Farewell January// Hello Opportunities

So... January is at an end. And I'm surprised to say that it flew by so quickly that I'm still wondering where it went. That's actually really weird for me, because January is usually the looongest month of the year for me. But not this January. This January is over before I even knew that it began.

The end of this month also marks the end of my first month blogging and I'm not really sure what I should do so I decided to do a monthly wrap-up since I've seen some blogs doing that.

Life
I started a blog! Does that count for something? So this month has been mostly spent working on my resolutions as most Januaries are. Mostly that includes me learning how to sketch off of Pinterest and trying different hair styles to freshen up my look. That and working. I have no other updates here. Yes, my life is very boring. Now move along.

Reading
In the month of January I read eight books. They are:

Live Without You by Sarah Grace Grzy
3.5 stars
Bittersweet//Contemporary//Indie

Retreat by Sarah Addison-Fox
3.5 stars
Sequel//Stormers//Action

Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano
4.5 stars
Historical//Funny//Fave Authors

The Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian
4 stars
Fantasy YA// Brutal// Politics

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco
3.5 stars
Dracula//Murder//Feminism

The Wicked King by Holly Black
5 stars
Faeries//Soul Crushing//Favorites

The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
4.5 stars
Fairy Tale Retelling//Cover Love//Kick Butt

Shadowkeeper by Hope Ann
4 stars
Myths//Death//Darkly Beautiful

Writing

This month in my my writing I've edited close to fifty thousand words in Of Gold and Iron which was by far my main project. I started writing A Matter of Curiosity. I also finished writing and published Winter Cursed's prequel A Winter Grim and Lonely.

I have been at a standstill in my writing for A Winter Dark and Deadly, and my WIP Here is There. I've been stuck at a difficult scene in A Time of Trepidation, Pirates, and Lost Princesses and spent quite a bit of time brainstorming a way to get past it (I'm so close!).

Despite how much that I got done this month, I know that I could have done more if not for procrastination when it comes to editing. Next month, I'm going to work on not wasting so much time.


So that's the end of my wrap-up. But don't run off just yet because I have yet another announcement and it is about the Fanart Contest that I was hosting. As you will notice, I stated that it was going to end on January 31st. But, I've decided to extend the due date.

The reason behind this extension was that I really wanted to republish A Time of Trepidation, Pirates, and Lost Princesses while this contest was still in progress. But with today as the contest's deadline, and A Time of Trepidation still not published, I've decided to extend the deadline. I'm hoping that the new deadline of August 8th will give me enough time to republish A Time of Trepidation.

The rules will remain the same, which are:

• The pictures must be of either characters or scenes of any of my Amar books I've written. That would include: A Week of Werewolves, Faeries, and Fancy Dresses; A Certain Sort of Madness; as well as A Time of Trepidation, Pirates, and Lost Princesses when it is finally republished. (no vulgar content is allowed; because that is obviously not in my books)
• No payments required, submit as many pictures as you would like to boost your chances at winning.
• Email your pictures to me at nicky(dot)chapelway(at)gmail(dot)com
• The subject of your email should be "Amar Drawing Contest"
• Submissions end on August 8th, 2019

Even though the rules are the same, I am, however, adding a few more prizes. As well as a spot for both second and third place winners.

The prizes are now:

First place will win signed copies of the first three of the My Time in Amar books. A Week of Werewolves, Faeries, and Fancy Dresses; A Time of Trepidation, Pirates, and Lost Princesses; and be one of the first to receive a copy of A Season of Subterfuge, Courtiers, and War Councils when it releases. The will also have a character named and created off of them in A Season of Subterfuge, Courtiers, and War Councils.

On top of these two things, they will win a print of a picture where I drew of ALL OF my main teenage characters from both my Amar series (that I have up to this point, anyway).

Please don't mock the picture, I know I'm no artist, but I'm sure since it's the author's rendition it will be worth something in the future! When/if this series becomes famous.

And I know that some of you are looking very closely at who is standing next to who. I know I would be. Just know that even if each of these relationships between the characters does happen at a certain point in the story, that doesn't mean that it stays that way forever. So don't get too excited *chuckles like the evil overlord I am*

The winner will also receive a paper copy of the official map of Amar:

Also drawn by moi

Second Place will win signed copies of both A Certain Sort of Madness and A Week of Werewolves, Faeires, and Fancy Dresses as well as their choice of either the map or a copy of the character drawing.

Third Place will win their choice of a signed copy of either A Certain Sort of Madness or A Week of Werewolves, Faeries, and Fancy Dresses as well as their choice of either the map or a copy of the character drawing.

So make sure to keep sending your pictures in because this contest is still very much open!

Now it's your turn to talk. What do you think of my wrap-up? Should I make a habit of doing monthly wrap-ups? Are you excited about the extended date of the fanart contest and the added prizes? Comment below!