So… if you’re checking out this blog, you may know my writing from other places. You may also know that I’ve been trying to get published for the past ten years, potentially even longer, but I don’t like that math, lol. I have finally decided to take matters in my own hands and have begun researching self-publishing. Apparently the first step is a website, so here we are. And here are the projects I’ve been working on (you know, the ones that have been distracting from updating the other story.)
The Comatose Beauty: Seven Kingdoms Investigations
The Comatose Beauty is a middle grade fairy-tale murder-mystery. It was inspired by my love of folktales and mysteries, and honestly, a lot of original fairy-tales (looking at you, Brothers Grimm) would have had happier endings if there was a plucky, determined detective on the case.
I am currently querying this novel, so keep your fingers crossed for me. I describe it as Sleeping Beauty bumps into Percy Jackson, sending them both tumbling into Enola Holmes.
Because I only like honest mysteries (ones that are solvable by the reader) I spent a lot of time plotting this one to make sure that all clues were included. And all the red herrings too, lol!
I’ve received more rejections than I care to admit. The fact that I’m still writing means I’m either passionate or delusional. (Let’s go with passionate.)
Shadow-walker
Shadow-walker is an epic quest fantasy and a true example of ‘write the book you want to read.’ It has all of my favorite elements: adventure, magic, fantastical locations, found-family dynamics, and a satisfying redemption arc. It’s indulgent…and long.
My inspirations for this novel are obvious: Lord of the Rings, Assassin’s Apprentice, Dragonriders of Pern, the Queen’s Thief, etc., but that’s the beauty of genre fiction. You get to play with the elements you love, and you know that others will love them too.
I will be self-publishing this one. Most likely on Royal Road first, because I hear that readers will critique your spelling and grammar in the comments. That’s basically free editing, right?
Weirdly enough, it was all the rejections that made me the most confident to call myself a writer. Because if I wasn’t a writer, I would have stopped after the first fifty (and certainly after reaching one hundred).
Various other projects
I’ve got more stories to write. Some are drafted. Some are plotted. Some are scribbles, and some are still only figments.
The ones that are more corporeal are The Pirates of Delphi High, a YA contemporary novel about a group of misfits taking on injustices at school and in society at large; The Weeping Priestess, a literary fantasy novel that explores the interplay of religion, government, and feminism; and Major Spirits, a steampunk-meets-penny dreadful mashup set in late 18th century San Francisco.
The plan is to get all these written…. we’ll see how long it takes, lol!
Naomi McQuown Writes... 