Goals, 2018 Edition #WriterWednesday #Goals #CleanSlateTwoOhOneEight #amwriting #IARTG

 

Here we are in 2018! Honestly, there were times when I didn't think 2017 would ever end, but here we are in a new year. And a new year means we get a whole new set of goals, and the plans to reach them.

The best part about goals is that when you have a solid and achievable end game the stops along the way can be fluid. For instance, let's say you have a goal of living a healthier lifestyle and getting in better shape. (Don't we all?) Your plan could be to lose 10 pounds, or eat more vegetables, or maybe train for a half marathon. Any of those plans will move you closer to your goal of being healthier, but it's up to you to choose the best path.

I have several goals for 2018; some are writing-related, some aren't, and I have a few for which the goal exists but the plan is still in the, uh, planning stages. Here they are, in no particular order (though the writing ones did end up first in the queue):

1. Release the Gallowglass #3, Homecoming, and two or three tie-in short stories. Homecoming is scheduled for an early summer release.
2. Golem, The Chronicles of Parthalan #4, will release this year. (Keep your eyes peeled for the cover reveal!) I have some housekeeping to do on that series, which means that the fifth installment, Elfsong, might get pushed back to 2019.
3. Polish up my YA mermaid mystery and get it submission ready.
4. Outline two other series that are currently in the idea stage.
5. Attend as an author at least six live events. I had to scale things back A LOT toward the end of 2017, and I'm looking forward to getting out there and hanging out with readers and writers again.
6. Complete phase 1 of Sekrit Nonfiction Project.
7. In 2017 we had twelve new experiences with the Wonder Twins. It was such a success I’m listing that as a 2018 goal.
8. FINALLY install my raised garden beds.
9. Continue to prioritize wellness for myself and my family.
10. HAVE FUN! My grandfather always said that you need to make your own fun, and he was right.

I’ll post updates throughout the year with goal progress, event and release dates, and maybe a few updates on the Sekrit Project. Next week, I’ll recap my 2017 goals—what worked, what didn’t, and what was a raging fiasco. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish!

What are your goals for 2018? Let us know in the comments, and we can cheer each other on!
  

Walker (Gallowglass #2)

 Amazon —> http://amzn.to/2AtFIsO

B&N —> https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walker-jennifer-allis-provost/1127329683?ean=2940154604854

 Who is hunting the gallowglass?

 When Karina and Robert relocated from Scotland to New York, they expected things to settle down. New York is known for many things, but a hotbed of supernatural occurrences isn’t one of them. Karina returned to her life as a graduate student, and agreed to teach a class over winter break. That was when things got weird: first she and Robert encountered an angry centaur, then a fairy enrolled in her class, and Karina learned that her mentor just might be a deity. When the Seelie King started making unannounced visits to Karina’s apartment in the middle of the night and warning her and Robert to be careful, she knew things were serious. All of these events led to a single question: Who doesn’t want the gallowglass on American soil?

 Meanwhile, Chris has problems of his own. The university grudgingly restored his teaching position, his agent and publisher are hounding him for a sequel to his worldwide bestseller… and he wonders if he can teach again. Write again. Hell, he can barely even speak to a woman after what happened between him and the Seelie Queen. Then a woman—a fairy woman—comes into Chris’s life, and damn it all if he doesn’t want her to stay there. 

The god plays their hand, and the Seelie King calls Robert to his side. Alone and more frightened than she’s ever been, Karina tries to solve the mystery of who is hunting the gallowglass. Will Karina find the answer in time, or will Robert be lost forever?

Live Today - Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3) for 99 Pennies! #new #fantasy #romance #parthalan #sale

Live today - Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3)! And it's on sale for 99 pennies!

Click here to order ---> http://amzn.to/2mEtx20

 A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy Parthalan once and for all…

Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

 RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan


New to the series? No problem! Not only can Rise of the Deva'shi easily be read as stand alone, the first two books are also on sale for 99 cents. Act fast - these deals are for release week only.

