E.L. Johnson's Blog

I'm feeling glum.

This week alone, I've...tried sorting out the issues to transfer my website (and failed again, for the upteenth time)signed up for a new accountant to sort my taxesdid lots of work and job interviews, including the worst interview I've ever experienced where I actually felt worse about myself afterwards (they were quite negative, borderline rude and really wanted to drill down into why my previous employer didn't renew my contract again).
Only for:my family's accountant who only acknowledges my existence if my father is cc'd (even though the accountant is my age) actually respond and is willing to do my taxesa colleague at work who I've been very kind and supportive to as she's dealt with family issues the past few months, reveal that she doesn't like Americans, only the educated ones (and I suppose I'm okay)Didn't get an award I'd been so kindly nominated for. Winning isn't a big deal at this point, just being nominated is huge. But I'd been obsessively checking their website for ages and eventually stopped, and they haven't posted a longlist or shortlist, so I can't even post or link to that. At this point it would just be hearsay, so it's left me feeling sad.My hair keeps thinning. Used a hair mask, washed hair for a long time but didn't get it all out and my hair is stickyI've gained weight and can't seem to lose it, despite getting exercise and eating healthy. The weather is finally warm enough for me to wear my favourite goth sundress and when I put it on, my boobs were too big and it looked horrible. I shouldn't be this big and yet I am. Lots of my lovely summer clothes won't fit me now and it's enough to make me cry.The only thing I can think of to do to shed pounds is to be like Emily's character from The Devil Wears Prada and not eat anything, then when I think I might faint, eat a cube of cheese. Or in my case, coffee, no sugar.And my novel is due in 11 days and I've hit a point near the end where I'm simply bored of it. I feel blah. At this point I need to be polishing and editing to make it the most beautiful version possible. But I'm just not there, and don't want to once again have to ask my publisher for an extension. I don't want to be that author. I want to be the author who is great about deadlines and turns in quality work on time.  

[image error] I'm delighted. Thrilled. Honoured.

I submitted a story to the Writer's Workout Potluck Challenge, and won first place!!!!

The theme was 20th-century Europe. I wrote a little historical fiction piece set after the first World War. 

What would you do if you found a mysterious letter in a book on a train?  

Read my story and see what you think.

[image error] Guess what. The Writer's Workout, an excellent group for writers, is holding their first ever writers' conference this weekend. For free.

That's right. Over the next 72 hours, viewers will be treated to a series of talks from over 40 authors, talking about kidlit, book marketing, time management, and more.

And tune in because there's a talk coming from me on how to write a whodunit. 

Check out the full line-up here.

Tune in! Hope you watch my talk. Let me know what you think.

Cheers
​ELJ

It's book time!

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Like books? 

​Enjoy reading? 

Want to get your hands on some new releases?

Check this out: https://vocal.media/bookclub/new-indi...

Thrilled to say that my upcoming release, The Betrayed Bride, is there! 


Have a look at these other books coming out and fill your boots!

Cheers
ELJ

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Do you think like a villain? 

When I plot out mysteries, I often take time out to think plotlines through from the villain's perspective. You don't want just black and white villains who are bad because they're bad. They need to have goals and wishes of their own. It makes them interesting and less one-dimensional.

In my book The Poisoned Clergyman, I have a female villain who will do anything she can to get what she wants, including take advantage of the main character for her own ends. Will she get her comeuppance? You'll have to read to find out. But writing her was a fun exercise for me in writing about villains. 

Here's a great post on why writers should think like villains when designing twists and turns in their books.

https://janefriedman.com/designing-th...​
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This month I was interviewed by the author Jean M. Roberts for her blog, The Book's Delight.

We talked about my series with Dragonblade and how my stories all began, what started me on a path to writing historical fiction, and what question I'd ask Mary Shelley.

Follow the link for the full piece, and big thank you to Jean for the interview!

https://www.thebookdelight.com/2023/12/interview-with-e-l-johnson-author-of.html

Wow, I can't believe it's taken me so long to write more in my blog. 

