Christopher Renna's Blog
March 9, 2023
MISCONDUCT category update
Due to the subject matter, mature content, and trigger warnings, MISCONDUCT will no longer be marketed or categorized as young adult.
December 27, 2022
My 2022 in Publication
[Originally posted on Instagram.]
Another busy year. I finished writing ENDLESS SKY for a June release. BEYOND THE TREES was written and then released in October. I also released two re-issues, DARKNESS ON THE HORIZON and BEFORE THE SUN RISES--both with revised text and new covers.
ENDLESS SKY exceeded the sales figures of all my books combined last year. A pleasant surprise, and I'm still somewhat amazed (but happy) that it continues to sell every day. ENDLESS SKY was also my first novel to feature a blurb from a traditionally published author. Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) said of ENDLESS SKY: "An effusive voice that captures the exuberance of being young, gay, and in love..."
Book reviews still number far fewer than the sales figures. In fact, less than 10% of readers have posted a review at retail, Good Reads, or social media.
The top five countries for my novels: USA, Canada, Australia, England, and Germany.
There was also an increase in library acquisitions of my work.
Looking ahead, MISCONDUCT is currently at my editor and scheduled for an April 25th release. It's a young adult stand-alone about a sixteen-year-old boy groomed and seduced by a female teacher. I'm currently working on the young adult stand-alone SALT OF THE SEA, a gay romance/crime thriller. Then I'll begin work on AFTER DARKNESS FALLS, the third installment of DARKNESS ON THE HORIZON.
I also have a re-issue of THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE scheduled for Feb. 24th. The stand-alone haunted house novel will include revised text and a new cover. On the same day, CONDEMNED will be re-issued with a new cover.
Nothing official I can share publicly yet, but one of my novels might have some Hollywood interest. The possibility of a film adaptation is exciting, and I'll be beyond thrilled to share that news with you should it come to fruition.
Lastly, thank you to all the readers who purchased my books, shared their thoughts with me and their friends, posted on social media, and continued to support my published work. I am grateful and honored.
#youngadultwriter #yawriter #lgbtqwriter #youngadultbooks #yabooks #lgbtqbooks #indieauthor #developmentaleditor #writingcommunity #readers #lgbtq #pocwriter #pocauthor #amwriting #bookrecommendations #wip #bookworms #bibliophile #library #librarian
Another busy year. I finished writing ENDLESS SKY for a June release. BEYOND THE TREES was written and then released in October. I also released two re-issues, DARKNESS ON THE HORIZON and BEFORE THE SUN RISES--both with revised text and new covers.
ENDLESS SKY exceeded the sales figures of all my books combined last year. A pleasant surprise, and I'm still somewhat amazed (but happy) that it continues to sell every day. ENDLESS SKY was also my first novel to feature a blurb from a traditionally published author. Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) said of ENDLESS SKY: "An effusive voice that captures the exuberance of being young, gay, and in love..."
Book reviews still number far fewer than the sales figures. In fact, less than 10% of readers have posted a review at retail, Good Reads, or social media.
The top five countries for my novels: USA, Canada, Australia, England, and Germany.
There was also an increase in library acquisitions of my work.
Looking ahead, MISCONDUCT is currently at my editor and scheduled for an April 25th release. It's a young adult stand-alone about a sixteen-year-old boy groomed and seduced by a female teacher. I'm currently working on the young adult stand-alone SALT OF THE SEA, a gay romance/crime thriller. Then I'll begin work on AFTER DARKNESS FALLS, the third installment of DARKNESS ON THE HORIZON.
I also have a re-issue of THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE scheduled for Feb. 24th. The stand-alone haunted house novel will include revised text and a new cover. On the same day, CONDEMNED will be re-issued with a new cover.
Nothing official I can share publicly yet, but one of my novels might have some Hollywood interest. The possibility of a film adaptation is exciting, and I'll be beyond thrilled to share that news with you should it come to fruition.
Lastly, thank you to all the readers who purchased my books, shared their thoughts with me and their friends, posted on social media, and continued to support my published work. I am grateful and honored.
