Category: faecorps

The trouble with writing …

I have always loved the written word. So much of my childhood was spent in the idea that I would be a writer. I had a best friend, Lucretia Fisher. (only one of a handful of friends I had) She lived near my grandmother. She and I would talk about being famous writers some day. We would argue about which of us would be published first.

When I was not writing I was devouring books. I read at a college level in 4th grade…And now I find that I am having trouble finding the time…last year right about this time I decided that I missed it…between October and December I read nearly 60 books…

I think I will likely do it again…but I am trying to get a habit with my writing. And I find that I am having trouble getting motivated. I always have 500 million other things that I have on my to do list. I wonder if Lucretia managed to get her books published. She was such an amazing writer.

The to-do list never goes away. I am fighting to help authors get heard. I am fighting my own demons to see what I write as being worthy of the world. And sometimes I am just hurting my own feelings. So, if I seem to be a little bit more in self-doubt please realize that I am still fighting.

Handprints on my soul is 10 poems away from being done. I am hoping that I can get it done in time to publish by the beginning of November. However, I don’t want to promise that or start the promotion of it until I get the last poem written. Because I somedays lose that fight.

Oh! And I will be releasing a new kids’ book in December. Not Another Danny is going to be released December 2nd during Fae Corps Kid’s Week ! I will try to get the cover reveal up later this week .

It’s Six o’clock do you know where your blogger is?

The next few months are going to be busy for me. (Yes I seem to do that to myself a lot) So, as I am sitting here trying to get all my weekend work caught up, I realize that my poor blog is AGAIN neglected. Friday we are releasing Andrew McDowell‘s second edition of Mystical Greenwood. That means I am trying to gather images and activities for the release day on our Facebook Party Room group. I have things I am trying to put together for the Fae Corps Blog…again to get everyone possible to see his book.

That is just the first thing I am doing. Then, I have our Halloween Anthology. This year it is called Darkness Screams. It received so many outstanding submissions that I split it to accommodate the quality of stories. (I have done this before with other anthologies)

So I am neck-deep in editing, Marketing image creation, and formatting for these two. I give myself two months to do this with each anthology because I have a routine. Once approved I invite the author/artist to join the company discord. I have each anthology set up in a private room within the channel. This allows Files to be shared and questions answered easier. I ask everyone to sign a contract (So I can legally publish their story/art/ poetry and they have protections of their copyright) I ask for a bio written in 3rd person and an image to represent them. (I say an image because I have had a few who gave me photoshopped images, due to personal reasons. ) Then I sit down and put together a rough draft of the anthology. I don’t worry in the first rough about perfect formatting or having it be edited and polished. After I get a feel for how the anthology will flow, I feel like I am more capable to suggest edits. Yeah, that seems so silly…the grammar will not change based on how it fits in the book, right? Actually, it might. It will help me to see the story on its own instead of trying to place it mentally in an imaginary book. I send the suggestions to the author and give them a deadline for when I need to see the finished copy.

Then I start while waiting for the stories to come back…to make images to catch the interest of possible readers. I do (For most of the anthologies) a cover reveal, A author/artist list for each anthology, A image to represent each story, and a meet the author/artist graphic. That can be quite the undertaking. In Darkness screams that is 3 graphics just to list the author/artist in each one. I, as you can see above, combined the cover reveals. I have already today done the story graphics for each book.

I still have more to do just for the anthologies… Then I have another book we are releasing in October. The third book in Ashira Dayta’s Magick Saga. (The cover reveal should be happening soon on Fae corps Blog. I am quite proud of that cover) It releases on October 31st. I have to do some images for marketing it as well.

Then I have other projects that are ongoing and need my attention. (For example Formatting for a Poetry book by NK – Titled Valley of Thoughts. We are supposed to be releasing that next year. Editing for Ruan Bradford Wright’s Novel Toe-Rag which is expected to release in February. Writing my own poetry and prose books. And just being a mom and person who has housework that is not getting done more often than not.)

I honestly intend to do this blog every week..but I end up overwhelmed. I think I will just post some of my poetry this week. I thank you for your patience. I swear I am not forgetting y’all.

