Blogging.

Blog. *thinks* Ing.

(Me, in the “olden days” drinking Fireball whiskey and brainstorming with Johnny Coattails, aka Jason Jones.)

How do I blog? I used to do this all the time. It’s been, erm, years. It’s been so long that I had to change several passwords just to access this back end. It’s been so long that it’s been more than a few book releases without blog announcements. That can’t be good. Whoopsie.

I’ve never been very good at self-promotion. It always felt risky, like if I talked myself up too much, sooner or later someone would pop out of the woodwork to say “uh, actually, no, you shouldn’t be writing books because you suck so bad, duh.” Not that it would stop me, but it sure wouldn’t feel good. It might even ruin my appetite, and we all know how much I love food.

Come to think of it, I’m pretty bad at putting myself out there in a lot of ways. I spent much of my teenage years hiding in my bedroom with a clunky old typewriter instead of socializing like the other kids did. I suppose it was easier for me to deal with imaginary people than with real ones. Maybe it still is. *lifts eyebrow* All right, Self, that’s enough depth for one day. It’s a Saturday ffs, and roasting hot outside, and I swear I’m only half-awake. Confessions of the soul can wait for another day.

ANYWAYS. I’m going to try to do better at blogging. And self-promo. And marketing. Etc. TRY. That’s all I can promise, as it’s so uncomfortable for me.

For now, you can find all my books here, on my Amazon page. Here’s my Fall 2022 update, such as it is:

The current Marnie Baranuik Files reading list is as follows:

Touched

Death Rejoices

Last Impressions

Wrath and Bones

Blightmare

Kindred Spirits

The “Between the Files” short stories reading order is as follows:

Cold Company

Dirt Nap

Deadhead

Stiff Competition

Grave Mistakes

Grave Dealings 

I hope I didn’t forget anything? If I have, I’m gonna be super embarrassed, considering these are my books and I’m supposed to, uh, know about them and stuff. Someone asked me just last week how many books I had published, and I had to shrug because I could not for the life of me remember. (It’s seven now, right? Seems like I shouldn’t have to scroll up and count… DAMMIT.)

The newest novel, Kindred Spirits, can be purchased on Amazon.

And in case you haven’t yet read Closet Full of Bones, this stand-alone psychological thriller may tickle your fancy.

As for what’s new with me, in my every day life, I’m working on the next book in the Marnie Baranuik Files series, currently entitled Dear Departed* and have jotted several chapters of a prequel to the series, entitled Rough Strokes*. I’m also trying (AGAIN) to write a small 4-book series of cozy mystery novels, kind of like a blend of Golden Girls and Castle. I’m enjoying that very much. I wrapped my Criminal Psychology & Behaviour degree (woohoo!) so I’m out of school for now. I’m also indulging in World of Warcraft of my days off (Wednesdays), exploring old-school Wrath of the Lich King pre-patch material and punting noobs in battlegrounds to get my lev 70 armor. This one undead rogue keeps one-shotting me in Alterac Valley over and over and over, and I’m not gonna lie, it’s kinda hot. I do dig a skeleton that can ruin me and then chuckle as he fades into the dark. LIKE, WHO WOULDN’T?

Getting off topic. Never mind my obvious preference for bad boys and ruinous relationships. Boy, no wonder I write what I do, eh? Stay tuned! I’ll be back, providing I can remember my password…

(*place-holder titles subject to change)

Life has been both good and bad to me lately, folks. I guess that’s the way things go. Sometimes, I juggle it well. Other times, not so much. There’s a popular saying that bad things come in threes. I’m here to tell you that’s crap. Bad things come in dozens and dozens, and sometimes they come all at once. It’s easy enough to adapt to one difficulty when you’re well rested and everything else in life is going smoothly, but when one difficulty is added to the top of a giant heap of other issues, sometimes that heap collapses. I’m currently playing Stressor Jenga, basically, and just managing to keep things upright. Stress, for me, murders my forward creative motion. I’d love to be buried deep in story creation right now, but guilt (?) keeps me focused on my problems, even the problems I can’t fix. Especially the problems I can’t fix.

I’m still writing a little, in spurts. My focus is Kindred Spirits, the next Marnie book, but there are a few other projects brewing as well. I’m still poking Marnie and the gang, hoping they’ll talk to me.  But every time I poke them, they point over my shoulder at that teetering tower of stress behind me, threatening to topple.

