What is the Chronicles of Urn series about?
Chronicles is a prequel NA dark fantasy romance series that takes place in the same world of the Guardians series in the past. Each book is a standalone with a fairytale twist, recounting the true legends mentioned in the main series.
When is the release date for your next book?
Up next is King’s Kiss, date to be announced.
When will Rising Dawn release on audiobook?
The audiobook date to be announced.
Will there be a white special edition of Rising Dawn?
Every title in the Guardians series will have a white paperback. They’re expected to release a few months after the current book has been published. Special Editions
How many books will be in the Guardians of the Maiden series?
The Guardians of the Maiden series will have seven books total. Currently, there are four books in the series with the fifth coming soon.
How can I join the VIP List?
The VIP list is reserved for those who have purchased an exclusive edition book box, and they will receive first access to the store for every subsequent book box pre-order in the Guardians of the Maiden series. By purchasing the next book box, you will automatically be added to the list.
What genre does the Guardians series fall under? Is it clean?
The series is Epic Dark Fantasy, and it falls between upper YA and NA due to violence and mature themes like non-explicit love scenes. The recommended age rating is 16+. My books might not be considered clean by these standards. Please check the Guardians page for trigger warnings on each book.
Will you release the Guardians series in other languages?
I would love to release the series in other languages.
Where can I download the Guardians of the Maiden coloring pages?
When you sign up for my newsletter, you will receive a link to download the pages.
Are the bonus chapters available anywhere else?
They are available only in the exclusive and special editions. Find list of bonus chapters below. (EE = hardback exclusive edition. SE = paperback special edition.)
Divine Blood: EE - King Yoel, SE - Tarn
Bonded Fate: EE - Rawn, SE - Keena
Shattered Souls: EE - Klyde, SE - Azulo
Rising Dawn: EE - Sheli, SE - Tavin
Will you restock the past exclusive edition boxes?
Unfortunately, there will be no more restock of the previous boxes. But the exclusive editions by themselves might make a comeback when the series is complete.
Is there a waitlist to order exclusive editions?
The best way to keep up to date and get early access to future pre-orders is to join my newsletter. Once you’ve pre-ordered a box, you’re automatically added to my VIP list and will get first access before everyone else. Please make sure to whitelist my email so you don’t miss out on any future notifications.
What is the difference between the exclusive editions and the special editions?
The exclusive editions come in hardback with artwork on the naked cover beneath the dust jacket, they have inverted decorative chapter headers, interior character artwork, a bonus chapter, painted edges, and come hand signed. They are only offered each time a new book in the Guardians series goes up for pre-order.
The special editions come only in paperback, have an alternate white cover, character based chapter headers, interior artwork, a different bonus chapter, and contain my digital signature. They are available year round. Special Editions
How can I get an ARC of your books?
To receive an ARC, you can apply for my Street Team, or wait until I announce I have an ARC application available.
Where can I purchase your books?
My ebooks are available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited. Hardback and paperback are also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, BookDepository, Books-a-Million, Audible, IndieBound, my STORE, and several other online retailers.
*Please note: If you find my ebooks for free on a site other than Amazon or in a language not published by me, they have been pirated. This is theft. Please don’t support these sites. My books are available to read for free in libraries and Kindle Unlimited.
Where can I inquire about licensing, royalties, foreign rights or wholesale?
Please contact my assistants Will Foster info@beckmichaels.com.
Did it really take you 15 years to write Divine Blood?
To be fair, I wrote the entire series when I was sixteen, then I let it sit in a box for over a decade before I took it out again. That’s why it took me so long to publish to the first book.
How did you get the idea for the series?
The idea first came to me when I was a bored teenager in math class, doodling in my planner, attempting to escape my reality by entering another. The grouchy angel with black wings came to mind first, then the human girl who barreled into his life, followed by her wild werewolf cousin. It was originally titled Relic Hunters, and it was heavily inspired by my favorite books and movies during the early 2000’s. As many of my readers have noticed, The Lord of the Rings was a major influence.
I also intended the series to be a graphic a novel. I found more satisfaction in writing than in drawing it, though. Their tale has changed so much since that first word made it to paper, growing as I further discovered the world of Urn, met new witty characters, and complicated villains. It developed themes and other elements that led to changing the title. But the tale of Dyna and her Guardians is relatively the same one that sprouted in my imagination all those years ago.
Want to know more about the Guardians series? Find my answers to reader questions in my Instagram Highlights under Q&A.
Writing
I have a story I want to write but where do I start?
If you have a story idea that’s great, that means you have a story worth telling. When I am getting ready to write a book, I begin with three steps that I write down first.
Idea: What is the story about? Where does it take place? When does it happen? Why?
Characters: Who are your main characters, what are their names, what do they look like, what do they like or dislike? Most importantly, what is their arc throughout the story? Meaning what is the lie their believe in that will be resolved in the end. Also known as their character growth.
World: Now that you know what the story is about and who the characters are, build their world. What does it look like? Where is the setting? Our world or a completely new one? Is there magic? What are the laws of magic? The government? What is the religion, what do the houses, people, plants, and animals look like? Maps are always a big aid in helping you visualize your world.
Once you have written all of that down, you have the bones of your story. The next step is to outline your book with three acts: beginning, middle, and end. Now some writers prefer to write as they go, (which I prefer to do most of the time!) but even a light outline is a very helpful guide with where you want the story to go.
Whichever you prefer, set sometime each day to write even if its only for a few minutes. Building a writing habit and staying consistent is the best way to make progress. You got this!
Can you give me feedback or a review on my book?
I occasionally get emails asking me to read WIPs or review published books, but with my full schedule, that’s not a service I can offer. There are several great writing communities on Facebook where you can seek critique partners and beta groups.
What advice can you give aspiring authors?
Write every day. Read every day.
Perfecting your prose comes with practice and reading teaches you proper storytelling. Write the stories you want to tell, join critique groups, and make friends with other aspiring authors. I believe it’s necessary to find your tribe because they will become a major support once you set out on your publishing journey. Most importantly, be open to constructive criticism. Writing is a constant learning experience and realizing what needs work will serve in making you a better writer. No matter how discouraged you get, aim for the stars and one day you will reach them.