Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Wrapping up.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

See you in two weeks!

April 2014 Update

Would you rather see this update via video and listen to me run my mouth too much?  Check out the YouTube version!

I’m a bit early with the update, but this will be the last Wicked Words blog entry for a couple of weeks.  Shalia’s Diary will also be going on hiatus after Monday’s entry, the final entry of what will eventually be Shalia’s Diary Book 3.  Shalia will be back April 14 with an all-new story that I hope you will all enjoy.  This blog will return to its usual schedule that week as well.

I do not know how long it will take me to pull Shalia 3 into book format and offer it for sale.  It will probably be late May, if we’re lucky.  With Clan, Honor, and Empire releasing late April and the re-release of Unholy Union soon to follow, Shalia’s Diary Book 3 is having to take a number. 

I feel I have to warn you all about what’s to come in the next storyline of Shalia’s Diary.  After the first few entries, it’s going to end up in a dark place.  This next bit is going to take a decidedly different turn from what’s happened before.  I got a little freaked out myself as I was writing it.  To say anymore will give too much away, but be prepared.

Clans of Kalquor 3:  Alien Conquest – It is done and out there.  You can get it on Kindle, Amazon UK, Nook, from Smashwords, and in print.  For those of you who elected to get the updated version, I hope you enjoyed the changes and enhanced storyline.  Because this book is now under a new publisher, it will not automatically update on your e-readers.  That would be illegal.  You do have to buy the book all over again, for which I apologize.  I kept the e-book price low at $3.99 so it wouldn’t be a big hit on your wallets.  Thanks for understanding.

Clan Beginnings:  Clan, Honor, and Empire – I am into the final read-through before submitting this to the editor.  I am hoping with all my heart that when the blog starts up again, I will be announcing a release date.  Late April is where I’m aiming now.  I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel!  Keep your fingers crossed.

Unholy Union – This erotic horror tale was first published back in 2011, and was nominated for an award.  The reviews are glowing, so if fear and demon sex are your cup of tea, check it out.  The rights return to me April 26.  I’ve just finished a fresh round of edits, as I do with all my re-releases.  I am now formatting.  Fortunately for my sanity, Unholy Union did not required any significant changes.  I will be putting a new cover on Unholy Union and getting it back on sale as soon as I can.  Once that’s done, I can get to work pulling together Shalia’s Diary Book 3.

First Mataras:  Michaela – I am looking forward to going full steam ahead with this one as soon as Clan, Honor, and Empire is out of my hair.  Because things have essentially fallen apart schedule-wise, there is no longer any attempt to set even a tentative release date.  

Clans of Kalquor 4:  Alien Salvation – Rights revert to me at the end of July.  The re-edit of this one is part of the reason why I can no longer set a date for the new books Michaela or Alien Indiscretions.  

Netherworld I:  Drop Dead Sexy – Rights revert in August.  I’ve taken a peek at the first few chapters and feel like this one will demand a major overhaul.  As a result, my plans to write Netherworld IV this year have been scrapped.

Clans of Kalquor 9:  Alien Indiscretions – I really hope I can squeeze this in before the year is out.  I will do my best.

Clans of Kalquor 5:  Alien Slave – Rights revert in November.  Another reason Netherworld IV will not happen this year.

I guess I didn’t anticipate how much time the re-releases would demand of me.  I’m on bended knee, praying that when I go over Alien Salvation and Alien Slave, they will be like Alien Rule and not insist on major changes. 

Every time a book’s contract approaches its end, my soon-to-be former publisher pulls it off distributors’ lists to sell it exclusively for a few weeks.  As a result, I get deluged with e-mails asking where those books are.  Because of the popularity of the Clans of Kalquor books, I have to make their re-releases a priority over the new stuff.  For those of you waiting on the new stories, I am sorry about the delays.  Trust me, I am as unhappy with tossing my schedule out as you are.  Maybe even more, given my obsessive tendencies.

So you know where I’ll be for the next two weeks:  grimly staring at my computer, scowling at the pile-up of writing that only seems to get bigger each day.  I’ll pop in and out on Facebook and say hi to those of you there, but forgive me if I don’t stick around.  Writing-wise, I’ve got Kalquorian butts to kick.

I’ll be back on April 14!  Take care, everyone.

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

No using the 'L' word here, please.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

The ship gets boarded.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Alien Conquest Release Update

Sometimes I love being proven wrong.  Such is the case with Alien Conquest.  The original publisher has pulled it off sale everywhere even though it is the weekend.  I have just finished the task of loading the new version to all distributors.  Even the print version has been pulled, so if tree book is your thing, you are in luck.

In fact, if you frequent Smashwords for your e-books, you can get Alien Conquest now at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/421698.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love Smashwords?  Let me proclaim my ardor for that site once more.

The Kindle version is also already up, much to my amazement.   http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Conquest-Clans-Kalquor-Tracy-ebook/dp/B00J6EF3Y4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395516025&sr=1-1&keywords=alien+conquest+tracy+st.+john.

