May 2024 Newsletter

It's gonna be...May. I really couldn't help myself with that...as I write this, it's the end of April, so I'm not wrong.

Moving on! I hit my target in that Camp NaNoWriMo project about a week ago, and the cringe won out - it's going back to the deep freeze of my Google Drive.

But a new month leaves me looking forward to summer and fandom con appearances so that soothes the sting of how truly BAD that manuscript was. Mercy. You're welcome for me not springing that on the world!

Since there was no author event at GARF this year, my next outing will be Mountain Hounds at the end of May. I will have copies of Proud Racer: An American Greyhound in Yorkshire, The Complete Clobberpaws (and maybe a few of the individual volumes), The Complete Proud Racer, and Strid (since it has hounds in it) to sell and sign. I can't wait to get back to those mountains...that's my happy place.

What are your summer plans? Any fun vacations? I'd love to hear about them since I'm living vicariously these days. But I have a vampire novel I'm collaborating on and another Camp Nano in July, so I have plenty to keep me busy.

Thanks again for all the support, y'all. It really means the world to me. Now, the next novel in the Guardians of Orana series...

A NEW HERO FACES A FORGOTTEN DANGER.

Created with the help of a meddling goddess, she is the daughter of the Nature Walker and the Rajah of Qatu’anari. Meet Kazhka Clawsharp, Rajahk’mere of the Qatu and apprentice druid of Aynamaede. But what is her true purpose, beyond palace politics and Guardian diplomacy? Why did Sephine, the All-Mother Goddess, step in to assure her birth?

Dark forces, biding time in the shadows, have chosen this time to seek revenge against Qa Sathlir - is his daughter the key to saving him and Qatu'anari from a forgotten enemy seeking to finish the plot that was begun against Sath's father? Welcome the newest hero to Orana in this next novel in the Guardians of Orana series. Pre-orders open soon! Watch this space for more info.

March/April 2024 Newsletter

This is where April is going.

Seriously, where did March go?

Actually, I have a theory - my loss of a month has to do with a slight setback and recalibration of my treatment schedule, but I'm back on track now and in the throes of another Camp NanoWrimo session (as I am every April and June). Please click on the link above to check on my progress. Since Camp months aren't as strict (in my mind, I'm so not a Nano Rebel), I'm working on a first pass editing of something I wrote back in 2013, complete with loads of cringe and WHAT WAS I THINKING as I go along. You may see that eventually as a YA offering, or I may send it slithering back to the dark corners of the hard drive at the end of the month. Uncertain.

My bookish schedule has become a bit more certain, so let me give you an update after I say thank you to everyone involved in ConPossible. I cannot wait to be back in person next year, and my sherpas (who are AMAZING HUMANS at the best of times) showed up and showed out. I'm just so grateful, and to all of you that stopped by the table to ask when the sequel to Strid is coming out, that will be officially in progress this time next year (I need a research trip back to the other home, Yorkshire, to get it really moving!).

2024 Schedule:

Confirmed: 

Mountain Hounds, Gatlinburg, TN, 1 June 2024. The event runs that whole weekend, but the vending area will be open on Saturday only. I used to attend this event with my greyhounds and the folks are so nice! I can't wait to introduce them to Clobberpaws (the book, not Bryn... sadly, she's a little too old for that kind of shindig these days).

ConGregate 10, Winston-Salem, NC, 12-14 July 2024. I am so thrilled to get accepted back to this event! There is a little bit for everyone there and I will be a panelist/author guest as well as have a table in the vending area so come see me! I will have copies of Hero, the latest in the Orana Chronicles/Guardians of Orana series.

Upstate Renaissance Festival, Greer, SC, 6-7 September 2024. This will be a return to a familiar faire for me but with a new twist: the author vendors will be in a different area all together this time, from what I understand. Stay tuned for more details. This faire has traditionally been free to the public and is in the most gorgeous downtown city part in Greer, SC. Don't miss it!

Craft Fair, Maryville College Homecoming, Maryville, TN, October 25-27 2024. This is my <loud mumbling noises> reunion year at MC and I can't wait! Come see me and get a book signed!

The Geekery Market, Concord, NC, 9 November 2024. Come get your geeky and nerdy Christmas gifts! Books make fantastic presents, y'all, and they are EASY to wrap. Just sayin.

Thanks, y'all!

February 2024 Newsletter

Kaylee Frye looks at fifty...two.

How is it February already? I will tell you: we've escaped from the 357,899 days of January, that's how.

