A Song in the Dark by S. D. Reeves

3/3/2024

Evercharm book 3

Multi-volume, fantasy author S. D. Reeves introduces us to the third book in the Evercharm series, “A Song in the Dark”:
Everyone seeks her song. But who among them is prepared to die for it...

On a perilous mountain pass, Niena, the girl known as The Melody of Three, undertakes a treacherous journey with her fairy queen step-grandmother to escape all those who wish to control her. Niena's gift is also her curse. As the descendant of three races, she is the only one who can play the Evercharm, the lyre used to create the fairy, elf, and human worlds. For sorcerer Christaan De Rein and his trusted apprentice Higgins, he needs Niena for the protection of the Curators. But after one long week into their journey to capture her, it feels as if they are chasing shadows.

When those shadows transform into seething Udur, the Teamor's vicious hounds, Rein's traveling party are not the only ones in imminent danger. Niena is learning fast that reality is not all that it seems. And if creation is to be stopped from unraveling completely, she must decide exactly who she can trust...

Superb high fantasy! I love this storyline and this book caps the trilogy in a beautiful and unexpected way. I am committed to no spoilers.
<Gritting my teeth.>
This story has some languid moments that permit you to revel in the beautiful writing. In other places, the plot will leave you gasping for breath. Throughout the writing is wonderful.
The characters are quite solid if you have read the preceding volumes. If you start with this book you will still find that they develop fully as the story progresses.
Please don't ask me to pick a favorite character, I can't. I love several of them for different reasons.
I must warn that there are some pretty scary parts, so don't read late at night alone.
I award 4.9 stars to this magnificent story. I know, I am hard to please and picky as all get out.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Song-Dark-Evercharm-Book-3
https://www.goodreads.com/-a-song-in-the-dark
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-song-in-the-dark-sd-reeves
and other fine retailers.

You can connect with the author:
https://twitter.com/SD_Reeves
https://sdreeves.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SDReeves.Author
https://www.goodreads.com/author/S_D_Reeves

I have reviewed the first book in the series: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/curses-of-scale-by-s-d-reeves
I have reviewed the second book in the series:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-melody-of-three-evercharm-trilogy-book-1-by-s-d-reeves

tags: fantasy, fairy, fairies, magic, elf, elves, music, books, sculpture
Copyright © 2024 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

45 Comments

S.D.Reeves link

3/3/2024 04:54:29 pm

Hey Mark! Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my book :)

Mark

3/3/2024 05:29:00 pm

Welcome back to the Word Refiner channel.

I am honored to help you promote your book. Thank you for hiring me.

A note to readers: this interview is a continuation of the previous promotion for "A Melody of Three". Click on the link just above if you want to not miss our previous chat.

Here are the first questions.

A lot of authors struggle with finding beta readers. Because, after the first draft is done, fresh eyes and feedback become very important.

Do you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out some of the wrinkles before publishing?

If you don’t, why?

If you do, how did you find them?

3/4/2024 11:37:01 am

Thanks for the welcome, it has been awhile - I am a bit of a slow writer.

I actually employ two tactics. First, I do signups with my newsletter. Typically these are pulled from my Arc team (who in turn come from the general group). On the other side I use a company that was recommended to me a long, long time ago

3/4/2024 01:15:02 pm

Quite a few authors assemble an ARC (Advance Reading Copy) team similar to you. Having a website is a critical part of that operation for the process to run smoothly.

I have a list of beta readers on my Twitter page. I have more than a dozen lists of people who provide services to authors.

I don't recall running across a company offering that a beta reading service. You must be happy with their service to you. If you don't mind, please tell us more about them. Other authors might want to use their service.

New questions.

Do you ask the beta readers to read through more than one draft of the manuscript?

At what stage in your writing process do you bring in the readers?

3/4/2024 02:10:18 pm

Oh there are a few out there, this one however is strangely by invite only and don't advertise the service. I got involved with them back when I was with major publisher (who dropped me).

Usually the readers touch the first major draft (after a bit of editing). Then the company goes into the others.

3/4/2024 03:03:18 pm

That is unusual for a company, but their exclusivity must work for them.

New questions.

Do you give them an e-version like a PDF, access to Google docs or a hard copy you printed?

What kind of questions did you ask them to get the feedback you wanted or do you let them provide feedback without particular questions?

S.D.Reeved link

3/4/2024 03:10:31 pm

Some are like that, I've heard. Especially those from a few years ago

Always an eversion. And it depends, on the first run I generally want a "feel" from the reader, and things that break immersion. The second I look for a deeper analysis, but I don't direct really.

