I've started the seventh book!
The Persephone Alcmedi series is six books deep. I plotted, loosely, nine.
Fans of the series want to know how the threads come together, what Persephone's
destiny as the Lustrata really means, and, if the emails and Facebook messages
are true...y'all want to know if/when Seph hooks up with Menessos.
<snicker> I already know the answer...but I'm not telling.
The problem is, honestly, the publisher seems uninterested in continuing. This
boat I'm in is a common one for too many authors these days. But this is my
boat. And this rock-n-roll gal doesn't intend to drift around until she gets to
shore and hope it's where she wanted to be. Nope. My oars are in the water,
baby. I'm rowing.
Although there is an unrelated novel that I'm working on with the express hope
of getting back into the print industry, I'm not willing to give up on Seph and
Co. It seems to me that neither are you. Not a week goes by that someone doesn't
email to ask about the series—or to say they just discovered it and want
to know when the next installment is coming out.
So for all of you who write to me, the seventh book is underway and
1/6th of it is already complete! Aside from writing, researching my
self-publishing options and assessing the numbers of folks who want the book is
my new focus. The publisher's disinterest isn't personal; for them as well as
myself, it's a writing "business," not a writing
"give-it-all-away-for-free." They have to stay in business and I have to
feed my family. (Boys. Did I mention I have teen and preteen boys at home? Do
you have any idea how much they eat?)
However, that business-y statement being said, I have posted the prologue
plus the first six chapters of book seven as a sneak peak to give
fans of the series something to assure them it isn't over...that if anything,
it's picking up speed!
It's available at my personal blog, named for Wolfsbane & Absinthe, the
witchy shop Persephone frequents: read
here
The first three books were, to me, like Star Wars in that it
introduced the main characters and set the stage with a story that {spoiler
alert} took Menessos from being the arch enemy to putting his existence on the
line for the lives of Seph and Johnny.
The second three books were, again to ME, like The Empire Strikes
Back in that revealed character growth and acceptance of the bad things that
go along with this destiny none of them can avoid. (**NOTE: I am not comparing
myself to George Lucas. I'm using the Star Wars trilogy to convey an idea
because I'm betting that most everyone has seen all three movies.)
Books seven through nine are meant to be my Return of the Jedi. Han is in
carbonite, Leia and Chewie risk everything to save him but still a plan B must
ensue for Jabba to be defeated—and by Jabba I mean the Rancor monster, the
Sarlacc pitt, Boba Fett et al.
Wait...that IS Return of the Jedi.
Right. In my books seven through nine, the trio's separate enemies are plotting
and aligning their causes for a common goal. Seph has already faced tests of
fire, water, and air. She must face the tests of earth and spirit before she can
truly, fully realize her role as the Lustrata. The bonds between her and Johnny,
and her and Menessos (Is this a hint? Could it be?) must grow stronger
despite the adversity swelling around them. They must prove themselves committed
to each other if they hope to survive, let alone win.
So tell me, dear readers. Do you want more Seph? If so, please go check out the
free chapters.
I'll be checking the comments and replying throughout the day. Ask me anything!
About the series, about writing, about the industry. Tell me what you think of
the new chapters, or of the old books, or, heck, I'm taking suggestions for a
title!
Linda Roberston is the author of the Persephone Alcmedi series from Pocket
Books. In addition to writing, she is a single mother of four boys (two still at
home), tends bar part-time at a VFW, rocks out on one of her many electric
guitars, and occasionally her band plays a gig.
Her is: website | Facebook |
@authorlinda | Goodreads |
Blog: Wednesdays
Hi, Linda!! I haven't read any of your books, since I'm a bit out of the reading loop - especially with that genre, but I just had to make a comment. As far as your books go, with the amount of feedback that you've been saying that you're getting, along with the number of books you already have out in the series, and the amount of drive that you have in your personal life, your publisher would be foolish not to see this project out to the end!! I'll have to give your books a try, to see what I'm missing. I can't say that I'm going to particularly like this genre, but I DO like your spunk, and admire you for who you are, and all that you're going through to survive. It's not easy, and I've even thought about writing, but have heard enough horror stories to pull back. I hope you get your wish and are able to complete the series.
(Peggy Roberson 10:41am January 28, 2014)
Greetings Ms. Robertson, Your article is interesting. Is writing a full time profession for you? Or is this a hobby? I am assuming from a practical standpoint, if you can't find a publisher interested in publishing the books then you must work a full time job so you can feed the ravenous boys you mention and writing is a hobby for you? I've often wanted to write, but since I have to work full time I can't seem to get enough free time to get any momentum going. Do you have any advice on how to juggle a full time job and a writing hobby in a way that you can actually maintain momentum in the writing? You are a brave woman for admitting there aren't any publishers interested in your work but you are still forging ahead! Good for you! I think I would find that realization so disheartening that I would give up. Please, any advice would be appreciated!
(Rodney Cullen 3:12pm February 9, 2014)
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