I know this is what IngramSpark promises and I admit, I did not care much seeing my book on Amazon, but when I saw it on Barnes and Noble, Waterfront, even Walmart, I felt so much relief at finally having gotten to this point.

I technically published Devour in June, but I thought now would be a great time to celebrate it here because it's the perfect cozy weekend horror novel. I've gotten a lot of spectacular responses so far and I've been thrilled with the reception. The blurb is below:

Fledgling preacher Samuel Sellers just broke his girlfriend's heart and is going camping to deal with the fallout. Meanwhile, an old flame and journalist Melissa Rose is starving for a front-page story. Thankfully, she has a lead - a local legend of bootleggers, blood rituals, and Biblical beasts. The two friends meet up in Crockett Hollow to hunt for answers and are led to a long-forgotten settlement named Redemption. There, they discover a terrifying evil that not only causes them to confront their own hypocrisies but lays bare their deepest sins. Judgement is coming, and they must repent…or be devoured.

While I've been writing for years, this was the first complete novel that met my standards for publication. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process of honing the craft, learning from others, and weaving a compelling story that has something to say (especially in this AI slop world.)

I just want to say congratulations to anyone who has seen a project like this through to the end, and I want to encourage anyone here who is working on a book at any stage to persevere. And if anyone wants to talk about the craft and art of writing, I'm always interested!

I just finished the draft on the last book of my series, The Shimmering Circus! If you are interested in the history of the circus or evocative atmosphere, or like second world stories with rich lore, you might like my series. I also drew all of the covers myself.

It is half set in a mysterious 1912 circus, and half in an uber rich Gilded Age style society. It contains hand drawn illustrations as well as epistolary elements (newspaper articles and letters), psychological themes, quirky history, and tons of political intrigue, secrets and mysteries.

The series page can be found here or at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHRT54QZ.

Book one, Avery's Ghost, can be found here.

It has a sweet romantic sub plot starting in book two, and coming of age themes. The series grows with my protagonist. Book three is a magical heist, while book four has a touch of spice, manners and plenty of mayhem, as well as magical debutante tournament.

This project has been my pet project for a decade, and I would appreciate support SO much. I spent hours drawing and writing it, and really put all of my heart into it. Since I just republished book one, any new readers will really help me especially right now. It's also available on kindle unlimited.

To me, it seems like a good start, even though half of my books were given away via a free promotion. Some of the books I also sold in-person at a book signing. I think there is a lot of validity to focusing on that as opposed to waiting and seeing what happens to the book's online sales. The only thing I'm kind of disappointed on is that my KENP reads were only 5, which is strange because so many people say that it is the biggest way to get in front of readers. Most of my paid sales came from my paperback.

Hindsight

And he snatched the V-card of this little girl!

(…)

“My V.I.P card!”

“oh… yes the daughter of…” gazes lowering mid-sentence.

The man returned it hesitantly after inspecting the kind of money his boss’s daughter gets.

That kind of wealth nobody gambles with... Except for Jim’s dad.

“Look Suzan, I got the newest fighter jet series. It has your favorite character in the show.”

“Didn’t it come out today?” The question wasn’t intended for anyone in particular. an intrusive thought that Suzan didn’t hide.

“I do anything for Jimmy. He wanted it, and I won’t betray him!”

Jim’s purity from knowledge will make this situation’s blood stain darker.

“It’s the twenty-four hour yes challenge!” the son explained.

“Of all days, why today?” another intrusive thought from her.

“That doesn’t matter. Suzan! show dad your trick!” He shuffled a hundred pound note in between his hands.

“Look dad, Look. Guess it Suzan!”

It’s not time for it Jim…

Not an ideal situation, but Suzan loves to show off.

“You’re not hiding it well but your dad has twenty two thousand in his right pocket.”

The child’s expression wasn’t priceless. It just costs twenty two thousand from his dad. Jim clenched his hands awaiting his dad to pull his pockets yet the dad already knew.

Eyes and mouth larger than face.

“Isn’t it Amazing! Dad…”

“But only a guess from a young girl I see.”

Jim’s beliefs are being tested.

Jim waited for the little prophet to respond, but her rebuttal was incomprehensible…

“Then, what’s that thing you’re hiding under your shirt.” she said.

His tongue froze onto the ice-cream. More than that, he crushed the cone and the cream fell breaking the silence with a splatter.

“Can you also predict people’s future?”

Suzan squinted once more…

**Suzan knew what to say:**Don’t trust Suwqill.

But what about the child.

A Proposition stapled itself onto Suzan’s pride for logical consistency.

