Category: Uncategorized

You have until Christmas to join my patrons, after that, things go back to normal… I think.

by John Irvin

First blog for December! I did finish November strong and completed the first draft for Strangers to the Realm. Presently, I’m working on that proofreading help book I told you about in my last blog, but I’m also getting a little ahead and working on an older series of mine, The Children of Alia.

I think, since this series is made up of shorter books from the looks of the first one published, The King, I will be able to work on them side-by-side with my proofreading book.

Maybe by April of 2022, I’ll be able to publish both the proofreading book and Volume 2 in the Children of Alia? You never know.

By the way, from now until Christmas, any new sponsors to sign up for either my $5 or $10 tiers on Patreon will receive a bonus reward on top of all the exclusive content already given to each of these levels. That bonus is being able to pick one book from a list of ten different books I’ve chosen that are already published.

And The Children of Alia, Volume 1: The King is on that list!

I did a vlog on my YouTube channel about this said book, here’s the link: John Irvin, Author Journey Series, Ep. 40.

You know what other book is also on that list? Magic’s Time Split, Book 3: As Flesh Rots. This means, if you were to choose that book, you’d be able to download the free first book, sign up for the newsletter and get the second book for free, then sign up for my Patreon and get book three for free! How about that?

The first three books in that ten-book series for FREE!

Well, sort of…

I mean, technically you’d be supporting me for either $5 or $10 per month—something that would be so amazing of you. But you get a crapload of exclusive content—meaning, you get a whole extra series that ONLY my Patreon supporters get to read, as well as many other rewards, like even getting a character named after you for one of the tiers.

Also, I want to get a group of my patrons together and we can create a whole new series! It would be so much fun. Don’t you think?

Check it out: www.patreon.com/irvinnovelist

Until next time, sign up for my newsletter and get your free copy of Magic’s Time Split, Book 2: When Kingdoms Arise.

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist—the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

So many things to juggle on my author plate right now, but growing my audience is at the top of my list.

By John Irvin

            August, already? Really? Wow, the summer is almost over. Can you believe it? Another cool thing that’s almost over is my Ikkilion Chronicles. I’m writing the first draft for the second to last episode.

            Things are really winding up for Pwyll and Fea Libane. So many plot twists!

            But, you’ll only be able to join them and meet their fancy techno-fantasy world, Ikkilion, if you join my $1 per month tier patrons!

            In the meantime, I’ve actually been focusing on growing my audience more. I’ve been able to meet so many amazing new friends on Instagram and LinkedIn. It’s interesting how, for the first three years, I seemed to not get anywhere with my audience. Now I’m almost reaching my first number goal.

            It’s simply exciting, y’all! But, it has made me rethink some of my processes and procedures if you want to put it that way. You see, I should have focused on growing my audience first before publishing thirty-two books!

            Being real, publishing all of those books and then only watching them sell like a couple of copies each month would have probably not have happened had I focused on growing my audience first. But you know, you learn as you go. It is all about trial and error. And I’m not regretting it, I’m enjoying learning from my experiences because I know that means I’m one step or two steps closer to my goals.

            So, I’m not going to publish any more books until I’ve reached a certain number’s goal—what that number is, is for me to know and you to find out. Haha.

            And not to mention, the goal won’t just be for Instagram or LinkedIn only, it’ll be for both together along with Patreon.

            Does that mean I won’t be writing? No way at all! I will for sure be writing every day if possible. That way, when I do reach the goal number, I can simply enter the publishing phase, which means ordering book covers, hiring professional editors, etc. So many things go into publishing a single book. But, you can’t do any of them if you don’t have the book already written.

            So yes, definitely working on three or four other books, taking turns setting up their plots and summaries and such when I’m not working on finishing the Patreon series.

            What will I do once I’m finished with the Ikkilion Chronicles? I’ve mentioned a few ideas, but I think we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Okay?

            The Ikkilion Chronicles is Patreon-exclusive, which means, it will not be published anywhere else. The only way you can read it is to subscribe as a one-dollar-a-month patron. There will also be extra goodies in the near future too. So, don’t miss out.

