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​book reviews

Endow: A Blood Inheritance Novel (The Blood Inheritance Quartet Book 3) by M. Ainihi

2/25/2021

87 Comments

 
Multivolume fantasy author, M. Ainihi introduces us to the latest and third volume in The Blood Inheritance Quartet, “Endow: A Blood inheritance Novel”:
On the world of Sumir, the realms were put into place to keep peace by separating the magical races, but what will happen if those barriers collapse?
Picking up where Lost ended, Endow takes Emily, Amanda, and Kiami, on a dangerous trip through the realms.
Amanda is determined to prove that the stones they were given are the very ones from the ancient myth. To do so she may have to divulge a few of her dark secrets.
But a powerful storm is on the horizon, one that crackles with magical energy, and it throws them off course. Taking the opportunity to get Emily to accept a leading role, Amanda pushes her at every turn. She needs her to see the warrior that she knows lurks deep inside.
Kiami’s customary optimism is quelled as more truths are unveiled. An encounter with the wizard Bloise may give them answers, but she fears it will cost them too, and even after he explains the source of her inherited powers, she is left feeling like she’s running and getting nowhere.
When Amanda is reunited with her mother, it is not the happy encounter she once imagined. In a world soon to be at war, she realizes their curses were meant to cause the planet’s destruction. Can they be used for salvation instead?

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This is a marvelous continuation of the series. We get to know the characters so much better, they are becoming our best friends, but not necessarily to each other. There is a lot of friction between the characters, on multiple levels at times. Secrets! There are so many secrets, sometimes it seems they may drown in the secrets.
This book has a nice balance of narration, dialogue and action. There is some wild action also! No spoilers from me, though!
Now, I can hardly wait for the conclusion of the series. I know it’s going to be exciting and delicious!
The plotting and storytelling are improved. I award a score of 4.6 stars. 
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 You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Endow-Blood-Inheritance-Novel-Quartet-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-endow 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/endow-m-ainihi 
https://www.kobo.com/endow 

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/m_ainihi 
https://mainihi.wordpress.com 
I have reviewed the other books in the series and a collection of short stories in the horror genre, here are the links:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/rise-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi 
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/lost-a-blood-inheritance-novel-by-m-ainihi 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/resist 
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-warning-signs-by-m-ainihi 
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Tags: Teen, Young Adult, Sword and Sorcery, Fantasy, dark, Horror
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Copyright © Mark Schultz 2021 except for the author’s introduction 
87 Comments
M. Ainihi link
2/28/2021 01:04:42 pm

Mark,
Thank you for the awesome review. I am so glad that you reading enjoyed Endow.

Reply
Mark
2/28/2021 01:08:12 pm

I enjoyed reading the story a great deal. Let's get started.
First question.
Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

Reply
M. Ainihi link
2/28/2021 01:23:10 pm

I am afraid that there there isn't anything all that exciting to tell. My husband and I have two son who graduated from high school in the last two years, and we have two energetic rat terriers. I do love to travel and hope to be able to again soon.

Mark
2/28/2021 01:37:56 pm

You sound like a normal person. We all want to be able to go out, do things with friends and travel.
New questions.
Are you a full-time or part-time writer?
If you are, how long have you been a full-time writer, and how much time did it take you to make the transition from part time?

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M. Ainihi link
2/28/2021 02:20:50 pm

I have been a full-time writer for quite a while. I generally write for several hours and then dedicate the rest of the workday to things like marketing, working with illustrators, cover designers, editors, and updating my website.
I believe I transitioned to full time without even thinking about it. It sort of just happened after I started posting monthly articles on my website. I needed to find a good balance between writing fiction for books and writing articles for my website.
To help achieve my author goals, I usually alternate between posting creativity articles and mythology articles. One takes me much longer than the other, and since I enjoy creating both, alternating them helps me balance my time spent as far as that goes and allows me to make progress on my fantasy books as well.

Reply
Mark
2/28/2021 04:52:26 pm

Being a full-time author requires treating it just like a business. There has to be time for writing, creativity and the business side of writing. You enumerated several of the possible business aspects of writing. They are all important. Like so much else in a business, time and money are equally important resources. Both are spendable. If you have more of the former than the latter then you do more of it yourself rather than hiring someone to do it for you.
New questions.
How long have you been writing fiction?
Are you in the writing business for love of writing or for money?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
2/28/2021 05:12:34 pm

I have loved writing fiction for as long as I can remember. I write because I enjoy it. The process of finding the perfect words to describe the things in your imagination can be exhilarating and therapeutic.

Mark
2/28/2021 07:13:44 pm

Very nice. That feeling of accomplishment when constructing a great sentence or paragraph is wonderful.
It's nice when writing can bring in some money, but the love of writing is a splendid endeavor.
New questions.
Does your past work have any influence on your writing?
What inspired you to write this series?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
2/28/2021 08:07:12 pm

Although I have not written anything directly related to a job that I have had, I do believe all experiences influence your writing in one way or another.

Reply
M. Ainihi link
2/28/2021 08:23:20 pm

Although I can't recall what exactly inspired the blood Inheritance quartet, it was probably about seven or eight years ago after I received a paperback of Legends of the Fire Spirits: Jinn and Genies from Arabia to Zanzibar by Robert Lebling. Shortly after that, I began developing stories and mythology for the fictitious world of Sumir, in which the Blood inheritance quartet takes place and from there the idea continued to grow until I had planned a quartet and written a few short stories.

