Alicia

Watch out, London. I am coming for you! I should have been resting up for a very long day, but my sleepless brain apparently wants some closure before I go. 
          
          I am posting a "Vale" update this morning. It will conclude Part 2. The ONC-novella-that-wasn't is now about 2/3 of the way finished. It is certainly in novel territory now, and I will continue to chip away at it this fall, once this traveling hiatus is over. Thank you for all your support!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389375075-life-is-but-a-vale-of-tears

Thank you for reading Jane’s Song.
          
          Ron S

Thank you for following me …..I will be reading you book about travel 

Congrats to all ONC2025 winners and Honorable Mentions! I was glad to see a few names I recognized and stories I perused. Special shoutout to @Monrosey / Girl in the Mirror, the GRAND WINNER, and @Spelunkadunk / Windsor Lane, my favorite Honorable Mention! 
          
          Although it's always a little heartbreaking to scan down the list of winners and not see your name, I wasn't surprised, and I'm happy I made it to the Shortlist this time around (the best I've ever done). I'd go as far as to say they made the right call as far as LIBAVOT is concerned. That's because it isn't finished yet! I ran into two problems: time and length (even 40K wasn't going to be enough). I marked it "complete" and wrapped it up as best I could for the competition, but it's really just the halfway point. The rest (and hopefully best) is yet to come.
          
          Today, I'm posting the first chapter in Part 2. Much has been said, good and bad, ABOUT Corbin Nightcaster. Now we'll get to hear his side of the story in HIS voice. His first-person POV will alternate with Livinia's from here on out.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389375075-life-is-but-a-vale-of-tears
          
          What are all of you ONC enthusiasts doing now? What about the Watty hopefuls? Are you hanging around this summer, posting new material? If you are, give me a holler. I'm around for a swap for any new or returning readers. Drop me a book, and I'll add it to my list. :)
          
          Thanks for reading,
          Have a great summer,
          Alicia

Hello! Thank you for visiting and leaving a vote for my "Welcome to SereniTea Shop"   

Thank you for your vote on “Steps of Temptation”!  I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

I've been hitting my ONC reading list hard over the last few days, and I'm finally making some headway. 
          
          What are some of the standout stories that you intend to read "cover to cover?"
          
          I certainly have one that's been floating to the top. Have you checked out "Something Wicked" by @RJGlynn yet? You should!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389501915-something-wicked
          
          It's for "Harry Potter" fans who wouldn't mind an adult upgrade. The wizarding details are there, and they're impressive, but you also get romance that sizzles, horror that haunts, and high-stakes action that is expertly woven in. "Painfully normal" meets "spine-tinglingly 'other.'" Bell is the female protagonist/love interest who is the perfect example of what "strong female" should look like. She is smart, bada$$, and talented, despite the constraints put on her, but she also has a loyal, empathetic, vulnerable side. It's not for everyone, but it IS for Aden, her childhood frenemy, who has a likable "fratty" side and a dark magical core that he can't quite keep under wraps. I think this sums it up pretty well: "There are feelings, there are orders, and it's a big mess, especially in light of what's coming for them." 
          
          Cool stuff. Never disappoints. Could be the "dark horse" that eventually gets the "wow" it deserves.
          
          In other ONC news, I worked for about six-straight hours on my new "Vale" cover yesterday. It's been a real struggle trying to capture my plot in one image or even a few. Eventually I did come up with something I "kind of" like better than my original. If you're in the area and have an opinion, let me know what you think!
          
          Also worth mentioning while I'm here to bother you, I did an interview with the Mystery profile last month in regard to last year's ONC story, "Where It Ends."
          
          You can read it there: https://www.wattpad.com/story/393082977-book-of-the-month-standout-mysteries
          
          Or at the back of WIE: https://www.wattpad.com/story/361846251-where-it-ends
          
          Have a great weekend,
          Alicia

@Fairytale_Fabler Aww thanks. I have yours in my list so I'm hoping to start it over the weekend. 

Woo hoo! I just entered ONC round 3 with thirteen hours to spare! Check out the new Chapter 11 and read the "Wrap-up" if you have any questions.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389375075-life-is-but-a-vale-of-tears-onc2025
          
          What now?
          
          Well, it's still a rather long to-do list. . .
          
          1) Sleep
          2) Socialize
          3) Confirm I'm not a "Vampyre" and step into the sun again
          4) Do something good for myself, like eat right and exercise for the first time in forever
          5) Read other entries
          6) Make a few more ONC recommendations
          7) Keep writing for the Wattys. This concept was always too large in scope to be a novella anyway. I should have known (but never do, and never learn). . .
          
          Good luck in your final ONC hours, everyone! I hope to see you all on the other side of this. The fun has just begun, right?

Congratulations on getting the book of the month!!