Long story, but in talking about chainmail on the book of faces, I wound up doing a podcast. Kind of a rushed and surprised thing, definitely something new. I talked up More Odds Than Ends, too. I’ll post the podcast link when it’s done.
I also burrowed until I found the first Peter and June story, blew the dust off, and expanded it a touch. Definitely still a short story, but thought it’d go well together.
Plus, I got to play around with covers (thanks for the feedback, Becky and Jennie and Nik!). I don’t think I’ll ever be fantastic at them, but I was happy with this one.
Look, Ma, I made a cover!
Blurb for now: Professor June Porter is worried. Her daughter Medina has shown no signs of magic, leaving her defenseless and isolated among magicians. Unless, of course, everyone’s about to discover just how special Medina is.
Interesting things that happened during this process:
I got over my fear of “writing out loud.” The More Odds Than Ends writing prompt group has been fantastic for this. I don’t always have time to get the prompt done, or done well. It usually got done anyway.
I broadened. MOTE, again, opened my horizons here. I didn’t always like my prompts, and sometimes found them quite challenging. They certainly were not things that my brain would have conceived – and that’s fantastic.
I learned things. Not just craft, what works and what doesn’t, but also how to run a website.
I got it done. Do I think June’s story is good enough to share with the world? Sure. It won’t be to everyone’s taste. That’s okay. Neither am I. Won’t try to claim I won’t get upset over my first one star review, but it’s not the end of the world, either.
Other things became a matter of expediency.
I tried covers. I really, really, really tried. You do not want to see these. I do not wish to share them. I spent nearly two months seeking a photo of a woman holding a sword who was also wearing actual clothes. So finally, I asked for help. Trust me, everyone is better off for this.
I didn’t bother with ISBNs. I can always republish a new edition later. I’m taking the long view.
Did I achieve everything I set out to do? No, and it took too long from when I posted about public accountability.
I have so far to go, and so many more things to learn.
But the ultimate goal of publication was achieved, and I’ll celebrate that milestone for all it’s worth.
It’s 2020, after all. Small wins matter.
Do you need a magical professor in your life? Of course you do. Paladin’s Sword is just the book you didn’t know you were looking for as a holiday gift. Right?
Dr. June Porter is headed for New Hampshire as a professor, brand-new PhD in hand. The last thing she wants in her new life is more magic, so of course that’s exactly what she finds. Magic, and a mysterious Irishmand with emerald eyes. But there’s little time for dalliance when historical artifacts begin taking a life of their own and threaten the campus. Can June reclaim her magic, protect her students – and keep her job?
