Image of white trilliums blooming next to an old log in our forest.
The past two summers my writing time has been taken up by The Knack books and this summer will be no different. While Hallow Crossing was out for edits, I switched gears and began immersing myself in the world of mechs and monsters again. Book 3 (so far untitled) will be about Noah and a reaper in one of the thera farming towns named Phaedra. I just started the rough draft this week because I world-builded the hell out of this story. I created an entire industry (thera farming), made a map of a new town and a farming rig. I created back stories for new characters and even some historical figures from New Torwood City’s founding.
The above image is how I pictured Noah in the first Knack books—young, handsome, broody and a little lost. I think you’ll find that he has matured in book 3. The events of the last year have opened his eyes to the world. And the trust that Rowan places in him has forced him to step up.
I’m about as giddy as a raccoon in a bakery dumpster when I get to dive deep into world building like this, but I guarantee that only a fraction of the backstory I created for Noah, Phaedra and the town of Titan Bay will make it into the novel. So my question for you is this: as fantasy a reader, how interested are you in backstory? I usually add my map mockups to my website, but would you be interested in delving into the nitty gritty of farming giant, magical mussels? Are you interested to know how thera became the most abundant power source in New Torwood? Or what happened to Old Torwood during the Resurgence?
I would, of course, never info dump all these details into the novels. That would bring the story to a grinding halt. But I could include some of it on my website or in this newsletter. So let me know what you think. You can reply right to this email or if you’re reading this online, in the comments.
And if you haven’t started The Knack Series yet, now’s the perfect time. You’ll be all caught up by the time book 3 arrives.
Visit The Knack Series Page
Fair Folk of Mullarkey Update
Thank you to everyone who read Hallow Crossing and to those who participated in the 11 Days of Hallow Crossing. This was my first book that I distributed widely (ie, not exclusive to Amazon) and it thrills me to see it being picked up on a variety of bookshops. If you’ve already left a review, I’m sending you a big thank-you hug. Reviews are essential to indie authors, and even a few positive words can help to mold the algorithms that put books in front of more readers.
If you haven’t reviewed the book, I invite you to do so at your favorite retailer or review site. You can find links to those on the Hallow Crossing Review Page.
Now, while I’m working on the Knack series, my ideas for the next Fair Folk of Mullarkey book are already percolating in the back of my brain. When I started this series, my idea was to have one book from each of the four women who come together as friends—Elenna, Joelle, Nina and Hadley. But reader reactions to Warrick have been very positive, and that got me thinking…Hmm. Do we need a Warrick book? Here’s a little poll. Tell me who you want to see as the MC of the next Fair Folk of Mullarkey book.
Visit the Fair Folk of Mullarkey Page.
Publishing News
The audiobook for Kelpies Don’t Fly is on sale at Audiobooks.com for only $8.00 until June 2.
Get the Audiobook
Yearn is now available on iOS and Android in the US. There are so many great romantic fantasy ebooks and audiobooks available for a small monthly subscription. And if you use my code MCDOUGALL50 you’ll get 50% your first month to try it out. My Hidden Coven and Fair Folk of Mullarkey books are included, and so much more. I hope you’ll check it out. It’s a great reading platform that lets you connect with readers and authors.
Download Yearn
Book Fairs
This week, there’s romance for every heat preference. Like it steamy? Check out the free shifters. Prefer your romance behind closed doors? There’s a book fair just for you too. And I invite you to check out Kobo Plus, another terrific all-in-one book subscription alternative to Kindle Unlimited.
Spotlight Books
Fire Marked
Alchemy of Witches Book 1
L.A. McBride
Ten years as a supernatural assassin did not prepare me for customer service.
But after my name is cleared for a crime I didn’t commit, I open a witch shop in Kansas City and and try to leave the hits to other Shadows. I join a geriatric coven, teach fire hula hooping classes on the side, and adopt a klepto packrat as my familiar.
Avoiding the golden-eyed lone wolf charged with keeping me in line is harder. Ignoring the demons infesting Kansas City? Impossible.
Get Fire Marked
Supernatural Mall
G. Clatworthy
Minimum wage, maximum enchantment
All Garth wants is a steady job so he can pay the bills—but the “Help Wanted” sign in the shop window leads him somewhere far from ordinary.
Tucked in the back streets of Cardiff is the Supernatural Mall where the shopkeepers definitely aren’t human and magic is part of the job. It’s not what Garth expected - retail is hard, but magical retail is harder - but for the first time in a long while, he feels like he belongs.
There’s just one problem: the building’s landlords want the mall gone.
With eviction notices looming and magic only able to do so much against paperwork, Garth and the mall’s oddball staff must hatch a plan to outwit cranky landlords, and the clock itself. Saving the shop might take more than spells—it might take heart, teamwork, and a human who knows how the mundane world works.
Get Supernatural Mall
Just for Fun
This is how I get my word count done every day. And also, I just rewatched Labyrinth for the hundredth time. Bowie’s as the goblin king is still the coolest thing ever. It’s a hill I would die on.
