Anything and everything about my journey as an author, artist, and food-maker. This blog is mostly dedicated to my self-published books and current writing projects, but you'll also see fun lists, art posts, recipes, news, and random thoughts. For more information about my books, including sample chapters, check out the links below. Enjoy!
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Thursday, July 31, 2014
Happy Sources Day!!
It's here, it's here! Sources! You can buy it on amazon and lulu.com RIGHT NOW! The price is set at a discount, which won't last forever, so get it while it's extra cheap! Expect the ebook to be available at barnesandnoble.com, iBookstore, and Kobo in the next month or so. It takes longer for it to show up on those sites. The paperback version should be ready in Aug.
Also, I'd love more reviews on amazon and goodreads for any of my books. Especially nice reviews. They make me smile.
Enjoy Sources!
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Winner and An Idea
Congrats to the winner of my giveaway, Alena S.! You'll be receiving a signed copy of Taela soon. Thanks to everyone who entered. Another giveaway will be coming before you know it.
Okay, here's the idea I've been contemplating for a while now. I know some people enjoy audio versions of books. It allows them to "read" anytime, anywhere. I would like to do an official audiobook for each of my books someday, but for now, I think I want to try using a simple recording program and posting chapters here on my blog, read by yours truly. Now, I'm by no means a professional orator. In fact, talking in general is not one of my strong suits. That's one of the reasons I love writing so much. It allows me to convey my thoughts much more easily. With that said, I think I could do a decent job of reading my books out loud and recording the results. I would try making this available for download and mobile devices. I haven't figured out all the logistics, but the more I think about it, the more I want to give it a try. Thoughts?
I hope all of you who recently downloaded Taela have had a chance to read it, because Sources is coming in two days!! For now, it will just be the ebook, available on lulu.com and amazon, with barnesandnoble.com and iBookstore coming soon. A paperback version will also be coming sometime in Aug. Yay!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Better Late Than Never?
Sorry for my tardiness. Hubby and I went back to our old condo to start working on the kitchen renovation. Our internet over there is still active, but it wouldn't let me connect for some reason or else I would have posted while there. We got some things cleaned up, measured, and ready for new paint on the cabinets. We chose the paint colors and got some samples to test them out, but we'll do that later. I will be so happy when this project is done! Hubby started it about 3-4 years ago, but had to stop when we hit our financial crapfest (pardon the potty word). Things are still tight, but we see a meager light at the end of the tunnel.
I've started working on some more Samurai Penguin. Fourth set of frames is underway. I hope to have at least eight ready before I start posting them, which should be in September if we can get our new website up and going.
Only a couple more days to enter my giveaway! Don't miss the chance to win the first signed copy of Taela! My beta readers (mom and sister) are almost finished with Sources. They're mostly helping me catch any little mistakes my editor and I might have overlooked. Things are looking good!!
Thursday, July 24, 2014
One More Week!
Yay! Next Thursday is Release Day for Sources! My Vessel series is really special to me, and so each time I get another portion finished, I get excited. These characters have been in my brain for almost half my life and I adore them. Some surprising twists will be seen in this next book as Taela and her friends... Wait. You haven't read Taela yet, have you? (Unless you're one of the handful who have.) I guess I can't say much more. If you enjoy a fun, exciting YA fantasy, you should read it! And it's still free on lulu.com, barnesandnoble.com, and iBookstore.
I've been trying to think of some merchandizing for my Vessel series. I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it will work yet. It will be something that incorporates the crystal you see on the cover of Taela, most likely a pendant like my hourglasses from The Bride. I haven't had a chance to test my idea yet, but I hope to soon.
Read Taela! :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
The Joys of Owning a Car
We have a GMC Jimmy. We bought it used about three years ago. In that time, it has consistently been a money monster. Whether it's gas or repairs, we've probably spent almost the same amount as we paid for it just to keep it running. (Okay, maybe not that much money, but it sure seems like it) Surprise, it's broken again. Husband is riding his bike to work (admittedly, I'm not thrilled about this) until we can scrape up some more money to fix it. We're expecting some money in the next couple of weeks, but we were hoping to use that to start finishing the kitchen in our condo before we rent/sell in the fall. Not sure how this is going to work out. Wish us luck!
Less than a week left to enter my awesome giveaway. You could be the first person to have a signed copy of Taela. I will even include a personal message, if the winner chooses. And it's almost Release Day for Sources! Hope you're ready for it!
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Contest For Kacie!
I NEED YOUR HELP!!
I've entered a contest on booktrack.com, creating soundtracks for chapters of Hugh Howey's book Half Way Home. The more people who read/listen to my creations and rate it with lots of stars, the better chance I have of winning! If you like me even just a little, would you consider helping me out? You can download the booktrack reader app and read/listen from there, (go here for those links) or you can follow this link. (Second link might not work on phones and tablets, so you'll need to use a computer.) Just type "Kacie Taylor" in the search bar once you get there and check out what I've done! I plan to add more over the next week, so keep coming back. You can also read/listen to the first chapter of both The Bride and Taela. It's been fun to do and I hope to use booktrack for all my books.
Thanks for helping!!
