Author Victoria Scott Shares Her 13 Foolproof Steps to Publication + a Giveaway!

I'm thrilled to welcome Violet Grenade author Victoria Scott to Thinking to Inking. We asked Victoria to share her publishing advice with us and I have to say...it's brilliant.

Make sure you scroll to the bottom of this post to learn more about Violet Grenade and to enter for a chance to win a copy!

Victoria Scott’s 13 Foolproof Steps to Publication

1)   Start writing a book.

2) Firmly believe it’s a future bestseller. Mortgage a place by the sea. No worries. You’ll have the money for it soon.

3) Reach the middle of the book. Start to wonder if it’s quite the bestseller you initially believed.

4) Reach the end. Start to wonder if life is worth living.

5) Show the books to beta readers. Incorporate their “constructive” feedback. Then plot their demise.

6) Show the book to your mom, because at least she recognizes your sheer genius.

7) Query your book to agents.

8) Create a list of reasons why agents suck.

9) Get a call from an agent who likes your book and wants to represent you.

10) Destroy ‘Agents Suck’ list.

11) Wonder if life is worth living while your agent tries to sell your book. Decide it is. Who needs to be published? Published people are stupid. Start another list about this.

12) Get a call saying an editor likes your book. Learn that are being published. Rejoice. Buy champagne. Make lists of all the things you will buy with your royalties.

13) Start writing another book, because shit just got real.

About Violet Grenade

Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott

Publication Date:  May 2, 2017

Publisher:  Entangled Teen

DOMINO: A girl with blue hair and a demon in her mind.

CAIN: A stone giant on the brink of exploding.

MADAM KARINA: A woman who demands obedience.

WILSON: The one who will destroy them all.

When Madam Karina discovers Domino in an alleyway, she offers her a position inside her home for entertainers in secluded West Texas. Left with few alternatives and an agenda of her own, Domino accepts. It isn’t long before she is fighting her way up the ranks to gain the madam’s approval. But after suffering weeks of bullying and unearthing the madam’s secrets, Domino decides to leave. It’ll be harder than she thinks, though, because the madam doesn’t like to lose inventory. But then, Madam Karina doesn’t know about the person living inside Domino’s mind. Madam Karina doesn’t know about Wilson

Goodreads | Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

About Victoria Scott

Victoria Scott is the acclaimed author of eight books for young adults. Her novels are sold in fourteen

different countries, and she loves receiving fan mail from across the world. Victoria loves high fashion, big cities, and pink cotton candy. You can find her online at VictoriaScott.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instragram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

Signed paperback of The Collector, a signed paperback of Titans, and a signed galley of Hear the Wolves.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Dana Provo shares writing, pub advice + a chance to with a copy of BLEEDING HEARTS!

I'm excited to bring you another successful author chat, this time with Dana Provo. Her debut, BLEEDING HEARTS, is available now. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the post for a chance to win your own copy!

Hi Dana!  Thanks for joining us on Thinking to Inking. Tell us about the path to publication for Bleeding Hearts. What advice do you have for writers still working to make their publishing dreams a reality?

Bleeding Hearts started back in April or May of 2015 when I realized I wanted to write a story with several timelines. I took about two months thinking about what I wanted and how I was going to write it then I created a chapter outline. The first draft took two months to write and each chapter I finished, I uploaded it onto Wattpad to get feedback. Little did I know that my story would get over 12,000 reads on that free reading/writing site.

I knew I wanted to publish BH in November, 2015 so I asked my good friend Alyssa to beta read and edit it for me. Before I sent it to her I had already edited it 4-5 times myself. Alyssa and I worked on my book for an additional two months; she would edit one chapter and send it to me, then I'd edit and send it back for more critiques.

Now, while I was editing BH, I started working on my synopsis and short blurb while also researching agents and publishers. I created my social media platforms, joined a local writing group, and attended a writer's conference to gain more knowledge.

As January came along, I started crafting three different query letters and created a spreadsheet for all the agents and publishers I wanted to query and which letter I would send them based on their requirements. There were several Twitter pitch parties I participated in as well. I submitted close to 50 agents and publishers. Half of those responses were straight out rejections. Some rejections were from my favorite agencies.