If you remember from my previous newletters, I have been in treatment for breast cancer since last July, and I think I am finally in the homestretch. Part of that awfully long January was surgery, and while it is imparining my ability to sit and write for a long time, I can do short bursts. Most of that time is spent editing the next Guardians novel and working on that project I can't talk about yet with my friend and co-author, Tony Daniel (Return to Sender: From the Files of Pyramid Investigations).

My appearance schedule is turning out to be a bit more sparse than last year which makes me sad. One of the things I love about conventions and shows is the chance to talk books with other authors and readers - I genuinely want to know what kind of books you like to read. I've even found some recommendations for my TBR pile at some of these events. So far, I have three events on my calendar (I'm still waiting for a response from ConCarolinas and ConGregate 10) and one of them is coming up this month.

The twist is that I won't be there in person - I'm not cleared to drive yet, so my fantastic sherpas Angel and Melissa will be holding down the fort at CONPossible in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, 16-18 February. This event, formerly known as the Atlanta Steampunk Expo, is fantastic and the folks that put it on are just wonderful. I'm sorry that I won't be there in person but please stop in if you're local and looking for a fun weekend event...Melissa and Angel will have signed copies of my books for sale as well as bookmarks - my campaign against dog-eared pages in books continues!

I think that's all for now. I hope that I will have a better picture of my event schedule next month, and will be that much closer to the next Guardian novel's release date in May. As always, I could not do any of this without you, and I appreciate your support more than you know. Ta, y'all!

January 2024 Newsletter

Here we are at the start of a New Year, and my one resolution is to do better at this newsletter thing. Let's begin with a bit of a catch-up, shall we?

The second half of last year was filled with medial issues that I'm pleased to say are about 85% behind me...at least for now. There are two-three more hurdles to clear and I should be back to my normal level of chaos...and I am looking forward to that!

I'm still working on final edits on Hero, struggling through writing on the collab (that I still can't talk too much about), and re-discovering two YA novels that I found buried in my Nanowrimo folder. More on those later - I'd like to have them out by the end of 2024 but I'd also like to be able to fly and to speak all the languages and...and...and...

Old Lady Kaylee Frye sells books
at ConCarolinas

On to appearances/shows/signings in 2024: Those last hurdles I mentioned will keep me from being at ConPossible in February, but I have lined up two trusty sherpas to man my table with signed copies of my books. This is the Con formerly known as the Atlanta Steampunk Expo and I'm just gutted not to be able to be there this time - these folks are so nice and so welcoming!

Hopefully I will be able to attend the Dahlonega Literary Festival in March, but there will be more on that as January and February roll along. This will be a new event for me, so fingers crossed there.

I'm still discussing logistics with the Georgia Renaissance Festival for an author event there, so watch this space for more information. I'm hoping it will be scheduled before Georgia turns into the surface of the sun, but I grew up there so I know it could be hot there right now. 

Once I have heard from more events and shows I will add to this list. I'm hoping for a return to ConCarolinas and ConGregate. Again, watch this space.

Finally, I could not do any of this without you, especially now, and I so appreciate all of your support. Remember, if you want to help an author, one of the best ways is to leave a review - it helps other folks find my work and it gives me very important feedback that can only make future novels better.

Thanks y'all! Happy New Year!

June Newsletter! Better One, or Better Two...?

Hey, y'all. Listen, I have a question for you. Have you been to the eye doctor recently/ever? You know how you have to tell the doctor which lens helps you see best, with the tried and true, "better one...or better two?"

Well, today you get to do that for me. I need some feedback. I'm looking at changing the font on the front of Red to make it more interesting and less...well, drippy. The font that I thought looked like FIRE actually looks more like MOLTEN LAVA and that isn't the vibe I'm going for here. So....

Better ONE or better TWO:

  

Let me know what you think. I can see pros and cons for both.

In the meantime, I will be starting on the edits for Hero in July for Camp NaNoWriMo, and working more on the failed Kindle Vella project, "The Outpost." More on that later.

I had a FANTASTIC weekend at Con Carolinas after an equally fantastic one at the Author Event at GARF. While you're thinking on which font is better, have a look through some photos from those two events.

Remember, my next event is Congregate in July...I hope to see you there!

  

This pose is becoming a tradition...Kaylee Frye at 50 Cosplay and Saucy Vala Cosplay

The ConCarolinas Corner Setup

GARF Day Two Cosplay: An Author, a la 1994

Your Intrepid Authors in the Wild

Look, y'all, it's my sister!

Life in a Southern...Canopy.

The Booth at GARF...the Hot and Sweaty Booth...