The good news is, my arthritis is wonderful this winter. Almost a non-issue. I owe that to a combination of things, I believe–CBD oil (medical grade from cannabis leaves and stalks, not hemp seed oil), hand exercises, and staying away from gluten (it personally causes me joint inflammation). I’m not advocating anyone else try these things, I’m just stating that they’re what seems to work for me. Luckily, my hands being happy means that when the stress eases off and the words DO start flowing again, I will be physically able to pounce and get this damn book (or books) wrapped. The first ten chapters are with my trusty editor– that’s right, Bossyboots McMeaniepants is on the case! Kindred Spirits, Book 6 of the Marnie Baranuik Files, is sitting at ~73k words. There were some surprises with this one. I guess that was inevitable, considering the plot direction (shhhh, no spoilers).

I hope to blog more often. I need to get this website fixed and updated; MAN, is it old and ugly. Tech has never been my strong suit. I used to do all kinds of things here. I should probably get back to that. I’m terrible at self-promotion and marketing. Ugh. Will do better!

Holy shitballs, I haven’t blogged since August? Oh dear. I do believe I need to hire an assistant to flog me when I’ve been a major slacker. See, this shit wouldn’t happen if I had a butler. Ah yes, I can picture him now: stuffy, British, elderly, bringing me tea and clearing his throat discretely and politely suggesting that I might consider keeping up on my duties. Ahem.

Unfortunately, Cookie, my Desk Cat (who was also my Shoulder Cat), passed away in August. Certainly, she would have kept me on my toes. See how energetic and ambitious she was?

So what’s been happening over at Writerghoulie’s lair? Well, I’ve recovered nicely from surgery. I had to put off continuing studies in Criminal Psychology & Behaviour, which, as it happened, worked out to my advantage; the college teachers went on strike and it’s been five weeks since students have been in class. I’d have been right pissed if I paid all that money for school and been kept waiting while the college admins bickered with teachers. I don’t know what all the hubbub is, or what the strike is about, but I usually side with teachers in these situations. I know too many teachers personally to believe they wouldn’t have students’ best interests in mind. I hope they get what they need in order for students to return to class and get back to work soon.

I’ve also had to take a season off of bellydancing (surgery healing), and I miss it very much. STIFF COMPETITION, the newest Marnie Baranuik novella, was released by Pixiegrind Ink in September. I can’t believe I didn’t get my ass on here and blog that. Derp. I feel like a dinkus.

I’ve not had a chance to do a complete listen to the new Tantor Media audiobooks of Touched, Death Rejoices, and Last Impressions. I have heard narrator Amy McFadden reading, and oh man, I’m so hyper about it! She’s such a great Marnie.

Things are looking up in paperback news as well. Pixiegrind Ink Ltd is in talks with Ogmha Creative Media, who wish to acquire the paperback rights for the Marnie Baranuik Files and pop those puppies into your local Barnes & Noble. Yeppers, that sounds that a dealio to me! Contracts are being shuffled back and forth so we’ll keep you updated on that.

Work continues on the sixth book in the series, KINDRED SPIRITS. Even more troubling than that news (heh heh) is the insistence of a certain fussypants character that another short story is in the works. Apparently, the author has no say in such things, or so his royal nibs is telling me. I keep telling Harry that I have other story lines and other characters in my head, but he has decided that my attention should be solely focused on him. The nerve.

I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying life. Onward and upward! xo AJ

New to the Marnie Baranuik Files? Start here for book one, TOUCHED, or read reviews on GOODREADS. Catching up? The latest full novel in the Marnie Baranuik Files is BLIGHTMARE.

So, hiya! I promised a Marnie release in summer 2017, and she’s a’coming for sure. Just waiting on final edits. I’m HOPING that the grinding gears at Pixiegrind Ink can finagle a paperback version of this novella with a  bonus of COLD COMPANY, DIRT NAP, and DEADHEAD inside, as the Between The Files stories have never been available in paper format. If that’s possible, it won’t be released at the same time as the ebook, but I will keep everyone updated.

Greg Simanson has produced a lovely cover again, and we’ve taken the opportunity to slide away from ye olde hands-and-smoke branding of the Marnie Baranuik Files to produce a slightly different look and feel going forward with the series. I hope you like it as much as I do! Release date to be announced very soon. Xoxo -AJ