Reply
Mark
2/28/2021 10:03:27 pm

I love hearing the stories about what inspired a book or even the urge to write. Every author has a different story.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.
This next question might seem obvious, except that I sometimes miss something the author intended. What do the elements on the cover represent?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/1/2021 05:08:16 am

On the cover, the three sets of distinctly colored eyes in the sky represent the three heroines of the story, Amanda, Emily, and Kiami. The shadowy individual staring up into the unknown is meant to represents Justin, whom we learn a lot more about in this third book, while the feathers cascading down represent Kiami and the changes she undergoes during this part of her journey.

The cover artist I chose to design the books for my dark fantasy series goes by the name Rebecacovers. I really think she does a great job.


Mark
3/1/2021 09:28:45 am

The cover is pretty and mysterious, thanks for sharing the meaning. Thanks for sending me the cover the for the fourth book. I could not find a way to share it here in the comments. Can you provide a link so our readers can see it? The title of the fourth book is Resist, it gives me the impression that the story may not actually be concluded in the series end. What are your thoughts about that, without giving any spoilers away?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/1/2021 11:19:18 am

Here is a link to my WIP page where you can view the cover. https://mainihi.wordpress.com/novels/works-in-progress/
I wouldn't want to give away any spoilers, but Resist will be the final book.
There are a few short stories set in the same world, although they have entirely different POV characters and take place before and during the quartet.

Reply
Mark
3/1/2021 11:22:18 am

Thanks for the copy-and-paste link. Side stories are always fun, expanding the universe makes it more interesting.
New questions.
Was it hard to come up with the title? What was the process?
Were the character names difficult to develop? How did you choose them?

M. Ainihi link
3/1/2021 11:50:01 am

As a whole, before publishing Rise the series titled changed a few times. Originally, I was going to use the title: the dynamism quartet. Then after I started working with editors I briefly used: the endowment quartet, but I got some feedback from the scribophile community that suggested maybe it wasn’t the right choice and so it became the blood inheritance quartet.
The main characters names just kind of happened while I was writing, for the most part. Many of the other characters names have particular meanings behind them though. For instance one meaning of the name Abaddon is destruction and one meaning of the name Erol is brave.

Reply
Mark
3/1/2021 03:30:59 pm

Many authors go through title changes, sometimes series name changes also. A title needs to be relatable to the book and series and meet the expectations of fans. If the title doesn't catch a fan's eye it will not likely get a second look. Titles and covers are so important. Despite the oft-repeated proverb of not judging a book by its cover, we all do exactly that.
Names and meanings of names are very significant to most people. There are websites devoted to popular names for boys and girls by year and decade in the USA and probably much of the world.
New questions.
Your book is available as an e-book and a paperback. Are you planning any other formats?
What are the Amazon keywords you chose for your book?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/1/2021 03:39:09 pm

My books are also available in hardcover through most online retailers. I have discussed an audio book collaboration in the pas, but haven’t started one at this point in time.

M. Ainihi link
3/1/2021 04:19:21 pm

Some keywords that I used for Amazon and IngramSpark would include - Female protagonist;Fantasy;Betrayal and Loss;Courage and Heroism;Discovery;Moral Dilemma;Power;Jinn Fantasy; Magic;

Reply
Mark
3/1/2021 09:03:06 pm

Audio books are growing rapidly and have been for several years. There are many countries where English is the official language, in many other countries it is taught as a second language. These figures represent hundreds of millions of users and a large number of them have only a smart phone to access the internet. An audio book, in English, is ideal for so many.
Audio books are expensive to produce, still. It takes a good narrator a number of hours to produce an hour of audio book. One of these days soon, AI will be able to handle the job for a much cheaper price. This will elevate human narrators to a premium level, their work will be more sought after by discerning readers.
For audio books, an author can rent the voice of a famous person for a higher cost, of course. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a favorite actor be the voice for your audio book.
The future is almost here.
Have you changed your keywords recently? That might help boost sales. Dave Chesson has been researching this subject for quite sometime. Here is a copy-and-paste link you might find interesting: How to Change Your Kindle Keywords, by Dave Chesson
https://annerallen.com/2020/09/how-to-change-your-kindle-keywords-by-dave-chesson
New questions.
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/1/2021 10:01:26 pm

Thank you for that information. I really appreciate it and I will defiantly take a look. I have entered Rise in two or three contests. It did receive a seal for being a 2019 New Apple Summer E-Book Awards: Young Adult Fantasy - Official Selection. Here is a copy and paste link if you would like to see the other selections http://www.newappleliterary.com/2019ebook/2019ebookCat24.html.
I’m not sure if I will be entering anymore contest for the time being. Perhaps when the quartet is finished. Being totally honest, I am not generally what you would call a social butterfly, but I love investing my time in participating in sci-fi and fantasy events in order to meet readers and authors alike. I have met some really great creative people. I know they are few and far between at the moment but, I have a small event at a local mall next weekend that I am super excited about and there should be plenty of room for social distancing.
Anyway, back on topic, besides the new apple seal, I have earned some five-star achievements from Readers’Favorite, which I am very grateful for and AllAuthor offers a free cover contest once a month. I have participated in that in the past. It can be rather fun. Allauthor.com has some other great resources for writers as well, but that’s kind of getting back off topic again.