At the end of January, I received a full manuscript request from another publisher and boy was I excited! I waited many weeks to hear back from them. During that time, I sent out more queries and another full request to Clean Reads (my publisher). When you have multiple fulls out to different agencies it's important to let the other companies know that they have competition if you haven't heard back from them within 6 weeks of the request, but don't be pushy, stay professional in your letter.

Stephanie with Clean Reads emailed me the middle of February with a publishing contract. As excited as I was, I wanted to hear back from the first publisher before I accepted the first contract, so I asked some questions and waited a full week before I made my decision. The first publisher got back to me with another rejection right at the same time I was planning on accepting the CR contract.

After the contract was signed, there was so much to do. Editing, building my social media platform, editing some more, filling out paperwork, more social media, and last but not least editing. It took six very full months to publish Bleeding Hearts from the day I signed the contract to release day. But that doesn’t include every month writing, editing, and querying the book. I don't think I would change anything I did to get where I am today.

For aspiring authors, the most important thing that helped me through this process is good friends and lack of procrastination. I knew what I wanted and I went for it. Don't hesitate to ask for help from other writers you may know, and don't stop until you've reached your goal of publishing a book. There will be times where you think the world is against you, but it's not. People are busy and since no one knows your name, you are always going to be put on the maybe pile until someone reads your story and takes a chance on you. It takes time, but don't let time slip away.

About Bleeding Heats
by Dana Louise Provo
Publication Date: August 25, 2016
Publisher: Clean Reads

Orphaned at an early age, now twenty-four-year-old Camryn Lucks is ready to commit to find that special someone, and so accepts a date from a charming, gallant, handsome stranger. The last thing she imagines after accepting that first date with Carson would actually be the beginning of her worst nightmare.

Red roses, a reminder of her parents' killer, soon become an emblem of horror for Cami as one by one, those closest to her fall victim to a serial killer. Cami becomes an obsession for Carson, the man she had finally allowed herself to love. Not only is he vying for her heart, but also her life.

Finding herself in a whirlwind of torments shadowed by the blood-colored bloom, Cami finds solace in Isaac, a neighboring police officer. She’s desperate to escape the haunting memories, but she must revisit them in order to catch her would-be killer. Living life in constant fear has driven Cami to second-guess every choice she makes. Will the police catch the illusive murderer, or will Cami be forced to face him once again?

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks   

About the Author

Dana Provo has always loved books and reads everything from young adult fantasy to adult historical romances. When she’s not reading or writing her next novel, Dana can be found riding her horses and getting ready for competition. Dana lives with her husband and two house plants in Richmond, Virginia.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Wattpad | 

Blog | Tumbler | Google

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Author Rita Branches + a Chance to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

I'm super excited to have author Rita Branches join us today. Rita is here to chat writing, publishing and her latest release, UNDER A MILLION STARS. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the post for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Also, quick PSA: Make sure to swing by on Monday when we will be hosting New York Times Bestselling author Jay Asher as he talks about his hit novel 13 Reasons Why and its road to Netflix series. (Yes, THE Jay Asher. You don't wanna miss it!)

Without further ado, please join me in giving Rita a huge Thinking to Inking welcome!

Hi Rita! Thanks so much for joining us to chat your latest release, Under a Million Stars. The cover is beautiful!  Can you tell us a little but about your writing process for Under a Million Stars and how it differed from your debut, Painting Sky?

I actually wrote most of Under a Million Stars before Painting Sky, then I took a break because it’s a heavy book and it was difficult to write, even if I never went through anything like Charlie’s going through, it’s easy to enter the character’s head and feel like her. After finishing Painting Sky - which is much more easy going - I picked up Charlie’s and Jacob’s story and was able to give them a proper ending.

How do the ideas for your stories come to you? How did you come up with the idea for Under a Million Stars?

Honestly? I have no idea! They just come to me. It starts with just a tiny idea and then the characters come to life in my head, way before I put them on paper (or screen). The rest of their stories grow while I’m writing them.

What surprised you most about writing and publishing the second book vs. the first?

Like I said, I wrote most of Under a Million Stars before Painting Sky, but I must say that the ending came much more quickly than Painting Sky, the story unfolded in front of my eyes and I think I managed the perfect ending for their story, I also had Painting Sky’s reviews in mind while finishing this book. Readers’ opinions are very important - good, or not so good - to improve a writer’s way of working.

What advice would you give writers still working to make their publishing dreams a reality?