            Before I continue, here’s the link to my Patreon, so you can join in the world:

    https://www.patreon.com/irvinnovelist

            If you’ve been keeping up with my author journey, you’ll know that I’m also running a YouTube channel. I may not post EVERY week, but I do try to post often. They usually run about two to three minutes long just giving updates or promoting one of my books or a book I’ve been reading.

          And for your viewing pleasure, here’s the video for today’s episode:

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist—the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

Curran is requested to arbitrate for a dispute all the way over in Europe with Beast Clans on not so friendly terms with him.

By John Irvin

          Yes, I’m already promoting Book 6, Magic Rises, from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

          I’ve got to, at least, get close to finishing the spotlighting of this top-favourite-series of mine before the end of my 90-Day Author’s Assault comes to a close in no more than ten days!

          I’d like to do something special for the last episode in this campaign. Maybe a Giveaway? Maybe, if you read this today, you could send me some suggestions either via my social networks or my author email below.

          This is the sixth installment in the urban fantasy series as I said before. It had me laughing for the most part, I’ve got a thing for sarcasm and dry humor and Kate is full of that.

          Just writing these promotions for each book has me wanting to go back and read the series through again. I just might, but right now I have a reading list already planned out for this year so we’ll see if I can work around it.

          Either way, I don’t think you’ve read this series yet, so I want you to click through the provided link and grab your copy. I’ll share the first five links too just in case you haven’t been adding them to your bookshelf yet.

          Please don’t miss out on this exciting and harrowing adventure with this perky mercenary and her shapeshifter lover!

          Here’s the list I’ve already covered:

          Magic Bites

          Magic Burns

          Magic Strikes

          Magic Bleeds

          Magic Slays

And here is Book 6:

MAGIC RISES by ILONA ANDREWS.

          If you’re still on the edge of decision, here’s the brief description from Amazon.

          “Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost…

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.
 
Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…”

Do NOT miss out: MAGIC RISES.

Just a note, I have an author team helping me prepare for my debut Spring 2021 Toward the Pacific Book Tour. We greatly desire your support to help us take books out of that good ole comfort zone and find more readers.

          The more you are able to donate, the more possible it is for me to take my books on a trip across the continent and grow our reading tribe while promoting books for the public!

          So click through:

And if you know any authors, please, have them shoot me an email at john@johnirvinauthor.com. I have plenty of spots open for the episodes!

If you enjoyed this post, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

I’ve now been hosting a YouTube channel called John Irvin, Author Journey Series. Check it out at YOUTUBE.COM/AUTHORJOURNEY

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

Another note, I have to make sure to let you know, all links I use for my fellow authors’ works are affiliate links because why not?

            Have you ever had a dream career? Has life seemed to throw every single obstacle you could think and then some at you? Almost as if the Universe doesn’t want you to achieve this wonderful dream.

            Well, you’re not the only one. There is literally a world out there of over 7 and a half billion people—I think it is safe to say, at least 99% of those people have dreams they’d love to see come true.

            Thing is, I also think it safe to say, only maybe 45% of those individuals actually try doing something about it.

            But then life gets in the way. They doubt, they feel like the struggle is just too hard. One after the other give up, settling for a life or a career that is “okay” or worse “something they hate” but what can you do, right?

            If this is you, my friend? Please, by all that is good and true in this world, get back up. Ever watch the old Disney cartoon, Bambi? About the deer whose father was the “Great Prince”? Remember when Bambi was older and he got hurt from a dog attack and the forest was burning all around him thanks to some hunter’s accident? Remember what the Great Prince kept saying to him? “Get up, Bambi! You must get up! Get up!”

            Remember this line, my friend, when Life beats you down over and over again. You must always get up, never give up. I don’t care if you can’t run anymore, I don’t care if you can’t even walk. Crawl. Whatever you do, don’t lie there wallowing in self-pity.

            Believe me, I know how easy that is! I’m going to be personal with you, one dreamer to the other. I struggle with depression every day, I’ve struggled with it all my life. I go through these phases where I feel like the world is against me and I wonder why? I’ve tried to be good to everyone, tried to show each person in my life that I love them. But I make mistakes and I feel like I’m this horrible, rotten person who doesn’t deserve “the good life.”

            But then, one of those friends or family members does or says something that reminds me, I am loved.

            There is still good in this world.

            You can be the greatest version of yourself!

