J L Wilson

No writing done, but ideas galore

2012-02-06T05:09:00.000-08:00

I just returned from the Love Is Murder conference, which means I didn't have any time to do any writing for several days. BUT (and it's a big one, heh heh) I found the time away from my keyboard to be so very useful.

Why?

Allow me to tell you! I came up the titles for my next 3 books in my "good-bye America" series (the dystopian futuristic series). And I discovered the titles for each part of those 3 books, so 9 titles. Whee! I also had an epiphany about a couple more of my back list titles. I think I'll request the rights back and that led me to think of titles, and what do you know? I figured out titles for those AND what I want for cover art.

So stay tuned here -- looks like a busy few months coming up!

Ah, good intentions

2012-01-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I meant to update my Welcome blog on a daily basis, but alas, life intruded. I got busy.

I am going to update it twice a week from now on. When I can -- for example, I'm traveling this weekend, going to Chicago for the Love Is Murder conference. So I probably won't update it on Saturday. But by gum, I'll try to update it on Wednesday before I leave!

As to book news: I'm working on 2 new books. One is a hush-hush secret because it's part of a new, um, type of murder mystery (and that's all I'll say for now). I hope to have it out later this year. It's like Twistered, in a way. It's called Woulds and I'm very excited about it.

The other is the first book in my dystopian America series. I anticipate 7 books in all for that series, spanning three generations of one family. Yes, it's ambitious, but I'm determined. I love these characters and the story, so I'm plugging away at it.

I go back and forth between the two, and it's working very very well. I usually focus on one book at a time, but I'm finding I have a fresh approach to each book after a day or two away from it. So stay tuned here for more about Woulds -- I'm curious how it will be received (lips are zipped, no more talk!)

As reviews come in for Mist, I'll report back here on my self-publishing experiment. I haven't been disappointed so far, but I haven't been wowed yet, either. But my stories are out there so I figure, it's all good. Ever the optimist, that's me!

Just book news, not me news

2012-01-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be posting at my Welcome blog on a daily basis in 2012, updating my progress on life, writing, conquering my demons, and assorted nonsense.

I'm updating this blog as needed to give you writing news.

So if you want the latest news, go here.

If you want writing news, stay here....

11 books in 2011

2011-12-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Yep. I just tallied it up. 11 books. What the hell was I thinking? Well, in many cases, I had no choice--the publisher decided on my release dates. And with the books I self-published ... I don't know, somehow that just happened.

I am going to spend 2012 promoting these books, writing some new ones, and publishing one more book (Twistered). Then it's on to 2013, which is the 10 year anniversary of my vow to 'enter the publishing world'. That's my Big Evaluation Year, when I'll decide whether to continue on or not.

Stay tuned.

Anyway, here's the 2011 list:

January: Leap of Faith
February: Lie to Me (digital)
March: Penance (re-release of an older title)
April: Lilacs, Litigation, and Lethal Love Affairs
May: Foxgloves, Fancy Fungus, and Fatal Family Feuds

Vengeance:(re-release)

June: Daisies, Deadly Force, and Disastrous Divorce Disputes
July: Shadow of Doubt (print)

Compassion(re-release)

December: Mist (digital and print)

Lie to Me (print)

It's here!

2011-12-07T13:35:00.001-08:00

Mist is now available for purchase from Kindle and I hope to have it ready via other mediums soon (i.e., Nook, print, etc.)

Here's the Kindle link. So excited! This is my first from-scratch self-published book.

Here's a link for the printed version.

Take wings and fly!

Almost there

2011-12-03T05:08:00.001-08:00

I hope to upload Mist today and get it going on Smashwords (eventually Barnes & Noble and other outlets) as well as Kindle. The print version is going through a second proof stage. I wasn't 100% pleased with the first one.

This marks the end of my first year of my self-publishing journey. And to be honest: no, it hasn't been worth it. Don't get me wrong: I'm happy I did it. I got my History Patrol books out there with rockin' great covers. And I'm self-pubbing Mist, Twistered, and 2 more books. These are books that my former publisher might have picked up, but I doubt it. There just isn't enough romance, and you know what--I'm not into writing romance anymore.

