General/Writing/Personal FAQs

Can you sign my books or send a signed bookplate?

Unfortunately, I can’t. Shipping is ridiculously expensive for books and while I used to do bookplates, they have a history of getting lost in the mail. If I’m able to change this policy in the future, I will, but for now it’s a no.

If you want to buy a signed paperback, contact me. Books are $12USD/$15CAD each plus shipping, paid via PayPal.

Can I have a free book?

Um, no. Unless I can go to where you work and take your products without paying.

Can you give me swag (bookmarks/prizes/signed things/T-shirts/etc)?

No. I offer that to $10+ folks at Patreon and once in a while as a giveaway prize. I can’t afford to give out that kind of thing all the time.

Can I have a review copy of one of your books?

I love book bloggers and I love reviews, however unless I’m actively promoting a new release with an organized tour, no, I’m sorry but review copies are not available. It stresses me out too much worrying about reviews–about whether or not the books will be liked, or if they’ll be reviewed at all, etc etc. I’ve also had issues with bloggers sharing files without my consent.

I do endeavor to keep my ebooks affordable, however, and if you purchase a copy and end up reviewing it, that’s wonderful and very much appreciated.

I love your books and/or you. I’ve already bought your stuff–how else can I show my support?

The usual answer is what every writer says: leave some reviews at Amazon/GoodReads/your blog, like my FB page, chat up the books to your friends.

Honestly, though? I hate those stupid “support your favourite author” memes that go around. I love you just for buying my books. Yes, reviews and word-of-mouth and all that jazz helps, and it’s appreciated, but if you buy my books and would rather just lurk? Totally cool with me. There are lots of authors I adore, and just because I don’t wallpaper the town in posters for their books doesn’t mean I’m not a fan. So I get it. I’m also not big on expecting readers to do all the author’s marketing (if you do it on your own, great, but it’s not something required by me). Unless you steal from me, you’re a fan and you’re awesome, and you just keep on lurking and being great.

If you have extra pennies, you can check out Patreon.

Why are so many things Patreon-exclusive now?

Look, to be honest, I hate subscription models. I really do. I want to buy something once and be done with it myself, and if my books sold enough on their own to sustain writing more of them, that’s how I’d do things.

Unfortunately…they don’t. So I rely on that monthly patronage and like to give those folks fun exclusives for their support. If it’s not for you, that’s totally cool and understandable, but this is the model that allows me to continue writing.

Can I tell you about something I noticed/don’t like in one of your books?

This usually means one of three things.

A typo. My books are 90 000 – 130 000 words on average, and yes, no matter how many pairs of eyes go over them beforehand, something is missed. I do have both a content editor and a copyeditor, and I’m a freelance editor myself, so I am very thorough. Something always slips through the cracks. I am truly sorry if this impaired your enjoyment of the work. If you insist on telling me about a typo, okay, but I do go through and tweak/update the files periodically, so unless it was a recent purchase, there’s a good chance it’s already been corrected. With at least Bloodlines, you can go into manage your Kindle and get an updated copy. If you got the illegal pirated version, you are SOL.
You think something I wrote is wrongity-wrong-wrong. Maybe you’re right, or maybe you’re not, but these books are published and have been for a number of years, so I made the decision that I’m not going to go back and tinker with major things, no matter how I might want to, as a lot of people have already read them. Writers reach a point where they have to let things go and not endlessly rewrite because on that path lies madness; I first wrote, for example, Bloodlines in 2006, and I could’ve spent the past dozen years rewriting it every year, but instead I chose to write new books. Which is what writers do.
You don’t like a character/plot line/etc. I don’t write to please you or please ANYONE–it’s impossible to do. I understand if there are things you don’t like in my books but I’m not going to change them for you. And I, like everyone, am a work in progress, so while I can’t go back and fix potentially problematic elements in previous books, I strive to improve in the future.

I’m a newbie writer–can you give me advice?

Sure. Write. A lot. Learn to read your work like a reader, not the brilliant writer who wrote it. Remember that no one cares about your book as much as you do. Write some more. Try not to whine a lot. Follow www.evilwriters.com. Next?

Seriously, I want you to take time away from your work to give me, a complete stranger, advice and/or feedback.

I am a big believer in paying it forward and helping people along in their writing journey. I am also a fan, however, of paying my rent and my bills and being able to buy groceries. This means I can’t stop what I’m doing to give individual people advice, help, feedback, etc.

