Hey ,
This is the monthly Thursday NL for S.M. McCoy for all things fantastical sci-fi fantasy and paranormal adventures with a splash of romance.
If you are on this NL it is because you joined a giveaway, grabbed a copy of My Abett, Kingdom of Acatalec, or spotted my Divine series around and thought that author seems cool, and I would like to stay in touch!
Cover Reveal of Taking Medusa!
I was used by the gods.
A monster to:
Display
F*ck
Slay
Kidnapped by mermaids, I've killed Triton's daughter of the Coral Sea, and am destined by the fates to die, but they don't know who I am.
I'll be the ruin of them all.
I'll expose who the true monsters are.
The dark gods will rise.
I am Medusa.
And my story will be told.
This book is currently in beta and recruiting ARC readers. You can apply to join this team with Google Forms here: https://forms.gle/HZR5h9YdbnG9f3xk6
Check out this week's Featured Indie Kindle Unlimited Temptation!
Over 100+ reviews averaging 4.4 stars!
I just made a mistake that might cost me my freedom.
Gray was charming and kind. I was falling in love with him until I found out he lied to me about who he was. He works for the king who enslaved me as a child. Now Gray’s always one step behind me. I can’t shake him. It’s not just me I have to worry about. I have a secret, one that we created together. I’ll do anything to protect my child.
Fate brought us together.
Aurora is my soul mate. I never meant to hurt her. I catch up to her just in time to save her from an attack by our common enemy. The orion plan to kill me and enslave her. When we crash land on a strange planet we come to a tentative truce. I need her to trust me, but the secrets I keep would scare her away. Can I protect her without losing her forever?
A daughter discovers the source of her own false memories in a world where thoughts take physical form in “The Drawer”.
A driver for hire dissatisfied with the monotony of life finds that there’s still fantasy and magic to be had in the world when he encounters a passenger from another world in “The Ambassador”.
A circus comes to town and brings with it intrigue, nostalgia, and a strange twist of the real and unreal in the “Shangaville Circus” tales.
And in “Divine January”, the roles of predator and prey are not quite what they seem.
Take a journey through these fourteen evocative stories and discover what happens when the mind wanders, drifts, and creates, in “Maladaptive."
Indie Highlight
Sparks fly when an alien soldier and an enemy spy must work together to win a war...
Jori Harek is a loyal Synnr soldier.
He's determined to get to the bottom of Apsyn treachery and root out the rot before the enemies make any more headway onto his home moon. It's a job he's proud to do, but when he's asked to infiltrate a gang of Apsyn sympathizers, his limits are tested.
Hanna Karsyn is a reformed Apsyn spy.
When Hanna finds out just how far her superiors were willing to go to win the war, she walked straight into the arms of the Synnr military... and straight into a holding cell. Her only chance at freedom lies in helping Jori infiltrate a gang and uncover a cell of saboteurs.
Though there's no time for romance, each moment Jori and Hanna spend together creates an unquenchable blaze between them - one neither can deny, even as their passion puts both of their futures at risk.
This is available wide, B&N, Amazon, Audio (not KU): Check it out in Kate's author store: Synnr’s Ride – Kate Rudolph
Author Updates:
Once the beta readers finish reading through Taking Medusa, I'll send out an email to all ARC members. So, if you've already applied, no need to reapply, I will be emailing everyone at once on June 1st.
I've always been fascinated with the monsters of myth, especially the ones used in hero triumph, quests, and the like. I mean, most of the "monsters" were hunted down in myth, heroes went out of their way to kill them and conquer because a god told them to.
Medusa didn't go out of her way to kill men, even in all the stories she was minding her own business and they came to her home, her cave of hiding, to kill her, take her, to use her. Did they want her blood, her head, her eyes, or whatever else she had that they thought would give them her power? And what? All because another goddess was jealous, or upset that Medusa didn't do something they demanded of her? Didn't sleep with a god? Didn't use her power for their purposes? Or because some other bad guy was set on using Medusa's power for themselves, and demi-gods seeking the approval of their godly parent wanted to prove their worth by killing her and bringing her head as an offering?
Well, perhaps Medusa isn't the monster after all?
What do we think of the cover? It was a premade that I was able to get a few tweaks to and it fit the book so perfectly I couldn't resist picking it up. Honestly, this is probably the only reason why this book is being launched this year instead of waiting until my other series is completed.
I have quite a few finished drafts of books in my writer's bank, from vampire romances, werewolf romances, fae romances, and more. I set them aside focusing on the projects in front of me so that a project is completed before moving on, while still working on many projects at once, don't ask me how it all works for me. My brain just can't stay still, and if I try to tame it more than I already have, it will probably lead to it shutting down all production instead of having a constant stream of story.
