Hello, friends and fans!
Welcome to my 59th monthly newsletter!
Pull up a chair, let’s chat!
Let’s take a look at this months’ news!
October was a very busy month for me – and even productive too, in some ways (she said, casting a suspicious glance at Dolly). Much of my – what is laughably called ‘free time’ – has lately been taken up by rebuilding a Beetle engine and carrying out various maintenance and repair tasks on the rest of the car. Not that I really enjoy doing things like that, but as the man said, “who else will do it if I don’t?”… who else who won’t charge me unreasonable amounts of cash, that is!
On the writing side, the actual writing field has lain fallow this past month while I pander to my distractions and rest my mind for later this month (or perhaps December) when I need to copy-edit the first draft of book 4 in the Galaxii Series, “Sentinel“, which you may recall I finished writing in August this year. After that of course, there will probably be some fancy footwork in the shadows to bring you this book as quickly as possible, but more about that another time!
The third audiobook in the Quantum Series, narrated by the amazing Darla Middlebrook, is currently awaiting approval by ACX/Audible! You may remember that the first two titles in the series have already been released as audiobooks recently, and I’m really looking forward to seeing book three’s audiobook version being added to the repertoire! The next three titles are also in the pipeline, and are currently in different stages of production! I’ve also done a lot of extra marketing over the past month, and started an editing project for Moon Books Publishing!
A Mish-Mash Of General News
As I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters and also in my more recent weekly “Peek @ My Week” articles, I’ve kept you up to date with progress on my Beetle project – Dolly, my 1962 VW bug! Over the past few weeks, the project has shifted focus from dismantling and repair and outsourcing work, to reassembly and refitting. Currently, I’m still waiting for a few more parts to be delivered before I can wrap up the assembly work! Naturally, I’ll be keeping you informed of progress in this regard, so keep reading “A Peek @ My Week” for updates in that regard.
On the work front, life has largely been a festival of corporate, organized bedlam, and in fact, for several weeks, aside from work-related stuff, I haven’t achieved terribly much! In the evenings I spent most of the time dozing on the sofa with my ever-patient Querida while watching episodes of “MASH” or “WKRP in Cincinnati” or “Eureka” through my eyelids. Most of the time I’ve been wondering things like: “did I really actually do all that today?!”
Again I’d like to add a note of thanks to all those of you buying and reading my books, the people leaving book reviews, those leaving friendly comments on my posts, or sending me messages of encouragement – it means a lot to me that there’s so many of you all still here with me!
Current Writing Projects
At the moment I’m resting the little gray cells before I tackle the first copy-edit of “Sentinel“, book 4 in the Galaxii Series – I’ve found it’s very easy to miss mistakes such as missing words when I attempt this without sufficient a break between finishing the draft and starting the edit! At the moment, I’m busy with a copy-edit of a 100k word manuscript for Moon Books Publishing. I plan to get back to writing as soon as I can get done with all the other things on my plate – work and returning Dolly to a roadworthy condition!
Videos
You’re welcome to browse through the videos on my YouTube video channel! I’m not really the performing seal type, but I do my best!
Publishing
These are the new titles I’ve published in 2021 so far! The first 3 are academic papers, but I still have a few new fiction works in progress and should finish some during the year!
New Releases:
After the three academic papers I put out early this year, I also released the new updated Portfolio 2021, as well as a updated second edition of “The Galaxii Guide To The Terran Space Fleet“. Both are free items for your information and enjoyment.
Audiobooks
I have 6 audiobooks available on Audible and Amazon! Click the links in the slideshow below to view titles available as audiobooks.
The new audiobook for “Black Sunrise” narrated by Darla Middlebrook was released in July and book 2, “The Time Saving Agency” was released in September! Ms. Middlebrook is doing the rest of the series as well, and I’m looking forward to all these new releases! I also have to admit that I really like the new audiobook covers designed by Brandon Mullins, and can’t wait to show them all to you when he’s done them!