Reply
Mark
3/2/2021 09:46:04 am

Congratulations on the award.
Many authors are just like you, they tend to avoid large groups that require social interaction. But they love meeting readers and fans. I love meeting authors at book fairs and such. While those events have been severely restricted for the last year, they are starting to make a comeback. These events have been an important income source for many authors.
New questions.
You are writing the last volume in the series. After that is done will you keep writing in the same genre?
Or would you like to write in a different genre and why?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/2/2021 10:13:10 am

I tend to write mainly dark fantasy, but I write whatever genre I am inspired to write at the time. I have a lot of projects in different stages that I would like to work on. I want to say, for the most part they consist of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genre’s, but I haven’t decided which one I want to focus on after Resist is published. Its always possible that I may work on something completely different.

Reply
Mark
3/2/2021 01:07:10 pm

That is great. A lot of authors have multiple projects going and in multiple genres at times.
I think that’s a good way to keep the creative juices flowing.
New questions.
Have you ever gone through the query process, seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers or did you go straight to indie publishing or self-publishing, and why?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/2/2021 01:55:36 pm

I have submitted some short story's and poems to magazines in response to calls for submission, but have never reached out to agents or submitted a full length book to a publishing house.
I decided that I wanted to pursue independent publishing, after I had begun working with my developmental editor on Rise. After his initial read through, he asked me what my plan was for publication. He gave me two separate paths to develop my story, he said if you want a trade publisher to pick it up you will need more romance, ext… after reviewing both paths and thinking it over, I decided that I wanted to publish the series independently.

Reply
Mark
3/2/2021 03:29:07 pm

The developmental editor's comments are very interesting. That would not have occurred to me. I have no doubt he is right.
I think you made a wise choice, because traditional publishers license many of your rights to themselves through the contract to produce the book. They will make many decisions to enable them to make the most money, including asking you to rewrite portions of the book or the entire book with a different slant, change the cover, and even change the timing by as much as a year or more, if they think it will help them sell more books. Unless, you, as the author, kept some of those rights for yourself, you lose control of your book, for the contracted length of time. Besides that, you share the profits with them also.
The traditional publishing industry has been decimated since Amazon entered the field. There are now only 4 or 5 big publishers remaining. Untold numbers of medium and small publishers have disappeared or ben consumed also.
I do not believe that traditional publishers will completely disappear, but they are becoming increasingly irrelevant.
New questions.
Every genre's fans have expectations about what they are going to want to read. Fans of cozy mysteries have a set of expectations that can differ greatly from the expectations of fans of hard-boiled murder mysteries.
What expectations do fans of your genre look for in a story that they want to read?
I noticed that you didn’t put your book in Kindle Unlimited. Why is that?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/2/2021 04:35:57 pm

To answer your second question, unless something has changed with kindle unlimited, it is my understanding that you can only offer your ebooks using that program if they are not being offered by any other distributors. All three of my currently published titles are available in ebook format though IngramSpark distribution as well.
I am curious however, so I do plan on giving kindle unlimited a try when I publish my short story collection later this year.

M. Ainihi link
3/2/2021 04:46:29 pm

I think that first question is a bit tough. Many people that approach me at events seem to be looking for something different from the usual YA fantasy. I find that often, they want to gauge how fairy-tale-esque the books seem or alternatively how violent the situations are. Perhaps many are drawn to the more ominous approach and I suspect that they like the idea of more unpredictable outcomes than what generally occurs in fantasy. I also frequently get asked about my heroines, I really wanted strong believable female heroines, that held different ideas and beliefs. I think it’s important to readers that I maintain their differences and show the distinct ways each young woman thinks.

Reply
Mark
3/2/2021 06:00:42 pm

You are right, Amazon demands exclusivity when using KU. I think it's for 6 or 9 months. Some authors do well with KU, others not as much.
That is interesting, that people are seeking out darker work. I guess not everyone is looking for a happily ever after. Having distinct characters is a good thing, it adds flavor and depth to the story.
New questions.
What are the main advantages of being self-published as opposed to signing a traditional publishing contract?
Have you had contact with a vanity publisher or a company you thought might be trying to scam you?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/2/2021 06:26:57 pm

Well for me, the main advantage of independently publishing is keeping creative control over the project. I also really love that I get to collaborate with people all over the world on projects for things like illustration’s and cover designs. Another positive for me is because I work with freelancers for my art, I am the copyright holder of the work for hire pieces, which means I can use them for marketing in ways that an author who doesn’t maintain copyright wouldn’t be able to. It is my understanding that a publishing house generally holds the copyright for things like illustration’s when traditionally publishing.
I have been contacted by vanity publishers and small hybrid presses in the past. I can’t really say that they were trying to scam me. The conversations never really went that far. I do know a few authors that use vanity or hybrid presses and seemed to have alright experiences. I just don’t think it’s the right thing for me.