#youngadultwriter #yawriter #lgbtqwriter #youngadultbooks #yabooks #lgbtqbooks #indieauthor #developmentaleditor #writingcommunity #readers #lgbtq #pocwriter #pocauthor #amwriting #bookrecommendations #wip #bookworms #bibliophile #library #librarian
June 8, 2022
Read ENDLESS SKY chapter one
Read the first chapter of Endless Sky
Cited by author Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) as "Fun and bouncy, this piece has a clear and strong hook that takes readers and launches them right into the story. With an effusive voice that captures the exuberance of being young, gay, and in love, this chapter vaults us into a story sure to touch readers' hearts."
https://thevoyagejournal.com/endless-...
Cited by author Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) as "Fun and bouncy, this piece has a clear and strong hook that takes readers and launches them right into the story. With an effusive voice that captures the exuberance of being young, gay, and in love, this chapter vaults us into a story sure to touch readers' hearts."
https://thevoyagejournal.com/endless-...
Thank you
Yesterday's release day for Endless Sky exceeded my expectations.
Thank you to everyone who supported my novel.
Thank you to everyone who supported my novel.
April 26, 2022
ENDLESS SKY 1st chapter YA Voyage 3rd Best
ENDLESS SKY was chosen by Voyage YA Literary Journal and author, Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil), as the 3rd Best first chapter.
https://thevoyagejournal.com/announci...
https://thevoyagejournal.com/announci...
April 17, 2022
ENDLESS SKY available for pre-order
ENDLESS SKY is available for pre-order.
A big-hearted and thoughtful YA about first love, friendship, and facing one's fears.
E-Book currently listed at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Thalia, OverDrive, Baker & Taylor, Borrow Box, and Vivlio.
Paperback currently listed at Barnes and Noble.
Release Date: June 07, 2022
A big-hearted and thoughtful YA about first love, friendship, and facing one's fears.
E-Book currently listed at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Thalia, OverDrive, Baker & Taylor, Borrow Box, and Vivlio.
Paperback currently listed at Barnes and Noble.
Release Date: June 07, 2022
October 19, 2021
THE SOUVENIR GAME release day
It's October 19th. Release day for The Souvenir Game.
Several months ago, I sat at my computer with various plot ideas tumbling around my head. I thought of a news story I'd read about a group of teens who'd broken into houses in their upper-class neighborhood. Because I like my novels to have a spin to the story, I pondered the idea of rich teens who broke into the homes of lower-income families. Instantly, the spark of inspiration for The Souvenir Game ignited.
When I write, I let the story unfold on its own and follow the journey. Therefore, my original seed of an idea for the plot didn't come into play. I prefer it that way. I like to experience the story with my characters, often surprised and intrigued by the detours. And that's The Souvenir Game, a novel that unfolds in expected ways until it takes a detour with the unexpected.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Several months ago, I sat at my computer with various plot ideas tumbling around my head. I thought of a news story I'd read about a group of teens who'd broken into houses in their upper-class neighborhood. Because I like my novels to have a spin to the story, I pondered the idea of rich teens who broke into the homes of lower-income families. Instantly, the spark of inspiration for The Souvenir Game ignited.
When I write, I let the story unfold on its own and follow the journey. Therefore, my original seed of an idea for the plot didn't come into play. I prefer it that way. I like to experience the story with my characters, often surprised and intrigued by the detours. And that's The Souvenir Game, a novel that unfolds in expected ways until it takes a detour with the unexpected.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
September 16, 2021
Book Reviews of Novels I read.
Because I am an author and a developmental editor, I will no longer write and share 1, 2, or (some) 3-star book reviews of the novels I've read.
As an author, I know the hard work that goes into writing a novel. The mental debate about scenes and/or plot points. The decisions about deleting something or adding something new. The anxiety about whether it's good enough once the final draft is complete.
As a developmental editor, I understand the struggles that writers face with their work. I enjoy my role as an editor steering writers in the right direction with their novel(s) before publication.
Therefore, I will no longer write reviews for novels that I didn't care for much.
As an author, I know the hard work that goes into writing a novel. The mental debate about scenes and/or plot points. The decisions about deleting something or adding something new. The anxiety about whether it's good enough once the final draft is complete.
As a developmental editor, I understand the struggles that writers face with their work. I enjoy my role as an editor steering writers in the right direction with their novel(s) before publication.
Therefore, I will no longer write reviews for novels that I didn't care for much.