            There is a way to beat those depressing, life-sucking thoughts. Don’t believe them for one. For two, spend more time with people who love you and want the best for you. Three, realise, yes, you make mistakes. You’re human. You’re allowed to make mistakes, so long as you learn from them. Call them lessons from now on. Whenever you “fail” at something, or something bad happens to you, whether caused by another person or something else, call it a lesson. Learn from these lessons and eventually, you will be who you were meant to be.

            When chasing that dream career, whenever life throws a wrench in the works or an obstacle for you to stumble over, pause—rest, you need rest—ask what you can learn from this. Every issue can be solved, every problem fixed, all it takes is the desire to learn and figure it out.

            That’s part of chasing your dream, a love of exploration. We don’t know everything, but that’s what life is about. It’s one big school! It’s about what we pick up or leave behind on this great big journey.

            Don’t give up, my friend, get up, learn from the lesson, and fight harder. It will get tougher. You feel like all your life consists of is the struggle. You will get tired. But keep going. I know that sounds so cliché, but it is so true! Five years from now, you will want to write yourself at this time, thanking yourself for not giving up.

            I felt like my first post for this new blog of mine should focus on encouraging my readers. I may not know you yet, but I love you already. I hope I have inspired you in some way. Enjoy this day, grab a cup of coffee or tea, whatever is your choice beverage. Go outside and enjoy the beautiful day. Or if it is raining where you’re at, stay inside and read a good book. Or, if you’re like me, try dancing in the rain—not too long, you have to stay healthy and extended periods in the rain can make one vulnerable to the common cold sadly.

Whatever you decide, take your mind off of the worries and anxieties for a moment, give yourself something good. Your body, soul, and mind need this in order to prepare for the hard work ahead.

            Yes, it’ll be hard. Nothing great is ever easy. That’s the thrill of it all. When everything starts seeming impossible, that’s when you know you are on the right path!

I’ve been reading books on blogging and how people love reviews. The ideas have collided and formed a plan for my website/blog.

            Of course, as you can see on this website, I’m an author of my own books and even have a library on the taskbar above. I hope you have been able to read some of my books and enjoyed them. I hope that’s why you’ve returned to my lowly little website.

            But as a fiction writer—and as stated in the previous blog—I enjoy reading. I’d say I’m in the top 100 of the world’s most-avid book lovers. Having reached about a tenth the 4,000 volume personal library I plan for, I think that can attest to I am a professed bibliophile.

            That being said, thanks to the aide of the blogging books I’ve been reading, I will henceforth turn my blog into a book review!

            I hope you are as excited as I am!

            I love books and I believe being a blogger I should focus on my passion. Otherwise I’m falling short of my purpose in life. I’m not only disappointing the Universe, but more importantly, I’m disappointing you. If we don’t share our passions in this life, then we’ve wasted it.

            So, this being said, I’ve already been pre-writing reviews for books I’ve already read. I will make this first promise, that any books I write reviews for, I will require myself to have already experienced them.

            Also, that being said, everyone has their own tastes when it comes to the various arts. So not all my reviews may be on your favourite genres—then again, they might, which would mean you and I are kindred spirits.

            But, I do want to include everybody, at least in the fiction realm. But there are plenty of genres in that domain in the first place.

            Now, this will become one of my sources of income. Basically, the links I’ll be providing in each review will be affiliate links. For those who don’t know what affiliate links are, let me explain.

            Most businesses today have affiliate programs, it helps with advertising. People like me sign up for their program and we write reviews on certain products for them. For this work, they share a small percentage with us if the product is bought through the links we provide.

            We are required by law to inform you of our usage of affiliate links. I will be giving that little alert at the end of each blog from now on. Now, yes, you could be like one of those people out there—they do exist—and simply open another tab after reading my review to buy the product. This way I get no percentage of the sale. You could do this. Not sure why, but you could.

            All right, I hope this article is clear and understandable. Short version: I am now a book review blogger! It’s official.

If you’d like to sign up for my newsletter, click here. You will also get a free pdf copy of my short story Dark Moon: Son of Paradise, exclusive to those who sign up. I promise not to spam your email too. I hate spam. So I’ll only send the newsletter out two or three times a week—but I will be writing a blog review every single day!

I look forward to sharing my passions and reviews with you!