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The first book that I completed was actually not the first that I published. (I also have another that was lost to time that never got past the three-quarter mark--we don't speak of it ;)).
My first completed book was the original version of Essence of Chaos. It was MASSIVE, weighing in at over 650 pages.
I loved writing it. I loved the characters, the story, everything. Once it had gone through some edits, I tried submitting to agents--this was in the dark days before self-publishing became a thing.
Got requests for the full a few times, good feedback, but always a pass (yeah, size did come up a few times--it was called a door-stopper.).
I finally put it aside, as I wasn't ready to re-write the entire thing, and started a few new 'first-in-series' books. (Including The Glass Gargoyle-- which just celebrated eight years out last month!)
After getting a few new books published, I started taking apart Essence of Chaos. It lost over 200 pages (to be fair, I had chopped out about 75 before the re-write) and was much stronger.
After a false start with a cover artist, I found new ones and LOVE my covers. Essence of Chaos came out in 2021, the second, Division of Chaos in 2022, and the final in the trilogy, Destruction of Chaos, comes out this summer.
This book means a lot to me, and will always have a very special place in my heart. I'd envisioned a traditional book career when I started it, but now am extremely happy with my indie career and getting my stories out my way (with a LOT of professional help ;)).
What was your first book?
Happy IWSG day!!
I like that you went back to your first completed book eventually. And made a trilogy out of it! Best of luck with the upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteThank you on both counts! :) No matter how many books get out there, they always cause stress! LOL!
DeleteThank you for coming by!
It's encouraging to see you went back to your first and could publish it!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yeah, it was really a "do what needs to be done to make it work" moment. I'm glad I waited until I had a few more books under my belt before I did it.
DeleteThanks for coming by!
I remember those days attending RT with you and Renee. If I remember, you both did a couple of interviews there. Ah, the good old days...
ReplyDeleteYup!! The one in Florida was my first "doorstopper" comment from an agent! I miss RT--it was fun. Thank you for coming by with the memories!
DeleteI remember those dark days before self-publishing was a thing. I don't miss them in that respect. I'm so thankful for internet!
ReplyDeleteSOooooo true!!! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteYou got it out there and on your terms - that is a big win.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! It felt really good when I finally got it out there. That past me was doing some happy dancing for sure! Thank you for coming by!
DeleteI love that this ends with HOPE! Like, it was hard at first, but it really did get BETTER! That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG day! Here's a giveaway- rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4fa90ac761
It's April, so I'm focused on the #AtoZChallenge.
Proof of Existence, book two in my dark urban fantasy series, is out this month.
I'm running another giveaway on my blog.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Reference& Speculative Fiction Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
Thank you! And thanks for coming by!
DeleteI'm glad you found a process/career that works for you and got to revisit that old story to publish!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's all trial and error-- and a lot of pivoting ;). Thanks for coming by!
DeleteYour covers are fantastic. I can fully appreciate the challenge to find the artist that recognizes the essence of the story and reflects it in the cover.
ReplyDeleteLynn La Vita
Thank you! I have really found some amazing cover artists-- and they are so valuable to my books! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteDoor stopper? LOL Yet you found a way to use the idea. Great.
ReplyDeleteYes!!! I still remember speaking to an agent at RT convention in Florida-- she was interested and wanted to see it, but she did have hesitation about the "door stopper"! Thank you for coming by!
DeleteLike you, my first drafts tend to be "doorstoppers" lol. I always have to edit down. But I tend to keep scenes and chapters that were removed in case they can find a home in a sequel or prequel.
ReplyDeletewww.heidiangell.com
Yay!!
DeleteWay to go, Marie! You have amazing covers. And you remained in charge of it. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWay to go on your writing and cover art!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI’m not sure where else to ask, but is the third book still being released? I’ve tried following the link on your website and kindle but neither work. Excited to finish this series thats been an important part of your writing career. I’m making my way through all of your books
ReplyDeleteHello! Sorry about that. My email is messed up and waiting for my web person to change the connection. BUT YES! Destruction of Chaos has had some mayhem which massively delayed it-- but it's in edits right now! Once it comes back, I'll do a check through, then off to the proofreader. Hoping for late Feb or early March release.
DeleteUnfortunately, since I had to cancel my preorder due to it not being ready for others to read, Amazon won't let me do one.
Once it comes out, Amazon will notify all people who follow me there (Go to my page and there should be a link under my bio). Book Bub will also if you follow me there.
Thank you so much for checking in!