Year of the Geek

Happy New Year! A little bit belated, but it was a busy start to the year. If that's a sign what 2020 is bringing me, I do hope it's a very productive kind of busy!

This year, I'm skipping the writing goals. I'm going to be kind to myself. I had a rough 2019. My productivity was near nil. Lots going on outside of my writing life distracted me, and my muse had dug in her heels with what I wanted to write. After a lot of inner reflection, I realized it was because of my frustrations with certain tropes and subgenres in romance that were holding me back. Yet I wanted to stick it out and push forward, but I couldn't. My muse was offended and refused to work.

So I'm stepping back from writing strictly romance. In fact, I'm going to not write to market anymore. I'm going to write the silly stories that I enjoy. Once I finally accepted this, much of my anxiety lifted and my muse started gleefully playing around with story ideas again.

I've started researching and creating ideas for a LitRPG novel. What's LitRPG? It's fiction based on a game becoming reality for the protagonist. The most popular example is Jumanji. People get sucked into a game world and must complete the objectives to be free. The game mechanics must be very clear and real life must mesh with fantasy life. My mojo is flowing again. And I'm having fun. I missed having fun when it comes to writing.

I'm also playing around with cozy mystery ideas. Something geeky. Yes, 2020 is going to be the year to celebrate the geek in me. I even got a tattoo on New Year's Eve to commemorate it!

( I do realize it's upside down!)

What will this year be for you?

New covers, website, and lessons learned #writerslife

First new cover!

Fearless finally has a cover it deserves! Though I'm already itching to make another. I'm telling myself to wait until next year. I need to get some writing done!

The book got a little boost in downloads when I changed the cover on Amazon, but it has settled back into its normal rank. It does all right. It always has downloads every month, but does it convince readers to buy my other books? I don't think so.

Writer Lesson #1: Times have changed. Free books do not lead to sales of your other books.

The TOTEM series!

I LOVE these new covers for the TOTEM series. I spent much more time on them than I anticipated, but it was worth it. The covers are much more urban fantasy than the previous ones.

There have been no bumps up in sales when I changed the covers and the keywords on Amazon. Yet I haven't done any promoting either.

Writer Lesson #2: A great cover and a fantastic story aren't going to sell books. Promotion is key. If you have the means, buy ads.

Feeling quirky!

For the Sasquatch Susies trilogy, I was inspired by my cozy mystery friends. I love their simple and fun covers. These were easy to make and I really love them. I'm going to do up new covers in this style for my other erotica titles. But next year. Need to write.

Writer Lesson #3: Write first. All the other author business can come later.

I've also been fussing around with my website. I left the hosting company and that was a mess. They'd been perfectly fine until I expressed my desire to leave and take my domain name with me. I finally managed to get my domain name from them and registered it with another host. It was half as cheap, and I was feeling good. Then I discovered that if I want to actually use my domain name with my new host, I'm going to have pay more for it. They didn't say this upfront. I had to go digging for it. And the price to use my domain name with them was much more than my former host.

I'm not paying that much money just to attach my domain name to a site. BUT my domain is registered with them, and I can't change that fact for 60 days. I can't even get a refund.

So I've currently moved to a free site on Wix. It will likely be my permanent site from here on out. I like the way it's designed, and it's easy to use. I'm also going to stay here on Blogger for a while. I need to get around to catching up with everyone!

Two lessons learned here.

Writer Lesson #4: Always read the fine print, even when you have to dig for it or ask. Ask for the details even if you don't think there is anything else to know.

Writer Lesson #5: I surveyed several author friends, and many feel that readers don't go to author websites anymore. It isn't essential to have your own site these days. (Don't waste money on your own domain name!) Usually only writers check out other writers' websites. Being present on social media is important, but an Amazon page or a Facebook page is enough as a home base.

It's been a while, but I'm writing again. It's a short Samhain story for my pen name, but at least it's something!

What lessons have you learned lately that you would like to share?

Poisoned by the Pier Release - Interview with Mrs. Moto

Please welcome the wonderful Ellen Jacobson and the incredibly smart, adorable Mrs. Moto!