Reply
Mark
3/2/2021 08:37:32 pm

That is very interesting, I didn't know that about the copyright for illustrations and pictures. That makes even more sense to self-publish to me than before.
When e-books first came out, many writers rushed books to market without any serious editing. After the novelty wore off, a lot of readers felt burned by the low quality of the writing. Many readers vowed to never buy an e-book again. Self-published e-books have matured so much in the intervening years and can measure up successfully to traditionally published books any day of the week. Indie authors are still reclaiming their audience after all these years.
New questions.
Are there any other advantages for the independent author to self-publish?
What are the three most important considerations for an independent author to be certain of when signing a contract with a publisher?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/2/2021 09:54:20 pm

Well when independently publishing, you do get to control how often you publish and what genre’s you want to publish in. I’m sure there are more but ultimately what may be an advantage to one writer might feel like a disadvantage to another. Luckily there are also some great supportive online communities for writers, such as the Alliance of Independent Authors and The Independent Authors network, as well as groups across many social media platforms that offer advice and support for those who think that they may be interested in learning more about publishing.
In regards to signing a contract, for me I think it’s important to be sure that you maintain intellectual property rights. You should also be aware of all fees associated with using the company and their services: for example with Ingram, if you want to update your manuscript there can be a charge or if you opt to allow book returns there may be fees associated with that as well. Make sure that you read the fine print. Some authors opt to use more than one company for distribution like I have, and sometimes there are rules against it. If there is anything in the contract that you do not fully understand, ask for further explanation before signing.

Mark
3/2/2021 10:09:42 pm

So true, there are many supportive groups all over social media, not just Twitter, where I spend most of my social media time. There are also blogs written by many authors and others involved in the publishing world. I have many great guest blogs, elsewhere on my website, about many different aspects of publishing and writing. There are also lots of great links to blogs on my Highly Regarded Blogs page. There is no lack of information to help an author along.
You make a great point about intellectual property rights. They can be lost so easily by scammy publishers or agents. Another thing to be careful about is contests, there are many good and honest contests and many that are the opposite. Some of the bad ones want to get as deep as possible into an author's wallet, but there are some who are not content with taking much of an author's money, they also want to steal the IP rights and that is where an author's long-term financial success lies.
Writing lots of books, publishing wide and in as many formats as possible will lead to success and a bigger bank account.
As you said, read the fine print, the devil is in the details.
New questions.
How was the experience publishing your books with Amazon and Ingram?
Why did you choose both of those platforms among the others?

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M. Ainihi link
3/3/2021 07:17:39 am

I think Amazons process is a bit less complicated than Ingram, but if you are willing to spend the time, it is worth going through both. I have had good experiences with the two companies overall. Of course, nether are infallible. When Amazon switched from Createspace to KDP some unforeseen problems arose, but customer service was helpful for the most part. Similarly, on the one occasion that a print order was done incorrectly with Ingram, they were quick to find a resolution and get a replacement order to me before my event.
There is a lot to learn when you decide to publish independently. I chose those two companies after doing some research and listening to advice from other authors. Basically, both platforms fulfill orders in the same way, although they have slightly different requirements regarding the content that you upload. Some advantages of publishing with IngramSpark include having the option to produce hardcover books and large print books. Your books also go into their master distribution network which makes them available for purchase in a variety of places. Some advantages of publishing with Amazonwould include the fact that KDP is basically free to use and your books become available on all Amazon storefronts. I should note though that I use my own ISBN’s that were purchased separately through BOWKER. The rules may be different when using the ones supplied through the individual platforms.

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Mark
3/3/2021 10:06:05 am

Thanks for the inside scoop on Amazon and IngramSpark.
Buying your own ISBNs is a good idea. If you use the ISBNs provided by Amazon, then you are stuck with Amazon, other retailers won't recognize them.
New questions.
Have you started your own imprint? Here is a good article about that idea: https://www.janefriedman.com/why-self-publishing-authors-should-consider-establishing-their-own-imprint
Is using Twitter and other social media part of your marketing strategy?

M. Ainihi link
3/3/2021 11:49:32 am

Thanks for the great information. Technically, I do have my own imprints, but I don’t use them to their full advantages. Concealed Realms is one that my ISBNS are listed under, but I usually just use my name at this time.
I do use social media for marketing somewhat. I am not much of a marketer... I have run a few Facebook ads, and I update my Pinterest account semi regularly. I spend a lot of time on twitter, but mainly because I enjoy interacting with the amazing creative community there.
As far as marketing goes, much of it happens through face to face encounters at events where I get to meet people one on one and have honest conversations about the series.

Reply
Mark
3/3/2021 12:58:21 pm

I like your imprint, It would help solidify your brand if you used it more.
Marketing is the hardest nut for many authors to crack. Writing the first draft is a solitary endeavor, but after that many indie authors start to gather a team of people to bring the book to market. That team can include beta readers, editors, proofreaders, cover makers, formatters and more; depending upon how much the author can do for themselves.
Promoting and marketing a book requires a change of hats, the creative hat must be replaced with the business hat, because there are many ways to market a book. A lot of blogs have been written about this, I have several on the Guest Blog page and many links on the Highly Regarded Blogs page. Hit the search box below and type in promotion or marketing.
New questions.
Do you have a newsletter you send out to fans? Why or why not?
Do you subscribe to any author newsletters?

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M. Ainihi link
3/3/2021 01:09:47 pm

I don’t send out a newsletter, instead include updates and significant information at the beginning of each of my monthly blog post articles.
Yes, I do subscribe to a multitude of author newsletters. The majority of them come from fellow independent authors. I read a lot of indie books and have discovered a plethora of very talented writers that self-publish.