And it's occasions such as this when something fits so perfectly that it's like the universe telling me it is time to let it see the world.
So.... because of a remarkably accurate premade cover, we now have Taking Medusa early, I was considering saving it for a larger publishing contract, but I've been soured to contracts in general, so I'm really glad I didn't take the time to submit it to more than 2 agents (1 declined, and the other requested a partial manuscript, but you know how those things go, it can take YEARS before they even attempt to read it, and it wasn't long after I submitted that Covid hit.
Then I was planning on working on polishing this one and launching it next year after finishing book two Acatalec Chosen of the Kingdom of Acatalec Series. But, as some of you know, I was discouraged on the Acatalec series due to my lack of control with it under contract. A lack of control wouldn't be so much of a problem if I felt like someone else was taking control and prioritizing marketing for the book that in my soul, I truly feel could be a great movie one day, with a fan base not unlike the ACOTAR craze, but different.
But to me, it feels like the book is just one book sitting amongst a pile of others hoping to see it stick to the wall of interest somewhere with the power of reader magic that it will mystically lift from the pile and throw itself into the air and fly.
Not that I would complain if this happened, but I'm a realist and I know there are plenty of awesome books that sit out there unread and languishing in a pit of undiscoverability.
I know that most small authors like me see success because they attract readers that rally for them, true supporters that read their work, love it, and share it with everyone that will listen. Word of mouth, word of TikTok, word of Instagram reels because they took the time to share their love because they want other readers to experience the world that they enjoy and have someone to share that with and relive the fantasy, the adventure through them.
I finished my first draft of book two Acatalec Chosen and set it aside, and I keep going back and forth on polishing it, revising it, for release because how can I bring in new readers and make the launch successful for book two when I have no control over book one and the ability to push marketing efforts on it that don't involve me essentially being a vanity press by paying more money in marketing than I see in sales of the book, basically paying people to read it because I share profits with a publisher?
So, I've considered a couple of different options for continuing the Acatalec Chosen book two...
1) wait until my other books (such as Taking Medusa) fund the amount of money required to release my contract terms and gain back my rights to book one (In which case I will republish book one with new art cover, added bonus content, and essentially create an updated/improved special version for publication.)
2) Do a fundraising campaign on my author store or Kickstarter which will basically be a pre-order of a special edition relaunch of Kingdom of Acatalec bundled with book two Acatalec Chosen (which would have a different name, new cover art, new scenes, new edits, special launch goals/unlocked swag such as stickers, art prints, and more to fund the release of my book's rights.) Essentially, pre-ordering a book box with special duology, swag goodies, to help me launch book two, but also revert rights of book one back to me.
3) rework/edit book two to be a standalone that doesn't require reading book one, so that I may launch book two without worry about gaining new readers for book one before gaining new readers for book two because I can safely tell them that book one is enjoyable but not necessary to the enjoyment of book two?
I know I have quite a few dedicated readers on this newsletter who are excited to know what happens next in the Kingdom of Acatalec series, and I'd love for you to email me and let me know what your thoughts are on these options? Would you be interested in a special edition book that had both Kingdom of Acatalec and book two Acatalec Chosen bundled together in a fancy hardcover? With new art, swag stickers, bookmark, and more? Perhaps do a Kickerstarter?
I've seen quite a few indies find success with a Kickstarter campaign, or a Patreon. What are your thoughts?
~Chat later!
Indie Kindle Unlimited:
A missing mother. A magical birthright. Can she uncover the secrets of her family legacy before the bloodline runs dry?
My name is Chrystal Dylan, and I was born with the worst super power ever, a lightning rod for supernatural energy that attracts vampires like cat nip to feed from. Nothing like being an all you can eat buffet, until one decided to “save” me from that fate by triggering my transition into the very thing killing me.
Considering that was the least of my problems, I have a Council looking to eliminate all anomalies threatening to expose them to the human world, it just so happens that I’m one of them, and so is my best friend Victor. I won’t go down without some answers, including what they did with my mom.
Blood Crescent is the first novel in the exhilarating Divine Series of YA paranormal fantasies. If you like hidden magical realms, fresh new takes on vampire lore, and heartfelt journeys of self-discovery, then you’ll love this spellbinding coming-of-age tale.
NEW RELEASE Her Alien Prince on KU!
Released May 1st 2023 and already over 60 Reviews with a 4.4 average rating!
