A New Book is About to be Born!

Hello Friends!  JCMeadowsBooks has huge news!  

A new book is about to be born.

For over a year now I have been working on a dark medieval fantasy.  I have been dreaming and crafting this new book to make it worthy of any TBR, bookshelf, or desk in the country.  It’s been a vision so big I couldn’t do it on my own. A lot of YOU have been working beside me on it.

It was forged in the fire of late nights, stolen moments, and countless daydreams. Let me start by thanking those that have served as inspiration, sounding board, and fellow travelers on this writing journey, my writing groups. I have found some very strong communities of writers that are intelligent, insightful, and dogged producers of the written word. If you’re an aspiring author and you haven’t found one yet. Do it. You won’t regret it.

The first group to walk through this journey with me was the Writer’s Group at the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Library. This sweet and dedicated group of people have been welcoming of me and my stories. I have so enjoyed sharing with them in one another’s writing journeys and literary worlds. Kendra Fogt has cultivated a delightfully diverse and welcoming group from every age and walk of life imaginable. It is amazing.

The second area group that I joined was the Tome Writer’s Group at Tome Books in Cincinnati. The owner of Tome, J. Spencer, has captured lightning in a bottle. In creating this group he has fostered a place where writers can have practical hands-on writing experience with prompts, learn about the craft with informative lectures from experienced authors, and at the same time fostering a real community amongst local writers. Special thanks to Noah Hoffman and Sarah Gregory that often teach and facilitate the group. I have loved every minute of it. I’ve learned so much and my book is so much better because of it.

The third and final writing group I’m a part of at this time is the Hidden Chapter Writer’s Group. Thank you, Dave and Lacey Mulcahy for making an amazing coffee shop and bookstore combo that serves as a hub for the Ft. Thomas community and a source of inspiration. The Hidden Chapter Group is a handful of trusted friends and experienced writers who come together to help hone one another’s stories. You all know who you are. Thank you for being rocks and inspirations to me.

In addition to all of the time I’ve spent on it with writers in my community, this new book has been through not one but two rounds of Beta Readers. Thank you to all of you amazing readers and friends that were brave enough to spend hours with my story and point out how it could become even better.  A few brave souls have even read it twice. Here’s lookin’ at you Heidi Davis and Christy Skidmore.  Words cannot express how grateful I am for each and every one of my Beta Readers. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

The new book has also gone through two rounds of professional edits. Laurynn Fox and Jessica Scharnagle have poured over my manuscript and helped me step out of the sandbox to do some hard thinking about plot, character motivation, weight, and pacing. They have turned this book from something I feel confident sharing with friends into something I feel confident sharing with the world. They also taught me that yes, I’m old, and no, sentences no longer have two spaces after a period.

In addition to the written word, I decided to highlight my book with Art that compliments my vision of the story. I am absolutely blessed to have two of the most talented professional artists I have ever seen join me in bringing this story to life. A.R. Reddington did the cover art and internal art panels. My chapter headings were created by Ellie Larson. If you want to read more about them and explore more of their work check out the Contributing Artists section of my website. 

It has been a long but rewarding road. I can honestly say I couldn’t have gotten here without the help of dozens of other talented minds and hands willing to share in this crazy dream about two lost souls that discover sometimes the purest hearts can birth the most terrible nightmares.

So, without further ado, let me introduce to you my newest novel, Troublesome Blood. The official release day is 8/4/26. It will be available on Amazon and can be ordered wherever books are sold. We already have a few in-person events scheduled as well, so keep your eyes open for those.

Thank you again to everyone who had a hand in making this day possible, and keep a look out for even more changes to the community at JCMeadowsBooks and opportunities to become part of the process no matter how far away you might live.

Sincerely,

James Carl Meadows