Ciao, amici! It’s time to start talking about my upcoming series release. (Thank you, Judi, for the reminder.)
The Astral Conspiracy series is a five-book series (written under my pen name D.L. Cross) set in the Sterling and Stone Invasion Universe. Today, I want to share thirty words from The Gate (book one), which will be re-released right before the rest of the series drops.
Aliens were coming.
Gunnar cut him loose.
Aliens were coming.
Was it really possible? Aliens. Actual aliens. All his suspicions, all his theories … all on the cusp of coming true.
In case you missed it in his subtle musings, aliens are coming. And that’s how we’re introduced to this story world.
I hope that’s enough to pique your interest. Let me know what you think. And why not share thirty words from your WIP in the comments below?
Saluti!
I love your 30 words, Staci. Looking forward to reading the book.
Here are my 30 words (actually 29) from my most recently published book of short stories, “When I Rise”:
My eyes got big, and my heart was pounding at the thought of meeting Bela Lugosi. It felt so adventurous. Something was pulling me, tugging me, to meet him.
I have enjoyed reading each comment and their 30 words.
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Bela Lugosi? That’s so cool, Karen. I’m so glad you shared. 🙂
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I love your 30-word excerpt! Yes, it makes me want to read the book.:-)
Here are 30 words from my creature feature WIP:
Opal would have a fit, but she ain’t around no more to say. In fact, it’s her blood. If there be a God, some creature blood is in there, too.
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Oooh, Priscilla, I LOVE that. So glad you shared it!
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I expect nothing less from 2020 than Aliens 😄 Great 30 words Staci. Now I need to get my act together.
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Good point. They do fit right in with our current craziness, don’t they?
If you have even a part of your act together and want to share 30 words, we’d love to hear them. 🙂
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I’m a huge fan of The Gate:) I look forward to more. Here’s my 30 words ftom a short story I’m working on: Did you ever wish you could take back something you said, even if it was just a joke? One of those moments happened while sitting around the Easter celebration table…
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Aw, thanks, Denise. That’s so kind!
I love your 30 words. I desperately want to hear the rest of that story. Thanks for sharing.
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Yay! good news for your new release, Staci! What an intriguing idea of 30 words. I’m working on a children’s book, Tina – Lost in a Crowd. The story is done and edited. The illustration is underway. Here are 30 words:
Tina went with her parents to an outdoor concert. During the intermission, her dad took her to use the restroom. She lost sight of her dad. What can she do?
I made it to 30. 🙂
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What a great idea for a children’s book. When my kids were little, I never found stories that taught things like what to do if they got lost. Are you doing the illustrations yourself?
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I know, Staci. I wish there are books teaching children how to handle situations like this. The book actually is based on my daughter’s experience. I don’t want to spoil it right now.
I thought of doing the illustration, but I only learned to do drawing and watercolor in landscaping, not so much as in portrait. So I’m working with an illustrator and he did a test page for me to see if I like his style. So far I liked it especially he does it in watercolor style.
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There’s definitely a market for that kind of book. I hope it’s a huge success. And although you aren’t doing the illustrations yourself, I’m glad you found an artist you like. Can’t wait to hear more (when you’re ready).
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Yes! That definitely piqued my interest, Staci! Here are 30 words from my current WIP, Jagged Feathers. 🙂
One bullet would end this relentless nightmare. Just one.
If you can’t find a reason to live, then find a reason not to die. The VA counselor’s words echoed. Darn! Like John, it’s only 29. 🙂
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But it was 29 words that totally have me invested. Nicely done!
Thanks, Jan.
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Yay! Your books are coming out soon. It’s been a long wait, but I know it will be worth it!
I’m working on a second Lux book right now. Here are 30 words:
When I left Chicago to follow Gabbie and her brothers to Summit City, I never expected to see Cook again. She’d moved close to her sister and planned to travel.
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Now I want to know what happens next!
Thanks for your unwavering interest in my sci-fi series, Judi. The wait is almost over!
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Aliens, ahhh! (My version of a scream, lol) can’t wait to see where you go with this series, Staci- congrats!
Here’s a short snippet from my WIP-
“Bad luck to take an open umbrella inside.”
I flushed, cursing the tricky mechanism. “Thanks. I’m not usually so…”
“Klutzy?” he supplied.
I shot him a glare. “Disorganized.”
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Oh, Jacquie. You have such a way with dialogue in romances. I adore this exchange. So glad you shared it.
And thanks for the kind wishes. 🙂
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I enjoyed the snippet and cannot wait for the re-release and the rest of the series.
Here is my snippet:
“I don’t—” A piercing scream cut off Aisling’s concerns and echoed through the plane.
Everyone’s faces showed it. Something was wrong. Everyone ran toward the sound of the scream.
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Excellent choice. Makes me want to know what’s going on.
And thanks for the support, Michele.
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Love Charles! I had the same reaction.
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Right?
What about you, Jacqui. Care to share 30 words? We’d love to hear them.
