Drafting Done!

[Cat vs chicken from book 1 of Doomimals by my niece, Ghostelle]

I set out to complete my first draft of the first nine books in my chapter book series Doomimals (about three kids and their super pets protecting the world from the evil Dog of War) plus a bonus book.  I also set out to have my teenage son complete the first three books in his spin-off series, Just Us Chickens (about zany super chickens, which reads like Captain Underpants), a backstory for one of those characters, and the first book in another spin-off series, Keylime Python (about a swashbuckling, world-traveling snake).  

I've been blogging about these all summer.  We finished the last draft a few days ago, just in time for the end of summer vacation.  In other words, between the two of us, we've written 15 separate books (less the two I had drafted before) in one summer.  I'd say that's fairly good, even if they're short chapter books (10-13,000 words long).  .  

[One of my illustrations from Just Us Chickens.)

From there, I need to prepare this entire children's chapter book collection for readers like you as well as children 7-12.  This entails illustrations (I'm almost done illustrating my son's books, while my niece has completed illustrations for book 1 of my series and has started book 2), major revision for consistency, increased humor and heart, line editing, etc.  

I want to make sure it is consistently fun, funny, and compelling.  I want it to appeal to kids in the target age group as well as older kids and/or adults who enjoy sci fi/fantasy.  I'd like to make sure it could be read by a hi-lo readership, kids who want to read fun and engaging material but whose reading level is not all that high.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to achieve all of this, but I will do my best.  I'll keep you posted as we get things done.  

Making Progress

(Deathlayer, one of the Just Us Chickens)

I'm racing the end of the summer to at least get my first set of books drafted.  My teenage boy has now drafted his part of the bonus books, the first three of his zany super chicken series, Just Us Chickens, his backstory for his Supermanish chicken, Impeckable, and the first of his other series, Keylime Python, the swashbuckling snake.  He's now just taking some time off and enjoying summer vacation.  I'm almost done with illustrating the Just Us Chickens trilogy.

[Illustrations from Doomimals: Book 1]

Meanwhile, I am wrapping up book 7 of my 9-book set.  I'll then write a back story to a major character.  I'm shooting to have it all drafted by mid-August.  I'm a little behind but am still hoping to catch up and finish on time. I've finished a draft in a few days before.  I can do it again, especially now some of my other obligations are done for the moment. 

Most excitingly, book one's illustrations are now complete.  Huzzah!  Thanks again, Gostelle. 

Of course, now we get to the hard part: revising to the point where readers will enjoy reading them.  I always seem to stall there.  I have an editor's review of book one, which I hope will be useful on the others.  I have friends reading a couple of them and finding major issues on which I need to work.  But I need a way to have outside eyes go over the rest.  I'm working on formulating a plan for that.  Oh, and the rest need illustrations, too.  So, on one hand, it feels like I'm getting close.  But if I really think about it, the hardest parts are yet to come. 

Sneak Peeks: Updates Toward My Series

[A sneak peak at my niece, Gostelle's, beautiful art for Doomimals]

 As I've said before, I have a hybrid publisher standing by, waiting to help me get my chapter books and my boy's chapter books published.  The plan is to include the first nine books from the Doomimals series, about three kids and their animal companions protecting the human race from the evil Dog of War and her animal armies.  I will then include several bonus books. 

[My illustration from book 1 of Just Us Chickens]

One will be a backstory to a critical character, which I will write soon.  Another three will be the first three books from my boy's spinoff series, Just Us Chickens about a zany group of super chickens, as written by my 14-year-old.  Another will be his backstory for one of those chickens.  The last will be the first in his other spinoff series, Keylime Python about a swashbuckling, world-traveling hero snake.  We'll also include games and such to get readers immersed in the world. 

[My concept design for Cat-a-clysm.]

We've been working hard on these series.  I just finished book 5 and am starting book 6 of Doomimals.  My niece is almost done illustrating book 1.  I have drafted CockadoodleDOOM, Cat-a-clysm, Goatyphoon, Hisstruction, and Kangaruin and have four more to do.  I will then revise and edit them all. 

[Another illustration from Just Us Chickens]

My boy, meanwhile, has the first three books drafted from Just Us Chickens, and I'm halfway done illustrating through book 3.  He's also drafted a shorter backstory for one of his main characters and is close to the halfway mark in drafting Keylime Python book 1.  We're closing in on our goal to be done with at least drafting the books by the end of the summer. We've had beta readers of various ages reading them (kids in the target age range up to adults with families) and have gotten fairly positive responses.  We look forward to sharing them with you. 

3, 2, 1 launch!

I just launched a book my friend, Gillaire, and I wrote about a French Bulldog named Cali.  It's called Cali the Silly Frenchie Goes for a Walk.  It's a picture book you can share with dog lovers and small children.  It contains photos of my friend's dog as she goes on her favorite daily adventure, a walk.  It's cute, sweet, and short.  You can share it with any lovers of dogs, pets or Frenchies. 

Additionally, I entered a short story in a contest.  It's called "Before the Pruning Shears."  It's a dark[ish] story of a dystopic future.  Feel free to vote for my story if you'd like under contests. 

Remember as well you can still get my "Puss in Boots" version, "If You Give a Cat the Boot," for free.  It's a funny sci fi version that opens up the world of my upcoming chapter book series, Doomimals. 

