Dear Reader

Now and then, a reader makes a comment in a review or in an email that I really want to address.

About The Kinshield Saga

Reader quote: "Lastly, the ending is a bit open ended. The universe lives on and there is more action to come, though we might not have the pleasure of reading about it."

Dear Reader,

All I can say is "Mwahahahaha!" There's a new two-book Kinshield series in the works. Those who've read both of The Kinshield Saga books know that someone survives unexpectedly. One can assume that the character faces justice for treason and dies in prison and that's the end of the story, but I can't *really* leave it at that, can I? Besides, we still don't know why Crigoth Sevae summoned Ritol to kill King Arek in the first place. That story still needs to be told!


Reader quote: "I really wanted more storyline with Brawna!"

Dear Reader,

You'll be pleased to know that Brawna The Blade returns in book one of the next Kinshield series. I didn't feel I could use her in The Wayfarer King because she had more to learn at the Viragon Sisterhood, but now that Thendylath has a king on the throne... well, things change. Brawna finds her way back to Gavin's side, and though she's young and inexperienced, her passion for protecting him and her natural skill prove valuable.


Reader quote: "Feanna is a little too perfect to be much of a three-dimensional character..."

Dear Reader,

Feanna definitely rises to the challenge of caring for more children than she can afford to because she cares so deeply for them. She has room to grow, like Gavin did in the beginning of The Kinshield Legacy, and she'll be put to the test in book one of the new series. Will love be enough to inspire her to action?

I'm about half-way through the first draft, but it's picking up steam. My goal is to have book one out by Christmas. Wish me luck!

Works in progress

Goodness! Has it really been six months since I last posted on my blog? Yikes! Sorry about that. :) I spend more time on Facebook than I should, I guess. Doesn't everyone?

In the last few months, I've been relaxing a little, working a little, and writing a little. I started working on a novel that I've been wanting to write for at least 15 years, but my muse decided to take me in a different direction. I suppose that story's time has not yet come. Instead, I'm working on two new novels.

The first is a science fiction novel featuring a cure for psychopathy. Science fiction is always fun because I get to do lots of interesting research. For a geek like me who loves science, that's one of the funnest parts about writing. Did you know that, according to Dr. Robert Hare, a world-famous psychologist renowned for his work with psychopaths both inside and outside of prisons, approximately 1% to 2% of our population are psychopaths? This personality disorder is one of the most destructive, leaving heartbreak, empty wallets, and sometimes death in its wake. Although most psychopaths are not murderers, their inability to experience guilt makes them particularly adept at getting whatever they want, no matter the cost.

The second is a fantasy novel, the first of a two-book series that delves into the secrets and scandals associated with King Arek's reign. We know that the evil wizard Crigoth Sevae had used a summoning rune to try to usurp the throne. Where did that rune come from in the first place? That is what Gavin Kinshield intends to find out...

Writing one novel in one's spare time is hard enough, but two? I definitely have my work cut out for me. If all goes well, I'll manage to get at least one of them finished this year, but who knows? Life happens.

Lending library

You've probably heard of Amazon's Kindle Owner's Lending Library for members of Amazon Prime. Well, word on the street is that Amazon will be extending the offer to us indies to include our books very soon. Now, since readers can only borrow up to one book per month, chances are they won't use their one loan for a 99c book. In fact, when I borrowed a book, I picked one that's priced for sale at $9.99, and I don't think that will be unusual. So authors are debating whether to raise their book's price in the hopes readers will choose to borrow it. To me, this strategy doesn't make sense. If a book isn't selling at 99 cents or even $2.99, what's the logic behind thinking readers will choose it for their once-a-month loan?

I'm planning to enroll The Venom of Vipers in the lending library (and keep its current price of $2.99), and my new omnibus edition of The Kinshield Saga (priced for sale at $5.99). Folks will be able to read both The Kinshield Legacy and The Wayfarer King for their one monthly loan, and those who choose to buy the omnibus edition will get a small discount. It's a win-win!

Indie fantasy authors to watch

"There’s a new breed of author on the frontlist: the indie."

You can read the rest of the article and my most recent interview with Greg Hamerton at http://greghamerton.com/2011/11/indie-fantasy-authors-to-watch-k-c-may/.

Guest author

I'm the guest author today on Nathan Lowell Presents. Recently, most of my interviews have been about how I got my books noticed so they sell well, but this one was sort of an open format where I could pretty much just blab about whatever I wanted. So I talked about one of the ideas behind an upcoming science fiction novel (as yet untitled). Feel free to add a comment at the end!

