Webinar, Writing, Reading...

 Happy Monday Everybody!

Just two more weeks until me and my narrator, Chris J. Hudson, present our webinar, Done By Christmas: The Making of An Audiobook. I can scarcely believe we've got another opportunity to present this workshop again. It's been two years. We're very excited and I owe it all to the company I co-founded, The Author Encounter.

While I'm still writing, (and my writing is important to me, of course) The Author Encounter means a lot to me because it's giving opportunities to showcase authors in all different stages of their careers. Readers will get a chance to interact with authors in a more "intimate" way than some author events. And the events are more than a book signing. They're meant to be unique experiences. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, we had to put our inaugural in-person encounter on hold (Books & Beauty). We've got most everything for the event, but we're keeping it for whenever we can do an in-person event again. What we're doing is different than anything I've done as a writer--it's on a smaller scale (to create that intimacy I mentioned) and each event is themed towards a particular genre (Books & Beauty is themed around Romance). But, for now, everything will be virtual. We're going to have a costume contest on Instagram, we're putting together books we're thankful for in November and a scavenger hunt in December (I love Christmas and so does my co-founder, Nan, so we're hoping to do this up very Christmassy).

Our company is open to various genres across the board--including Non-Fiction and we very much would like you, my darling readers, to join!

We recently got a Celtic Author (who's bio was fun to read--originally from Belfast, and found his way down to Texas!) named David H. Millar. We've got some other members, too and working on building a member page on our website (not sure when that will be ready, but it's on our list to accomplish).

This brings me back to my webinar...

It's open for registration now. But, with one caveat...if you're a member you only pay the annual membership fee and then you can get access to the webinar for no extra cost (and that membership fee will get you into other exclusive member content as we roll it out), but if you don't join, it's going to be an extra cost. So, I definitely encourage everyone to join.

As for writing...

I'm working on an idea...I'm not sure if it's panning out or what, but I'm working on it. I'm also in the process of self-publishing Divine Love back into E-book and paperback with a brand-new cover! (Done by the ever-talented, Fiona Jayde--who did do the original cover, as well). Self-publishing has been a bit of a mess for me. There is a lot I have to look into and do that I didn't before, but I love this book so much that I want it out to my readers.

And I'm reading, of course...

I did some catch-up reading, too. I finally read C.C. Hunter's This Heart of Mine (very good!) and I read the two books that have been released in Jennifer L. Armentrout's Origin series (also good).  I'm hoping Harley Brooks comes out with part 2 of book 2 in her Designer Genes series really soon. 

I'm excited to see how Kiera Cass's The Selection works out for Netflix. So far they don't have a cast list--and it's in the very early stages of everything (and I'm not sure how this all works during a pandemic). So, I'll have to keep an eye on that for sure!

Anyway, I hope you all have a Marvelously Merry Monday!

An Experience Worth Encountering...

Happy Monday All,

While we're all trying to navigate our lives amid a pandemic, I'm eagerly awaiting the next collaboration I have coming up...

The last time audiobook narrator and musician, Chris J. Hudson, and I teamed up was in 2017. We did a talk on putting together an audiobook for BrazCon.

Well, we're baaaccckkk! 

This time our workshop, Done By Christmas: The Making of An Audiobook has been expanded into a more in-depth workshop! We'll be hopping online from our respective states (Chris is California and I'm in Texas) to bring you the workshop, except longer, more in-depth, and online. This webinar will be available on September 4, 2020 at 8pm Eastern/7pm Central / 6pm Mountain / and 5pm Pacific.

The Author Encounter will be sponsoring us in this event. The Author Encounter is geared towards helping authors' visibility whether they're newly published, or superstars. Some people who read a genre that an author is in might not have discovered a particular author and this is an opportunity for them to be seen and also engage with their established fans (and, hopefully, gain new fans!)

I'm pretty excited to see how this all goes and thrilled to be able to work with Divine Love audiobook's narrator again. (Yes, Chris did the narration and all the voices for the audiobook version of my novel).

I'm also working on getting Divine Love available to E-Book and paperback readers, too. I hope to make it available on more platforms, too. As an author, I'm trying to make my work available in as many ways as I can with the resources I currently have available to me.

Anyway, I wish all of you the absolute best and hope things are going well.

Have A Marvelously Magical Monday!

Lots O' News...

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

I've been trying to update this blog at least once a month--sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I don't have a consistent schedule set up, so I guess at the end of every month, come check-in and see if I've put up a new post.

