Book/Writing/Instagram Update!

It’s been another year since my last update, so I thought it was high time to pop in again here. I’m about half way through the spin-off of Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven, having hit page 200 of the manuscript in late August. Writing is slow but sure, and I’m having a ball with it. This WIP is different from anything else I’ve written, but it builds upon some of the more magical elements of Moose Tracks and is what I’d call a “Five People You Meet in Heaven meets Disney’s Soul” type of novel. I think the term is metaphysical fiction.

If you’ve read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, you’ll have an idea of type of book I’m writing, but with bit brighter tone, as suits the main character, Jesse. If you’ve read Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven you’ll know exactly who I mean. 😉

Anyway, I know it’s been a while since I posted here, but all is well. Retirement is great for no paperwork, but challenging when you’re in the sandwich generation, caring for an elderly parent and also caring for young adult children and young grandchildren (not to mention husband and home lol). Writing happens and ideas are always brewing. I’ll get more into aspects of this WIP as I go along. It’s challenging in that I need to research various time periods and places along the way, which slows me down. But I love it and believe it’ll be a story that will help others as as well as entertain.

If you’d like more updates than I’m able to post here on my website/blog, I invite you to come over to my FB author page (Mary Reed McCall, Author) or better yet my Instagram page (mrmwriter). I’ve had it for years, but in the past year I’ve been posting regularly and trying to grow it. As you can see, I don’t have much of a following – YET, haha! I don’t worry too much about that though, concentrating on posting writing and “cozy”-themed content on a regular basis there, since I’ve become a fan of reels. 🙂 Reels allow the addition of music, which I love, and I get a little creative fix as well, by crafting the content.

Pinned at the top of my Instragram are reels about all my books, and sprinkled throughout are reels for each of my published books so far (with the exception of Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven…I just haven’t gotten to that one yet). I’ve had a ball creating them, talking about what sparked each book idea, research tidbits, background information of the publication process, a peek at the printed out manuscripts, copy edits, cover art and revision letters with editorial comments, little excerpts etc etc.

A screenshot of my Instagram page

For a change I sometimes post recipe reels like this one about making a yummy foccacia bread among other tasty foods and libations.

So, if you’re so inclined, I hope you’ll head over to instagram as give me a follow on Instagram to keep even more current with what’s happening in my writing world. With that I’ll say goodbye for now and get back to work on Jesse’s story. As always, Happy Reading and thanks for checking in!

Day Job Retirement…and New Writing!

Writing at the kitchen table last summer with my trusty companion, who is now almost 18 years old.

It’s been a while since I posted, and as is always the case life marches on with or without us checking in. In MY case, during that interim I’ve retired after 32 years as an English Literature teacher, and I’m working now to restart my writing career. As of today, I’m 141 pages into a new manuscript that will be a spin-off of sorts from my latest published novel, Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven.

This new novel is still vintage MRM-style novel fiction, but with a slight shift in focus. For the past 8 years, my tagline has read, “Humorous, quirky, poignant, and inspiring, with a touch of something magical“, and the new novel takes the leap to hit a bit harder on the magical part, in setting at least.

The main character is Jesse James Wilder, from Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven, and if you’ve read that novel, then you know why the magical part is needed. Think Disney’s Soul blended with Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven, blended with Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas and you might start to get an idea where I’ve been going.

I love working on this novel because it takes me back to my roots as an historical writer, immersing me in deep research about people, language, customs, and lifestyles in Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, 8th century Sweden, medieval England, 19th century China, and several other locales and times. Loads of fun, but also time consuming. At the heart of this novel is a really important message though, so I keep whittling away to bring my vision into a form that includes all the elements readers have told me over the past two+ decades that they love about my work: characters to care about, deep emotions, exciting events happening in engaging and realistic settings, underpinned by meaningful themes and messages about the nature of life, love, honor, and what matters most.

