The books, the editing, and the stealing

Hello Precious Readers!

I’ve some good news and bad news. Since I always believe in ending on a high note, here’s the bad news:

My first book, Capture Me, was pirated by LibGen. If you haven’t heard, this last week all of the author world was abuzz over The Atlantic article that brought to light the massive META (Facebook/Zuck) data breach that was used to train AI programs. This included, 7.2 million authors’ hard work being stolen and used to populate the website LibGen, a place that allows people to download books for free. I spent an evening this week writing DCMA letters to the website from both the Author’s Guild template (which sends a template letter directly to the LibGen source), and a separate one from my email address.

I deeply ask for your support in not using LibGen to download books. They did not get permission from authors, and it leaves us smaller known authors out of our own income.

Plus, stealing is wrong.

The other bad news: There are a lot of Amazon boycotts happening. Believe me, I have thoughts about this. Since my books are still not available for purchase yet, it doesn’t directly affect me, but it affects so many other people. Without going into further detail, I simply highly recommend you purchase books directly from the author. It gives them more profit, you’re not susceptible to your license of the book being revoked by a big (virtual) box store, and you know that you’re supporting the author directly.

In some medium news: Pilot, Buddy Bacher, and I were super, super sick for the last two months straight. I’m not even kidding. Buddy Bacher started a half-kindergarten program this year and between him at school and Pilot in person at work, they both traded off bringing a bunch of viruses into our home. Pilot’s even descended into pneumonia (which, thank goodness is gone now).

We’re all still coughing a bit, but this last week was the first week all of us went back to our duties full time. I secured a new client for four drawings from my new illustration business, http://kawaiisublimestudios.com and have already delivered 1/4. Due to contract details, I cannot reveal the first work for a couple of months. In the meantime, I have some other drawings I’m working on to showcase on socials during the down time. If you’d like some art from me, check out my Kawaii Sublime Studios Instagram for samples, and check out my website. Contact me for any portraiture, memorialization, development of fan art or character design, book cover design, logo design, etc. The possibilities are endless!

NOW, THE GOOD NEWS!

I heard back from my Beta Readers for my first book Capture Me re-write, and now that I’m not down with the various plagues, I’m off to start re-editing book two: Crush On You while incorporating the feedback I received from Betas for book one.

Want to be a Beta Reader for Crush On You? Send me an email to KatherineBacher@gmail.com.

Admittedly, Crush On You was not my strongest work. I was crunched on a deadline and always wanted a chance to rewrite it. I’m deeply considering some major changes. I’m also considering changing the titles of the new books to make re-publishing easier for them. (No issues with copyright laws, even though the books are all mine again.) I’m still looking into how I can sell both print and e-books directly from my website to you as well. There’s a lot of tech work I’m unfamiliar with, and it also doesn’t come cheap if I can’t do it myself. I have a bit of a learning curve ahead of me right now.

With everything happening in America right now, I just want to wish you peace of mind and self-care during these times. If you haven’t figured out through my books and my blog, I’m grateful to be a blue dot in a blue county in a blue state. Many, many people are not so lucky.

Take care, know that you have my support, and keep an eye on my Instagram for more day-to-day updates.

Love and hugs,
KB

Accidentally found me in a triad, and the rise of Fall (Call for Beta Readers!)

Hello Precious Reader!

Before I go too far in depth, let’s take care of some business: Sadly, no one entered my contest. (Womp womp.) So, there are no winners to announce. Not surprising since I neglected my blog for several years.

A week ago, I had a great conversation with author, Marie Tuhart, a many years-established author of erotica. (Check out her latest series: Desert Destiny here.)

She’s so kind, smart, and fun to talk with. If you like high-octane erotica, she’s definitely one to read. Weird fact, years ago she held a contest for one of her books where the winner would have a character named after them. I ended up being the randomly chosen winner! Little did I know that the main character, named after moi, would be the center of an erotica about a triad relationship. (I know, ooh la la!) You can imagine my surprise when that little piece of information floated my way! I had a good laugh about it, and it’s still a hot read. If you want to read it, check out Embracing Desire. (Insert blush here. Book is below.)