In fact, I'm not sure I'm into writing any more. That's another topic discussed elsewhere, but suffice it to say -- this blog will be a bit quiet in the coming months. I'll still be writing and publishing, but my output has dropped dramatically and I wonder if I'll still be doing it in a few years.

I started this journey in 2004 when I promised myself I would try to get published. I get it 10 years, and 2014 is coming up fast. That's when I'm going to take a serious look back and decide if it's something I want to continue.

Until then ... on to the next book!

More books to come!

2011-11-10T15:45:00.001-08:00

I just got the covers for Mist and Twistered, both of which will release next year (dates: TBD). Here they are. Aren't they great? Now to get them formatted and ready for the world!

A quick update, to tell you what is coming

2011-10-12T05:09:00.000-07:00

The good news is, I'm busy writing and am almost done with my latest book (Righter, which is about a man who tries to set things right and who is also a writer. Punny, no?)

In January, I hope to release Mist, followed in April by Twistered, followed in August by Gilt then finishing the year in December with Righter. I'm going the Indy route with these, putting them on Smashwords, etc. I believe I will have Mist available at CreateSpace as well, because it is an awesome book with a gorgeous cover and I love it. So there.

I'll update here once a month or when I can. I'm under the gun at the Paycheck Job, we're being sued by the person who bought our old house, we're still getting settled in the new house, and I'm traveling a lot. Other than that, I've got tons of time to chat!

Trust

2011-09-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

I'm on vacation and this trip has taught me a few things about trust.

We went to a store in Ely. It's actually 2 stores (Mealey's in Ely or http://www.mealeysinely.com/). There's a gift store, then a small garden then another gift store. The 2nd store has more high-end items. The first one is just small eclectic things.

The 2nd store was closed the day we were there. I mentioned to the clerk how disappointed we were because we were traveling from out of town. "Oh, I'll unlock it for you. Go in and look around. If you find something you want, bring it over here and I'll ring it up for you."

Wow. We spent a fun time in the store, exploring everything and yes, we bought some items. Quite a few, actually.

The other 'trust' moment was today. There were 2 trust moments, actually. First was the crossing to the shore. We're staying in a cabin on a peninsula across from the shore. It's cold, windy, and choppy today on the lake. My husband and I have a small boat we use to go back and forth, but I thought today was more than we should attempt: we're not real sailors, we're just the occasional boater kind of person.

My husband said not to worry. It wasn't too choppy, we could handle it (as in "he could handle it" because I don't pilot the boat). I shut up, put on my life jacket, and got in the boat and you know what: he handled it just fine. Yes, it was bumpy and scarier than usual, but we made it.

Trust that he knows what he's doing.

And third: I went to a store in town today (the town is about 600 people big and is finally breathing a sigh of relief that tourists have left). I wanted to buy about $60 worth of merchandise for gifts, but they didn't take credit cards. So the clerk "opened an account for me" and told me to just mail the check when I get home.

I'm 500 miles away from here and he said, "Oh, just drop a check in the mail on Monday."

Trust.

I need to remember this lesson ....

Now, that's an odd experience

2011-09-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

I got a voice mail from the mail order pharmacy (part of my medical plan) last night that said they needed to verify my address. Since I recently moved to a new state, I figured, sure -- makes sense to me.

I called the 800 number this morning and got a cheerful recording. I expected that I would be directed to a menu with "Press 1 to talk to a human", "Press 2 to be annoyed for 30 minutes", and so on.

Instead I got a recording that said, "Your privacy is important ... this will be monitored .. yada yada" I listened with half an ear. Then I heard, "To be sure we're correct, is this {my name here}"?

I sat up straighter. Whoa. How did they know ... yikes. They tracked back the phone number, right? I answered "Yes". Then the recording proceeded with "We need to verify your address. Is it {my address here}?" I answered "Yes" again and I got a cheerful, "Thank you. That's all we needed. We'll process your order."

