Wednesday, October 05, 2022

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, The Vampire, and Missed Con


It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Today’s question – What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre?

I write in so many genres though!

I love non-fiction for its creativity while doling out information and facts. It informs and enriches, but it can also entertain.

Currently I am writing paranormal romance novellas. I think romance appeals to a lot of people, even men. It’s what makes the world go around. But add an element of fantasy and it transports us to another place and time.

* * *


My February 7, 2023 book release is the first in the In Darkness series, a novella titled “The Vampire.”

If you enjoy paranormal/fantasy romance, please consider adding it to your Goodreads list. It has one review/rating so far but could sure use some love by being on more “want to read” lists.

Next month I will announce the release date for the next story (and possibly reveal the cover), In Darkness: The Shark.

* * *


And finally, Saturday was a bit of a downer for us. With Hurricane Ian headed for NC and the uncertainty of how long the storm would last and how much it would flood (plus the fact we have to leave for this con at 5 am, thus driving a ways in the dark), we erred on the side of caution and cancelled.

We are grateful Ian brought little damage to NC but losing one of our best cons and its revenue hurts. Hopefully holiday sales pick up and our final con of the year is decent. (We know it’s a tiny one, so keeping expectations in check.)


What are the best characteristics of your favorite genre and were you impacted by Hurricane Ian?

32 comments:

Loni Townsend said...

Dang. That sucks about the con. I live over in Idaho so I'm far from hurricane territory. We do have drought and quite a few fires every year, but nothing they've had to cancel a con over.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sorry about the con. That sucks.

Karen Baldwin said...

Aww about not going to the con...but wise to play it safe. Here in the tropics of Mexico, we get our share of hurricanes. Ten years or so ago, a hurricane was barreling in, and I fled down to Belize (3 hours away) to be safe. Thankfully, nothing of mine was damaged. I take hurricane very seriously.

H. R. Sinclair said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
H. R. Sinclair said...

It's hard to miss the con, but it was a good decision.

And paranormal romance -- awesome. Romance is hard for me to right and I admire those who write it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Being safe is always the right choice!
I enjoy writing about hope and love too :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sorry about the Con, but I'm glad you're safe. Just added your new book on Goodreads.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I am shocked by how many books are on my list of to read and I haven't gotten to them yet. Days are speeding past. I'm sorry about the con but you did the right thing. If anything had happened to you our community would be devastated. There will be more cons.

Nick Wilford said...

I'm just glad you're safe. Hope the next con goes without a hitch.

It's nice to mix it up by taking the best bits of genres you enjoy. Paranormal romance sounds fun. I added your book.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Sorry about the con. Though I have written and published lots of nonfiction books, I love fantasy :)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

They had a really hard time nailing that forecast down for NC. I think it was smart to play it safe.

That's great you have a release next year!

Arlee Bird said...

I like the idea of approaching a diverse number of genres. I get tired of same old things sometimes and like to get new takes on things.

Glad the hurricane didn't hit you all too badly. You made the right choice in not going to the con show I think. The only hurricane I ever experienced first hand was Hugo in 1989. I was in Charlotte at the time and we got hit pretty hard. Power was out for almost a week! No hurricanes here in L.A. I wish we'd at least get some good rain.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats on your new series! Fingers crossed for your next con. You were smart to cancel, despite losing the revenue. Hurricanes suck in a variety of ways.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Congrats on your novella!! Ian ruined a lot of plans and people.

Sandra Cox said...

Just finished The Vampire. Thumbs up.
Sorry you had to cancel out on the con. We were very lucky here. Got 4" of rain and winds but that was it.

Victoria Marie Lees said...

So sorry you had to miss the Con, Diane. I'm sure you made the better choice because of the weather. Bravo on your upcoming release. Way to go! All the luck with this new book. And breathe. The storms can't last forever, right?

Miffie Seideman said...

I also love how fantasy and romance blend together and make each genre so much better and the characters stronger.

kimlajevardi.com said...

Sorry you had to miss you con.

Liz A. said...

Sorry about the con. But better safe than sorry. If it had hit near you, you would have been glad you didn't go. Good luck on the next one.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane - I keep coming across Ian ... and wondered who he is - but of course now I know ... what a nuisance for you - but most definitely safer than sorry.

My brain wanders along all kinds of subjects ... WEP is going to be interesting ... I'm a non-fiction fan ... but enjoy all learning - cheers and all the best as the year eases down and hope you get lots of support from customers and authors for your next Con ... Hilary

Olga Godim said...

I'm so glad to live in a place without hurricanes. The worries you folk go through every time one of those hurricanes hits...

emaginette said...

I swap it around and write speculative fiction with some romantic elements because it does make the worlds go round. hehehe

Anna from elements of emaginette

Sherry Ellis said...

I'm so glad you are writing again! Hope you're enjoying that. Sorry about the con. We've certainly had a lot of setbacks in the last few years. Just keep plugging along and hopefully, things will pick up.

Fundy Blue said...

I'm glad that Hurricane Ian didn't bring a lot of damage to NC, Diane. What happened in Florida was almost unimaginable. As for missing the con, I strongly believe it's best to be safe, especially when driving in potentially dangerous or life-threatening conditions. I'm looking forward to reading your latest stories. Have a great October!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Safety is important!
I am glad you are okay and I hope the next con blows away all of your expectations with awesomeness!

Melissa said...

You know mine. LOL
I was blessed that Ian didn't come near Texas, and that my family and friends in FL are safe.

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I too missed a big vending event due to Ian. Again, we were relieved there was minimal damage but the loss of revenue did sting.
I'm looking forward to your new series and have already added it to my "want to read" list.

DMS said...

Sorry about the con- that stinks, but it was hard with Ian and the potential for it to be very dangerous. I hope the last con of the year will be a success! :)
~Jess

Sandra Cox said...

Toes-crossed the last con brings mega sales. You've got some amazing book offerings.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Sorry you lost the con, Diane. I'm glad you stayed safe, though.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

It is always best to err on the side of caution.
Best wishes for your new novella!!

SpacerGuy said...

Hard Luck with the con Diane. Weather is unforgiving. SF for me yields much treasure with stories, characters and the threat to the ship which can come in many shapes and forms.