Saturday Funday Party

Created by Patricia Harris in Canva

Hello, My Lovelies! This is my Saturday Tea Today I am drinking a peach cold tea.

Tomorrow (Well tomorrow when this releases…lol) is my 47th birthday. Due to a lot of stress, I really have been hit or miss posting. I spent nearly two weeks fighting a stress migraine that I would never want to face again. I am going to try to get back onto a semi-normal schedule, but I have a lot going on. Most of it is for Fae Corps.

We are doing a poetry contest this year… And we are as busy as one-armed paperhangers otherwise.

If you missed it Ashira Datya released her second book in the Magik Saga – Evil resists on the 10th.

Raz T. Slasher is releasing Book two in his Riverside Chronicles – Silence is Crimson Homecoming on April 20th. I don’t have the link for that yet…

Gathering Teardrops is done being written – But my schedule is crazy…so I will be releasing it May 6th.

My Next Volume will be split between Handprints on my soul and Fighting Ignorance. This is because with the state of the world I am writing more political poetry than I ever expected myself to…But I am not writing only politics. Handprints will be everything else. Fighting Ignorance may take longer than a usual volume…

In April I will be releasing the next Pip the Pup story. I chose the release date because it is my mommy’s birthday. I felt like it was appropriate.

Fae Corps Has two anthologies releasing June 1st. One was my project from the beginning. Grandmother’s Wisdom. It is a gorgeous book. I love how it came together. I am going to be meeting with representatives from No Kid Hungry next week to find out how to give away half of the proceeds from that anthology. (I reached out because I want to do it the right way, and they are going to help me to do the work to make it shine.)

The other anthology, Seeking Stories, is in the edit stage. So I am working on that. It is filled with fun adventures.

That leaves me very busy when you add in life, writing, and other responsibilities. I have done half decently considering. 47…Yeah I never expected to make it to 30, so each year just brings more surprises.

I am going to post my random if ya wanna’s not because I am asking for anything…but in case anyone is interested..

Paypal : iampublishd@gmail.com

Cashapp: $pattimouse

Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/pattimouse

I find that the thing I would love most for my birthday if I am honest is someone to review my books, or tell me what they liked or disliked about what I have wrote. It means so much to know what I am doing matters.

Saturday Funday Party

Created by Patricia Harris in Canva

Hello, My Lovelies! This is my first Saturday Tea Party. I am sitting here drinking Mocha coffee and thinking that is a funny thing for a tea party…maybe I will make some green tea next just to feel less strange about it.

I will be getting an interview on Friday with the Library in the Blue Box in April. It will be a video interview.

I will be releasing the Next Pip book (Pip and Friends) in April on the 29th.

Serena’s Poetry volume – Death Becomes Her – will release on June 1st.

My next poetry volume (Gathering Teardrops) is probably going to release in May but until I am certain it will be done I have been reluctant to set the release date.

Fae Corps has been putting the release dates and submission deadlines on google calendar. This is public and allows the readers to know when things are scheduled.

I am working on getting art I have done inked and layout done for a coloring book from my art. It will be titled Color My Art.

This is the upcoming announcements for the next year…subject to updates of course 😉

I am still trying to get back into the habit of updating the blog. I may still miss here and there. I will do my best not to though.

Announcements and The Like

The Schedule for 2022 is fairly busy. There are 3 indie Author books currently on the schedule., not including mine and Serena’s books. There are currently 3 Anthologies planned. I have at least one poetry volume and at least one Kid’s book releasing this year. Serena has a poetry volume releasing this year. That is on top of everything else we might do. I will be posting a better calendar on the Fae Corps blog. This is my personal blog, so Why do I post it here? Well, because I am excited about the options. Fae Corps will be posting a PAD challenge for April, as usual. And I will be giving a live interview(link upcoming when I get it.)

There are two Anthologies that will be coming out at the end of March, and Ashira Datya’s Second book will release at the beginning of March. Raz T Slasher is about to release book 2 in his series on 4/20. In May I will be releasing the next Pip Book. I am hoping to have another book by Serena done in time for release this year. Her poetry volume will release in November. I am not certain when I will be releasing Gathering Teardrops. It is half done. I am hoping for a June release, but we will have to see.