So, now for my news updates:

• The Author Encounter website has been up and running for a while now. Authors, readers, agents, editors, vendors, etc. can join. If you're interested, but want more information than what's on the website, you can contact the company via email.

• We're on the LAST day of the Kindle giveaway. You can join by going to The Author Encounter giveaway page and entering. No purchase necessary.

• The audiobook narrator of Divine Love, Chris J. Hudson, and I will be running an online workshop on September 4th for members (so there's an incentive to join right there!)

• Because of Covid-19, all our events will be online until further notice. We've got the Books & Beauty event on hold, for now. We're going to look into whether or not we can hold it next year when the new year comes around. Updates will be posted for sure on The Author Encounter website and I'll probably post something here, as well. Check the events page for more information on online events.

• I've decided to stick to writing Young Adult (YA) novels and not do adult, so for now, I'm retiring the Jeannie Averie penname.

• My publisher has decided not to renew the contract on Divine Love, so the Kindle and paperback versions are not available at this time. I'm not sure, but I think the only one of my books that's still available in paperback is Perfect Love, and I'm not sure if that will stay true in the future.

• I'm working on self-publishing Divine Love so that it can go back up on Kindle, paperback, and other platforms to be available to my readers. I'm very passionate about the series being out to you all because it's a story that's meant to be read and enjoyed not put on a shelf somewhere. I've got several people helping me out with that. I appreciate all my readers' support over the years and I hope you'll keep supporting me in my new and future endeavors. Please consider reviewing my novels on Amazon and Goodreads and/or your blogs. Also, tell others! Word-of-mouth is so important to authors.

My prayers and thoughts are with those suffering because of Covid-19. Recently, a friend of mine mentioned that co-worker of theirs passed because of the virus. I know people who have had it (and/or do have it) so my prayers are with you all. Hopefully, we'll get through this pandemic soon and be able to socialize more and have a more "normal" type of life experience again.

I wish each of you the very best and I hope you all have a Whimsically Wonderful Wednesday! Take care, God bless. :-)

Best wishes,

Bethany Averie

Checking In Amid All The Dust...

Happy Wednesday Everyone,

Renovations to the blog and my website are still in line to be done but have been put on hold for a short bit because the consultant and I have joined forces to start a company geared toward authors and readers.

The Author Encounter's mission statement is "Bringing authors and fans together" and that's just what we're working toward. We have an event scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2020 called Books & Beauty. I'll be there with my amazingly talented audiobook narrator, Chris Hudson. Headlining the event is author Kerrelyn Sparks who not only did an amazing job with Paranormal Romance with her Love At Stake series, but she's got her Embraced beings in her Fantasy Romance series and a brand new one that will be showcased at Books & Beauty called How To Love Your Elf. It's going to be for people ages 21 and up because it's at a Wine bar. All the information is on The Author Encounter's website.

Other than working on The Author Encounter, I've been mom and catching up on some binge-watching. I caught ABC's The Baker And The Beauty and fell in love with that show. I also enjoyed what appears to be the final season of Alexa & Katie on Netflix. 

I'm behind on my reading. I'm working on finishing a non-fiction book by Kevin Wells and I've got a huge list of fiction to get to, but I'm sure I will, even if I'm a bit slow at it--I'm in the midst of reading a Christmas anthology by Nana Malone and Sheryl Lister.

There are a few projects I'm working on. Hopefully, they pan out into full-length novels. In any case, I've got ideas--just got to see if I can make the execution of these ideas happen!

I know this quarantine and everything has been hard on so many people. I really hope you, dear readers, are doing well and I wish you the absolute best as always.

Take care, and try not to mind the dust around here while things are getting settled on the blog and renovations on the website!

Have A Wonderfully Whimsical Wednesday!

Pardon The Dust...

Hello Darling Readers,

Please pardon the "dust" and chaos here. I'm updating/revamping my blog design and website, so you'll notice some changes here. Please be patient as things get sorted out.

Thank you!

Long Overdue...

Happy Thursday Folks!

I know it's been a while. My head has been in a whirl over everything going on these days. I never in all my years thought I'd see a pandemic like this, and it's even eerier than the HIV/AIDS scare years and years ago (yeah, I lived through that tense times, too--although that was a different situation--it wasn't as widespread). But, I'm certain you didn't come to my blog wanting to talk about that (or did you?)

Anyway, I'm no health expert, so I won't even try to say what's what about COVID-19. But I will say, I keep praying and looking for those glimmers of hope.

