Hello World

I thought it would be nice to start the last post like the first, even though it’s actually a good-bye! Yes, you read it correctly. This is the last post on this blog. To stay updated, you can now follow UPB, where I’ll still post the new releases and at least once a month other updates on what’s up in Barb’s worlds.

It’s been a wild fifteen years. So many things have changed, including myself. I’m tired of publishing into the void. I’m tired of hearing only from people who want to sell me unrequested services. I’m tired of the everchanging publishing world, and the new WP dashboard.

So I’m retiring from this rat race and will hide in my creative cave until I can focus and the juices start flowing again. I will keep writing, of course, you’ll just see new titles less often – or less regularly, because I learned to write series, and to write all the books before publishing them, LOL!

Also, I’m quitting the day job, so I must reorganize my life and look after myself and my aging parents for at least a couple of years. I’m both excited and terrified because it’s a major change, but it’s badly needed. I need to declutter not just my house, but my whole life, LOL!

This is the last post that goes to my Facebook Page, which shall now go mostly dormant, unless I manage to push UPB posts to it (at the moment there’s some kind of WP conflict, and it won’t do it). I’m tired also of social media, so, again, if you want to still get news from me, subscribe to UPB.

And of course, if you follow me on Bookbub (link in the sidebar, below the Facebook link), you will still get my new releases and reading recommendations! Thank you for following me on this blog (some possibly for the whole 15 years, thank you!). So long and thanks for all the Likes!

P.S. For the newcomers, above is the original title of this blog. I thought it fair to end it like I started it!

UPDATE 2025:

Please note that the publisher site will soon go away.

You can still find all my books and a brand new blog with monthly posts at

https://www.upbpublishing.com/

by Barb on 01/10/2024 • Permalink

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by Barb on 01/10/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/10/01/hello-world-2/

Wednesday Weekly Roundup

A few “last” this week (sorry for the new subscriber, you came on board too late)! Last post with this title – end of the weekly posts!

Last post with my wordcount! I wrote 8K, which brings the yearly total to a little over 200K. With three more months I may write another 100K, but I won’t be sharing it. Maybe on my FB page if I feel like it.

Last post about my latest title! Yes, the last book of Star Minds Federation is now out and available in ebook and paperback at the usual suspects! Check it out!

Last hours for The 2024 Space Opera Sisterhood Bundle – Curated by Robert Jeschonek! Unless it’s already gone when this goes live… I’m scheduling ahead of time, and my math sucks, can’t calculate if it’s still available. If it’s gone, too bad, you missed it. You can still see it in storybundle archives, but you can no longer buy it.

And for the last time I wish you a wonderful week! “Live long and prosper”!

by Barb on 25/09/2024 • Permalink

Posted in indie publishing, writing projects

Tagged ebooks, indie publishing, space opera, Star Minds universe, writing

Posted by Barb on 25/09/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/09/25/wednesday-weekly-roundup-256/

Wednesday Weekly Roundup

Last week I wrote 11K, so I’ll probably get to 200K this week. Still very low, but still very okay for a yearly wordcount. The next will be the last post of wordcount accountability, since I’ll still keep count of words written, but will no longer post them.

This leap year will mark the end of an era for me. I never liked them, and thought they brought bad luck, but I must say that in this case I’m very relieved by how it turned out. Big changes coming, doors closing on the past, doors to new opportunities opening soon. Exciting and scary at the same time.

You still have roughly a week to check out The 2024 Space Opera Sisterhood Bundle – Curated by Robert Jeschonek! I have read a few books from the previous bundles (see Bookbub reccommendations), and I look forward to reading some of these as well!

That’s all for today! Have a great week!

by Barb on 18/09/2024 • Permalink

Posted in indie publishing, writing projects

Tagged indie publishing, writing

Posted by Barb on 18/09/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/09/18/wednesday-weekly-roundup-255/

Wednesday Weekly Roundup

Last week I wrote 7.5K and finished another story. I also brainstormed the next couple of stories that will lead to the next novel. I have a collection in the middle of the mini-series this time! 😉

If you’ve been following this blog for years, you know I never did NaNoWriMo, because I write all year round and I find ludicrous the idea of writing only during one month. But apparently this year the people at NaNo endorse AI in writing.

Chris McKitterick said it much better than I could. “What’s the point of using generative “AI” to barf out word-salad stolen from people who took the time to consider those words in those combinations? If you’re not writing something yourself, what’s the point of participating in the “doesn’t matter if you’re just doing this for your own pleasure or as practice to get better” exercise?”

So I’m actively discouraging you to participate. You’re better off creating your own support group on your preferred social media. Like “Let’s write 10K/week” or whatever and see who joins among your writer friends. I’m in a group where people post their submission accountability, so you could start one for writing accountability.

Something like what I’ve done on this blog for so long now… not from the beginning, since at first I wrote the first draft longhand, so I counted only the published words, but since 2015 at least. I think. My memory starts fading, LOL!

And of course you saw the Sunday Surprise post, right? Well, here it is again, the link to the Space Opera Sisterhood 2024! Check it out!

And that’s all for today… have a great week!

by Barb on 11/09/2024 • Permalink

Posted in indie publishing, writing projects

Tagged ebooks, indie publishing, NaNoWriMo, space opera heroines, Star Minds universe, storybundle, writing

Posted by Barb on 11/09/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/09/11/wednesday-weekly-roundup-254/

Sunday Surprise

THE 2024 SPACE OPERA SISTERHOOD BUNDLE

The 2024 Space Opera Sisterhood Bundle – Curated by Robert Jeschonek

What is it about space opera that makes us love it so much? The action, the exotic settings, the colorful characters, the alien species? The promise of countless adventures in the face of the great unknown?