We already have an author on the schedule for 2023. Fae Corps is rocking this, and I am learning so much in the doing of it.

Pip, woofs again.

Many years ago, my first kids book was Pip the pup. I illustrated it with my own drawings and clip art. One of my young readers – Dante, asked for more of Pip’s story.

I couldn’t refuse him. Releasing December fourth is the next chapter of pip’s adventure… Done in the same style. My own drawings and clip art to illustrate what I hope will be a good continuation of a cute story.

And with characters I plan on writing more of.

Links to come… Soon. (I swear)

Thursday Tea Party

Hello Lovelies! Today I am drinking some lovely peach tea. What will you have?

There is a lot to announce!
First off, one of my art pieces that I submitted to Indie Blu(e)’s Through The Looking Glass: Reflecting on Madness and Chaos Within was accepted! I will try to keep you updated on that as I know more. I am so excited as their books are so pretty. I submitted to that and to But You Don’t Look Sick …I have not yet heard about But you don’t look sick. Again, updates as I have them. *Edit: I finished writing this and scheduled it. Then I went to check my email, only to find the acceptance letter in the email I will have 4 poems in that anthology.

Next, Serena finished writing Madness and Truth. It has been through the alpha readers and is handed off to the editor currently. The story is creepy and carries a good haunted feel to it. I expect that we will be publishing it some time in 2021.

I have finished writing Afraid of Shoe Mountain and am currently working on the illustrations. Though I love Shannon’s Illustrations, and will likely hold Dylan and the Hotel Zombie until she can do the art, I am not wanting to continue to wait with Afraid of Shoe Mountain. I am enjoying the illustration of this book. I have been uploading them to DeviantArt for those who are interested. (I only have 2 finished so far).

I am nearly done with the writing for Heart Drops, and Half-Mad Meanderings. Serena has been working hard on Death Becomes Her. Half-Mad Meanderings is only 5 poems away from done. Heart drops 2 art and 7 poems away. And Serena says she still needs 20 poems for Death Becomes Her. Likely all three will be released in 2021.

Circle City Publishing is nearly ready to release their An Absurd Apocalypse that will have Serena’s Flash story in it. I do not know how much longer that will be. I will let you know more as I do.

Fae Corps Inc is going to release Faery Playground with my art and a story from Serena in May. The tone of the submissions had the cover needing redone. They plan to reveal the cover on April First (No Joke!). It has been a fun anthology to edit if I am honest. I am looking personally for 2 ARC reviewers. (ARC reviewers are readers who, for an advanced copy post an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. )

Well, I think I am finally done with the updates! whew! That was a lot!

Oh! and I am considering adding a store to my blog. I make jewelry and Resin pieces that I need to find a place to sell. I am going in April to the local flea market, but I like the online store idea better. My studio is very nearly set up. So the next focus is a storefront. Watch here for more information.

Let’s Talk!

Photo by Valeriia Miller on Pexels.com

I made a silly list of goals…on facebook. I’ll place it here in the post. Then I will tell you about it.

Okay… Goals for this week :Of which I am hoping to finish at least half of :
1. Assembly of a polished poetry volume for fcp’s newest author
2. Edits on the submissions for faery playground.
3.podcast interview with Destiny Constantin
4. Writing on afraid of shoe mountain – with hopes of finishing this year.
5. Reorganization of Bedtime Tales : the princess lost.
6. Laundry and reorganization of my own clothes.
7. Actually pretending that I am an adult….
8. Writing poetry for half-mad meanderings and heart drops.
9. art!
10. Getting the craft room organization started.
11. Work on the kingdoms of sin
12. Work on life, guilt, and undeath
13. edit Dylan and the hotel zombie
14. Doodles for my girl Red’s Lily Doodles
15. Art with my Angel.
16.Dungeon planning for d&d
17. Zombie killing in 7d2d
18. Therapy
19. Finish the story for fae shivers
20. Kitchen witchery
21. Fix the stupid printer
22. Share the shit out of a few posts pertaining to books that I want to support.
23. Clean old cans out of the pantry
24. Drink more water
25. Figure out what to post about this Thursday and Friday on my personal blog
26.enjoy the thought that people like my work.
27. Watercolor painting
28. Smile at least once a day.
29. Listen to music for no real reason.
30. Make lists to amuse myself, and then try to do everything from the list even though the list is waaaay too long