"I wasn't expecting it to be perfection, but it practically was. The writing, the depth, the detail, the storyline, the characters...it all was so amazing. Easily near the top of my favorite books of all time. I could re-read this many times. The uniqueness of the characters is fantastic." - Amazon Reviewer
"Alien romances are my favorite genre or romance as of recently and this is going to be added to my “favorites” list. " - Amazon Reviewer
https://books.steviemarie.com/heralienprince
Thank you for being part of my author tribe! Chat later!
Kingdom of Acatalec
Support the future books by checking out Kingdom of Acatalec, or even reading through the Divine Series or checking out my new pen name Sky Robert.
Request Kingdom of Acatalec in your library! Or grab from all the places here:
https://books2read.com/u/4Ajr8e
Kingdom of Acatalec is now in the following digital Library systems:
Allen County Public Library
Howard County Library System
Mauney Memorial Library
Kingdom of Acatalec is a fantasy adventure set in a futuristic world with deadly drone races, a kingdom with a mysterious secret that could end both civilizations, and along the way you have two magical dudes that she crushes on, but she's got more important things to do like survive this new world with the skills she's honed through adversity.
https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Acatalec-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0B4V9867P/
Magical world of aliens, check.
Lots of secrets, and world building check, and check.
Mystery, murder, and lies... Absolutely!
The romance takes longer to develop, yup.
MC is in a wheelchair, and that doesn't stop her from kicking ass, YESSSS!
It starts off slow, then takes off like a rocket and sucks you into the new world of Acatalec, full of adventure, romance, magic, and a futuristic Seattle with sciencey possibilities like drones as the future of transportation, brain implants like what we see Elon Musk engineering, and contact lenses that connect with it.
Here's what people have been saying about the book so far!
Go start reading/listening to Kingdom of Acatalec . Available in all the places books/stuffage is sold including Kindle, Audible and more! Even request the book at your local library! I would absolutely love it if you did that!
Kingdom of Acatalec: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4V9867P
Already read the book? Thank you from the bottom of my squishy heart, please share your thoughts on all the places readers gather, even on your favorite Facebook groups! Many indie authors such as myself are not allow to self-promote on many groups, so your word of mouth means everything!
Review Kingdom of Acatalec on Amazon -- BookBub -- GoodReads
Review My Abett The Prequel on Amazon -- BookBub -- GoodReads
Don't forget to dig out your free book My Abett and give it a read, you can devour it in under 2 hours for a small reality escape.
You can read My Abett with Kindle Unlimited to help support the universe of Acatalec, or fish it out of your readers from downloading your freesies copy from Bookfunnel 🥰💞
Grab My Abett for freesies: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/pzx6j7x29n
Read My Abett on KU or become a verified reader for 1.99 to help support the next book in the Acatalec Series: https://www.amazon.com/My-Abett-Fantasy-Adventure-Acatalec-ebook/dp/B0B72GF5DJ/
Did you enjoy reading My Abett? Consider leaving a review on the zon, or on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61872483-my-abett
This book takes place before Kingdom of Acatalec, but I wrote if after, so reading it first does change how you read this book, as information is revealed that isn't known in book one.
~Stevie, author of all things fantasical and otherworldly adventurous, mom of a few humans in training... including my hubby. Overall booknerd, and yes... I am writing this in my pjs. Why not?
This Newsletter is weekly on Thursdays! But I can move you to the monthly, if you'd like to hear from me less often. Just reply to this email saying "monthly".
And last but not least!
My Launch of pen name Sky Robert:
What if there was an alien exchange program for humans to visit other planets? And one of those hunky aliens happens to be your fated mate?
Join my Sky Robert Newsletter and Read Freesies Today!
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Check out Kingdom of Acatalec: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4V9867P
Check out the Divine Series:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MB9JJ7K
Check out the Treasures of Trillume Series:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSRBF8T9
Disclaimer: Sometimes, not all the time, I do use affiliate links, at no cost to you, and I only recommend or promote things that I personally trust, checked out, want to read or have read myself. Books that I myself would share with friends and family. I do not sell your email/information.
I also do not buy/spam emails. If you are on this newsletter it is because you clicked a marketing consent when you entered a sponsored giveaway for books, grabbed a free copy of one of my books, read one of my books, saw me on socials and thought, hey that person seems like my kind of weird and decided to click that join newsletter to find out more. Affiliate codes help support this newsletter and future books.
If you're here it is because you wanted to join me in book rants, and if you don't want to anymore you are free to unsubscribe at any time, and also welcome to return at any time as well. I think that covers things... if I missed something feel free to email me.
I am a human behind these strange goings ons, so welcome to the weird, the strange, the fantastical, and all the book love I can give.
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