You can also get (so far on certain websites but not yet Amazon) my essay of the last two weeks of my nephew's mom's life, Battered Wings.  It's a stream-of-consciousness story from the point of view of one who crosses over. 

Very soon, I will also launch Iggy's Quest, a children's book about a bored hamster going on a quest with his friends.  That should be up within a week or two. 

Remember that by going to my website, you can sign up for my newsletter and receive yet another short story, "Shopping for Herself," about a woman's voyage of self-discovery.  I would love it if you'd also send me a review.  Thank you or your interest in my budding career.  I would love to hear from you on any of these stories. 

New Releases and Coming Soon

My first indie-published short story, "If You Give the Cat the Boot," an adaptation of "Puss in Boots," did fairly well with its launch.  It got close to 100 readers in its first week.  It's still sitting at 6 reviews, 4/5 five star reviews.  One reviewer said, "This prelude is a fantastic start to pique the reader's interest."  Sarah Boucher, indie writer of three fairy tale adaptations, said, "The author has cleverly opened up an entirely new universe for young readers to explore."  If you haven't had to read and review it, please do.  It's still free.  It will set you up for the two series my boy and I will publish toward the end of the summer or beginning of fall.

In the first volume of Doomimals, you'll be able to read nine sci fi/fantasy chapter books.  Three kids and their animal allies are trying to protect humanity from the evil forces of the Dog of War.  It's funny and fast-paced, fun for kids and entertaining enough for adults.  My adult nephew read it through the night, keeping his wife up with his laughter.  My ADD friend, mother of two teenagers, said she can't read books, but she loved CockadoodleDOOM!  I just finished book three and will launch right into book four.

The bonus material will include a backstory for Grandma Fuzzypants, the ultimate crazy cat lady and the kids' mentor.  You will also get a bonus of three books and a backstory from my son's series, a spin-off of Doomimals called Just Us Chickens.  It's about a zany group of super hero chickens who will save the world if they can only stop tripping over their own feathers.  He will also sneak peek a second spin-off series, Keylime Python, all about a swashbuckling galactic hero snake and his traveling companion, Zara, the shapeshifting alien cat introduced in "If You Give a Cat the Boot."  Oh, and their bumbling teenage boy sidekick, Joe King.  Also included will be games that will engage readers young and old.

Currently in the process of getting published everywhere is "Battered Wings," the story of the last two weeks of my nephews' and niece's mom's life told from her point of view.  It's available on Barnes and Noble, among other booksellers, and it's free.

Very shortly, you will also be able to get a copy of Cali the Silly Frenchie Goes for a Walk, the first in a series of books for young children, which a friend and I will write about her dog's adventures.

Following that, you'll be able to find the picture book Iggy's Quest, a hamster with a big imagination who drags his friends on a quest to find a magical wish-granting lake.  After that, you'll be able to read the Dillicious trilogy, three picture books about the adventures of a boy who befriends a talking pickle.  The first is about embracing your own weirdness, the second about befriending those who may seem a little different, and the third about facing bullies.

All of this will be shortly coming to an online bookstore near you.  Some of it may even find its way to shelves.  I'm excited.  I hope you are.  Spread the word and share the joy.

Launched and Counting down to another Launch

You're welcome to read for free my snarky sci fi/fantasy version of  "Puss in Boots."  It's entitled "If You Give a Cat the Boot."  You're also welcome to leave me comments here to let me know what you think of it.  I'd also love it if you would leave a review.

This story will be a prequel to Doomimals and Just Us Chickens to be released late summer. which are fun and funny sci fi chapter books for kids, though adults enjoy them, too.  The first several books of each series will be released in one collection, so for one low price, you can get several books.

My next piece, to be released later this week, will be the story of the death of my nephews' and niece's mom, "Battered Wings."  It is a stream-of-consciousness and poetic account of the last two weeks of her life, told from her point of view.

Within two weeks, I will start to launch my picture books, starting with Iggy's Quest.  Afterward, I'll move on to a trilogy of whimsical picture books about children who befriend talking pickles.  If you think of a kids' book you'd love me to write, let me know in the comments.

In the near future, you will also be able to read my poetry collections and LDS romances.  For details on the romance novels, see my webpage.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Picture Books: To Amazon We Will Go

[Source]

As I have been working on one one class on writing, getting and using feedback, building a webpage and following, and publishing mostly for young adult and adult audiences, I've also been taking a class on writing and publishing on Amazon for children. 

I have already written several children's books over the years, some of which have won prizes.  I'm polishing them up and will be illustrating them preparatory to publishing them on Amazon, with an eye toward filling in the gaps while we're working on our larger volumes of Doomimals and Just us Chickens.  I will announce them as they come out, first to my subscribers and those who read these blogs, then toward the public at large.  The first will be a picture/counting book for very small children called Peek-a-baa.  The second will possibly an early reader chapter book about a bored hamster called Iggy's Quest.  Either of these books may occur on the world of Doomimals, though a reader doesn't have to know one to read the other. 

I have several other books, which I will announce here and to my subscribers as I get them ready for publication.  Watch for when they become ready.  Also, keep in mind that if you want a short story I have already made available to the public, you can click here for a limited amount of time to get an award-winning short story called "Shopping for Herself."  I will shortly swap it out for my sci fi retelling of "Puss in Boots."  Stay tuned.