Author appearance, the SEQUEL... oh and Pinterest

Whew what a week!  Sorry it's been a while, but I've been busy with the trip to NC, writing this new book, and helping out my boyfriend with ideas for his video segments.  Anyways, it's time for me to play catch up once again -how many times does this make it?  

Well first off I want to say the trip to North Carolina was totally worth it!  I had a great time -despite the five hour road trip to get there.  And as promised, I even brought back pictures!

The stand where authors T.C. McCarthy and Michael J. Sullivan were talking.  They talked a bit about their books, and then they each read a segment from their book.  They even managed to make a few jokes, which I'll admit I enjoyed very much so :)

I finally met Michael J. Sullivan in person! He's extremely nice and funny, and he's one of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met.  We chatted for a bit, and I even got to talk with his wife -she always comes to all his signings.

  

Mrs. Sullivan was nice enough to give me the Riyria shirt and keychain that aren't sold anywhere to me.  Apparently she only gives it to people she feels like did something "special" or are "talented," and she said "publishing a book at 18 is something to be proud of!"  As I said, they're very nice people.  

Oh, and even though in all the excitement for the trip I forgot to bring my copy of Theft of Swords, I got a new copy and Michael signed it. 

But enough about me... Let's get onto what you really want to hear about.

For those of you who have checked on Old Line's website, I am aware there is a cover next to Cursed With Power.  I spoke with the company, and they've reassured me that this NOT the official cover.  The official one has to be approved by me before it is on the website, so until you read about my dancing around my room because the cover is actually finished, the one on the site is a "place holder."

As for the sequel...

I have been trying my very best to get to work on the book.  I honestly do love Leal's character; it's just some of these other newbies that I'm not used to.  But of course all that is for a later time.

Before you go, I realize this has been a long post so let me try to finish it up real quick.  For those of you who enjoy the character journeys, I'll be posting another tonight.  As always, I'm making little promo quotes and so forth (like the one at the very top) to help promote the work and in hope that you'll like it enough to share it somewhere.

If you actually read through this entire post, congrats... I'll stop talking now.

Coming up next: I'll finally foreshadow/hint about possible contest ideas.  Also, a character journey (not from Leal's POV!) and lastly...I joined Pinterest so if you want to follow me that'd be cool: Follow me :)

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Appearance at 2nd Annual Summer Literary Speculative Fiction Festival!

   
I'm very excited/nervous to be making my first official appearance as a published author at the Summer Literary Speculative Fiction Festival!  (Try saying that ten times fast.) T.C. McCarthy (left) and Michael J. Sullivan (right) are hosting the event, so when Michael invited me to join I couldn't resist.  I'm a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction... And with it being a festival, other writers will be there!
I'll be leaving tomorrow morning early.  I live in Maryland, so the drive to North Carolina will take about 5 hours.  Hoping it will be worth every hour that I'm in the car!  My parents and younger sister are coming along with me, so I'm thinking I might have to print out a "cheat sheet" for them -they tend to advertise my book in a strange way... As in they kind of make it up as they go along. But oh well, I don't have too many worries.
I literally have no idea what the festival will be like -had a really weird dream about it-but I'll bring back pictures.  (Hmm... Maybe I should take Theft of Swords to get signed?)
Anyways, if you'll be attending I'll see you there.  If not, expect a post when I return with lots of pictures!  The actual festival only lasts for about two-three hours, but I'll keep a mental log of what I have to tell you guys about.
I'm very excited to meet other writers who write in the same genre as myself.  Be sure to enjoy your weekend too!

Coming next: Pictures from the event! Be sure to keep checking in.

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Let the characters tell the story

Returning to writing!  Since I imagine tomorrow is going to be a busy day, I'm eager to see if I can get any writing done today.  Now I know you might be wondering why I have this crazy idea to jump right back into writing when I just finished editing... But the truth is I love to write more than anything. It's a very natural thing for me -like breathing air. So returning to this series is something I want to get started on while I have the free time to. There's no point in me sitting around with ideas floating around in my head if I don't use them!
I've been considering using one of my spare journals as an actual "diary" for Leal.  Since I really want to become more familiar with his character, I need to walk around in his head.  And we all know there's no better time than now when I'm just beginning the book!

Fortunately I do have all the chapters outlined, but it'll be a while before anything is permanent.  Also, it struck me that working with both Alaire and Leal will be... interesting.  I want to make sure Leal and Alaire have unique voices; they can't sound like each other.  Now that I know my strengths and weaknesses, I'm really hoping the characters will help me tell the story on this one!  I honestly have fallen in love with Celestria's world, and I would love to fall deeper in with Leal's story now.

Coming next: I'm making a personal appearance as an officially published author!   

