Hey all,

In my enthusiasm to get out yesterday’s newsletter, I managed to miss two important items, and I think I put the poll too far down in the newsletter, and I really had been looking forward to interacting with you all ?

So, let’s do it again with spirit this time! ?

First off, I didn’t manage to get out the link to the Amazon ebook sale that’s celebrating the glorious Bad Guy-ness of Kurgan. Blood Ad Infinitum is just $1.99, so if you don’t already have it, go snag it now!

Also, I had meant to drop in this song I’ve really been enjoying: Happy man’s shoes by TORRES, which has a pleasing gothy feel ?

OK, now, here’s that poll again, this time above the card options

And here are your choices again. Which I hope have given you a smile, or possibly a smirk ?

OK, thanks for indulging me, everyone ? We’ll go back to your normally scheduled every two weeks newsletter schedule now. Have satisfying and rewarding February ?

I promised an extra newsletter with a SALE, and here I am delivering❣️

This year, February 14th is all about ?VILLAINS? and who best to celebrate the day with than our “Biggest Bad” so far in the series: KURGAN

shivers down spine

Kurgan steps onstage in Blood Ad Infinitum. You know it’s Book III in the series, but it can be read standalone and enjoyed even if you haven’t already dived into Blood Ex Libris and Blood Sine Qua Non…

To celebrate, I’ve dropped the price for the SIGNED PAPERBACK to only $14.99 for this week only: GRAB IT NOW!

I’ve made three versions of our Kurgan “Villaintine,” but can’t decide which is my favorite! Please help me figure out which is best by choosing A, B, or C. Poll under the images…

Please forward this newsletter to anyone who you think would enjoy this poll. It will make the outcome much more exciting, the more people who participate. I’ll announce the winner in the next newsletter ?

OK, happy Villaintine’s Day tomorrow. If you have someone you are celebrating with, have a wonderful time. If it’s a solo Feb 14th for you this year, Kurgan and the other am’r are ready and waiting to keep you warm… ?

Hey all!

I’m really delighted to have the newsletter to work on today, because I’ve been laying out the new cover in Adobe InDesign, and can I just say how much I hate working in InDesign? But we’re a small company, so anything we can keep in-house, we must, and that means I am stuck laying out the books, because I technically can, even if it makes me miserable for a few days, every time a book is ready for publication ?

We need to grow this company fast, so that I can find an employee to do all layout stuff, and never have to deal with InDesign again ?

Actually, that brings up a point. I talk about “we” and “our company,” but you haven’t met the other two people who are involved. That’s all about to change! We spent December and January having many meetings and writing up a business plan for the year, and generally doing the “fake it ‘til you make it” model, which, according to one business advisor we talked to, said that that is literally the only business model there is. Which made us feel better! ?

I can do a “soft announcement” here about the company name change, since I really didn’t talk about the old company name. I was so stressed out when we first formed the LLC that I had no space left for imagination for coming up with a good company name, and we just went with Raven Belasco, LLC because it was the easiest thing in the moment. But I’ve regretted it, since, and so a bunch of meetings went into choosing the new name: ??? Immoral Influence Publications.

Here is the relevant quote which inspired it:

Anyway, I spent last week creating a logo, below, and I’ll be spending this week making a website. Happily, social media will be in the hands of our Marketing Gal Friday, who you will get to know in an upcoming newsletter after the site goes up…

We also now have a third in the team, and she will be getting lots of attention in future newsletters, so I’ll just leave that as a tease for now…

You were all lovely and patient when I was teasing about the cover last newsletter, so in reward, here is one of the four “faces” on the cover. Here is a character you know from Blood Ex Libris, Blood Sine Qua Non, and from “Abyssinia,” the inimitable Astryiah!

In “Abyssinia” in Blood Triad you get her backstory!

Greetings, friends! I have so much news for you!

I am just preparing Blood Triad to roll into the early stages of publication. It won’t be available to buy until May, but I will let you know when pre-orders are ready.

As the “triad” part of the name indicates, it’s three novellas, set in the world of the Blood & Ancient Scrolls series. Teeth Are Bones and Abyssinia you may have already read in other anthologies, but it also includes a brand-spankin’-new story, with Dubhghall and Wulfhram (who you met in the Rave Cave in Blood Ex Libris, and have seen show up in time for battle in other books) sharing the story of how they met and how they became am’r. It was an amazing story to write (and a delight to research) and I am really excited to share it with you. The editors enjoyed it, and I hope you will…well, eventually.

