Skyla Dawn Cameron

Dec 06 2014

Krista D. Ball’s Spirit Caller Series

A heads-up for those of you with excellent reading taste: writer friend Krista D. Ball has a new novella coming out and the boxset of the first three in the series are on for just 99c for a limited time (Amazon, Nook, Kobo).

The Spirit Caller Series is rural fantasy/paranormal, following a young woman who sees spirits (and so much more). Here’s the blurb for the first, Spirits Rising:

Rachel has no trouble believing in spirits. It’s the living she has a tough time believing in.

The man she’s in love with? Taken. The job she loved? Gone. Her neighbours? They’re taping religious tracts to her door. Then a rebellious teenage Wiccan accidentally summons the area’s ancestral Viking spirits — who promptly bring their thousand-year war to the remote Newfoundland fishing village. If Rachel’s going to have any hope of sending the spirits to their peace, she’ll have to stop drooling over unattainable men and trust her 93-year-old neighbour to help her stand against the spirits before their supernatural war engulfs them all.

Spirits Rising is followed by Dark Whispers and Knight Shift but, again, you can get all three for under a dollar. (You can also get the first free and then buy the others, if that’s your thing too.) Krista was kind enough to send me an advanced copy of the fourth book, Mystery Night (up for pre-order on Amazon and Kobo), which I read last night and thoroughly enjoyed.

88b5e995b6dc24b8bc1537606e31b2be There’s a lot that makes this a standout paranormal mystery series, from the setting (rural Newfoundland), the characters, the balance of darker topics with Rachel’s breezy friendly narration and humour, and well-built world. Mystery Night once again highlights one of the big things I love about Krista’s writing, though, which is the feminist-friendly angle she takes with her storylines. Instead of falling into the potential trappings of overly-idealized, Feminist 101 characters, the Spirit Caller Series presents real people with real (and supernatural) struggles, where diverse characters support one another in a world that isn’t always friendly toward them. Krista’s love scenes always present enthusiastic consent, violence against women is tackled in an honest, non-exploitative way, and when common romance tropes pop up–such as the secret love of your life showing up drunk at your house in a situation where he could be taken advantage of–the author subverts expectations in a refreshing way. Similarly, there’s a bit at the end of Mystery Night that was handled really well (no spoilers!), presenting a realistic situation that could’ve gone cliche but instead reaffirms why we love these characters and the stories. That said, the mystery and paranormal elements are always at the forefront, making this a great read for all fans of the genre.

The boxset sale ends December 15th and Mystery Night releases December 10. If you love a good paranormal mystery with humour, romance, heavy topics presented with respect and care, fun characters, and smooth reading, pick up this series ASAP and thank me later.

(Also, if you don’t like these things, pick the books up anyway and then send Krista hatemail ’cause that shit’s hilarious.)

Nov 30 2014

25% Off eBooks (and $10 Off Covers)

So the big A has fubared something on their end and not sent me most of my royalty payments this month (this is actually a first–whatever issues I have with Amazon, they are much more consistent about paying me on time than I ever experienced in publishing). Which I was kind of counting on*, as one does when this is how one makes one’s living and one has just spent a month’s worth of rent/bill money at the vet. *cough*

While I wait for some help from them, I’ve temporarily set up a coupon code for my online ebook store–25% by entering the code catfood at checkout. Buying direct from me means I get paid more money and right away, and YOU get DRM ebooks in all formats, so it’s win-win. Also, my cats get to eat something other than my corpse, so it’s win-win-WIN.

And if you’re a writer and might need a cover, my pre-mades can be bought for $10 off (even the ones on sale) with the same coupon code at checkout, catfood. There’s a catch with that one, though, in that the coupon can only be used once per person and only by five people. Once five have used it, it’s done. (If you want a cover but don’t have a title yet, you can buy it now and ask me to customize it later–that’s fine too.)

The coupon code does not apply to the lone print book in my shop or to other services offered at my design site (I am booked solid for the next little while–pre-made covers are finished and therefore not new work, hence the sale).

I’ll edit the post to add when the ebook code is no longer valid (it’ll probably be a week-long thing). Thanks!

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*It is not dire. Do not randomly send me money, I am not asking for a handout. I have some pennies coming through PayPal shortly and work to finish up this week that I’ll be paid for too. But it’s gotten a little uncomfortably tight while I’m juggling paying for medication and having to actually budget for groceries now that I can eat plus catching up for work as I’m figuring out my spoon allotment now, and I’d really like to get some cat food for the week since I don’t know how long it’ll take A to fix this. Also litter. Litter is good. Hence sales on stuff that doesn’t increase my work/stress load.

