Hello Jennifer! Thank you for hosting me on your fabulous blog to celebrate my 10-year anniversary with The Wild Rose Press! What an epic adventure since I signed my first contract for Dragon Knight’s Sword (Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 1) all those years ago.
Through the Looking Glass with my Writing Career
When I signed my first contract in May 2013, little did I fathom the dedication, time, and energy involved with promoting and marketing my book. By the time Dragon Knight’s Sword entered the world in June 2014, I was almost finished writing the fourth story in a five-book series. My much wiser and knowledgeable author friends kept warning me of the dangers of letting the business side interfere with my creative writing. In recollection, I recall laughing. Yes, I laughed at these friends. I kept saying, “I’m eager and looking forward to marketing my book! I can do it without any assistants. Bring it on!” What a silly woman I was and should have paid a wee bit more attention to their kind words of wisdom.
I used my vast administrative background to become an efficient task-master. I set a rigorous schedule Monday - Saturday: 5:00am wake-up call, breakfast at the computer to work on all business matters, exercise regime between 9:00-10:00, lunch at noon, and back in my writing cave around 12:30-1:00pm to write until 5:00pm. Saturday was more flexible, but I was sitting in front of my computer screen around 1:00pm until after 5:00. If my day became interrupted by family or emergencies, I made up the writing loss later in the evening. And yes, I worked on those research travel trips, too.
What about Sundays? Should I take this day off? Well maybe… On Sunday mornings, I’d print out what I had worked on during the week. I considered this a day of rest while I did line edits for a couple hours on the couch. My daughters laughed and scolded me. “This is not resting from work, Mom!”
My routine required a shake-up. When the pandemic hit, you would have thought I’d be in my glory with all this quiet time. Quite the opposite. My knight (aka the husband) required surgeries, and I struggled with what was happening in the world. I slowed down but still continued a slightly modified schedule. Eventually, I became burnt out and needed a break. Those wise words of wisdom from my friends came rushing back to me in late 2021 and 2022. In addition, I had several health issues which were a major signal for me to quit putting this pressure on my shoulders. I called it my “Stress Demon” and she had to leave!
Looking back through this lovely rose-colored looking glass, I honestly can say I would not have done anything differently. Why? Because I’m a firm believer in learning lessons on my journey in life. Nothing is perfect. I’ve had a successful, illuminating career. Yet if I hadn’t pushed on through those early years, I might have gone in another direction or stopped writing. I continue to grow, learn, and now enjoy every single moment of my day.
And if I want to take the day off or scale back on my word count, I no longer scold myself anymore. Nope! A wiser Mary Morgan Author has emerged, and I’m eager to see how the next 10 years evolve. Psst, there’ll definitely be more Dragon Knights.
Order of the Dragon Knights ~
They were an ancient order, descended from the great Tuatha Dé Danann, the Sidhe, or in simpler terms: the Fae. Half-human and half-fae, each knight blessed with mystical powers. Given to them were holy relics from the Fae and guardianship over their Dragons.
They were known as the Dragon Knights.
However, some believed the Order had too much power and they tried to possess it for themselves. They were evil and twisted, and their plan succeeded one fateful night. The brothers of the Clan MacKay—Dragon Knights, fought a battle. Blood spilled onto holy ground, bringing forth the wrath of the Fae. Their relics were taken, and the Order was banished—each name stricken from the hallowed halls of the Fae.
The Clan MacKay is no longer.
The Dragon Knights have scattered across the land.
Yet out of the darkness, they will each fight for redemption, and the women they love.
For a limited time, Dragon Knight’s Sword is on sale for 99¢ from Amazon. Grab your copy today or collect them all!
Sale dates: 5.11.23 – 6.2.23
Available at AMAZON
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F7QR2T3 )
Book Trailer for Dragon Knights: https://youtu.be/iEruV9P6PtU
About the Author:
Multi award-winning romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books.
Connect with Mary here ~
Website/Blog: https://www.marymorganauthor.com/
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan
Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Mary-Morgan/B00KPE3NWI
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-morgan-2634a77a/
