Good morning from sunny (and unbearably HOT) Louisiana! It’s been a minute (several months) since I’ve posted anything and I’ll be honest as to the reason. 

I was burnt out. 

Being an indie author can be tiring, lonely, overwhelming, and downright depressing. When you look at your minuscule books in the expansive sea of novels that are published daily, it’s easy to fall into the trap of insignificance. For the past several months, I truly didn’t see my place (or the place of this series) in the vast, evergrowing, competitive, cutthroat world of books. 

Honestly, I still don’t. 

Between financial hardships, broken computers, and job changes, I’ve almost given up and walked away from the entire thing. 

But that’s not me. 

Nor is it the mindset of the team of people I’ve surrounded myself with. My partner, Terri has been my biggest cheerleader, putting up with mood swings, a dirty house, and sporadic meals. My co-creator, Marie has always offered encouraging words and constantly reminds me to forge on. And last (but certainly not least) my beloved editor, Kathy, who loves and knows these characters as well as we do, and is an endless source of positivity and realism when I need it.

Quitting is not the work ethic my beloved grandparents instilled in me, nor is it part of the legacy I wish to leave behind. “You can do anything you set your mind to.” Not a few things. Not what’s easy.

ANYTHING.

I might have stopped promoting and putting myself out there, but I NEVER stopped writing. Presently, we are weeks away from releasing The Fire: Book 2.5. If you’ve read The Watching, you can guess the content within the novella. It’s beautiful and bittersweet, and the beginning of a love story that transcends life and death. We cannot wait for you to read it. I’m also two chapters away from finishing the 3rd novel in The Waiting Series. If possible, this one is crazier than the previous two. Several short stories are in the works including one that chronicals the origins of the “Operation” and another one entitled “Vermilion Bay.” Paperbacks will be available soon along with beautiful color covers (thanks to CJ Design) instead of the original black and white. 

As for what to do about marketing and promoting these books…I still don’t know, but I do know GIVING UP ISN’T OPTIONAL. I’ve never been one for reading directions or instructions. I tend to do better if I’m allowed to figure it out for myself because let’s just be honest: there are no quick fixes. 

No magical publishing deals.

No wishing on a lucky star. 

But there is hard work. 

Tenacity. 

And for all I lack in the ability to promote myself, I have stubbornness in spades and I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow something to keep me down. So, in the prolific words of Lindsey Buckingham:

I’ll ‘go (my) own way.’ 

To our readers: we love you. We are thankful that these stories resonate in your mind and heart and that you keep coming back for more. YOU are part of the reason I still write. Thank you. 

Elizabeth