Why am I getting the book ready now, but publishing in May, you ask? Well, the first reason is that a number of the bigger review places require you send in a book three months before publication. Call me old fashioned, but I like getting reviewed in Publisher’s Weekly. It makes me feel like a real author. So we’re making our publishing schedule more like a big publishing house’s schedule and less like an indie schedule could be, because I want our books to be taken seriously.

The other reason is that, in republishing the first three books in the Blood & Ancient Scrolls series, we found out just how many moving parts there are in publishing a book, and how many stages there are where things can get tied up along the way. For me to plan to publish a book about six months after typing “The End” is something that’s been learned the hard way, trust me.

The cover is coming along SO EXCITINGLY and I want to sneak you a peak…but no, I must steel myself. But I can’t wait to do the cover reveal. We’re working with Kwasi again, who did the first three covers, and he’s really taking it to the next level…

I was just working on the Index Of Foreign Phrases for Blood Triad, and it made me realize that you can tell so much about the work as a whole from just that index along. So I thought I’d drop in a selection of words/phrases from all three stories, just to give you a taste:

And if that list doesn’t make you want to buy the book, honestly I don’t know what will ?‍♀️

New Co-Writer on the team!

So, as you loyal newsletter readers know, we lost Cairngorm McWomble the Terrible, my beloved co-writer, back in November. He stayed around long enough to help me type “The End” on Blood Brothers, and then he needed not to be in his poor sick body any longer. I think you all know how intensely I have been grieving him.

But, apparently, he is still around watching over things. He sent me my next co-writer for all my stories (and if I wrote all the weird coincidences that lead it to be very clear that Cairngorm sent him along, this newsletter would be waaaaay too long), so may I present to you ??? Archibald Aleister McWomble, scion of that noble line ? He will be taking me on walkies when the plotting gets tricky from now on, and I am very grateful for that ?

OK, let’s call this newsletter done, and there will be plenty of news and exciting stuff for two weeks from now. I hope all of your later winters are being not-too-exciting, weather-wise, and that you’ve made the transition to 2024 smoothly ?

Bet you weren’t expecting to hear from me anytime soon ? But I have indeed turned over that new leaf that I keep saying I’ll turn over, so now you’re getting an extra wee newsletter a week early ?

First off, welcome new readers! As you can see from the previous paragraph, you arrive in exciting new times, in which this newsletter will actually be gotten out regularly. The Old Heads around here can tell harrowing tales of when whole months went by and I neglected their fabulous selves. But you whippersnappers won’t have to suffer as they did… ?

Secondly, I have some advice I need to ask of you. As the advertising campaign finally kicks into high gear, I need seven other authors I can compare myself to, or compare the Blood & Ancient Scrolls series to their works. It is preferred that they be popular authors now, so even though I feel like my work best compares to the AMAZING Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, it seems no one is reading her wonderful Saint-Germain series anymore—their loss, seriously, and if you like the history, sensual aspects of vampirism, and horror of my series, go dive into hers!

But that really doesn’t help me with effective advertising. I have been compared to Anne Rice and Charlaine Harris in reviews. That’s two. But I need five more, and honestly, I don’t have time to read current vampire stuff. I barely have time to read any fiction, because most of my reading focus is on whatever part of history I am researching for the next story about the am’r. So lots of nonfiction in my life, these days, and very little fiction. I do it for you, my dear readers! ?‍♀️ (But I’m also not complaining. I’ve always wanted the excuse to do more deep dives in history.)

So would you please hit reply to this email, and suggest as many similar authors as you can think of? You’d help this author out immensely!

Thirdly, I have some fun news. My Marketing Gal Friday has basically demanded that I write two short stories in the world of the am’r, for various promotional uses. I, wanting to get stuck into the next novel, whinged and moaned about this, although her explanation of why those stories were needed was unarguable. My final whinge was, “Well, those stories can’t be set in any place/time I have to do research for! I don’t have time to research these damn stories!” And she calmly pointed out to me that I’ve done a metric fuckton of research for the upcoming novel, so why not write up some stories about some of the am’r pirate minor characters that we all know I will sprinkle into the novel.

“Oh.” I said, utterly defeated. I immediately had one character in mind who is going to be a minor character but who deserves so much more…

So look out for news of short stories (I promise I will keep them short! No novellas! Real short stories!) coming up, basically as hors d’oeuvres to the next novel ???