If you’re looking to learn about the business and craft of writing without spending a dime, you can do that by following the blogs and sites of writers, editors, and agents, and soaking up the things they say like a sponge. If you have some money to part with, do your research and find either online workshops/courses or local ones (and doing “research” means ensuring the people teaching them have experience to back up what they’re saying).

When I have advice to dispense, you’ll find it at Patreon where I do a monthly craft post for folks at $2+.

Can you read my stuff and offer me suggestions?

No. For many, may reasons, not the least of which is conflict of interest–if I’m working on something similar, I don’t want you to sue me for stealing your idea. Primarily, though, it’s because my time is limited and I would rather spend it reading my work, work I’m paid to read, or reading for pleasure. Get a crit group if you want free help. If you want to hire me as an editor, that’s another story–you’ll find my rates at www.indigochickdesigns.com.

Will you co-write a book with me?

AHAHAHAHAHA.

Can I hire you as a designer/editor?

Yep, but go here for that info. There’s a contact form there that I ask you to use so no email gets lost. Also, it’s best to book at least a few months in advance.

Can I add you as a friend on Facebook?

I’d rather you “like” my page. Occasionally I get stalkers.

Can I stalk you?

Please don’t, unless you’re Dina James (she has exclusive stalking rights and she is VERY PROTECTIVE OVER THEM, so stalkers beware, NO I AM NOT JOKING).

Can I send you fanmail?

Please do.

Series-Related FAQs

How many Livi Talbot books are there?

In my head it’s at least a ten-book series, though I suspect it’s closer to twelve. How far we get depends entirely on my stress level which I have to watch closely now given that I have a serious autoimmune disease. Factors that will decide whether or not I keep publishing: sales (if they are non-existent, well, no reason to continue) and piracy (if people are illegally distributing my work, more than buying, I will cancel this series as I did Demons of Oblivion and River Wolfe). I am hopeful these books will do well, as I really love them and hope readers do too, but of course I’m braced for the worst. Future ones might be exclusive to Patreon and/or paperback only to discourage threft.

Where can I read Solomon’s Seal, Odin’s Spear, Emperor’s Tomb, Shiva’s Bow, etc free online in pdf epub or mobi?

You can’t. You can read it by purchasing it, asking someone to purchase it from you, borrowing it from your local library, or reading it on Scribd (which is like Netlix for books–they even have a free trial).

If you request, upload, or otherwise illegally distribute my books, you are taking money from my pocket that I need to pay my bills, buy medication, and take care of my pets. You are responsible when I have to cancel a series. And I have, already–two of them. Both the River Wolfe and Demons of Oblivion series are no more due to piracy.

If the Livi Talbot books–which are on life support–are being illegally distributed more than bought, I will cancel this series as well. You may think it’s a harmless act, but I assure you it’s not. Don’t like the wait between releases? Piracy is directly responsible for that.

You are not helping the downtrodden by stealing; you are not Robin Hood. You are making a struggling writer unable to publish books by violating my rights.

Writers are not stupid. We see when you come to our sites looking for torrents; we see you requesting/posting our work at piracy forums. These sorts of activities do not encourage us to write more. You dig me?

What is Tiger’s Memory and can I read it?

It’s a prequel centered around Dale West from the Livi Talbot series. It’s exclusive to Patreon, as are all his POV stories.

Because of someone signing up at Patreon just to read it without paying, my patrons are now charged up front the moment the pledge. I understand only pledging for a limited time, but please do not steal.

Tiger’s don’t purr.

They also don’t turn into humans. Your point? West purrs because I though I did my research, I also made a judgement call because I thought it would be awesome..

Is there a sequel to Bloodlines?

Yes, there’s a whole series. A complete list of novels, novellas, shorts, and collections here. Complete novels include Hunter, Lineage, Exhumed, and Oblivion. Regardless of who narrates them, ALL of these books are sequels to Bloodlines.

Can I complain to you about the end of Bloodlines?

Bloodlines ended the only way it possibly could’ve ended; although I think it’s a bit of a surprise initially, it makes total sense and was foreshadowed repeatedly.

If you yell at me about how it ruined the book for you, I will probably laugh because, honestly, I thought the ending was funny. Because I’m a terrible person. So you probably want to rethink that hatemail as it won’t do you much good.

