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End of 2019 and plans for 2020

Piper J Drake at Snoqualmie Pass trail headPiper J. Drake

It’s the end of 2019 and plans for 2020 are forming in the back of my mind as I attempt to focus on writing to finish the first novel in my new series, currently called The Missing.

Confession: this blog post is actually a form of procrastination. So I’m going to try to be concise a do a bulleted list.

What did I do in 2019?

  • released Fierce Justice
  • completed edits on Forever Strong
  • drafted the intro novella to The Missing
  • hopefully finished drafting the 1st novel of The Missing (in progress)
  • started physical therapy for nerve issues and extreme, chronic pain in my hands and arms due to issues in my neck/back/shoulders
  • starting learning to write via dictation
  • re-released 4 novellas formerly under my PJ Schnyder name
  • instructor and staff on the Writing Excuses workshop and retreat cruise
  • guest speaker at Surrey International Writer’s Conference
  • signing author at ApollyCon
  • featured author at Book Lovers Con
  • re-launched my Patreon to share task management & project planning, as well as lessons learned in writing via dictation

Those are the highlights, with a whole lot of hard work and some crazy obstacles to overcome behind the scenes.

It’s been a rough year, struggling with depression and anxiety along the way, and I am going to let 2019 go in the rear view mirror without too much examination. I’m also not going to plan too much about 2020 before it actually begins.

So that’s the end of 2019 and plans for 2020 are?

My focus will be on health, balance, and my writing. I want to dive into my writing and savor the joy of it.

There will be fewer cons or book signings and more writing retreats.

I love my readers and I’m pretty sure you all love me primarily for my books, so I’m going to focus on writing more.

Speaking of savoring…

Updates to Patreon

Sharing my journey in learning to write via dictation, as well as my tips on project planning and task management, has worked out well on Patreon. I intend to continue into 2020.

Based on a whole lot of stress cooking in 2019, with plenty of pics posted to my Facebook profile and Instagram feeds, the subsequent requests for recipes, then private messages from people asking me for those recipes again later when they couldn’t find the FB post where I’d provided the recipe or at least guidelines of what I did (because a lot of my cooking doesn’t involve me following a recipe) … I’ll be sharing recipes or relate how I cooked a dish on my Patreon, made available to public.

This means you don’t have to join a paid tier to have access to those posts, only follow me on Patreon. Patrons who did join a paid tier will have early access to my cooking posts, then the posts will be available to the public after a bit of time. Either way, it’s an easy place to go find those recipes and cooking instructions.

I will be adding a paid tier for those interested in vlogs (videos) of me cooking various favorite dishes, especially food I’ve included in my books as part of my character building. Shenanigans are sure to occur as I have fun with this and I cannot predict just how many bloopers are going to happen but I promise not to edit them out. Look to join the “Trail Cache” tier, or any of the higher tiers on my Patreon for access to those videos.

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The Space Between 2018 and 2019

This year has been complicated. In fact, right now, I’m waking up to the dawn of a new year in one time zone while it is still the previous year in the time zone where I actually live. I’m in between 2018 and 2019 and it’s an interesting time to look back and also to look forward, I think.

Matthew has been talking to me about what drives me. His perspective is valuable to me, not just because of who he is to me as a partner but also because he can observe objectively and provide shrewd insight.

We both agree that I am driven to continually accomplish and achieve, so much so that I run myself ragged. With every story, every deadline, I think if I can just finish this or hit that deadline, I’ll be happy. But then I immediately dive toward the next goal, writing the next story and hitting the next deadline. Where was the happy?

I agree with Matthew that I need to celebrate more. Savor. Be happy about what I’ve accomplished.

What did I do in 2018?

  • Moved from Phoenix to Seattle
  • released Total Bravery
  • turned in Fierce Justice
  • turned in Forever Strong
  • released Siren’s Calling
  • signed a 4 book deal with Sourcebooks
  • recorded 20 Minute Delay with Gail Carriger
  • featured author at Coastal Magic Convention
  • survived pneumonia, again
  • panelist at RWA national conference
  • survived medical challenges
  • instructor and staff on the Writing Excuses workshop and retreat cruise
  • panelist at Emerald City Writers Conference
  • featured author at Fresh Fiction Readers ‘n Rita’s

There’s more, though those are the highlights. Every book has an entire cycle of draft/edit/revision involved. Every convention or conference has preparation.

I also did all of this in parallel to my day job. I did this while Matthew was away on orders. I managed to keep Corbin and myself fed and in reasonably good health. I even improved both our physical fitness levels. I faced depression and anxiety, learned to recognize what they were doing to me, and am taking steps to navigate through.

That’s awesome. Looking back on 2018, it was a lot of accomplishments in the face of a number of challenges behind the scenes and I did some great things.

Looking forward?

I have hopes and dreams. I have ambition.

I want my writing career list to be more focused on actual writing.

I am exploring new genres.

I am trying to remember to celebrate with each accomplishment and enjoy each burst of happiness as I go.

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The Missing – New Series!