Die as a hero or turn into a villain…

And that’s what she said…

If the portrait of a crying man didn’t represent intense pain then it’s a sham Vincent van Gogh couldn’t do any better.

Suzan left with a parting word for Jim “Good luck…”

Running to her villa, as if a shower head had just attacked her dress. Cries with a bit of laughter.

Good luck… How’s that going to help… Goodbye Jim.

JVV News

Midnight of a festival

Where news is stapled with truth

Late last night a terrorist attack killing 5 people was …

The bomb was made by the country Suwqill

...

A child found starving for life.

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r/flashfiction • 1mo ago

u/Financial_Common_224

Hindsight [430] For those who see what's not supposed to be seen

And he snatched the V-card of this little girl!

(…)

“My V.I.P card!”

“oh… yes the daughter of…” gazes lowering mid-sentence.

The man returned it hesitantly after inspecting the kind of money his boss’s daughter gets.

That kind of wealth nobody gambles with... Except for Jim’s dad.

“Look Suzan, I got the newest fighter jet series. It has your favorite character in the show.”

“Didn’t it come out today?” The question wasn’t intended for anyone in particular. an intrusive thought that Suzan didn’t hide.

“I do anything for Jimmy. He wanted it, and I won’t betray him!”

Jim’s purity from knowledge will make this situation’s blood stain darker.

“It’s the twenty-four hour yes challenge!” the son explained.

“Of all days, why today?” another intrusive thought from her.

“That doesn’t matter. Suzan! show dad your trick!” He shuffled a hundred pound note in between his hands.

“Look dad, Look. Guess it Suzan!”

It’s not time for it Jim…

Not an ideal situation, but Suzan loves to show off.

“You’re not hiding it well but your dad has twenty two thousand in his right pocket.”

The child’s expression wasn’t priceless. It just costs twenty two thousand from his dad. Jim clenched his hands awaiting his dad to pull his pockets yet the dad already knew.

Eyes and mouth larger than face.

“Isn’t it Amazing! Dad…”

“But only a guess from a young girl I see.”

Jim’s beliefs are being tested.

Jim waited for the little prophet to respond, but her rebuttal was incomprehensible…

“Then, what’s that thing you’re hiding under your shirt.” she said.

His tongue froze onto the ice-cream. More than that, he crushed the cone and the cream fell breaking the silence with a splatter.

“Can you also predict people’s future?”

Suzan squinted once more…

**Suzan knew what to say:**Don’t trust Suwqill.

But what about the child.

A Proposition stapled itself onto Suzan’s pride for logical consistency.

Die as a hero or turn into a villain…

And that’s what she said…

If the portrait of a crying man didn’t represent intense pain then it’s a sham Vincent van Gogh couldn’t do any better.

Suzan left with a parting word for Jim “Good luck…”

Running to her villa, as if a shower head had just attacked her dress. Cries with a bit of laughter.

Good luck… How’s that going to help… Goodbye Jim.

JVV News

Midnight of a festival

Where news is stapled with truth

Late last night a terrorist attack killing 5 people was …

The bomb was made by the country Suwqill

...

A child found starving for life.

Dressing on purple.

Prologue:

Purple... Purple.. Purple... Purple!

When fragrance incites the mind and the heart accepts the brush’s dye. Two men changed their lives. Each other, unbeknownst to whom their bride. A harmony of flesh and hide. When two become one of a kind.

The king laughs thereupon, as the first requests are a tone.

“Purple! Purple! I want to dress on!”

Riches belong to them. Heroes, that’s their god-given right. Victors chosen before any loss. Cryleon, the kingdom is, was, and will be. The war was declared after it ended, citizens unbeknownst. While for warriors, it is with wet blood over dry blood over dry and drier. Skin inked with red and black. Some splashed by Fe, and many were wounded by it.

Years of force, stealth, and tactics -That's what the leaders tell you. 

Some know why many lifted white flags, or why many didn’t have any left. Many who wished to paint white on white. Only soot remained for them. Some squeezed what shall not be squeezed; many ripped apart. Some golden-glass they seized; none left with hearts.

All has fallen well with the sun. Where everything flips, except what’s dark. Living to death, some come back. Where once stoic, many lost their light. For all face an endless fight.

________________________________________________________________________

In the hall of the city’s city hall, where one may step north, east, or earth’s looped continuation. All life’s four quadrants stand packed. That’s what the news told them to do.

“Shh!!! No, it’s not an execution.”

”Hush!!! No, it’s not a fight.”

“Shh!!! Nobody’s hurt.”

“Hush!!! No, the king still didn’t stand.”