Book 5 of Immortal Dreams is in the writing stages...as it has been for a while. It's a tough book to write and once it's released you'll know why. I have to keep my characters' balancing the act between grief and emo-ness (we do not want to go down very far on the emo-ness path, that could get too depressing for what I write). Jason, Laney, Arion, and Hailey all make cameos, of course, but the story revolves around Nic and Sirena. No, it's not going back to when they were in high school and fleshing out all the details of what Sirena mentions in Perfect Love, but it will give the story of all that happened--what now? I haven't decided if it's the last book or not. We'll have to see. Probably. They're all grown up for the most part, so it kinda makes sense to end a YA (Young Adult) with this book.

I'm working on several other projects, as well. One is a YA fantasy, and the other is a contemporary YA inspired by some stuff (which I won't reveal just yet...I have to see if it pans out).

Big news:  In addition to the awesome group I work with already, I've added a new critique partner, Michelle Sinclair. I've already worked with her on my Jeannie Averie query letter and synopsis for the story I'm querying. She's really good and seems to get my vision from the get-go, so that's awesome. She also has some fun ideas for her own work and I hope her work gets published soon! (I had the honor of helping with her query letter, and she's definitely imaginative. :-) ).

What have I read lately? For that, I have to plug my new author friend, Fiona Woodifield. She's an author from "across the pond" who has a fun Contemporary romance entitled The Jane Austen Dating Agency, which I enjoyed. It was published earlier this year. It's not real hot on the steamy scale, but it is geared toward 20 year-olds and up, I'd say (I could be wrong, but it feels like it's geared toward that age group).

So, what are you all doing during this quarantine, my darling readers? Let me know in the comment section. :-)

Have A Totally Terrific Thursday!

End Of An Era, Writing Updates, K-Dramas, And...

Happy Monday Everyone,

The newest news for me is that after 10 years, 2 months, I left Romance Writers of America. It wasn't an easy decision and I didn't make it lightly at all. I won't get into the reasons or any of the recent events. I made a decision I thought was the right one for me. I plan to keep the good relationships/friendships I made while a member of the organization and continue to learn and grow the best I can with the many other resources available to me. I'm grateful to the organization for the experiences that I treasure and for the connections I did make because of being a part of it. I plan to continue writing Romance, just not being a member of RWA.

I'm working on several projects--some are books, and some are book-related but not writing or critiquing. I like keeping busy and I like the different ideas and things coming my way.

Under my Jeannie Averie pseudonym, I've been querying agents and participating in Twitter Pitch parties. I'm not ready to reveal anything about those experiences at this time, but rest assured there has been some positivity from those things.

I'm working on Book 5 in the Immortal Dreams series, and contemplating maybe ending the series in Book 5 instead of having a Book 6. I haven't decided, but I have made some progress--of which, I'm hoping to keep moving forward on it.

As Bethany Averie, I'm working on a new manuscript that's not connected to the Immortal Dreams series, but that's all I can say about it right now.

Other than that, I continue being a wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, and relative. I've finished reading a few novels--and discovered I really like Helen Hoang's The Bride Test.

I've been watching a bunch of K-Dramas on Netflix, as well as various movies and shows, including P.S. I Still Love You, as well as the new reality series, Love Is Blind. So far, my favorite K-Drama is Cinderella And The Four Knights (All. The. Feels! ALL THE FEELS! Plus the music is so good!) Author Kerrelyn Sparks is also a K-Drama fan, so we compare notes. We both like My Holo Love.

What's new on your end, darling readers?

Have A Marvelously Melodious Monday!

Getting Past It All...

Happy Monday One and All!

Yikes! It's been a month since I wrote on this blog. I'm sorry! If it's any consolation, I did update the Jeannie Averie blog.

This post is one that I started thinking about last week. I did some talking about this on Twitter (under both names) but I haven't actually written it all out in a more cohesive format.

First and foremost: this is not a pity party. I hate throwing myself pity parties. Please, don't pity me. Don't feel sorry for me. My life has had ups and downs like everyone else's and I'm not looking for special treatment. In fact, I hate being patronized, too. The only special treatment I ever got out of this was having a laptop to take notes in high school and untimed standardized testing days. For the rest, I've worked hard. Oftentimes, swallowing my nerves and asking for help. Sometimes facing less-than-understanding teachers, but never felt entitled to anything except for the help I needed...and even then, it was sometimes hard for me to accept because I didn't want to be different. (Now I like being different and unique!)

I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s. Yes, I know, I'm basically revealing my age, which I don't usually do--not from embarrassment, or being sensitive about my age, but because it just isn't important to my writing. But, it is important to my story, because I grew up in a time where learning disabilities weren't really as understood as they are today or have quite as many options and resources.