Also, it’s very good to work with people who know how to manage you ?

Anyway, that’s all the news that’s fit to print, for now. I’ll be back with an update next week. Really!

Oh, and before I sign off, don’t forget my 3-Book-Special going on right now on my website! Treat yourself, or get your holiday shopping further along with less stress! (And yes, I really will wrap your books and send them directly to your loved ones, if you request that service. This is probably the last year I will be able to offer the wrapping service for free, if at all, so get it while the gettin’s good!)

Buy Blood Ex Libris

Exciting news! Blood Ex Libris is now available in ***paperback***If you don’t do e-book formats, and have been wanting to hold this novel in your hot little hands, go over to Amazon right now and find out what all the fuss has been about!

“I haven’t done this in years… stayed up all night reading a book, that is. While I do love a good read, I simply can’t keep my eyes open all night anymore. Except for this book. I could not put it down, could not stop reading, and also could not fall asleep.”

“I have to say, Blood Ex Libris is a real page turner! I usually pass out pretty early In the evening, but have been staying up late each night to read more about Noosh and her adventures, always reading a few chapters more than I set out to…It’s got all the elements: supernatural fantasy, horror, humor, action, and oh yes, it’s steamy!”

“This story is entirely original. I have read so many vampire stories and the way this one evolved was brand new. The characters are so lovable and the plot so twisty I am sure you’ll love it.”

“I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but it sounded fun and I liked the cover art. Three days later, I’m very happy I took the gamble, because I really enjoyed this book! The main characters have fantastic chemistry, and the smutty bits of their adventures are as sweet as they are kinky (yes, I flipped back to the naughty parts a few times)… The prose is lush and descriptive, and Noosh and Sandu’s world provided a welcome escape from reality, which you probably need as much as I do.”

Are you ready for the ride of your life?

Buy Blood Ex Libris

Buy Blood Ex Libris

I’m so excited! And what an auspicious day to launch a writing career!

Here’s the first person version of the blurb:

Blood, sex and swords. And don’t forget flamethrowers. And one librarian, in over her head.

How did I get here: covered in blood and holding a sword I can’t use?

It all started when the dark and mysterious stranger showed up at my children’s reading hour. Of course I noticed him. I’d been single (and bored) for longer than I care to admit. Me, I’m Anushka (Noosh) Rosetti, head librarian.

He turned out to be a vampire. And not just any vampire: Vlad Dracula. Although he goes by another name these days, and he says he’s changed his violent ways. He definitely seemed more of a lover than a fighter. At first.

In a whirlwind of sex and blood-drinking, I made a crucial but impulsive decision: share blood with him a third time, and give up normal human society forever, making my life among the “am’r”—that’s what the vampires call themselves.

The whirlwind just keeps spinning faster. Before I know it, I’m at an am’r summit meeting—and then, abducted by Vlad’s oldest enemy. He’s hoping to use me to undo all of my lover and my new family’s plans to save am’r society from tearing itself apart.

I thought I was just going to archive some ancient books, but somehow I have to keep myself from being used as a pawn by the craziest bad guy ever, escape back to the good guys (and I’m not sure how “good” they really are) across a desert (I don’t even know what country I’m in!) and not be killed in the process. I don’t know how I will survive the next five minutes, never mind save my beloved’s life, too….

Blood Ex Libris is the first book in a brand new, dark urban fantasy series mixing horror, history, and blood-soaked romance featuring a snarky librarian heroine, a sensual but complex hero in the story of a life that unfolds in unexpected ways from humdrum to death-defying thrills, from Middle America to the middle of an unknown desert, surrounded by sword-fighting, explosions, and the ultimate drama of immortals meeting death.

Buy Blood Ex Libris

Much excitement here! After me sticking my fingers probably too much in the pie and annoying everyone, the cover will soon be finished and I am so excited about the artist who is doing my cover — I can’t wait for the cover reveal!

The MS will all too soon be back from its final edit, and to say I’m nervous is to not tell a lie. I started this journey so long ago. This manuscript has been through so many versions and so many edits. But this is the one that counts — after this, words get printed onto paper, and it’s all REAL. So it’s a bit scary! What have I missed? What have I gotten wrong? Argggh!

I can only hope there will be enough fanatic readers of the series that they will catch my mistakes and keep me on my toes. I’ve been a fangirl, and will always be a fangirl. I’m counting on fangirl and fanboys, and if you all don’t show up, it will break my heart….