Stay tuned here for any updates as I go. It may take a while, but I’m working away at it, never fear. To all of my die-hard readers and fans, thank you for your continued support. For anyone new to me here, I invite you to peruse all of my novels with free excerpts through “The Books” link on the left side of the homepage here. And as always, thank you to everyone for coming along with me on my journey!

HUGE Price Reduction!

MooseTracks_CoverFor the Months of July and August, we’re celebrating summer and beach reading…so we’re offering Moose Tracks On the Road to Heaven on kindle for just 99 cents!

The price has NEVER been this low on this full-length (in print it’s trade-sized and over 320 pages) novel.

Go HERE and click on the cover to read a FREE excerpt.

Snap it up now, while you can.  Happy summer – and Happy Reading!

It’s Been A Long Time…

Mary RM editedIt’s been a very long time since my last post. I have no reason other than the usual one for many: a very full life outside of my writing life – along with some unexpected bumps in the road and a close family member’s ongoing recovery from a very difficult circumstance.

However, I am back, and I will strive to be more present here.

I have a backlog of recipes/cooking to offer up.

The Crimson Lady

The Crimson Lady, originally released in 2003 and re-released in 2012

I also have several interesting and quirky experiences to share, and some book talk too. I’m mulling ideas (and have begun a prequel novella to my medieval romance The Crimson Lady; The original novel follows Fiona Byrne in the years after she’d fled London and the notorious existence she’d had there. She’d been sold as a young woman into a life of sin, purchased by a powerful nobleman who is as depraved as he is handsome, and turned into England’s most desired courtesan: Giselle de Coeur, “The Crimson Lady”. The prequel is called “Becoming the Crimson Lady” and details just how she was transformed from a street urchin to the sought-after courtesan…and what led to her ultimate escape).

I have a few other ideas rolling around that are not tied to works I’ve already written, but we’ll see what transpires.

MooseTracks_CoverIn the meantime, my latest, “Fried Green Tomatoes of the Adirondacks style”, very loosely and semi-autobiographical novel Moose Tracks on the Road To Heaven is still available for only $3.99 in digital and $13.99 in trade-sized print.

I’m not reading too much lately, outside of material for work (endless papers, exams etc), but a title I’m reading a bit at a time, because it fascinates me, is Change the Story of Your Health: Using Shamanic and Jungian Techniques for Healing by Carl Greer, PhD, PsyD. Has anyone else read this book or something similar?

Lastly, the school year is finally wrapping up for 2017. This will mean more free time to write (and visit here!) but less than when I was building this site, due to some of those life circumstances I mentioned in the first paragraph. It will still be a change of schedule, and I am looking forward to embracing all that the summer has to offer, in my personal life, in the great beauty of nature, and in a bit of travel, writing, relaxation, and family time.

How about you? What are your plans for the next few months? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Thanks for visiting!

Print Advertising – Yes or No?

Moose Tracks SUM.16 Third Vertical V05I suppose that’s not really a fair question in that I’m committed to this first stab at print advertising…I’ve already paid the fee to have a print ad produced and for it to appear in in the Summer and Autumn quarterly issues of Foreword Reviews, in an effort to maximize on the news that Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven (which is on sale now!) has been named a finalist in their prestigious Book of the Year Awards.

As I’m sure you’ve already deduced, this is the ad. What do you think? It was created (with some back and forth input from me) by talented graphic designer Barbara Hodge, who works freelance but also works in a design capacity for Foreword Reviews as well. It will be 1/3 of a page in the glossy print magazine (which is also available to subscribers in a digital reader online).

I guess I’m tossing the question from the post’s title out there to see what any of your thoughts on the matter are. I don’t have a background in marketing, nor am I a large-scale book-buyer (though I do buy a LOT of books! 🙂 ).