After our conversation, it became clear that 2024 is not the year to re-release a story and my goal was too aggressive for reality. I’ve decided to hold off on my goal of getting my books back on shelves by Dec 2024, and instead am focusing on Spring 2025. At least it gives me some more time to navigate all of the prep that goes into self-publishing for the first time to make sure I do it right. (A huge shoutout to Marie for her mentorship and support as I’m actually moving forward with republishing my books. Thank you!)

I’ve got Capture Me re-edited and am in the Beta Tester phase! I’m collecting Beta Readers to read my refreshed version of my first Roxy Summers Mystery book. Would you like to be a beta reader? If so, email me at katherinebacher@gmail.com. Let me know by Oct. 11th. I’ll be sending out the manuscript on or by Oct. 12th and will need your comments and edits on or by Oct. 31st. A good Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of a murder mystery is a great way to settle into the spooky season!

Back to life … back to reality. (Sorry, it was right there!) My time with my neighborhood’s “HOA” of sorts is finally completed. My reign as a member of the Board of Directors has finished. It hasn’t quite hit me yet but giving it a few weeks and realizing how much more time I have to focus on work and stuff may help. I’m finding I’m less stressed out, less tired, and sleeping more. How about that? I’m grateful for more of the “me” hours to focus on my family, my home, and being together. Having said that…

Speaking of breathing room: Our family went through two weeks of hell with a cold bug that started with our son, then my husband a day later. After half a week caring for them, they finally were on the mend. Then I got it 4 days after my husband. Life with a small child and two weeks of zero cleaning, our place is a mess! It’s good timing though, as around this time of year I get a “hibernation prep” vibe and start doing the final purge of the year, ridding my home of stuff and doing a major deep clean before bunkering down for the fall and winter. I tend to go through 2 purges per year. Once in late spring, and once before winter. Either way, it’s my favorite time year and I’m glad to have made it through this one! 2024 hasn’t been easy and I’m proud to say I’m still standing!

That’s right! October is my favorite month because Halloween is my favorite holiday! I love the cooler weather, the crisp air, the blue skies, the rainstorms, and all of the changing colors of the leaves. However, I recognize I’m spoiled for atmosphere, living in the PNW and our area being green most of the year with extra bursts of color in Fall/Autumn. This month I also start planning what I’ll be making family and friends for Christmas. I prefer homemade gifts, usually in the form of food and treats, but sometimes handmade items. Last year I crocheted hats and blankets. In the past I’ve made seasoned nuts, “movie night” treat baskets, cheese board snacks, and so on. This year I’ve been really into pickling and making jellies, so maybe there’s something in that.

Comment below with your favorite season(s) and why. What are your favorite things to do this time of year? I love making soups, bread, potato-based dishes, and watching scary series. We don’t typically end up living places that receive trick-or-treaters, so we usually go to my in-laws and watch a scary movie… unless Buddy Bacher is there, we’ve had to adjust what we watch. I’ve already watched Wednesday twice but may do it again soon. I enjoy the Cloverfield series of movies and still need to watch the third one that takes place in space. I also love spooky-related cute things and absolutely adore the Hotel Transylvania animated films. Pilot and I start listing out shows with tons of episodes per season with several seasons to help us get through “THE GREY” that is Washington winter of December-March.

What are Fall/Autumn rituals in your home? Ours is to “purge” belongings, do some light clothes shopping to ready Buddy Bacher for the year, a deep clean of our dwelling, and making a list of movies/shows to binge for the next several months, and Christmas gift brainstorming. Share below!

– KB

Left Coast Crime is Here!

It’s here! It’s here! It’s here!

Did I grab your attention? Tomorrow kicks off the first day of Left Coast Crime 2024: Seattle Shakedown! I’ll be at the conference as an attendee. There will be many guest speakers, panels of intrigue, and there’s always mystery book goodies! Registration is closed … BUT, there are still DAY PASSES available!

