Conversation With A Book
The old, “It’s not you, it’s me.”
Hello Beautiful Book Monsters!
It’s been a bit since I put out a normal, “hey, how’s it going? Here’s what I’m up to…” newsletter. And so, that’s why I’m accosting your inbox on a Sunday. :) How are you, my lovely friend? Things around my house have been a whirlwind of school finishing up, work, puppy antics and adding new chicks to our flock. (Pictures to come in the days ahead. Sorry, I can’t help it.) We’re also getting ready for our spring recital at the dance studio, which is always fun, stressful, and not without drama lol. Anyway, I hope you are having a great spring (or fall, if you’re in the southern hemisphere). Please do let us all here in the lair know your current status.
Anyway, I have some general reader thoughts and, of course, I came to you with them. I’m listening to this audio book for a book club I joined in my area, recently. Yes, an actual, physical, meet up in person to talk about books situation! When I saw that a fantasy romance reading group had formed, and in my specific region, no less, how could I not sign up for that?
The only problem is… I’m not into the book we’re reading. :( And I don’t think it’s a bad book. I mean, I’m not all that sold on the narration, if I’m honest, but it isn’t horrible. I think maybe my brain is too scattered right now to connect with the story and it isn’t grabbing me. As a book lover, has this ever happened to you? Do you think it’s the story’s job to pull your attention no matter what? If it doesn’t, does that evidence a flaw in the writing, or maybe not?
Give me your thoughts, Monsters. Also, what are you reading at the moment?
In other news:
There’s a new Snow Maiden chapter that went up yesterday for paid subscribers. I now have the serialized version aligned with what I have up on Ream as far as tiers go, so that project is coming along nicely. I’ve added in pictures for each post and author notes with prompts to engage with, as I’m sure you saw in earlier chapters. I’m really happy about getting to offer this unique reading experience here in the lair. Because this is my favorite reading and writing space, without a doubt!
I’ve noticed a lot of readers like to have a bite-sized option for engaging with stories these days. Serialized chapters are a great way to do that. If you haven’t joined my Snow Maiden read-along yet, you can start here and read the first few chapters completely free.
The next book I will be serializing with updates, is Moontide. It’s the first book in my Tides of Atlantis series and is an urban fantasy, mythology based romance. I’m going to post it to Ream as well, and will put out a good number of free chapters, the same way I did with Snow. I can’t wait to get started sprucing up another of my earlier books!
I also have a few flash fictions and other projects I’d love to share with you. As we head towards summer, I’m looking forward to some of the “life” things settling down so I can do more writing. I’d love your input on what features you enjoy seeing the most here in the lair. Take a second to give me your input on which post types you like.
I also mean to start hunting up free books for you again. Stay tuned for that!
Before I sign off, I have another fun “out in the wild” book enthusiast find… in my area, again!
I know it sounds silly, but when you live in a rural area, it’s cool to discover things you don’t have to drive miles and miles to access. It’s even better when those things are so right up your alley interest-wise. Anyway, I found the neatest post about an indie author who has started up a mobile-coffe shop-slash-book store. Isn’t that a cool idea? I love it! She rolls in and sets up shop not to far from the theater I teach dance at. If I go investigate, I’ll be sure to let you know about the excursion. ;) Now, I have pictures of old style school book mobiles zooming around in my head. With coffee, though? C’mon. Perfection!
That’s all I have for now, Monsters. Till next time, I’m wishing you many great adventures and many great books to read.
Stay in the Magic, my friends!
Amanda V Shane