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.
My Etsy shop is currently down due to their excessive fees and I haven’t had the time to set up a new option.
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 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?
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 whether the books will be liked or if they’ll be reviewed at all, etc. I have previously spent a lot of money sending print books that were never reviewed, which is not something I can afford. 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. Just buy the 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. 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?
To be honest, I hate subscription models. 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. Without it, I would not be able to continue publishing.
Have you/will you use LLM (aka “AI”) to generate your books and/or plotlines and/or use “AI”-generated cover art/stock?
NO. Under no circumstances. No book you buy from me (or support my writing via Patreon) will ever involve LLMs. I am staunchly against it. I actually like writing. I am not going to use a fancy predictive text generator to do that for me–I’d be miserable.
I have never used any of the “AI” cover art generators for my books. I will never. I have no intention of using AI stock photos, however there are some unscrupulous people who might use AI to generate photos and then put them up for sale. I do my due diligence but the only way I might use a stock photo that was AI-generated is accidentally if it was improperly labelled.
The line art illustrations in the Waverly Jones hardcover books are all done by an actual artist. My covers are all done by me (and the illustrated look of the Waverly hardcovers are still by me–I cobble together a lot of photos, do some digital painting, then use a lot of filters).
Did you also write a book under the name “Skylar Dawn”?
No. That is not me.
Did you also write a children’s book about bubbles (?!) under “Skyla Cameron”?
No. That is not me either.
I really wish authors would check for other writers using similar names. (And Skyla Dawn Cameron is not a pen–that’s really my name.)
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 (sometimes more, sometimes less), and no matter how many pairs of eyes go over them beforehand, something is missed. I do have multiple editors and a proofreader, and I’m a freelance editor myself, so I am very thorough. Something always slips through the cracks. Also? A lot of what readers flag as “typos” are not, in fact, typos or errors (like Canadian spellings, for example, or stylistic choices). I’m 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 some of them, 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 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.
- 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 the tier “A Little More”.
Can you read my stuff and offer me suggestions?
No. For many, may reasons. 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, I’m currently closed to new clients.
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. (I am currently not taking new editing clients.)
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).
Can I send you fanmail?
Please do.
Series-Related FAQs
How many Livi Talbot books are there?
Twelve. I have said from the beginning that how far we get depends entirely on my stress level: factors that will decide whether or not I keep publishing are 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). As of Nov 2021: the series will end at the as-yet untitled seventh book due to low sales and theft. It is too much stress on me while I’m sick. I love this series, but it is not worth killing myself over.
When is the next Livi Talbot book coming out?
Per my author’s note in Yampellec’s Idol, I am not talking about future book plans publicly until a draft is done and up for preorder. When a book is ready, I promise I will update everyone.
I already heap a huge amount of pressure on myself with writing, and having readers constantly push for updates and complain about the next book not being out yet just makes it harder to write (as grateful as I am for the enthusiasm). If you want books by someone who can churn them out every three months, there are lots of options for you out there; I am not that kind of writer, and I’m working around pretty debilitating autoimmune issues and mental illness.
Folks on Patreon get updates periodically as part of their monthly support.
Where can I read Solomon’s Seal, Odin’s Spear, Emperor’s Tomb, Shiva’s Bow, Yampellec’s Idol, Charon’s Gold 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 or Kobo Plus (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.
The Livi Talbot books were on life support and I warned right on the copyright page that if they’re being illegally distributed more than bought, I would 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. The series is now ending at book seven.
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.
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. West purrs because though I did my research, I also made a judgement call because I thought it would be funny.
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.
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?
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.
Zara is 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.
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 this is how the story needed to be told and I’m proud of the work.
I don’t like one/all of your heroines.
Um…okay? They probably don’t like you either.
Like lol internalized misogyny–maybe consider why you give male characters a pass for the worst behaviour but not female and save me the hatemail.
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.
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.
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.
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 were more books planned, including ones narrated by Zara and Nate, but as the bulk of my income has to come from writing (so that I can keep writing), 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. 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.
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, Soul Spell, etc)
You can’t. You can get Blood Ties anywhere, and you can get the rest if you support my work on Patreon or buy a paperback.
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 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. Should I finish the series over the next several years, I’ll then consider whether to release them wider as ebooks.
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.
How many books will the series be?
It should end with the sixth. I’m currently writing the fifth.
What age range is River/Wolfe for?
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. 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.
When is Wolfe coming out?
I still don’t have an ETA on that one, I’m sorry. I have a…complicated relationship with that book and it’s very hard for me to go back and work on it.
When does the new mystery series start?
May 30 2023. The second will be Nov 2023, the third April 2024, then probably yearly after that.
Is it paranormal?
Nope! Other than paranormal horror, I’m probably moving away from spec fic works in favour of contemp thrillers.
How many books will it be?
Twelve. They’re structured like the Livi Talbot series with each book having its own mystery but there’s an overriding plot arc.
But I want you to go back and work on Livi Talbot.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Misc Book FAQs
Is there a sequel to Dweller on the Threshold?
There’s another standalone book in that series called Watcher of the Woods coming February 14 2023, but otherwise, no. I feel Norah’s story is done (however, there are Easter eggs and references to Dweller in Watcher). There might be a third standalone set in the world, if I get around to writing it.
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.
Why is Bloodlines the only book in audio?
Because I didn’t pay for that one. Putting out audiobooks myself is extremely cost prohibitive. They would run me $2K-$3K per book at least and there is zero chance I would make that money back–I’m already in the red publishing all of my books. I don’t have an agent to sell rights for me.
I’ve struck a deal with a company to try out some of my books–we’re starting with the first two Livi Talbot books and Dweller and Watcher. Expect news about that sometime late 2025. Otherwise, if you only read audiobooks, I’m sorry, but most of that is out of my hands unless I can sell more rights. Please don’t yell at me or demand I release audiobooks (unless you’d like to put up two grand for them?).
Writer of urban fantasy, thrillers/mysteries, and horror.