Do it! Yes, that’s my advice. Take a chance. I spent years writing and thinking about publishing and, even though I think I’m much more mature in my writing now, I wish I had taken a chance long ago.

What are you reading now?

I try to read so many books at the same time, it’s difficult to say, now I don’t have that much time to do it, but the paperback that I’m reading (and enjoying!) is ‘The Problem with Forever’ by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Who's your favorite character from Under a Million Stars?

Oh, that’s difficult! I loved almost all of them. Charlie and Jacob hold a sweet place in my heart, for obvious reasons. But I enjoyed Jacob’s parents and Kylie - their friend.

And, even though we don’t actually meet Jamie, I feel like I lost him too. Writing one chapter about him (you’ll have to read to know which) was the only time I ever cried while writing and editing that chapter broke my heart every time.

If you could be one character from any book or movie, who would it be?

We like to read about exciting stories and exciting characters with amazing lives but, in most books, there are problems that I wouldn’t want to face, so it’s difficult to say. In my favorite books the characters go through horrible obstacles, so, I choose to be just me ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by, and congrats on the release of Under a Million Stars!  

More about Under a Million Stars:

Under a Million Stars
by Rita Branches
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 8th 2016

Can a beating heart bleed from the shattered pieces?

Her heart cracked when her best friend walked away; it completely shattered when she lost her family in a tragic accident.

Now orphaned at seventeen, Charlotte Peterson is forced to live with her former best friend, Jacob Parker. Charlie, a talented pianist, desperately wants their loving friendship back, but something is holding Jake back. The more she spirals into the darkness of depression, the more she needs him.

Jacob vowed to stay away from her—no matter how much he still loved her. Armed with secrets that would have destroyed both of their families, he chose to end their friendship and walk away, which nearly killed him. As he watches the girl he once knew begin to fade away, however, he realizes that their relationship is more important than the truth he's hiding.

Now it's up to Jacob to put the pieces of Charlie's broken heart back together—even if it means revealing the secrets he so desperately wants to protect her from.
Will Jacob find a way to bring back the carefree, talented girl he once knew, or is it too late for both of them?

Add to Goodreads | Buy it on Amazon

About the Author 

Hi! I'm Rita Branches. I was born and raised in in Portugal and I'm going to independently publish my debut novel in the Spring of 2016, Painting Sky. I am so happy that you decided to take a look at my work. Little bit about myself: along with being a writer, I am also a landscape architect. I started writing to bring 'to life' the stories that my mind created.

I LOVE to read. It was and always will be my passion.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

GIVEAWAY: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Publishing Advice from Author Jennifer Bardsley + A Chance to Win GENESIS GIRL

We're excited to bring you another successful author story, this time with author Jennifer Bardsley whose debut GENESIS GIRL is out now!  Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for a chance to win your own copy of GENESIS GIRL.

Without further ado, please join me in welcoming Jennifer Bardsley to Thinking to Inking!

Jennifer Bardsley shares her path to publication & advice to writers

It took me eight years from the time I first jotted down a story idea, to the moment I held my published book, “Genesis Girl,” in my hands. My biggest advice to writers slogging it out in the query trenches is to not give up. My second bit of advice is to join SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Determination and guidance are what helped me finally land a book deal in traditional publishing.

The first book I ever wrote was in the genre of Chick-Lit and I called it “Palo Alto Blues.” I was awriting newbie, and even though I sought out beta readers and incorporated their critiques, I made a lot of mistakes in my first manuscript that I now recognize. But at the time, I thought it was perfect. Unsurprisingly, none of the thirty five agents I queried were interested in reading anything more than a partial.

This is where I made a mistake that now I regret. I decided to self-publish the book–with all its flaws—on Amazon. I removed the link several months later, but now that title follows me around on Goodreads like a ghost. I’m lucky that it was in the genre of Chick-Lit and not YA, because a self-published YA debut novel would have barred me from membership in The Sweet Sixteens, a support group for first time YA and MG authors that has been a godsend to me during the launch of “Genesis Girl.”

Several years later I began writing again in earnest, and this time I joined SCBWI. They provided me with what’s called “The Book,” a gigantic resource of agents, publishers, and other paths to publication. As soon as my young adult manuscript was complete, I queried agents I discovered via SCBWI. Liza Flessig of the Liza Royce Agency was willing to take a chance on me. She brokered a two-book deal for “Genesis Girl” with my publisher.