As per their website:
Individual Day Passes for Thursday ($75), Friday ($95), and Saturday ($95) are now available.
(Day Passes are sold separately and do not include admission to any food events.)
Purchase Day Passes Online

Sorry I haven’t been posting monthly. I think I need to stop committing to it. I hate disappointing anyone, especially you, Precious Reader. This has been a season of extreme strain on relationships (Pilot and I are fine) within my personal circle, and it emotionally drained me.

I’ve also been busy launching a new business! In my day-to-day life, I have always enjoyed creating art ever since I was a child It’s an inherent part of me. I’m a visual learning and planner, and my “murder board” (my board used to plot out my books) often has hand drawn maps and hand drawn “sets” for when I’m visualizing a scene in my books. It helps me make sense of where my characters are located, how they are in relation to each other, and how placement of furniture and characters will affect their movements, senses, and speech.

My new business is doing digital illustrations! There’s no theme other than I draw what I like. What I like tends to be cute things. Sometimes it falls under other stuff as well, but mostly cute things.

If you’re attending Left Coast Crime, look me up! I’d love to chat with you. I’ll be passing out business cards at the event, which will include my new digital illustration business as well.

See you there! If not, I’ll be writing about my experience at LCC when the conference is over. (I’ll do my best to take as many pictures as possible!)

– KB

CONTEST CLOSED–Summer Fun (June 6-20) ✨Win a Waterproof Kindle Paperwhite and Amazon Gift Cards!✨ Ends June 20, 2019

Hello Precious Readers,

The Night Owl Romance Summer Fun reader event is here! (June 6-20, 2019.)

Ready to win? I’ve teamed up with Night Owl Romance and other authors to bring you the chance to win a Waterproof Kindle Paperwhite (USA ONLY)

and Amazon Gift Cards (open to the World). During this event I’m going to help you find some great new books.

Make sure to check out my novels CAPTURE ME, CRUSH ON YOU, and MISSING YOU, the entire Roxy Summers Mystery Series, along the way! (A reminder that CAPTURE ME is an Amazon Kindle #1 Best Seller, and last month that MISSING YOU was named one of Wiki’s Top 9 chilling mysteries set in the cold!)

Enter the giveaway here: Night Owl Romance: Summer Fun!

I wish you much luck in winning and hope you enjoy this fun-time/sun-time event!

– Katherine Bacher

Haven’t read the Roxy Summers Mystery Series?

Start with Capture Me and meet Roxy in a case of cat-and-mouse for a grand Seattle adventure! Then, travel with Roxy to sunny Los Angeles for a food competition to die for in her sequel novel, Crush On You! Roxy’s third book, Missing You has Roxy and friends searching of her ex-boyfriend, lost in a blizzard-riddled Alaska, hoping to find him before time runs out.

Get your copies today!

Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Google Play Apple iBooks

Are we connected? Well let’s do that!

Find Katherine Bacher on Twitter
Find Katherine Bacher on Instagram
Find Katherine Bacher on Facebook
Find Katherine Bacher on Trifecta Publishing House

Last minute stocking stuffers!

Trying to find the right gift for someone?

A book is a fantastic last-minute gift for cozying up by the fire for your loved ones! Give the gift of adventure today!

Did you know you can send e-books to other people? You can! Amazon has an oh-so-convenient feature where you can select an e-book, and THEN instead of “Deliver to” yourself, you select “Transfer via Computer” to another person! (But… don’t forget that extra copy for yourself!)

Give the gift of a Roxy Summers Mystery to someone today! Are you craving summer and warm weather? Consider Capture Me, or Crush On You! Can’t get enough of the snow? Give Missing You a try!

It’s the perfect gift for the perfect someone!

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!

Available now for FREE: Demo Release for “Amelia Darnell: Secrets of Silvercrest Village” 2-D point-and-click PC video game by Airtight Alibi Productions, LLC!

Airtight Alibi Productions, LLC is PROUD to present the FREE digital download of our first game, Amelia Darnell: Secrets of Silvercrest Village! It’s finally here! Our campaign and demo are live! Please try it out, spread the word, and enjoy about our awesome project! Thank you guys for all your support!

