Alanna McFall's Blog
December 28, 2021
2021 Reading Resolution Year in Review
2021 is about to finish out and I am looking back at the books I’ve read this year and what they meant to me. While you can read my full thoughts in each book’s review, here are the standouts of my reading year!
Best Book:
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
I read a lot of books that I would put firmly in the middle of my rankings this year, but Tipping the Velvet wins out by being some of the most crafted and polished. And I will always have a soft spot for period dramas about queer ladies.
Most Enjoyable Book:
The Sugared Game by KJ Charles
The entire trilogy of The Will Darling Adventures belongs here, but the second installment, The Sugared Game, was my favorite. Maybe not the most honed books (KJ Charles could use a copy editor with a sharper eye), but I adored the characters and the adventures they went on, and was sad to finish it out.
Worst Book:
I Am a Hero Omnibus, Volume 1 by Kengo Hanazawa
This zombie apocalypse manga is just squishy and gross on many different metrics. If it was just the body horror, I could possibly get past it, but the characters are just as foul.
Most Frustrating Book:
Die, Vol. 2: Split the Partyby Kieron Gillen, Illustrated by Stephanie Hans
Despite containing a lot of ingredients that would usually appeal to me, this comic just left me wanting to smack all of the characters in their smarmy, egotistical faces.
Biggest Surprise:
I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive by Steve Earle
Maybe I just have low expectations for artists working outside their usual mediums, but I was swept away by this thoughtful novel by a country music artist I grew up on.
So there it is, my year in books! I am jumping back in with another list for 2022, so if you have any book recommendations of things I absolutely must read this year, send them my way.
Best Book:
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
I read a lot of books that I would put firmly in the middle of my rankings this year, but Tipping the Velvet wins out by being some of the most crafted and polished. And I will always have a soft spot for period dramas about queer ladies.
Most Enjoyable Book:
The Sugared Game by KJ Charles
The entire trilogy of The Will Darling Adventures belongs here, but the second installment, The Sugared Game, was my favorite. Maybe not the most honed books (KJ Charles could use a copy editor with a sharper eye), but I adored the characters and the adventures they went on, and was sad to finish it out.
Worst Book:
I Am a Hero Omnibus, Volume 1 by Kengo Hanazawa
This zombie apocalypse manga is just squishy and gross on many different metrics. If it was just the body horror, I could possibly get past it, but the characters are just as foul.
Most Frustrating Book:
Die, Vol. 2: Split the Partyby Kieron Gillen, Illustrated by Stephanie Hans
Despite containing a lot of ingredients that would usually appeal to me, this comic just left me wanting to smack all of the characters in their smarmy, egotistical faces.
Biggest Surprise:
I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive by Steve Earle
Maybe I just have low expectations for artists working outside their usual mediums, but I was swept away by this thoughtful novel by a country music artist I grew up on.
So there it is, my year in books! I am jumping back in with another list for 2022, so if you have any book recommendations of things I absolutely must read this year, send them my way.
January 31, 2021
"The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus" 40% Off through Feb 5th
If you have been waiting for the perfect moment to check out my debut paranormal road-trip novel, The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus, now is the time! The book is currently on sale, through Atthis Arts and through most major retailers.
Chelsea is determined to make it to her brother’s wedding. And she’s not going to let the fact that she’s been dead for two years stop her.
SALE: 40% off paperback through 5 Feb, or get the e-book for $0.99 at most retailers (reg $6.99)!
January 1, 2021
2021 Reading Resolution
2020 is dead! It’s a new year, and with it come a new set of reading and watching resolutions. A few small tweaks, but these are mostly the same lists as last time. If you see any categories that you have recommendations for, feel free to drop me a line.