Exciting news everyone! Listen to me and bunch of smart and witty people talking about vampires and sex and blood (I kinda make that conversation happen wherever I go… )

If you need a bit of a distraction from the current news cycle, this is just what Doctor Frankenstein ordered! from Raven Belasco https://ift.tt/34dvWYYvia IFTTT

So I know that I said that these newsletters would A.) be bimonthly and B.) generally go out on Wednesday, but the fact that I couldn’t talk about so much stuff was making it hard for me to do the newsletter in the past month since the last one went out … but this reason this one goes out on a Friday is because TODAY IS THE BIG DAY for one of my BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!

So, AT LONG LAST, here goes Announcement The First!

In early September 2001, the news I was hearing about the Supreme Court potentially overturning Roe v. Wade was freaking me out. (With good reason, we’ve since all discovered ?) I wanted to send lots of money to help the various causes and institutions that were trying to help women directly impacted, and protect the rights of all women. But I did not have the kind of money I wanted to donate.

But I did have some skills. And passion to spare. So, in the coming years, I reached out to authors asking for them to donate stories to an anthology. As that moved along, I reached out to publishers, to help me make this vision into reality. After landing with the  highly-respected Aqueduct Press, I could breathe a little easier, but there was still so much to do to ensure this project would make it to Actually Being A Thing In The World. (Which would be tedious to list, so I won’t, but let’s just say I truly stretched my previously assumed limits along the way.) Today we sent out the Press Release so I can FINALLY TALK ABOUT IT.

Here’s the blurb, which sums it up best:

Here’s the list of amazing authors who came in on this project with me: Kathleen Alcalá, Elizabeth Bear, Raven Belasco, Tara Campbell, Anya De Niro, Jaymee Goh, Cynthia Gralla, K Ibura, Ellen Klages, Annalee Newitz, Nisi Shawl, Cecilia Tan, Sonya Taaffe, Helena María Viramontes, and an introduction by international social justice activist Maggie Mayhem.

(See, I told you it was an amazing list ?)

And here’s the equally amazing cover, by brilliant artist Jenifer Prince

And here’s the Instagram, so you can keep up with all the news: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresinautonomy/

Of course, that’s not the only thing I’ve been doing with my time. I can’t actually talk directly about the other project YET, but I can talk about how it’s impacting my life, so it needs a codename. Because codenames are cool. Let’s call it Project Phoenix. You’ll see why that’s so meaningful as soon as I can move things along to the Announcement Day….

But at least today we get one Announcement Day. And it’s a pretty good one. I’m so proud of this baby, this absolute labor of love. Of course, now that it’s announced in the world, we hit a new stage of things, which is me marketing and promoting the hell out of this thing, so that we can raise as much money as possible for NARAL.

So. If you would like to review the book, please let me know. Even just on Amazon, you’d be amazed how much those little reviews matter. And, if you know someone who reviews books on a more professional level and might like to review this anthology, please get in touch. The most important thing right now is Getting The Word Out There, and I’ll take all the help I can get.

Of course, as soon as the pre-order link goes up, you, my adored newsletter readers, will be the first to know!

Shooting Things

If you follow my author Instagram you’ll know I’ve finally been granted good enough health to take up archery. I’m getting out to the “butt” (teehee?) set up at the end of the back garden. It’s very much swampland back there, so I do my practicing in wellies. And when I went out on Monday, the mosquitoes let me know it was now Their Time, so I will be trialing a lot of different bug sprays, this spring-summer-fall. But I am absolutely aware how lucky I am to have space to practice in, and I do not take it for granted.

Getting out there for practice always makes me feel so good. Well, emotionally. Physically, I am definitely dealing with building up muscle I lost during the periods where my spine was so bad I was basically bed-bound for a while. So that feels like you’d expect. But it’s totally worth it, because archery is totally a joy to me.

Yes, of course, bows and arrows will show up in future am’r stories. It obviously won’t stop an angry am’r altogether, but if your aim is good, you might slow them down in a beneficial way…. ?

In the meantime, when life hits me with frustrations, I can go out back and take aim at whatever the problem is with some arrows. Imaginary targets are reasonably satisfying, when you get a good grouping. ?

I’ll try to get the next newsletter out to you in two weeks, but until the next newsletter hits your inbox, stay well, and be good … or be good at it! ?