The cutest vintage thing I’ve seen in a while
Look! It’s the old-fashioned pocket check out slip!
I’m sorry,
I know, I promised a chapter of my middle grade novel, Polar Bear Summer, but I’m going to hold off on that because I’m entering it in a contest! Please wish me luck and go learn about polar bears in the meantime (they’re pretty amazing!)
In the meantime check out this very fun graphic I made to describe how I plan out my books: by plantsing
Some writers are ‘discovery’ writers, or writers who don’t know what’s going to happen until they’ve written it. They write by the ‘seat of their pants’. This is very fun, but not always super effective when it comes to details and pacing and plot structure. Plantsing is a combo of plotting and pantsing.
Reach Updates
My debut novel, a YA dystopian sci-fi is with an editor! This is super exciting because it’s the first time someone is seeing my work (other than me!) it’s also a little nerve wracking. I have every confidence in my editor and am hoping to release this novel into the wild on November 1st!
Many things have to happen before that can be achieved, but things are happening! I have all my editing sessions booked, AND also a cover designer working with me on my cover.
Here’s the latest blurb (subject to change)
The scientific revolution changed everything.
300 years later: science is the only way to progress, Leader provides everything you could possibly need so long as you serve her, and serving on a space mission is the greatest honor achievable - if you come back alive.
For fourteen years Reach has lived with his mother in a top secret government research facility, helping with experiments and learning the game of Chess. Everything is followed to standard regulation and everything is classified-even information about Reach himself- until the day a top ranking government official appears and makes a move on the metaphorical chess board of his life. Reach must leave everything he’s ever known behind and prepare to use his half-Martian genetics in the name of space exploration and progress while evading power hungry, corrupt government leaders.
Can Reach adjust to his new life directly under the governments’ thumb, can he trust his new band of acquaintances, and will he come back alive? Most importantly, will everyone stop using him for their own ends?
In chess, even a pawn can checkmate.
DID YOU KNOW there is such a thing as LEFT twisted DNA?! 🧬 Look for that detail when I reveal the cover soon!
Instagram and Marketing
Now that Reach has a tentative release date it’s time to think about marketing, and advertising, and making this whole publishing endeavor profitable.
My bookstagram review account has grown to over 1,000 followers! But it was time to begin an author specific account to focus on my own work.
I’d be so honored if you’d follow along at my new handle too @oliviamccarthyauthor
Thanks!
Family Stuff
In April we were able to renew our vows and our son turned 3!
In May, one of our daughters turned 6, another daughter made her First Holy Communion and my husband is running his second marathon! (Plus it’s our 12th anniversary!)
As always, I’m so grateful for your support on this journey!
So exciting about your upcoming novel! Glad we are on this journey (together? In adjacent lanes of the highway?) — my coming novel is slated to launch Aug 20th! I’m in the hurry up and wait phase…