Writing

“Fanatics! Inevitable Honeymoon Crashers” is finished!

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Hello Readers!

I’m filled with exclamation marks! (Sounds like a medical issue honestly.)

After a year and a month of writing, we’ve finally finished Fanatics! Inevitable Honeymoon Crashers.

This is the third of four books in The Gates of Westmeath series and honestly my current favourite.

Our characters are happily married and on a chase for all the peices of Kennedy’s magical gem. They’re not the only ones though, aliens and Fay alike are going to try and get there before them. It’s a treasure hunt and race across the world, with stops in Ottawa ON, Montreal QC, Hope BC, Parry Sound ON, Paris France, and the magical archives of the Library of Alexandria.

The next step for us is editing and sending it to beta readers. Once that’s done (hopefully a few months) then we submit to our publisher and if they like it, it should be published, if we’re lucky, in 2027 or 2028.

We’ve only been publishing one book per year and next year will be the thrilling sequel to Crushing It!, and in 2026 we have slated a book called Faymous, which is a fun portal/Fairy book.

If you’re interested in being a beta reader, and you’ve read the first two books, please contact us. We have two spots available.

Good Reading,

Éric

Until you get to read this awesome new book why not read the first two?

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Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests by Jen and Éric Desmarais is available now!

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Add it to your “Want to read” on Goodreads here!

Happy Birthday Jason Johnson

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Hello Friends, Family, and Fans,

Today is Jason Johnson’s birthday. He’s one of the main characters in The Gates of Westmeath series written by Jen and I. With the books set in the early 2000’s, he’d now be in the second half of his forties. We chose that time period to have the characters fit in what I’d already written in The Copper Tarnish, which almost seems silly since the crossover characters have had so much more development outside that still unpublished book.

We chose today’s date in honour of my Mom who passed away in 2008. She was my biggest supporter and harshest editor. She helped me with some of my earliest stories, before I knew I wanted to write professionally. She never got to see me finish a novel or publish. I’d like to think she’d be proud and love the stories Jen and I have created. I still miss her.

Happy Birthday Mom and Happy Birthday Jason Johnson!

Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests by Jen and Éric Desmarais is available now!

49th Shelf Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests
Indigo Books Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests
Archambault Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests
Amazon Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests
Rakuten Kobo Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests
Apple Books Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests

Add it to your “Want to read” on Goodreads here!

Top 5 things I’ve learned about publishing

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Hello Readers,

In honour of this past weekend having been Can-Con I thought I’d write about writing.

I’ve been published now for just over 8 years and there’s a lot I didn’t know about the industry that I wish I did.

5. Publishing is a hurdle not a finish line.

Everyone who writes dreams of the big publishing contracts with advances that will let you quit your job and become the next Stephen King. It isn’t that easy unfortunately (and it wasn’t for Mr. King either.) Most new authors don’t get advances or if they do they’re very small. Even older more established authors don’t get advances anymore.

Once the book is out there’s all kinds of things that have to be done and there’s the next books to think about. It’s a constant cycle.

4. Everyone is underpaid, understaffed, and struggling.

Rarely do authors make enough money to live off and that’s fairly well known but the same can be said about everyone else involved. The majority of small presses are volunteer or owner run. The medium sized ones aren’t much better off and rely on staff that can wear multiple hats.

The same goes all the way down. Booksellers, printers, designers, typesetters, artists, and editors. All of them have multiple jobs and does it out of passion, not for lots of money. (I can’t speak about the big 5 but I’d assume like any corporation that the CEO’s and stockholders are well paid and that’s about it.)

3. A publisher doesn’t sell your book, nor does a distributor.

WIth a few exceptions where a publisher has lots of faith and extra cash, they are in the business of making the best book possible, not selling your book. They will promote and some publishers do events where your book is for sale but it’s your job to push the book.

The same with any distributor, they distribute and will occasionally promote but it’s your job to sell the book.

One of the reason’s it seems that every tik-tok star is getting a publishing contract is that a lot of book selling is really selling you. (Not ideal for a curmudgeonly introvert like myself.)

2. Books don’t last forever.

Books have a shelf life or life cycle. They are born and they hopefully sell and then eventually they die. Big named books being an exception as usual. Most publishing contracts have a 5 to 10 year clause that says if your book doesn’t sell the rights return to you. (If your contract doesn’t say you get the rights back after your book is out of print, insist they change it.)

Series have longer lives because the first few get a boost with every new release.

1. Everything costs money, sort of.

If you are self publishing, you’re paying for everything. If you get a publisher they pay for as much as they can. With a publisher the money should go toward the author.

That’s mostly true, but it’s not always true. Sometimes you need to pay an editor to make sure your book is good enough for submission. Sometimes you need to pay for graphic design work for promotion, and if you’re going to sell your book solo at events, that’s your responsibility.

