R. Lennard's Blog

I've just finished the final edits on Ronah, and I'm ready to send it back to the editor for the last time.This year has been a massive journey - a huge rollercoaster ride that feels like it hasn't stopped. It's only getting faster and more frantic as the final month of the year arrives.Book launch:Almost a fortnight ago, I went to my first ever book launch - as an author. What a surreal feeling to open up the book and recognise the words on the page. Not because I'd read them somewhere before, but because I'd written them!Delia from 1231 Publishing put together a fantastic launch and was super patient with all of my noob questions. It was astounding to see that the launch had been booked out - as a librarian, let me tell you, there's usually between a 5 and 20% drop-off rate for people attending an event, but there were people standing in the back because there wasn't enough seating.I've spoken in front of crowds before - over 1000 people in some of them - and I always get nervous. It's part of the process. The nerves hit you, and give you that extra bit of adrenaline and you get up there and wow everyone.At the launch, it was different for me. I felt under-prepared, and the beautiful, word-perfect speech I'd practised in the mirror that morning disappeared as soon as I entered the room.I'm pretty sure I rambled, and totally forgot to mention that Ronah is part of a young adult fantasy series (surprise!), and have yet to find the courage or time (mostly the courage) to look at the video that Leah, one of my beautiful support crew took.I can't thank everyone enough for taking the time to come and support not just me, but the other authors as well. I feel incredibly humbled and honoured. And if I type any more about this, tears and going to wreck the keyboard.Teasers:If you've been following me on social media, then you know I've done a few teasers for a super-secret special project that I've been working on.It's not ready just yet, but you can have a hint: The novels in the Lissae series are all based off Shari. Her thoughts and experiences, her fighting methods and how she (tries) to work with others to problem solve. You get to see bits and pieces from the other characters, but really, it's tiny glimpses into their worlds and lives.Problem is, that while I've been waiting for the editor to go over Ronah, one of the characters stood up and demanded some air time. And then another, and another...That means good news for you. And you'll hear it here first - the super-secret project that I've been working on is a short story, told from one of the characters in Ronah, before they meet Shari.Any guesses as to who? It's pretty obvious if you check out my Instagram page.Reading Corner:I haven't had a lot of time to read lately, with the super-secret special project, the book launch and editing, but I have read The Evil Inside Uswhich is perfect for this time of year. If you want a book that gets deep into your psyche then it's well worth the look.What's next:I'm a bit stoked that my journey with Ronah is at a end. The characters have made me laugh, cry and curse. They've waited a long time to make it into the hands - and hopefully the hearts - of many.In the whirlwind that has been the last year/month/week (does it ever stop?), I've learnt more than I expected, and met the most amazing people and I can't wait to see what the next year will bring.I know blog posts and newsletters have been rather sporadic, as I've been concentrating on all of the other little bits that make up being an independent author, but I'll be posting more regularly now.Expect the next newsletter out at the start of November, with more details about the super-secret project!Happy reading!

Exciting news! On the 13th October, I'll be at North Lakes Library with some of the other authors from The Evil Inside Us anthology.If you can't make it on the day, you can still order your signed copy from my website. It's available now, and the first 50 copies will receive something special with their order, so pre-order now!Cosplay news:The needle is getting a work out as I prepare for Brisbane SupaNova in November. I'm trying a range on new techniques with the (you guessed it!) Weeping Angel costume. Never before have I used a heat gun or carved wings out of foam, so that's pretty exciting! Big plans, and I can only hope that I can live up to my own expectations.Reading corner:My editor, the wonderful Eanna Roberts got me onto the Skulduggery Pleasantseries, and I am voraciously going through these books. I do have a secret to admit though - as a librarian, I quite often see this series being returned, and I've avoided it because of the covers. It shows that the old saying is true - never judge a book by it's cover!Skulduggery is an amazing character, and I'm looking forward to seeing what his next adventure holds!What are you reading at the moment? Do you have a favourite series that you keep going back to? Drop me a line and let me know!Until next time, happy reading!

September is usually the start of cosplay season for me - new costumes are started, old ones are re-vamped, and new techniques are tried in the lead up to OzComiCon Brisbane in the middle of September.This year is a bit different - Although costuming is definitely on my mind, and I have most of what I need for the new costume (a Doctor Who monster - any guesses?), most of my focus is on polishing Ronah and getting it ready to send back to the editor in time for the November launch! Mind you, come mid September, it'll be keyboards down and sewing needles up!At the start of this month, I had the pleasure of attending Lynette Noni's launch for We Three Heroes, the latest in the Medoran Chronicles series. As always, Lynette was lovely, and took the time to talk to everyone in the massive crowd. If you want to pick up a copy of We Three Heroes, check out the link.It's great to be able to read and digest each story, no matter how much you want to go onto the next one. Dix, Jordan and Bear have some interesting tales to tell, and set up Vardaesia nicely.Fav article of the month:If you're a new author, and I've been speaking to a few of you lately, check out https://insights.bookbub.com/grow-audience-newer-author/ by Katherine Locke. She talks about ways to realistically grow your audience as a newer author.The next blog post will talk more about Ronahand the launch of The Evil Inside Us, which is coming up in October!Until then,happy reading!

