Podcasts, Practices, & Novel Ideas: What’s New with Me

Hello Hello, fellow Genre-Jumpers! It has been a long while of mostly silence but silence and stillness are very necessary things, especially when it comes to growing creatively. I am not 100% certain, but I think it’s been easily two years since I greeted you all, (Announcement that my debut novel was free for a spell, aside) and let me start by saying I’ve missed you!

Now that that’s taken care of, let’s talk about what has been going on.

I STARTED A PODCAST

Yes, you read that correctly. Last month, I not only launched a new website BUT a whole Podcast to go along with it!

The podcast is called THESE READ LETTERS, and it is not only for writers but readers as well. Here is my fancy tagline:

A bi-weekly, motivational Podcast for Writers & Readers exploring how to tell stories with intention.

As creatives, as humans, expressing ourselves verbally has its own set of challenges but when we seek to weave stories and express the thoughts of others, the process can be even more so, despite the excitement that it brings. Having had the misfortune of reading one too many books that lost their way, I decided that it was time to not only offer whatever help I could but also set a table to learn myself.

Creating is a continuous process of growth and learning. We all have moments where we miss the mark. I want to help myself and others stay on track from the starting word until the glory of typing ‘the end’.

The website will not only host links for the podcast itself, which you can also follow on Spotify, but that is where my Writer’s Wisdom and creative writing prompts and exercises will be as well! So I encourage you to follow and share with others.

And please leave comments and feedback. The only way I can improve and help you improve as well is to know what it is that you are most curious about. So leave a comment or shoot me an email at thesereadletters@gmail.com.

IN THE MEANTIME & BETWEEN TIME…

In the mean and between time of creating new podcast content, and working an audiobook and new cover for NEXUS GATE, I have decided to jump to another genre and write a random-generated-word Clean read, romcom.

Creating is a continuous process of growth and learning.

Candice Coates

It already has a title and is based off one of my failed attempts at being an abstract artist. It is actually titled for the painting that has inspired it.

If you are feeling froggy and would like to leap into this April writing challenge, you can do so by checking out the post HERE for more details.

That is all for now but I will be back sooner than later, dropping off writing prompt results and sharing future art and other novel ideas.

Until we meet again.

Write on? RIGHT ON!

We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.

Anaïs Nin
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Nexus Gate 4037: The Animal, Free on Amazon for a limited time!

Hello friends and fellow Genre-Jumpers! It’s been a while since we’ve conversed and I’d like to take a moment to apologize for that, BUT I also hope that life has treated you well since our silence began and ended.

Today, I’d like to share some grand news with you all. NEXUS GATE 4037: THE ANIMAL will be FREE for ebook download from Monday, February 28th until the end of Tuesday, March 1st.

why the free days?

There are several reasons why I would like to get Nexus Gate into your hands FOR FREE. The first of which is that I believe in this story and I know that you all do as well, and with that in mind, I want to share it and encourage you to share it with everyone you know as well.

After all, it’s free for a limited time.

The second reason is that I, a little over a year ago, removed NEXUS GATE from the KDP Ads program and by doing so, fell completely off the Amazon ranking database. So not only is Nexus Gate no longer showing its ranking, but it is hard to find even if you type the title into the search area.

The third reason is Nexus Gate, though having a well-intended cover design at the start, has come to be somewhat … flat. The baby needs a makeover! So in the meantime, I want to allow those of you who have not had the chance to give it a read to do so now.

Why the makeover?

As I’ve said, we need a new, strong, and gripping cover, one that aligns perfectly with the story and the characters. In addition to that, WE ARE WORKING ON A HARDCOPY through Barnes & Nobles as well as an AUDIOBOOK for those who’d love to read the story but don’t have the time to do so via hardcopy or ebook.

How you can heLP

Download, share, and leave honest feedback.

DOWNLOAD AND SHARE: Even if you don’t feel like you have the time to read through, download it and encourage others to do so as well. This will help me get back into the Amazon ranking and prepare it to be seen when the audiobook and hardcover come out for sale.

SHARE WITH OTHERS: I can’t ask that enough. The more you share the more others download and again it is FOR FREE!

LEAVE ME FEEDBACK: Whether you choose to do so on Amazon, or even on Goodreads, leave me feedback so that I can make the necessary changes before it is reprinted. You can even email me at candicecoateswrites@gmail.com and tell me what you think there! I would greatly appreciate it.

Get it HERE now!

“The best things in life are free … or $19.95.”

~I don’t know who said it, but I like it

Indie Publishing Hiccups…and What Not

Hello friends,

Our date for the paperback edition of NEXUS GATE 4037: THE ANIMAL, my debut novel from 2018, goes live on Friday, October 4th! I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about all of this even in light of the hiccups I have had in making this work of fiction physically available to you, my readers.

WHAT? WHAT HICCUPS?

So, it appears that somewhere along the lines of formatting and squaring things away for printing, that I ran into some trouble with my ISBN number.

Quick digression. If you are considering going the indie/self-publishing route with your writing, good for you! That is fantastic. Just make sure that you purchase your ISBN numbers form the ONLY legit vendor of ISBN’s in the US and that is Bowker.

