Hello, friends and fans!
Welcome to my 66th monthly newsletter! Pull up a chair, let’s chat! This month: updates on publishing, reviews – and I fall off a ladder. Let’s take a look at this months’ news!
Over the past month I’ve been intensely busy with many different things; work – as one does, and untying the virtually untieable knot that is the current state of the publishing aspect of my writing business. I’m referring to Amazon and KDP, just in case you didn’t get the reference! 
Recovery Progress After Moon Books
For those who are still a little confused, these circumstances resulted from the unfortunate death of Moon Books Publishing CEO, Brandon Mullins in February. This has precipitated a process of recovery, in which I have to essentially return my books to the self-publishing domain via the ‘indie’ (or independent) route. Not that I object too much – it’s just a hell of a battle dealing with KDP’s insane army of AI bots – and of course, the tragic loss of a friend and the best publisher I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.
Still, there’s hope, and the progress I’ve made so far, since March, is encouraging.
What I’ve done so far is to put up as many new eBook versions of my existing books to my KDP account as I dare – in case KDP blocks any of them due to duplication issues stemming from my books still being available via Moon Books Publishing’s KDP account. At last update in May, Elizabeth was still hard at work removing them so as to allow me to have no obstacles in republishing them independently of Moon Books.
A New Book Released!
Earlier this month I published “Sentinel“, book 4 in the Galaxii series. As you’ll see a little further down, there’s also a brilliant review of “Sentinel” from Lee Hall.
Current Writing Projects At the moment – when I have enough time spare to actually concentrate on writing – I’ve been working on a story called “The Song of the Drillipede”, which is in the Panic! Horror In Space series.
Antigravity Would Be Useful
What else… oh yes, I also trimmed a tree (and fell off a ladder). At least I didn’t get hurt (which is always a bonus)! 
There I was, atop my trusty wooden A-frame ladder, cutting the last odd-shaped branch on the very end with my reciprocating power saw. When it finally came down, it twisted, and took the ladder out under me! 
The branch was all chopped up and moved to the garden for braai wood. The main trunk needs a chain saw to bring it down… and someone to operate the chainsaw. But that is for another day. The ladder’s a little mangled and needs to be straightened out, but that too is a job for another day. Of course, having an antigravity system might’ve made the job a bit easier – and safer! 
No Car Problems!
On the plus side, I’ve had absolutely no car problems since December – mainly because I finally sold the old car and bought a new one. It’s for that reason that I haven’t put up any “how to” articles lately about making or fixing stuff that gives me trouble with my Beetle! Since January, I’ve had no worries about transportation at all – just worries about finances! 
An Air Fryer In The Post!
No, we didn’t just win the lotto! Rather, we just received this wonderful and surprising gift from the Outlaws (what we call Kay’s parents)! Thanks again, Tom and Dina! We’re really looking forward to eating like queens! No more unhealthy oily food – my arteries are heaving a sigh of relief! 
In the marketing department, I made a series of author promo images which I’ll be posting around from time to time – feel free to share these!
Publishing
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!” (recently updated).
New Titles:
These are recent titles (re)published in 2022 via my new KDP account:
In addition, “African Assignment” and “A Way Of Life“, two books written by my father, Theo Engela, have recently been released in South Africa by Hally Park Publishers.
New Releases!
Sentinel – Book 4 in the Galaxii Series:
The starship I.S.S. Munray is a ship crewed by a lot of ill-disciplined misfits barely one step away from another court-martial – and the Captain’s the worst of the lot! When the opportunity presents itself for Vice-Admiral Beens to rid himself of the troublesome, malingering Wynne Polluk, he jumps at the chance to introduce a new broom, in the form of one Sonia La Belle.
In order to meet the deadline, she must deal with all the obstacles in her path; an old rundown ship whose engines lie disassembled, an uncooperative senior staff, and negative hopeless crewmembers who’d probably be more at home in the stockade than running a starship! The Munray and her crew resume their life of routine space patrol – which is soon interrupted when the ship is diverted to pursue a pair of dangerous fugitives who’ve escaped from a max-security facility – one that was supposed to be escape-proof! This turns out to be an exercise which will push ship and crew – and its new Captain – to their limits!
Can they overcome all the obstacles they face, track down the Corsair fugitives, and do so in time to prevent the destruction of Earth?
Audiobooks:
I have 15 audiobooks available on Audible and Amazon! Click the links in the slideshow below to view titles available as audiobooks.
Panic! Horror In Space in Audiobook Format?
I’m happy to tell you that Darla Middlebrook, the lady who narrated my Quantum series and “Opsaal” is keen to narrate the Panic! Horror in Space series as well – just as soon as we can figure out how to do this without the services of a middle-man! In the light of this possibility, I created an account with Audiobooks Unleashed and have begun investigating how that would work. 
New Audiobooks:
You can view my audiobooks here.
Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for more new releases and updates!
Feedback & Communication
Reviews:
I have one great new review to show you this time!
“Christina Engela returns with her immersive and enjoyable brand of space sci-fi in the latest instalment of the Galaxii series.
Captain Sonia La Belle is faced with the uphill struggle of bringing the starship I.S.S. Munray back up to better standards. With mostly disorganized personnel and the former disgraced captain leaving the ship in disarray, not to mention an old flame on the crew, this new skipper has her work cut out – and then come the space pirates.
In the wake of these Corsairs being near enough wiped out, two particular outlaws find themselves in possession of a dooms day-esque technology that threatens not just La Belle’s reputation, but much more. A pirate resurgence begins along with a matter-of-time chase that ensues with drama and deception at the forefront of a great story delivered by way of Engela’s best writing to date. For anyone looking to for some fun space sci-fi immersion then ‘Sentinel’ is the book for you!
5 Stars – thank you to the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!” – Lee Hall, UK writer & reviewer in “‘Sentinel: Galaxii Book 4’ by Christina Engela – Review” May 17, 2022.
You can see all my previous reviews here.
Interviews:
What The Readers Say:
All my reader comments are linked to from this page.
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! 
Incidentally, Nigel Peever, the narrator of two of my Galaxii series audiobooks, just recently uploaded a new book trailer video for “Blachart“! I think it looks amazing!
Latest Articles:
Below are links to a few of my most recent posts or articles since my previous newsletter:
- Interview With The Narrator – Nigel Peever
- A Peek At My Week! #54
- Interview With The Narrator – Darla Middlebrook
- A Peek At My Week! #53
- New Review: Galaxii Book 4 – Sentinel
- A Peek At My Week! #52
- More Isn’t Always Better – My Self-publishing Platform Strategy Revisited
- Hot Off The Press! A Short Extract of Sentinel
- A Peek At My Week! #51
- New Release: Galaxii Book 4 – Sentinel
- Christina Engela’s Monthly Newsletter: #64 May 2022
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!
All material copyright © Christina Engela, 2022.