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Not A Romance – WIP No. 2 – This World Bites

Posted on June 24, 2014January 9, 2017 by Loni Townsend

Chrys Fey, author of Hurricane Crimes, tagged me in the Pay It Forward blog hop. It was after I’d already drafted this post that I realized the four questions could’ve been integrated. Unfortunately, I haven’t picked my three people yet. As a result, you’ll see more on that at a later date.

Last week, I brought up the first of my WIPs, Isto from the Ninier series. This week, I bring you a character whom some of you have already met: Cera.

I’d intended for This World Bites to be the first introduction to Cera and her gang. But then the A to Z challenge rolled around, and I realized the only way for me to come up with 26 consecutive posts was to write a serial story. I gave you Murder Most Fowl, an unedited, uncritiqued story. If you look at last week’s diagram, you’ll see I’ve got a plan to flesh it out more before publishing it on the market.

Original Bite ImageIn the meantime, I’m in the last stages of revising This World Bites. All of the Cera Chronicles are intended to be novella length. TWB rolls in at 25K. I’m looking for beta readers. I’m hoping for people who haven’t read Thanmir War, to help work out some of the elemental race nuances that might be unclear, but I’ll take anyone willing! My goal is to publish it this fall.

As the post title says, it’s not a romance. At least it doesn’t fit the romance genre. *cough* I’ve had mixed reactions to it. Some love. Some hate. I’m tweaking the ending still.

I don’t have a good blurb yet, but here’s a brief description:

Cera has just landed on a new world and Michael, her guardian, has been bitten by a zombie and will soon join the undead ranks.

Everyone tells her there’s no cure, but Cera isn’t one to be deterred. She’s willing to face off with zombie hordes, demon slavers, and black market informants if it means she’ll find a cure for Michael. But it turns out, she’s not the only one hunting for something. Something is hunting her.

POV: Cera
Perspective: First person limited
Genre: Fantasy/Humor

And speaking of Michael, I’ve posted his origination story online. It’s a flash fiction piece, and it’s not humorous. But then, none of the origination stories are. I’d love to hear any thoughts or feedback you have on it.

This World Bites by Loni Townsend on Grooveshark

Do you enjoy humor? How about urban fantasy? Anyone interested in beta-reading This World Bites?

43 thoughts on “Not A Romance – WIP No. 2 – This World Bites”

  1. Melissa Maygrove says:
    June 25, 2014 at 7:50 AM

    Good luck with TWB!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 10:26 AM

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Crystal Collier says:
    June 25, 2014 at 8:19 AM

    I’d volunteer to read for you, but I’m really REALLY slow. (Because of other commitments–just ask Mark Noce who’s been waiting for FOREVER for me to finish with his book.) We’re moving twice in the next three months as well, which definitely is complicating everything, including my next book release, but hey, life goes on, right? I’m hoping you find some epic readers who give you exactly what you need, feedback wise.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 10:28 AM

      Thank you!

      I am amazed by you. Moving is tough, but twice? In three months? Wow.

      Reply
  3. L.G. Smith says:
    June 25, 2014 at 8:35 AM

    I love humor, especially when it’s woven into darker works (Gallows humor?). And do you know we have almost the same name for our main characters!!! Mine is Cira. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 10:38 AM

      Me too (love dark humor, that is)!

      I’d love to read more about your character, Cira. Where can I find out more about her?

      Reply
  4. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    June 25, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    Hope you find some good beta readers. Glad you’ll polish and publish Murder Most Fowl – I really enjoyed it! You have a way with humor.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 11:11 AM

      Thank you! It might take me a bit, but I’ll get it out there. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Mary Pax says:
    June 25, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    I’m writing an urban fantasy now. It’s a fun genre. Blurbs are really hard to write. Yes?

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 11:59 AM

      Oh yes, very hard. I dread the day I actually have to write one for this novella.

      Reply
  6. Chrys Fey says:
    June 25, 2014 at 12:21 PM

    Wow! After I read the first sentence of your book description my jaw dropped. Your story sounds really, really good! My kind of story. When you finish revising it, send me an email [ChrysFey(at)yahoo(dot)com]. If I have don’t have anything else going on, I’d love to beta read for you. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 2:42 PM

      Woot!

      Reply
  7. Elizabeth Seckman says:
    June 25, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    Zombies, demons, guardians and love? As a big fan of Supernatural, this sounds perfect. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 3:38 PM

      I’m glad to hear that!

      Reply
  8. Stacy says:
    June 25, 2014 at 5:30 PM

    I’d love to. Not the fastest reader just ask Abi. I fell in love the the world and characters you created Thanmir War and can’t wait to see what coming next.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 25, 2014 at 5:33 PM

      Thank you! I really appreciate it!

