Woman At Work, April 2024

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What’s Happening? Confession time: I’ve been struggling a bit this week. The Hugo Award nominations were announced, and I see so many happy congratulations to the nominees. While I, myself, will never have the honor. I’m not envious, just a sense of being left out. This is part of being an Indy author, and I’m well aware of it. Not sure why it’s bothering me this year.

What I’m Working On. The Spirit Binder travels on to a new location, Willow Shrine. I’m at a point where I need to sketch the area and think about plot turns. Onward!

What’s Next? Most of the layout is done for my next short story collection, Aunt Anne’s Archive. Both ebook and trade paper layouts are mostly finished. I plan to work on that more so I can release it on May 15, just in time for Queen Titania’s Court in June.

Where I’ll be. Speaking of which, I’m recruiting more authors for Queen Titania’s Court for 2024. If you know any fantasy authors, especially independents, feel free to share the link to the details.

Fun and Games. Right now I’m playing Animal Crossing with some upgrades to my village. Dragon Age Inquisition is coming in second because the companion my character wants to romance keeps pushing them away.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. I will be in the garden, planting my potatoes and early crops like lettuce and peas.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Lovely

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Just sharing a screenshot I got yesterday from a friend who bought my Minstrels of Skaythe series at RadCon. I’m going to cry a little, too.

This is your periodic reminder that authors need to get our backs patted sometimes.

In other news, I am venturing into new social media platforms. Like a lot of us, I was set back by the alterations in my favorite, Twitter. Several newer platforms sprang up to take Twitter’s place, and I’ve been watching to see which of them seem to thrive in a positive way.

Currently I’m giving Bluesky Social a try. There seems to be a good community of writers and artists there, and it is run by a non-profit, so I hope the ads and fakery will be minimal. If you’re already there, let’s be friends! A link to my profile is in the footer.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Re-Issue! Wee Folk and Wise

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A fairy woman sits in a mystic forest. Title reads "Wee Folk and Wise." Illustration by Carol Hightshoe using Midjourney.

After more than a year of rallying and agitating, Wee Folk and Wise is being re-issued by Wolfsinger Publications. This is the anthology of fairy stories I first edited for Sky Warrior. I’m excited to see it return to print, possibly as early as next week. Never fear, I’ll post purchase links as soon as I have them.

A World of Enchantment

All over the world, fairy tales are told. There are big fairies and little fairies. Ugly fairies and pretty fairies. Wise fairies and silly fairies. Sweet fairies and scary fairies. Sixteen authors share their own fantastic fairy tales in this magical collection. What kind of fairy will you meet here?

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Future Release

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The moon glows over a beautiful fantasy library. Text reads "Aunt Anne's Archive, Tales of Magic and Mystery by Deby Fredericks."
Illustration by DeKreator

Here’s a sneak peek at the cover for my next planned release, Aunt Anne’s Archive. Isn’t it pretty? Bear in mind, this is a work in progress and there are bound to be changes. It gives you an idea what I’m going for, though.

This will be a short story collection, companion to one of my first independent releases, Aunt Ursula’s Atlas. Where Aunt Ursula collected Lucy D. Ford’s short work, Aunt Anne will be under Deby Fredericks’ byline. My initial plan was to also re-release Aunt Ursula with a new cover. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to determine whether AI had been used in that image, so it’s temporarily on hold.

I almost have enough stories for a second collection of Lucy’s work, but one thing at a time. Besides, I’d have to decide which literary aunt I wanted to dedicate to.

Anywho, I’d love to hear what you think about this cover. Tell me about it in the comments!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Woman At Work, March 2024

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What’s Happening? It’s March, and I’ve started to think about doing yard cleanups, pruning, and so forth. It’s snowing this morning, though, so I don’t have to get right into it. My wildest dream is to get a grape arbor this year. We’ll see if that comes true.

What I’m Working On. Part 2 of The Spirit Binder is done and I’m taking a thinking break before I go on to part three. It’s a complete change of setting and I’m sure there will be parts of it I blog about. It’s about 40,000 words now and I’m getting worried about it going beyond the expected length for a middle grade book. I might have to prune this book pretty hard, eventually.

What’s Next? It took some harping, but I connected with all the authors for the re-issue of Wee Folk and Wise. With their approvals of the final proof, I turned in the master document to Wolfsinger. It may be released as soon as the end of this month, so brace yourself for the announcements.

Where I’ll be. Not exactly a where, but it’s time to start thinking about Queen Titania’s Court for 2024. That means scaring up some authors to participate. If you know any fantasy authors, especially independents, feel free to share the link to the details.

Fun and Games. Right now I’m playing Animal Crossing and replaying Dragon Age Inquisition for about the eighth time. It’s like visiting old friends.

It’s snowing outside, right now. Happy spring?

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

After RadCon

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Last weekend I was Author Guest of Honor at RadCon science fiction convention. So how was it?