I accomplished more than I expected. The podcast airs tomorrow. Afraid of Shoe Mountain is written. It is going through the edits, and the polish that the best books deserve. The Princess Lost is available for preorder, going live on March First. Ivor Steven’s Poetry volume Tullawalla is also available for preorder, going live March 31st. Obviously I did not get today or tomorrow done ahead. I have not gotten my edits completed…but I have gotten it started. I will be sending those edits back next week. I got the pantry and the printer done. I have doodled, I arted…And in all I figured out that I am doing something each day that progresses my goals. Still I am having days that I can’t do. I have to accept with grace that I cannot do everything I want to, and keep moving forward on the goals so that I eventually manage everything that I want to do.

What goals do you have that you want to manage soon and what is your limits?

Time to update

Photo by Peter Olexa on Pexels.com

Life has been hitting hard for me lately. I had to move out of my home, my life is in chaos. It will stabilize but it will take time. So I am looking at my options. I have been considering making my blog a paid one, so I could add a shop to sell some of the cute Jewelry and other crafts I make. I also am thinking about the other benefits…And I realize that I am looking at this with two blogs possible and debating. I can only do one paid right now. I have more readers here then on the Fae Corps Blog, even though I maintain both. I may see about combining them. Making it work that way…But I want to get your opinions. Should I combine the two blogs? Expand and make it bigger and better, hopefully. or should I choose one to go paid with?

I will not be able until the first to do it, so chime in with your opinion. I am also about to ask my partner and our marketing girl. So it is not just a random ask. I am looking at options.

Whispers of the Future

The kid is asleep, So I thought I would take the time to do an update here. 2020, for all that it has sucked, has taught me a lot. I updated most of the covers on my poetry volumes this year, but I really have not looked at the interior of any of them since I published them…until recently.

Now don’t get me wrong…I did not publish anything badly, I just can clean it up and make it look a little nicer. So I have decided that is what 2021 will be. I have a full schedule with Fae Corps…We have multiple authors who have entrusted their books in our care. And there will be 3 anthologies for fae corps. I have one I am hoping to release (Wisdom: Grandmother’s Words). So instead of trying to release any new poetry volumes in 2021, I think that I am going to update and re-release my older volumes.

Changes in staff at Fae Corps is making this year coming exciting…and scary. Fae Corps is growing. We have up till now just had Cyndi and I doing whatever needed to be done. That left both of us stuck with marketing, something that neither of us are normally that good at. Now we have KT. Due to a difference in opinion we lost our consulting editor. We decided on official roles. Cyndi is our Developmental editor, I am the Copy editor. I do the Cover designs, KT does the marketing, and the scheduling. We also take projects for authors who do not choose to publish with us. Cyndi took an editing job that ended up choosing to publish with us after.

So with Fae Corps being so busy, I feel like I should plan my own writing projects to be lighter.. Not nonexistent, just lighter. Song of Shadow releases December 1st, 2020. I also am in the Coffee House Writer’s Anthology Volume 1 which is available for preorder. Serena is working hard to get stories ready for Fae Corps 2021 anthologies, and has one coming out in Circle City’s An Absurd Apocalypse. (It’s only a flash fiction, but I read it and it is cute and funny). 2020 was a busy year writing and publishing wise. I submitted to a project for Indie Blu(e) publishing which I hope to hear whether it is accepted after the first of the year. (Another small press with big talent that I want to support) So even though I am planning to do clean up on older volumes in the upcoming year…as you can see it will be a busy year.

Of Course I will still be working with Coffee House Writers, and I am still working on the two new volumes…I am just not rushing to put them out over the next year. Maybe I can do a re-release a month and see what else I can squeeze in from there.