3/4/2024 03:53:25 pm

The stuff that breaks the magic spell you are trying to weave is important to find. Many authors that use beta readers are far more concerned with what doesn't work rather than what does. Quite a few authors have told me they don't care about typos and spelling errors in the beginning drafts.

New questions.

Will you seek out new beta readers or work with the same ones as before?

Do you reward the alpha/beta readers in any way particular?

3/4/2024 04:45:13 pm

Hmm, well i am always advertising the Arc team, as there is normally some turnover. It takes awhile to establish a relationship though. Luckily I have a couple of old regulars (other authors) that are part of the team (and over time, I have joined theirs) which helps.

They usually get a final, signed print copy, along with bookmarks and such. I am always trying to think of things to reward the folks in the Arc team in ways that make sense, rather than just toss free things their way. Participation and such.

3/4/2024 08:21:05 pm

I think an autographed copy is a wonderful gift from a book writer to a book lover.

New questions

Do you belong to any writing groups, virtual or otherwise?

Are there any writing groups for the genre you write in?

3/5/2024 01:09:31 am

Sort of, I take part in the writers flock discord. But it is not a group technically.

Else wise, there are a few out there. Most of the classical writing groups are by invitation it seems. I am not sure a bog standard writing group would work out for me, for various reasons.

3/5/2024 08:40:56 am

There are many, so many different social media groups out there. It seems there is a new one every few days. I can barely keep up with Twitter. I know, it's supposed to be X. But as long as the search bar says Twitter, I am sticking to it. Color me curmudgeonly chrome.

New question.

Do you think all authors would find a good home on Discord?

3/5/2024 11:12:38 am

I personally think so. There are usually a lot of people in those discord groups, and a lot of prompts, advice (taken with a grain of salt) and what not. Though, to be honest it can be hard to keep up with the flow.

3/5/2024 11:51:35 am

Good to know. I can barely keep up with Twitter. I know I can't take another SM account on. Though there are times I wish I could.

New questions.

Going back in time, did you do any kind of creative writing, even back in grade school?

How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?

3/5/2024 05:02:19 pm

About when I was 5, and my sister convinced me to distract my mother so she could take some cookies...

In all seriousness, hard to say. I always loved reading, but I don't recall a specific event

3/5/2024 05:16:45 pm

Cute story! I love it. As the oldest of my siblings, I was usually the instigator and mastermind of any mischief.

I have always loved reading also.

New question.

What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your latest book?

3/6/2024 04:56:52 am

I would say patience. It's the middle book in the trilogy, and as such is harder to get reviews for, place in promotions, and all of that. Main thing is to get the timing of things right.

3/6/2024 09:18:28 am

Patience is necessary in every aspect of being a writer.

Timing is quite difficult because there are so many factors that are uncontrollable, and some influences are unknown. All you can really do is publish when you are ready and see how things go. Then adjust what you can and let go of the rest.

New question.

What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

3/6/2024 11:22:03 am

Yeah, you can do the research, but there are never guarantees.

Hmm. I didna lot of research before hand. But nothing will effectively tell you how much work marketing is until you undertake it. Secondly, it would be investing so much into promotions before the rest of the trilogy was out.

Third, well hard to say. I wish perhaps I could have known how careful in all things you need to be, especially socially - how much a network you will need, and how it can turn. Nothing happened so much to me, but it was shocking to see fellow authors be mobbed.

3/6/2024 12:43:27 pm

Marketing and promotion are a never-ending process. With so many books in the market now and a million or more added each year, the need to market a book becomes ever more important. Not just the newest book also, all of your books should be promoted in turn. It's also unwise to rely solely on one platform or another. If your favored platform has a hiccup or goes down then you're stuck with your books becoming invisible for the moment.

One of my favorite blogs is about pursuing the local author angle. How to be a marketing star right where you live. Another copy-and-paste link or search the title in the box below: https://annerallen.com/2019/08/hometown-book-marketing/ I would add a few tips, seek out literature teachers at the high school and college level to share in their class and there might be a club in the school. Local newspapers are a good resource for an interview as well as local cable access. There might also be a broadcast arts curriculum and/or a club at the high school and college level. Have some questions ready to hand the interviewer if they seem uncertain.

Senior centers are another good possibility and they usually welcome any sort of activity like that. Contact the events director.

