Jenn Neal

Thank you all for being here, and I want to welcome those of you who are new! I am delighted you joined us!

Here in the PNW we have had some abnormally nice weather, so I’ve been spending a good chunk of time doing garden prep. Last year I was battling depression and I basically got behind on all the gardening stuff. This year I am so much better, and I have been delightedly playing in the dirt, sticking my snoot in flowers, and talking to leaves.

At the same time, I am in full blown writing mode. However, I did take the weekend away to do absolutely nothing writing related and it was phenomenal. Just lots of ferns, rivers, and adventures with my partner and dog.

Writing Updates!

After two months of tinkering and adjusting and slowly turning into a disgruntled troll, I am finally done with edits. I took time last weekend to read through everything one more time and I am delighted to say, “VICIOUS MISCREATIONS IS DONE.”

Yes, it is only April. I know my book isn’t coming out until August, but I wanted my book to be as close to a polished, finished book before I started formatting. And since this is my first publishing attempt, I want to do everything with plenty of time to spare. Also, I want to be able to get back to writing Bone Thieves and VM 2 and my brain won’t let me relax until VM is done. I know myself well enough to know this is how I have to do it.

I am so grateful for my amazing editor at Dreamscape Editing because her feedback led me to rework the ending (for the better) and adding in another scene with one of our villains. We get to see a whole other, darker side to the Queen of Ripper District now, and I think it makes the book so much better. I simply cannot wait for you guys to read it!

As I work on formatting, I keep waiting for the awfulness to hit. But honestly, so far I don’t hate it. After the learning curve of figuring out what the hell I am doing, I actually got pretty emotional about it. I’m sure it has everything to do with seeing VM with chapter headers and art and all the goodies! There’s something about seeing it in semi-book form that just hits different.

Book Updates!

The biggest update is that ARC applications are opening, which is bananas! This is absolutely the most wild shit for me. How did I get here? How am I 4 weeks away from delivering my first round of ARCs? People are going to like…meet my characters and my world. This book is my heart, so I am working on building up that wall between myself and any negativity or self-doubt so I can keep rolling.

I decided I am going to do two rounds of delivery for ARCs because I am a slow reader and want to give everyone ample time to read, and write/post reviews. Maybe I will regret the double delivery in the future, but this is my first published book, so I am just gonna be learning as I go. So, if you apply for an ARC Between April and Mid-May, you are getting the ARC 3 months before release!

What is an ARC?

An ARC is an Advanced Reader’s Copy. Authors provide a free copy of their book prior to publication, hoping that you go on to post a review on social media, Amazon, Goodreads, Storygraph, etc. 

Every accepted reader will receive a digital eBook copy of Vicious Miscreations. Unfortunately, I cannot provide physical copies at this time due to cost.

How does it work?

Fill out the form!

Confirmation emails will start going out in Early May!

ARCs will be sent out on a rolling basis, starting Mid May. At that time, you will receive an additional email with download instructions for BookFunnel. From there, you can add it to your eReader of choice (or read it in your internet browser).

Feel free to post your honest review to your platforms of choice whenever you finish the book. Just remember that if it’s a negative review, please DO NOT tag me in it. I will send out a reminder to post your review on Amazon on Vicious Miscreations’ release date. As my amazing subscribers, you guys get access to the ARC application starting TODAY.

Interested? Apply here

There are plenty of ways to support indie authors, so if you don’t feel like you have time to read by August, that’s okay! No pressure to apply. You’re supporting me by simply being here!

Bone Thieves Excerpt

I promised I would share a little excerpt from Bone Thieves this month and then this whole month got away from me. So, here is a little treat if you are interested. It is the intro to the Grave Mage, their only friend who is an 80-something author who writes geriatric Romantasy, and her pit bull in a snow suit. I hope you enjoy as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Just keep in mind it is a first draft and very far from perfect!

The Password is GraveMage

Click Here for the First Draft Excerpt!

See you next month! I cannot wait to keep the updates rolling in. Have a glorious rest of your month!

Jenn