Reply
Mark
3/3/2021 04:14:19 pm

A lot of authors send out newsletters. I subscribe to quite a few also. Many authors seek to build their fanbase through newsletter signups. They offer a freebie of one kind or another to induce readers to sign up. The authors know that a percentage of people will signup strictly to get the premium offered and consider that a cost of doing business. For the fans and super fans, the newsletter is used to stimulate preorders and early sales. It works quite well for some authors. Some3 even sell their books on their website, perhaps autographed copies or book related merchandise. It builds their bottom line and helps cement the relationship with their fans.
I agree, there are a lot of talented indie authors.
New questions.
Do you have contests or giveaways for fans of your books?
Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your book?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/3/2021 06:17:59 pm

I have had giveaways in the past for my books and for others, but the service that I used to use for the majority of them is no longer active. I do often opt to include my books in the ReadersFavorite’ monthly giveaway, as they are now. There are many great authors that offer books through this contest. If you are interested in checking it out here is a copy and paste link: https://readersfavorite.com/book-giveaway
Well Mark, I really enjoy reading your honest reviews and you always offer valuable insight. As you know, I hire freelancers for multiple types of editing during my book production and it can be frustrating to find more errors after the fact, although I know that it happens even in trade publishing. I do hope to eventually get a chance to work with you in that capacity. I also happen to think that you are an awesome person and I consider myself lucky to have met you and gotten to know you through social media.

Mark
3/3/2021 08:18:06 pm

Thanks for the link, I am sure our visitors will find it useful. We have already had nearly 100 visitors.
Thank you, <blushing a little>, I have met so many wonderful authors over the years, I feel like you and the others are part of one big family.
New questions.
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/3/2021 10:02:06 pm

Mark, I am happy with them overall. I had an idea about how I wanted the finished books to look and I think with the help of illustrators and cover artists, I got pretty close to that. As far as the interior content goes, I like how that turned out as well, apart from those elusive typos. I had an artist design the scene break image specifically for the blood inheritance books. After developmental and copy editing was complete, I used Reedsy's book editing tool for typesetting, then had them sent to a proofreader. The physical versions do look a bit different from the electronic version.

Reply
Mark
3/3/2021 10:33:46 pm

You have worked hard to make certain that your books are a quality product. You bring credit to all indie authors.
I like the scene break image, it flows and moves quite nicely.
I didn't know that Reedsy has a tool for typesetting. That is excellent.
I think that there will almost always be minor differences between physical books and e-books.
New questions.
You have already gone a step further than many authors by publishing with IngramSpark so you can print a large print book for customers. Here is another step to consider, especially after the quartet is complete.
Have you thought about using Kickstarter or other crowd-funding platforms to pay for publishing or production of books or special editions? Here is one example, granted, it is extreme because the author has a large number of fans: https://kriswrites.com/2020/07/22/business-musings-the-kickstarted-game-changer-part-two/ Copy and paste time again.

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M. Ainihi link
3/3/2021 11:03:39 pm

Personally, as a writer I would never want to mislead readers. When you are talking about publishing as a whole, it encompasses so many things that it harder to choose just one unethical practice. One that may not be the worst but I find pretty disheartening, you mentioned earlier in the interview. There are some vanity presses that scam authors by charging high fees to produce their books for them. From what I have read, the finished products are not always what they were promised and sometimes they end up signing away rights that they probably shouldn’t have. Knowing how much time and effort the author most likely put into their manuscript, I think that its very terrible that certain company’s try to take advantage of authors.

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M. Ainihi link
3/3/2021 11:34:02 pm

Awe! Thank you for the nice compliment. I am flattered.
I had thought about it in the past because I often get asked if I can offer a versions with all the illustrations in them. It costs quite a bit more to have color illustrations and I have to wonder if I wouldn’t need to raise the price of the books up beyond what I feel is appropriate to cover the print charges, but perhaps if it was an edition that held all four novels or a boxed set, it could be done reasonably. Maybe I will revisit the idea after resist is published or if another interested narrator approaches me about creating an audio book. At any rate, I am defiantly interested in learning more and I am grateful for the information.

Reply
Mark
3/4/2021 10:22:01 am

Illustrated versions are very popular with some people. Deluxe bound copies also. The Sanderson experience is quite interesting. You might want to back a project or two to learn more about the experience from the consumer point of view.
New questions.
You mentioned audio book versions. What have you done to pursue that idea?
Have you thought about trying to get your book into libraries? Here is a copy-and-paste link with more information: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/06/12/book-marketing-how-to-get-your-book-into-libraries

M. Ainihi link
3/4/2021 11:20:09 am

Backing a few projects to learn more about the experience sounds like a good idea.
Regarding audio books, I had various people ask so I looked into it a bit but I didn’t do any serious research until after I was approached by an audiobook narrator at a comic con. He said he had someone in mind that he was mentoring. We exchanged a few emails and I set up an account on ACX, but I haven’t had any serious narrators contact me, so I think perhaps it just wants a good fit. My information on ACX could probably use an update at this point and I defiantly need to learn more about audio book production as a whole.
Thanks for the information. IgramSpark does supply to libraries but I believe that your books need to be available at a higher discount. Currently I have a 30% discount available for wholesale distribution. I really don’t have a lot of reviews for my books either and I think that can also be a factor. As you know, honest reviews can be hard to come by. I have however had local teachers at events purchase multiple copies of books and tell me that they are for their classrooms, which is a great honor in my opinion.