If there are tourist destinations try and place your books with the local author angle. Museums, gift stores, motels, hotels, tourist attractions are all possibilities. Keep a box of books in your trunk. Get a counter-top holder for a few books, paste a picture of the cover on the holder behind the books and put re-ordering information on the back of the holder.

Consider renting a table at a comic convention, county fair, farmer's market or a flea market. Have free swag to hand out such as a bookmark and sell mugs or posters. There are so many ways to be the 'local author' I doubt I have exhausted the list of possibilities.

Social networks are necessary and when used wisely can help build an audience of fans and superfans. It doesn't take much to set some people off, so caution is required to avoid sensitive topics.

New question.

Do you have a hero, real or fictional?

3/6/2024 01:13:02 pm

That is some good advice there, Mark. And you other authors out there should pay attention to it.

Sadly, a little bit different in Switzerland, or countries that speak languages other than english. All of those things you listed do not exist here, or work entirely different. In tourist places, fairs, museums and such that can actually get you fined here. And not a cheap one - upwards of 10k.

Hmm, actually I do not. I don't really think in that way I suppose.

3/6/2024 03:57:43 pm

Living in Switzerland is different than living in America in many ways. Nearly everyone speaks several languages including English.

You are an American and living in Switzerland. How did that come about?

Is it temporary or permanent until further notice?

3/6/2024 04:10:15 pm

It definitely is different, certainly, and poses unique challenges.

Well my wife is Swiss. We met about thirteen years ago on a history forum, we're married a year later. Basically, I am here permanently. It's much more difficult making a living in the states than here

3/6/2024 05:34:01 pm

I visited Switzerland in 1974. I was backpacking around Western Europe studying architectural history. I learned that nearly everyone knew at least a smattering of English. I learned key phrases for the country I was in at that time.

New questions.

How many languages do you speak?

Do you write notes by hand or on the computer when preparing to write a book?

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

3/7/2024 06:37:07 am

It is something I often take for granted: I live in a country others travel to for vacation. After awhile I suppose it just becomes normal?

Well, two. English and German, the latter not well. I can read Latin, so there is that

Always on the computer, and I am a pantser mostly. Only the characters and the ending do I ever plan out, if I do the latter at all. Right now I am trying out scrivener.

3/7/2024 08:46:12 am

A new normal, when you live in a vacation destination. I live in central Florida, close to Disney World. People from many different countries come here also.

Scrivener is a powerful program and has a steep learning curve from what I have read. Those that conquer the learning curve love the program, those that don't have other strong feelings about it. If I were a writer, I think I would find it very useful.

New questions.

Do you ever struggle with writer's block?

If so, how do you get past it?

3/7/2024 09:07:22 am

Ahh I used to live up around Huntsville, Alabama - where I was born. Mostly space enthusiasts.

Scrivener seems useful, but it is more complicated than word, that is certain.

Hmm, all the time. Especially after finishing a book. Mostly for me just time, I am a slow writer anyways

3/7/2024 12:31:01 pm

I believe what you say about Scrivener.

Many authors struggle with writer's block, when the muse goes silent and the well of inspiration seems to dry up. Here are a few ideas I have gleaned from other authors. Start a new project either in the world of the WIP or a different world or genre altogether. That could include a side story about one of the characters that is not necessarily to be included in the WIP. You could also write about why you think you are blocked in this story. Perhaps there is a character that needs to be added or removed.

Many authors engage in an unrelated activity. It seems that doing something very familiar and easy can free up the muse. Things like walking, bicycling, an art or music project, cooking, cleaning, other household chores. Yard maintenance such as mowing, weeding, or leaf raking can be helpful.

Some authors skip the difficult part and work on an easier part of the WIP. Here is a copy-and-paste link for a guest blog elsewhere on my website that might be helpful: http://www.wordrefiner.com/guest-blogs/non-linear-writing You can also search for it in the search box below.

New question.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?

3/8/2024 01:28:45 am

Oh I'm one of those that has to edit everything previously written each time, before moving on. But I have started a few side projects, mostly making a map, which I've never done before.

Hmm. Tracy Hickman once told me to watch trends, but I am not sure if that is always pertinent. Probably the one that told me to wait until you have a few books out to really start promotions

3/8/2024 08:20:02 am

The trends thing is pretty hard unless you are deeply involved in what others are doing.

I rarely go more than an hour without spending a few minutes on Twitter. (I know, it's called X, formerly Twitter, now. When it stops saying Twitter in the search bar then I will acquiesce.) I spend time daily removing new followers that are suspicious or too narrowly focused. That is at least half f the new followers and sometime quite a bit more, every day. The tweets and account formats change frequently, that is a trend I wish I didn't have to keep up with.