I'm one of eight children. Number 7 to be exact. I have 2 brothers and 5 sisters. We're pretty close-knit and very close to our folks. My dad was a Chemical Engineer, but you can banish the idea we were super rich or affluent because we weren't. That money had to cover the roof over our head, food, clothing, schooling, etc. With 8 kids, it adds up. (I wore hand-me-downs along with some newer stuff, too). But, I have no regrets with how I was brought up. From a young age, I was taught the value of hard work, honesty, faith, courtesy/manners, and taking responsibility for my own actions. We weren't perfect, but it was nice.

We weren't aware I had learning disabilities until I hit Elementry school. And even then, it wasn't until I was in the 4th grade that anyone took my low test scores and other stuff into serious consideration. My teachers before that meant well and made excuses that "some kids test low" and that my mother couldn't expect me to be a straight-A student like the sister closest in age to me (not that she ever did, she didn't...she just wanted to help me). So after 4th grade, I got taken out of the school, and Mom homeschooled me. It wasn't long before she noticed I had very clear differences in how my siblings learned. When teaching me the monetary value of things, I didn't make the connection between ten pennies being the same as one dime. So, in the sixth grade, she found out about a learning clinic and got me tested.

The tests revealed that I shouldn't even be able to use the bathroom on my own--which, was nonsense since I'd been going to the bathroom on my own rather successfully for YEARS (and I'm happy to report that I still can use the bathroom on my own). But, tests don't measure abilities, just a certain set of criteria. So, I went for remediation. I worked with the whole office on different things--visualization, focus, puzzles, memorization, and the like.

Part of my diagnosis fell under umbrella categories like dyslexia and such. The way I describe it is that everybody has bridges in the brains--bridges that connect one idea to another. Some of my bridges were broken, and in some cases, none existed. Through the program they used to help me, I made tremendous improvement.

They had me learn how to touch-type, and I started writing more. Mom says my handwriting improved, and even my math and spelling improved. Stories poured out of me, lyrics, and poetry, too.

In high school, I opted to go to a school 2 of my sisters had graduated from, and one of my other sisters was a senior. I don't regret it. Yes, I faced some bullying like I had in elementary school. Yes, sometimes it was hard. But, I don't regret it.

I met some great teachers, whom I'm still friends with over 20/30 years later. Some of my best friends are those I met in high school (and one who I became friends within the 4th grade).

Senior year, I decided I'd challenge myself. I'd go for the Silver Honor Roll for the entire year. I'd gotten it for different quarters, but never all year. The Silver Honor Roll required the student to maintain an A and B average for the entire semester, which meant for both semesters I had to maintain the average. Sometimes I was worried I wouldn't make it, but through tutoring, working my butt off at times, and dealing with being a procrastinator, I managed to maintain the Silver all year. It was one of my proudest academic moments.

Unlike my sister, I never qualified for the National Honor Society, and I only took one advanced class my entire academic career, but I got that Honor Roll and I graduated.

I ended up going to a business school for their 8-month Information Processing (clerical/secretarial work) and graduated from there with decent (I think A's and B's) grades.

The corporate world presented different challenges. I tried NOT to reveal my learning disabilities because I didn't want special treatment. I wanted to earn jobs and to prove my capabilities without any particular treatment. Unfortunately, that didn't really work out and I ended up having to reveal them pretty much in every job I had. It was frustrating because if I revealed them I risked being treated in a way I didn't want to, and if I didn't, I got in trouble.

Eventually, in my early twenties, I got married to a man who didn't care if I had learning disabilities or not (in fact, he's been really nice about them and encourages me to overcome my obstacles). I started getting serious about writing, and in 2013 my first novel was published. I've published 4 more since, and working on more, and now I'm working on getting my first adult (Jeannie Averie pen-name) out there.

The point is, aside from some extra tutoring, and my deceased friend spending a ton of time on the phone with me Senior year explaining the teacher's lecture from our Shakespeare class (my one and only advanced class!) And the patience of some excellent teachers, friends, and colleagues, I got where I am. I never asked them to just hand me anything. I wanted to earn it. I wanted to prove I could do it. (In a group situation in high school, kids would try to just give me the answer, instead of teaching me the process, which I wouldn't accept. I'd either learn it and come up with the answer, or I'd tell the teacher or my parents that I needed help). 

That's the way I am, now, too. I don't want things handed to me, I want to earn them. I know how to work hard, so I'll put in the time. I might not always get it right, but I will try, learn, and grow from experiences.