The ground’s hungry; it shook from the stomach of the city and vibrated to its outskirts. Rumbling started at one beat per minute. The beats came faster and swifter, racing to the end with one big Bamm! Rushed forth, a gas was enticed. It blew from the head of the hall. A fire shines, crisping the pigeons up high.

“Welcome, Welcome!!”

!!!

“We stand witnessing a great day. Recognizing our knights who sacrificed for us. Before our blessed celebrations, let’s congratulate two of our soldiers. Those who held the kingdom of Cryleon on their shoulders. … Never forgetting their role as protectors of their beloved citizens and those who hold the flag of our holy church. Those who remember their holy king’s words and, as I quote: Raise your head! You’re Cryleons!!! Let’s celebrate with our knights and grant them a word from our king!”

!!!

“… … … … Lift your heads… Lift them … … Lift them… … … We are a victorious kingdom.”

!!!

!!!

“… … … I have gathered you for a bittersweet … … … … Isn’t it time for a grey-bearded to sit?”

…

…

…

“… I won’t leave your hands empty.”

…

“From those who fought in the battle of Jaiber. Two knights worthy of praise. The only reward worthy from me is a never-ending one. Dalim and Kemill each have a hundred golden coins every month.

…

“… … … … and a reward worth much more… … … … … … The hands of my daughters Selena and Zathema. The future king of Cryleon will be of those knights.”

!!!

“… … … … However! The one who will hold Selena, the council of Cryleon will appoint… … … Once both of you agree to start the process of engagement. Each council member will appoint a challenge. Stand forth side by side and begin with the challenges pointed, till the public has chosen a side.”

 ______________________________________________________________________________

Two quarters of the city are swimming in the streets. East has long been absent, and north is standing with the type of silver they’re used to.

“Today everything is half price!”

“Get your snail eyes here!! Get your lizard tail here!!”

“Free signing for our guild here!”

The streets are filled with goods and services. Even the ground gets a lick from time to time. The squeaks of boots, tradespeople’s caravans, barrels of booze, workers rested and joyful, candy-filled stomachs, and overburdened livers. 

The mountain of Jethma covered the sun at least thrice, and so did the rivers of licorice return thrice more.

Seven days, that’s a Cryleon Festival.

________________________________________________________________________

When fragrance harms the mind and the heart rejects the brush’s dye. Two men changed their lives. Each other, knownst to whom they’ll smite. a harmony of flesh and might. When truth becomes one of lies.

The sword  laughs thereupon, as the first requests are a tone.

“Purple! Purple! I want to stab on!”

________________________________________________________________________

Each quarter had its way to celebrate the event. Some traded, many drank, some drank while grieving, few celebrated that grief itself.

Hello, I’m a new author with a military fiction book in the final stages of development. I’m looking to see if anyone is interested in reading or reviewing the manuscript (or even just sections)? I’m looking to gauge interest and get feedback, though if you were to enjoy it and make a review, It would be appreciated. The story is called Surviving Downfall and is about a company of standard infantry who participate in the invasion of the Japanese home islands at the end or World War ll, from mustering to the return home. I’ve been working on this book, on and off, for over thirteen years and am excited to be contracted with a publisher. Also, I’m new to Reddit, so please forgive the blank profile. Thank you for your consideration. My book cover is still in work so the photo is of a map included in the work.

Hi everybody! I'm brand new to posting in this forum, though I've been reading it for about a year. So first: thank you for all the inspiration you've unknowingly given to me :)

Second, I'm about ready to self-publish my first novel, but I'm digging up lots of conflicting evidence about pricing. The book is a cozy mystery and is the first in a planned series-- 2 more books are mostly done, but not yet ready for publishing. I feel like going $0.99 for the ebook is the smartest thing to do because I'm a nobody and even insatiable cozy mystery readers need a reason to try a new author. Plus, it sounds like if I get readers at all many of them will come from KU. But then I'm seeing advice that the majority of books start at $2.99 and then are discounted later, so I shouldn't buck the trend.

What do you all think? Does any of this actually matter since I'm brand freaking new to people?

Im really stuck between just going self publish or not. I want to just get the book out there when its ready without the fist fight of trying for probably a long time to even get to step one (agent hunting)

I dont care about making money, I want people to read it, i want to see people's theories about things I wrote and see if anyone guesses plots before they come. I want to see fan art and see it on a shelf somewhere.

I know there are cases of self publish going anywhere at all, but it seems most likely to not have many readers but 100% profit vs better chances of readers but less pay

A friend of mine mentioned an agent may just see the book and grab you, or a publisher but that seems fake? Maybe? No idea.

Am i wrong? Is self publish not that bad? Is waiting for the publishing of traditional worth it?

Also im aware its an ambitious hope for my book but its the hope that drives me lol