If you don’t need a book or a cover, passing it along to someone who would is a great help. Thank you.

Nov 17 2014

The Rescheduled Birthday

I cancelled my birthday in September this year.

I was so ill at that point stuck in bed 24/7, I just didn’t want any celebrations/presents/etc. I couldn’t eat anything, I was deeply depressed not knowing what was wrong with me, struggling to pay bills when I could barely work, and it was MY birthday, after all. I didn’t want to feel worse than I already did. So, cancellation. (I do this periodically.)

But I love my birthday. I love presents*. I love surprises. I love celebrating me. And I have perfected my birthday celebration over the years.

First, it is Hors d’Oeuvre Day: I buy boxes of (vegetarian) appetizers at M&M Meats and that’s all I eat all day. Appetizers are my favourite things, all tasty bitesize goodies (when I eat out, I rarely look at the main dishes–I could just eat appetizers for a meal). Breakfast, lunch, dinner, that’s all I eat on my birthday. Next, for nostalgia reasons, I play my old Buffy Xbox games (I played the first one on my birthday many, many moons ago, and it was just OMG fantastic because BUFFY). This is my gift to myself.

I couldn’t this year, and so I vowed that when I was better, I’d have my day.

It’s this Friday, November 21st**.

I‘ve bought my appetizers, the games are waiting. I’ll be in my pajamas, mostly offline all day. Usually I get booze too but I don’t know how they’ll react with my meds, so no alcohol for me. But my birthday is set.

And you’re invited.

You don’t have to RSVP. You don’t have to show up anywhere. You don’t have to do anything…but give a gift to yourself and enjoy your day.

It’s not just my birthday I’m celebrating, but four weeks of clinical remission. Four weeks of some ups and downs but at least feeling more like myself. Four weeks of seeing that light at the end of the tunnel I thought, for six months, didn’t even EXIST.

So please, if you will, take time this Friday to celebrate with me wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. Have your own Very Merry Unbirthday. Give yourself a gift. Enjoy your day. Enjoy how amazing it is when your body works the way it’s supposed to (and if you’re ill and it doesn’t, enjoy what still DOES work for you, whatever it is). Eat food you LOVE–you have permission to eat whatever, whenever you want, and enjoy the hell out of it.*** If you’re like half the people I know, play the fuck out of the new Dragon Age all day.

At the risk of scaring you by not being a cynical bitch for a moment (I still am, I promise–this is not some kind of trap, and I’ll go back to snark and DOOM tomorrow), for my birthday I want you to celebrate LIFE and health and wellness. Celebrate those in your life who support you. Celebrate hope. Celebrate you.

Or, y’know, just drink a lot. At a nice little pub. Someone better enjoy the hell out of vodka for me on Friday since I can’t.

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* I was asked if I will accept presents now for my rescheduled birthday. Accept, yes, but I am not asking for/expecting anything. Spend some love on yourself. (~~Actually, I will be asking for help with a big thing this week–more on that later.~~ ETA: That is probably no longer going to be a thing, so no details now. Sorry for vagueness!)

** November 21st is the birthday of one of my characters I’m very close to, which also seems quite fitting. (Mel, Danni, Judy–it’s Livi’s birthday.)

*** I, of course, recommend a wide variety of appetizers/party foods in copious amounts. For reasons.

ETA: See, I mean business.

OH YES IT IS TIME. Here’s to unBirthdays and clinical remission. And food. Glorious food. pic.twitter.com/9m1OiXPVN8

— Skyla Dawn Cameron (@skyladawn) November 21, 2014

Nov 15 2014

The Call Is Coming from Inside the House (On Side Effects & Perspective)

I am not an anti-medicine/science person. I’m staunchly pro-vaccine. I greet a lot of “alternative” treatment ideas with a raised brow without studies to back them up. Anecdotal “cayenne pepper cured my cancer” stories will drastically drop my estimation of your intelligence.

But I have been very vocally against medicine for me and my mental health for years.

Not for everyone. I know people with bipolar, depression, various anxieties disorders, and OCD who have benefited tremendously from being medicated. I support anyone adding more tools to their Coping Toolbox and I’m glad those tools are there.

