I’m almost done with my WIP, Against All Odds, Book 3 of the Crossroads trilogy:
Based on a true story, the extraordinary saga continues, filled with hardship, family, courage, truth, and survival.
Here’s a quick summary:
A million years of evolution made Xhosa tough but was it enough? She and her People finally reach their destination—a glorious land of tall grasses, few predators, and an abundance that seems limitless, but an enemy greater than any they have met so far threatens to end their dreams. If Xhosa can’t stop this one, she and her People must again flee.
The Crossroads trilogy is set 850,000 years ago, a time in prehistory when man populated most of Eurasia. He was a violent species, fully capable of addressing the many hardships that threatened his survival except for one: future man, a smarter version of himself, one destined to obliterate all those who came before.
From prehistoric fiction author Jacqui Murray comes the unforgettable saga of a courageous woman who questions assumptions, searches for truth, and does what she must despite daunting opposition. Read the final chapter of the People’s long search for freedom, safety, and a new home.
A perfect book for fans of Jean Auel and the Gears!
How’d I do last month
- I have a cover! Oh my I hope you love this as much as I do!
- I’m on final edits before sending it to my wonderful beta readers. Which frightens me. Yeah, but must do it.
- I also have the book trailer ala Diana Peach’s PowerPoint book trailer idea (thank you, girlfriend!). Here’s the link and here’s the embed:
- Probably toward the end of next month, I’ll ask for for help launching Against All Odds from those who wouldn’t mind participating in a Book Blast.
- I’m working on a collection of articles I’ll make available to those who are willing to help me with my book blast. More on that later…
How are you doing with your writing?
More on writing Against All Odds:
How I’m Doing on Against All Odds–6
How I’m Doing on Against All Odds–5
How I’m Doing on Against All Odds–4
How I’m Doing on Against All Odds–4
How I’m Doing on Against All Odds–3
How I’m Doing on Against All Odds–2
How I’m doing on Book 3 of my trilogy
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Against All Odds, Summer 2020.
I love the cover you’ve chosen!!
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I do too. I had almost no changes from the first draft my designer sent!
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And its wonderfully in keeping with the others! I remember reading the Clan of the Cave Bear series many years ago 😉
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That is one of my inspirations. But also–blogs like yours, that so reliably tell about the amazing past. They inspire me. I thank you for that.
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You seem pretty well inspired 😉 An impressive literary output indeed!
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Love the cover, Jacqui and great trailer 🙂
Count me in to help out with the book blast.
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I just added your name to the list, Luciana! Thank you.
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Brilliant 😀
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Looks and sounds amazing, Jacqui. I especially like the powerpoint trailer. Kudos to Diana’s idea. 🙂
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Thanks, Kevin. I’d love to see a trailer with your music. That would be cool.
Oh–that’s called a music video! Duh…
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Lol. Thanks 😊
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Definitely put me down.
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Done! A few more weeks. This final read is going better (at the moment) than I expected.
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Love the cover and the trailer! I can’t wait to read this!
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Thanks, Jacquie. I just grabbed the first in your series–written by you and several others. I love the tech focus!
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Thank you!
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Spectacular cover, Jacqui! As for sending your m.s. out for beta-feedback: On the one hand, there is a certain degree of anxiety that comes from that; on the other, however, it’s nice to get time away from our WIPs. I cherish the six- or eight-week break I get from my WIP when it’s out with beta-readers! I hope you use the time off from Against All Odds to recharge creatively! And congrats on finishing the m.s.!
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Thanks, Sean! I am eager to start the research for the next book so the timing is great. I won’t write, just take notes. Appreciate your input!
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I love the cover too!
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I do too. My designer sent this and I needed no changes for the first time.
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The cover is amazing, Jacqui! I’m so excited for you. And job well done on the trailer!!! You did a fabulous job. It isn’t that hard once you collect the images and know what you want to say. If you’re interested, keep me in mind for beta-reading. ❤
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Oooh you are on my mind for beta reading! I’m about a month away but moving along nicely. I’m eager to get this done to move on to my next trilogy–I know you understand that.
