K.C. May's Blog
December 18, 2012
The Kinshield Saga continues
My original intention was to limit The Kinshield Saga to two books: The Kinshield Legacy and The Wayfarer King. However, I left a door ajar at the end of The Wayfarer King -- where "Cirang" unexpectedly survives her encounter with Ritol.
I've spent the summer & fall working on the next book about Gavin Kinshield and his friends. As I got closer to the end, I realized that to create a new series would require more backstory and more explanation of the magic. No matter how hard I tried to justify calling it book 1 of a new series, the fact of the matter was that it's really book 3 of the first series. It's all part of the same overall story arc.
Like The Wayfarer King, the new book, Well of the Damned, picks up immediately where the previous book left off. Had several years gone by, or even months, it might have been easier to convince myself that it was the beginning of a new series about the existing characters, but that just "felt" wrong. When I asked some writer friends about it, they agreed. It's better to call it book 3 than risk confusing readers who begin with book 1 of the new series and find themselves in the middle of the larger story.
So I'm here to announce that, officially, The Kinshield Saga, originally intended to be a two-book series, will become a four-book series. The story will conclude at the end of book 4, and whoever is left alive will live happily (or not) ever after.
Having banished the demon released from its prison by his defeated nemesis Ravenkind, Gavin Kinshield faces new challenges: a magical barrage by Ravenkind's grieving mother and an age-old mystery whose time has come to be revealed.
A former member of an elite battlers' guild, Cirang Deathsblade has a dark past. She sits in gaol, awaiting the new king's sentence for her terrible crimes... but she's not who he thinks she is.
In exchange for a leniency, Cirang leads Gavin to a centuries-old, hidden journal that holds the secrets of ancient kings and a magical wellspring with its own dark past... and an even more terrible future.
The official release date will be Dec 25, though it might show up on Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc. before then. I can't show you the cover art, because I don't have it yet, but I'm 99.9% sure everything will come together by Christmas. :)
I've spent the summer & fall working on the next book about Gavin Kinshield and his friends. As I got closer to the end, I realized that to create a new series would require more backstory and more explanation of the magic. No matter how hard I tried to justify calling it book 1 of a new series, the fact of the matter was that it's really book 3 of the first series. It's all part of the same overall story arc.
Like The Wayfarer King, the new book, Well of the Damned, picks up immediately where the previous book left off. Had several years gone by, or even months, it might have been easier to convince myself that it was the beginning of a new series about the existing characters, but that just "felt" wrong. When I asked some writer friends about it, they agreed. It's better to call it book 3 than risk confusing readers who begin with book 1 of the new series and find themselves in the middle of the larger story.
So I'm here to announce that, officially, The Kinshield Saga, originally intended to be a two-book series, will become a four-book series. The story will conclude at the end of book 4, and whoever is left alive will live happily (or not) ever after.
Having banished the demon released from its prison by his defeated nemesis Ravenkind, Gavin Kinshield faces new challenges: a magical barrage by Ravenkind's grieving mother and an age-old mystery whose time has come to be revealed.
A former member of an elite battlers' guild, Cirang Deathsblade has a dark past. She sits in gaol, awaiting the new king's sentence for her terrible crimes... but she's not who he thinks she is.
In exchange for a leniency, Cirang leads Gavin to a centuries-old, hidden journal that holds the secrets of ancient kings and a magical wellspring with its own dark past... and an even more terrible future.
The official release date will be Dec 25, though it might show up on Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc. before then. I can't show you the cover art, because I don't have it yet, but I'm 99.9% sure everything will come together by Christmas. :)
January 5, 2011
Free ebook - limited time
I'm doing an experiment to see how many people I can get to download my sci-fi thriller, The Venom of Vipers, for free. The challenge is going to last one week: from Jan 5 to Jan 12, 2011. To get it for free, you'll need a coupon code, which I'll post on my web site, Facebook and Twitter, but the coupon code will change every day.
Tell your friends and family members! Just please do not send them the book's file that you downloaded. Send them the link to my web site to get the coupon code and download info. Then they can download the book in whatever format they'd like.
Get the details on my web site at http://www.kcmay.com
Tell your friends and family members! Just please do not send them the book's file that you downloaded. Send them the link to my web site to get the coupon code and download info. Then they can download the book in whatever format they'd like.
Get the details on my web site at http://www.kcmay.com
December 7, 2010
Bright reading
So far, I'm impressed with Bright of the Sky by Kay Kenyon. Every time I think I know where it's going, something different happens. I love that! I wish I had more vacation time this month -- I'm ready to sit and read for about a week straight without even checking email. Unfortunately, I'm a little obsessive about checking email, Facebook, Twitter and the gazillion forums I visit, let alone the sales reports for my books.