2021 Reading Resolution
A book written in North America:
A book written in Central America/Caribbean:
A book written in South America:
A book written in East Asia:
A book written in South Asia:
A book written in Africa:
A book written in the Middle East:
A book written in Australia/Pacific Islands:
A book written in Russia:
A book written in Europe:
A biography:
A non-fiction book:
A collection of short stories:
A collection of poetry:
A play:
A book you’ve seen adapted:
A graphic novel:
A children’s book:
A book older than 100 years:
A debut novel:
A novel by a famous author, other than the one(s) they are best known for:
A sequel
A book by an author you’ve never given a fair shot:
A book you’ve heard bad things about:
A book released in 2021:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
2021 Reading Resolution
A book written in North America:
A book written in Central America/Caribbean:
A book written in South America:
A book written in East Asia:
A book written in South Asia:
A book written in Africa:
A book written in the Middle East:
A book written in Australia/Pacific Islands:
A book written in Russia:
A book written in Europe:
A biography:
A non-fiction book:
A collection of short stories:
A collection of poetry:
A play:
A book you’ve seen adapted:
A graphic novel:
A children’s book:
A book older than 100 years:
A debut novel:
A novel by a famous author, other than the one(s) they are best known for:
A sequel
A book by an author you’ve never given a fair shot:
A book you’ve heard bad things about:
A book released in 2021:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
Wild Card:
December 29, 2020
Reading Resolution Year in Review
Reading Resolution Year in Review
2020! It’s almost over! For all of the everything going on this year, I did get to spend a lot of time reading and watching movies this year. So here’s a round-up of my completed reading resolution for 2020.
Best Book: Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health I don’t know if I’m being influenced by the fact that this was the last book I read, but something about this one really grabbed me. I was expecting it to be fairly dry and unimpressive, but this collection taught me a lot of things I didn’t know and gave me lots of trivia and things to think about.
Most Enjoyable Book:The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Sometimes you just need a book that reads like a season of Star Trek.
Worst Book: Before She Sleeps This book really managed to meld extreme emotions with incompetent plotting. There were others on my list that I probably enjoyed less, but this one was just constructed the most poorly.
Most Frustrating Book: The Book of the Unnamed Midwife Despite being made of ingredients that I love in other works, this book was grim-dark to a major fault.
Biggest Surprise:The Monk This was a brick, but exactly as much trashy fun as my partner had promised.
And that is it! New year starting soon, along with a new list. If you have any recommendations for new or different categories, let me know. I hope folks have been enjoying reading these reviews, and I will see you in 2021!
2020! It’s almost over! For all of the everything going on this year, I did get to spend a lot of time reading and watching movies this year. So here’s a round-up of my completed reading resolution for 2020.
Best Book: Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health I don’t know if I’m being influenced by the fact that this was the last book I read, but something about this one really grabbed me. I was expecting it to be fairly dry and unimpressive, but this collection taught me a lot of things I didn’t know and gave me lots of trivia and things to think about.
Most Enjoyable Book:The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Sometimes you just need a book that reads like a season of Star Trek.
Worst Book: Before She Sleeps This book really managed to meld extreme emotions with incompetent plotting. There were others on my list that I probably enjoyed less, but this one was just constructed the most poorly.
Most Frustrating Book: The Book of the Unnamed Midwife Despite being made of ingredients that I love in other works, this book was grim-dark to a major fault.
Biggest Surprise:The Monk This was a brick, but exactly as much trashy fun as my partner had promised.
And that is it! New year starting soon, along with a new list. If you have any recommendations for new or different categories, let me know. I hope folks have been enjoying reading these reviews, and I will see you in 2021!
August 6, 2020
Five hours left to grab the Glitter and Hope StoryBundle!
There are only five hours left to grab a Glitter and Hope StoryBundle, a curated collection of up to 11 novels (selected by author Cat Rambo) for pay-what-you-can!
For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you're feeling generous), you'll get the basic bundle of four books in any ebook format—WORLDWIDE.
Escape by E.D.E. Bell
The Burglar of Sliceharbor by Jason A. Holt
Modern Surprises by Joan Marie Verba
The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circusby Alanna McFall (me!!!)
If you pay at least the bonus price of just $15, you get all four of the regular books, plus seven more more books, for a total of eleven!
Diamondsong - Capture 02 by E.D.E. Bell
Tales of the Captain Duke - Vol. 1-4 by Rebecca Diem
The Voyage of the White Cloud by M. Darusha Wehm
Community of Magic Pens by Atthis Arts Anthology
Carpe Glitter by Cat Rambo
Missing Signal by Seb Doubinsky
The Legacy Human - Singularity 1 by Susan Kaye Quinn
So snap up these amazing books while you still have the chance, and spread the word so that this opportunity can finish strong!
