Dragon Adventure Update 1!

Hey everyone!

I got a Dragon Adventure Update for you!
As you may have read in the previous post, I am busy with self-publishing 1 of my books in English.
I have had a great conversation with my Dutch publisher and she is on board with my plans, so yay!
My translator has been busy finishing the translation of An Unbreakable Bond and also with a short story I want as a reader magnet before launching the real book.
The past couple of weeks I’ve been working on a checklist, because there are a lot of things I have to do before An Unbreakable Bond will be published.

As you can see, the translation of the short story is already completed and edited!
The next steps will be finish editing An Unbreakable Bond and gather more information about self-publishing. I want to publish as wide as possible so the book will be available all over the world.
I am also looking into the covers for both the short story (which will be available as a free e-book for a while) and An Unbreakable Bond.
Maybe I will contact a cover artist or maybe I will design the covers myself. (I have made the covers for the books of Terras Altas myself as well, so I have options)

I also have a question for you guys: how do you feel about newsletters?
The writer groups I am currently in, all advice making a newsletter, but I am in doubt. If people actually read the newsletter, it would be great, but otherwise it’s just a lot of extra work.
So, what do you say: Newsletter yay or nay?

Lots of Love,

Just Patty

Dragon Adventure!

Hey everyone!

As you may have read in my last post, I am back and want to share a new adventure with you. (If you missed why I was away for so long, you can read it HERE)

Inbetween all that has happened with my parents and more, I did manage to keep writing for a while. The Drägan Duma series are completed and I am busy with a new series, Terras Altas; a steampunk fantasy story!
As of last year, two of the 4 novels are published in the Netherlands and Belgium.

So, about that new adventure…
I have been trying to get my books over seas. I have contacted different publishing houses and agents. But, although they say that they can see my talent, love the story and the world, they don’t want to take a chance on me. It’s extremely difficult to be published abroad when you’re an author from such a small country as the Netherlands.
But I am not someone who gives up easily!
That’s why I have decided to no longer search for a publisher who wants to take a chance on me. It’s time for my dragons to fly out and for me to spread my wings.

I am going to publish the stand-alone in my Drägan Duma series (An Unbreakable Bond) in English myself! With the blessing of my Dutch publisher Celtica Publishing.

The translation of the book is an advanced state already because of the great Caroline Mackie and I have been busy doing research.
It’s an exciting, but also a bit scary adventure, so I could really use your support! 🙂

I am going to share updates with you on a regular basis, so I really hope you will come back to check on me or hit the follow button. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instag­ram and TikTok where I am more active, but I will make sure to keep you all posted here as well.

Wish me luck! ❤

Lots of Love,

Just Patty

Hey there!

Hey everyone,

Long time, no post!

I am sorry about that, but I did not forget about you.
It’s just been a very challenging time these past years and now that I am in calmer waters again, I thought that I would fill you in a bit. Also because I am about to embark on a brand new adventure, but more about that later!

The past couple of years, my mom became sicker and sicker. Just before the pandemic hit, she was finally doing a bit better. But then she had to stay indoors for quite some time because, with her bad longs, we could not risk her getting Covid. I was already taking care of her, together with my dad, for quite a bit but when my dad got cancer, I had to take care of them both.
Luckily, I got help from my family, but because I lived closest to my parents and because, being a writer, I can determine my own working hours, I became the primal caretaker. Besides this, I also had to work on my Dutch books, because they were scheduled for publishing. I am proud to say the I managed to continue writing and publishing besides all the chaos.

It was physically and mentally very challenging, but I am grateful for everything I could do. Besides this, a lot of other stuff happened that was very stressful, but it’s almost impossible to tell you everything that happened. It was a lot to deal with, that’s for sure.

Last year, both my parents passed away. My dad in January and my mom in December. I am heartbroken, because I love them both so much and I don’t really know yet how to go on without them. Yes, I say “love” instead of “loved”, despite the fact they’re not here anymore. In my opinion, you lose someone, but that doesn’t mean your love is lost as well. I will always love my parents so very much and I miss them every day.

Right now, after lots of stress, sadness and heartbreak because of my parents suffering before they died, I am trying to get back on my feet again. And that’s hard, but I am fighting.

So, now you know why I have been away for so long. This is the only place I share this much, because this is my little safe haven on the internet.

I hope that I can be back here a little more, especially because I want to share my next adventure with you soon. ❤

Lots of Love,
Just Patty