The good news is that Venom is getting terrific reviews! Five on Amazon so far, all five stars. Not bad for a book that's been out for only a week. I couldn't be more thrilled! Sooner or later someone is going to read it, not like it & write a negative review, but I have boxed chocolate cake mix in the cupboard, ready to make cupcakes at a moment's notice. :D
The good news is that Venom is getting terrific reviews! Five on Amazon so far, all five stars. Not bad for a book that's been out for only a week. I couldn't be more thrilled! Sooner or later someone is going to read it, not like it & write a negative review, but I have boxed chocolate cake mix in the cupboard, ready to make cupcakes at a moment's notice. :D
November 15, 2010
New review site for Indie books
Syria Says has posted an interview with me on the Birds of a Feather tab at http://syriasays.com/birds-of-a-feath.... This new site, just launched today, has everything-- book reviews, interviews, book trailers, guest articles... Definitely check it out!
November 13, 2010
Amazon gift certificate giveaway on Facebook
In celebration of the Dec 1 release of my science fiction novel, The Venom of Vipers, I'm offering a $5 Amazon gift certificate to five randomly-selected Facebook users who "Like" The Venom of Vipers fan page. All Likers as of midnight Dec 1, 2010 will be entered into a drawing that will be held on Dec 1 at 12:00 noon EST. Winners will be sent their Amazon gift certificate via Facebook.
November 11, 2010
Today monkeys. Tomorrow... humans?
Transgenic monkeys help in the cure for Alzheimer's
According to this Nov 1, 2010 article at themedguru.com, "China is the third country in the world, after US and Japan, to have successfully genetically engineered a monkey."
If the genes from one species are being spliced into another species to help cure diseases, it's theoretically possible that we could come up with a new human subspecies that's immune to a disease that would otherwise wipe out Homo sapiens.
That's the premise of my new science fiction novel, The Venom of Vipers, scheduled to be released Dec 1, 2010.
According to the article by Neha Gupta, "So far only mice and rats have been genetically engineered to contain certain diseases which has helped scientists to test their theories before implying them on humans.
However, similar usage of monkeys has been a controversial issue worldwide due to the fear that it could eventually lead to the creation of genetically-engineered humans in future."
The possibility is real. The story is fiction. Look for The Venom of Vipers at Amazon, B&N and Smashwords on Dec 1.
According to this Nov 1, 2010 article at themedguru.com, "China is the third country in the world, after US and Japan, to have successfully genetically engineered a monkey."
If the genes from one species are being spliced into another species to help cure diseases, it's theoretically possible that we could come up with a new human subspecies that's immune to a disease that would otherwise wipe out Homo sapiens.
That's the premise of my new science fiction novel, The Venom of Vipers, scheduled to be released Dec 1, 2010.
According to the article by Neha Gupta, "So far only mice and rats have been genetically engineered to contain certain diseases which has helped scientists to test their theories before implying them on humans.
However, similar usage of monkeys has been a controversial issue worldwide due to the fear that it could eventually lead to the creation of genetically-engineered humans in future."
The possibility is real. The story is fiction. Look for The Venom of Vipers at Amazon, B&N and Smashwords on Dec 1.
October 19, 2010
New review & new blog feature: Bargain eBooks!
My epic fantasy novel The Kinshield Legacy received a new 4-star review on Amazon today. "The Kinshield Legacy is a well paced, intricately plotted fantasy wrapped in a beautifully crafted setting. Author K.C. May does an exceptional job of breathing life into the kingdom of Thendylath. The lore and history of her setting weaves throughout the plot, tying everything together expertly." Read more at http://www.amazon.com/The-Kinshield-L...
It's also being featured today at the brand new blog, Bargain eBooks. Check it out! http://bargainebooks.blogspot.com/201...
It's also being featured today at the brand new blog, Bargain eBooks. Check it out! http://bargainebooks.blogspot.com/201...
October 18, 2010
Handy book marketing tips
I've started adding my book marketing tips to my blog at http://fantasyauthor.blogspot.com. I'll add more from my list as I can.
October 15, 2010
The Indie Spotlight
The Kinshield Legacy is today's featured novel at The Indie Spotlight. When I submitted the info, I hadn't updated the cover yet, or moved the paperback printing to createspace, but the rest is current. :)
http://www.theindiespotlight.com/
The paperback is available at Amazon, but it's almost 4 bucks cheaper at B&N! ;)
http://www.theindiespotlight.com/
The paperback is available at Amazon, but it's almost 4 bucks cheaper at B&N! ;)
September 28, 2010
Top 100!
The Kinshield Legacy made it into the top 100 of Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Fantasy > Epic fantasy novels today following its debut as the Kindle Nation Daily sponsor! Currently it's ranked #24 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Epic among some of my favorite writers, such as Brandon Sanderson and Brent Weeks!