We're all looking for a HERO within ourself

Can't believe it's already Friday! I went out today to celebrate that at last I'm finished with editing. (Woohoo!)  I'm stopping by tonight to give you a bit of an idea of how I plan to finish my night... as well as my weekend.
Tonight and tomorrow I'll be working on the sequel.  Seeing as I've just finished months upon months of editing, I'm not going to jump into it too quickly.  But I'd like to get used to Leal's character, walk around in his shoes for a bit -so to speak, and become familiar with his world.  He is very different from Celestria, and I want those differences to shine through.  Since I'm only in the beginning stages, I want to enjoy the book solely because I have the chance to write it. Nothing will be rushed, no deadlines, nothing set in stone... I'll just take it one day at a time. And if that means I only finish one page or one chapter every day, that's okay.  It feels great to return to writing -not editing, just solely writing.  It's what I love about my job, and while I'm eager to jump into Leal's world without looking back, there is a lot for me to consider before fully dedicating myself to the job ahead.
Seeing as I'm starting college this fall, I might not always have the opportunity to write as often as I would like to. Fortunately if all else fails, I can use my breaks to catch up!  But the fall isn't much of my concern right now.. I'd like to focus with the present.

THANK YOU to everyone who has been so patient waiting for the cover!  Again, I have no idea when it will be ready, but I promise I'll post it everywhere (not kidding) once it arrives :)
Don't forget about upcoming contests! I'll be sharing some ideas when it gets closer to the release date (I have no idea when that is yet haha), but remember your opinion counts too! If you have any contest ideas send them to me --crazy, amazing, creative, unique... Anything you've got, I want to hear about!

Also... on Sunday I'll be away in North Carolina making a personal appearance at a writing festival.  If you're going, I'll see you there!  I believe adult romance author Jamie Salisbury will be guest blogging that day.  Be sure to thank her for stopping by and give a warm hello! :)

That's all for now.  Enjoy your night.

Coming up next: We talk about those crazy, amazing, creative, unique contest ideas!  Feel free to send ideas as well!

Lindsey R. Sablowski 

New promo for the series!

I spent over an hour editing this picture for it to turn out right.  Personally, I like the fire, but I do feel like "the Magicians series" is too small.  I'll try to fix it up in the morning, but it's 1am and I desperately need sleep!  

I'll be trying to create a new promo for the series, seeing as now I have a better editing software I'm using.

Goodnight everyone :)  Remember to comment and tell me what you think!

Lindsey R. Sablowski

New Life promo

This is the promo I'll be using to promote the upcoming book!  Hope you enjoy it; spent a lot of time editing this picture.  Special thanks to the creator of the stock image of the couple: here

If you'd like to help promote the book, feel free to use this image!  Thanks everyone.

Sorry for the quick post.  I'll be back later on with more!

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Leal Irvine: At night we fall asleep believing we can escape it

It's a lovely afternoon, actually one of the finest I've seen in days.  I was told I'll be telling my story at last, and I must admit it's a relief.  Well come on already; you know I can't stay in one place too long.  Walk with me, won't you?


I find the beginning of a story is always the most difficult to write.  Wouldn't it be easier if we could start with the end?  Or perhaps the middle?  Alas, though, the beginning of my story must be told.  I don't expect you to understand, but beneath this smile and inside the manor I call home there's a story I've never told before.  Not even Mama truly knows what it is that I do.  I'm not merely a business man like my father.
But I've held in this story for too long, so I'll place my life on the line by telling you who I really am.  There's parts about the magical world that I know, and now I'm relying on you to keep it between the two of us.  You know these are dangerous time; we can't afford any of this getting out to the authorities.

I can teach you what I know, I can show you the world as it really it... But you'll have to take the first step.  Are you ready for this?  I've waited a long time for you to listen.  I will return within a day or two if you should accept.   In our world as it is today, the truth might be all that's left to save you, dove.

Deadline met, Final Manuscript sent, SEQUEL in progress!

First of all, happy second day of August! Great news: I reached my deadline, and at last the final submission packet is in the hands of my publisher.  What a relief!!  I've been editing Cursed With Power since May (strictly so it was ready to hit the shelves), so now that it's over I finally take a break from editing.  Plus you won't have to hear about me editing for a while; instead we can talk about the book design.

Don't leave yet!

Because the ending of one book brings me to the beginning of another.  That's right... the sequel.

Surprise, surprise, here's the guy we've all been wondering about.  As promised, I plan on beginning work on New Life, the second book in the Magicians series.  This story is told from Leal's point of view -yes, I'm certain he's already overjoyed with the idea.  This ought to be interesting seeing as this will by my first full novel written entirely from a man's POV.  Leal has been fighting with me these last couple months to have his story told, and now we've reached that point.  I have several journals already set aside for this book (two already used up, and one left with lots of space), but since I learned a lot from editing CWP I'll be reviewing my ideas and seeing what else is left to be desired.  This sequel needs a BANG!  I want you, the readers, to enjoy it for everything it has to offer.  With Leal telling the story, who knows what could happen!

I'm eager to get a start on this book, and I am hoping that within this book the reader can travel deeper into the magical world.  There will new characters, returning old ones, and the truth about some dark secrets our heroes have been hiding.  

All the updates will be here, including news about Cursed With Power.  An official release date should be announced soon!

Coming next: At last the character journey you've been waiting for!

Lindsey R. Sablowski