I don't know whether to be creeped out or relieved it was so easy. I mean, pizza places do a reverse lookup when I order pizza, right ("What's your phone number? Okay, is this {my address here}?") Why shouldn't medical people do it ...

But I still have the eerie feeling I am no longer in stealth mode. I've moved and now They know where I am.

Settling in

2011-08-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

I'm finally settled in the new house and getting some time to relax. I have some huge deadlines at the Paycheck Job, so that's keeping me busy, and my spare time seems to be whittled down to a minute here and there.

But hey: we're in, we like the new house, and we're finding our way around our new city. I hope to be back in a few weeks with more publishing news, a new book maybe, and some updates on my latest Work in Progress.

Until then: enjoy these final days of summer ... soon we'll be cocooned for winter!

Back in the saddle ...

2011-08-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Well, not really.

I've unpacked my office(s) and am ready to write. Yes, I have 2 offices: one for the Day Job (the Paycheck Work) and one for me and my writing. I need to keep them both separate, so although they've physically near each other, I have two desks, two rooms, and two separate lives, much as I always did -- only now, it's in the same house!

It's been hard to get into a writing groove because we are busy with Installing: new TV, new computer system, pot bins in the kitchen, rearranging cabinets, finding where boxes are ... I've only been able to steal a minute here and there for writing, which is frustrating. I want a Schedule. I want Routine.

I didn't realize how I loved my old writing routine: come home from work, do a spot of promotional work, eat dinner, relax then write. Now that my Office is near my Home Office, I feel like I'm tethered to the Paycheck Job. I have to learn to filter that out. I should be able to do that soon once the Paycheck deadlines are past.

For now ... I like it -- I like the new town, the new house, the flow of things. It's going to be fine.

If I can just find .... {insert item here ...}

I'm sure it's there somewhere!

the move is done!

2011-07-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Now it's time to unpack. Oy!

We managed to be moved as planned, but we don't have internet or phone service for a few more days. So I'm using the library to log on and get some work done.

I hope to be back up and online in a few days, at which time I'll have an update from the move saga.

Stay tuned!

Time for a breathless update

2011-07-14T04:04:00.000-07:00

Still on target to move.

Movers come on Monday. We close on the house on Wednesday. Travel to the new town on Wednesday night, close on the new house on Thursday. Hopefully into the new house by Friday.

So next week will be busy. Which means: no blogs for me! I'll be back online during the last week of July with updates galore!

Until then: enjoy the summer and relax for me.

Yep. She's busy, all right

2011-06-21T04:59:00.000-07:00

You know, I have no idea where the time has gone. Yikes.

Three books out in 3 months.

Two more books self-published.

One more book ready to upload.

Two more books to upload at the end of the year.

One more in progress.

A new series planned.

Oh, and I'm still working full-time, packing to move, and yes, I have a social life.

The merry-go-round continues! I'll try to update one web site/blog or another on a weekly basis. Until then: please do a bit of shopping (see the tab above) and have a fun summer!

So much to do, so little time!

2011-06-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

Packing to move has consumed a lot of my attention lately, but other things are zooming along nicely:

All three books in the Deadly Landscaping Romances are now out (see previous posts and the shopping link for how to find 'em).

I have Book 3 in the History Patrol series ready to upload. Will do that before I move, I think.

I'm half-done with my Work in Progress, tentatively entitled Righter. It's about a man (an author) who goes undercover as a woman at a writer's (get it? writer? righter?) conference to catch a killer and he ends up falling in love with a woman attendee there, but he's in drag, so ... it gets complicated (grin).

I've finished edits to Twistered, my "homage to the Wizard of Oz" book. I hope to upload that later this year.

I'm doing edits to Mist, my kidnapping book ("I was captured and held against my will. Then I escaped. Now it's time for my revenge"). See the cover in a previous post. I LOVE that cover.

