Thank you 2024, WELCOME 2025! ,
I like to bring in the new year with a bit of a year in review and bookish awards! That's right, I'm hosting my very own book awards for my favorite books/authors/reviewers!
Taking Medusa's Audiobook won the 2024 for Romantasy Category Firebird Book Awards, and 2024 Audiobook winner for the N.N. Light Book Awards! Breaking Fate Launched in October and won the 2024 Romantasy Category for the N.N. Light Book Awards, out of 1,700+ books reviewed by the site in 2024!
I LOVE the commissioned artwork by Javia Lark of Breaking Fate's bath scene with Hades!
Taking Medusa broke into the 100+ ratings on Goodreads this year with a 4.29 star average! We have 61 ratings on Amazon!
Breaking Fate ended the year with 21 ratings on Amazon and 44 ratings on Goodreads with a 4.68 average rating!
I tried out StoryGraph's giveaway BETA for the first time this year, and had over 10K in entries, over 1k readers adding the book to their TBR on the platform. I'm uncertain how to quantify whether this promotion will result in actual readthroughs or increased readership, but I'll be happy if the winners of the giveaway give the book a chance and see new readers trickle in over the next year as the book pops up on their TBR.
in Dec 2023 I had 566 followers on Amazon, and 2.6k in newsletter subscribers.
in Dec 2024 I have 640 followers on Amazon, and 3.4k in newsletter subscribers.
A 13% growth in Amazon Follows
and a 30% growth in readership on my newsletter.
I narrated for two indie authors this year, Sarina Langer and Alyssa Rose.
I wrote Her Alien Warrior launched April 2024
I wrote Her Alien Insurgent launched May 2024
I wrote Her Alien Starbreaker launched in the Beyond Earth Anthology December 2024
I wrote Breaking Fate, book two of the Dark Gods Rising Medusa Retelling series, launched October 2024
I wrote TKManAteHer, a short spicy robot romance in May 2024
That's a total of 4 books for 2024 + a short story.
I have several works in progress throughout the year, but moving put a stop hold on much of my end of year writing plans.
I read a total of 51 books in 2024! I had a goal of 60, but I knew that was a lofty goal considering I still have to make time to write, edit and market my own books. I would have made the goal if I wasn't moving, but can't plan for everything.
Now, Presenting the Heaven's Fiction Book Awards!
My MOST read authors for 2024 were Ella Blake reading 5 of her sci-fi romances, and new to me Leann Belle reading 5 of her books after reading her dark romance Stalking Cinderella. They tied for my Top Favorite Author of 2024!
Heaven's Fiction is what my reviews are under on Amazon, I used to have a blog called Heaven's Fiction where I reviewed books too, but I just don't have time to maintain the site, but still thought it would be fun to create a lovely badge of honor for them both! No, I don't send these awards out to the authors. If they happen to be on my newsletter and see it then hopefully it brings them a smile.
I think I'll do a yearly award ceremony such as this every year for my top read authors! But I also realize that out of all my 5-star reviews, I couldn't pick just one! I rated 29 books 5-stars in 2024 and the best I can do is pick top three!
Freeing Hook by T.A. Lawrence!
Stalking Cinderella by Leann Belle!
Honestly, it was tough to only pick three, because when I find a book I really like, I end up trying to recapture the feeling by gobbling up the backlist of an author I like. T.A. Lawrence would have been a top author 2024 if I didn't discover her later in the year, or if she already had the NEXT book out for her Wendy/Peter Pan retelling out already! I started reading her other books after reading the first two books in that series. I've been working my way through all of Leann Belle's dark romance back list too! As for Brien Feathers, I love her writing, but I already read many of her books in 2023, so she would have been a top author for me for 2023, and I don't normally read third person pov, but there is just something about her writing style that I love!
I know I don't read thousands of books every year like some readers, but as an average reader, I think these authors and their books have done something special. Not only did they get a 5++ star review from me, but I remembered them ALL year! Stalking Cinderella was read in February, and Find Me was read in January with Freeing Hook being read in October! These are stories that have stuck with me and I still think of them fondly.
As a present to myself, I supported T.A. Lawrence's Kickstarter for Freeing Hook to get the hardcovers of her series as my favorite book of the year!
