Dearest readers, the time has come once again. Another month has passed, and another newsletter is upon us. I hope your January was filled with hope for 2023 and good books to read.
As an indie author, I often get to meet other writers facing the same struggles I regularly face. From book release to book release, we pursue new readers and new venues wherein we can engage the public. It’s hard. It’s exhausting. And most of us do it alongside day jobs, family responsibilities, and other social interactions… such as church, sports, charitable activities, etc. We search for readers through an enigmatic maze of trial and error so, when we meet a fellow traveler, we form connections.
John Cosper was such a connection. In fact, the more John and I spoke, the more we realized we had in common. When I worked in youth ministry 27 years ago, John was doing similar work a mile or so away at a different church. We’ve talked about music and faith. We’ve discussed people and places we had in common… and all that was besides our pursuits in the indie publishing scene.
John writes about wrestling, shining a light on local legends in the sport. He’s a man with a passion for wrestling and it shows through in the delight he clearly takes in the subject. In addition, he writes fun and spooky stories that bring to mind The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery, both of which inspired my work in All That Waits in the Night. You can check out John’s work (both fiction and non-fiction) and social media here: https://linktr.ee/johncosper
Of course, not everyone has been pursuing this life as long as John and I. In the last newsletter, I shared a link to a video of my reading/speech at the closing of Mood Coffee Co.. That night, I met Stanley Granden, a young man who had questions for me about the publishing process and my holiday release, The Christmas Cabin.
Stanley is a poet who uses the artform to explore his faith. As someone who has dabbled in a bit of poetry, I have nothing but respect for Stanley and his pursuit of his passion. His first book is now available on Amazon. If you’d like to check it out, you’ll find it here: https://a.co/d/aUzsfUy
Now, before you think this month’s newsletter is entirely about other writers, let’s talk about me. If we must.
Last month, I shared a teaser poster for an upcoming book tentatively titled Seven Remain. While that book is still on the horizon, three releases will beat it out of the gate. First up, the revised and reworked beginning of my YA fantasy series, Tales of the Evermore. These new releases aren’t just sporting lovely new covers and titles. I rewrote and reworked them to prepare for the release of the third and final (?) book in the series.
Here’s a sneak peek at the new cover art for the first two, plus the title and cover reveal for book 3. None of these are final. Changes could still happen to fonts, effects, etc.
Release dates are still in flux, but I hope to have The Witches of Greyfolk: Tales of the Evermore Book 1 available for the Imaginarium Convention in July. That would mean A Secret Sin, A Silent Sea: Tales of the Evermore Book 2 would land before Christmas 2023, with Azael Unleashed: Tales of the Evermore Book 3 following by mid-2024. I’ll update you all as new information becomes available.
Seven Remain would then follow hopefully in late 2024. As for plans beyond 2024, I certainly have them but, as always, things could change so it’s best not to speculate.
I’ve already mentioned the Imaginarium Convention for 2023. They’ll be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and filled to the brim with authors, publishers, filmmakers, and more. If you’re in the Louisville, KY area, or will travel, I can’t recommend this show more highly. From panels and contests, to awards and a chance to meet your favorite authors, it’s an event unlike any other. I’ll be there again this year with a table in the main Expo Hall in addition to being a guest panelist. Should be fun. This link will take you to all the details: www.entertheimaginarium.com.
That’s it for this month! Do me a favor and check out the works of John Cosper and Stanley Granden, two great guys in the trenches with me. Next month, we’ll talk Patreon, short stories, and reviews!
Until then, grace and peace!
J. Patrick Lemarr
