You keep reading; I'll keep writing!
My Author Goal in 2018 was to publish a book. Results: I published two books.
My Author Goals in 2019 were to publish four books and earn a prestigious award. Results: I published four books and received three awards.
My Author Goals for 2020: Publish four books, receive a prestigious award, sell one book through a bookstore, and end the year with a POSITIVE net income.
That last one – positive net income – is a stretch goal. At least I know the IRS is cheering me on!
I’m struggling with whether I need to add a warning label or spoiler alert to the beginning of RED IS THE NEW GRAY, MAGGIE SLOAN MYSTERY SERIES, BOOK 2.
For anyone who has read I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A SPY, BOOK 1, you know about Maggie and her men and her heartbreak.
It is possible for a new reader to read RED IS THE NEW GRAY, BOOK 2, without having read BOOK 1 because the men and other characters from BOOK 1 are introduced.
HOWEVER, the dilemma is that BOOK 2 of course also mentions Maggie’s heartbreak from BOOK 1. THAT’S a spoiler! Do I add a warning label to the beginning of BOOK 2?
WARNING: READING BOOK 2 WITHOUT READING BOOK 1 FIRST IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR READING ENJOYMENT.
or
WARNING: DO NOT PROCEED WITH READING BOOK 2 UNTIL YOU HAVE READ BOOK 1. WE DON’T CARE IF BOOK 2 WAS FREE. GO READ BOOK 1.
or
SPOILER ALERT: DO NOT READ BOOK 2 UNTIL YOU READ BOOK 1. ANGRY READERS MAKE CRANKY REVIEWERS.
MAGGIE SLOAN – former librarian, self-trained spy, literal, and brilliant – has the skills of a deadly assassin. Our Gray Lady (like the Gray Man who blends in, except shorter) accepts a two-week assignment in Galveston, Texas, to find a missing spy who trusts only her. Larry, her original police officer protector and “cousin” from her hometown, is her backup.
The Gray Lady is rocking her new red boots as the fill-in cook at a diner, but before the end of her first week, she is shot. The attacks escalate and so does Maggie’s determination to solve the crimes. Note to bad guys: Maggie is irritated, and Larry and Maggie’s men are furious.
Maggie and Larry struggle with the disturbing clues that point to the guilt of everyone they meet. How many more people will die before Maggie uncovers the vicious leader who has escaped detection for so long?
My Author’s Goal in 2018 was to publish a book. I published two. Time to up my game in 2019, so I did.
Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Award
New Apple Literary Award – Excellence in Publishing
Florida Writers Association Award
Here’s a hack you won’t find anywhere else!
When you are at a school library in Georgia and you are discussing the differences in plants and trees between the Florida Everglades and South Georgia, NEVER dispute a second-grader. For example, coconut trees in Georgia? Pay attention to the seven-year-old expert.
Readers always win.
An Unexpectedly Unique Heroine
30 July 2019
Maggie Sloan always knew that she wanted to be a spy. She is unusual, almost emotionless. More than just a loner, she separates herself from the world, looking in at it, observing everything, making copious notes and filing them away, but not truly engaging with other people. This in an adult would be odd enough, but Maggie has been this way since a child. But do not pity her, because Maggie has grown up happily enough. We see snapshots of her early life – an absent father and over-protective mother – which seem to be filled with trivial episodes, yet like an expert quilt-maker, Judith A. Barrett creates an image of this character which is so strong, that she is far more flesh and blood in this, her first book, than many others become through a whole series. And I truly hope that this is the beginning of a series, because I want to spend a lot more time with Maggie. There is death and betrayal along the way to Maggie connecting with other people, but the delight she finds as she learns to live: to cook, colour-coordinate (she was always in first black, then grey shades), open up to love, learn fighting and weapon skills and ultimately put everything she ever learned into practice, is truly affecting. Oh, and she sees imaginary people – a side-effect of a medical procedure – which is presented so matter-of-factly that no one can question their existence. Maggie will haunt you long after you put the book down.
* * * * *
Have you read I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A SPY? Maggie Sloan Thriller, Book 2 is in the works!
DANGER IN THE CLOUDS is a FAPA President’s Book Award Winner!
MAJOR DAVE ELLIOTT’s quiet farm life with his dog and granddaughter abruptly changes when a cyber-attack collapses the grid and the economy. After his granddaughter’s uncanny ability to see danger thwarts attacks on the farm, will Major succeed in exposing the conspiracy where others have so tragically failed and died?
A riveting story of conspiracy and survival.
DANGER IN THE CLOUDS: A MAJOR ELLIOTT NOVEL (GRID DOWN SURVIVAL SERIES, BOOK 1)
When your family does an internet search for Donut Lady and sends you the results…
Can’t help but wonder – Donut we need a Donut Lady Spa?
For the first time, the DANGER IN THE CLOUDS paperback is now available for purchase by local book stores, big box and other large stores, small boutique shops, and libraries through wholesale book distributors in addition to being available for readers on Amazon.
The cover for DANGER IN THE CLOUDS was updated for the wholesale distribution. The eBook remains exclusive on Amazon Kindle as a FREE Book for Kindle Unlimited readers.
SO what does this mean? It means you can go to your local bookstore and tell them you loved DANGER IN THE CLOUDS and know others would too. NOW the bookstore can order two or three copies at wholesale and sell them in their shop!
If you’ve already read the MAJOR and AIMEE LOUISE cover book, DON’T buy the STORM CLOUD new-cover book because the story inside is the same! NO change to the story! And if you haven’t read DANGER IN THE CLOUDS, ahem. Link to DANGER IN THE CLOUDS on AMAZON
Just a gentle reminder, if you’ve read and loved Major’s story and would like to leave a review but haven’t quite gotten around to it yet, PLEASE do! Here’s the link to leave a review! YOUR REVIEW FOR DANGER IN THE CLOUDS
What about a series? Would you be interested in hearing more about Pedro, Jennie, and Gordo? Wouldn’t that be a great Book 2? What should the series be called? (Need a little help with this!)
The original cover
New! Updated cover
If you’re interested in the technical reasons for the change, let me know. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned with others, especially other Indie Authors who self-publish or publish with an Indie publisher. Contact Me!
The 2019 I HEART Books Sale was at the Gainesville Downtown Public Library. I met new authors and awesome readers, including the members of a local book club that is considering recommending the books of the DONUT LADY MYSTERY SERIES for their club to read this summer.
Book Club: We had an author who came to speak to us once. Would you be willing to do that?
Me: That would be awesome! I would love to! <Wow! WooHoo!>