And as these are my awards, and I can do what I want with them, I'm also awarding my favorite reviewers of my own books. The top reviews of 2024 that really helped me push through imposter syndrome. ALL reviews have really helped me throughout the year, even a little rating bump here and there has given me a smile and given me needed motivation, but these particular reviews went above and beyond in my heart.
There were more reviewers and reviews that really made my day or helped me, but these were ones that popped up in my mind the most while writing or doubting myself. Again, it was very difficult to narrow down the ones that helped me throughout the year. Every time I received a poor review, I'd remember that Megan said I gave a "Masterclass" on mythology retellings. Or the enthusiastic way Sandra talked about the book like talking to her best friend about a book she loved, it felt so personal! Witchychickreads helped remind me when I got some DNF's that other readers also acknowledge the research I used to follow Greek Mythology but turn it on its head with some edge of the seat plot twists that many readers enjoy! And, yes, being part of the N.N. Light Awards, and receiving such beautifully crafted and lovely reviews from Nancy on my books is really a highlight of my year that has really helped me push past my own self doubts many a times through out 2024, especially when I get a negative review on my voice narration of books! I still fondly remember the time Nancy said she'd listen to my voice even if I were reading the phone book (This reference ages us both, since phone books are no longer a thing.)
Thank you to all of my reviewers, my ARC team, and future reviewers for giving me a smile, and reminding me that I don't write for everyone, but my tribe is out there and they will join me on this chaotic author journey of mine. Also, a special shout out to Ketty and Deirdre for sending me good vibes throughout the year! You are true cheerleaders! Another special shout out to Emily, Bob, Michelle, Pearly and LaWanda! Honestly, it's really hard for me to not to just list out every supporter in 2024, because every reader's heartfelt comments, reviews, and social posts mean a lot to me.
Thank you to everyone who has read Taking Medusa and Breaking Fate, supporting my dream of being a full-time author/audiobook narrator.
2025 Plans:
Reaping Olympus Book three of the Medusa Dark Gods Rising Series
Riven's Flame: A standalone dragon romance to be the newsletter exclusive freebie of 2025!
Heart of Darkness: A slow-burn fae romance with a female lead Dresden Files feel. Fresh world building, mages, powerful queens, knife-throwing strong female leads, soul mates, and heart-felt journeys of self discovery.
Sky Robert:
Her Alien Captor: a standalone space vampire alien romance
Goblin's Treasure: a standalone Labyrinth retelling
I know that most people do the whole COVER reveal thing, and try to build up buzz around the covers, and I did try at one point, but if I have the pretty covers then I can't help but share them! I'm still waiting for some more funding from pages read on the Dark Gods Rising Series to afford getting the cover designed for book three Reaping Olympus, so for now it's just a temporary image, and I'm waiting on a retitle for my newly acquired Riven's Flame cover, but the lovely Camila just had a baby! So, we'll all be patient so she can enjoy the sleepless nights for a bit.
These are my top cover artists that I return to and have more covers from them for future books (yet to be disclosed so I don't have anxiety about finishing the books just yet) Ravenborn Cover Designs, Crimson Phoenix Creations, Open World Cover Design and Cat Cover Design are my favorites, and I have to stop myself from looking at their premades because I need to catch up on writing the covers I already have! I've got three alien romance trilogies stocked up, demon trilogy, vampires, monsters, dragons, and wolves, oh my!
I also have plans to go to at least one, maybe two, bookish events, including Myths and Mortals in Michigan in May.
Hope you enjoyed my 2024 awards, and are excited for 2025!
Speaking of book trophies! If you have not checked out my Medusa Retelling yet, Taking Medusa is available in KU, Audible, and signed print from my author store!
https://books.steviemarie.com/takingmedusa
Check out books narrated by me on Audible(US) here: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Stevie+Marie
Check out the Author store and grab the signed hardcover or signed paperbacks! https://payhip.com/BrokenBooksPublishing
Dive into a different reality, filled with magic, fates, and gods with me. I love living inside of the worlds created by my imagination, and every adventure is more fun with friends! Available with Kindle Unlimited:
Taking Medusa is my slow-burn Medusa Romantasy and if you haven't already, you can start reading right away! Start with Taking Medusa and read on through to the newly released Breaking Fate! Both books are available in Kindle Unlimited and Audible!
https://books.steviemarie.com/takingmedusa
https://books.steviemarie.com/breakingfate
Happy reading, and perhaps you'll find your next favorite read among the featured indie authors below!
xoxo
Stevie
There are no featured indie authors this week, because of the awards Ceremony of 2024, please check out my favorite books and authors of 2024!
