This month has been a busy one, especially with getting all my ducks in a row before I head down to Christchurch later this week for the annual RWNZ conference. I’m particularly looking forward to meeting up with some of my online New Zealand Rainbow Romance Writers group in person, as I’ve only spoken to most of them online.

But, firstly, I have some exciting news to share.

My co-author, Lou Sylvre, and I have signed a contract with NineStar Press to publish our Scottish Historical Fantasy The Harp and the Sea. We’re excited to bring Ian and Robbie’s story to you next year, and are thoroughly enjoying the NineStar experience so far.

I’ll share more about that journey to publication as things start to happen.

I’m stepping outside my comfort zone this year at conference and have signed up to pitch to an agent. I figure it’s experience if nothing else, and I have a plan B if it doesn’t pan out. After a very helpful discussion with a writing friend, I’ve decided to try to self-publish and be a hybrid author. I have a couple of WIPs that would work for that as they are series, and I feel a mix of excitement and trepidation about the idea. But I figure if I don’t try I won’t know if this works for me.

I love writing in different genres, but am now wondering if that’s a reason why my books don’t sell a lot. Vampires aside, because… vampires, but even so I look at what others turn over and wonder what I’m doing wrong, or what I can do differently to get my books out there.

Do readers find me, read, and then the next book is another genre so they don’t stay?

I’ve been trying to work on finishing the series I’ve already started and then focusing on 1-2 series at a time, and no more, but life has sabotaged me along the way.

One of my series has never sold that well—despite the fact I love it, and the few readers who have read it love it as well—and I still have one more to write for it, so am putting it on hold for a while until I get this figured out. I still intend to finish it, but feel it’s more sensible to put my energy—and limited writing time—into getting my current stuff out there, especially as they are all similar genres ie they have a fantasy element in there, rather than being an historical drama that doesn’t cross over into something else.

A lot of feedback I get from readers is that they love my books, but didn’t know I existed, despite blog tours, and all the stuff you’re supposed to do. I’d be interested to hear what others do to get their books noticed, or whether it’s just luck….

So perhaps focusing on writing and getting books out there is the way to go? Though I’m thinking a readers group of my own would be the way to go, but I’ll wait for a release before I do that. Part of me worries I’d set one up and nothing would happen. I’m not a huge fan of cricket song.

Watch this space for writing news as I start along the slightly different path of being a hybrid author.

Next month I’ll share news of the conference—and I’ve been told I need to take photos this time! I’m also looking forward to exploring fudge shops while I’m away because it’s important to say thank you to house and cat sitters.

See you on the flip side.