Basically, I’m wondering whether or not you as a consumer believe that print ads have any effect on your purchasing choices…or if you are an author, if print ads have been successful or not for you or other authors you know? I’m trying a few different things, and though I realize there are many “free” ways to market (like a web presence etc), my efforts at that are often sporadic, as many of you who follow me here know, due to life/day job circumstances outside my control; that’s why I’m looking to widen the process where I can.

So…please chime in! Do print ads work for you as a reader, buyer, or author? What makes you “notice” and try the work of a new author? I’m open to any and all suggestions (though depending on the cost of them in time or money, I may not be able to actually put them into practice, LOL) 🙂

Fire away with your thoughts (and/or feedback on this particular ad…I’m all ears!)!

 

Award-Winning Novel SALE!

MooseTracks_CoverFor a limited time…my award-winning, full-length general fiction/women’s fiction novel Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven is available in e-book from Amazon for just $3.99! That’s $10 off the print price!

Described as “Fried Green Tomatoes meets Prairie Home Companion”, this novel is set in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and is over 100,000 words/300+ trade size print pages. If you’ve been waiting to give something new a try, now is your chance.

For those who are new to this site, you can click on the title to be taken to the book page, where you can read an excerpt and learn more about the book. Click on the word “Amazon” above to be taken to the sale page for your e-book copy. In the meantime, from the back cover blurb:

“…Humorous, poignant, and endearing (Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven)…is a tender foray into the emotional landscape of family, friendship, and the kind of love that transcends boundaries, weaving an inspiring tale about what it means to hang on before learning to let go . . . and remembering how to keep living when you lose someone you love.”

I hope you’ll give it a try, and enjoy a new read at a bargain!

 

2015 Book of The Year Finalist!

FINAL COVER MOOSE TRACKS

Feeling the #indielove! Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven has been chosen as a Foreword Reviews’ prestigious #INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards finalist in #General Fiction! In a competition with over 1500 other entrants, it’s pretty great to have made it this far. Stay tuned for the winner announcements at the end of June, at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference, in Orlando, FL.

Click HERE to go to the list of General Fiction Finalists, and HERE if you want to go directly to the finalist page for Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven.

Woohoo! 🙂

Foreword Reviews “Reviewer’s Choice” Award!

FINAL COVER MOOSE TRACKSJust in time for Christmas…

I’m delighted to share that Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven has received a “Reviewer’s Choice” Award from Foreword Reviews, the preeminent Indie Book Review Quarterly.

Considering that the quarterly publishes more than 600 book reviews annually, this nod for Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven – one of only 15 chosen for the year – is a real honor, and I am thrilled.

Just click on FOREWORD REVIEWS right here and it will take you to the blog posting and the list of books named. Mine is the sixth one down, with the original review by Maya Fleischmann, along with some lovely commentary just before it, explaining why she chose my book as her favorite of 2015. 🙂

 

 

PSA: Avon Sale at Kindle

booksaleI happened to be over at amazon making some purchases and noticed that the three of my titles still retained by HarperCollins/Avon are being offered at a deep discount for kindle download.

All three are only $1.99 each, instead of the usual $5.99!

The Sweetest Sin

Beyond Temptation

Sinful Pleasures This includes my one and only Highland-set historical (The Sweetest Sin), and the first two books in my Templar Knights trilogy (Beyond Temptation and Sinful Pleasures). If you click on the title it will bring you to the sale page for each book.

I have no idea how long the discount will last, so if you’re interested in trying any of these titles, now is the time. I’ve never seen HarperCollins offer any of these at such a deep discount…I’m considering it a Holiday “gift”!

Author Talk FREE Event!


For those of you who might be near Central Upstate New York this weekend, November 28th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving…

image

My talk and signing will be at Jervis Public Library (613 N Washington St, Rome, NY 13440 Call: (315) 336-4570 for more information) in my old hometown – which was the inspiration for the fictional setting of Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven. I’ll be talking about converting real life into fiction, publishing, writing in general…and pretty much anything else anyone wants to know or have a conversation about.

I’d love to meet you there and chat! 🙂