In the UK, your link is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alien-Conquest-Clans-Kalquor-Tracy-ebook/dp/B00J6EF3Y4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395516217&sr=1-1&keywords=alien+conquest.

CreateSpace has the print version.  https://www.createspace.com/4727273.

Nook has also just added it to its site.  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alien-conquest-tracy-st-john/1106465805?ean=2940149280742&itm=1&usri=alien+conquest

I hope you enjoy the additions to the story!

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

Through the wormhole and into trouble.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Betra opens up.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Being Murphy's Bitch

I feel like Murphy’s Law was made specifically for me.  Today I’m laughing about it, but a lot of the time I turn the air blue with profanity.

It never fails.  I find an empty spot on my calendar, a couple of weeks in which absolutely nothing is going on.  I mark the end of that two weeks as a book’s release date.  This gives me plenty of time to format, gear up for promotion and marketing, and all the other little details that come with publishing something new.

And then as release day nears...BAM. 

A call from my son’s teacher.  “We need to schedule a meeting.”  And all she and the rest of the special ed support staff have available is a day the week before release.  Maybe even the day of!  Then his behavioral specialist re-schedules a consultation right in the middle of everything.

A family emergency arises.  Someone is getting divorced.  Or lost their job.  Or is in the hospital.

My mother suddenly decides this is the time to drop by unannounced for coffee every day.

Something major breaks in the house, or the car needs a repair. 

I tell you, it NEVER fails.  Somewhere, the being in charge of scheduling my life is cackling wildly every time I pick a release date for a book.  All I can do is sit there and stare at my calendar and whimper, “Are you f-ing kidding me?”

Life happens.  And it only seems to happen whenever I decide to put a new book out.  That’s just the way it works.

Re-releases are turning out to be no different.  I have no control over when the contracts on my first books run out.  Due to Kalquor’s increasing popularity, I must get those particular books re-released ASAP.  As you might have guessed, things are already popping up around the re-issue date of Alien Conquest.  I am watching and shaking my head as the phone rings of the hook, people come for spontaneous visits, appliances break down, specialists change my son’s schedule, and my extended family’s drama goes into high gear. 

Murphy, you merciless son of a bitch. 

Don’t worry though.  I knew this was coming.  I’m laughing it off these days.  What the hell, I can rest when the book comes out and ready myself for the next time.  Oh shit, that’s next month with Clan, Honor, and Empire.  I’m supposed to re-release Unholy Union in April too, and I haven’t even begun an editing run on that.  Well, damn.  I guess the fun will never end for ol’ Murphy. 

And there goes the phone again.  Caller ID:  my son’s school.  Sigh.

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

Shalia's got a gun.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

You are cordially invited to one of Katrina's parties.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Readying for the Re-release of Alien Conquest

Woot!  Edits are finally done on Clans of Kalquor 3:  Alien Conquest.  I have added a whopping 15,000 words to this book.  What are the changes?  Glad you asked.

In the first place, I bring more focus on Clan Tranis’ concerns about the forced re-education of the nuns ... in particular, Degorsk shows some real discomfort on the subject after it becomes clear things aren't working the way he'd been led to believe they would.  The dub-con is still a factor in this tale, but I make it much clearer that the Kalquorians think they are doing the right thing in coercing the women to have sex.  I realize there are those who have problems with such ideas, but you have to remember, these are alien men with rare exposure to any women.  Given that along with the dominating personalities of Kalquorians, it seems reasonable that mistakes are going to be made.  How can we possibly expect a future alien culture to think anything like our present human society?  Be assured however that once Degorsk discovers their efforts are mistaken, he takes steps to rectify the situation.

Many readers who didn’t like the original Alien Conquest stated it was because of the forced seduction issue (though there was a plain-as-day warning in the book’s description that such situations existed within the book).  I make no apologies for the dubious consent scenes.  It is a fantasy many women enjoy, and fiction is only fantasy.  I do not in any way, shape, or form condone real rape as it is a heinous crime for which perpetrators should be castrated and fed their own dicks.  However, in a consensual role play or fictional setting, no one should feel bad or ‘wrong’ about taking pleasure in safe escapism.  That's my personal view on the matter.

I will now climb off my soapbox and continue.

Scenes are better rounded out in this new version.  There is more interaction between the men that shows their affection for each other (bringing them more in line with what you saw in To Clan and Conquer).  Degorsk demanded he get more bad jokes in the mix.  Not even Lidon can rein that man in, so there is more silliness from our favorite Imdiko goof.  There is also an additional bit at the end that underscores the effect Armageddon had on Tranis and how it cemented Cassidy’s relationship with the clan.

I’m much happier with this version of Alien Conquest than the original.  It seems the longer I do this writing thing, the better I get at it, lol.  I am very happy to have had the opportunity to re-edit this book and make it something I’m quite proud of.  I hope it has the same effect on all of you when it re-releases after March 21.

Shalia's Diary Thursday Post

Long-distance blues.  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/

Shalia's Diary Monday Post

Are we there yet?  http://shaliasdiary.blogspot.com/