What else? Let's see, having some health issues (chronic pain in back and hips) but the good news is we've ruled out the biggies: MS, ALS, Lyme Disease, etc. For now it's "non-specific chronic inflammatory neurological disorder" or PAIN. I can cope but I have to rest a lot. What a hassle. I'm not a resting kind of person.

Still working full-time and will be keeping my job and telecommuting when I move. I've got some major deadlines at work, so that's keeping me jumping.

Busy busy! So forgive me if I don't update here often. I appreciate you stopping and I promise, once I get moved and am no longer using a temporary desk made out of boards and packing boxes, I'll be more thorough in my updates.

Happy summer!

And the 3rd book is here, and the 3rd book is coming, and...

2011-05-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

So much news!

The third book in the Deadly Landscaping series is out in print and ~~will be~~ is now available in digital. Daisies, Deadly Force, and Disastrous Divorce Disputes wraps up the story of Charlie, Sam, and Cassie and also puts to rest some memories from Cassie's past.

And the second History Patrol book has been uploaded to Smashwords and it's available on the Kindle. Vengeance is the story of Nico Haidess, a man who was infected with an immortality virus and has waited 200 years to get his revenge on the man who infected him. Now his time has come -- but Nico may have to kill the woman he loves in order to get revenge.

And I just got the new covers for a mystery coming out later this year ("Mist") and for the third History Patrol book, coming out later this summer.

Oh, and I'm moving -- and packing like a crazy person. Two months and counting. So I won't be updating my web site as often because I'm a bit harried right now. But I'll be back with news when I can!

Book 2 is available in download!

2011-05-04T04:06:00.000-07:00

Foxgloves is now ready for your downloading pleasure!

When the download is available, it's official: the book is out!

Mobile People: This One's for You

2011-05-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

Here are links to other slogs (web site blogs) that describe my work. These links appear in a sidebar on my current slog, but you may not see them if you're using a mobile device.

Fantasy/Paranormal

Time Travel

Mystery

My Amazon 'store'

Check my mystery page for lots of news

2011-04-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

Check my mystery link for info about The Deadly Landscaping Romances. Two books are ready for your ordering pleasure!

It's here -- LILACS!

2011-04-01T03:45:00.000-07:00

The first book in the Deadly Landscaping series is here -- I'm so excited because this is the first time this publisher decided to do a series, so I hope it does well (hint, hint. Shop early. Shop often).

It's available at my Amazon store (http://astore.amazon.com/jlwi-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=1) and of course, from my publisher. I'll have all the links when it "officially" releases next week, but for now -- it's there!

Another great cover!

2011-03-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Woo! Got the new cover for my next time travel adventure:

Now to get the book formatted and ready to upload. My self-publishing adventures continue!

Ah, upsy, downsy life

2011-03-15T03:21:00.000-07:00

We're house-hunting remotely (in a location 300 miles away) and have been diligently searching the Internet (thank you, bing.com/maps) for the perfect place.

We drove to the area last weekend and met with our realtor and saw 4 houses. We almost settled on one. ALMOST. We discovered a major road project may take place there in the upcoming years. Since we plan to live there for 20 years (hopefully), are we ready to gamble on losing our beautiful wooded lot to a freeway?

This really tells you where your priorities lie, doesn't it? Do we go with the great house on the beautiful lot and hope for the best? Or do we back off and think twice, three times, then say 'no.'

We're still waffling while searching for more houses. No rush on this, our house isn't on the market, there's no urgent need to move. It's a 'want', not a 'need'.

But boy, I liked that house...

My first self-pubbed book is here!

2011-03-09T08:30:00.001-08:00

Whoo!

Penance is available on Amazon, right here:

It was very, very easy to do to get it uploaded. I'm still waiting to get it 'approved' in Smashwords, which means it will then be available in multiple formats (.epub, .mobi, etc.)

So stay tuned -- the ride has begun!

Activity update

2011-03-01T03:24:00.000-08:00

Here we are, March 1, and what am I working on?

I've finished the first draft of Mist, a new romantic suspense book.

