This always seems like a hot topic, particularly where it concerns independent publishing. We’re all told how you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but, well, we do. It’s human instinct. At lightning speed, we associate things with what we see: pleasure, boredom, disgust, intrigue… If you see a plate full of brown, gooshy, lumpy something, what’s your first reaction? I’ll bet you don’t want to eat it. And if you see a book with a poor cover—too busy, text that is tiny or otherwise obscure, amateur photoshopping—your instincts go “ew” and you move on. (Unless you’re morbidly attracted to literary […]
Book Review: The Blinding Knife
Good, but… I first read The Black Prism, book one of The Lightbringer series, and found the political intrigue gripping but the characterization weak and repetitive. Good news: The Blinding Knife carries on—and deepens—the political action, and the characterization flaws have been improved. Particularly, Gavin and Kip no longer sound like the same person in their “self talk.” Gavin shines as his own very strong-willed character, fulfilling a potential hinted at in Book #1 but never delivered, while Kip shares inherited traits to which he gives his own little twists. I like that. I like seeing the growth of the […]
Merry Christmas!
We have cookies! We have decorations! We have gifts! I feel like a WHO! It looks and smells wonderfully Christmassy at our house, and things are finally—in spite of moments of panic—coming together. I have been a busy little elf, baking and wrapping, making cards, putting up the last few decorations… Traditionally, our family puts up the tree and does the decorating on the first weekend in December, but now that half the kids are married and have their own grown-up responsibilities, that didn’t quite work out. So we figured we’d do it on the second weekend, and, well, that […]
Chocolate Fix: Chocolate Toffee Crack(ers)
Time for a break—a chocolate break! Who can resist Chocolate Toffee Crack? I’m also quite fond of “easy,” and this recipe fits the bill. Doesn’t take very long to throw together, and hey—it’s chocolate!
AS THE CROW FLIES Now Available!
I am so proud to announce that my book, As the Crow Flies, just released! If you love tales about thieves, magic, and dragons, you’ll want to read this. What happens when a skilled thief is forced to steal the impossible? Sent on a mission to fetch a precious (and rare) dragon’s egg for a wizard with dire plans in mind, Crow must work with his worst enemy, a man whose grasp he has successfully avoided for years. The lives of their loved ones are in the balance. Their journey takes them through perilous countryside and pits them against weather, […]
What Do They Look Like?
As the release date for As the Crow Flies gets closer and closer (only nine more days, but who’s counting?), my excitement level increases. I am occasionally overtaken by butterflies and attacks of “what if…?” Things are falling into place, though. My family and friends—and new acquaintances!—are super supportive. My hubby walked in the door tonight with the typical “When’s dinner?” question. “Not for half an hour,” I said, “will you please find a page divider for my website that meets this and this and this qualification, and just so happens to be exactly what I want?” And he did! And […]
Read the First Chapter of ‘As the Crow Flies’
To celebrate the upcoming release of my fantasy novel, and to give readers a taste of what to expect on December 10, 2012, I want to share with you the first chapter of As the Crow Flies. I’d love to hear what you think! Chapter 1 Flying Weather I am called Crow, and I am a thief. The name and the profession go hand in hand and, like the bird, I am not at all opposed to appropriating what pleases me. I am good at it. Crows are smart and clever. Black of hair, dark of eye, and dusky of […]
NaNoWriMo And… (Announcement!)
I just got off the phone with my sister. As usual, we talked for a loooong time and, as usual, I came away feeling happy, encouraged in what I’m doing, and delighted at the things we laugh over (like crazy ‘men’ things and cement trucks masquerading as giant unicorns on wheels…). I’m pretty convinced that if everyone had a sister like her, the world would be a better place. One of the interesting things about indie publishing is that I get to choose my own release date. It is at once liberating and frightening! So, after some encouragement from my […]
Cover Reveal: As the Crow Flies
I am so pleased to reveal the cover for my debut fantasy novel, As the Crow Flies. I loved making it the second time around as much as I did the first. The original design was one I made for NaNoWriMo. It included a stock item I wasn’t sure about, copyright-wise and although I liked the cover very much, it wasn’t quite right. This version feels much more appropriate to the story and looks much… cleaner. I know a lot of authors announce their books months ahead of time—and I would like to, but I fear the date I would like to […]
Lovely Review for “Dragonlace”
“Dragonlace is a fun and humorous read, full of witty one-liners and rich, vivid details—enough so that I’d love to read more stories featuring Keeta in this fantasy world of dragons, wizards, knights and maidens. […] Lythgoe’s other short story, “In the Mirror,” has an equally artistic cover, and is on my reading list. As the Crow Flies, Lythgoe’s current work in progress, is on my reading radar as well; her blog describes her writing process as she works on this debut novel. I look forward to its release date.” Thank you so much to the folks at The Indie […]