Amelia Darnell: Secrets of Silvercrest Village will be a 2-D point-and-click mystery game for PC. We wish to create a mystery adventure game that offers a meaningful and engaging experience for our players. While also promoting a strong female character in a traditionally male-dominated role, the Amelia Darnell game will further improve the development of critical thinking skills, comprehension, and problem-solving. We intend it to be for a family audience of ages 10+.

#AmeliaDarnell #NancyDrew #ClueCrew #AirtightAlibi #Gamer #Gaming #PCGame #VideoGame #Mystery

Roxy Reminder: Missing You releases August 13th!

Hello Precious Readers!

I have a more definitive date of Missing You‘s release for everyone: August 13th! Gahhh! It’s less than one month away! Squee!!!

It’s been a bit busy on this side of the computer prepping for the big day. If you follow me on Facebook, you already know the FINAL DRAFT was sent in to publishers. You’ve already seen the GORGEOUS cover, and I’m so excited to bring Roxy’s next adventure to you. During my future release party I’m going to have some deliciously, lovely gift baskets up for grabs, so be on the lookout (or BOLO, if you watch crime shows, like I do) for the Release Party announcement soon to come!

Pre-order links will be up soon. Once their up, make sure you pre-purchase your copy as soon as possible, as there maaaaay be a hint about a fourth Roxy Summers adventure in the back. (Hint, hint.)

Roxy’s adventure in Missing You takes place in Alaska. Definitely not feeling winter blues. It’s been in the 90-degree Fahrenheit weather in Washington. For us PNW folks, air conditioning is not a standard feature to have in homes, so we’re melllllllting! Fans have been on nonstop, pups are sitting in front of the fan, and ice cubes are aplenty in their water bowls. We have some breaks from the heat by taking drives in the car, which has air conditioning. The Bacher Fort, alas, does not.

I want to start hearing from you, so I’m going to start asking one question per post to you. I’d love to see comments, or email me at katherinebacher@gmail.com with your responses. I love hearing from you! I really, really do!

So, this post’s question is: What is your favorite summer treat to cool off? We love frozen grapes, fruit salad, and ice pops.

Thank you for being such loyal blog readers, hello to any newbies! More Roxy news coming at you soon!

– KB

Life threw a curveball, so here’s the catch – Missing You releases August 2018 and LIVE EVENT announcement!

Well, Precious Readers,

If you don’t follow me on social media, I have an announcement:

Due to stuff and things, the release date for my book, Missing You (a Roxy Summers Mystery #3) was pushed to AUGUST 2018. I know, I know, I’ve been dangling the next book release like a literary carrot for months, but… reasons. Sometimes life happens, and in this case, it was a timing issue. If it helps, Missing You is with my loyal Beta Readers, and I’ve already begun to receive helpful feedback.

In other news…

Guess what? I’m all signed up to attend the 2019 Left Coast Crime convention Whale of a Crime! This is both an author AND reader event where hundreds of people from the west coast will congregate over their love of mysteries! All sub genres fall under this umbrella: Cozy, Thriller, Romantic, Humorous, Suspense, etc. Each year, the conference is in a new city. For LCC 2019: Whale of a Crime, it will be hosted in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! My sort-of backyard! The conference is from March 28-31, 2019. If you want to join in, you do have to register, so I recommend registering early. This is the biggest convention for mystery lovers on the whole west coast.

At LCC 2019: Whale of a Crime, I’ll be attending the various panels during the event. I will not be hosting any panels, but look forward to bumping elbows with my fellow lovers of all things mystery, whether tame or intense. If you happen to be there, look me up, and I’d love to have a photo taken with you. I look forward talking with you about anything lighthearted and humorously sleuthy!

It may be a bit of sad news, but I hope I also brought tidings of ultra-cool, great news!

Haven’t read the Roxy Summers Mystery Series? You have time to catch up!
Start with Capture Me and meet Roxy in a case of cat-and-mouse for a grand Seattle adventure! Then, travel with Roxy to sunny Los Angeles for a food competition to die for in her sequel novel, Crush On You! Roxy’s third book, Missing You releases in June 2018. Keep an eye out on my bookshelf page for pre-order links closer to the release date!