Having several books published can be an aid in promotion and marketing. You always want to be promoting your newest book, but you also want to remind readers about your older books. Many authors use the first book as a lead magnet to get people to sign up for their newsletter. Selling books from your own platform ensures against putting all of your eggs in one basket.

New question.

What has been the biggest surprise in your writing journey?

3/8/2024 07:23:25 pm

It's important.of course not to chase trends, but always be aware. In his case he lamented the fact he had to do a lot more work to make the same amount of money, that book signings and such weren't as popular, etc.

It is all about sell-theough, using certain books to entice readers to dip into sequels, or the backlog.

Mostly the sheer amount of work involved after you've written the book. Or the staggering amount of people catering to authors - for every new writer there are five entrepreneurs ready to capitalize on hopes and dreams.

3/8/2024 07:49:58 pm

All true.

I fit pretty well into the last category. Since I am a guy that loves to read, being paid to read and proofread books is icing on the cake. I am not ashamed to admit that I am pretty good at what I do.

New question.

You have published a number of books. You are writing more. Are you writing anything strictly for your own pleasure, not necessarily planning to publish it?

3/9/2024 08:44:38 am

That you are, and you should be proud!

Hmm. Well all of it is for pleasure, but nothing without Intent

3/9/2024 09:21:31 am

Your readers do appreciate your writing style.

Thank you, I am proud of my work.

New question.

What are common traps for beginning writers?

3/9/2024 06:19:09 pm

Comparing themselves to others, or focussing too much on the end goals. Both can kill a book in different ways before it gets even finished. We all have different journeys when it comes to this whole writing shindig.

3/9/2024 08:06:43 pm

Both of those are biggies. Good choices. Every author has a different voice and method of writing.

No two writers think the same. any number of writers given the same prompt will come up with different stories every time.

New question.

Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?

3/10/2024 12:04:36 pm

Honestly, it is hard thing not to do, compare oneself to others.

Confidence is big, and writing - at least the publishing aspect of it - is all about selling your book, hence, yourself. So, I would guess it is an asset, to a point. And that point is where you get overconfident and unwilling to take advice

3/10/2024 12:56:49 pm

Very true. We all do it. We all judge a book by its cover and we compare our blooper reel with someone's highlight reel. It's not fair and encouraged by the inner liar, a voice that we all have within that accuses us of all manner of perfidy. A voice that needs to be ignored 99% of the time.

I agree about that also, without some confidence, a writer won't ever publish their book.

New questions.

Can you describe the demographic of your ideal reader?

Who is the person most likely to buy your book?

3/11/2024 06:56:06 am

That is honestly a question that has been a challenge, at least at first. Originally these were meant to be, for instance, regular fantasy books. However, they fell into the YA range based on the main character's age.

Generally, women. With higher tractions from 15-20 ISH, and over 50

3/11/2024 07:02:23 am

You've got three volumes in the series. Those sales have given you a pretty good idea of who is buying.

New question.

What are you doing to advertise strategically?

3/11/2024 05:51:59 pm

Hmm. Well it depends, when I do blog tours and what not I usually ask the publisher to lower the price of the first book. Else, mostly it comes down to just running tests, finding out what works. Because whatever works for one person, won't work for the next.

3/11/2024 06:09:06 pm

It certainly seems to be the case. Amazon, and probably other major book platforms, seem to be constantly changing the algorithms without telling anyone. That leaves authors, publishers and whoever else having to be constantly testing strategies that Might improve sales and ranking. As soon as someone finds a pattern and enjoys some success, they tell others and shortly after that things change again behind the scenes and the new strategy fails. The window of opportunity doesn't stay open for long.

Last question.

Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?

3/12/2024 01:04:39 pm

Amazon has a stranglehold on the market.

Well, perhaps my cat. He always sits at my desk, helping, haha.

3/12/2024 01:15:48 pm

Yes, Amazon is the 8,000-pound gorilla! We are merely fireflies in the background.

Many authors write with their cat, you're not the only one.

Thank you, Stephen, our time has come to an end. I have thoroughly enjoyed our chat and am grateful for the time you have spent with me. I know you are very busy.

Until next time, keep on writing.

3/13/2024 06:36:41 am

Likewise Mark, it has been fun. Until next time, keep on with ye old proofreading!

A Song in the Dark by S. D. Reeves

Evercharm book 3

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