An Interview with Mrs. Moto—The Feline Star of Poisoned by the Pier

Readers sometimes tell me that their favorite character in my Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mysteries is Mrs. Moto, a calico Japanese bobtail cat. And that makes total sense—because she’s utterly adorable! In fact, I think I could write an entire book just about her. Who needs a plot when you have a cat in your book?

As part of the celebration for the release of the latest book in the series, Poisoned by the Pier, I asked Mrs. Moto if she wouldn’t mind being interviewed. After all, she’s become quite the cozy mystery celebrity. Here’s what she had to say.

Interview with Mrs. Moto

1 – Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My humans, Mollie and Scooter McGhie, adopted me (you can read more about that in Murder at the Marina). We live on a sailboat at the Palm Tree Marina in Florida. I spend my days chasing lizards, visiting people on their boats, napping, and making sure my humans always have plenty of cans of Frisky Feline Ocean’s Delight on board. Oh, yeah, I help solve mysteries.

2 – What role do you play in solving the murder mysteries?

Mollie would be lost without me. Sometimes, a clue can be staring her in the face, but she won’t see it unless I point it out to her. People have said that I’m the best clue-finding cat in the business.

3 – Star Wars or Star Trek?

While Data has a cat, Spot, in Star Trek: The Next Generation, I’m going to have to go with Star Wars. Mollie likes Star Wars too. So much in fact that her cake baking competition and pet costume competition entries in the Coconut Cove Boating Festival are based on the original movie. You’ll have to read Poisoned by the Pier to find out more.

4 – Do you like sailing?

Like many other Japanese bobtail cats, I love the water. Unfortunately, our boat needs repairs, so we haven’t been out on her yet. But I do manage to sneak aboard other boats and go out sailing.

5 – How did you get the name Mrs. Moto?

I have black markings around my eyes which resemble eyeglasses. The owner of the marina, Ned Schneider, said that they reminded him of the lead character in the old Mr. Moto movies starring Peter Lorre who played a detective. And I’m kind of a feline detective, so it works.

6 – What else do you want us to know?
 

That I like to have my belly rubbed. Also, you should read my books. The book covers read “The Mollie McGhie Sailing Mysteries,” but they really should say “The Mrs. Moto Mysteries.” I’ll need to do something about getting that sorted out. But, first it’s time for another nap.

 Poisoned by the Pier Now Available!

Poisoned by the Pier, the third book in the Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery series, is now available in ebook, paperback, and large print.

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google Play

When Mollie's husband signs the two of them up for an extreme diet, she's not amused. When someone ends up poisoned by a cake, things get even worse.

While she tries to identify the killer, Coconut Cove’s annual boating festival is in full swing. In between getting ready for her first sailing race and cheating on her diet, Mollie and her cat, Mrs. Moto, uncover clues, interview suspects, and do their best to avoid rutabagas.

Can Mollie nab the killer before someone else is poisoned?

If you like quirky characters, adorable cats, and plenty of chocolate, you'll love this cozy mystery. Pick up a copy of Poisoned by the Pier and laugh out loud from the first page to the last.

New to the Series?

If you're new to the series, you might want to start with Murder at the Marina. Now is the perfect opportunity as the ebook is on sale for 99c/99p for a limited time.

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google Play

About the Author

Ellen Jacobson lives on a sailboat with her husband and an imaginary cat named Simon. When she isn't working on boat projects or seeking out deserted islands, she writes cozy mysteries and sci-fi/fantasy stories.

Connect with Ellen on her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Blog

You can also sign up for her newsletter for updates about new releases, current projects, sales and promotions, and other fun stuff.

It's Summertime and there's a Murder at the Marina

I'm so excited to be celebrating the wonderful Ellen Jacobson's new release, Murder at the Marina today. I had the honor of receiving an ARC, and this cozy mystery hooked me completely. I laughed out loud so many times! You can read my review HERE.

The story takes place at a marina with a small sailing community in the summer. Summer is my least favorite season. I know that shocks a lot of people, but I don't handle the heat well. I much prefer it to be chilly. I'm also very fair, and I burn within 15 minutes of being out under the sun. Burn and freckle!

There is one thing that has recently made me look forward to the summer, though. That is Camp Brosius. It's a family camp tucked away beside a lake in Wisconsin. There's plenty to keep the kids busy and a variety of activities for the adults. Plus loads of family fun. You can also choose to do absolutely nothing. Just lounge by the lake and read.