But just because you aren’t paying for things doesn’t mean they don’t cost the publisher which is why they can’t throw around advertising money like the Big 5.

*Warning* There are a lot of companies out there promising to make your book a best seller. They promise to do everything for a large sum of money. Best case scenario you don’t make your money back. Worst you lose the merchandising, film, and even the copyright to your own books. Writer Beware is an excellent source if you’re approached by these predatory companies.

Thank you for reading and check out some of my books!

Éric

Jen and Éric have stories in The Siren’s Song Vol. 1

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Hello Readers!

Do you want a free ebook of short stories? What if they include exclusive stories from Jen and I?

Get the PDF or Epub on River City’s Website.

The two stories are:

Funky Looking Chickens by Éric

A paranormal military mission goes sideways when they meet up with some strange birds. Things get extra complicated when the team lead discovers his ex-girlfriend on the scene.

Find out how Mr. Therien from The Baker City Mysteries became a Gatekeeper.

A Concert Tail by Jen

When a mermaid wants to go to a concert things seem impossible, but that word doesn’t exist in Westmeath.

Meet some new, and a few familiar, characters from Westmeath, the city featured in the series The Gates of Westmeath and Lucky in Love.

More

There are also plenty more awesome stories in the book.

Enjoy!

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Twenty years of blogging (11 serious) and 10 years of serial stories

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Hello Friends, Family, and Fans;

I have officially been blogging now for twenty years. My first livejournal post was May 2004. (Wow, was my grammar and spelling bad… it still is but back then it was much worse.) Rereading some posts, it’s a lot of angsty stuff with a little bit of what would become my style.

I blogged on and off until I decided to become an author in 2013. I was told that I needed to have a web presence and a blog was the best way to do it. Not sure if it was, but it’s been worth it in other ways. I’ve managed to write a little every week since then and it’s become part of who I am. Not sure I could stop if I wanted to.

One of the staples since April 2014 has been my Serial Stories. I’m currently writing the 11th annual one (Read Red Day, Ere the Sun Rises) and It’s kept me going when I’ve had trouble writing other things.

The first 5 years are collected in Coffee Shop Between the ‘Verses.

Coffee Shop Between the ‘Verses

Jackie sometimes likes to have conversations with the characters, and as he reads five novellas in the small Ontario town of Baker…

In The Ridiculous Adventures of Felix Felicitous, the grumpy Felix is thrown into an adventure through time, despite his protestations.

In Only Human, Rachel has accidentally signed up for the University of Monsters.

In Wargrave Island, Inspector Riko Dulac has to find out who’s killing all her former high school classmates before there’s no one left.

In Database of the Ageless Kings, Sophia rebuilds an alien ship, only to find the galactic prince still inside.

In Devices of Desire, follow Artemis, Diana, and Ezekiel as they navigate secret identities, demons, and love in the kingdom of Cillian.

Are the characters Jackie is talking with real? Is he just talking to himself? Or is something else going on?

49th Shelf Coffee Shop Between the 'Verses
Indigo Books Coffee Shop Between the 'Verses
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Amazon Coffee Shop Between the 'Verses
Rakuten Kobo Coffee Shop Between the 'Verses
Apple Books Coffee Shop Between the 'Verses

Not stopping anytime soon

I’ve accomplished a lot over the past twenty years, and I might not be living off my writing yet (You hear that, Universe: YET). I’m happy with what I’ve done so far and I have SOOOO many more stories to tell. That won’t change, even though other things might.

Thank you to those who have been reading since the beginning, and I hope I’ve helped make your lives a little more entertaining.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Rejection is Hard to Take

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Hello Friends, Family, and Fans,

In June, I got a rejection for The Copper Tarnish. I worked on that book on and off for almost seven years before submitting it. It’s one of my more raw books and reflects a lot of my feelings of wanting and not being accepted.

The whole book is an exploration of the small town obsession with uniformity. I use a parasitic (zombie-ish) infection as a metaphor for how far people will go to insist others fit their mould. There’s also an alien princess, sapphic romance, and some intense crossovers from other stories.

I’m proud of this book. I thought, when submitting, that it was the most layered of my stories, all wrapped in a 50’s style monster movie.

I requested feedback on the rejection, and despite the reply being very kind, it was obvious that they disliked the book.

I am absolutely NOT upset at the people who criticized or those who rejected me.

I want to be. I want to be indignant, I want to rage, I want to say they don’t understand my genius.

However, if I’m being honest, I’m just upset because I was rejected, because I’d hoped to release a book every year for 10 years in a row, and mostly because I failed.

The rejection was such a surprise and the criticism so broad that it’s thrown me through a loop. Between RSD and imposter syndrome, I’m finding it hard not to overthink everything I write. Unfortunately, that makes writing extra hard and me extra sensitive.