Signing the contract was just the beginning. It took another two and a half years to see my book in print. If you’re looking for a quick path to publication, traditional publishing isn’t it. But if you are willing to slog it out and fight hard, dreams really do come true.

About GENESIS GIRL

Eighteen-year-old Blanca has lived a sheltered life. Her entire childhood has been spent at Tabula Rasa School where she’s been protected from the Internet. Blanca has never been online and doesn’t even know how to text. Her lack of a virtual footprint has made her extremely valuable and upon graduation Blanca, and those like her, are sold to the highest bidders. Blanca is purchased by Cal McNeal, who uses her to achieve personal gain. But the McNeal’s are soon horrified by just how obedient and non-defiant Blanca is. All those mind-numbing years locked away from society have made her mind almost impenetrable. By the time Blanca is ready to think for herself, she is trapped. Her only chance of escape is to go online.

Goodreads | Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

About Jennifer Bardsley

Jennifer Bardsley writes the parenting column “I Brake for Moms” for The Everett Daily Herald. Her

debut YA novel, “Genesis Girl” will be published by Month9Books on June 14, 2016, with the sequel releasing in 2017. “Genesis Girl” is about a teenager who has never been on the Internet. Jennifer however, is on the web all the time as “The YA Gal” with over 20,000 followers on Facebook, and 15,000 followers on Instagram. On Facebook, she hosts the weekly instant book club called #TakeALookTuesday where YA Gal friends geek out, share pictures of what they are reading, and chat about books. Jennifer is a member of SCBWI, The Sweet Sixteens debut author group, and is founder of Sixteen To Read. An alumna of Stanford University, Jennifer lives near Seattle, WA where she enjoys spending time with her family and her poodle, Merlin.

 Website ● Twitter ● Instagram ● Facebook ● Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Never Give Up: Author Christi Whitney Shares Her Inspiring Path to Pub Story

We're excited to bring you another successful author story, this time from author Christi J. Whitney whose second book from the The Romany Outcasts series, SHADOW, released from Harper Voyager this week. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for a chance to win a copy of SHADOW!

Without further ado, please welcome Christi J. Whitney to Thinking to Inking!

Christi J. Whitney Shares her Unique path to Publication

My path to publication really has been a rollercoaster.

I came up with the idea for The Romany Outcasts Series at the end of 2008. I was working as a high school theatre teacher at the time, and I ended up sharing the idea – along with a couple of initial chapters – to a few of my students. They encouraged me to write the story. And I did.

I finished Grey in 2009 and began querying, first to publishers, and then to agents. Looking back, I know I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t even know how to write a proper query letter. But, beyond that, I also didn’t know how to craft a YA novel. I’d come from a literary background, and I was way too wordy. As I began to rack up rejections, I also began seriously revising Grey. I learned how to trim the story down, to move the plot along, and to tighten up my dialogue. I joined SCBWI (The Society of Children’s Bookwriters and Illustrators), and found a critique group. My story grew stronger, and I began new rounds of queries.

This time, I began to get requests for partials and fulls. Ultimately, agents would pass. I continued to work on my craft, growing as a writer as I continued my quest for publication. At this stage, I’d accumulated more than 120 rejections. It was disheartening and frustrating, but I kept going. I’d had enough positive responses to know that Grey had potential. Finally at the end of 2010, I received what I’d been dreaming of: a request for a full from an agency I really liked. They asked if I’d be willing to do a revision for them. In 2011, I accepted representation, and six months later, we began submitting to the big publishing houses. I was convinced that I’d finally arrived.

But after two full rounds of submissions, taking almost a year, my agent admitted they just didn’t know how to sell my manuscript, and we parted ways. I’d come so close. Several publishing houses loved Grey, but ended up having to pass. I’d had phone conversations with several producers in L.A. who also loved my story and thought it had film potential, but without a book deal, they couldn’t take it on. Suddenly, after so many close calls at the top of the ladder, I found myself all the way back down at the bottom.

I wanted to give up on the series. I’d already written another project and was beginning to submit it. I was outlining ideas for other books. But in my heart, I felt God wasn’t finished with me as an author and Grey was meant to have a home. So I started the process again. More rejections. I stopped counting.

