had until your words slotted right in there. I want to say “tomorrow,” but time is cruel to all, and cruel still to artists. (I stole that direct from V.E. Schawb). I want to get this thing rolling, to have betas reading it now, but it’s not ready. I refuse to compromise. Depending on this round of revisions, and knowing myself and my process, this is the first of many many revisions that will be needed. I want to have it ready for the publication process by next August, but unfortunately, I work full time, have human things that need tending, and am lacking the funds to make any of this a reality at this time. So, I leave you with this, lovely reader, I am working on it. You will see more from the Aeternum universe. Maybe not soon, but it is coming. And I promise, you will revel in the devastation it will bring you.  Dawning of the Sun was officially published yesterday!!
I can’t even explain all the emotions what I’ve gone through, but the most surprising is a sort of deflation. I knew there weren’t going to be fireworks exactly... (although part of me kind of hoped there would be), but it was mostly just a shock to see the email from by publisher that it had been posted to Ingram and was available for sale. I scrambled to get an announcement out, even though my publisher told me to treat it as a soft launch since my book order hasn’t been confirmed for the print queue yet, so I have no idea when I will be getting the physical books for my preorders. I figured those waiting on ebooks would jump at the chance to purchase! But, I’ve yet to be informed why the ebook is listed almost everywhere but on Kindle... what’s up with that? Is there a Canadian writer/publisher issue that Amazon just wants to punish me for? It’s clearly a personal vendetta since I didn’t use KDP... I’m sure of it. My book, my words, my heart and soul, are out in the world for judgmental eyes to read and view and criticize. I’ve had a few ARC readers get back to me with their reviews (check them out on my Reviews page) and they’ve all been so lovely. So far, everyone seems to enjoy the read. I’m waiting for my first bad review. I think I’m more scared of a 2 star review than a 1... a 1 star means I pissed you right off. Hatred is far more satisfying than indifference. I will be far more heartbroken by a review that says “It’s fine,” than one that rants and raves about how terrible it is. I’m a writer, I’m TRYING to elicit your emotions, good or bad. If I failed at that then I failed at my job. Here I am, one day after my book is out there. I know it will take time for readers to find Dawning of the Sun, buy it, then read it. Goodreads should update soon and you can all post your reviews! I can’t wait to read them all and have my world shattered by joy or grief... either way I’m excited. Join me on Instagram and Tiktok live September 2nd at 10am (GMT-7) for the official online Book Launch. I’ll read a passage from the book, give you some fun info, and answer any questions posted as I go. If nothing else, you can watch me flail awkwardly on camera. Thank you lovely readers! I hope you visit the Aurtanian seas and love every moment of it. I’m jumping up and down! But also I might throw up… either way, pre-orders for Dawning of the Sun are now available at www.mekalous.com/bookstore!
So, if you like pirate adventures, treasure hunts, sword fights, cutthroat female leads, enemies to lovers, and a ton of pirate drawl, pre-order your copy today! I will be running a giveaway on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok as well. So, you might even get a free copy! Thank you for all your support! I can’t wait until you’ve got a copy in your hands. |
AuthorM.E. Kalous studied English, humanities, and publishing at Simon Fraser University. She has a deep love of Greek and Norse mythology and all things related to the Inferno. She is a voracious reader of fiction, fantasy, fairy tales, and sci-fi. Archives
September 2025
|
RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All rights reserved. © M.E. Kalous