Piper J Drake

I am happy to announce a new series, The Missing, from Sourcebooks coming in 2019!

Here’s the announcement posted in Publisher’s Marketplace:

The Missing by Piper J. Drake

Piper Drake’s THE MISSING series, about a diverse group determined to find the lost men, women, and children who slipped through society’s cracks, to Mary Altman at Sourcebooks Casablanca, in a nice deal, in a four-book deal, for publication in fall 2019, by Courtney Miller-Callihan at Handspun Literary (world).

The Missing

I’m very excited to write this series and also incredibly happy to be coordinating with my editor at Sourcebooks. Ever since I met her, I’ve been hoping timing and the right project would coincide for us to work together. And here we are!

This series will kick off with a novella to introduce readers to my premise, a couple of my main characters, and the main themes of The Missing. Then there will be at least three full length, single title novels.

For those who’ve loved my other books for the heart-warming canine characters, stick with me. While The Missing does not feature working dogs, I will definitely have some distinctive canine personalities to herd the humans in the right direction. 😉

What about the True Heroes?

There are two more books still coming in the True Heroes series, both currently scheduled for release in 2019. Trust me, I’d love to write even more. We’ll see what the future brings, but the best way to let my publisher know you want more (of my books or any author’s books) is to buy the books as they release. Don’t wait for the series to complete.

That’s a long time to wait!

It is, but I will do my best it make it worth it. In the meantime, the best way to get the latest news on any of my books, get sneak peeks or draft snippets, and the most up to date intel before I mention it anywhere else online is through my newsletter. If you enjoy quotes and snippets, also consider liking/joining my FB page and reader group.

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Contracted Defense in Print!

Contracted Defense by Piper J. Drake

The post title says it all. CONTRACTED DEFENSE joins the Safeguard novels in Print in 2018!

Back in June, I was able to share the news that HIDDEN IMPACT and DEADLY TESTIMONY were picked up by Harlequin’s Direct to Customer (DTC) program. This meant subscribers to the program would be receiving print copies.

Print editions will be available on some third-party dot-com retailers, including Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com, for those who are not subscribed to the DTC program.  Now, I’m happy to say that readers will be able to order all three of the Safeguard novels and receive those print copies they’ve been requesting!

Check each book’s page for added links to order the print formats. I’ll be updating those as they become available!

Thank you, readers, for wanting the Safeguard novels in print and ebook formats. It’s because you’re out there and buying my books that these became available. <3

Haven’t read CONTRACTED DEFENSE yet? Here’s the blurb…

Time is running out and the enemy is at the gate.

Adam Hicks may be the rookie at Safeguard, but he’s no novice in the field. Retired from active duty after multiple tours and back fresh from a brief rest in New Zealand, he’s itching to return to action. But the challenge he hoped for arrives in an unexpected form: his sexy yet stern new partner.

The last thing Victoria Ash wants is to work with the new guy—especially one as gorgeous as Adam. His relaxed attitude about their first “easy” assignment together—setting up a private home defense network for a reclusive client—doesn’t impress her. Easy usually means trouble. She’s proved right when Adam discovers that the multiple incursions on the physical and cyber security systems aren’t just glitches. They’re under attack…and there’s a traitor in their midst.

As tension mounts, so does the attraction between Victoria and Adam. They must protect their client and the research he’s desperately trying to keep secret. Working together, they have to find the mole before their defense measures, in the fortress and online, are compromised and the deadly secrets they’ve sworn to protect are revealed.

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Safeguard Novels to release in Print!

Hidden Impact print cover

Great news! One of the most frequent requests I receive from readers is for the Safeguard Novels to release in print. I am very happy to announce that Harlequin’s Direct to Customer (DTC) program, Reader Service, has selected HIDDEN IMPACT and DEADLY TESTIMONY for their upcoming Suspense shipments, in January 2018 and February 2018, respectively! Reader Service sends a monthly shipment of 3-4 books to readers who have signed up or subscribed for the service.

What does this mean?

What if I’m not subscribed to Reader Service, can i still get the print books?

Yes! Print editions will be available on some third-party dot-com retailers, including Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.  Readers will be able to order and receive those print copies they’ve been requesting. I’ll be updating the pages for both HIDDEN IMPACT and DEADLY TESTIMONY as soon as the pre-order links are available.

(Print release will not be in brick & mortar bookstores at this time. Readers will need to order online to have the print book shipped to them. Seems odd? the publishing industry is complicated and there are so many nuances to releases!)

But what about CONTRACTED DEFENSE?

Won’t that be available in print too? We need the complete series!

It is ultimately up to the folks at Harlequin. I would be absolutely delighted to see CONTRACTED DEFENSE also chosen. Choices have not yet been finalized beyond February 2018 but the best support readers can provide is pre-ordering HIDDEN IMPACT and DEADLY TESTIMONY in print to let Harlequin know the series is in demand. You can also pre-order CONTRACTED DEFENSE in digital format. It releases this September in ebook!

Hidden ImpactDeadly TestimonyContracted Defense

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