Thursday, July 17, 2014
A Little Change
Though I've finished Sources and there's a chance it could be ready on July 26, the date I planned to publish, I don't want to rush the home stretch. The new release date is July 31. I'm also going to be working on more Samurai Penguin in the coming weeks (that's my upcoming web comic, for those of you who don't know) which means I'm not going to jump right into my next book project. We'll see how the web comic comes along, and then I'll get started on book three of The Vessel :)
Thanks to all who've entered my giveaway. If you haven't taken the opportunity yet, here's the entry thingy again.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
New Digs
We're almost done with all the unpacking. Things are starting to look like a normal place of living. Here's a breakdown of our new home. We're in a basement. There are three large rooms. One is our living room/kitchen. The kitchen isn't really a kitchen. There is no sink, stove, dishwasher, etc. We do, however, have a fridge, microwave, hot plate, convection oven, shelves for dishes, and prep areas. It's not perfect, but usable. If we need an actual kitchen, we can use the one upstairs. (We're living with family, so it's all good) Living room area has two large couches, built in bookshelves, and entertainment center, which I've already posted a picture of. Bedroom is very spacious. Our king size bed and dressers fit at one end and the other end has bookshelves and a cushy chair. The third room is for exercise stuff, sewing machine, craft/art stuff, and where I will do most of my at-home job. We also have a large bathroom. Washer and dryer are upstairs. As of right now, we don't have a separate door in the basement to access the outside, but we hope to build one sometime in the future. Despite being a big change from our condo, we're pretty happy with how things are turning out. No more obnoxiously loud music from downstairs neighbors!
If you haven't entered my latest giveaway, get going! If you don't see the rafflecopter entry thingy, scroll down to the actual giveaway post. And read the first two chapters of Sources. The link is on the previous post.
Oh, and just so you know, I (finally) finished Sources! My editor will go through the last chapters and send it back to me for evaluation. Once my editor reviews everything a second time and I make whatever last changes I need to, we'll be ready for publishing!!
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Sample Chapters of Sources!
Are you ready to read the first two chapters of Sources? I sure hope so! The link will take you to google docs. These are still in the editing phase, so there is a possibility of grammar/spelling error. Please remember that the chapters are copyrighted and should not be shared, copied, or otherwise used to violate copyright law.
Sources sample chapters
Things are progressing a lot more smoothly now that the move is over with. Still not 100% sure if Sources will be released on time. In the meantime, enter the giveaway, read Taela (and my other books, if you haven't already), submit names to my Name Game, eat some candy, see a movie, or whatever else you want to do.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Another Giveaway!
*this giveaway has ended*
To celebrate the soon-to-be release of Sources, book two in my Vessel series, I will be giving away a signed paperback of Taela! (book one) Let it be known that this will be the FIRST signed copy, so the winner should feel special. The giveaway has already started and will end 11:59 pm July 27. Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. This is for US residents only. Please read the Terms and Conditions for all the rules. a Rafflecopter giveaway Feel free to spread the word! And make sure to come back on Saturday for sample chapters of Sources!
To celebrate the soon-to-be release of Sources, book two in my Vessel series, I will be giving away a signed paperback of Taela! (book one) Let it be known that this will be the FIRST signed copy, so the winner should feel special. The giveaway has already started and will end 11:59 pm July 27. Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. This is for US residents only. Please read the Terms and Conditions for all the rules. a Rafflecopter giveaway Feel free to spread the word! And make sure to come back on Saturday for sample chapters of Sources!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Boxes EVERYWHERE!
So, we're moved into our new place. The job of unpacking has mostly fallen to me, because my sporadic job is on one of its sporatics. I probably don't need to mention this, but I will anyway. Unpacking is lame. My back is already tired from the moving part of this adventure and now I must move the same boxes around until I find a place for their contents. I'd wager I'm about 1/3 of the way done. When I'm closer to completion, I will post pictures. In the meantime, here's our awesome built in entertainment center. (And, of course, I'm watching The Office. Again.)
Notice the space around the TV that could be filled by a larger TV, which we hope to purchase sometime in the future. The only thing I'm not crazy about are the visible wires/cables. I'll try to figure out a way to cover or disguise them. Any ideas?
I'm trying to get things ready for the release of Sources. Though my goal is still July 26, there is a chance it will need to be postponed. Moving has been more time consuming and stressful than I anticipated. I do know for certain that I'm going to start with just the ebook and then add the paperback later on. Have you read Taela yet? (It's still free on lulu.com, barnesandnoble.com, and iBookstore) Because when I post the sample chapters for Sources, it would be nice if you already know what has happened so far. If you've downloaded the Booktrack app (see here) you can now experience chapter one of Taela with a custom-made soundtrack. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
America the Beautiful
I know the United States is not beloved by some people throughout the world. Even some who live here aren't happy about everything. But I must say I have a deep love for this country, despite its mistakes, past and present. With tomorrow being our Independence Day, I just wanted to give a huge Thank You to all the people who have worked and fought for the freedoms I enjoy. The United States certainly isn't perfect, but I'm proud to be an American.
(No post on Saturday, because I will be moving.)
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Here We Go!
Moving Day is almost here. Our official Move All The Big Stuff day is on Saturday. I'm pretty excited, mostly because it will finally be over. I'm not super keen on moving. My family never moved around when I was growing up. I lived in the same house until I got married. Since then I've moved three times, if I count our little jaunt to Arizona last summer. My husband, on the other hand, has moved MANY times. In fact, he told me that living in our condo for the past 4 1/2 years is the longest he's lived in one place. That's a trend I hope to continue.
I'm going to miss many people in our neighborhood (not so much the string of noisy downstairs people) and hope we're lucky enough to meet more great people.
Because of the busyness I expect to encounter on Saturday, I will not have a post then, unless it's sometime in the evening and I'm still conscious. I'll be glad when this is over!
(Happy Birthday, Grandma!)