Two weeks ago was my first in-person event at a local Christmas in July market! To say that I was nervous would be an understatement. I had my expectations and my purpose all mixed up. I was in fear of being disappointed, I knew my goals were set too high, and even though I knew it was a small community event that fact hadn’t quite sunk in yet.
But throughout the day, that changed. Rather than worry too much about trying to sell x number of books, I had to once again remind myself of my purpose - that if God can reach even one person and show them there’s something better worth putting one’s hope in though my story, that is enough.
It was also a lot of fun! I had a friend with me most of the day, I got to get to know some of the folks at tables around me and throughout the venue, made connections, and took home some cool things too! (A Case for Miracles, a custom Jean Jacket, and a gift for a family member).
I’m trying to line up some more events in the future, both at fairs/markets, and some local book store launches / signings. More to come on that!
What I can share now, though, is more about Imprinted! Imprinted is book 1 in my New Adult (NA) Urban Fantasy Trilogy, and it’s releasing August 15th. That may seem like a lot, so let me break it down.
And stay with me! Because a teaser of the cover is ahead!
YA vs NA: While Stars Above is meant for a YA audience (middle grade - early college), Imprinted is written for a slightly older audience (mid high-school through early 20s). So, if you bought Stars Above for a younger person in your life, Imprinted may or may not be a good fit for them yet. If you have questions about content or age appropriateness, I’m happy to connect with you.
Urban Fantasy: It’s gritty, it takes place in the world as we know it but with more supernatural creatures / plot. I present my own twist on vampires and faerie in this series, so the typical troupes surrounding those may or may not be present. In this series, though, there’s no magic. It’s humans and other types of beings on an uneven playing field with their own plots, gains, and things to lose.
Other themes/tropes to note: there are the slightest suggestions of future romance threads throughout the trilogy, but any romance will be clean and closed door at max (this includes any and all vampire interactions). I market this as NA because of the age of the characters, but also the nature of the story - there’s adventure, there’s fights, there’s tough spots to escape from. It doesn’t shy away from evil, but also presents an angle of hope.
And now! The sneak-peak at the cover:
The mystery! The curiosity! (And maybe that’s just me, because I designed the cover). But I hope that if this has sparked your interest, you stick around! I’ll be doing the full cover reveal in the coming weeks and sharing the synopsis.
And, if you want to help me launch Imprinted into the world and find those who will resonate with this story:
Reach out! You can message me on Substack or reply to this email. I’ll send you a free ebook ARC copy and simply request you leave an honest review at release day (August 15th).
For more things happening with ebooks, check out all the deals available at the Smashwords July Sale. You can get Stars Above 50% off, and you might uncover more of your Summer’s favorite reads all while supporting indie bookstores.
And if you pick up a copy of my book, and/or others, don’t forget to leave a review. Reviews are so important to the visibility and discoverability of books to get them in the hands of more readers who need those stories.
Currently Reading: Grimdark Magazine Issue #41; Gaslands: Refuelled: Post-Apocalyptic Vehicular Mayhem; Even if He Doesn't by Kristin LaValley
Recently Read: Grimdark Magazine issue #40
Bought these magazines for the Scott Lynch short story that was split across two issues, stayed because Grimdark is just a fascinating genre, even if it’s not always my cup of tea.
I love, love, love Even if He Doesn’t. It’s a slow read for me, even though it’s not a huge book. But each time I read part of Kristin’s story, I’m overwhelmed by the presence and person of God, reminding me of where I am and where he meets me every day.
And one other thing you likely don’t know about me, I love finding niche RPGs and table top games. Gaslands is the latest in that hobby. It’s a car kit-bashing racing/battle game and I’m so excited to play my first game!
I’m also always taking book recommendations, as I’m a firm believer that your TBR list can never be too long. So if there’s something you’ve read you want to share, let me know! It might just show up on this list one day.
This week’s edition of Things I Watched (when I wasn’t scrolling YouTube Shorts…)
…because sometimes you need to know these things
My favorite lofi mixes come from this channel! Perfect for writing.
And can’t forget some worldbuilding inspiration, a fascination with how other creatives create their worlds.
Thank you for making it to the end! To learn more about me and my books, visit my author website at brookestemmebooks.com. I’m so glad to share my stories with you, and look forward to hearing yours.
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