Whitney Awards this Friday

In case you've forgotten, Blood Requiem is a finalist for the Whitney Award! It's competing with these four other phenomenal books, and we'll find out which one emerges victorious tomorrow night at the Whitney Awards Gala.

For the record, I've got my money on either Dave Butler's or Charlie Holmberg's books taking the prize home. Both are awesome books written by very talented writers. Although, to be fair, I haven't read the other two books on the list, so they might also have a strong shot. Nevertheless, based on what I've read, my money's on Holmberg or Butler.

I won't be at the Storymakers conference this year (which hosts the Whitney Awards), BUT if you'll be there and want to check out my books, head on over to the bookselling area and you'll find SIGNED COPIES (gasp!) of the first three books of the Chaos Queen Quintet! Get 'em while they're still there!

All in all I'm honored just to be a finalist for the award. I wish the best of luck to all the other finalists, and I'm looking forward to the Gala tomorrow!

BLOOD REQUIEM has been nominated for a Whitney Award

Blood Requiem, book 3 of the Chaos Queen Quintet, is up for a Whitney Award!

Both Duskfall and Dark Immolation were nominated for the same award in years past, but this is the first time I've made it to the finalist stage, so that's pretty exciting news.

You can check out the other finalists here. Blood Requiem is in the speculative category, and it's among tough competition and some truly awesome authors, among whom the inimitable Dave Butler--my book-touring, road-tripping accomplice--stands tall (literally and figuratively). I've heard some pretty amazing things about Veins of Gold (and I think Charlie Holmberg and I actually took Brandon Sanderson's class concurrently, although I could be wrong about that--there were a lot of people that cycled through that class). And, from what I've seen and read of the other two nominees, the competition will be fierce this year!

But Blood Requiem is a scrappy little book (ok, it's a scrappy big book), so it'll be fun to see who comes out on top. Either way, it's an honor to be a finalist in such company.

They'll announce who won in each category during the Whitney Gala on Friday 10 of May.

2018 Whitney Award Nomination

Some good news: Blood Requiem was recently nominated for a Whitney Award!

It always makes me happy to hear one of my books is up for an award, and this is no exception. Also, because this award is given by a committee, there's no need for me to campaign for it, which sounds rather relaxing tbh. I can just sit back and cross my fingers.

In other news, I'm making some significant progress on prewriting for my next project. I won't say too much about it right now, but I should be able to move into writing the first draft very soon. My goal is to finish at least a draft of the first book in the new trilogy by early next year. Right now that's certainly looking possible, and another reason to cross my fingers!

🤞

If you've got a mo, give me a vo!

Ya'll!

I didn't find out about this until recently, and then was too busy with Pensacon to post anything, but apparently my book Dark Immolation on the long list for the David Gemmell Legend Award this year!

Go here to vote for me, if that strikes your fancy.

I ever-so-brilliantly coined the phrase "if you've got a mo', give me a vo'" (because vo = vote, right? it's now my campaign slogan for all of that extensive campaigning I do, you know...)

And, while you're out there vo-ing (getting ridiculous now), might I also suggest Dave Butler's Witchy Eye for the Morningstar Award. It's awesome.

Anyway. I'm up against some pretty awesome authors, so my hopes aren't too high, but it's an honor just to be on the long list! 🙏 🙌

Whitney Awards

Hey folks!

Did you read Dark Immolation this year?

Did you think it was awesome?

If so, please consider nominating it for the Whitney Awards!

Here's a link to the nomination page.

🙏 🙌

Morningstar Award Short List!

Duskfall has officially made it as a finalist on the David Gemmell Morningstar Award ballot!

That means Duskfall is considered by many to be one of the best debuts of 2016, and it's in great company--overall pretty stellar stuff, if you ask me. I'm flattered and very happy that the book has gone this far.

If you're interested in helping it go a little bit further, go vote for it now! Before the end of the month!

The winner will be announced on Saturday, 15 July at Edge-Lit 6 in Derby, UK. I will, of course, keep you posted on how that goes.

Thank you to all of you who have voted, and who will vote in the near future! I'm grateful so many people are enjoying the book, and I can't wait for all of you to get your hands on book two in just a few weeks.

🙏🤞😁

Morningstar Award Long List

ICYMI, Duskfall has made the long list for the David Gemmell Morningstar Award!

The Gemmell awards are, of course, inspired by the legendary (see what I did there?) fantasy author David Gemmell, and recognize general awesomeness in the fantasy genre. They give out three awards each year: the Legend award for best fantasy novel, the Morningstar award for best debut fantasy novel, and the Ravenheart award for best fantasy novel cover art.

Guess what? Anyone can vote! And you can actually vote for Duskfall for both the Morningstar award and the Ravenheart--just go here to the voting section of the Gemmell awards website. The first award listed is for the Legend, but you won't find Duskfall there, although there are some really fantastic books on that list as well (and the long list for the Legend award is, indeed, long this year). Just scroll down on the same page, and you'll see the Morningstar and Ravenheart awards. Easy peasy!

It's honesty a huge honor to even make the long list--to be associated with David Gemmell in any way, and to be on the same list as every author who's been nominated this year, is pretty incredible. I'm happy to have made it this far!

If you enjoyed Duskfall, consider voting for it!

DUSKFALL is a Whitney Awards Nominee!

It's true! Duskfall has been nominated for the Whitney Awards! There's still a few rounds left in the process, but it's an honor to be nominated. Here's hoping...