Writing Belle: SUMMERTIME: What's Up With Me & What's Next for Writing Belle Publishing

I'm one of the few people in the Central Valley who really likes the heat. Why? Because the heat means that it's summertime. Summertime is my favorite time of the year (it's not just because my name is Summer). I love the smell of fruit on the trees. I love the long evenings and swimming parties. I love having a break from teaching and being able to cut my work days in half for a couple of months. Summertime is simply the best - and I always get my best reading done during the summer. Seriously. Every year!

What's up with me?
When I write What's Up With Me articles, I always try to condense everything that's going on in my life into a collection of paragraphs. Let's start with my books. I just released Resurrection: Civil War, and it's doing amazing! Thank you for supporting and reading the series, and for keeping Cassidy Hart on the front lines of the fictional world. A lot of people have been asking me what's next for Cassidy. Her next installment, Resurrection: Sign of Six, will release on schedule, either in December 2018 or January 2019. We don't have an official date yet!

In July 2018, I will finally be releasing Prolific: Writing a Hit Novel. I am also beginning work on a brand new historical novel that I am ridiculously excited about! I will be doing research on the book this summer, and I can't wait to share with you all what the novel is about. It's going to be different, fun, and enlightening. In addition, I've got a couple of other ideas that I'm refining, but none of them are quite ready to share yet, either.

In all, expect about 3 releases from me within the next 8 months. I will keep you all up to date as things progress!

What's up with baby?
Some of you may have already heard that I'm pregnant with my first baby. This summer definitely looks a little different for me because for the first time, I'm beginning to realize that I'll be a mother in just a few months. YIKES. This pregnancy has been rough so far. I've been really sick and learning how to manage the sickness has been an interesting challenge. Outside of my constant sickness, my baby is growing healthy and strong, and I thank God for that!

So many people ask me if I'm having pregnancy cravings yet (I'm a little over 10 weeks along). I've been so sick that hardly any food has appealed to me. I've been asking for cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, celery, and carrots. I also really like cashews, nectarines, and oranges. Anything else grosses me out at this stage! And another fun little side note that a first-time mama like me is discovering: "morning" sickness is a total myth! It should be called "24/7 sickness," because it NEVER. ENDS. If you suffered while you were pregnant, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

The Author Program!
I usually run an author program every year at Writing Belle, and while I will be taking maternity leave from January 2019-March 2019, I plan on booking features ahead of time. This means that you should be contacting me NOW if you want to be featured next year on Writing Belle. Remember, my features are free for you. I'll start the author program in February, so hit me up. Spots always fill up fast. For example, the entire calendar years for 2018 was booked in just a couple of weeks.

How can I get on your ARC program?
To be an advanced reader, you have to keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook page. I will open up a sign-up sheet on a random day and the first 20 people to sign up (sometimes more), will receive a book. Usually, sign-ups hit the ceiling almost immediately.

What are you reading right now?
Well, because I've been so ill the last few weeks, I've downloaded some great books on my Kindle to keep me busy. For a while, I couldn't read without getting a migraine (this baby is a beast, I'm telling ya), but I've managed to figure out how to outsmart the tiny bean in my belly. More nutrition = more stamina for reading! And let's face it...reading is all that matters, right?

At the moment, I'm almost done with the phenomenal Wolf Road by Beth Lewis. I highly recommend the book, as it wraps all of my favorite elements into one: survival, Alaska, wolves, the wilderness, and a strong heroine. Seriously, run and get this book. It's amazing. I am mesmerized by it. The writing is raw and gritty and as unforgivingly realistic as the post-apocalyptic landscape it's set within. Beth Lewis is legendary.

I'm also tiptoeing through What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, by Lysa Terkeurst. She's one of my favorite Christian non-fiction writers. Her books are uplifting and touching in a way that speaks to women's souls and hearts. I also highly recommend her work - all of it, including her Proverbs 31 Ministries. They offer encouragement daily on their social media feeds, and I especially enjoy Lysa's 60-second podcasts of encouragement to help you jumpstart your day with the right mindset!

I just downloaded The Gender Games, by Bella Forrest (YA dystopia) and The Last Thing She Ever Did, by Gregg Olsen (adult mystery/thriller). Lastly, I'm looking forward to reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West, written by Dee Brown. It's a non-fiction look at the utter tragedies and ultimate destruction of the beautiful native American tribes here in the United States. It will be very educational, I'm sure.

Next Week...!
The author program will continue next week with a fun romance series and its respective author. I can't wait to share. Until next time...enjoy your summer and eat lots of watermelon!