 Heir the Sun ---> http://amzn.to/2lZK1Vi

 The Virgin Queen ---> http://amzn.to/2lhWn7i

 Happy reading!

Writer Wednesday: Let's Talk About Wellness #amwriting #wellness #writerwednesday

Let's get right down to it: I have a lot going on this year. With five novels releasing, and all the associated marketing and appearances that I have scheduled (who knew that most of the work happens AFTER you finish the book?) I have my work cut out for me. So, what can I do to give myself an edge, and make sure all of this gets done?

Simple: focus on wellness.

Like many others, when my scheduled gets packed the first thing I cut is self-care, and that is quite possibly the worst tactic for a creative individual. Not only do we creatives need to focus on wellness so we can continue creating, if I ignore my health and get sick or exhausted, I'll start missing publishing deadlines and other commitments. Therefore, keeping my health in tip-top shape is my number one priority.

Over the past months, I've made a few small changes that have improved my overall health. Now, I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, so please don't take any of this as professional advice. But I did do a crap ton of research, and what I've listed below has helped me. If you think you also may benefit, I recommend talking to a trusted health professional, and researching the holy heck out of these topics.

1. I increased the probiotics in my diet - This is something that I came across during my wellness research. The link between gut health and mental and physical well being is profound, and one of the best ways to maintain that health is probiotics. I started with daily servings of kombucha (a fermented tea); now I brew my own kombucha, and I eat other fermented foods, such as kim chi and Greek yogurt, on a daily basis. The effect on my mental state has been amazing.
2. I became religious about rest - Not just sleep, but rest in general. In the past, I would plug away at my day job for nine or ten hours, shut of my work computer, and immediately fire up my laptop and work on my next release. Since I work at home, I didn't even have a commute separating my work times; I literally worked for twelve to sixteen hours every day, with minimal breaks. Now I get up at least once an hour and do something besides work, even if it's just to walk to a different room and look out the window. I also take a few hours for myself after my day job ends. After doing this for a few weeks, I realized that I was getting more quality work done in less time.
3. I started eating vegetables for breakfast -  Gotta eat your veggies, right? As much as I love vegetables, I could never manage more than two or three servings per day...until I started having kale and eggs for breakfast. Lately, my weekday has been sauteed kale, tomatoes, and onions, and scrambled eggs for breakfast; a grapefruit as my mid-morning snack; and quinoa and whatever leftover vegetables I have on hand for lunch. (Dinner is pretty much dictated by my kids, and that's just fine.) How's that for a healthy menu?
4. I ended a toxic friendship - And let me tell you, I never saw that one coming. This individual and I had been friends for a few years, and after a series of events I realized just how one-sided our friendship was. For instance, we each subscribed to a paid newsletter, and would share each issue with one another. We did that to save money; writers are poor, you know. Well, the one I subscribed to was $60/year, whereas the one she paid for was $15/year--and the rest of our friendship was similarly uneven, and emotionally draining. Closing the door on that friendship was tough, but I just couldn't keep doing that to myself. That individual and I had very different ideas of what friendship is, and I do wish her well.

And there you have it, four simple steps to wellness! I began these changes two months ago, and I have to say I feel better than I have in years. As these changes become habits, I'll be adding even more "wellness hacks" to my routine.

Do you have any wellness habits? Tell us in the comments!

Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3) will release February 28! Preorder here: http://amzn.to/2ku5kO4

A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy Parthalan once and for all…

Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan

Cover Reveal: Coming February 28, 2017 from @Bellatrix_Press – Rise of the Deva'shi (Parthalan #3)

Rise of the Deva'shi will release February 28, 2017 from Bellatrix Press! The cover was designed by the super talented Veronica Jones, and boy is it gorgeous!

Preorder here ---> http://amzn.to/2ivCJbz

Synopsis:

A stolen girl. A legendary champion. A plan that might destroy Parthalan once and for all…

Aeolmar, First Hunter of Parthalan, leads a solitary life. Having long since abandoned his quest to kill Mersgoth—the demon that murdered his family—Aeolmar moves through his days with cold efficiency. Everything changes when he leads a training mission in Brennus, where he’s attacked by Mersgoth himself, and saved by an unlikely heroine.