Then in October of 2012, I stumbled upon an open submissions call from HarperVoyager, the global science fiction and fantasy imprint of HarperCollins. They were opening their doors to un-agented manuscripts for two weeks. Winners would be given a digital-first book contract, with the possibility of a print run to follow. I submitted Grey and continued to write other things. The three month wait turned into six, and then into twelve. They’d received 5,000 submissions and it was taking them longer than they thought to go through them. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but as the time went on and I didn’t receive a rejection, I got little flutters in my chest. And then, it happened. On February 25, 2014 I got the phone call I’d been praying for: The editor of the UK branch of HarperVoyager, offering me a three book deal for my series.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Being published as a debut, digital-first author has been a huge challenge, especially in the realm of YA. Marketing and publicity are my responsibility. My publisher is in a different country, but the majority of my influence is in the US. Yes, the cards are stacked against me – as they are most debut authors. But I continue to press on, because being an author will always be hard. You never “arrive”. For each step in the journey you take, a new set of roadblocks and challenges arise. But when you’re passionate about what you do, you don’t give up. You keep working, whether it’s writing, editing, revising, querying, marketing, working publicity, or trying to sell yourself and your brand. It’s all worth it when someone posts a lovely review or contacts you to tell you how much they loved your story.

So don’t give up. Keep writing. Keep working. And remember your passion.

About Shadow

Shadow (The Romany Outcasts #2) by Christi J. Whitney
Release Date: June 2, 2016
Publisher: Harper Voyager

The second volume in this incredible YA trilogy.

Sebastian Grey used to be a normal teenager.

Now he’s become a creature whose sole purpose is to act as guardian for secretive gypsy clans.

When the Romany gypsies claim Sebastian as their guardian, he is given a second chance to protect Josephine Romany, the girl he thought he might never see again.

But Sebastian is having his own problems. His transformation is still ongoing, and not everyone trusts the new gargoyle within their clan.

Then a tragedy pushes him to make choices to fulfil his duty, choices that might cost him everything.

Goodreads | Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD

About Grey

Grey (The Romany Outcasts #1) by Christi J. Whitney 

Can you still love with a heart of stone?

Sebastian Grey always thought he was a fairly normal teenager – good friends, decent grades and a pretty sweet job in his foster brother’s tattoo shop.

  

But when Romany gypsies arrive in town, Sebastian discovers that his world is not what it seems. There is an age-old feud between his family and the gypsies – and this isn’t the only secret his brother has been keeping from him. His life is not his own. The girl he’s been dreaming about has just turned up at school, and he feels compelled to protect her at all costs.

Even if that means life might never be normal again.

Goodreads | Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

About Christi J. Whitney

Christi J. Whitney is the author of The Romany Outcasts Series (HarperCollins/HarperVoyagerUK).

She's a former high school theatre director with a love for the dramatic. Christi lives just outside of Atlanta with her husband and two sons.

When not spending time with them or taking a ridiculous number of trips to Disney World, she is usually directing plays, geeking out over Doctor Who, making costumes for sci-fi/fantasy conventions, watching superhero movies, or pretending she's a tad bit British.

Connect with her on Twitter @ChristiWhitney

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |Goodreads

Enter to win a copy of SHADOW

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Advice to Writers + How Pantsing Can Help You Write More + A Giveaway from ARGOS Author Philip W. Simpson

We're excited to welcome Philip W. Simpson to Thinking to Inking! Today, he shares how becoming a pantser helped him become a more prolific writer, as well as advice for those of us still slogging it out in the query trenches. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the post for a chance to win a copy of Philip's latest release, Argos.

Guest post from author Philip W. Simpson:

Pantsing vs. Plotting and How it Can Help You Write More Books

I’m much more of a pantser now than I used to be. I’ve just about finished my 9th novel and to honest, I’m not really sure what’s going to happen next. I just know that when my fingers hit the keyboard, ideas come. Some are good, some are bad but I just get the draft down first. I can look for inconsistences and poor writing later (and trust me, there’s going to be a lot).

I planned my first three novels meticulously but I have found over the years that I don’t like to be restricted like this. Often unexpected ideas come during the writing process. This initiates a somewhat awkward confrontation between the pantser and planner parts of my brain. One is saying ‘you have to do this because it says so here. See!’ and the other one is saying ‘bollocks to that. This new idea is better. Go with it.’