I’m confused after reading Exhumed.

Did you skip Hunter and Lineage after Bloodlines?

Yes…
These books aren’t standalone; they have an overriding plot arc and the same characters appear in each. The series order is listed in the front of the books and mentioned in my author’s note at the end. I can offer you tea but no sympathy.

But I liked Zara and didn’t want to read those other stories.
Sorry?

Why would you have three totally different narrators? Are you really surprised people don’t like that?

Is it a popular decision? Only among die-hard fans. Is it one I stand by? Yes.

If you look at the series as a whole, you’ll see all the short story offshoots and things that show different perspectives from different characters on the same situation. That is part of what this series is about: nothing is black and white, and there are many sides to every sitch. It’s also about how a group of very different people have to work together. I’m in a tough spot of preferring to write very deep first person narrative while still being drawn to ensemble casts.

Truthfully, although I adore Zara, she gets exhausting to write, and being in her head means an extremely limited perspective. As a writer, I need to stretch now and again. And, as evidence with Nate in Bloodlines, she’s at her best when she has someone very different to play off of. Ryann and Peri bring a lot to the table and keep things fresh for me. Further, each character in this series has another piece of the overall plot puzzle (yes, there is a plot) and without them, the story doesn’t hold together.

So. Yeah. I get that people were disappointed that the story didn’t immediately go back to Zara after Bloodlines. I get that some people jumped to Exhumed, and though I inwardly headdesk, I can’t stop them. I get that interest petered out as well–some readers didn’t keep going with the books because the idea of Ryann and Peri turned them off (or, let’s be honest here, a lack of Nate). I get that I likely hurt myself in terms of sales and that the alternating narrators with a linked plot was not a popular thing.

But, you know what? It’s done, I am proud of the work. This is how the story needed to be told, and if you don’t like alternating characters, it is not the series for you.I stand by my decision to give the story what it needed.

I don’t like one/all of your heroines.

Um…okay? They probably don’t like you either.

The Demons of Oblivion series has a bunch of characters–it’s an ensemble cast–and I’m sure you’ll find someone to identify with, so it’s totes cool if you don’t dig one of the narrators.
It’s not my job to write characters everyone’s going to like, it’s my job to tell the story as honest as possible and make it entertaining. And fucked-up people do entertaining things. If you’re looking to read books about people you’d want to have over for dinner, my books likely aren’t for you.
Likability is subjective. A hell of a lot of people like the various characters. Maybe if you don’t like my characters, my books aren’t for you, and that’s totes okay. Also, please do not tell me about my motives or how you think I’m “trying” to make a character unlikable. I tell the story as honest to the character as possible. Period. Full stop. Worrying about anything else would drive me crazy.
I also don’t particularly care. Something as subjective as likability is not a reflection of the quality of the writing or story, nor is it something I will ever take under consideration, so taking the time to rant at me personally about this is a waste of bandwidth. I can think of a laundry list of flaws in my work, but character likability isn’t among them.
I love hearing directly from readers, but if you’re writing to tell me how much you don’t like something I’ve written? I won’t reply to those emails anymore. I don’t do hatemail; it makes me tired. (Genuine questions/requests for clarification, I can attempt to answer, though.)

I tend to write difficult characters. I even warn about this fact right in the blurbs and on the first pages of the books so there are multiple chances to just not read them. If they’re not for you, that’s cool. I still think you’re sexy.

Where can I read online for free Bloodlines/Hunter/Lineage/Exhumed/Oblivion in pdf epub or mobi?

You can’t. You can read them by purchasing them, asking someone to purchase them for you, visiting the library (all of my ebooks can be ordered by libraries), or read legally on Scribd (which is like Netflix for books; they even have a free trial and I get my full royalties).

If you illegally download/distribute my work, you are taking money from my pocket that I need to pay my bills, afford medication for a serious autoimmune disease, and take care of my pets, and increasing the likelihood that there will be no more books in the series.I’ve already said that if Exhumed ends up pirated, Zara/Nate are done for good.

If you request, download, or illegally distribute my work, you are directly responsible for the demise of the series.

You are not helping the downtrodden by stealing; you are not Robin Hood. You are making a struggling writer unable to publish books by violating my rights.

Will there be another Zara book after Exhumed?