Latera, first born and heir to Gannera’s throne, is kidnapped and left for dead in Parthalan’s vast forests. A lone human amongst Parthalan’s fae, she makes a home in Brennus, and lives a quiet life—until she finds herself defending a wounded First Hunter from a clutch of demons.

Back in Parthalan, Harek warns Asherah of something called the deva’shi—a warrior loyal only to the demon lord, Asgeloth. Both Aeolmar and Latera suspect that there is more to this deva’shi than what Harek has told them, but before they can learn the truth, Parthalan’s borders are attacked. Will Aeolmar and Latera be able to stop the deva’shi in time, or is it a distraction to hide Harek’s true plans?

RISE OF THE DEVA’SHI – book three of the Chronicles of Parthalan

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975887.Jennifer_Allis_Provost

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jennallis

WEBSITE: https://authorjenniferallisprovost.com/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/parthalan

Catch up on the series! Click the covers below to purchase book one and two!

What Happens when You Don't Make Your Goals? You Keep Going, Of Course #WriterWednesday #amwriting #goals

About a week ago I started prepping my blog posts for 2017, including my yearly writing goals... And that got me to thinking about my 2016 goals, and one goal in particular that I am not going to achieve. I'd planned to release five novels this year, but that just won't be happening.

I started off strong, and released Changing Scenes on January 5. The Virgin Queen released on April 5, and Copper Veins FINALLY came out on July 27. And then...crickets. The other two titles I'd intended to release this year were Changing Fate, the third installment in my contemporary romance series, Changes, and Rise of the Deva'shi, the third Chronicle of Parthalan. After I was done being mad at myself for not making these goals, I took a step back and tried to figure out what happened.

In the case of Changing Fate, there were a few things going on. In all honesty Changing Scenes came out way too quickly (Changing Teams released October 29, 2015, and Changing Scenes hit the shelves on January 5, 2016), and I never got the chance to properly promote it.  Add that to the fact that I have two other currently-releasing series, am querying a fourth, am in grad school full time, and have the Wonder Twins, husband, and pets to wrangle, and, well, I think you know why Changing Fate isn't coming out until next year. Oy.

The situation is a bit different for Rise of the Deva'shi. Even though this is the third Chronicle of Parthalan, it was originally released back in 2009. (Long story. Someday, when y'all have insomnia, I'll tell you all about it.) So it was supposed to re-release this year, being that Bellatrix Press picked up the entire series. Everything was lined up, and then... well, I did a thing.

I was supposed to hand over the manuscript to the editor by August 1. In the meantime I'd been reworking and tweaking away, and I kept getting stuck on this one section. It didn't really fit with the overall tone of the book, and our hero, Aeolmar, was behaving out of character. There were some good scenes in that passage, and some awesome bits of dialogue, but in the end it had to go.

So, the day before the manuscript was due, I cut 24,000 words.

Yes, twenty four THOUSAND.

As you can imagine, this turn of events meant that the manuscript was delivered somewhat later than promised, hence the delayed release date. But you know what? I'm glad I chopped out that part of the story. Now my editor is concentrating on the actual meat of the novel, not trying to make a few bits of dialogue and weird scenes fit into the overall narrative. This means that when Rise of the Deva'shi is released, it will be a stronger story. Since I took my time with Changing Fate, it will be a stronger story, too.

Your take-away from all of this is DON'T RUSH YOUR WRITING. I don't recommend making huge plot changes the day before your deadline, either, but if you need more time don't be afraid to ask for it. The story takes as long as it takes. And you do want to put out the best story possible, right?
   Heir to the Sun is currently on sale for 99 cents here: http://amzn.to/2cSkNSx

 My next appearance will be at Bing Comic Con in Springfield, MA on October 22: http://www.bingcomiccon.org/

Sign up for my mailing list here and get a free ebook anthology, Strange Authors!