I just finished a chapter of Fanatics! Inevitable Honeymoon Crashers, and despite being excited about what I wrote, I keep feeling like I’m not doing a good enough job. I feel like the quality difference between my writing and Jen’s is starting to show more. (She’s damn good and only getting better.)

That’s one of the downsides of co-writing; the pressure to be as good as your co-writer, and feeling like they’d be better off on their own.

I’m not looking for any advice or reassurance. I just need to start building up my confidence again. I know I have strengths in my writing and I need to concentrate on those and work on my flaws.

As for The Copper Tarnish, it’s currently with a beta reader and based on their comments, I might send it to more beta readers, re-write it completely, or put it in my “I wrote this but don’t think I should publish it” folder with Cerulean Sky and Dinosaur Road Trip.

Part of me wants to give up but I know that I can’t. Writing is like breathing. I’m not sure I can live without it.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Speculating Canada interviewed Éric

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Hello Friends, Fans, and Family,

Speculating Canada is an award winning podcast and interview series that interviews fantastic Canadian and genre personalities.

You may remember a few months ago that Jen was interviewed by the wonderful Derek Newman-Stille. You can see her interview on their website.

Well I (Éric) was interviewed last week. It was a lot of fun, and Derek is a fantastic interviewer, steering my hectic mind in a semi-coherent direction.

Go watch the interview on their website.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

Red Day, Ere the Sun Rises – Characters

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The text, "Red Day, Ere the Sun Rises: A Sun Speaker Story" over a red sun.

Characters | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12

I was told the sheer quantity of characters was a little intimidating. I started to understand as I made this list. Hopefully this will help keep the characters straight.

Hal the Sun Speaker

Hal

Born 825 Post First Earthen Emigration. A prophet called the Sun-Speaker, he gets visions from the god Sol that lives in the sun. He was raised on Venus from the age of ten.

Rose

A doctor who was part of Hal’s crew. She is currently in hiding, raising the future King of Mars with her wife Sofia.

Sofia

Former special forces in the Mars militia, she was dishonorably discharged for saving Hal’s life against orders. The first time she met him, she also beat the crap out of him. She is his former bodyguard.

Gwinevere the Second, High Queen of Venus

As a child, found Hal hiding in the luggage of the royal ship. They dated as teenagers. When he was ex-communicated from the church, she broke all ties.

Princess Lenay

Princess of Venus. She was born with an immune disorder like her mother but both were healed by Hal.

Thomas the sixth, Ruler of Mars

King of Mars being raised in exile on Earth. He was kidnapped as a child by the Venetians.

The Assassin

Suzie (AKA Helena)

Former assassin with the Maidens of Antichthon. Hal helped her uncover the corruption in the organzation and she joined his crew as his new bodyguard. They eventually developed feelings for each other and are now dating.

Samantha

The assassin trainer from the Maidens of the Antichthon. Disgraced, she was tortured and implanted with cybernetics and sent to fight in the arena. Hal healed her and the expelled cybernetics became their own person. Currently both are in charge of the The Mederei Alpha, a former gladiator ship which is now a home for refugees.

Seren Plentyn and the Secret of Hokulua Station

Seren Plentyn

An adventurous twenty-something archeologist and linguist. Member of the Children of the Stars.

Captain Jan Ng

A stern but fair life-long miliary soldier. They are the captain of the MOAS (Mother of all Suns) Warship Ennill.

Annie Musa

Wife of Seren and ace fighter pilot. Annie is sarcastic and loyal. Member of the Children of the Stars.

Mother of All Suns

The last remnants of an ancient civilization downloaded their minds into a great machine. Its power source was a sun and that sun’s consciousness merged with the people.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to my Funeral

Janet

Plutonian who discovered the secret to eternal youth. Despite looking 18, she is a brilliant doctor and scientist.

Adric

Computer and engineering genius. Helped free Callisto from mob rule with his hacking skills. Currently the engineer on Hal’s ship, the Hey Sunny.

Travis

A Mercurian pilot. Hal served as a medic on his ship. To save his life, Hal had to leave him on a pirate ship to be tortured.

Caro

The system’s strongest telepath and precog. Former member of Hal’s crew currently living on Xanthus.

Gladiators in SPACE!

Henrick Al-Mer of the house of Mers

Royal instructor to the kings and queens of Mars.

Aly

Martian-Barsoonian adviser to the King and former leader of his people.

Diamond Stars and the Galactic Heist

Diamond Stars (AKA Garnet)

Former Black-Sun operative who went rogue. Current incarnation of the Robin Hood style character Diamond Stars and captain of the Revenge. Also a recent Sun Speaker of Sol.

Onyx

Doctor on the Revenge. Boyfriend of Diamond Stars.

