The first Audiobook Recs And A Productive Month So far!
Hello, readers!
Can you believe that February is almost over? I feel like this month flew by quickly between all the writing and reading I've done. (Yes, I did a lot, and I'll elaborate later in this newsletter.)
2024 Indieverse Nominations end on the 29th!
3 Days Until Nominations for the 2024 Indieverse AWards Ends!
"Engagement To Die For" is eligible for the 2024 Indieverse Awards! The nomination period for the 2024 Indieverse AWards ends on Feb. 29th, 2024.
You can nominate ETDF for up to five categories, so feel free to check out https://www.indieverseawards.com for more details!
Thanks in advance for your support!
What Have I Been Writing Lately?
I've been drafting more short stories and poetry during the latter half of this month. I also have been working on some larger projects outside of "Bloody Fantasia."
I noticed that a lot of what I've been writing recently tends to fall into the "cozy" category. This means that they are often low-stakes fiction and something you'd want to curl up in a chair and read by the fireplace. I actually find it quite fun to read those types of books (see my review for "Restaurant To Another World" for example!) and I'm glad that I'm finally dipping my toes into writing cozy fiction.
"But Claris," you ask, "What kind of cozy fiction are you writing? Cozy fantasy, cozy sci-fi, or...?"
Well, you'll find out when I post a new writing update post on my blog on March 1st, 2024! Stay tuned for more details then!
What Have I Heard Lately?
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I got into listening to audiobooks! As someone who's quite new to this, think of it like listening to podcasts, except it's someone reading a book and there also might be voice acting for the characters done by separate people. It actually forces me to pay attention to all the words instead of skimming through books, which is pretty cool. Consider this section of the newsletter to be where I recommend audiobooks or podcasts I've listened to!
With that in mind, I recommend listening to "Clean Sweep" by Ilona Andrews! The voice-acting is super fun, and the worldbuilding is a cross between urban fantasy and sci-fi (though more heavily urban fantasy-based).
There is vampire-human-werewolf love triangle subplot. However, it's not a heavy focus and only starts picking up traction in the second half of the book. Also, since this is the first book in a series, no one has gotten together yet. Additionally, this subplot focused more on the werewolf and vampire not getting along, rather than both of them liking the main heroine Dina. This made it more amusing for me to read.
What Have I Been Reading Lately?
I posted a new book review on my blog for "Untouched" by Ana Dee last week. It's been a while since I posted a book review focusing on a poetry collection, so it was nice to read and review a collection again.
Other recent reads include:
"The Poetry Home Repair Manual" by Ted Kooser
"Story Structure Architect" by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
"The Haunting Of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson
"Mindset" by Carol S. Dweck
Thank you for following my writing journey!
I hope you look forward to seeing more of my writing process and work. I also look forward to giving all of you more frequent updates as well, so stay tuned for more!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at clarislamauthor@gmail.com! I’ll respond within 48 hours (except on weekends and holidays).
Access the Freebie Library! (Password is "Buttondown")
Thank you for following my writing journey!
I hope you look forward to seeing more of my writing process and work. I also look forward to giving all of you more frequent updates as well, so stay tuned for more!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at clarislamauthor@gmail.com! I’ll respond within 48 hours (except on weekends and holidays).