The Grim Alliance, The Infidel Books #2, is out in the wild. You can purchase your ebook or paperback on Amazon now! IT HIT #1 NEW RELEASE ON AMAZON TODAY!
In my previous post, I gave some backstory on how The Infidel Books came to be (Read “THE GRIM ALLIANCE | RELEASE DAY“). Today, I thought we’d talk a bit more about the behind the scenes, in correlation to Michaela’s guest post for the day: “Dystopian Fiction vs. Present Day Reality”.
Dystopian. I gotta admit, guys, I was frustrated at the beginning of my journey with The Infidel Books. As I mentioned in my guest post, dystopian has a bad reputation. On top of that, I had plenty of friends make it clear how little love they had for the genre. I struggled to find readers for The Divided Nation. I struggled to find a balance in the way I wrote content.
What got me through the tough writing, the trial and error of editing, and the strange season of finding my place? What was actually going on behind the scenes during the past two years when I was writing a series that reflected reality so heavily?
1.) I would not be here without God. Obviously, I owe everything to Jesus, and His guidance, comfort, and love has not only gotten me through everything… But when I let Him guide my writings… The Infidel Books show things I hadn’t expected to come to pass so quickly. I’m immensely humbled that He has used me as a voice for His glory!
2.) My family and close friends. My family has always been there for me, but since I began The Infidel Books, I’m so grateful for their nonstop support. My dad and brother brainstormed survival tips with me, my mom listened for hours about plotting (and hearing me whine because “mom I gotta kill someone and I don’T WANT TO), and my sister and nieces for helping me relax and have fun, too. My close friends support me (even when I’m a pain) and encourage me, and I wouldn’t be here without them, either!
3.) A conversation I had with Robert Liparulo at Realm Makers last year has stuck with me. I had mentioned that “they say dystopian is hard to publish and sell” and he goes, “They? Who is they? You can absolutely do it!” Guys… if I had listened to friends saying they disliked dystopian… if I had given in to the trend that dystopian was old news… The Infidel Books wouldn’t be here. Of course, I never for a moment thought of NOT publishing the series once I started writing book one. But let this be YOUR reminder–do not give up. God has a reason for your voice, no matter how many walk away or ignore you.
Behind the scenes, it hasn’t been easy. I’m not one to go into details of the hard work and pain it takes to get a novel published, so I’ll leave it at that. But publishing this series has been a huge reward. Having readers PM me screaming because of my books has been life changing. Having friends excited for new releases makes me melt inside. Sure, behind the scenes is NEVER easy, but I encourage us to focus on the good things, the rewards, the joy.
BLURB
WHEN THE NATION RIOTS, THE INFIDELS MUST BLEED.
The Second Civil War storms through the crippled US and winter brings nothing but disaster. West Johnston has earned his mafia father’s trust while searching for hidden answers: why are the UN leaders being assassinated, and why can’t the killers be found? If West can’t stop the Union from attacking D.C. in their last attempt to win the war, how can he stop his father?
Springtown remains one of the few townships left standing amid the tyrannical rule. Another group of gangsters prepare the town for winter. Rene’ Fisher is torn between fearing for her boyfriend Simon’s life and the upheaval taking place in Springtown. Can her father keep the town at peace? Will God have mercy on the allegiance the town must form with an unlikely candidate in order to survive, or will Rene’s home burn like the rest of the world?
Told in multiple bold, abrasive narratives, THE GRIM ALLIANCE steps into a war-ridden nation where bleeding for what you believe is the only option for those determined to win. But with faith, can even the bloodiest hands be made clean?
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BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
July 25th, Saturday
Michaela Bush | Guest Post
I ADORED THIS POST OKAY?! Give her a follow and check it outtt.
GIVEAWAY!
US shipping only. If an international winner is drawn, they will receive an ebook only.
1st place: paperback copy of The Grim Alliance + bookmark
2nd place: ebook copy of The Grim Alliance
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE!
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THANK YOU GUYS for making The Grim Alliance hit #1! That is a dream come true. 🙂 If you enjoy The Divided Nation and The Grim Alliance, don’t forget to leave Amazon reviews! I seriously am blown away by y’all’s support. ♥
The YA Summer Bookfest event is still going on–you can catch my hour from yesterday and party with fellow YA authors HERE!
God bless!
Angela
That’s amazing Angela. I love seeing Behind the Scenes.
I really love when you said, “But let this be YOUR reminder–do not give up. God has a reason for your voice, no matter how many walk away or ignore you.”
I need that reminder a lot! ♥