the Author
Posted in Cast, Elantra, Publication.

Today is Cast in Atone­ment’s publi­ca­tion day — where, in theory, the book is avail­able for purchase every­where in trade paper­back, ebook and audio­book. I really like the cover for this one, and the clothing Kaylin is wearing might seem familiar. Because it is :) I had not intended this book to be what it became — although by this point, I think I’m 50/50 on inten­tion and result. It’s the usual diffi­culty for me: I have a plan, and it looks good in four sentences on paper. But as I write actual book words, the conse­quences of the prior book or books rear up and smack me upside the head. So my first chapter – intended to be one angry Bellusdeo and her possible rela­tion­ship issues – was very imme­di­ately and heavily derailed. In cases … Continue reading 

Posted in writing, Shane Rebenschied, Kathleen Oudit.

I only real­ized I hadn’t actu­ally shown the cover of the new novel, Cast in Atone­ment, when I tried to find the post in which I’d done it T_T. It’s really been that kind of month here at Michelle central. On the bright side: I’ve been getting writing done. But, first things first: Cast cover: Cover designer: the inim­itable Kath­leen Oudit. Artist: the wonder Shane Reben­schied. This is the full cover as it appears on the book. You’ll note – or maybe you won’t – the new Mira icon at the bottom of the spine. I like it, but I would: it’s books :D. Because I’m so late, I also have a preview chapter of the book. It’s possible that Mira will post a larger sample online, but, well. Chapter is on the … Continue reading 

Posted in Elantra, writing, promotions.

I survived taxes. Except for one unex­pected part that is still ongoing. Taxes give me hives. Or ulcers. Or both. However, Mira is doing a promo­tion. One of these is a reprint, I think – the Maria Snyder book – but it was much beloved when it first arrived. My book should be on sale during this promo­tion, at 2.99. So if you have any interest in Shards of Glass, but you haven’t read the book yet, this is prob­ably the best time to pick it up. *** Just quickly, though: My inten­tion with Sagara stories can flourish or wither depending on the book. I can expect the book to go along the lines of the story I have in my head when I start – but if the book diverges, it diverges. So what I have … Continue reading 

Posted in Elantra, writing.

When I posted last, I kind of expected maybe 10 – 15 replies. I got a lot more than that, and it was helpful. The Sagara book I’m working on now is the sequel to Shards of Glass. The next book will be the next Cast novel. I’ll let the other possible books cook in the back­ground, because books need some cooking time for me. If I start a book from zero, it takes me far, far longer to find the book. The reason I mentioned Night­shade in the context of the cohort is Annarion. So very much of Night­shade is wrapped up in Annarion — Annarion was, in many ways, his driving force. And Annarion is still upset with him, which is a bit ironic consid­ering what the cohort had been plan­ning before they … Continue reading 

Posted in Cast, Elantra, Essalieyan, writing.

I appear to have missed the month of March entirely >.<. When last I wrote, I had mentioned plumbing failure. Plumbing failure did, indeed, cause destruc­tion of the base­ment from the back of the house to the front of the house. They have to jack­hammer through the cement flooring and dig up a trench to get to the old pipes so they can remove those, and then replace them with new pipes. This was also required on the lawn, so lawn — which is a tiny city lawn to begin with — is less grassy as well. While the plumbers will put the dirt back and pour cement once they’ve finished, the cement takes a suggested three weeks minimum to dry enough that we could paint or glue. Which is fine. And … Continue reading