      Reply
  9. Liz Blocker (@lizblocker) says:
    June 25, 2014 at 6:45 PM

    I’d love to read for you 🙂 I haven’t gotten to Thanmir War yet, which I’ve mostly been really embarrassed about, but now I get to say it’s a GOOD thing! LOL. The only possible consideration is how fast you need the feedback. I won’t be able to even start til I’m back from vacation on 7/7. If that’s not too late, shoot me an email, and we’ll work out a timeline!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 26, 2014 at 7:26 AM

      I’m going to take you up on that!

      Reply
  10. Aldrea Alien says:
    June 25, 2014 at 6:45 PM

    Regardless of TWB’s genre (as far as I’m concerned, anything goes in fantasy), I still loved its quirky nature.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 26, 2014 at 7:27 AM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Misha says:
    June 26, 2014 at 1:39 AM

    I might be able to help you out. I’m looking for someone to go over my novella one last time before I publish it sometime December.

    So maybe we can swap?

    Thing is, though, I’ll only be able to read TWB early in August, since I have to draft and edit my Fantasy novels in July.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 26, 2014 at 7:27 AM

      That’ll work for me. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Cherie Reich says:
    June 26, 2014 at 12:54 PM

    Good luck with finding some beta readers!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 27, 2014 at 8:04 AM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. SD Neeve says:
    June 27, 2014 at 3:22 AM

    So wish I could help you out, but I’m committed to a critique group and two individual critique partners at the moment. Plus I wouldn’t want to spoil the rest of Thanmir War.
    Good luck in your endeavours, but I see you have a couple of offers already, so I’m sure everything will run smoothly.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 27, 2014 at 8:28 AM

      I totally understand. Critiquing takes a lot of focus. I do have a few takers, which is wonderful!

      Reply
  14. Lexa Cain says:
    June 27, 2014 at 10:52 AM

    OMG! You’re so busy! I see on the side bar you’re working on 5 different novels. Holy crap – I can barely handle one. I love the premise of zombies and comedy/horror, but I’m drowning under revisions. Good luck!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 30, 2014 at 3:45 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  15. Stephanie Faris says:
    June 27, 2014 at 12:55 PM

    Sounds like you really are on the right track with your WIPs. Somehow I ended up judging a contest where I have to read 35 books–ENTIRE BOOKS–by August 1st. I won’t be reading anything but these books until then. I hope I survive!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 30, 2014 at 3:44 PM

      Wow, 35 books in one month? That’s a lot!

      Reply
  16. Doreen McGettigan says:
    June 27, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    I am so glad you found a couple of good readers. I am in the end stages of editing my book and am on a ridiculous schedule.
    I loved your A-Z posts. looking forward to more…

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 30, 2014 at 3:46 PM

      Editing really does take a chunk of time. Best of luck with your edits!

      Reply
  17. Christine Rains says:
    June 27, 2014 at 5:00 PM

    I love urban fantasy myself, but I’m horrible with blurbs. I always shout out to my writer friends for help in that area too. Good luck and have a good weekend!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 30, 2014 at 3:48 PM

      Writer friends that help with blurbs? Sounds like friends with benefits!

      Reply
  18. Milo James Fowler says:
    June 29, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    Crap. If I wasn’t in the middle of edits on a 6-year-old MS, I’d jump at the chance. But this sounds like something I’d enjoy. I’m conflicted. I really need to get this MS query-ready. But…zombie hordes, demon slavers, and black market informants? Screw it. I’m in. Send it over, and I’ll try to have something coherent to say about it by September.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 30, 2014 at 3:56 PM

      Woot!

      Reply
  19. C. Lee McKenzie says:
    June 30, 2014 at 3:43 PM

    Seems like you’ve got the help you need. That’s wonderful. Here’s to writing up a summer storm!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      June 30, 2014 at 3:56 PM

      Cheers!

      Reply
  20. Jeri says:
    July 1, 2014 at 8:46 AM

    I love humor in writing, but fantasy tends to throw me for a loop so I probably wouldn’t be the best fit as a beta reader. Based on the response here, it looks like you’ll be able to gather a good handful of readers for feedback.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      July 3, 2014 at 8:28 AM

      Understandable. We each have our preferred genres. If ever you do delve into fantasy, you might give Cera a try. 😉

      Reply
  21. Kristin Smith says:
    July 2, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    I’d love to be one of your beta readers! I probably wouldn’t be able to get to it until the end of July, but if that’s okay, then send it my way. You can find my email address on my blog. Email me and we can work it out. I might need a beta reader at some point in the next month or two, so if you’re willing, this could be a win-win!

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      July 3, 2014 at 8:30 AM

      Woot! Thank you, Kristin. I’ll be getting in touch with you, and I’d love to return the favor.

      Reply
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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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