For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you're feeling generous), you'll get the basic bundle of four books in any ebook format—WORLDWIDE.
Escape by E.D.E. Bell
The Burglar of Sliceharbor by Jason A. Holt
Modern Surprises by Joan Marie Verba
The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circusby Alanna McFall (me!!!)If you pay at least the bonus price of just $15, you get all four of the regular books, plus seven more more books, for a total of eleven!
Diamondsong - Capture 02 by E.D.E. Bell
Tales of the Captain Duke - Vol. 1-4 by Rebecca Diem
The Voyage of the White Cloud by M. Darusha Wehm
Community of Magic Pens by Atthis Arts Anthology
Carpe Glitter by Cat Rambo
Missing Signal by Seb Doubinsky
The Legacy Human - Singularity 1 by Susan Kaye Quinn
So snap up these amazing books while you still have the chance, and spread the word so that this opportunity can finish strong!
July 15, 2020
"The Glitter and Hope" StoryBundle Now Available for Sale
I am happy to announce that The Glitter and Hope StoryBundle is now available for sale! This is a curated collection (hand-selected by Cat Rambo) of up to eleven books, including The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus, all centered around hope in dark times, and available for Pay-what-you-can.
The base bundle is made up of these four books.
Escape
by E.D.E. Bell
The Burglar of Sliceharbor
by Jason A. Holt
Modern Surprises
by Joan Marie Verba
The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus
by Alanna McFall
And with a purchase of $15 or higher, you unlock seven more titles as a bonus. This is a great chance to experience some new authors and spread the word about Triple-C.
The bundle is only available for 22 more days, so get The Glitter and Hope StoryBundle now while you can, and tell your friends!
Hope can find its origin in friendship, whether on an alien planet or a New York street corner. It can come from writing, in a myriad shades as multi-colored as the ink in which it’s inscribed. It glitters at the bottom of Pandora’s box, waiting to escape. Waiting to provide comfort and light and renewed vigor for the fight.
The base bundle is made up of these four books.
Escape
by E.D.E. BellThe Burglar of Sliceharbor
by Jason A. HoltModern Surprises
by Joan Marie VerbaThe Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus
by Alanna McFallAnd with a purchase of $15 or higher, you unlock seven more titles as a bonus. This is a great chance to experience some new authors and spread the word about Triple-C.
The bundle is only available for 22 more days, so get The Glitter and Hope StoryBundle now while you can, and tell your friends!
June 27, 2020
Join me tonight for the Midwest Book Awards!
This evening at 5pm Pacific/7pm Central, I will be eagerly watching the stream of the Midwest Book Awards, where I am in the running for an award in the Fantasy/SciFi/Horror/Paranormal Category.
Come by the Facebook Premiere to see the awards, celebrate all of the winners, and enter into a raffle for some fun prizes. It means so much for me to see this recognition for The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus, and no matter the outcome, this is already a true honor.
Come by the Facebook Premiere to see the awards, celebrate all of the winners, and enter into a raffle for some fun prizes. It means so much for me to see this recognition for The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus, and no matter the outcome, this is already a true honor.
June 22, 2020
Hop on now with your questions for my Writer of the Day post!
My Writer of the Day post is live on r/Fantasy on Reddit, so feel free to come by with questions, comments, or just to say hello!
Promotion opportunities like this as very useful to independent authors, so the more eyes I get on it, the better.
Promotion opportunities like this as very useful to independent authors, so the more eyes I get on it, the better.
June 4, 2020
"The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus" is One Year Old Today!
It seems absurd to think about how time has flown, but one year ago today, I published my debut novel, The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus
. In that time I've held a release party, given interviews, been nominated for a Midwest Book Award, won a Silver Medal in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, and been able to share my work with so many people. I am incredibly grateful for all the support I've gotten from my friends and family, Atthis Arts, and my fans.
Silver Medal Winner – 2019 IPBA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best New Voice: Fiction
Finalist for 2019 MIPA Midwest Book Award for Fiction—Fantasy/SciFi/Horror/Paranormal
Chelsea is determined to make it to her brother’s wedding. And she’s not going to let the fact that she’s been dead for two years stop her.
