The Insecure Writer’s Support Group and What Does a Publisher Do All Week?

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

Today’s question: It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

I tend to catch up as Dancing Lemur Press business is slow the second half of the month and I use that time for my own work and to catch up on other projects.

I did manage to finish the fourth story in my In Darkness series, The Alien, last month. It will sit for a bit and then I will tackle revisions. Probably during the Christmas break.


I do want to share with you what my work week looks like. I have no typical work week as it all depends on what is in the pipeline and at what stage. So I will share some of what I did last week:

Edits on stories for Tales From the Valley (Due out March 7 next year. This is a special collaboration with Elizabeth Seckman.)

Review requests for In Darkness: The Shark

Royalty payments and statements for Q3 2022

Finished writing In Darkness: The Alien

Set two events for next year

Back cover for Tales From the Valley set

Formatted half of the stories for Tales From the Valley

Replied to numerous submissions

Completed November bookkeeping

Back cover synopsis for Blood Red Steel set. (The third in Damien Larkin’s Mars series!)

Worked with my illustrator on cover art for In Darkness: The Werewolf

And many other minor details that go along with being a publisher

My husband says I am the worst boss ever as I never give myself time off!

But I do have fun doing it.

As proof, my friend Ticia went with me to man the booth at Havelock Comic Con a couple weeks ago (instead of my poor husband) and we had a blast! Not to mention it was another stellar weekend of sales.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, The Shark, and Events

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

Today’s question – November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

It has just never worked out that I had time in November to write that much. For that matter, I rarely have time in any month. I will be finishing the fourth novella in my In Darkness series, The Alien, this month, but I only need 6000 words or so to do that.

* * *

Dancing Lemur Press has two events this month:

November 12, 9-1 pm
Goldsboro Holiday Market
New Hope Friends Church, Goldsboro, NC

November 19, 10-5 pm
Havelock Comicon
Havelock Tourism and Event Center, Havelock, NC


If you are in the area, stop by and see us!

* * *

And I’m excited to show off the cover for my next novella:

In Darkness: The Shark

Souls shrouded in darkness…

Focused on her studies and duties at the aquarium, Jewels prefers her solitary life. Burned many times and short on trust, she has more in common with her aquatic friends than the people around her. But she never imagined coming face to face with a shark named Clarence…a shark who talks!

As their friendship grows, Jewels must overcome her deep set mistrust. There are dangers, both in the Australian ocean and on dry land. Can Jewels depend on the great white or will his animal nature betray her?

Release day – May 9, 2023
Fantasy – Romance / Fantasy – Paranormal / Paranormal – Romance
eBook ISBN 9781939844910

This is the second in the In Darkness novella series – The Werewolf will be next.

It’s available for pre-orders and for reviewers! So, if you are interested, please let me know.


Have you participated in NaNo?
And a paranormal romance story with a shark? You’ll have to read it to believe it!

Posting at IWSG Site

I am visiting the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site today with a piece I did the other night for a writer’s group - What Publishers and Agents Seek.

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?