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Home again, home again... May 2023 Newsletter

At this point, it's like going back home. 😏

I've been accepted as an author guest again at ConCarolinas, 2-4 June, and I'm so excited! I'm already working on my Kaylee Cosplay, with maybe a Vala Mal Doran thrown in for good measure...I'm a sucker for anything that lets me wear coveralls.

The big news about ConCarolinas this year is that it will coincide with the launch of Storm, the second in the World of Arcstone series. I will have a spot in Author's Alley, and I will definitely have copies of Storm with me so watch this space for more info on how to get yourself a signed copy if you come to the event.

From the blurb...

YOU'RE ONLY AS REAL AS YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE.

Madelyne Laurent is Em, an elven warrior in the massively multiplayer online game, Arcstone. She’s made it safely back to the real world, but what does that even mean now that her father decided to stay in the game world? And who is Alex, really - is he Lex or someone altogether different and more sinister? Em’s objective is clear until she again looks up into the Tyreanan Sky and treads the boards of the docks by that massive typhoon. Old longings resurface and this time it is up to more than just Em to figure out what is real...and more importantly, who?

As always, if you want signed copies of my books and can't make it to one of the events, contact me and let's talk about how I can make that happen. If you have a copy of one of my books, I'd love it if you'd leave me a review - that's the best way for others to find my books and for me to know how my writing is being received!

Cheers, y'all!

Off Camping...Again. April 2023 Newsletter

 Well, here goes nothing.

Again.

This is my 24th Camp Nanowrimo, which means 12 years of trying to fit in 2 more 30-50K word months in the year. There have been a few that didn't reach that goal, but that's okay. I just looked back at my projects, and I do have something listed for all of them at least.

This is why I preach the Nano gospel whenever someone asks me for my best advice for someone that wants to get started writing - the accountability is there, the community is there - I firmly believe it can be a great introduction to this crazy life.

So many of my books have started as Nano/Camp Nano projects, including all of the Orana Chronicles, the World of Arcstone, and the Clobberpaws/Proud Racer novels. If you have any questions about joining up for either of this year's Camp sessions (April and July) or the full Nano proper in November, I'd love to hear from you.

As always, if you want signed copies of my books and can't make it to one of the events, contact me and let's talk about how I can make that happen. If you have a copy of one of my books, I'd love it if you'd leave me a review - that's the best way for others to find my books and for me to know how my writing is being received!

Cheers, y'all!

From a storm watch to a typhoon warning: March 2023 Newsletter

 

Well, we've moved from a watch to a warning...

In a recent Music Monday post, I mentioned the last verse of "Hoist the Colors" by Hans Zimmer for Pirates of the Caribbean:

The bell has been raised
From it's watery grave...
Do you hear it's sepulchral tone?
We call to all
Pay heed the squall
And turn your sail toward home!

Storm, the highly anticipated sequel to Rift, is due out this May. Even as I type that I can hardly believe it - this seems to have come on so fast, not unlike bad weather here in this part of the US. So, sound the sirens!  PAY HEED THE SQUALL! Em and company return to Arcstone and the fated Maelstrom Instance with a bit of help from a pirate...

In the meantime, check out this exclusive excerpt from Storm. The password, of course, is Valentin.

Watch this space for pre-order information!

Of Steam and Punks and Free Smells: February 2023 Newsletter

[If you're wondering what on earth The Lettuce is doing, this is the newsletter that goes out to folks on my mailing list about once a month, maybe more. It's going to become a regular thing around here, as I learn how to be a real author that does real marketing.]

First of all, the Atlanta Steampunk Expo was amazing. I clearly had the best smelling signing table ever, as I was next to The Dragon's Hoard soaps. My two and a half cosplays went well, which was amazing - considering I'm an old dog learning a new trick. The Lucy Boyd needs more work, but Steampunk Kaylee was a hit.

The goggles kept the hat from popping off the top of my giant head.

Now then, I'm taking this crazy on the road again in March, this time to a signing event at one of my very favorite places in SC - 742 North in Rock Hill. I've been invited to the Springtime Blooms event on March 4th. These folks are really great, and I always come away with renewed purpose as an author and loads of new author friends! Come see me! Event information from 742 North's Facebook page:

Springtime Blooms, 742 North Anderson Road, Rock Hill, SC.

As always, if you want signed copies of my books and can't make it to one of the events, contact me and let's talk about how I can make that happen. If you have a copy of one of my books, I'd love it if you'd leave me a review - that's the best way for others to find my books and for me to know how my writing is being received! 

Cheers, y'all!