Q4 Update
Good news, everyone!
It’s spooky season :3 The time of pumpkins and bats and ghosts… my favorite time of year!
Third quarter was amazing — I launched Lost Blades! It’s had a great start thanks to all your support. It means the world to me, and I hope you are willing to continue with me on this journey, because we are just getting started!
Edits
Broken Blades is in the final proofreading stage! This sets it up nicely for its January 12 release date :D
A developmental edit has been set for the first three of the short stories in Colors of Magic in November, and may grow to include others as I finish them. Exciting!
Writing
Lost Blades’ launch did take up the majority of my time, but I was able to finally finish “Silver” and start writing “Black”. I’m hoping to be able to write a few more of the short stories this month, and finish in November. You can keep an eye on the progress bar on the homepage to see where I’m at!
Because of the release order, I’ll have to put Blades Reforged on the back burner until I finish the first draft of Colors of Magic.
However, if you are looking for more about the world of Gaia… there’s been a bunch of worldbuilding in the blogs! The Elemental Deities, Rose Empire, and The Three posts all have fun information in them about the world!
Other
I’ve been working on the swag for Broken Blades! The bookmarks will be designed around Ander and Jeri this time round — there’s a lot of green. Ander, Takeshi, Rhode, and a warg will be the featured character stickers.
I have received my first proof for Broken Blades as well! His name is Lars, and I love him. The two books look so good next to each other!
I’ve also begun working on all the character stickers for Colors of Magic. Because there won’t be a map with that one, I’ve decided to do nine stickers — one for each short story. And I’ve even sketched the stickers for Blades Reforged :)
I also completed Secret Project: Yarn! This was a crocheted plushie of Jamirh. Isn’t he cute?
Preorder news
With the launch of Lost Blades, Broken Blades is now available for preorder! It will release on January 12, 2024.
All formats are currently available to preorder from my shop. Only the eBook is available to preorder from major retailers at the moment due to how the printer I use works, but the print books should be available at all retailers in mid-November.
*Note: I did have to raise the suggested prices on the paperback and hardcover on the other retailer sites due to the printer. Prices will remain the same on my website.
What formats will be available?
Paperback
Hardcover
eBook
Audiobook
Where can I buy it?
Directly from me on my website! There are some benefits to this: physical copies bought directly from me will be signed, the audiobook is much cheaper on my website than it will be on other retailers, and you can buy bundles to save money as well (like buying the eBook and audiobook together). Buying physical copies directly from me also means you qualify for physical preorder bonuses (more info below). It also means you are supporting me directly; thank you!
All major retailers! Broken Blades will be available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, etc.
Note: Only the eBook will be available on the retailers until mid-November due to the way the printer I use works.
How much will it cost?
Paperback: $14.99 (direct) / $16.99 (retailer)
Hardcover: $21.99 (direct) / $25.99 (retailer)
eBook: $3.99
Audiobook: $15.99 from my website; closer to $23.99 on Audible and other retailers (I don't set the price on Audible, and they need my final files to determine the final price).
Preorder bonuses?
These will come in two types: Physical and Digital.
Digital preorder bonuses will be available to anyone who buys my book in any format from any source — BUT you will need to go to my website and fill out this google form to claim your bonus material, since the retailers do not pass along your information to me. Digital preorder bonuses will be available right after you fill out the form and attach a picture of your receipt. The digital preorder bonuses are:
A digital download of the first 4 chapters of Broken Blades
Hi-res maps
Digital wallpapers for your phone and desktop
A digital pdf of Ander's notes, which are scattered throughout Broken Blades. Be warned — the first one is safe, but there may be spoilers in the second two!
A PDF of the glossary
Physical preorder bonuses are only available if you purchase a physical copy of the book (either hardcover or paperback) through my website. Physical preorder bonuses will ship WITH YOUR BOOK on January 12. They are:
A bookmark of your choice (either the dark green or lime green design)
A set of four 2.5" character stickers
Two full-color postcards with the maps printed on them (and a bonus map!)
Anything else fun?
You will be able to buy additional bookmarks from my site for $1.99 each
You can buy additional sticker packs from my site for $4.99 each
When do I get the goods?
Broken Blades will release on January 12, 2024 (a Friday). Digital purchases will be available shortly after midnight, emailed to you by the retailer you purchased from. Physical preorders will ship on January 12.
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email at liz@lizsauco.com!
That’s it for this update.
