This image from Valheim actually shows a bug – my character was tossed up high in the air and just floated there rather than gently gliding to the ground. (I resolved the situation by removing the item keeping me safely in the air – at a price. Ouchy, but I survived.)
It’s pretty much how I feel right now. In limbo and on the cusp of something potentially big. At least the price for failure will be minimal.
Kickstarter!
That’s right. I’m setting up a Kickstarter Project, something I never thought I’d do.
For years I’ve been aware of Kickstarter. For years, I decided it wasn’t for me.
Thing is, I’m in Germany. Fulfillment would be a terrible chore, made even worse by the new EU laws about packaging. They mean that I simply won’t be able to mail out books myself on scale. Not happening. But I learned about drop shipping through Ingram Spark and Book Vault, and while I cannot sign those books at home, there are ways of sending bookplates, too.
You see, I participated in a writer class, where I learned much more about Kickstarter. I started reading Anthea Sharpe’s book about how to set up one. And now, I’m actually doing this for my upcoming release of A Wolf’s Love, book 10 in my Wolves of the South series.
This one will be digital only. That’s because it’s an apprentice project, one where I learn everything involved, where I find my footing and get my first few followers under my belt. I’m already planning more Kickstarter projects, mostly for collections, creating (and selling) print versions or re-launches of old series.
But first, I’m doing a teeny, tiny project to learn the ropes.
Unfortunately, I can’t link directly to the project yet, since it’s not live. And while I can post a link to my profile on Kickstarter, it won’t do any good because people cannot follow me there until my first project goes live.
But I can share the little video I created for the header. It gives me much joy, and I hope it’ll do the same for you.
I’ll definitely have more in my next Progress Report, if all goes according to plan (that’s a big IF), the Kickstarter will be active by then. Wheeee.
Writing Progress Report
I’m currently pushing Wolves 10. The goal is still to get it done by the end of the month, so it’ll be with my proofreader as I fire up the Kickstarter project. It’s all new and scary.
I haven’t been writing as much as I should have, but cover creation and graphics creation and even video creation (!!) has been very exciting and rewarding. And it has distracted me from a story that wasn’t moving very well.
Which changed last night.
Wolves Progress Report
Yes, I’m writing A Wolf’s Love, book 10 of the Wolves of the South. (Are you sick of me repeating this already?)
And I was struggling with it. Did a lot of research, because an airplane plays a role in it. It turned out to be a Beechcraft King Air, and now I know more about them than I ever expected to. I still hope I can show off some of that recently acquired knowledge in the tale.
Even worse, the pilot, Andrew, slid in place as MC for the next book. *sigh* I have quite a line-up of main characters, all jumping up and down and screaming “Me, Me, ME!”. (Yes, it’s fun. I’ll write Wolves for as long as I can write.)
But I digress.
You see, I was writing along happily last night, having a discussion between Timothy and the villain, and then the villain dropped a bombshell, and I suddenly knew what he was planning. It’s devious and evil, and it gave the entire plot a massive push.
Now I am very excited to keep writing. I need to add about another 16k words to the tale, and I think that’ll be easy enough.
Cover Reveal and Description
I mentioned making covers, right? I found a way to brand my books with a specific style that I can actually handle myself in GIMP. It’s simple enough for that.
Why would I do that?
First, I’m not earning a lot of money with my books. So shelling out for covers is painful. (Don’t worry, the Winds & Pillars will still get their usual covers.)
Second, I’ve not been entirely happy with the last few Wolf books. My designer is clearly handing jobs to newbies, and it shows. And my poor dragons desperately need an overhaul.
Third, I want to make 100% sure that no AI is used creating my covers. And that means doing them myself and being careful about the images I use.
And with that, I give you the cover and the description.
A Wolf’s Love
Timothy is living in pure hell. He has fallen madly in love with the woman who killed the old Alpha and took over his pack – and who is happy with her mate. Yet he can’t leave, either, because his presence and knowledge is needed to stabilize the pack in turbulent times.
Ellie is appalled at the pack she is trying to help. They are stuck in a past where females are supposed to stay at home and raise children. Her expertize as an electrician is met with stunned disbelief. And Timothy, who is supposed to help her with the necessary renovations, is distracted and unresponsive.
They do their best to avoid each other, until a sniper attack, instigated by the former pack Lieutenant, brings danger directly to them. And when Ellie gets injured while saving Timothy’s life, emotions go haywire.
Find out who caves first in A Wolf’s Love, the next book in the exciting series about wolf shifters, their adventures and their dangerous journey towards happiness.
In November, the new book will become available through Kickstarter. I’ll also have it up for pre-order in all the usual stores, with a release set for January.
Winds and Pillars Progress Report
Well, Moon Rises is out for you to enjoy. (All the Links!) It would make me especially happy if you chose to buy through PayHip – that’s a direct sale and you receive an actual file, not just a license to read.
I have started writing Spirit Sings, the final book of the entire series, which I hope to be able to publish in early 2027.
Most of the plot is firmly in my mind, but it will be a complicated thing to write, with four different plot lines. Talk about a challenge! But all eight MCs of the previous books will get some screentime, because they deserve it. And I am already looking forward to playing with all of them again.
For now though, the Wolves take precedence.
Pockets of Happiness Report
I’ve actually found so much happiness in creating covers and graphics, it’s shocking. I never thought I’d enjoy this so much.
I believe I have an eye for graphics (or photos), although I still have much to learn. Even so, I’ve been inspired to a large degree by what Kris Rusch posts on Patreon. Hers is seriously the only Patreon I actually pay for, it’s so worth it. It’s also at the lowest possible price, she’s that gracious. Definitely recommend it.
(And there is Valheim, where my brain goes to relax and find peace. Definitely my happy place.)
Ember Alert! – not a Progress Report
This is my not-a-pop-up marketing attempt, where I ask you to subscribe to my newsletter. (I hate pop-ups with a passion and won’t inflict them on you.)
Only subscribe if you really want to and if you’re genuinely interested in hearing my rambles about writing, getting some book sales and recommendations, and of course all the links to my books and projects. I do run a special sale in my own store through the newsletter, as well.
My newsletter comes out once a month, on the 13th. There may be promotional emails for new releases and projects, but I’m really bad about those. Mostly, I only do the one mid-month.
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