Sphene

Younger sister of Onyx. Weapons expert and gunner on the Revenge.

Ghost Ship Robinson

Fry

Ex-soldier and mercenary. Died on the Robinson

Hoff

Ex-soldier and mercenary. Bioscience expert on the Hey Sunny.

Teddy

Former engineer on the Hey Sunny. Died on the Robinson.

The Suns of War

Nessa Muldune

Captain of the ISS Galahad. She’s a Feline Martian who has a strong love for her crew, knowledge, and justice.

Alexandre Crowley

Senior science officer of the ISS Galahad. He’s a Serpant Tyrite who values logic over emotion.

Tanya Brook

Lieutenant weapons officer of the ISS Galahad. She’s a Sapian Martian. She’s tall, muscled, and looks like she’s been in plenty of fights.

Em Frechette

Master Sargent and communications officer of the ISS Galahad. They’re a Sapian Tyrite. 

Peri Anson

Doctor of the ISS Galahad. He’s an older Sapian Martian. His interest lies in his crew and their health above all else.

Bart Shelby

Lieutenant and pilot of the ISS Galahad. He’s Canine Arisian with plenty of years as a fighter pilot.

Arzure Pendreicht (Zuri)

Head Engineer of the ISS Galahad. She’s a young Sapian Martian, the reincarnation of King Arthur, and a Sun Speaker for Sol.

Writing is hard… still

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Hello Friends, Family, and Fans;

Have you ever read, listened, or watched something and had no one to talk to about it? Have you ever tried selling something you’re proud of and no one be interested? Have you ever posted something you thought was super witty on a social media and no one commented?

If you have, you know what it’s like to be an author. The books I have written, and co-written, are my passion. I love the stories, the characters, the world, and would love to chat about them more. Most people get a glazed look in their eyes when I start.

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started publishing. Fame? Fortune? Fans? Respect? Acknowledgement? I really thought that it would be easier after I got published. I also didn’t realize the amount of work an author has to do after the book is out. Marketing and selling are not my strengths and it’s discouraging.

The books I’ve written with Jen have been selling well. Mostly because she’s rocking the marketing material. I’m honestly in awe of everything she manages to do and still have time for writing.

I’m starting to understand that it’s more about selling yourself and less about selling your book and unless you go viral or best seller you restart with every book. Sell yourself to the agent/publisher, then the reader, then repeat… It’s exhausting.

I just want to write my stories and improve my craft but I also have to learn to be an editor, graphic designer, artist, creator, copy writer, marketer, sales person, public speaker, and a hundred other things. It makes me tired and it makes me wonder if it’s worth the time and effort (which is definitely not enough) I put into it.

I’m sorry for whining. I’m lucky to have the financial freedom to write, the privilege of being published, and the platform to complain.

One thing I know for certain, is that I love writing. Everything else, not so much.

I think it might be time to re-think what I want from writing and what I need to do to get there.

Sorry for the slight downer of a post.

Stay safe and be kind,

Éric

A Study in Aether
The Sign of Faust
A Case of Synchronicity
Coffee Shop Between The ‘Verses
The Mystery of the Dancing Lights
Parasomnia
Everdome
Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers
Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests
All books available at your favourite bookstore, Renaissance Press, or get a signed copy from JenEric Coffee Store

Doubt is Still There…

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Hello Family, Friends, and Fans;

I think I can say that I’m a moderately experienced author at this point… (2 unpublishable novels, 7 solo published novels, 2 co-authored published novels, 2 co-authored unpublished novels, 10 years of serial stories, a dozen or so short stories, and over 15 years of blog posts)

I’m currently 2/3rd of the way through a novel, in the last stages of a TTRPG system, writing a serial story, and writing a novel with my wonderful wife. (I’m tired just thinking about it all.)

I have a giant secret to tell you… come in close… closer… hey, stop licking your screen…

It doesn’t get easier

The mechanics get simpler, once you understand how to use quotation marks and construct sentences. I’ve heard wild tales of authors taming commas but I’m sure that’s just a tall tale.

The actual writing doesn’t get easier. You try your best to put one word in front of the other and stay coherent, and in the end you have a pile of them that have to be cleaned and organized into something resembling a story. All the while, there’s a little voice that says, “Can you really do this? No, probably not.” Even after writing 11 novels, I still hear that voice and it’s hard to ignore.

That doubt is something I’m told all authors live with (if it’s just me, please don’t tell me. Leave me to my delusions) and it’s one of the greatest obstacles.

Having finished something does give me the extra little confidence to say, “I did it before, maybe I can do it again”. It’s not enough to silence the doubt but it does help.

PHD Comics number 1734

Whether it’s your first or your hundredth writing project, you’re not alone. I understand.

Now, go write something,

Éric