Get your copies today!
Katherine Bacher on Amazon
Katherine Bacher on Barnes and Noble

Are we connected? Well let’s do that!

Find Katherine Bacher on Twitter
Find Katherine Bacher on Instagram
Find Katherine Bacher on Facebook
(…and join her FB Group: Katherine Bacher’s Happy Hour!)
Find Katherine Bacher on Trifecta Publishing House

WANT A FREE BOOK? Call for Beta Readers!

CALL FOR BETA READERS!

Hello my lovely Precious Readers!

I wrapped up edits for MISSING YOU right now! Yes, RIGHT NOW! Literally right now! What I need now are YOUR EYEBALLS! If you’re interested in an ARC (advanced reader copy), and want to help me out, email me at katherinebacher@gmail.com with the email subject line as: MY BETA. You’ll receive an email with instructions. This is the final step before sending Missing You to the printers for its June 25th release!

Thank you for your support! Go Roxy!

– KB

Get your copies today!
Katherine Bacher on Amazon
Katherine Bacher on Barnes and Noble

Are we connected? No? Well let’s do that!

Special Announcement: COVER REVEAL for MISSING YOU (a Roxy Summers Mystery #3)

Omigosh!

I can’t believe it!

It’s here!

IT’S HERE!

Missing You (a Roxy Summers Mystery #3) has a brand new cover, and it’s AWESOME! Ever since I saw the preview a few days ago, I’ve been completely in love with it and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I’ve been (excitedly and impatiently) waiting to get the OK from my publisher to share the cover with you, and TODAY IS THE DAY! You are the first ones to see it! My Precious Readers who’ve been with me since before I was published. I haven’t even posted to my Facebook Group yet, but shh! don’t tell them, okay? They’ll get their own special announcement later today.

As what has now become commonplace for all of my books (completely accidentally), Missing You is releasing in the complete opposite season the characters are experiencing in the story. While it’s ramping up for Summer in the Real World, in the fictional world it’s winter; but, I digress.

The cover… Oh, the cover!

I love it. I love it so much. Yes, that is a moose on the cover. The cold wintry scene is leaving me with chills. Chills! (Have you paid attention to the hints I’ve been dropping these last few months?)

All I can say is, welcome to my fictional town of Ptarmigan, Alaska! I don’t know if you are aware, but I’ve been to Alaska and would LOVE to go back, anytime. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I already have the appropriate winter gear, and was toasty warm and dry.

Granted, it was a 7-day cruise, but ever since that trip, my husband, Pilot and I have dreamed of going back. Perhaps one day driving there from our Washington home and staying. Although I tend to be more of a desert lizard, loving that dry heat weather, Pilot is happiest when temps are no higher than 65 degrees. I don’t get it, and he doesn’t get me when it comes to weather. One thing we both agree on: we hate hot humid weather.

In other news, I’ve heard from my editor, and it’s going to be ANY DAY NOW when I finally receive edits back. I’ll make any necessary corrections, and then SEND IT TO THE MINI-MASSES for a Beta Reader phase.

Want to be a beta reader? Email me at katherinebacher@gmail.com!

Final announcement, a reminder that today is the LAST DAY to participate in Night Owl Romance’s Spring Fling Scavenger Hunt! It’s an opportunity to win free books from 35+ authors, myself included! I’ve been on the comment board and responded directly to readers with their comments and questions. You should drop a line over there too! I’d love to hear from you.

Join the hunt here TODAY: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Spring-Fling-2018-by-Web-Hunt

– KB

Get your copies today!
Katherine Bacher on Amazon
Katherine Bacher on Barnes and Noble

Are we connected? No? Well let’s do that!

Help me go global!

Help me go global!

Help me go global!

Enter the giveaway here: Night Owl Romance: Summer Fun!

Haven’t read the Roxy Summers Mystery Series?

Get your copies today!

Are we connected? Well let’s do that!

Help me go global!

Help me go global!

Help me go global!

Help me go global!

Help me go global!

CALL FOR BETA READERS!

Help me go global!

Omigosh!

I can’t believe it!

It’s here!

IT’S HERE!

Help me go global!