The pantser often wins out. In fact, I think the planner has given up. Once they’ve done a rough outline i.e. main character starts at this point, get him or her to the end point in the most interesting way possible—then their job is done. The pantser takes over. So, what I’m saying is don’t restrict yourself. Who cares if you write yourself into a corner. Ben Okri once gave me some good advice which was essentially this: writing yourself into a corner is an opportunity for creativity and for some of your best writing to emerge. You are literally forced to come up with some inventive ways for your characters to get out of their dead end/and or sticky situation.

Advice for writers slogging it out in the query trenches:

If you’re looking for an agent, do your research. I checked out Editors and Predators. Look for feedback from other authors on chat sites. Make lists. Look for books that are similar to yours, check out the authors and find who they are represented by. If they look legit, I’d query them. Make more lists.

Many agencies and publishers hate multiple submissions. And I do mean hate. Check their submission criteria. Every one is different. Queries are fine. Send out lots of queries (cover letter, blurb, a bit about yourself—once again, check their webpage to see what they require). Never send a partial or full ms until they ask for it. Some are fine with multiple submissions. Keep a spreadsheet listing with dates and either query, partial, or full. And outcome obviously. One of my spreadsheets has 50 odd entries.

If you do get an offer, however, you must, MUST, let other agents know. If you don’t, you run the risk of being blacklisted. Also, it gives other agents a chance to get in an offer (a multiple offer situation—makes all authors swoon).

To reiterate: do your research. Look for writers who write for the same genre and market. Find out who their agents are. Check out their website. Research individual agents and find out what they are looking for. Tailor your query letter to them i.e. “I see that you are looking for …. And that you represent…” Agents hate form letters (even though they send out form replies). Only send them your ms if it’s the genre they are after. Otherwise, you are wasting their time and yours. Only put things in your cover letter that are relevant. Don’t tell them that you worked at McDonalds in the holidays. Do tell them if you won awards or have been previously published. Don’t tell them that your mom loves your work. Keep a tab on who and what you have sent. I once made the mistake of sending the same ms twice to the same agent because I hadn’t updated my query spreadsheet. He was not impressed. Most of all, if you think you need an agent, be persistent. Don’t give up! Take on board any feedback (you probably won’t get much).

The Process of Writing Argos

I got the idea for Argos from a page in Homer’s Odyssey. This is where Odysseus returns after twenty years to his island of Ithaka and finds his loyal dog Argos still waiting for him. He’s lying forgotten and dying on a dung heap but sees Odysseus, raises his head, wags his tail and dies. I cried when I first read it and have cried every time since. I love stories about dogs and I love first person narratives so hence the reason I chose to tell the story from Argos’ eyes. Besides, I had a blank canvas of twenty years to fill in which gave me creative license.

I’m a full time elementary teacher and as a matter of necessity, I have to write fast. I write in my holidays and weekends. In a two week term break, I can write 40k words so Argos took me around 4-5 weeks to write. You have to remember that I already have a pretty strong idea of the story in my head.

This is not too dissimilar to the writing process for my other books with the exception of last year. I was lucky enough to have a sabbatical last year where I completed my Masters in Creative Writing. The course work for that was to write a novel. I wrote it fairly quickly (4 months) but then had the luxury of spending the rest of the year reworking it. It was a fantastic experience. I wish every year was like that.

Argos by Phillip W. Simpson
Release Date: May 10, 2016
Publisher: Month9Books

Loyalty has no limits

Raised from a pup by Greek hero, Odysseus, Argos has come to learn the true meaning of love and loyalty. But when Odysseus leaves for the Trojan War, little does Argos know it will be 20 years before he sees his master again. With Odysseus gone his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, are easy prey for neighboring kings and the Gods themselves.

But Argos was tasked to keep them safe until Odysseus returns and that is a promise he is determined to keep – whatever the cost. Told through his eyes, Argos recounts the story of his life – his pain, his joy, his triumphs and failures; his endurance in the face of hardships almost too great to believe.

Above all else, Argos strives to do what is right – and to remain loyal to his King when all others have given up hope. To live long enough to see his beloved master one more time.

This epic myth of love and loyalty proves that a dog really is man's best friend.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD | Chapters  

About the author

Phillip W. Simpson has written over 50 children’s books for both middle grade and young adult readers. He has a background in Ancient History and Archaeology, and has partially completed his doctorate in Archaeology. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with his wife Rose, their son, Jack and their two border terriers, Whiskey and Raffles. When not writing, he works as an elementary school teacher.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest |Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway