Writing Progress

There is something about this photo that I can really relate to. Namely it's how I see my writing career after 6 years of actively chasing 'The Dream' of getting my stories published. 

I've got enough experience to know that it takes a lot of work to get an e-book written, edited, covered, published and marketed. 

My marketing hasn't been 'street worthy' since my mother passed. I know it, and I'm not going to make any excuses. It is what is and it ain't what it ain't. 

But like this old tomcat - I've licked my wounds and healed up. I may not be stronger than ever, but by damn, I'm older and wiser.

I haven't been idle - I've been working my butt off in the 'Real World' trying to keep the farm and family on track. Wow - that's been a chore.

But I'm back writing - The Emissary: Arrival, book two of Horsewomen of the Zombie Apocalypse is down to a final scene that needed a re-write. It goes to the editor in July. About the time I find out if The Emissary: Journey makes the finals at eFestival of Words. 

There are two more books after Arrival - in progress. The issue I'm wrestling with inside that series is one I've been blogging about - "What to Wear to the Zombie Apocalypse." I've realized that it's going to be much easier for people to grow their own food than it is for them to find clothing. So where will humanity obtain their clothing? Ahhh...that's the catch.

There's also "Tempest in a Teapot" which may get revived in another week or two. It lacks a satisfying ending right now. 

We'll see if putting out a couple of books this year can give my sales a much needed boost. I can always put "Let's Do Lunch" back into Kindle select, but I hate the thought of pulling it from every other shelf in the world for 90 days. 

Not sure how active I'm going to be on this blog. I've got plenty of fiber to mess with, so I might be blogging here: Jordan's Croft Fiber Arts.

As always - stay tuned.

Ya never know what I'm going to be up to next.

My Writing Space for 2014

This is the view of my cluttered porch. Note the dogs watching me as I take this picture. I spend as much time outside as I can. But my red hair and pale complexion don't do well in sun or heat.

My Faithful Canine Companions love it when I use the porch for writing.

The blue book contains "The Emissary: Arrival" and the red book is all the information on the characters and settings. I'm happy to say that Part III is chugging along nicely.

Gosling Story

I'm going to take some pictures tomorrow of the little gosling. I'm pretty sure it's a girl - the 5 drakes are raising her, taking her out every morning and back to the nesting females every evening.

She is surrounded by the drakes, who treat her like a princess. She is the center of their world. There is always one next to her, protecting her like the fragile baby that she is.

Sadly, two more goslings hatched yesterday, but didn't make it through the night. I would have loved to watch them grow up with the same attention and care.

I've got to get photos of this. The problem is that I can't get too close. Our 'food truce' doesn't apply where she's concerned. I get attacked if I get too close.

*****

The little princess vanished two days ago. I don't know what got her, or how it got through her loyal knights.

It's sad.

I Almost Forgot - e-Festival of Words

The eFestival of Words is hosted by Bards and Sages Publishing.

eFestival of Words Virtual Book Fair

eFestival of Words Virtual Book Fair and Host of the Best of the Independent eBook Awards

'The Emissary - Horsewomen of the Zombie Apocalypse' has been nominated for Best Novella. This link goes to my Amazon author page because two more books in the series are due out in the fall of 2014.

I am eternally grateful for the nomination. I've been working very hard on the next three books in the series.

Currently The Emissary the e-book is free on Smashwords. That link goes to the series page, so you can see all the books in the series.

Paperbacks...those might be ready for Christmas 2015. I'm not sure about 2014. Depends on finances. I may have to go to Kickstart. If so I'll update this page.

I feel the best way to introduce the series is by posting the blurb.

Can four women and six horses make it 100 miles and arrive alive? In a world where the muerto viviente - walking dead -- prowl, Bethany McLeod must take her sisters Alexis, Dani and Julie cross-country to Fort Chatten, Kentucky, a journey of 100 miles.

It's just three years since the Zombie Apocalypse. The McLeod and Davidson's clans survive in a world where the muerto viviente - walking dead - infest the cities and towns.

Alexis McLeod is a healer, eager to prove herself. She volunteers to travel to Fort Chatten, the home of the Davidson clan. Led by Bethany, the four sisters risk their lives to help Clan Davidson.

Armed to the teeth, the sisters are horse archers, light cavalry, quick enough to avoid the muerto.

Militia, marauders and mad-men abound, the stinking dead walk the land, eating everything in their path.

But what will they find if they get to Fort Chatten?

This story is suitable for all ages. 

The Horsewomen of the Zombie Apocalypse - Smashwords
K. A. Jordan - Amazon US Author Page
K. A Jordan - Amazon UK Author Page
The Emissary - Horsewomen of the Zombie Apocalypse - B&N

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Tend Your Garden

A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Tend Your Garden: Your ebooks function much like a garden.  One rare occassions, a plant will thrive with little help from you. Others may whither and ...

This is so true! I've been guilty of neglecting my books in favor of taking care of my family...which isn't a bad thing in itself.

But with 'The Emissary - Horsewomen of the Zombie Apocalypse' just nominated for the e-Festival of Words, I need to get on it.

Sometimes the Universe sends you what you need to hear when you are ready to hear it. Not very often, but sometimes.

What to Wear to the Zombie Apocalypse II

Foot wear!

If you are racing away from zombies across the ruined streets of America - your Nikes aren't going to hold up for long. Shoes are going to vanish from the shelves in a hurry.

What to do? How to keep from running barefoot over broken glass, or slipping in nasty icky stuff?

Well, there are always spare tires in abandoned cars. If they can get 50,000 miles out of a tire, it might be in your best interest to pick up a hacksaw.

But how?

Well, research tells me that steel belted radials tend to be prickly. So it makes more sense to use either spare tires or the sidewalls. Design...well Jimmy Choo isn't going to come visit you any time soon.

This design looked functional to me.

This shoes look comfortable enough and adjustable, so one could layer socks for warmth in the winter.

In the sequel to 'The Emissary' Beth discovers a group of people who have been burned out, not once, but twice. They are in dire straits, have lost all their supplies and in an area deliberately burned to the ground.

What tears her heart most is a mother's lament over finding clothes for her growing boys. "I've given up on shoes," Liz says with tears in her eyes.

In the course of the story, the McLeod sisters rescue another family, who have been reduced to wrapping their feet with rags.

The McLeod sisters have riding boots, the Davidson men have Army boots -- the plight of the refugees becomes a meeting point for everyone, uniting to help those who are less fortunate.

The best part about the Zombie Apocalypse -- you can always find someone less fortunate.

What to wear to the Zombie Apocalypse:

The Ragged Truth