New here? I write fast-paced, slow-burn paranormal romance where strong women, good men, and impossible pressure push love to its limits. 💜

The Front Page

Hello from the behind-the-scenes trenches,

I've got another reveal this week!

Last week, I announced that every first book in a new series will be free directly from me (and just 99¢ on retailers) because I want it to be as easy as possible for new readers to discover my stories.

This week, I'm making them even more accessible.

🎧 I've started a YouTube channel where you'll be able to listen to my books for free!!!

The channel is already live, even though the first audiobook isn't quite ready yet. I've been climbing a very steep learning curve with audiobook production, and then the friend who was helping me had a death in the family, so everything has been delayed just a little.

I'm hoping to have the first videos up by the end of next week.

If you'd like to be there when they go live, you can subscribe here: YouTube.

While I was redesigning my website, I also added a brand-new Free Books page that brings together every free title in one place, so finding your next read should be much easier.

And that's only the beginning.

I've got two brand-new series coming, I'm experimenting with a couple of different book lengths, and I've been working on some new ways to make my stories easier to discover and enjoy.

I can't wait to finally share all of it with you.

There's a lot more coming over the next few months... and I can't wait for you to dive in.

Now... onto this week's question...

✨ The 52-Week Journey — Week 29/52 ✨

Last week I asked: Would you rather be underestimated or feared?

You said: Underestimated with 68% of the vote.

This week: Would you rather forgive someone who hurt you… or walk away before they can do it again?

Forgive

Walk Away

Full Rules, Deadline, & Details Here.

I hope you check out all the new stuff! Now, I'm heading out with my hubby to the book signing in Seattle. We'll break up the trip by stopping to see family in Vancouver first. I'll have pictures for you next week. 💜 /KJ

Behind The Pages

When I Changed My Mind About Book Length

This week I was supposed to bring you Part 2 of my three-part series, The Story Behind the Story.

Instead... I want to talk about something completely different.

Book length.

I was a late reader. I didn't learn to read until I was twelve, and when I finally did, I discovered the stacks of romance novels my mom had around the house.

I was hooked.

Ever since then, I've naturally gravitated toward longer books. I love sinking into a

story, getting to know the characters, and living in their world for a while.

So that's what I've always written.

But... you knew there was a but coming, didn't you?

Over the last couple of years, I started hearing more and more people say they were looking for shorter reads—35,000-word novellas or 50,000-word novels they could finish in an evening or over a weekend.

One friend even told me she won't download a book if it's much over 200 pages.

At first, I couldn't imagine it.

Then one evening I finished the entire backlist of a new-to-me paranormal romance author. Her novels were around 90,000 words each, and I'd loved every one of them.

When I ran out of those, I noticed she'd also written a few novellas in another genre.

I downloaded one.

Finished it that evening.

Downloaded the next one.

And suddenly... I got it.

There's something really satisfying about settling in for one evening and finishing an entire story.

Don't get me wrong—I still adore long books, both as a reader and a writer. I don't think that'll ever change.

But now I enjoy shorter stories too. That's one of the reasons you'll start seeing some new series from me.

Alongside my longer novels, I'll also be releasing some 35,000-word novellas and 50,000-word novels. The novella series will launch in Kindle Unlimited to start, while the longer books will continue to be available wide.

You would think that a 70,000-word novel would take twice as long to write as a 35,000-word novella. Nope. It takes closer to four times as long.

Longer books need deeper character development, more plot threads, more subplots, and more time for relationships to grow. Shorter books let me tell complete, satisfying stories much more quickly.

Which means you won't be waiting as long between releases.

The longer series aren't going anywhere—The Altered is still very much in the works—but these shorter stories will let me bring you new books much more often.

In fact, both of my upcoming series are already on my website with their covers, blurbs, and preorder links if you'd like a sneak peek before release. As promised, the first book in each new series will be free from me and they'll be available on the day of release.

I'm really excited to share these new stories with you, and I can't wait to hear which series catches your eye first.💜/ KJ

Off The Page

Here's a bit about what's happening with me outside of writing...

Top/Left Image: Solo cooling off with a fan. We've had super hot weather between crazy rain storms. We never used to need central air in Alberta, but maybe...

Middle Image: Packing up books and the rest of items I'll need for the book signing in Seatlle.

Bottom/Right Image: Solo's dog food packed to go with him to the trainers. We'll only be gone 8 days, but it's still 15 pounds of dog food!

The Next Pages...

New books are coming!

Until next time.... Wishing you a little hope, love, & magic every day! 💜

Get in touch

kj@kjwarawa.com

https://kjwarawa.com

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You'll soon be able to listen for free. 💜