Reply
Mark
3/4/2021 11:48:54 am

You should take a look at your ACX account. There are other platforms also for audio books, like Amazon, ACX is not the only game in town.
You might enjoy the interview I had with the author of an audio book, the narrator, Kevin Green, joined us and he provided an interesting perspective. Put his name in the search box below.
Reviews are hard to come by. I have a resource that you might find useful on my Twitter page. Click on the three dots under my banner and look at the lists I have built, there is one for reviewers and another for book promoters. Many of the reviewers are fans of fantasy.
New questions.
For reading fun or pleasure, what is your favorite genre?
Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/4/2021 12:21:52 pm

I look forward to reading the interview. Also, thanks for pointing out your lists. You are so well organized! I will be sure to take a look at them.
I enjoy reading books in many genres. I think if I could choose two it would be fantasy and horror. Some of my favorite authors would include, Mo Hayder, Patricia Briggs, Edger Allen Poe, and Stephen King.

Reply
Mark
3/4/2021 05:45:02 pm

You are welcome, I found it enlightening.
My favorite genre for much of my life has been science fiction. But, fantasy has been a close second since high school. I was introduced to fantasy through the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. I was so enamored of the story I read the series three times before graduating from high school. I discovered CS Lewis during my college years and fell in love with The Chronicles of Narnia also.
New questions.
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Do you ever read a book more than once? If so, which one?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/4/2021 06:37:24 pm

Just one? As far back as I can remember, I have loved to read almost everything I could get my hands on. The Stand was my favorite when I was a teen and it is also one of the few novels that I have read more than once. There are just so many good books to read...

Reply
Mark
3/4/2021 07:13:44 pm

I am with you. I loved reading as a child and read everything I could get my hands on. A very long time ago, I figured I could read every book, if I lived forever. With Amazon owning the joint, I don't think that is long enough, now.
New questions.
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired at the end of a good writing session?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/4/2021 08:37:33 pm

I love how all three turned out but I think each time I finish one the next one is my favorite, because I have successfully unveiled more of the world and brought the overall quartet that much closer to the conclusion.

Reply
Mark
3/4/2021 09:27:11 pm

I had a hunch that would be a tough choice for you. The latest book is the same answer I would give as a reader.
New questions.
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?
How does a writer ensure the reader will connect with the characters?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/4/2021 10:48:29 pm

I think that it is important to tap into the emotions of your characters in order to make their situations believable and their individual reactions more understandable. This in turn helps the reader connect better with the characters. If you can’t get to know your characters on an emotional level, they could end up seeming flat and boring to the reader.
Pitting your characters against a formidable foe and exposing each one’s individual vulnerabilities also aids in establishing a connection, even if they aren’t particularly likable hero’s.

Mark
3/5/2021 12:14:33 pm

Very good. We are creatures filled with emotions, no doubt about that. Everything has an emotional component.
Emotions color our perceptions also. I think that is why it's said that no two readers read the same book. The characters should reflect that also. Having a formidable foe helps to expose character weaknesses as you say. The protagonist must lose sometimes, before they can triumph.
New questions.
What was your goal in writing this book? Did you achieve it?
Has your life turned out differently than expected or planned?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/5/2021 02:09:43 pm

Yes, I think I achieved my goals with for the books production. There were some delays, but it was to be expected at that point during the year and I am happy with the progression of the story-line, although I have a feeling when I finalize Resist it will be the longest of the four.
With life overall? Yes, things are always changing. Its what makes life interesting. As far as writing goes, it has been a compulsion of mine since I was quite young, but until a few years ago, I only wrote for my own pleasure. It was my husband that pushed me to pursue publishing more seriously and I am thankful that he did.

Reply
Mark
3/5/2021 02:35:14 pm

I would not be surprised if the last book is longer.
Life is always changing. It never stays the same for long. We are in the process of selling our home and moving across the country. I thought this would be our last home, I also thought that about our previous home and the one before that. I am not saying that anymore. We are moving into our next home.
New questions.
If you have been writing from an early age, do you have other books that you might publish in the future?
Have you ever done NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, held annually in November?

Reply
maainihi@gmail.com link
3/5/2021 04:12:34 pm

I have lost a lot of notebooks from my youth, but I actually have a few old floppy disks and many flash drives filled with stories that are in various stages of development. A few of the tales in my upcoming short story collection were originally written years and years ago. They needed a lot of work, but I am happy with how they are turning out. I hope to work on more of them in the future, after Resist is published.
Yes. I enjoy participating in NaNoWriMo very much. I believe 2017 was the first year I joined in. Beyond the word count goal, I like to participate in the various online writing activities they organize.

Reply
Mark
3/5/2021 07:17:48 pm

That is great. You have lots of material to work with, that must be fun.
It seems that most NaNoWriMo participants enjoy the contest. It seems pretty easy to win, just write 50,000 words of a first draft during the month of November.
New questions.
What kind of preparation do you do before NaNoWriMo starts?
Are you an under-writer or an over-writer? When the first draft is done, do you need to add more to flesh it out or do you have to cut material because there is too much?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/5/2021 09:33:26 pm

Since I am always writing I change my schedule around a bit. Generally, I do not have a specific word count goal but during November I make sure I write about 2,000 words per day. I also go back to being more of a pantser than a planner.
In general, I think I underwrite. I did cut something like 64,000 words from Lost. But more often than not, I end up adding more after the first draft is done.

