Veronica's Writer's Diary: Series-ous Decisions
- Veronica Cline Barton
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
Richard P. Denney
Well, hello, April! No fools here today--spring has sprung and with it comes the seedlings of new ideas. But before the sowing begins, first up some series-ous spring cleaning.
I'm celebrating nine years of book writing this year and taking some time to reflect on my next steps. When I began in 2017 with my first book, The Crown for Castlewood Manor I literally started at ground zero in the publishing world, not knowing a thing. Little did I know I'd now have 10 books in my cozy series, LOL--what a ride!
Hard to believe how much has changed during this writing and publishing journey...and what's yet to come. A writer's life is never dull. And although I'm still basking in the release of Family Skeletons, let me tell you what I've been up to with my series-ous spring cleaning...
How about a series re-fresh! A little history--in the early days of my series (My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series), I used the resources of Kindle Direct Publishing's, Createspace to handle the editing, formatting, and publishing efforts. The Crown and book 2, Cast, Crew, & Carnage were published using their services, but alas, the company was disbanded after book two was completed. I was sad to see this service gone. The good news--I could still manage the books under KDP.
For book 3, Deadly Receptions and book 4, Mistletoe and Mayhem I decided to utilize the editing, formatting, and publishing services provided by BookBaby. They were fine and efficient, but I had to manage all changes and updates through them. The books were not under KDP (with direct access by me), which made managing updates and promos for my series awkward and disjointed working through a third party.
During the Covid lockdown years, I was blessed to have the author services provided by the fabulous Bibiana Krall for the formatting and publishing, and editing services provided by Theresa Snyder. Book 5, Double Trouble; Book 6, Twins in the City; Book 7, Blood on the Vines, and book 8, Murder on the Runway were all produced using these fine services. The good news--all of these books were back on KDP for me to manage directly. Yay!
As the world started to wake up and get back to normal (well, kinda, LOL), life priorities called and I once again had to look for a new resource to format and publish my books. Luckily, I found the author services provided by Eeva Lancaster and The Book Khaleesi team! Book 9, Behind the Scenes and my latest release, book 10, Family Skeletons were also produced directly through KDP.
So, now what, you ask?
Let's get the series reformatted and under one umbrella. First up: a series name change. Make things easier for the reader to know what genre your series is (Duh!). Ladies and gents, may I introduce MY AMERICAN ALMOST-ROYAL COUSIN COZY MYSTERIES! A small change with a huge impact!
Secondly: Books 3 and 4, Deadly Receptions and Mistletoe and Mayhem were republished directly under my KDP, which allowed me to now have a cohesive, one-stop-managed-shop for all the books. Double yay! Eeva and her team handled the transition magnificently and I am thrilled with the new promo graphics! 👉🏻
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Thirdly: I had Eeva and her team refresh all the other books in the series to give them the same formatting, updated author page and book list, and aesthetic. This has been a huge job and I can't thank The Book Khaleesi team enough!
I've learned some big publishing lessons the past nine years and having a cohesively published series under my complete control now is a major breath of fresh air (and relief). All my book babies are together at last. Triple yay!
Preview of things to come... There are still a few decisions to be made, LOL. Good news, Book 11 is being planned for a late 2027 release (A ho-ho-uh-oh Christmas mystery). The uncertain news, I've been doing a lot of contemplating on what will happen to Gemma and her gang after the holiday tale. Lots of changes occurred in Family Skeletons and will continue in the new story...perhaps Gemma should come back to America (peers are havin' a bad day in the UK)...or is it time to call it a day??? This series-ous decision is developing...
I'd love to hear about what you're doing with your series and books and update strategies you feel have worked best for your published works. Give me a holler! Wishing you and yours an inspiring April, filled with hope of things yet to come. Happy Spring!
It's Wednesday, time for Dear Diary:
And we're off! A new day, a new story!
My mystery muse has spoken. I've started penning a new mystery novella I hope to publish in Q4. I can't disclose too much but I seem to have the perils of writers and murder still on my mind, LOL. I thought after Family Skeletons I might be ready to move on, but my muse seems to disagree. Stay tuned, A Stickybeaks Whodunit is incoming!
V's Reads
A spine-tingling short story and baffling mystery this month from the writers of X...
Orick Davies, finds trying to rejuvenate his career as a best-selling author is riddled with traps. The Blackwood property he rents has an eerie past, haunted by the spirits of witches who met an unsavory end centuries ago. They want him to write their tale, plying him with the dreams of attaining his former status, and drugging his sanity and reason with sludge oozing through the pipes of the house.
Local archivist, Katin Vane is triggered when Orick comes to the library to research the witch history. She knows some stories are not meant to be told. The two have an epic battle as the witches grow more demanding. Will they be able to stop the supernatural forces fueled by witchy fury? Or succumb to the evil as the house and grounds crumble around them?
Author Morgan writes a page-turning, horrific thriller sure to delight fans of the supernatural! A highly recommended story, read if you dare!
The hills of Hollywood hold many secrets, including those that cover up deadly crimes from decades ago. International antiquities dealer, Jennifer Blair is convinced the untimely death of her glamorous mother, Veronica at a film mogul's dinner was in fact murder. Her family tragedy continues with the suspicious death of her father just months later. She wants to find who's responsible, but she'll need help.
Jennifer enlists the services of private detective, Clay Kirk to hunt down clues and suspects from twenty years before that may shed light on what in fact happened. The two soon learn that Hollywood types can be elusive as they interview the guests who attended the deadly dinner. Will one of them crack, or will the secrets of that fatal night stay buried forever?
Author Miller weaves a noirish mystery set in 1968 that gives readers plenty to ponder. The characters, clues, and motives are complex and perplexing, giving arm-chair detectives a chilling task to solve. A first-rate whodunit, highly recommended!
Road Trip Time!
2026 got off to a bit of a rough start for us. The OH had some health issues which luckily have been resolved (knock wood). Our beginning of the year travel plans were put on hold for Q1, but I'm glad to report it's once again wheels up time. We're heading up the coast to the spectacular Ritz at Half Moon Bay for a few days of ocean bliss and I cannot wait! The cliffside views are amazing and the roar of the sea fuels my little gray cells. The rocky cliffs remind me of the location for the new tale I'm penning. I think my writing muse will be quite interested...Dun-Dun-Dun!
Speaking of travelling...
Don't forget to watch the launch of Artemis II later today. This will be our first trip around the moon in over 50 years! I couldn't resist NASA's kind offer to have my name float on a USB stick with the astronauts as they make their lunar journey. I'm pretty chuffed to have an official boarding pass! Godspeed, Artemis II!
Welcome to my world. Wishing you and yours a peaceful April filled with all things beautiful. Happy Spring!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. Have a fabulous Easter this Sunday! Remember--EAT THE CHOCOLATE! 💖👑 Gemma and Rikkhe approve.
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