Book #2 of the High Sierra Sweethearts series will release in October--The Reluctant Warrior.
And I'm working on (believe it or not) the NEXT series for Bethany House, as yet unnamed but it's fun.
And I'm also revising book #4 for the Garrison's Law series but I'm not going to release that until maybe December. I have a lot to do for the launch of The Reluctant Warrior and I don't want another book from me competing with promotion efforts for it.
For example, I have a ... podcast or vlog or whatever it's called scheduled for The Reluctant Warrior and I caught myself thinking it was for one of the Garrison books and I PANICKED! What if I talked about the wrong book?
So I'm going to focus on High Sierra Sweethearts BUT not until I get the third Garrison's Law book up and running.
(I'm confusing myself, I hope you can follow along and I'm sorry)
So this is just a little slice-of-life of an author.
Releasing one series, releasing another series, writing yet another series, revising books in two series.
Pardon me while I bang my head on something hard, just for a while.
Okay, I think I'm thinking more clearly now.
Today I am talking about the fact that about TWO MONTHS after I launched my big ol' Whoopee indie career, Create Space, where I went to publish my print books is closing. At some future date. Probably.
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| Mary "Every Helpful" Connealy |
So I need to MIGRATE (like a Canadian Goose) my books from Create Space to KDP Print.
And this is because Amazon bought Create Space and is now well...I want to say bringing all the Create Space authors into their fold, but ... Well, anyway...I tried to make this third book Loving the Texas Negotiator...go to print on KDP but I couldn't figure out how. The KDP cover creator wouldn't just take my front and back covers. They kept trying to HELP ME!!!
Rather than just let me CLICK load the front cover CLICK load the back cover.
All really confusing.
So I went to Create Space and did it, so now I have another book to migrate...should I at any point ever figure out how to do that--it may include flapping my wings and heading to Florida.
So today, I am giving away an ebook copy of Loving the Texas Negotiator to one lucky commentor.
Next month it'll be a copy of The Reluctant Warrior.
Loving the Texas Negotiator
Not all the Garrisons are guys.Beth Garrison is the top hostage negotiator in Rocky Ridge, Texas. She's called to serve on a task force to investigate a killing that is a copycat of her first bust as a rookie.
Tate McCade has a reputation for steamrolling anyone who gets in his way and he's had a run-in with Beth and her oversized ego before. He's got a bruise on his face to prove it.
They have to work together and sparks are flying that aren’t all about the job.
Mary, you absolutely amaze me. All this talk about indie publishing is so far over my head, yet you dive right in, ready to learn. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteMindy it's a little bit like juggling firecrackers while walking on a tight rope.
DeleteOnly worse. :)
I gotcha. No fear, right?
DeleteWhat is there to fear? What could possibly go wrong?
DeleteWow Mary - It's going to be hard for the cover of The Unexpected Champions to beat the first two covers - they are so wonderful I'd buy that book for the cover. Your name on the spine is an added bonus. Best wishes for all your future books. You kind of make me tired but you're doing it so well!
ReplyDeleteAren't those great covers, Cindy? Bethany House did a really great job for me with those. I'm thrilled!
DeleteI can't imagine. I have trouble keeping my series straight, and I only have three...and they aren't all coming out at the same time!
ReplyDeleteBut most of all, I'm thankful for the Create Space/KDP pioneers who have gone before me to figure out all this indie publishing stuff. Someday I may want to use it, and when I do, I'll know who to call!
And I can't wait for the next book...er, books...in the series!
Jan, I am the same. I asked a lot of questions, mainly of Ruthy, so others led the way and I'm just trying to jump on the bandwagon.
DeleteMary, I know I'm thoroughly confused. Don't know how you keep everything straight.
ReplyDeletePlease put me in the drawing.
Hi Sandy! You're in!
DeleteMary, I hope it all works out! I'm glad I hadn't done my novella in print yet!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to let us know when it goes through. Hopefully soon!