Mark
3/5/2021 10:44:20 pm

I think you are the first person to reveal that they switch to being a panster from a plotter. I have heard of plotters doing mounds of research, creating character biographies, laying out arcs and scenes before the first of November. Basically doing everything they can to prepare for the contest.
New questions.
What type of material is cut most often, action, description or dialogue?
When working through the excess writing, are you talking about sentences, paragraphs or a chapter that didn't survive the final cut?

Reply
M.Ainihi link
3/5/2021 11:31:05 pm

I did some prep similar to what you’re saying the first year. Now when I am participating in November it’s become a time for me to change things up and work on something different. Whereas, on a normal day when I am working on my series I have to take things slower.
I would say I am still a Plantser (a mix of plotter and panster) but, the further along I get the more I need things planned out with more finality earlier on. Otherwise I take a chance that small details may not match up just the way they need to from book to book and POV to POV.
To answer your questions, I think in general its dialogue that I cut more often. Dialogue is probably the most difficult thing for me to write. For your second question, usually sentences. In the case of Lost it was whole chapters.

Reply
Mark
3/6/2021 11:27:52 am

I think a lot of authors are like you, not many are totally one way or the other.
The conclusion, or book finale is very important, having that firmly in mind is necessary for smoother writing most of the time. Rick Hall, a guest blogger here, wrote a great piece about non-linear writing. Search for the topic or his name in the search box below, I think you might find it interesting.
New questions.
You took so much out of Lost. Did it materially affect the story? Have you thought about releasing an expanded, deluxe edition of Lost?

M. Ainihi link
3/6/2021 03:46:45 pm

Removing them didn’t effect the story negatively. I would like to include more of Kiami’s backstory in the last book.(there was a great deal more written than what’s in the books so far) or perhaps create a short story with Kiami that has more of her backstory.

Reply
Mark
3/6/2021 04:26:31 pm

Side stories and origins are a good way to expand the universe and can serve as an inducement for people to sign up for a newsletter. Personally, I am more intrigued by Kiami than the other characters, her shapeshifting abilities are fun. It could be more fun if she discovered she could change into any bird.
New questions.
Do you prefer dialogue tags or action beats in your books?
What do you do to flesh out the characters for your stories? How do you give them depth?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/6/2021 09:05:48 pm

I think I prefer action beats, but there’s both in my stories.
For a novel length story I usually end up making detailed character sheets. Not right away, but once I have a good idea of what I want to happen. Sometimes I practice putting them in different types of situations so I can better determine how they would react.

Reply
Mark
3/6/2021 10:05:43 pm

I prefer action beats also. They enrich the story and move it along.
I think character sheets are a good idea. Some authors draw or paint pictures of how they envision the characters appearance. Others search out pictures on the internet for the same reason.
I think using alternate situations for the characters are a great idea.
New questions.
Do you base your characters on people you know or have met, or is it easier to just invent them completely?
Have you ever used yourself as a character for a starting point in a story? Would a friend or family member recognize you in the story?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/6/2021 10:16:40 pm

I don’t think I have purposely based a character on someone I have met, but I am sure people I have met have influenced them.
I have never used myself as a character, yet. Yes. I think friends or family would recognize me in a story.

Mark
3/7/2021 10:00:49 am

Different authors have different approaches to this subject. Many are like you and never consciously pattern a character after a family member or close acquaintance. Others will use bits and pieces of friends for color or interesting actions. Still others will change a few details and write a friend in as a second or third tier character. I was written into a book as a minion of the antagonist. When my character had a change of heart the antagonist killed my character, it was a good death.
New questions.
If you used a close friend or family member in a book, would you tell them or make sure that they wouldn't recognize themselves in the story?
There is a journey that a hero/protagonist must complete in a story. How did you frame the quest or challenge for your protagonist in this book?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/7/2021 12:07:18 pm


I think that if I used a close friend or family member in a book I would tell them.

Reply
Mark
3/7/2021 03:46:15 pm

I think that’s a very good idea. It is not worth hurting the feelings of a family member or close friend.
New questions.
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/7/2021 05:40:37 pm

My protagonists were more fun to write in Endow. I like to think that my protagonist work to understand one another even though they have differing views and beliefs, but Amanda sometimes acts rashly without thinking tings through fully.
There’s not very much to like about the main antagonist, he’s definitely devoted to his plan... given the amount of time he’s put into seeing it through. I suppose that could be considered a good quality.

Reply
Mark
3/7/2021 06:27:44 pm

With four protagonists, There is opportunity for lots of banter and some friction, both of which makes the characters come alive and seem real. There have been a number of antagonists through the series so far, but they do not seem to working in concert, unless the big boss is pulling the strings. Amanda may have put a real crimp in his plans, we will find out in the next volume.
New questions.
What do you use to cause problems for the hero in this book?
Villain, antagonist, every story and hero needs a villain. Who is the main villain in this book?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/7/2021 08:04:19 pm

Well the female heroines each have there own set of problems. Some are caused by the powers they posses and others are caused by the villains they have encountered. All of them have lost someone they care for deeply one way or another, although the circumstances surrounding each loss has been different. Some of the themes include: BETRAYAL, LOSS, FEAR, SURVIVAL, COURAGE, HEROISM, DISCOVERY, POWER, MAGIC,  ISOLATION, ACCEPTANCE, IDENTITY,  and MORAL DILEMMA.
The main villain, at this point is only known as the celestial.

