Hey ,
Without books, I'd probably be divorced, and unhappily driving any friends I had towards insanity.
Like the subject suggests, relationships are tough, and marriage especially, but the toughest relationship I have is with myself.
Wait? What did she just say?
Yes, I said with myself.
I'm probably not alone in this, but books really do save lives. They help us work through emotional stresses, and they help us express feelings within ourselves that we don't always get to explore.
But mostly, for me anyways, fantasy and sci-fi adventures can really help with mental health, confidence and self-acceptance.
I'm not a psychologist, my few courses in psych don't make me qualified to cure your brains or anything, but I will say that without books, without reading them, writing them, and devouring them, I wouldn't be as happy, and according to some strange people... "well adjusted"? perhaps?
I'm not sure about that one, since I've pretty much accepted my weirdness, and that's really what I'm trying to say. Escaping into different worlds where I can meet people who are able to stand up for themselves, make the tough calls to put themselves in danger when people's lives are at stake, and process my own feelers while characters work through their inner turmoils.
The characters get beat down, which is how I feel sometimes, and I heal as they claw their way to victory!
It also gives me power I don't feel I have in my own life.
I will be clear, I'm not unhappy, but I do suffer from episodes of depression where I have a lack of desire to do anything, and my whole life feels worthless, and like the world would be better off if I weren't in it. I even push back against people I know love me, because I feel unworthy of the love. I just want to be alone, and wallow in self-pity. There really isn't any "trigger" for this, at least not that I've found. It's just a feeling that overwhelms me, and I'm lucky that I'm self-aware that the feeling will pass, and I am also FULLY aware that this feeling is not based in reality. I'm not revealing my mental troubles for sympathy, nor for a backward way of seeking affirmations.
Sometimes this feeling can last weeks, but when I'm asked "what's wrong" I have created a habit of saying, "Nothing is wrong, I'm just depressed right now."
What gets me through this? What helps me get out of bed in the morning besides knowing another human being relies on me functioning for their own survival?
Writing the next book. And when I can't even adult enough through my feelers to do that... reading and escaping into a fictional world, watching characters crawl out of situations that, if I were them, I would fail miserably at, but through them... I AM loved, I am strong, I am MAGICAL.
My world can disappear, and it's so much easier to work through other people's problems than my own, so I pick up a book.
And I'm able to push through.
Knowing this too shall pass.
Until then I can be a bad ass drone pilot, wishing my boss had a crush on me like I do him, and get sucked into a magically dangerous race to save my best friend from mobsters, who are actually aliens from a parallel world connected with Earth! Someone is trying to kill me, and I don't know who to trust, but there's a whole new world to explore.
Deadly drone races, check.
Mundane futuristic Seattle life merges into a fantastical journey into a world of magical aliens? Yes, and yes!
Slow burn romance, check.
Do you like sci-fi fantasy mashups?
I'm proud to say that Kingdom of Acatalec has a 4.7 average rating on Amazon, and many people have told me that they lost sleep listening, or reading, the book not realizing how much time had passed, until... the book was finished.
It's an honor to have helped people escape into this world I created in my mind.
And a little insight into Tyler, the MC, there is a big underlying theme of her character that takes a chunk of the issues I have with a lack of control over my life and spins it on its tit. What if I had all the control I could ever want... would that make me happier? Or is that the kind of wish you wished you'd never make? Can you trust anything, when everyone bends to your will?
Kingdom of Acatalec is available in all the places. Don't want to spend any money? I would be honored to have you request the book at your local library!
I'll make another newsletter on libraries soon. But, here is the link to all the places! https://books2read.com/u/4Ajr8e
Prefer Amazon? https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Acatalec-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0B4V9867P/
Kingdom of Acatalec is on Audiobook too!
If you have the BookFunnel app, you can grab the audiobook direct from me on my PayHip store to support the next book in the series! Listen in your browser, the app, or anywhere for $6.95 https://payhip.com/b/972wA
Don't forget that free book you got when you joined this newsletter! Treasure hunt for it in your e-reader! My Abett: A sci-fi fantasy adventure romance
I honestly think the prequel is more enjoyable after you read book one, but the way it's written you can read it before or after. So, if you like a short novella to get your feet wet into Acatalec, then get cozy, you can read it all in one sitting!
Thank you for supporting the Acatalec Series, and if you've read it already, I'd love to know your thoughts on it!
"I was fortunate to listen to this book on Spotify and loved it. The twist and turn, the action, the drones and the sexy man’s ooohh. Until a task is complete, don’t trust Anyone, you will be sorry. I cannot wait for the next chapter of the series, right now I don’t know who I’m rooting for out of the men who wants Ms. Tyler." - 5-star review from Wilnise
Thank you, Wilnise! I'm so glad you loved it! And thank you, , for being part of my author journey!
~Stevie (Author of stuff and things, mom of humans in training, including my husband.)
PS: Did you enjoy this email?
Also, there is literally something for everyone in this Portal to another world book fair. Werecats, alien romances, magical sword and sorcery tales, hard sci-fi space adventures, Like Archangel Down in the year 2432, humans think they are alone... they're wrong. Most popular download is Return of the Grail King a King Arthur retelling mixed with even some Egyptian myths in there! Go check out the book fair.
PS: If you like Fae Fantasy Adventure Romance... Less sci-fi, more portal to another magical realm with fae lore, and a bad ass female who throws daggers super accurately... I'm close to having Heart of Darkness ready, and I'll be launching it this year!
Coming 2023
A looming war between fae queens, humans, and the darkness. A knife-throwing strong female lead, soul mates, and a hidden prophecy that could end everything.
Being unclaimed in Faery was dangerous.
But, being the messenger of an impending war meant I couldn’t be tethered to anyone. Not even if the fae who dragged me into this mess was dark, brooding, and hard to resist.
Prophecies were a nag, and I was destined to find the future ruler of the Fae Courts so they could lead the fae into battle against the encroaching darkness that the queens were keeping secret.
Problem, neither queen wants a change in leadership, and if they knew my awakening of fae magic would end their rule, then staying unclaimed would be easy… I’d be dead.
Too bad for them, my lack of magical talent gave me plenty of time for combat training, and I was ready for a fight. To keep myself from being claimed, and to make sure Faery found their lost leader so they could keep their drama away from the Mortal Realm and keep my sister Chey safe.
Books by S.M. McCoy
Divine Series Available in Kindle Unlimited and Audible: (YA Dark Vampire Fantasy) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MB9JJ7K
Acatalec Series Available wide including available for libraries: (Adult Sci-fi Fantasy Adventure)
https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Acatalec-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0B4V9867P/
Coming Soon:
Dark Hearts Series: (Fae Fantasy Adventure Romance)
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