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*Hand in air. “Yes, Johnny?” “Are there aliens coming?” “Whatever made you think that?” Well done, Staci. Thirty words. Hmmm. James is dead and Samantha too. There is a road to eternity and they must find the right stop. Lucifer has other plans. Will the two ever get there? (Darn 29 words)
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Close enough. Excellent excerpt!
Thanks, John. 🙂
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😁
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My door is always open if you need a place to promote. You know how I feel about word count, but here goes nothing.
Army composed himself. “Trubba feets wiggling ina air, with his head inside big flower under awa.” He waved his arms about for emphasis, and they all laughed some more.
“Headman has to pull Trubba out like big poop! Ah, hahahahah!”
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I’ll never say no to a few extra words from the root monsters. “Like big poop.” They crack me up. So glad you shared.
And thanks for the offer to help me promote. You know I’ll happily take you up on that.
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Send me whatever you like.
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Ah, the pressure! I haven’t even done cover reveals yet.
Sigh. Thank you. I’ll start working on my materials this weekend and get back to you. I appreciate it.
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Very much looking forward to this series, Staci! And just for fun, here are 30 words from my WIP, The Emissary 3. (I want you to know that finding 30 words in a row that would work was next to impossible. I’m way more wordy than that. 😀 ) But here you go:
The angel drew himself up even taller. “I would appreciate it if we returned to the days when my word was law. I do not make a habit of negotiating.”
(Azrael is always fun to write.)
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I freaking ADORE him, Marcia. LOVE that excerpt. Thanks for playing along.
And thanks for the kind words abut my series. I can’t believe how close we are to release day!
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So glad it worked for you, Staci. I’m on CH 10 of 12 & an Epilogue, so hopefully I might FINALLY get this one to you for your much appreciated editing skills! 😀
And I remember reading this before, and loving it. So I can’t wait to read the newly released version and the entire series. How far apart will the releases be? Or do you know?
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I’m very much looking forward to Emissary 3. Can’t wait!
Thanks for your interest in the series. If I understood our publication team correctly, book one re-releases July 17, then ALL FOUR REMAINING BOOKS will release the following week. Binge readers will be happy to know there will be no waiting for the next one.
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Me? A binge reader?? YOU THINK??? (Tell Jim Butcher!) 😀 😀 😀
Can’t wait, Staci! 😀
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Are you serious? Aliens are really coming? I always knew Mulder was right. If you lose your reviews, I’ll gladly repost mine. Excited to read the rest of the series!
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More people should have listened to Mulder because, yes, aliens are coming. 🙂
Thanks for offering to repost your review. That means a lot.
And why haven’t you posted your 30 words? (I’d love to know what Asher and the gang are up to.)
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At this point, it’s a messy first draft and not fit for human consumption.
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I don’t believe that for a second, but I respect your desire to keep it to yourself for now.
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Wow! I think aliens are coming. I’m looking forward to this series and love the idea of sharing thirty word snippets.
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I think you might be right, Joan. Aliens may, indeed, be on their way.
Please share 30 words from your WIP. I know you’ve got a new series going, and we’d love take a peek. 🙂
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You talked me into it. Here goes:
Tami Montgomery smiled as Jason walked into the kitchen. Today was a big day for her husband—his first as police chief of Madeira. She was so proud of him.
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Jason and Tami are back! Woo-hoo! Looking forward to this one. 😀
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So, this is a non-fiction book? 😁
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How’d you guess? lol
Feel free to share 30 words from one of your books, Charles. We’d all love to see it.
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That’s a tough one since I just started a new book, so there’s nothing juicy yet. There’s the one I hope to release in September called ‘War of Nytefall: Ravenous’. This is a fun part, but context might be an issue:
“The monstrous killer is learning how to be emotional?”
“My human side is struggling to stay alive.”
“I don’t think these slaughters are helping.”
“Probably not, but they make me happy.”
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I love that there’s no context. Just makes us wonder all the more. And isn’t that the point? Great excerpt, Charles. Thanks for sharing.
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Terrific thirty words! Sooo looking forward to the rest of this series, Staci 🙂
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Thanks, Harmony. I feel like it was a long time coming, but now that it’s here, it feels kind of fast.
I know you’ve been busy. Why don’t you share 30 words for us to gush over?
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Okay, these are from my WIP Interludes 2 … a tad naughty …
she waggled her foot in front of his face to display her wound … Had she, seriously, just opened her legs and shown this boy/man her crack? Oh, yeah, babe
Te hee he! 🙂
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I should add she’s at a nudist camp, lols
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Wow! That got my heart racing. And I love your explanation in your qualifying comment. Made me giggle.
I didn’t know you were working on a sequel to Interludes. Awesome. Best wishes with it!
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It sounds very exciting, Staci.
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Thanks, Robbie. I hope readers think so. The first book was well received when it released. My publisher pulled it down to do a re-release with the rest of the series. Not sure if that’ll work in our favor or not, but I suspect I’ve lost those reviews. Eh… it’s all knowledge in the bank for publishing the next series.
Please feel free to post 30 words of your own work here so we can cheer you on. (I’m cheering you on, anyway, but I’d love to see a snippet.)
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