1. Every book is a “Zara book”, whether she narrates or not. It’s all one big story. 2. There’s a Zara novella currently available called Damaged and a Nate collection called 9 Crimes. Both are only available through Payhip. 3. There’s a post-Oblivion novella, Dial V for Vampire, that’s on Patreon and Payhip.

There ~~are~~ were more books planned–the sixth one, Solace, was due to go back to Zara, and the eighth planned book, Viral, was to be narrated by Nate–but as I’m a full time writer, I have to decide what to work on very carefully, and the series is not financially viable. Previously I’d said “if sales ever pick up, maybe it’ll go beyond Oblivion” because believe me, no one wants more books more than I do–I desperately want to continue in this world. And then Exhumed ended up being pirated.

So. Nope. Even if I end up writing Solace or other books for fun on a whim, I will never, ever publish another Zara book. You can thank “jdscott666” (aka “bookho”) and others for that. If you illegally downloaded or distributed that book, know that it broke my heart and can’t stomach the idea of putting myself in that position again.

If you legally bought it, I’m genuinely sorry, but however upset you are about things not continuing, know that it’s even worse for me to be violated like that.

If you’re only reading for Zara/Nate, I will tell you now there is no conclusion to their relationship in Oblivion because I am not a romance writer and they are not the focus of the series.

Is it “Zara” like Sarah or “Zara” like Car-a?

Like “Car-a”. “Zara” like Sarah drives me batty. And yes, I know that’s how the audiobook narrator says it–not her fault, I just wasn’t consulted by the publisher or given any previews despite offers to check pronunciation.

And while we’re on the subject, Ryann is like Ryan. Not Ree-anne or Ri-anne.

Is Blood Ties related to the Demons of Oblivion series?

Yes, it’s set twenty-five years later. A couple more answers on that are here.

Where can I read online for free the Elis O’Connor novels? (Blood Ties, Witch Hunt, etc)

I spent a full year on Blood Ties–writing, revising, editing, proofing. It went through multiple rounds of revision with two editors. It cost me money to buy the boutique stock art. And I made less than $200 on it before it was being pirated.

Future Elis O’Connor works, starting with Witch Hunt, will be Patreon only in ebook while serialized and then publicly available in paperback. I am only committing to Witch Hunt because I’ve already started it and paid for the cover art, but it is unlikely I will continue past it.

I cannot spend a year of my life on a book only to not make enough money to pay at least some living expenses. If you come to this page having stolen that first book, know that you are why there will not be any more.

Congratulations: you dumb motherfuckers have killed another series!

What age range is River/Wolfe for?

Um…I don’t know? The character is a young adult by necessity of the story but she has a more adult perspective since she’s a wolf. I didn’t write it thinking it was YA, I just wrote it.

Some people let their daughters as young as eleven read it. I know of at least one person who expressed shock to me that she gave it to her seventeen-year-old. In River, there are no sex scenes, the violence is typical physical altercations you find in high school (I mean, River spends a lot of time thinking about killing people and hiding the bodies, but who doesn’t?), and the language is minimal. There are a few f-bombs and the “c” word used at appropriate times and if you don’t think teens use those words or have heard them before, I have some property on the moon I’d like to sell you. In Wolfe it’s pretty much the same though there is one fade-to-black sex scene, IIRC.

If you’re ever in doubt, the best thing you can do? READ THE BOOK. Don’t just blindly hand things to your kids if you’re concerned. Read it, judge for yourself, and I highly recommend talking to your kids about what they’re reading and showing an interest. Not to censor their entertainment but to teach them to think critically about what they consume.

Are there sequels to River?

There’s a Daryl Marsden POV novella called Rebellion that works as both a prequel and companion to River. There’s a second novel, Wolfe, but I haven’t completed the rewrites on it yet, so it remains out of print. Yes, there was going to be a third book. I canceled this series due to piracy back in 2009 and don’t see myself revisiting it–I feel that River’s story is basically told in the duology and it can suffice as is.

Are you going to continue your eserials Children of the Apocalypse or Curio Killed the Cat?

There are no current plans for it. I can’t afford the time spent on freebies.

Is there a sequel to Soulless?

Yes, though I only wrote a few chapters. I like to think Ani and Rafe’s story is complete with Soulless. If you’re curious about the chapters of the potential sequel, Devour, they’re on Patreon.