Back to the hiccups…

It appears that made the ‘mistake’ of making my book available for mass distribution on Amazon, since that was the first platform I uploaded my novel to, and in so doing, I made my ISBN number unusable for self-publishing on any other platform, namely Barnes & Nobles.

BUMMER!

Now, this could be remedied in a very easy way, and that is for me to use another of my ISBN numbers in order to publish the same book on B&N’s platform.

Allow me to just say that in doing the math, taking not of the royalties I would receive for the same book, which are nearly 50% less than what I would get from Amazon, I have decided to scratch the idea of using another ISBN number on that platform.

Let me be clear though, what has happened to me, was strictly a rookie mistake in that I did not read ALL of the fine print several times over.

NG 3D Front 2The fact is you can use the same ISBN on different self-publishing platforms as long as:

  • The books have the same title
  • The same interior information and formating
    • Page numbers
    • page color type
    • are the same dimensions/ size
  • The same cover

The soup gets a little thick when you allow the book to be released for mass distribution on either platform (I believe) making it unusable on the other.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?

Being a person firmly anchored in faith in Christ Jesus, I know that although He didn’t cause this roadblock, that He is more than able and willing to use it for my good! I am expectant that much good will come out of this, that I will gain much valuable knowledge from this specific situation, that will aid me in my next publishing adventure coming WINTER 2020.

As I wait to hear back from B&N for other options available to remedy this current problem, I continue to get things all square on Amazon and explore my other distribution options with other indie retailers.

The goodness in all of this? I don’t know a single person who doesn’t make purchases from Amazon.  So win-win, right?

Right!

So, the party goes on. Paperbacks for all on Friday, October 4th even if they are only available on Amazon.

~Candice, the Genre Jumper

When life throws you a rainy day, play in the puddles.” ~UNKNOWN

 

*Photo by Water Journal on Unsplash

 

DEBUT NOVEL Nexus Gate 4037: The Animal OFFICIAL RELEASE IN 24hrs!

Hello Friends and fellow Genre Jumpers!

NG Book cover
Available Now on Amazon!

The countdown clock is officially winding down until my Debut Novel, NEXUS GATE 4037: THE ANIMAL is released on Amazon.

If you don’t have a Kindle for Amazon, no worries, you can download the app and still read the book on any e-device. NEXUS GATE will also be released on iBooks, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble on October the 26th 2018, with a paperback edition dropping before the end of November/Early December 2018. 

Wondering if it will be available on audiobook, well, that is the plan. I will keep you posted on the details regarding that.

If you haven’t yet read the TEASER CHAPTERS, you can do so now!

Thank you for showing your support, purchasing a copy of my debut novel, and sharing the link with others!

BONUS: Included with your purchase of NEXUS GATE 4037: THE ANIMAL, are the teaser chapters to my next novel, WARDEN.

Also, keep watch for the Promotion Tour coming soon, with interview questions and spoiler-free details about this project.

Thanks for reading.

~Candice Coates, the Genre Jumper

Progress & Publications: Gearing Up for Greater Things

Hello Friends and Fellow Genre Jumpers!

It’s been a long while since I’ve sat down and given you all updates on plans and plottings, happening here in the Novel World of the Genre Jumper. So let’s not delay any further.

First, Debut Novel Business

New NG Back Cover the Animal 1NEXUS GATE 4037: THE ANIMAL will be available for purchase in SEPTEMBER 2018. I am still in the process of polishing and formatting as well as learning the ins and outs of KDP and other ePublishing platforms. My plan is to have this work of fiction available for download on KINDLE, iBooks, KOBO, B&N, as well as PLAYBOOKS by Google.

I feel confident in saying that once I have gotten past this mountain of first-time-publication, my bookshelf will begin to fill up quickly and hopefully yours as well. This is my prayer and this is my hope.

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook for future snippets of the book beginning in August.

Other Written Words

Beginning on Thursday, July19th, I will start sharing short stories and other works of fiction that I have called, My Favorite Writes. You will be able to see and read these pieces by simply clicking on the link in my menu.

My Fav Writes Banner

MFWs are exactly what they are called, written bodies of work, ranging from several different genres that I delight to share with you all. Not only is it a way for us to stay creatively connected while I work on publishing longer tomes, but it is a great way for you, the reader, to ease into my writing style and taste the way I serve each genre.

Staying Connected

The best way not to miss a moment in my writing adventure is by staying connected. Following my author site is as easy as clicking “FOLLOW”…seriously, that is all it takes. Just click that big ole button in the side panel to your right and Bob’s your uncle! Once you do that, you will receive an email alert each time I share updates here.

If you are not keen on following that way, you can always get connected on Twitter, Facebook, or even Instagram.

There will also be a tried and true EMAIL LIST OPTION COMING SOON, where you can leave your contact information and receive monthly updates about future projects and more.

I am super excited about how my journey is going thus far and being blessed to see my dreams manifest. The greatest part of it all is having you along with me for the ride!

