Reading Self-Published Stories With Kirsten McNeill

Worthy Writers! I've got a solo episode for you today where I read story excerpts from THREE different authors:

Author 1: C.H. Carter

C.H. Carter is a fantasy author with a lifelong love of the genre in all its forms. In middle school, she wrote a fan letter to Tamora Pierce and received the most encouraging reply! That experience cemented her desire to become an author. (She also still holds out the hope they can meet in person one day!)

When not writing, you can find her working on a number of rotating projects (Crochet, anyone?) and obsessing over her two rescue dogs.

Her excerpt is from her debut novel, To Kiss the Sea. It's the first full chapter from Ally's POV. It gives an insight into what her childhood was like and the events leading up to the traumatic moment that triggered her incredible fear of water.

Website: chcarterwrites.com

Author 2: Elizabeth Suggs

Elizabeth Suggs is the co-owner of the indie publisher Collective Tales Publishing, owner of Editing Mee, and is the author of a growing number of award-winning published stories, one of which was part of an Amazon Bestseller collection. She is also a book reviewer (EditingMee.com), popular bookstagramer, and cosplayer (@ElizabethSuggsAuthor) on Instagram. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s traveling the world.

Her piece was inspired by the exclusion Covid and a new move brought to her life. It also sheds light on her relationship with her family, specifically her mother and how Elizabeth couldn’t cope without her around.

Author 3: B. Joyce

B. Joyce, author of the Moon Beetles series, is a Canadian independent fantasy author. She writes to connect readers to deep emotions and themes such as mental health, self discovery, intuition, and authenticity, with a backdrop of high fantasy world building.

To create her fantasy world, she uses her experience with biology and psychology to create an environment that sucks you into new magical possibilities and forces you to care about the characters. In her free time she can mostly be found playing video games, reading, wandering in the woods, or creating for the sheer enjoyment of it.

Her excerpt is from Soul Tether, the second book in her three part Moon Beetles series. Eliote doesn't have any essence abilities (magical abilities) like most people in the world of Illyson. However, she is able to see and feel auras from other people. She's been training at a Guardian academy for the past year, but as she's learned about herself, she's starting to think it's time for something new, something that fits her own skills.

LinkTree: B Joyce

Journal Prompts:

What would you do in Ally's situation?

Write a journal entry reflecting on a time when you felt isolated and how you handled the situation.

What is your favourite element of fantasy?

Never forget that you are worthy!

Kirsten McNeill: Confidence & Writing Lifestyle Coach | Book Editor | Artisan

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