If you have learning disabilities (I hate the term "learning differences" because EVERYONE has their own way of learning, so it's all different; but, what I have are actual disabilities in my learning) I hope my story can encourage you. Even if it's hard, you can accomplish things. You have to set realistic goals, but don't be afraid to challenge yourself. More than once, it's paid off for me.

Have A Marvelously Merry Monday!

Welcome To 2020...

Happy Monday & 2020 To Everyone!

When I was in high school, I couldn't even fathom 2000, much less 2020. It didn't matter how close or far any of those years were, I just found it astounding.

It's another year to grow, learn, and experience life. Speaking from my experience, every year has good and bad. Some years you enjoy the good more, and other years, you've got to push through more of the bad. In any case, I like to experience each year whether it is mostly good or not.

This year, I want to finish books 5 and 6 in the Immortal Dreams series. I'm pretty much ready to wrap up the Immortals, at least, for now. I've got some other ideas flashing here and there, so it would be good to see where else my imagination takes me. Now, that doesn't mean I'm not going to pay attention to those last 2 books and try to do the series justice--I am, and I will. The series is important to me, and I want to do it justice. Just hang on a bit while I work out what that means for those books.

Under my Jeannie Averie name, I'm looking at books for older teens and adults. I still plan on keeping my goofy sense of humor, of course (and romance), but Jeannie Averie books will feature older characters.

So, while you're waiting on all that, a YA novel I recently read (and loved) is S. Jae-Jones' Wintersong. It was poignant and beautiful. (Also, fans of the movie, Labyrinth, will appreciate certain things that allude to the movie!)

Anyway, I wish you all a fantastic new year and the best 2020 has to offer!

Have A Marvelously Magical Monday!

It's Looking Like Christmas...

Happy Monday!

Can you believe that next week is Christmas? I thought it would take longer to get here. I finished my Christmas shopping last week. Have you finished?

The Averie Household has been slow about getting the tree up this year. The evening of December 13th, my Real Life Hero brought the box in. Slower than what we usually do, but things have been a bit crazy the last couple of weeks.

Despite being slow about the tree, we've been anticipating Christmas. The Offspring are excited and we've been to one Christmas party and Real Life Hero has one coming up at his work. In the car we've been playing Christmas music, which has been fun.

Working on some more projects under my Jeannie Averie pseudonym, but I'm thinking up things for the last two books in the Immortal Dreams series.

Averie Cat had his yearly check up and he's in good health. Got his shot he needed and we're now all set. He didn't enjoy the whole thing, but at least he's healthy.

Some family on my side are coming in after Christmas, so my parents are having Christmas dinner a couple of days after Christmas, so we'll be celebrating with my family on the 27th. For us, we'll have our Christmas Mass--likely on Christmas Eve, and then do our family presents on Christmas Day, and the presents from my parents on the 27th when we go over there.

I love this time of year. I'm praying for cooler weather. I'm not a fan of ice and snow, but I do like bundling up and snuggly blankets. It gets so hot most of the year down here, that it's nice to have some cooler weather when it happens. I haven't even broken out the tea and hot cocoa, yet!

On the reading front, I've got a whole pile of books to read, but I always add new ones. I'm trying to decide what I want to read next. I might read Jennifer L. Armentrout or C.C. Hunter. Then again, I've also got a Sophie Jordan and Cheyanne Young waiting on me, too. Not to mention my library book. What are you reading these days?

Anyway, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2020. See you in January!

Have A Mightily Merry Monday!

Happy Thanksgiving & More...

Happy Thursday One and All!

Also, Happy Thanksgiving! My Thanksgiving is postponed until Sunday. My parents are out of town visiting one of my other siblings and well, we really don't have anywhere else to go. But, please, don't worry about us. We're actually happy to be at home. My Real Life Hero has to work half a day and Eldest has around an hour long online class to do, so we've got plans. I plan on cooking a little something--not a turkey (me and the Offspring can't have turkey without bad results). Sunday, we'll have Thanksgiving with my parents and one of my other siblings, so there you have it, I'm not missing it all together.

I've been working on the Jeannie Averie novel (this is polishing, extra edits--the novel is written). Planning to do more of it in the next few days since Real Life Hero will be off and so I'll have a little more space to work.

Recently, I finished reading a fun novel called Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram. It was cute and fun and emotional. Also, romantic.

Most of my Christmas shopping is done, and I've already started wrapping presents. Someone asked me if I was ready for Christmas and I said, "Always!" I love Christmas.

So, what's your favorite holiday?

Have a great Thanksgiving if that's what you're celebrating this week, and have a great weekend in general!

Also...

Have a Thoroughly Terrific Thursday!