And the trailer–I’m so glad you gave me the courage to try it. I’m happy with how it came out. As I created it, I had yours right their where I could track things.
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Lol. Well you did a wonderful job, Jacqui. And I’d be happy to beta read. The timing will be perfect. 🙂
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That’s so great! Let me know if you’d like a guest spot on my blog 🙂
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Thanks, Lynda–and congrats to you on your latest launch!
Guest spot–love it, if you have the time!
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Just the fact that there IS a 7!!!!! Jacqui!!!! You’re amazing!
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I do these once a month so it roughly says I took 7ish months to write this book. The next one without a doubt will be closer to 15!
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Ha! But you keep at it.
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Wow, Jacqui! congrats so far and I love the cover! That book trailer is amazing and is a great idea! I would be happy to help with your blast. My fitness book is being edited now but put on hold due to our pending move out of state. Too many distractions now to focus properly, but I hope to start that marketing process in 2021. I admire your laser focus!
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You are wonderful! I’ll let you know about the book blast when I have more details. And, I will be thrilled to help with your fitness book when that works out. Moving out of state–you live in California don’t you? Would you take me with you!
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Yes, lived in Cal most of my life! Time to move on to Washington state!
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My sister just moved up there, from California. She’s pretty darn happy.
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Really
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A great cover, Jacqui. It goes well with the others too. Excellent progress.
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Thanks, Robbie. I think it does. She’s done a great job linking all of these.
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The cover looks great, Jacqui! I’m excited about your progress. The trailer is marvelous with beautiful images, summary, and leading to book 3! I would love to be on your team for your book launch!
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Ooh I will take you up on that, Miriam. If all goes excellently, I’ll be posting the signup in a month. I’ll have you on the list but the signup will let you choose a feature article if you’d like to do that. Thanks so much for your feedback!
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Okay, Jacqui, I look forward to it and will make sure to sign up. If you have me on the list, will you send out an email to the group? A link to your post, may be?
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Yes! Definitely. The only hitch is that the articles will be first-come, so only one person has them and maybe that’ll help drive traffic to the person’s site. I’m still working that out!
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Sure, no problem, Jacqui. 😊
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You’ve done so much and made great progress. Congrats, Jacqui.
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Thank you, Cynthia. This is the last book in my trilogy so I’m excited to get it out!
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I bet!
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That’s a great cover! You’re making solid progress. Good luck with finishing up and launching!
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Thank you so much. I love the cover but always wonder if it will resonate with those who don’t know the story like I do. I’m glad it does!
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Congratulations Jacqui. I agree with those who’ve complimented the cover.
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Coming from you, that’s quite a compliment, Robert! Thank you.
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Now I’m blushing. 🙂 Thanks.
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That cover is stunning! I love the trailer, too!
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Thanks, Kymber. They both have me pretty excited to wrap things up.
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This is my favourite of your covers so far. It’s perfect. And I loved the backing track for your trailer. The music is so important and I think you nailed it.
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Thanks! I like that nature is as much the main focus as the characters. That works for me.
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How exciting, Jacqui!! Love the cover and the book trailer is a great idea. Lots of work must have gone into creating it!!
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The trailer was more time-consuming than difficult. Finding the right music was hard!
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When one of us publishes, its inspiration for all of you. Best wishes!
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Well said!
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Beautiful cover, Jacqui! I loved how
you incorporated all you books in the video, too. I’ll help when you are ready.
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Oooh I’m writing that down, Denise. Thank you!
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Congratulations Jacqui! I love the cover and the trailer!
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Thank you! It was nice to write about strong people in this difficult time.
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Congratulations on all your progress, Jacqui. I positively love the cover!
When you’re ready for release promo, I’ll be happy to help. That time will be here before you know it!
