Call of Elespen - Epic conclusion to a sweeping series

Full disclosure: I'm only on book three of this series, but I'm a huge fan

Author/Illustrator Missy Sheldrake concludes her Keepers of the Wellsprings series on November 29th with Call of Elespen.

AND if you happen to see this on November 29th, 2017, you can get the rest of the series for FREE.  Yes, books 1-4 will each be FREE on the day book 5 is released.  Buy book 5 and it's like getting the entire series for $3.99!

Look how beautiful they all are!

What do I think of these books?  The short answer is, I think they are fantastic.  I was a little unsure when I saw they had fairies, but honestly they've turned out to be the best part.  For a bit longer answer you can check out my reviews of book one and book two.

So, what can we expect from Book 5?  In the words of Missy:

“Four offerings claimed. Two left. One, I can easily get. Ceras’lain. The other, Elespen. I don’t know much about that place. Only what I saw from the ship while I escaped from Sunteri. A jungle on either side of a wide river. A city I was forbidden to enter. Forbidden, even though I didn’t even realize it at the time…” -Tib, Dreamstalker, escaped slave

“They know our victory is nearing. They know we’re the Champions of Light. They’d rather keep us here, trapped in their lair, distracted from our quest to restore Brindelier and claim the Wellsprings.” -Flitt, fairy companion to Sir Azi Hammerfel

A vindictive Sorcerer King with a century-old grudge has spent decades gathering an army obsessed with claiming what their master feels he’s owed. Threatened by his dark dealings and sinister followers, will the Champions of Light succeed in claiming Brindelier’s Wellspring for the Dawn, or will its vast power fall forever into the hands of the unforgiving Dusk?

Who will triumph, Dawn or Dusk? Ally yourself with dragons, fairies, mages, knights, and muses in the epic conclusion to the Keepers of the Wellsprings series.

Now, that's a blurb!  And much better than my suggestion: "Hey, it's book 5! You know you're gonna read it, so come and get it!"  What can I say besides what I said in the beginning - I'm a fan.  I knew I was going to read the entire series as soon as I finished the first book.  Missy has built an enchanting world with engaging characters and adventure.  I'm excited (and a little saddened) to see the series conclude, and can't wait to see what she has in store for us.

I did mention the first four books are FREE on November 29th, 2017, right?  Here's the links - go get 'em!

Call of Kythshire (Book One)
Call of Sunteri (Book Two)
Call of Brindelier (Book Three)
Call of Hywilkin (Book Four)

Not only is Missy a great author, she's also a talented artist, and all around awesome person.  Be sure to check out her website and follow/friend her on social media.  Links below.

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Goodreads

Why do I even have a blog?

Probably for the worst possible reason...someone told me I had to have one.

I've noticed a trend of people telling authors what they "need" to do and what they "must" have in order to be successful.  These things typically boil down to accounts on every social media platform available, a web site, a blog, and a mailing list.  I'm sure I've forgotten something, but these are the biggies.  My first reaction is: what the eff for?!

If I was a famous writer, sure.  All of those things would be useful and perhaps even necessary.  But as an unknown?  Why bother?

I will admit, the social media accounts are fun.  Pick one or two that interest you and throw yourself out there.  If you're lucky, you'll likely connect with other authors (as opposed to connecting with spambots, or no one at all).  Not exactly the audience you'd like to sell to, but they can be a fun group to chat with, as most can relate to your struggles.  Try not to scare anyone off by constantly pushing your book in their face, and if you wind up with an actual reader following you, count yourself as successful.

Yes, I have a website.  What's on it?  A little bit about me and my books.  That's it.  What else could people possibly care about?  When has anyone ever said, "Hmmm, I'd like a new book to read.  Wonder where I can find one?  I know!  I'll search for author websites on the Internet!"  Or when has this ever occurred: "I like the cover and the blurb, but what does the author's website look like?  Better check that before I purchase their book."  I'd be willing to bet the number of times either has happened is close enough to zero to BE zero.

A regular blog post.  This one I really don't get.  If I'm writing something regularly, it should be my next novel.  Blogs gain followers for having interesting and entertaining content, but why do we believe a follower of a free blog will become a reader who will buy your next novel?  What am I going to post about?  My writing progress?  That's what Facebook is for, if you're in to that kind of thing.  Writing tips and tricks?  That's going to get your blog read by other authors, and remember, that's not necessarily the audience you're looking for.  Book reviews?  Possibly the only thing that might attract actual readers, but reading and writing the number and type of reviews needed to gain a decent following is going to take time away from your real job as an author.  This is also more likely to get readers to pick up the book you're reviewing rather than any book you've written.

A mailing list.  I get too much email as it is, and creating a regular email to send out sounds even more terrible than creating regular blog posts.  Honestly, if you're following me on any social media, you're going to see when I have a new book coming out.  Do you really need an email to tell you that as well?

There will be those who say that having all these things is "covering all your bases", making sure you're reaching everyone you can.  To those people I say, knock yourself out.  If you can do all that and still make decent progress on your next work, then go for it.  I'm not going to stop you, or even tell you you're wrong for doing it.  And if you're seeing results from doing some or all of these things, I'm happy for you, but they aren't necessary.

What it all comes down to is that I'm writing things I'd like to read.  I am my audience.  So, how do I sell to me?  I can tell you it's not with a blog, a website, or even an email.

My point is that for me, putting out that next novel is my priority.  That's what I love to see.  I don't care about the next blog post or email or even social media post.  It's the book I want to see finished.  And then the next and the next.  I'm betting that's what readers really want to see as well.