I tried the 'migration' thing but....I think.....CreateSpace is sort of 'rolling this out' a few at a time.
DeleteWhat I saw was I'm supposed to get sort of a POP-UP ad when I log into Createspace that says, "Do you want to migrate your books to Kindle?"
Well, I haven't gotten that and I don't really know HOW to migrate without that pop-up ad. So for now, I'm just leaving it as it is.
I would like having them all in the same place but I feel no great urgency to get to it.
I'm sure your will get it all worked out. I'm just glad my only job is to read your books. :) I'm excited about all of your new books. Now to make time to read them all!
ReplyDeleteThat is the job of all my favorite people, Joy. Thank you for reading!!!
DeleteGiggles! This is the third place I've posted here for your book, Mary! Yes, love your humor and thoroughly enjoy your writing!
ReplyDeleteLYNNA!!! Yay! You found me!!! Sorry about the muddy directions on Facebook. I went and took the Seekerville Facebook page link out of that comment!
DeleteI love all of your books. These sound really good.
ReplyDeleteI think they're a lot of fun, Naomi. I've got two more to go, but they may get released in December and January. I have one of my regular historical romantic comedy with cowboys books coming in October and I don't want two different books coming out at once!!!
DeleteI'm a fairly new reader to your books, but can honestly say I appreciate your style of writing. Totally enjoyed "The Accidental Guardian" and anxiously await future series installments. Thank you for enjoyable smut free yet entertaining stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary...and welcome aboard! (pretty name, too!!!)
DeleteSelf publishing is scary for me. If I can't figure out how to work Wordpress for the blog and I even bought A book on Wordpress for beginners which was absolutely not helpful at all, How will I ever figure out Amazon. But when I am to that point in my writing career. I will hope that I can hire someone to figure it out for me.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, While I was waiting for a medical procedure last week my friend was reading one of your books. I recognized the cover. She loves your writing.
Hoping to get more writing done today. I really need to do some reading as well especially before all the books I won in giveaways start arriving. Last weekend within 12 hours I won a total of 9 books.
I woke up from a nightmare this morning. My brother was informing me that I need to get rid of all my books and just use e-books. I am one of those who prefers print over e-books. So glad it was just a dream.
Wilani, you woke up SCREAMING right? I should probably get rid of all my books and get them as ebooks but I can't stand the thought. I love having my favorite books close at hand. (as if they WOULDN'T be close at hand if they were ebooks!)
DeleteOnce you get the pop up box on create space migration is supposed to be quick and painless (its rolling out - I don’t have it yet either). But you got this!
ReplyDeleteProud of you and your indie career - and can’t wait for the Sierra books either!
Hey Carol. You're a pioneer and an inspiration to me. If you say I've got this....then I do!!! :)
DeleteWow. The world of publishing confuses and bedazzles me. Glad that you’re still doing what you love and giving us books that we love!
ReplyDeleteMJSH I know, right? Confused and bedazzled, good words because it is weird and an exciting new world. Fun to be dipping my toes into the indie-pubbed waters!!!
DeleteSo frustrating, when so much is out of our control. The nanosecond after I master something in the publishing industry, it changes to something entirely different, and the learning curves are getting steeper the older I get! I'm so thankful for you and Ruthy and the other Seeker gals who are paving the way for us!
ReplyDeleteErica, my learning curve is like a 90 degree line straight up!!!
DeleteMARY!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting and I love it! Your stories are wonderful. Absolutely loved The Accidental Guardian and can't wait for the next one!
Hi Beth. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad you like them!!! You've gotten to know the indie stuff well!!!
DeleteThe Reluctant Warrior releases October 2nd.....coming soon!!!
I am loving both of these series. I'm already half way through Loving the Texas Negotiator! Looking forward to both series continuing!
ReplyDeleteHi, UNKNOWN...thanks for reading my books. Yes, I love both series, too.
