Amy Kuivalainen's Blog - Posts Tagged "kingdom"
March Update
I'm running a bit late this month with the update but I am here! Finally!
Last month was HUGE both professionally and personally. I spent time as no #1 in respective Amazon categories for both Wylt and Cry of the Firebird which has brought many more readers into the Firebird Fairy tales world - Welcome! As always, I'm crazy grateful for everyone who buys, reads and reviews my books. I wouldn't be doing this without you!
Okay, to the stuff:
Work on KINGDOM is progressing at a fast pace. Now that I'm on a uni break and have locked away other projects and distractions (social media has been cut WAY back), I'm really hitting the word count hard. I'm about to hit the half way mark which is exciting and nerve wracking as I tie up a bunch of story arcs. It's been fun refreshing myself in Celtic myths and experimenting with different gods and characters. I've always found writing the Blood Lake Chronicles to be so therapeutic to my writer brain and this one is shaping up to be no different.
While I cant say anything too much, my SUPER SECRET UNNAMED PROJECT that I spent most of last year working on is almost ready to announce. SO much exciting stuff happening that I cant wait to tell you all about. I can say that it is based in a different 'world' to the Firebird / Blood Lake books which is exciting and nerve wracking but omg guys, I am so in love with it and I hope you will be too. At this stage its got three books planned (yeah I seem to move in threes, I know) and once KINGDOM is wrapped up I can really throw myself into it. Eek.
What I've been reading:
L.H. Cosway!! Guys. Why didn't you tell me the HEART series existed?? I mean illusionists and fire eaters? Hot romance? Engaging plots? GUYS WITH TATS. I read the first one Six of Hearts in a single sitting and consumed book two Hearts of Fire straight afterward. They were AMAZING and highly recommend if you are after a romance.
Check them out HERE.
I had to 'rest' the series because I seriously wasn't getting anything done. Definitely an author I'll binge read as soon as KINGDOM is sorted.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black - Okay. I will be the first to admit I'm not on a YA fantasy bender at
the moment (I tend to go through stages) but I've waited ages to get my hands on this one. Holly writes incredible dark fairy worlds and this reverse changelings of humans raised in Faerie is no exception. There were things I really loved about it (the Court, general world building) and things that I felt a bit meh over, namely the many bullying scenes and highschool vibe in some sections. I fully understand its target market is YA but as someone who hated school and was bullied a lot it got old for me quick. The main story arc and character development is really great and you can tell that the series is gearing up for something BIG which will ultimately keep me reading. Definitely in the 'introduction to a bigger story arc' book category for me because I was only really getting into it before it was over.
Next on the reading list is Elizabeth Hunter's new one INK, which might have to wait til next weekend bec
ause she is a writer I DON'T STOP READING once I start. A book store and tattoos in one book? Yeah I'm so not going to put it down. Also, this is clearly a sign I need another tattoo...Right? In all seriousness, give her a shot if you are after solid storylines with awesome world building. Her Irin Chronicles? Seriously don't even get me started on how much I love them.
Check her out HERE
Okay so that's all for me for the moment, go watch Black Panther if you haven't already, it was fantastic. Also, expect me talking about Tomb Raider next update because I CAN'T WAIT for the new film to be released....Amy x
Last month was HUGE both professionally and personally. I spent time as no #1 in respective Amazon categories for both Wylt and Cry of the Firebird which has brought many more readers into the Firebird Fairy tales world - Welcome! As always, I'm crazy grateful for everyone who buys, reads and reviews my books. I wouldn't be doing this without you!
Okay, to the stuff:
Work on KINGDOM is progressing at a fast pace. Now that I'm on a uni break and have locked away other projects and distractions (social media has been cut WAY back), I'm really hitting the word count hard. I'm about to hit the half way mark which is exciting and nerve wracking as I tie up a bunch of story arcs. It's been fun refreshing myself in Celtic myths and experimenting with different gods and characters. I've always found writing the Blood Lake Chronicles to be so therapeutic to my writer brain and this one is shaping up to be no different.
While I cant say anything too much, my SUPER SECRET UNNAMED PROJECT that I spent most of last year working on is almost ready to announce. SO much exciting stuff happening that I cant wait to tell you all about. I can say that it is based in a different 'world' to the Firebird / Blood Lake books which is exciting and nerve wracking but omg guys, I am so in love with it and I hope you will be too. At this stage its got three books planned (yeah I seem to move in threes, I know) and once KINGDOM is wrapped up I can really throw myself into it. Eek.
What I've been reading:
L.H. Cosway!! Guys. Why didn't you tell me the HEART series existed?? I mean illusionists and fire eaters? Hot romance? Engaging plots? GUYS WITH TATS. I read the first one Six of Hearts in a single sitting and consumed book two Hearts of Fire straight afterward. They were AMAZING and highly recommend if you are after a romance.
Check them out HERE.