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I just added your name, Mae. I am so appreciative. I’ll have more info in a month or so. I want to create a launch that brings traffic to the sites of people who are helping me.
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Count me in for your launch, Jacqui.
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Congratulations Jacqui. I love your new cover, and the trailer is excellent.
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Thanks, Brigid. It came out better than I expected. Kudos to Diana’s brilliance!
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I haven’t tried to do a trailer yet. She suggested that I do one and read my poems. As you said, finding the music, and do the timing is time consuming.
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You’ll be done before you know it.
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Doesn’t that sound good.
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I like the trailer and yes, the cover is fabulous. All the best Jacqui. Almost there! 🙂
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Thank you! After this one, I get to go more slowly. I’m looking forward to that.
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Beautiful work on the trailer. And I adore the cover!
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Thanks, Jennifer. The trailer was a lot easier than I thought it would be albeit time consuming. Diana was right!
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I love the cover! The best one yet.
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I kinda agree with you, Darlene. I like the understated human element.
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Hi Jacqui – love the video trailer … I’ll be back to watch again to take it all in. Looks really all encompassing … of the saga you’ve written about – just brilliant – clever lady! Congratulations … and all the very best – Hilary
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Thank you Hilary! I acknowledge you and Malvika for your invaluable insights into whistling languages. I still can’t get over how cool that is.
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Delighted … it was a great find wasn’t it – just glad it’s been taken up by you for your book … thanks for the thanks! Cheers H
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Well done. Love your cover. You are almost there. Keep your fingers going.
Hugs.
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Thanks, Grace! I’m about 6-8 weeks out I think. Depending upon my editor!
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Well done with the progress Jacqui, I love the cover, and that’s a great trailer! I’m used to using PP for lectures, so I plan on giving it a go for a book trailer, but it’s terrific to actually see it done, and your chosen slides make for a compelling read.
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Diana inspired me. I wouldn’t have even tried if she hadn’t made it sound so easy! It’s also available on Canva, including free music.
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Free music? That’s great, thanks for sharing!
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Free music on Canva would help. Thank you for the tips.
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Beautiful cover and I like your trailer (haunting music that seems to go with the story). Congratulations.
http://www.thepulpitandthepen.com
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Thanks so much, Jeff. I think that whole era was haunting. How did we even survive? Well, you’ll have to read the book!
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I do love the cover, Jacqui. And I wish you all the best as you finish up. (When you’re ready to release, you’re welcome on my site.)
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I’m writing that down, Staci. I’d love to commune with your efriends.
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Nearly there, Jacqui. I enjoyed the trailer. I’m looking forward to reading how the story ends.
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This final run-through either will go quickly or not at all. I have no idea which. Sigh.
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It will be just right!
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Great job, Jacqui. I love the cover! Nice trailer too…way to go Diana!
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Thanks, Jill. I’m so glad you like the cover. It seems to tie together the trilogy. My designers got it right with one try–couldn’t believe it!
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First time is a charm! 🙂
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Awesome news.
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And you have one out also as I recall. I’d be happy to host you here, if that sort of thing interests you, maybe talking about how your podcasts promote your book (or don’t) or similar. Let me know!
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Use my podcast to promote my book? What is this you say? 😛 I probably should do that more! Yeah, I’d love to collaborate.
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Whenever you have an article ready is fine. I read your latest post and feel the same, saddened, wondering what is going on to my wonderful country. So take your time.
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Let’s coordinate by email. I need to get a sense of what you’d like me to send.
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OK, sounds good. My email is askatechteacher@gmail.com
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Well done, Jacqui, with my best wishes for the release.
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Thanks, Gaby. It’s something else to finish the trilogy. Now, I have to figure out the next book/trilogy/???
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Great discipline. Great progress. Best wishes for the release.
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I do enjoy writing and not a lot else. Seems to work!
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Welldone
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Thanks! Welcome to the blogosphere!
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Can you be in my team
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