DeleteI am exhausted reading what all you are involved in and amazed that you seem to take it all in stride. The very best thing is that we readers are the beneficiaries!
ReplyDeleteIt's just always something. It seems real hectic and yet, I barely ever stand up from my chair!
DeleteSo happy for all your success! I'm completely in awe of you and want to be you when I grow up ha! I probably repeating myself when I say I'm sooooo computer illiterate it's pathetic ha! Can't wait to get my hands on all the ones you've got coming out. I prefer print books and should totally go all digital as I've run out of room for books, but my eyes hurt just thinking about it ha!
ReplyDeletePat the books are available as print books, too, but they are expensive for me to buy and give away. I'm sorry but so far I'm doing ebook giveaways only!
DeletePat - I love my KOBO for reading e-books. It looks just like regular paper and there's no glare or harsh lighting on the screen so my eyes don't get tired with the screen. Apparently KINDLE paper white is similar. I didn't think I'd like e-readers but there you go. Maybe your library loans e-readers for you to try???
DeleteMary, I have a kindle and do read from it but I have to limit my reading time while using it. So, I'll still be able to enjoy your books!!!
DeleteAnonymous, thanks for the tips! I'll certainly look into it :)
I don't have a paperwhite. Maybe I should try it, I might enjoy it more.
Deletehallo Mary, i tried to reply to your comment above about the pop up when you log into CS - that's the clearest thing i've read about this so far!! honestly, i've wondered about switching to KDP to, like you said, have them all in one place, but i didn't want to mess with it. guess that decision was taken out of my hands! LOL guess i'll wait for my pop up!! thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm right, Robin. I got that from a youtube video of how to migrate your books. I saw the pop-up window and thoughts, "Hey, I never got a pop-up window."
DeleteThen someone else said, "I think they're rolling it out so doing it all at once doesn't overload the system.
And with what rhyme or reason? Oldest Createspace books first? Alphabetical...in which case Connealy oughta be an early window-receiver.
Random?
Who knows. But for now, I'm just waiting for the pop-up. :)
Lee-Ann B here - I just love how confusing this post is! LOL Thanks for sharing. :) :) :) Maybe a cup of java will help...OOPS maybe not JAVASCRIPT lol... All things work together. Sending you positive vibes... :) (Hugs from a Canadian Goose!)
ReplyDeleteLee-Ann, if I can give you a really good sense of the confusion, then you'll know what you're up against at least!!!
DeleteI am such a big fan of your work. I applaud you for stepping into Indie publishing. That is way out of my wheelhouse at this point. I'd love a copy of Loving the Texas Negotiator. I've read the first two. I think I preordered The Reluctant Warrior. You amaze me with the number of excellent quality books you produce in a year.
ReplyDeleteJubileewriters, thank you for reading my books. You're in the drawing!!
DeleteWow, you're a busy lady!!! That's fabulous for me, it means more awesome books to read ;) Be sure to take care of yourself, which it sounds like you're doing by not overlapping promos.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in your giveaway! Thanks!
Hi Heidi. I'm got enough down time. I'm practically a couch potato...well, maybe a couch CARROT so that's a little bit more ambitious.
DeleteMary, can I just tell you how much I enjoy reading your posts--and this one was no exception. You have a lot of irons in the fire, lady! I don't know how you keep them all straight. I love your stories, so throw my name in the hat for your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWinnie a few times a year it seems like all my world just collide. Mostly everything is spaced out and tidy but sometimes, wow, it gets really hectic. Then I just have to dig in and work through it until things calm down again!
DeleteAmazing how you can keep everything straight! Sometimes I can't remember what day it is!
ReplyDeleteWell, Edwina, sometimes I can't decide what day it is. But the book stuff seemed to be stored in the single remaining functioning part of my brain.
DeleteI've yet to get the note that I need to migrate to KDP. I know it will come eventually. I've just been putting off doing it.
ReplyDeleteYou're waiting for the note too Walt??? Okay, I don't feel so alone!!!
Delete