I also know a number of people who take a cocktail of several mental health drugs and they’re, for lack of a more nuanced term, still pretty fucking nuts. Bipolar 1 can be very challenging to treat with its wide variety of symptoms and each of those drugs will have its own set of side effects to also manage. And though I have never been sick before with anything a GP couldn’t swiftly deal with, I have had bad reactions previously to very common drugs. For me the medication risks (and the cost of drugs without a drug plan) have never been worth the potential benefit since I’d still end up being crazy, so I have worked and worked and worked to manage this disorder without medical intervention. Poured countless hours into understanding and applying cognitive therapy, the effects nutrition and exercise have on the brain, etc.

And now after a lifetime of dealing with a brain trying to kill me without turning to medication, I have a body attacking itself with a degree of severity that requires…medication.

Yes, yes, the universe (or whatever deity you choose to believe in) has a wonderful sense of humour.

I was entirely prepared to try tackling this chronic illness thing without drugs but my specialist doctor says I already do all the right things. Besides cutting back on stress which would exasperate it, it’s out of my hands.

I need drugs. Drugs that have side effects. Drugs that increase risks of cancer and organ damage. Drugs I may not tolerate but we have to try them first. Drugs I have to pay for and will leave me royally fucked if I have a bad month and can’t afford.

The exact position I have worked so damn hard not to be in.

Thus began the process where I become a walking, talking encyclopedia on my illness and the drugs I’m taking/will be starting on. Where the risks are, what I can do to minimize the risks, what early signs to watch for, what I should be the most concerned about, what the prognosis is for the various cancers/illnesses I could get. I value preparedness and cope better with knowledge.

Despite all the numbers and figures I looked at, there was one batted around that kept popping up in my head during my research.

85% survival rate.

Not because my immune system is attacking me. Not because of the drugs I’m on to handle it. Not because of the other increased health risks.

85% survival rate. Of bipolar disorder.

The thing I already have.

If my life were a murder mystery flashback and the audience was trying to narrow down the suspect list as to who ultimately kills me, the most likely culprit is the one I’ve been living with the entire time. The one I’m closest to. The one I think I’ve got beat. My brain.

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The call is coming from inside the house.

Even now, the most serious side effects I’ve had to deal with on drugs have been three weeks of drug-triggered intense mania and a terrifying emotional, paranoid breakdown the first time I had to cut my dose by 1/8th (that I’m still not 100% recovered from).

The liver/kidney damage I worried about? The violent nausea I was terrified of? Even the potential bone marrow suppression? Sure, all risks that might pop up. There is lots to watch out for. But thus far, it’s STILL my brain that’s the problem.

And I’ve managed that fucker for over twenty years.

The rest of this? Coping with the disease and the mini pharmacy I cart around in my purse now? Well, in the immortal words of Olivia Pope:

It's handled. Perspective is a wonderful thing.

And so is my “rescheduled birthday” next week (more on that probably later).

Nov 12 2014

A Man-Wolf, Hellhound, and Quest for Something Shiny

BiteMeST

Because fanservice short stories are awesome…

Bite Me: A Stranger Things Story

It’s hard not to be resentful when someone comes along and takes everything over, and Billy has had enough. Just because someone saved your life doesn’t mean they own it.

Set between Time Heals and the unpublished Death Knell, this story focuses on Billy the man-wolf (not wolf-man) and his uneasy relationship with Noth, the young hellhound with whom he must now share all that’s dear to him.

My good friend and partner in eviltry, Dina James, wants a shiny thing. A demon. Well, a demon statue. Okay, technically a gargoyle.

If you don’t know Dina, I am very sad for you, because she is the most evil person I know. She’s the other half of the Evil League of Evil Writers and none of the big fundraisers there would happen without her. Plus she talks me off of ledges and sends me yarn.

So when Dina wants a shiny thing, she should get it.

She’s offering a short story set in her Stranger Things world about Billy, everyone’s favourite man-wolf (not wolf-man). If you enjoy it, please consider putting some pennies in the tip jar. I mean, she’s saying this is a free story just for fans, and it is, but I’m not her and I can tell you to give her money for it if I want. And I am. A dollar or two is helpful.

If you haven’t read her Stranger Things novels–All Wounds and Time Heals–I am even more sad for you because they are out of print. But I think you can follow the story without having read them. The book blurbs are still on her site if you want an idea.