If you're at all curious about what I've been doing this year, here is a round-up of my writer doings for 2023:

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Wrote a 25k novella for Dragonblade Publishing's Lyon's Den seriesTurned in books 4 and 5 in the Perfect Poison series starring my heroine Poppy MortonWrote a 44k novella for The Lyon's Den series Started a new novel for a medieval series 
My big news: I signed a contract for 7 books! I also...
  Had a short story published in Wild Ink Publishing's Carnation AnthologySubmitted a story to a 48 hour murder mystery contest – didn’t make the cut, but that’s ok!Applied to be the jane austen author in residence – didn’t get it, but they had 263 applications so competition was tough!Was a volunteer reader for the George Orwell Youth Prize – read some great stories!Judged a fiction potluck short story competition this past October (really impressive entries)Had an amazing writer's chat with one of my writing besties S.E. Reed! Started a new job that I really loveHave a person I'm professionally mentoring which is fun and amazingDid my first ever book fair as an authorMight have gotten nominated for an award? Will share once it's confirmed!And on a musical note, started gigging with my band! 

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Coming up in 2024, I'll be working on my medieval series, some novellas and even taking part in the Writer's Workout conference in March!

Watch this space, readers. 

Hope you all have a wonderful winter holiday season. Happy New Year!

Cheers
ELJ

This month, I'm one of 36 authors taking part in a Write-A-Thon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

From 9am to 9pm on 19 February, I will be writing non-stop! Or at least that's the plan. I might take cookie breaks. If you fancy donating some money for a good cause, click on the image and it will take you to the fundraiser. 

Cheers
​ELJ

 Today I'm taking part in Write-A-Thon 2023! It's a chance for 36 authors to write non-stop to fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

My family is no stranger to cancer. I remember as a child, walking around DisneyWorld as my grandmother was wheeled in a wheelchair and wearing a turban, having lost her hair due to chemotherapy treatments. In my twenties, my future husband and I had just begun dating, when he lost his father far too soon from a brain tumour. I think everyone wants to do something to help raise money for cancer research and support, but I am a poor baker, and doing walks for charity isn't for me. But I can write. 

So I'm taking part in this fundraiser. It's for a good cause. If you like, donate. If you can't, that's okay too.  Cheer me on if you like. Every little bit helps. 

This has been quite a year.

As I reflect on good and bad, here are the standout positives from 2022.

Since January, I've had 3 books come out with Dragonblade Publishing! I'm so grateful to the talented team there, including Kathryn, Shawn, Evelyn, Elizabeth and my wonderful editor Amelia! I am also hugely thankful to Rachel Ann Smith, Melanie Rose Clarke, Emily Murdoch and Aviva Orr for guiding me and answering all my author questions.
I've got a beautiful author logo to use forever more
I learned how to set up my very own author's newsletter and a few months later, have 2500 subscribers, with a good open rate, decent click through rate and only about 30 unsubscribes each month. 
I've got more positive reviews on Amazon and Goodreads for my books, and with the publication of my third book, it's only been 4 and 5 star reviews and ratings! This is huge. 
My first book with dragonblade now has over 100 ratings on amazon- this is like an author achievement I've unlocked
I gave 3 author interviews to journalists, include 2 to the metro, a national paper
I took part in NaNoWriMo and while I didn't win, it's helped keep me writing. 
I've made decent royalties from my books and have signed up to newsletter author promo sites which have really helped
I gave a talk to my local writers' circle on my publishing journey
I took part in a book fair with my local writers' circle
My second book was sent to a review magazine and got 4 stars, and my publisher is sending my third book to be professionally reviewed as well!
I've made more author connections and buddies, which is great. 
My first book, The Strangled Servant, reached #1 for Free Kindle reads in historical mysteries! Other stuff - Since I turned 40, I've started looking for fulfillment in my life. I've done volunteering before which was fine, but I didn't get much out of it. I was an extra in two films and learned that whilst it was fun (somewhat), it wasn't great fun. Unless you're being paid or have lines to say as a principal character, it's essentially volunteering your time to help someone else and isn't very fulfilling. 

I started up my own band and it's going great! Seriously, these guys are supremely talented. 

Not so fun: for the entire Christmas period, my husband and I have been sick with the flu. We've had to cancel all our plans and just look after each other.  I'm looking forward to when I can get a full night's sleep again without coughing.

Here's to a proper 2023.

My motto: Keep writing folks. Just keep writing. 

Hope you have a lovely New Year!