And can I just say that this lady feels AMAZING and BLESSED as she sees her seeds begin to sprout! Super exciting and incredibly blessed!

Thanks for being apart of my Novel World and Genre Jumping journey!

Sincerely,

Candice

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress. ~NICHOLAS M. BUTLER

Nexus Gate Update in 2018

Hello Friends,

We have rolled, some of us through the snow, out of the 2017 year, into the glory of 2018! Having made it through, I think we should all do a happy dance!

Publication of my debut novel, Nexus Gate 4037: The Animal, is glowing on the horizon, and for that, I am truly grateful. For that, I get up every day and chomp through page after page of necessary edits with the hope of reaching my deadline.

 

I have made much progress since last we had our chat, however, there is still much work to do. At least 14,000 words need to be sweetly kissed goodbye, as well as, a new cover image potentially needing to be created. (If you are digging the current image, let me know. I may even consider doing a voting poll between covers. Anything could happen.)

 

Nexus Gate 4037 Use Banner Picture image

With that being said, I am pushing back my publication date.

Now, don’t boo me yet. As I’ve said before, this is my first go at the self-publication-rodeo and with that being the case, my process is not as smooth-going as veterans at this venture, but I am learning, and I am pressing forward.

A late Spring publication date is ideal. Summer, is probably more practical. Either way, continue to cheer me on and pray my success! It is very much appreciated.

In other news, my creativity has been flowing like crazy and four new storylines for Science Fantasy Fiction have been born. I will give you the goods on those in the future.

Until later, friends!

~Candice

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” ~ William Edward Hickson

 

And the Winner Is: Nexus Gate 4037 Wins the Battle of the Books #amwriting #indiepublishing #sciencefiction

It brings me great pleasure to announce to you all that NEXUS GATE 4037: THE ANIMAL is the winner of the Battle of the Books!

NG Promo Cover

I’d like to take this moment to thank each and every person who took the time to read and vote. I’d also like to give special thanks to my blogging and writing community, those who hosted The Battle of the Books Blogging tour and those who cheered me on.

This was an amazing experience.

Now that the winner has been announced, the journey toward publication begins with a greater zeal.

Although this story, as well as its competitor, have been revised several times, there is still quite a bit of work left to do before this story hits the shelves.

WHAT LIES AHEAD:

  • A final draft
  • A final round of editing
  • Cover art consideration
  • Publication!!!

My goal is to have the finished copy on the eBook shelves by Fall 2017!

For those of you who were rooting for Warden, no worries. Warden will see its publication day. I will keep you posted on that.

If you didn’t get the chance to read the teaser chapters you can do so by following THIS LINK!

Again, thank you all for being part of this indie author journey!

Sincerely,

Candice Coates

Five Chapters in & Counting: Disius 9 365-Day Novel Progress Report

disius-9

Woohoo! Although I am still two days behind on my words-for-the-day with Disius 9, the story is growing splendidly. I have to say that this writing prompt and adventure is nothing like any that I have done before. The feeling and creative growth that I am experiencing have much to do with this.

These characters, this random daily word prompting is really amazing to me. If you are a writer you are familiar with how your story tells you where to go as you give it life. It shows you the ebbs and flows and yet leaves you the wide reach of freedom to dress and undress the story as you like.

For me, with this story, I fell less like it’s telling me how to write it and more like it’s showing me. Unlike other stories that I have written, I am writing Disius 9 out of what I am witnessing through my imagination and less out of what I am hearing and instinctively building.

Like any bystander or witness, I am making assumptions about the characters and plot only to find out a few moments later how off in my assumption I have been. The movie continues to play and the scenes make this clear. As this happens, I respond accordingly.

Unlike with my other stories, this one has yet to reveal who are what the villain is although there are many hints to the vileness and trouble that awaits with each scene that unfolds. I as the writer, feel much like the reader, only finding out more with each daily word I spin from.

These characters, Denim Rays, Besting Card, Congressman Meekus Claudius, and of course, Charis Joba, have a unique depth and richness that they are sharing with me, which is unlike stories I’ve borne out of the influence of my dreams.

With the stories I have jotted down from my dreams or from the stream of my raw imagination, I have had the authority, for the most part, to mold, build, and dress them as I saw fit. Without being a cast of divas or devos they politely, gently, reveal themselves and teach me how to write them. For instance, I have learned that Lexem Hold, is not as shallow as she seems at first.

All in all, writing this random-word novel in 365-days is a pretty fantastic experience!

As it stands, I have had to quadruple some days, writing an average of 273 words per random word, which at this pace would give me a 100k tome novel. Since on some days I use multiple words, there has been the occasional mix up where I use one word before the other. But for the most part, I have stuck to the path and been consistent with using each word within their proper order.

That is all there is to report for now. If you haven’t had the chance to read the excerpt for Disius 9, you can find it HERE. Also, if this is your first time hearing about the writing prompt for writing a novel in 365-days, you can find out more about that on my sister site www.icameforthesoup.com.

Thank you for tuning in!

Artistically,

Candice Coates

“Every word spoken has the potential to be a light in the dark”. ~Candice Coates