Every time I turn around, I learning something new. New phrases, new ways of think, new ideas popping up in the most unexpected ways.I was struggling with the antagonist for book 2, trying to think of a being who could be even biggger and badder than the antagonist in Ronah thinking that it would be hard to top an evil tentacle being who... well, spoilers! In walks my source of inspiration, and starts chatting to me about arrows and how they could shatter bones.Of course, my mind skips straight past the gore and thinks what if the arrow was made of bone? Tada! The antagonists of book 2 are born.I love watching how one idea causes others, like a drop into a pond, the ripples spreading out and disturbing the surface, building on top of what's below.Reading CornerWhenever I read something new, I learn as well. There's a book coming out on 1st September that I'm excited about, and just had to share it with you:We Three Heroes: A Companion Volume to The Medoran Chronicles, by Lynette Noni.I'm seriously looking forward to the latest book in this series, and I can't wait for the finale, due out next year. This series has it all, highs and lows, bumps and bruises. I can't wait to read the stories behind D.C, Bear and Jordan.If you haven't started the Medoran Chronicles yet, begin with Akarnae, where we meet Alex for the first time, as well as the trio in the new book, Bear, D.C. andJordan. It's a true Harry Potter meets Narnia cross-over, and if you love brilliant YA fantasy, you'll love the Medoran Chronicles.Take care all, and happy reading!R Lennard is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.au

I've started on the self-publishing journey for Ronah and I tell you what - it's overwhelming! Lots of people have said it before me, but I'll say it again:As an author, finishing your book is the easy bit!Self publishing authors wear lots of hats, from author, designer, publisher, promoter, website designer, social media expert, manager, and a whole heap more!The last few weeks (ok, more like months), I've been trying to wrap my head around exactly what I need to do and when it needs to be done by. There's a multitude of helpful websites with lots of eBooks and PDFs to help guide you along the way. I'm only at the very start of my self publishing journey, and far from an expert, but I thought I'd share my can't do without sites:The Creative Penn Joanna Penn is an award winning author who runs TheCreativePenn.com, which is regularly voted one of the top 10 sites for writers and self-publishers. If you look at no other site on this list, check out this one. Joanna has so many helpful tips and tricks, you'll be there for days soaking up all the knowledge she's shared.Creative IndieDerek Murphy from Creative Indie is a self-identified Creative Rebel & Gentleman Scholar, who's shared a wealth of writing and publishing tips, including some absolutely necessary book cover design tips.If you're struggling with your book cover, this is the website you should head to!Your First 10k ReadersI'm also exploring the blog by Nick Stephenson from Your First 10k Readers, who helps indie authors to build their audience.Reading Corner I've had the pleasure of being a beta-reader for the fantastically talented Jodie Lane, author of the Turning Point series. In rapid succession, I've re-read:And her new book, Renaissance Woman, promises to be just as thrilling. If you love time travel and adventure, you'll love following Gwyn and Michelle as they travel backwards and forwards through our history, fighting to keep the time lines right, and battling with their conscious to do so.Feel free to drop me a line and see what else has been happening. In the meantime, I'll be finishing Book 2 in the Lissae series, so stay tuned!Take care all, and happy reading!R Lennard is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.au

I've had many years to contemplate what would happen once I wrote the end, and on the days when it never seemed possible that those two little words would finish off the book, it was the idea that one day they would be tacked onto the end of the manuscript that kept me going.Now, however, I've come to the sticky end, when my first creation is about to be released on the world (cue evil laughter)! So there's some pretty exciting news. Ronah is due to be released in November 2018. The eBook is due out on the 7th, with the physical copy due out soon after.The lovely Eanna Roberts at Penmanship Editing is working on Ronah as you read, getting it polished and ready to go for the big launch date. There'll be more news to come as we get closer, so stay tuned!There have been many, many rough drafts of Ronah, and many iterations of those who support the main character, Shari, on her journey, just as there were many amazing, wonderful people who supported me in my writing. I would list them all, but at the moment, I'm pretty sure you guys are the only ones reading this blog! Plus, ya know, privacy is important. If you're happy to be listed, drop me a line! I'd love to publicly acknowledge those who've helped me along the way.Take care all, and happy reading!