Heir to the Sun Is On Sale For 99 Cents! #sale #fantasy #romance #parthalan

That's right, for a limited time Heir to the Sun, book 1 of the Chronicles of Parthalan, is on sale for 99 cents. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, now's the time! Click to purchase: http://amzn.to/1WtPujA [caption id="attachment_140" align="alignleft" width="318"] A mad king. An escaped slave. One warrior to save the realm...[/caption] A mad king. An escaped slave. One warrior to save the realm... When Asherah, stripped of both her memory and her dignity, learns that King Sahlgren is responsible for her torment it nearly breaks her. Instead, she leads her fellow slaves to freedom. More prisons are scattered across Parthalan, and Asherah vows to burn them all. Caol'nir, a warrior descended from the gods, is sworn to serve and defend the king. Then a priestess is murdered, and Caol'nir learns that Sahlgren is to blame. Determined to stop the king, sacred oath or no, Caol'nir joins Asherah's rebellion. What Caol'nir doesn't know is that Sahlgren has promised the demon lord a woman of rare and singular beauty, a woman whose abilities are rumored to rival the sun god’s themselves…a woman Caol’nir knows all too well. The Virgin Queen, Book 2 of the Chronicles of Parthalan is Available Now: http://amzn.to/1qXueEY A broken queen. A friendship mired in deceit. Can one man from the desert help hold the realm together? Asherah, Queen of Parthalan and Lady of Tingu, has led her people through eight centuries of prosperity. That peace shatters when Mersgoth, the mordeth thought long dead, attacks Teg’urnan. In the aftermath a new warrior emerges: Aeolmar, a man as secretive as he is deadly. Asherah and Aeolmar race across Parthalan in pursuit of Mersgoth, and track the beast to the High Desert. While they're gone, Harek, now Prelate of Parthalan, conspires with the Dark Fae against the elves...Against Leran, the king of the elves and Asherah's son in all but blood. Will Asherah see the truth of Harek before it's too late, or will he bring down the fae once and for all?

The Virgin Queen, book 2 of the Chronicles of Parthalan #parthalan #newrelease #live

A broken queen. A friendship mired in deceit. Can one man from the desert help hold the realm together? Asherah, Queen of Parthalan and Lady of Tingu, has led her people through eight centuries of prosperity. That peace shatters when Mersgoth, the mordeth thought long dead, attacks Teg’urnan. In the aftermath a new warrior emerges: Aeolmar, a man as secretive as he is deadly. Asherah and Aeolmar race across Parthalan in pursuit of Mersgoth, and track the beast to the High Desert. While they're gone, Harek, now Prelate of Parthalan, conspires with the Dark Fae against the elves...Against Leran, the king of the elves and Asherah's son in all but blood. Will Asherah see the truth of Harek before it's too late, or will he bring down the fae once and for all? The Virgin Queen - Book Two of the Chronicles of Parthalan Get your copy here ---> http://amzn.to/1MaUOEV  

Enter To Win A Personalized Print Edition of HEIR TO THE SUN!

Hey all!

Both the print and ebook editions of HEIR TO THE SUN are live! But, who wants to pay for books, right? Not me!

Here are a few ways you can win a personalized print edition. The giveaway on Goodreads runs until July 1. If you're not a fan of Goodreads, sign up for my newsletter and you'll be automatically entered. Or, you can just follow the Rafflecopter link below.

Hey, why not enter all three ways? I won't tell.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A mad king an escaped slave. One warrior to save the realm...

Heir to the Sun – available everywhere June 1, 2015. Add it to your GoodReads shelf (and enter to win a signed print edition) here.

Like it on Facebook here.

HEIR TO THE SUN - Live Today!

It's here! It's finally here! The ebook re-release of HEIR TO THE SUN is today! It's available wherever ebooks are sold, from Amazon to iTunes to your local library; assuming, of course, your library has ebooks. If you're a die-hard print lover fear not, for the print edition will release June 15.