KBR Indie Awards

The first ever Kindle Book Review Indie Book Award was announced today, and to my absolute delight, The Kinshield Legacy was selected as the second place winner! I'm thrilled and honored to have my book listed among the other winners and finalists.

Be sure to bookmark The Kindle Book Review site for your next read. Site owner Jeff Bennington says, "All books will have no less than 20 reviews with a rating of 4.0 or higher!"

Believe it... or not!

What happens when a major publisher approaches the artist to buy the artwork on the cover of this book

and the artist refuses to sell? You've got to see it to believe it! http://www.lkrigel.com/2011/08/should-i-be-upset/

New release announcement

Debra Martin of Two Ends of the Pen blog has graciously featured The Wayfarer King on her blog today as a New Release announcement. Everything you ever wanted to know about the book can be found there. :)

Not only that, but author Michael Wallace has posted an interview on his blog.

And if that wasn't enough...The Kinshield Legacy has reached new heights in the Amazon store! Here's a screenshot of it on the Movers & Shakers list. I'm almost afraid I'll wake up soon! (Now, if only I could get nook readers interested. hahaha!)

Release day success!

Yesterday was the official Release Day for The Wayfarer King. So far two book bloggers have given it 5 stars:

"This is another fantastic book by K.C. May.  I have enjoyed everything of hers that I have read and was extremely excited to get a chance to read The Wayfarer King (The Kinshield Saga)."
http://indiebookblogger.blogspot.com/2011/08/wayfarer-king-by-kc-may-review.html

"I've said before that the enjoyment factor is worth a lot when it comes to the awarding of stars, and this story was immensely enjoyable."
http://www.gracekrispy.com/review-the-wayfarer-king-by-k-c-may/

It went as high as 751 in the Kindle Store rankings, and #2 in Hot New Releases in Epic Fantasy. 

I honestly didn't expect such wonderful results on Release Day, and so I blow kisses to all of you who one-clicked. Thank you! I sincerely hope you enjoy the story!

New review from Motherlode blog

GraceKrispy at Motherlode blog has posted her review of The Wayfarer King! Check it out -- and be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy.

Announcing... The Wayfarer King

Finally, after all theses months, the book is done, formatted and uploaded to the various ebook retailers. It's available at Amazon already (early!) as well as Smashwords. Other retailers will be along soon. I'll post the URLs here and on my web site at www.kcmay.com when they're ready.

Thank you to all my beloved readers for your ongoing support. I hope you enjoy the story!

A Teaser

Reviewer Grace Krispy posted a Teaser Tuesday sample of The Wayfarer King on her web site. Look for her full review on release day, August 4th!

Launch day festivities

In The Kinshield Legacy, Gavin is asked how he lost his eye tooth, but he never gives a straight answer. The truth will be revealed in The Wayfarer King. Select your best guess, based on your understanding of Gavin's character. If you pick correctly, your name will be entered in a drawing for a Kindle or nook and $25 gift card! If you guess incorrectly, you could still win a $10 gift card to Amazon or BN.com. Visit http://www.kcmay.com/twkcontest.html to enter before July 31.

On release day, August 4, Grace Krispy will post her review of The Wayfarer King on her blog, Motherlode. Set your bookmark and mark your calendar!

Release date set for The Wayfarer King

The sequel to The Kinshield Legacy is finally almost here! I'll be wrapping up revisions soon (maybe this weekend), and I've started the I-dotting and T-crossing phase. I plan to send the manuscript to my editor (Anne Victory at http://www.victoryediting.com/) for a final pass, and then it's off to the presses for an August 4 release! (It could become available for sale shortly before then because it takes Amazon and Barnes & Noble about 24 hrs to process a new book, but sometimes they're quicker than that.)

Will there be a third book in the series? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha no. As much as fantasy readers enjoy trilogies, this story ends with book 2.* :)

What about the cover art? I've posted an interim cover on my web site, but it's not what I ultimately want to go with. For the release, I'm planning something special -- artwork by T.M. Roy! You'll have to wait until August 4 to see it. :)

*This is not to say I won't write another book with these characters in this world. :)

Relief!

The hardest part of The Wayfarer King is written: the climactic conclusion of the main struggle. WHEW! It's one thing to know in your head how it would all come together, and quite another to write it down with all its details and have everything line up and make sense within the context of the rest of the story. That's one of the funnest parts of writing, but also the most challenging.

I have the "epilogue" left to write, and then the revision phase begins. I've been revising all along, fixing and fitting and adjusting story elements so things line up (I could never just write a story straight through without fixing stuff as I go), so revisions shouldn't take too long. Then will come the clean-up edit, and it'll be ready to go! I'm excited to finally have the story finished. :)