Reply
Mark
3/7/2021 08:45:53 pm

Justin has his own problems also. He is beset with issues from his past as well. He has really struggled with getting his eyes off of himself much of the time. Though he has come through when the chips were down.
New questions.
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?
Do you write in a straight line or do you write whatever the muse provides for you at a given moment?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/7/2021 09:02:58 pm

At this time, I generally write from about 9:00 to about 2:00 pm. I reserve time before writing to take care of other writing/publishing related things.

For the most part I write the first draft in a straight line. During initial rewrites though, I tend to jump around more. Once I think, it might be ready for developmental editing, I usually go over the whole thing from beginning to end again.

Reply
Mark
3/8/2021 10:24:35 am

That is a good block of time. You can get a lot of writing and rewriting completed in the amount of time. You are very wise to devote some time everyday to the non-writing stuff like publishing and marketing. Promotion is an overwhelming topic for a lot of authors. There are so many different ways to market books, it would be easy to allow promotion to consume a lot of writing time. Working on it every day can lead to progress and success.
New questions.
Do you ever experience writer’s block and what do you do if you get stuck?
Is there a particular place in a story or type of writing that brings the block on?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/8/2021 10:41:12 am

If I get stuck on a certain part of a story, I usually take a break from it by going for a walk. If that doesn’t work, I do some other creative activity related to my stories such as coming up with a concept for new illustrations, cover designs, or updating my website pages.
I haven’t noticed a pattern in regard to a particular place in a story where blocks occur more often. Sometimes I think you just a break to recharge. Its during those timeouts, when you start concentrating on something else, that I find new inspiration often strikes.

Reply
Mark
3/8/2021 01:25:36 pm

Those are good ideas to beat writers block. There seem to be two main ways to overcome creative blockage. The first is to work on a different writing project, as you said you do. The second idea that others use is to engage in a familiar physical activity, gardening, walking, or perhaps chores around the house.
New questions.
Did your writing process change much from your early writing to your current book or did it stay the same?
Which is more important to a story pace or flow? How do you control it?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/8/2021 01:50:57 pm

I think I mentioned before that I used to have a word count goal each day, which can be helpful when your writing something new but I find that now its better for me to pay less attention to the amount of words and be more attentive to the quality of words, so that I am rewriting less. I have also found that getting the developmental editor involved earlier in the process is really helpful. I rewrote Rise so many times before I got anyone else involved… of course I probably second guess myself less although it still happens, as I am sure it occurs with many of us. I also think it had benefited me to have a dedicated office , which was not the case early on. Another change would be that I tend to do more research as I am writing now, which is not necessarily for the better.
I think pace and flow are equally important in story telling although I tend to spend more time going over words to make sure they flow well to me. I like to hear the story out loud. I think it helps a lot.

Mark
3/8/2021 03:22:53 pm

I recommend to new authors struggling with their first draft, to not worry about the quality of words. Nobody has ever written a perfect first draft, and trying to achieve that is a sure way to turn off the creative juices. I think every book can benefit from the touch of the developmental editor, that is a worthwhile investment.
Having a dedicated office space is important also. It puts one into the working frame of mind. A little ritual is a good idea.
Research would be a big problem for me, I love going down those rabbit holes. I enjoy learning new things.
Reading aloud is a great way to aid self-editing. Many software packages and some browsers have reading aloud built in and that makes it easier.
New questions.
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/8/2021 05:17:16 pm

The situations in these books may be fictitious and take pace in a fantasy world, but the self-questioning that occurs and the doubt, those are things we face every day. I like to say that the protagonists do the best they can with the information that they are given and have found out, especially as they learn more about themselves and each other.

Reply
Mark
3/8/2021 06:32:44 pm

Excellent point. Fantasy, fiction, not the real world, yet the situations and the reactions of the characters are very real. The fictioneer shows the truth in different garb.
Making the best out of a situation with what you know is all any of us can do on any given day. The difference being that the protagonist doesn't always win in real life.
Last questions.
Do you have a classical author or poet, you admire?
What popular modern authors have influenced you?

M. Ainihi link
3/8/2021 07:55:47 pm

Jane Austen.
I believe many authors inspire me in different ways. If I had to pin it down to a few modern authors, it would be Patricia Briggs and Stephen King. There are so many great books that I have yet to read. I feel like for every book I finish, I add three more to my wish list.

Reply
Mark
3/8/2021 08:04:40 pm

Jane Austen was such a good writer. Her dialogue is magnificent.
I certainly agree with you about an overwhelming number of books I want to read.
I have another promotion starting tomorrow, so I must bring our conversation to a close at this time. I want to thank you for being a fabulous guest on the wordrefiner channel. I enjoyed reading your book so much and look forward to the conclusion.
Take care now and keep writing.

Reply
M. Ainihi link
3/8/2021 08:09:56 pm

You ask such an array of questions! It makes for a fun and interesting interview experience. Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to chatting with you again soon.




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