Back cover blurb:

A mad king. An escaped slave. One warrior to save the realm... 

When Asherah, stripped of both her memory and her dignity, learns that King Sahlgren is responsible for her torment it nearly breaks her. Instead, she leads her fellow slaves to freedom. More prisons are scattered across Parthalan, and Asherah vows to burn them all. 


Caol'nir, a warrior descended from the gods, is sworn to serve and defend the king. Then a priestess is murdered, and Caol'nir learns that Sahlgren is to blame. Determined to stop the king, sacred oath or no, Caol'nir joins Asherah's rebellion. 


What Caol'nir doesn't know is that Sahlgren has promised the demon lord a woman of rare and singular beauty, a woman whose abilities are rumored to rival the sun god’s themselves…a woman Caol’nir knows all too well.

~~~

Within the next few weeks look for teasers from the second Chronicle of Parthalan, THE VIRGIN QUEEN.

Heir to the Sun – available everywhere June 1, 2015. Add it to your GoodReads shelf (and enter to win a signed print edition) here.

Like it on Facebook here.

Eleven Days Until The Relaunch of HEIR TO THE SUN

That's right, the new, updated edition of Heir to the Sun is almost here! It's been one heck of a ride, but I think you'll love the new version, especially with that awesome cover. Who knew Caol'nir was such a hottie?

We're running a giveaway on GoodReads for a signed paperback, and you can enter here.  In addition to the book, check out some of the swag you could win:

Mini books!

And, mini books in a bottle!

Yeah, I have a swag addiction.

While the prior edition already has some reviews, we're also looking for some new reviewers. If you're interested, either comment below or on the Chronicles of Parthalan Facebook page. Be sure to specify what version you'd like your ecopy in (mobi, .pdf, etc). It will be up on NetGalley in the near future as well, so that's another option.

Finally, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you can stay up to date on events, new releases, and contests. The sequel to Heir to the Sun, The Virgin Queen, is scheduled for an October release from Bellatrix Press.

June first can't come fast enough!

Obligatory New Year's Post, Complete With Resolutions #AmWriting #HappyNewYear #Resolutions

I don't know about ya'll, but I'm pretty excited for 2015. 2014 was...well, let's put it this way: it could have been worse. It was a much better year for me and my family than 2013, but it could have used a bit of polishing.

2015 is already shaping up to be a great year, and here are a few of the reasons:

1. The Wonder Twins will be starting school! Seriously, I have no idea where the time has gone.

Ember and Robby, two weeks old. Now they're headed into Pre-K!

2. I will be transitioning from a job that I'm especially unsuited for into a position that I've wanted for quite some time. It even comes with a salary increase :)

3. Last but not least I will have three, count 'em, THREE books coming out in 2015! The release schedule is as follows:

Heir to the Sun - Book One of The Chronicles of Parthalan: March 17, 2015
Copper Veins - Book Three of the Copper Legacy: July 7, 2015
The Virgin Queen - Book Two of The Chronicles of Parthalan: October 20, 2015

Some of you may remember Heir to the Sun when it was first released back in 2011. It's been reworked with a fresh new edit, new cover and lots of extras! I'll share the cover as soon as I can. I'm very, very happy that I'll be able to get Parthalan's stories out into the world again. In case you missed the cover reveal for Copper Veins, here it is:

Pretty, huh?

This rather intense release schedule segues nicely into the resolution portion of this post. They are, in no particular order:

1. Promote my work in new and innovative ways
2. Make connections with other authors who write in similar genres. Network, network, network.
3. Read more comic books. Watch more cartoons. Make time to play.
4. Trim down my extra assignments and concentrate only on those that can further me as an author.

The last one is going to be a long process, and it will probably take me at least half the year to figure out what works and what doesn't. I've already decided to stop a few assignments, and I may dispense with a few more.

All in all, I think 2015 is going to be great. What are you looking forward to this year?