I'm almost done with Gilt, another RS book.

I've submitted the ms of my time travel book, Penance, to the formatter so I can get it uploaded to Smashwords.

I've gone to one conference so far this year and have another one coming up in April and one in June.

I have 3 books coming out back-to-back,starting in April/May/June.

And I'm moving -- or hoping to move.

Busy enough? Toss in a full-time job, and life is pretty hectic.

As always, if you really want to know what's happening, check my newsletter (click that "News" tab in the menu bar and you'll see links to the newsletter).

Updates to follow on all points ... soon!

Excellent class today!

2011-02-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

I teach a one-morning intensive workshop through the local Community Ed group and I did my "Publish, Don't Perish" class today. Great questions from the participants and, as always, teaching about writing always fires me up to write -- which is great since it appears I'll be snowbound tomorrow! It was just what I needed to kick me into high gear on the book I'm writing.

And another thing that's exciting -- I got the cover for the first of my History Patrol books which I'll be self-publishing soon. That cover is now on the Time Travel portion of this web site/blog, so check it out. I'm pumped! I love it. Can't wait to start work with the artist on the second book in the series. And I can't wait to get that first book "out there."

Check the Writing Tips tab for details about my writing class, my class notes, and more. It's all there -- enjoy it, use it, and if you have questions -- just send me an email to jaye@jayellwilson.com. I'm always around on the World Wide Web someplace!

And check my monthly blog at Savvy Authors: http://tinyurl.com/4lze5y5 in which I kvetch about life, writing, and web site woes.

Voting is open: vote now!

2011-02-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

You can now cast your vote (daily, if you want to) for Homicide, Hostages, and Hot Rod Restorations as LASR's (Long and Short Reviews) Best Book of the Year.

Vote early! Vote often!

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm

Woo-hoo! Lots of News!

2011-02-02T03:30:00.000-08:00

Three exciting pieces of news!

I just found out that my latest paranormal release, Leap of Faith, got a 4-star review from RT. Isn't that great? I didn't even know they were reviewing me, so when I found out it was a 4-star review, well, shucks -- I'm excited! Here's the review in case you'd like to read it.

Secondly, Lie To Me, my cross-country train trip book ("...a blind date from hell leads to a little bit of heaven"), is available for download from Resplendence. Woot! Cool cover, hmm?

Here's the blurb for this fun book:

Grace Jamison has always been unlucky in love but this is ridiculous. What was supposed to be a blind date has turned into an FBI sting operation, complete with handsome Special Agent Ben Braden, a train ride and chase through the Badlands, and a final confrontation at a safe house—which turned out to be not so safe. If she can survive that, she can probably survive having her heart broken by Ben...unless she can convince him to take a chance on love.

And News #3

Just when I thought it was all in the past, a book from last year sneaks up and surprises me! Homicide, Hostages, and Hot Rod Restorations was nominated for Best Book of the Year -- how cool is that!

The book released early last year and I didn't even realize it had received a "Best Book" designation from Long and Short Reviews. That put it in the running for Best Book of the Year.

Voting starts in mid-February, so you'll hear from me then -- cast your vote for H3R2 and may the Best Book win!

What's New?

2011-01-25T10:25:00.000-08:00

I lost my web site in December -- it's a long story best told over a drink sometime. Suffice it to say my hosting company decided not to host me.

So I've been scrambling for a month or more to create a new site (since my old one was due for an update anyway). As I did so, I realized I liked the convenience of updating a blog rather than a web site. So I create this Slog to keep track of my books (and me).

So what's new? I'm off to my first conference of the year. I'll be in Chicago at the Love Is Murder conference for a few days. When I get back, you'll see a new tab on this page for photos from the conference.

I also have a book releasing in February -- at least, I think I do. I haven't gotten an exact release date yet, so when I get it (and a final cover), they'll be posted here ASAP.

Until then -- browse around and tell me if you like what I've done. Heck, tell me even if you don't like it. I'm open-minded...