I had to 'rest' the series because I seriously wasn't getting anything done. Definitely an author I'll binge read as soon as KINGDOM is sorted.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black - Okay. I will be the first to admit I'm not on a YA fantasy bender at
the moment (I tend to go through stages) but I've waited ages to get my hands on this one. Holly writes incredible dark fairy worlds and this reverse changelings of humans raised in Faerie is no exception. There were things I really loved about it (the Court, general world building) and things that I felt a bit meh over, namely the many bullying scenes and highschool vibe in some sections. I fully understand its target market is YA but as someone who hated school and was bullied a lot it got old for me quick. The main story arc and character development is really great and you can tell that the series is gearing up for something BIG which will ultimately keep me reading. Definitely in the 'introduction to a bigger story arc' book category for me because I was only really getting into it before it was over. Next on the reading list is Elizabeth Hunter's new one INK, which might have to wait til next weekend bec
ause she is a writer I DON'T STOP READING once I start. A book store and tattoos in one book? Yeah I'm so not going to put it down. Also, this is clearly a sign I need another tattoo...Right? In all seriousness, give her a shot if you are after solid storylines with awesome world building. Her Irin Chronicles? Seriously don't even get me started on how much I love them.Check her out HERE
Okay so that's all for me for the moment, go watch Black Panther if you haven't already, it was fantastic. Also, expect me talking about Tomb Raider next update because I CAN'T WAIT for the new film to be released....Amy x
April Update
Greetings from crazy writer land,
I am on the last 10-15k words of KINGDOM and I am super fried but trying to end strong. It has come together in a weird and wonderful way that I didn't plan for but somehow works better. This always seems to happen, my writing structural plan more or less hits its original high points but how I get to them always happens in a random organic fashion. I've learnt not to stress too much when things go a bit haywire but I tell you, sometimes its hard to relinquish control. It's fairly different from the other two of The Blood Lake Chronicles as most of the action takes place in Faerie, where we learn HEAPS about the Seren Du family origins and all sorts of shenanigans happens. I'm going to be a little bit (a lot) nuts by the time that it is done but I'm feeling good about it so thats a good sign. I do have plenty of the usual impostor syndrome voices going on but trying to do my best not to feed that troll.
The writer brain and anxiety has been a lot less this time around because I am simply managing my shit better. 'My shit' being my mental health in this case. I'm pretty new to yoga (only been practicing for about 10 months) but its seriously helping me keep calm and also provides a good way for my to untangle plots while I move. Sitting still is really hard for me so the concept of a moving meditation has done me wonders. I highly recommend Allie- The Journey Junkie on Youtube if you are a newbie and want to learn some yoga. Shes a great teacher and the online community is a good support. I also have had my first go of a sensory deprivation tank this month and I can't recommend it enough. I love a long bath and this was the bath experience heightened to perfection. I'm big on meditation and this gave me the deep calm of a really good meditation session. It helped clear a lot of the screaming in my head and general feelings of being over whelmed that comes with tying up a book.
Speaking of books (and this is SO overdue) but I have decided that I am going to do a relaunch of my Western Wars series. So, some of you might remember last year I ran a promo through Kindle Scout for a YA fantasy called 'Eastern Gods'...it didnt get picked up and I did release it as per the Kindle Scout rules, but then I took it down again after a month. WHY you might be asking? Well, a few reasons, some professional, some personal, but mainly I wanted to get it re-edited with US grammar (I'm Aussie so our grammar is different) and also I wanted to release it with the second book. The second book needed to be edited heavily and when I came to do it last August I was just too burnt out and wanted to throw the whole lot into a fire. Last year, I was mentally and emotionally burnt a lot and its taken me nearly 8 months to bounce back. Anyway, book 2 has sat there until the last month when I got some sound advice from a friend who really believes in the series (hey Kathryn) and convinced me to suck it up, do the work and get it released. As a result of this lecture, I have been doing edits on the second book when I've needed a break from KINGDOM. It's come together in a way that I'm finally happy with which is great, and while it does need to go off to the line editor, both books are scheduled to be released digitally this year. For a paperback edition I'd like to combine the books as it is one continuous story, but I'll keep you all posted on that. They are written in a different sort of style to my other books (they are epic fantasy after all) but I hope you will enjoy them if they sound like your thing.
The good news is it means you'll definitely get three books out of me this year; Eastern Gods, The Golden Queen, and KINGDOM. I don't know if the Mychal spin off book will be ready to go as it still needs a bit of re-writing and perfecting but I want to try and do this work as a palate cleanser between KINGDOM and the starting of book 2 of NEW SECRET PROJECT.
I'm sure there is other stuff I'm forgetting to add in this update, but I'm too off in writer land to remember everything at the moment. I'm sporadically on social media but mostly hiatusing until the book is finished.
See you on the other side,
Amy x
I am on the last 10-15k words of KINGDOM and I am super fried but trying to end strong. It has come together in a weird and wonderful way that I didn't plan for but somehow works better. This always seems to happen, my writing structural plan more or less hits its original high points but how I get to them always happens in a random organic fashion. I've learnt not to stress too much when things go a bit haywire but I tell you, sometimes its hard to relinquish control. It's fairly different from the other two of The Blood Lake Chronicles as most of the action takes place in Faerie, where we learn HEAPS about the Seren Du family origins and all sorts of shenanigans happens. I'm going to be a little bit (a lot) nuts by the time that it is done but I'm feeling good about it so thats a good sign. I do have plenty of the usual impostor syndrome voices going on but trying to do my best not to feed that troll.
