April 3, 2013
 

I’ve had lots of emails and messages asking me about the third book in the Mephisto Covenant series, and until now, I had no firm answer. I was waiting for my publisher to decide yes or no on a third book.

 

 

Now, at last, I have news:

 

 

I admit, at first, I was all

 

 

And later, like five minutes later, I was totally

 

 

It turns out that, as much as I love the Mephisto, as much as you guys love the Mephisto, there weren’t enough other people who loved the Mephisto enough to actually, yaknow, buy it, and since my publisher is annoyingly obsessed with that pesky detail of making money, they had to say no to Book 3. I know. It’s enough to make you

 

 

I was very sad for a very long time, and debated what to do. Should I write book 3 and try to find a new publisher? Would anyone want me and the brothers since we didn’t do so good on our foray into the uber competitive cage fight that is publishing YA these days? I am so in love with the Mephisto, and right now, especially Phoenix and Mariah – and let’s be honest. I kind of did this to them in The Mephisto Kiss:

 

 

So I brushed myself off and decided to do something insanely scary and risky. I’m not a risk taker because I’m a CPA. We don’t do risky. We clean up messes after other people are risky. But I’m compelled to continue the Mephisto series, because I have to tell all the stories. So, in spite of my natural inclination, which is this:

 

 

I’m going to be brave and find my inner Mephisto and do this:

 

 

And hope like hell that I don’t end up saying this:

 

 

I’ve decided to self publish the next books in the series. As of now, I have no clue what I’m doing, but I’m learning. Release date will be September 24, 2013, the title will be The Mephisto Mark: The Redemption of Phoenix, and it will be about…well, der, obvs it will be about Phoenix. And Mariah.I’m close to writing the end, even though

 

 

This will be a bit different than the first two, so heads up to all of you who thought Jax and Key were sweet guys. Phoenix isn’t sweet. He’s messed up. And Mariah comes from a background that makes her even more messed up than Phoenix. I can honestly say, writing their story has been insanely difficult because they have to deal with so much anger and guilt and grief. But I think sometimes

 

 

And sometimes, I think

 

 

I’m hoping when you read it, you won’t be all

 

 

And will be more

 

 

I’m calling this one New Adult, which is not a classification I’m all that wild about – it’s something between young adult and adult and no one seems entirely sure what it is – but maybe it fits this book, because there’s not just

 

 

There’s also

 

 

So there you go. My news. I’m excited about the possibilities!

 

 

Also cautiously optimistic.

 

 

But I worry that things may be like

 

 

And in the end, as much as anything, I feel like

 

 

I’ll post news here as I go along. Self publishing a book is a long process. First, I have to finish writing, then have it edited, have a cover made, convert the manuscript for uploading, and sign up for print copies to be available. I will need some beta readers before I send it to an editor, so maybe I’ll ask for volunteers when the time is right. I’d love to have one who’s read the first books and one who hasn’t – to get a different perspective. It’s not always easy to write a series and include enough information for new readers, but not so much to bore the living daylights out of returning readers.

I’ve been posting snippets on my Facebook page and will continue to do that, and post updates and news and personal appearances there. I’d love it if you’d go like me. After the year I’ve had, dude, I can use all the ego strokes you can give me. Ha! No, but really – I absolutely can’t thank you enough for your lovely notes and wonderful support of the Mephisto. You’re all

 

 

 

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