Incredible! And exhausting. And educational.

Incredible, because being Guest of Honor was a rare honor for me. I’m pretty much an unknown author, even in my region. It was more recognition of my career and skills than I’ve ever had — and probably ever will have again. (Just keeping my expectations realistic, here.) I really had the chance to talk about my series, Minstrels of Skaythe, and why I chose a message of nonviolence.

I also know that a lot of aspiring authors, artists and other creative people flock to these conventions, and I tried to put out an encouraging message for them. “People will tell you, don’t give up your day job. I say, don’t give up your art.”

Exhausting, because I was on so many panels. Each panel is about an hour, and they take concentration to stay on topic with relevant things to say. They had me scheduled for three in a row, twice during the weekend. I moderated some of them, too. It was just a lot of being on camera and focused.

Educational, because it was my first time doing a dealer’s table to sell my books. My husband sat in during the times I was on panels. He was willing to help, and in fact he was a great salesman, but it took a lot of his time, too. The table itself went really well. I sold lots of books, partly because I was Guest of Honor and that always creates interest and partly because people heard me speak on panels. My main takeaway was that I can’t volunteer for so many panels, and if they try to put me on more, I have to say no.

Will I do a book table again? Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to do the full con circuit, with a convention every month, but two or three a year would definitely be possible. It also coincides neatly with my resolution to make 3 personal appearances each year.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

At RadCon

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I have been at RadCon this weekend. Hope you all have a great weekend and I’ll check in with you next week.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

RadCon 9 Schedule

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This is where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing at RadCon! At all other times, I will be in the Dealer’s Room.

Friday, 5 pm – Opening Ceremony, where I’ll be introduced as Author Guest of Honor in an interview format. Olympic Ballroom.

Friday, 6 pm – 1980s Anime, panel discussion, which possibly will overlap with Opening Ceremony. Sage Room.

Friday, 7 pm – Writing Mythology in Fiction. Panel discussion, Room 3125.

Saturday, 10 am – Guest of Honor Keynote. This is my big chance to shine, talk about my writing, read from my work, and so forth. Bin 20 Lounge.

Saturday, noon – Student Writing Workshop. A private discussion with student writers.

Saturday, 3 pm – Why We Create. Panel discussion, Harvest Room.

Saturday, 4 pm – Trends in SF, Fantasy and Horror. Panel discussion, Room 3125.

Saturday, 5 pm – That’s Too Political! Panel discussion designated as 18+ in the Sage Room.

Sunday, noon – Finding Time to Write. Panel discussion, Room 3125.

Sunday, 5 pm – Closing Ceremony, Olympic Ballroom.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Woman at Work, February 2024

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What’s Happening? One of my kids moved back in two days ago, with girlfriend, two cats, and a lizard. Their landlord jacked the rent and they need a couple of months to recoup and find a new place. It’s going to be an adjustment — 5 people and 1 bathroom? — but it’s family. It will be fine.

What I’m Working On. The Spirit Binder is nearing the end of its middle section. I know, I keep saying that. Work and moving-in have slowed me down. You know what they say about middles. I just remind myself that when the readers are reading it, they won’t know all of that.

What’s Next? My current second project is Wee Folk and Wise, an anthology of fairy related short stories. It originally came out in 2016 from Sky Warrior and is being reissued by Wolfsinger. I’m at the point of chasing down four more authors to approve the galley. Then I can send it on to the publisher.

Where I’ll be. RadCon is in two weeks. The book table is all figured out, but my schedule is more complicated now that I’m a Guest of Honor. They also sent me homework for their writer’s workshop. I’ll be going through that today.

Fun and Games. Right now I’m playing Animal Crossing and building my town, but I’m starting to think about another game. There are a couple I’ve had my eye on and I haven’t chosen one yet. Should I do the one with the lost cat trying to get home, or the fisherman dredging up increasingly weird creatures?

Take care, all.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Run With It

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Recently I’ve been mentioning that I hope to get a book table at RadCon, where I’m planning my first in-person appearance of 2024. They haven’t been answering my e-mails, which doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence. You might also remember that my schedule there was going to be a marathon — yikes!

But, on Sunday, I got a different e-mail from them. Are you ready for this? They want me to be their author guest of honor this year!

This is the opposite of yikes. More of a yippee! So I said yes, and I will be the author guest of honor (or keynote speaker, if you prefer) at RadCon 9, February 16-18, in Pasco, WA.

After having helped run a lot of SF conventions, I am pretty sure this invitation comes because another of their honorees cancelled. Normally conventions schedule their guests of honor well in advance. However, I’m going to take the opportunity and run with it. When I get done with this blog, I’m going to start writing up a press release and see if I can get some coverage in my local papers and even the PBS radio station.

My schedule may possibly be even more of a yikes now, but in a good way. And, who knows, maybe I can get them to commit on that book table!