Under the sub-heading of “Coming Soon!” here’s the cover for the upcoming release of the audiobook for “Dead Man’s Hammer“:
Below are the covers for “Lifetime” and “Space Sucks!” (book 1), both in review at ACX and coming very soon!
Aren’t these covers just fantastic?!
During October, I received and listened to a number of auditions and first 15 minute trials for a variety of books from a number of different narrators! It has to be said that with such a variety of wonderful narrators, I’m really spoiled for choice! Both I and Brandon from Moon Books Publishing (the force behind my audiobooks) are very excited about this! There’s going to be a string of awesome audiobooks coming out very soon, narrated by some very talented voices! Jennifer Pratt is signed to do Space Sucks 1 and 2, also Mirror Mirror and Lifetime; Edmund Bloxam has signed on for “Dead Beckoning“; and Mattias Quinn is doing the first Panic! Horror In Space book! Stay tuned for more new releases and updates!
Reviews
I have one new review to show you in this section this time! You can see all my previous reviews here. If you would like to do a review of one of my books, please do get in touch!
A US book reviewer who is part of the LGBTQ community, recently enjoyed the freshly released book 2, “The Time Saving Agency“, and so I’m eagerly awaiting the first review of that book soon as well! Hopefully her review will be as flattering as her review of “Black Sunrise“! She’s also told me that she’s first in line for when “Dead Man’s Hammer” comes out, which could be this week!
Interviews
Robb Wallace conducted an interview with me, published on October 16, 2021 – drop by to check it out!
All my interviews are linked to from this page. If you would like to do an interview with me about my work, please do get in touch!
Currently Available Titles
My books are available as eBooks, Paperbacks, and Audiobooks, and you can find them everywhere. Click the links in the slideshow below to view titles available in these formats.
If you’re still wondering where to find them in the format of your choice, you should read “Where To Get My Books – Specially For My South African Readers!“.
Communication
Below are links to a few of my most recent posts since my previous newsletter:
- A Peek At My Week! #27
- “Dead Man’s Hammer” – Coming Soon As An Audiobook!
- A Word On (Spiritual) Home Protection
- A Peek At My Week! #26
- Things That Really Burn Me Up About VW Beetles!
- A Peek At My Week! #25
- Christina Engela Interview With Robb Wallace
- Afterwords & Epilogs Explained
- Another Honorable Mention For Demonspawn!
- A Peek At My Week! #24
- A Great Spell To Keep For Emergencies!
- Model Building – A Longtime Obsession!
- Some Of The Music That Inspired My Writing!
- My History With VW Beetles!
- Easy DIY #78 Make Candle Sconces
- A Peek At My Week! #23
- Clicks Brand Jug Kettle Review
- Christina Engela’s Monthly Newsletter: #58 October 2021
Interactions
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Fan Mail, Reader Reviews & Honorable Mentions
I have the following awesome items to show you this month.
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Demonspawn got an honorable mention by reviewer Lee Hall! “Perfect Reads for Spooky Season by Lee Hall, October 11, 2021.
I’ve always got time for a little space horror especially when it is this good and chilling. A stranded and down on their luck crew of the I.S.S. Mordrake discover a seemingly abandoned vessel floating in the depths of space. What they discover takes the reader on an awesome ride. Full Review Here.”
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I display my Fan Mail & Compliments with pride, gratitude and humility. You’re always welcome to have a look.
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Hate Mail & Horrible Mentions
It seems I have no hate mail to show you this time! So little hate mail – I must be slipping!
- I’m rather proud of my hate mail, and you can review my collection here – but be forewarned, don’t do it while eating or drinking, or you might choke while laughing!
In Closing
Well, that’s all for this time, folks!
Thanks again for all your support, sharing, friendship and interaction!
As always, feel free to email or message me via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn if you have any comments or questions!
Cheers!
Catch me on social media!
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All material copyright © Christina Engela, 2021.