The writer brain and anxiety has been a lot less this time around because I am simply managing my shit better. 'My shit' being my mental health in this case. I'm pretty new to yoga (only been practicing for about 10 months) but its seriously helping me keep calm and also provides a good way for my to untangle plots while I move. Sitting still is really hard for me so the concept of a moving meditation has done me wonders. I highly recommend Allie- The Journey Junkie on Youtube if you are a newbie and want to learn some yoga. Shes a great teacher and the online community is a good support. I also have had my first go of a sensory deprivation tank this month and I can't recommend it enough. I love a long bath and this was the bath experience heightened to perfection. I'm big on meditation and this gave me the deep calm of a really good meditation session. It helped clear a lot of the screaming in my head and general feelings of being over whelmed that comes with tying up a book.
Speaking of books (and this is SO overdue) but I have decided that I am going to do a relaunch of my Western Wars series. So, some of you might remember last year I ran a promo through Kindle Scout for a YA fantasy called 'Eastern Gods'...it didnt get picked up and I did release it as per the Kindle Scout rules, but then I took it down again after a month. WHY you might be asking? Well, a few reasons, some professional, some personal, but mainly I wanted to get it re-edited with US grammar (I'm Aussie so our grammar is different) and also I wanted to release it with the second book. The second book needed to be edited heavily and when I came to do it last August I was just too burnt out and wanted to throw the whole lot into a fire. Last year, I was mentally and emotionally burnt a lot and its taken me nearly 8 months to bounce back. Anyway, book 2 has sat there until the last month when I got some sound advice from a friend who really believes in the series (hey Kathryn) and convinced me to suck it up, do the work and get it released. As a result of this lecture, I have been doing edits on the second book when I've needed a break from KINGDOM. It's come together in a way that I'm finally happy with which is great, and while it does need to go off to the line editor, both books are scheduled to be released digitally this year. For a paperback edition I'd like to combine the books as it is one continuous story, but I'll keep you all posted on that. They are written in a different sort of style to my other books (they are epic fantasy after all) but I hope you will enjoy them if they sound like your thing.
The good news is it means you'll definitely get three books out of me this year; Eastern Gods, The Golden Queen, and KINGDOM. I don't know if the Mychal spin off book will be ready to go as it still needs a bit of re-writing and perfecting but I want to try and do this work as a palate cleanser between KINGDOM and the starting of book 2 of NEW SECRET PROJECT.
I'm sure there is other stuff I'm forgetting to add in this update, but I'm too off in writer land to remember everything at the moment. I'm sporadically on social media but mostly hiatusing until the book is finished.
See you on the other side,
Amy x
Kingdom PreOrder is Live!
Very excited to announce that KINGDOM, book 3 of The Blood Lake Chronicles, will be out on the 23rd of November! Hurray!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Qz3zfT
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id14...
Nook: https://bit.ly/2zFNops
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/king...
Forced back into a world of war, a reluctant king will return to take up his broken crown
Bleddyn is a man with secrets, but he can't outrun his past any longer. With Balthasar and Nimue in the clutches of his greatest enemy, he'll have to reclaim his birthright as the King of the Unseelie to save them. First, he'll have to recruit the formidable general Eirianwen to stand by his side, but his ex-fiancé isn't going to be won over so easily.
Eirianwen never thought she would see Bleddyn again and the woman he remembers died centuries ago. Only he can unite the scattered Unseelie in a final battle against the Autumn Queen, and as much as she hates it, Eirianwen knows she can't keep fighting alone. Bleddyn promises to get revenge for everything that was taken from her, but when the doors to the past are opened, neither one will be prepared for what comes out.
Rosa will do anything to get Balthasar back, and when Merlin makes a plan to recruit the Wild Hunt to their cause, there's nothing she won't do to secure their alliance. Making a bargain with a god is never a good idea, and her deal with Gwyn ap Nudd might end up costing Rosa more than she's willing to pay.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Qz3zfT
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id14...
Nook: https://bit.ly/2zFNops
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/king...
Forced back into a world of war, a reluctant king will return to take up his broken crown
Bleddyn is a man with secrets, but he can't outrun his past any longer. With Balthasar and Nimue in the clutches of his greatest enemy, he'll have to reclaim his birthright as the King of the Unseelie to save them. First, he'll have to recruit the formidable general Eirianwen to stand by his side, but his ex-fiancé isn't going to be won over so easily.
Eirianwen never thought she would see Bleddyn again and the woman he remembers died centuries ago. Only he can unite the scattered Unseelie in a final battle against the Autumn Queen, and as much as she hates it, Eirianwen knows she can't keep fighting alone. Bleddyn promises to get revenge for everything that was taken from her, but when the doors to the past are opened, neither one will be prepared for what comes out.
Rosa will do anything to get Balthasar back, and when Merlin makes a plan to recruit the Wild Hunt to their cause, there's nothing she won't do to secure their alliance. Making a bargain with a god is never a good idea, and her deal with Gwyn ap Nudd might end up costing Rosa more than she's willing to pay.
