Category: Writer’s Journey

Author's World, Book Fairs, Bookshelf, Strong Women Novels, Writer's Journey

Book Fair

Veronica Mahara

Hello Everyone!

I hope this finds you well.

Last month I attended the Olympic Peninsula Local Author’s book fair. It was my first author event even though I’ve been writing for 16 years and have been published for seven! I guess I’m a late bloomer when it comes to advertising myself.

It was a lot of fun and very successful. I’ve been invited back next year and I’m looking forward to it!

This picture was taken early on and I rearranged my table a few times to fit my books and everything else. I was told my prices were too low so I changed my board just before opening. I got a lot of advice and even gave some too. The authors I met were at different stages of their writing journey which made the event very interesting. I hope to do more in the future in the Pacific Northwest, and perhaps beyond 🙂

Meanwhile I’m working on my fifth book. This one is the story of Lillian Moore, Frederick’s mother. She shows up in my first book, Traveled Hearts as the matriarch of his small family. The tension between mother and son and her husband Charles had my creativity flowing. I found her to be a character I just had to write about! Her story is taking me on a journey and I love it. I will reveal more in the near future.

Until then, take care.

Peace and Love,

Veronica

Author's World, Bookshelf, Favorite Reads, Gardening, Publishing new novel, Strong Women Novels, Writer's Journey

Strong Women Novels

Veronica Mahara

Hello Everyone,

Hope you are all well. May is one of my favorite months and it’s nearly over but I look forward to the summer ahead. My veggie garden is popping with new growth. We’ve had a rainy and cool spring. Fingers crossed we start to warm up. The orchard is doing well and all 22 trees are healthy. The late frost took some of the early blossoms so I’m not sure we will get as many plums and pears as last year, but the apples are a plenty! After all Washington State is apple country 🙂

I’m so pleased to announce that my fourth novel, Beyond Diamonds is now available for purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/veronicamahara

It’s Free with Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program – so check it out 🙂

Thanks for all your support! Happy Spring!

Peace and Love,

Veronica

Author's World, Bookshelf, Favorite Reads, Lessons Learn in Publishing, Publishing advice, Revision of a novel, Writer's Journey, Writing Lessons

Revisions are not Free

Veronica Mahara

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hello Everyone!

Hope you’re all doing well.

I have been revising my Traveled Hearts series most of the spring and summer. When I say I’ve been revising, I mean myself and a team of professionals. When I first published Traveled Hearts I was pretty green about what it exactly needed before it was ready for the world. I soon learned with gut-wrenching clarity- reviews – that it was not. I looked to professionals to help me revise it but learned a hard lessen in finding the right indie pros. Not all indie editors and proofreaders are equal. It can be money ill spent if you don’t do some serious research into who you hire. Luckily, I have found a team of professionals who are helping me get the books to their very best. Some of the revisions are things a reader may not even notice and some are darn right obvious – but missed by previous pros. It’s been an eye opener!

I’m so proud of my Traveled Hearts series and want it to shine! It has come at a cost and I’m writing this to inform indie authors– Make sure you have the best version of your book done before publishing. Purchase a physical author’s copy of your book and read it before it goes live on Amazon or where you intend to sell it. You’d be surprised at how different it may read as you become the audience.

There are a lot of great youtube channels on the how to publish your book and I love the free advice from those who take the time to share their knowledge.

I know how tired you can get after several drafts of your book. That’s the time to step away, then take another look and – Send it off to a professional developmental editor!

I love editing and revising, but this has been a lot and it’s cost me . Expensive hobby? …maybe, but hey, some people invest in toy trains… dance lessons… collectables… 🙂

I love to write. I have to write. It brings me joy! What brings me greater joy is sharing my novels with those who love a juicy, romantic, adventurous, and compelling read.

Happy writing and creating!

Peace and Love,

Veronica

Artist's World, Author's World, Bookshelf, Excerpts from my Novels, Writer's Journey

New Book Cover

Veronica Mahara

Hello Everyone,

Hope you are all doing well.

Here is the book cover to my new novel, Beyond Diamonds.

I am so grateful to Jane Dixon-Smith for helping me design all my covers!

Can’t wait to share this story with you all!

Stay tuned for updates on Beyond Diamonds!

Peace and Love,

Veronica

Author's World, Bookshelf, Excerpts from my Novels, Favorite Reads, Gardening, Seasonal Delights, Writer's Journey

Fall and Falling Behind

Veronica Mahara

Hello Everyone!

Hope you are all doing as well as you can out there.

I feel the Fall around me now in the Pacific Northwest. We had such a long beautiful stretch of sun and warm weather. I was spoiled in its light. My roses and flowers still think it’s summer and then yesterday a wild, dark storm came through. I will be doing clean up in the gardens as soon as the rain lets up. It’s satisfying to get everything tucked away for winter. Bulbs will be going in the ground and and my cat Tommy is beginning to spend more time by the fire. It’s quite cozy.

~Beyond Diamonds~ my fourth book was on hold this summer for various reasons, one of which was Covid. I never thought I’d get it, but after a trip back East, I came home with the nasty thing! Vaxed and boosted I thought I could handle the travel without a mask…. no… It’s taken me two months to get back to myself again.

Having rescheduled my editing services, I have been tackling the rewrites. It’s pretty fun to go over my developmental editor’s comments and suggestions. Jane, my protagonist is in up to her elbows with her husband Martin’s dream- a sheep farm near the San Francisco Bay area. What can a wealthy city girl from Cincinnati in 1879 learn on a farm ? And why does she suspect there might be more to his mere devotion to it? His handsome cousin Harry poses a problem… she likes him and in way she shouldn’t. Then there’s her brother back East holding tightly to her inheritance. What if he decides he needs it for the jewelry business their father started? Will his gambling debts in Cincinnati find their way to Jane and Martin?

Lots to do still and I’m looking at a January 2024 debut. I hope you will all like it. Until then check out my ~Traveled Hearts, Sacred Terrain and Unending Trails Trilogy~ at Amazon. The love and adventures of Jessica, Jacob and Caleb are waiting for you!

Take care,

Peace and Love!

Veronica