Hope you find some great indie reads! Chat soon!
xoxo
Stevie
What people have been saying about Breaking Fate: here are a few snippets from the reviews so far!
✨"Breathtaking romantasy" - N.N. Light
✨"Flipping pages late into the night" - Rebel
✨"It's like watching a movie, only better" - N.N. Light
✨"I couldn't put it down" - Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
✨"Powerful and ever-changing FMC" - Mary
✨"Twistedly Brilliant" - Rose
✨"Mystery of fates and desires... Deliciously Torturous" - Jess
✨"A Fascinating Colossal World" - Sandra
✨"I absolutely love this book!" - LaWanda
✨"Hungry for more" - Jess
✨"This.author.is.EVERYTHING!!!!" - Megan
Start Reading Taking Medusa today in Kindle Unlimited: https://books.steviemarie.com/takingmedusa
Taking Medusa is available in Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150498806-taking-medusa
Book two is LIVE! https://books.steviemarie.com/breakingfate
Add to your Goodreads shelf: Breaking Fate (Dark Gods Rising, #2) by S.M. McCoy | Goodreads Breaking Fate on Amazon: https://books.steviemarie.com/breakingfate
Check out the Author store and grab the signed hardcover or signed paperbacks! https://payhip.com/BrokenBooksPublishing
Also by me: Do you like Alien Romances?
Check out my Pen Name Sky Robert!
I'm finally moved out of my home, and the interior designer has the home staged for listing. We are now renters instead of owners of a home and I can't tell you how much relief that gives me. I know everyone has different opinions on ownership, but for my family, it just wasn't sustainable to own. It was one thing after another with the house, and pretty soon, we've done all of the things to make the house last for the next 20 years, all new insulation, new heating/cooling, new roof, new carpets and flooring, and so on and so forth, but we just didn't have the funds to cover all those expenses, so selling means we are paid back for all of our investment without living paycheck to paycheck paying on interest, instead of living our lives.
Renting gives us a the clean slate to save and plan for a future. It also gives me more time to pursue my dream of being an author for a living and not just as a hobby.
I'm looking forward to 2025 and I'm already plugging away at the next adventure! See you in 2025!
xoxo
Stevie
What am I working on now?
Book Three of Dark Gods Rising! Reaping Olympus! Progress 5K/90K
Goblin's Treasure! Progress 16K/90k
Goblin's Treasure, a standalone Labyrinth dark fantasy romance retelling
Riven's Flame, a standalone dragon romance free for all newsletter subscribers. 15k/60k
Also, true to my scatter brain, I'm also working on the Dragon romance that everyone voted on for the next newsletter exclusive freebie! More info on that to come!
If you would like to help support future books, and this series, you can grab my newest release Breaking Fate on Amazon here or read in Kindle Unlimited! https://books.steviemarie.com/breakingfate
Chat soon!
xoxo
Stevie
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Disclaimer: sometimes my links have affiliate tags associated with them, this in no way influences who I decide to share with you on my newsletter, nor does it impact your experience with discovering new books. If anything, any affiliate links used help authors, including myself, subsidize the costs associated with staying in business. For instance, using a tagged link helps us see whether someone found our books from our own marketing efforts or through some other means, also with Amazon specifically, that puts a couple extra pennies from grabbing one of our books back to the author from the big company. More of your money goes to the author, and your costs remain the same. My affiliate links have regularly covered the cost of maintaining this newsletter. So, if anything, click on a link for my books, and even if you are not buying my book, feel free to go about your usual Amazon shopping to help support my books through stuff you would normally buy anyways. Stick it to "the man" and support indie authors while you do it. This has been a PSA announcement from yours truly. Sky
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