Last year was our first year at Camp Brosius. I hadn't relaxed so hard in a decade! We want to make this an annual family trip. It's the type of summer vacation I want my son to remember fondly when he grows up. Maybe the type of vacation he wants to bring his family on some day.

* * * * *

A dilapidated sailboat for your anniversary—not very romantic. A dead body on board—even worse.

Mollie McGhie is hoping for diamonds for her tenth wedding anniversary. Instead, her husband presents her with a dilapidated sailboat. Just one problem—she doesn’t know anything about boats, nor does she want to.

When Mollie discovers someone murdered on board, she hopes it will convince her husband that owning a boat is a bad idea. Unfortunately, he’s more determined than ever to fix the boat up and set out to sea.

Mollie finds herself drawn into the tight-knit community living at Palm Tree Marina in Coconut Cove, a small town on the Florida coast. She uncovers a crime ring dealing in stolen marine equipment, investigates an alien abduction, eats way too many chocolate bars, adopts a cat, and learns far more about sailing than she ever wanted to.

Can Mollie discover who the murderer is before her nosiness gets her killed?

A Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery #1

Buy Links:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (CA) | Amazon (UK) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple iBooks | Google Play

Author Bio: 

Ellen Jacobson writes mystery and sci-fi/fantasy stories. She is the author of the “Mollie McGhie Sailing Mystery” series. She lives on a sailboat with her husband, exploring the world from the water. When she isn't working on boat projects or seeking out deserted islands, she blogs about their adventures at The Cynical Sailor.

Sail away with Ellen here:

Author Website - https://ellenjacobsonauthor.com/

Author Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/EllenJacobsonAuthor/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17395138.Ellen_Jacobson

The Cynical Sailor Blog - http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/

The Cynical Sailor Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/TheCynicalSailor/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ellen__Jacobson

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Grand prize winner for my Realms Faire event & Review for A Guilty Ghost Surprised

Realms Faire 2013 was a great success!

Thank you to everyone who participated. We hope you had lots of fun. A special thank you to all the wonderful authors for hosting the games, and especially to Mary Pax for organizing it all.

Cheers and HUZZAH!

The grand prize winner of my Soak-a-bloke / Drench-a-wench event is: Chris Fries

Congratulations to Chris!

Blurb:

An Angel Among Us

Paranormal happenings at the Eady household are the norm. Recently, things have become downright peculiar. Childish giggles at odd hours of the night lead Indigo Eady to her little cousin, Bryan, a guileless cherub spirit, complete with Spider Man pajamas and a set of faux angel wings. The problem is that Bryan died nearly three years ago in a hit and run that killed him and his mum. The driver was never found. Now the gang must solve the mystery of his death in order to send him back to heaven. But where to start when the trail is three years cold?

Indigo Eady

Indigo Eady is not clumsy. At least, that’s what she keeps telling everyone. Can she help that the overactive spirit community of Sabrina Shores causes her psychic abilities to short-circuit? It’s unfortunate that her cute friend Badger is often on the receiving end of her mishaps. At times, she is positively hazardous to his health. Even so, sparks fly in more than one direction.

My review:

After her father's death, Indigo has had little time to grieve and let go. Especially moving across the ocean to live with her uncle and cousin Simon. Her own sorrows must be pushed back again when they come upon the third anniversary of the death of Simon's mother and little brother. The little angel comes back, and they must find out why. Indigo and the gang investigate a hit-and-run that's been covered up. Yet will the investigation stir up something that will be dangerous to them all?

This second book in the Indigo Eady series is just as fun and quirky as the first. It's a YA cozy mystery, but I have dubbed it a snug mystery after the little room in the pub where Indigo and her friends meet to discuss things. Just when you think you have everything figured out, the tale twists around and keeps you guessing until the end.

I still adore Indigo. A not-so-average nearly seventeen-year-old girl with powers to see ghosts and retrieve powerful memories. She has boy troubles and ghost problems. Sometimes both are so frustrating that I don't know which one I'd prefer! My favorite character is Franny, the ghost of a madam from a century ago. Amazing characterization.

Pick up Gwen Gardner's books if you haven't. You won't be disappointed.

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