Joining with her mime friend from a New York City park and her ghostly mentor with forty years of afterlife under her belt, the three women set out on foot for San Francisco. Along the way, they are faced with joy, sorrow, and the haunting surprises of the open road. This humorous and lightly macabre journey explores relationships, personal burdens, and what it means to keep moving, even when your heartbeat has stopped.
But the work of an independent artist is never done. If you have not gotten a chance to read Triple-C, or know someone you think might like it, please consider purchasing a copy from Atthis Arts
Or request a copy from your local bookstore or library!
And if you have bought a copy, please leave a review where you bought it and on Goodreads: this is a small thing that can really help an independent author!
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me and my writing over the past year and far beyond. I could not have come anywhere near as far without all of you. I hope to have a lot more coming in the future, and I cannot wait to share it with everyone.
. In that time I've held a release party, given interviews, been nominated for a Midwest Book Award, won a Silver Medal in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, and been able to share my work with so many people. I am incredibly grateful for all the support I've gotten from my friends and family, Atthis Arts, and my fans.Silver Medal Winner – 2019 IPBA Benjamin Franklin Award for Best New Voice: Fiction
Finalist for 2019 MIPA Midwest Book Award for Fiction—Fantasy/SciFi/Horror/Paranormal
Chelsea is determined to make it to her brother’s wedding. And she’s not going to let the fact that she’s been dead for two years stop her.
Joining with her mime friend from a New York City park and her ghostly mentor with forty years of afterlife under her belt, the three women set out on foot for San Francisco. Along the way, they are faced with joy, sorrow, and the haunting surprises of the open road. This humorous and lightly macabre journey explores relationships, personal burdens, and what it means to keep moving, even when your heartbeat has stopped.
But the work of an independent artist is never done. If you have not gotten a chance to read Triple-C, or know someone you think might like it, please consider purchasing a copy from Atthis Arts
Or request a copy from your local bookstore or library!
And if you have bought a copy, please leave a review where you bought it and on Goodreads: this is a small thing that can really help an independent author!
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me and my writing over the past year and far beyond. I could not have come anywhere near as far without all of you. I hope to have a lot more coming in the future, and I cannot wait to share it with everyone.
April 24, 2020
Triple-C is a Finalist for a Midwest Book Award!
In thrilling news, my novel The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus is a finalist for a Midwest Book Award, in the "Fiction—Fantasy/SciFi/Horror/Paranormal" category!
The winners will be announced June 27 at 7 PM (Central Time) by the Midwest Book Awards‘ facebook live watch party.
I am so proud to be considered in this category, and to be among some great fellow authors. The other three finalists in the category are:
-What Haunts Us by Loren Niemi (Moonfire Publishing)
-Gardeners of the Universe by Ronald Peterson (PTB Books)
-Wireless and More Steam-Powered Adventures by Alex Acks (Queen of Swords Press)
Alex Acks provided a back cover quote for Triple-C and I have had the pleasure to meet them in person a few times, so this is a special treat for me to share a list with them.
I hope everyone can join me for the watch party and I cannot wait to see what happens!
(For anyone curious about the whole Midwest thing, Atthis Arts is based in Michigan, and despite living in California now, I grew up and lived in Minnesota until college.)
The winners will be announced June 27 at 7 PM (Central Time) by the Midwest Book Awards‘ facebook live watch party.
I am so proud to be considered in this category, and to be among some great fellow authors. The other three finalists in the category are:
-What Haunts Us by Loren Niemi (Moonfire Publishing)
-Gardeners of the Universe by Ronald Peterson (PTB Books)
-Wireless and More Steam-Powered Adventures by Alex Acks (Queen of Swords Press)
Alex Acks provided a back cover quote for Triple-C and I have had the pleasure to meet them in person a few times, so this is a special treat for me to share a list with them.
I hope everyone can join me for the watch party and I cannot wait to see what happens!
(For anyone curious about the whole Midwest thing, Atthis Arts is based in Michigan, and despite living in California now, I grew up and lived in Minnesota until college.)