Or is it mostly just the incredible wow factor of all the ships…the technology…the planets…the ray guns and laser swords? In many ways, it’s the ultimate escapist genre, transporting us to places and situations that dwarf our everyday troubles. And yet, at its heart, space opera is all about us—what it means to be human, and how we can triumph over our human limitations.

Whatever your reason for loving the genre, this bundle has what you’re looking for in abundance. The nine books I’ve selected—each helmed by a true heroine of the genre—are packed with space opera goodness that will propel you to the furthest reaches of the known and unknown universe.

In this set of books—including four StoryBundle exclusives—you will meet heroes and villains, all larger than life, roaming myriad worlds and stations and outposts on quests for survival or freedom or love or redemption. You will find yourself with enough thrilling adventures to banish every doldrum, and every one of them will take you far in every way possible.

If you love space opera, science fiction, action-adventure, or great writing regardless of genre, this bundle will light up your universe in all the best ways. Grab your copy during the limited three-week sales window, load your e-reading device or app, and launch yourself into orbit for a Big Bang of breathtaking, soul-stirring, and thought-provoking reading. – Robert Jeschonek

* * *

For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you’re feeling generous), you’ll get the basic bundle of three books in .epub format—WORLDWIDE.

Earth Under Siege by Rachel Aukes
Starlight by Jennifer M. Eaton
Shadow Behind the Stars by Lucinda Pebre and A. K. Duboff

If you pay at least the bonus price of just $20, you get all three of the regular books, plus 6 more books, for a total of 9, including four StoryBundle exclusives!

Maelstrom by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The Sehnsucht Series by Keyla Damaer (StoryBundle Exclusive)
Parse Galaxy – Books 0-2 by Kate Sheeran Swed
Krimson Empire – The Complete Series by Julia Huni (StoryBundle Exclusive)
Lone Wolves Heroines – Vol. 2 by Barbara G. Tarn (StoryBundle Exclusive)
The Complete Gray Lady Omnibus: Vol. 1-3 by Robert Jeschonek and Annie Reed (StoryBundle Exclusive)

This bundle is available only for a limited time via http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get a DRM-free .epub for all books!

It’s also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards – which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle – and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.

Why StoryBundle? Here are just a few benefits StoryBundle provides.

Get quality reads: We’ve chosen works from excellent authors to bundle together in one convenient package.
Pay what you want (minimum $5): You decide how much these fantastic books are worth. If you can only spare a little, that’s fine! You’ll still get access to a batch of exceptional titles.
Support authors who support DRM-free books: StoryBundle is a platform for authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog. Supporting authors who let you read their books on any device you want—restriction free—will show everyone there’s nothing wrong with ditching DRM.
Give to worthy causes: Bundle buyers have a chance to donate a portion of their proceeds to AbleGamers!
Receive extra books: If you beat the bonus price, you’ll get the bonus books!

StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, tweet us at @storybundle and like us on Facebook.

by Barb on 08/09/2024 • Permalink

Posted in indie publishing

Tagged heroines, indie publishing, space opera, storybundle, writing

Posted by Barb on 08/09/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/09/08/sunday-surprise-288/

Wednesday Weekly Roundup

Last week, with the break between projects, I ended up writing 6.3K, which takes my yearly total to almost 180K – very low, I know, but that’s the best I can do at the moment. Major changes in my life coming up, so I’m glad for every word I can jot down at this time.

I also did some art, although I haven’t really posted with the rest of it. It’s on Instagram, but not on Facebook. Even connecting social media accounts has become a hassle! 😉 I won’t actually connect them, and I’ll keep posting different things on different platforms.

I may announce an extra release soon, but at the time of preparing this post I don’t have anything ready, so I guess I’ll either do a Sunday Surprise post or you’ll hear about it next week! 🙂

I don’t know on your side of the world, but here it’s still hot. I look forward to the end of summer! Now, if only I could find the “schedule” button on this damn blog… I no longer can’t stand the changes of WP! It’s probably time I quit! 😉 Have a great week!

by Barb on 04/09/2024 • Permalink

Posted in indie publishing, writing projects

Tagged digital art, drawing, fantasy, indie publishing, writing

Posted by Barb on 04/09/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/09/04/wednesday-weekly-roundup-253/

Wednesday Weekly Roundup

Last week I wrote 14K+ which is a record for this year. I went back to the fantasy projects I had abandoned to write sci-fi in July and finished the one I hadn’t finished while editing the other. Afterward, obviously, I wasted a day doing nothing, brainstorming the next story, LOL!

By now I’m on the next story, though. When will you read these stories? I don’t know. Mighty Editor is booked for September, but she has the sci-fi stories to edit, and I haven’t decided yet when I’ll publish the fantasy ones. Probably next year, so stay tuned.

I don’t know on your side of the world, but here it’s still pretty hot. Usually the end of August is cooler, but this year it’s not the case, and my brain is all mushy, so I guess that’s all for today! Have a great week!

by Barb on 28/08/2024 • Permalink

Posted in indie publishing, writing projects

Tagged high fantasy, indie publishing, writing

Posted by Barb on 28/08/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/08/28/wednesday-weekly-roundup-252/

Wedmesday Weekly Roundup

Last week, having finished the personal projects and the book I had brought, I ended up going through an abandoned project that I planned to review and get back to after my trip to Scandinavia. So I ended up writing 1.3K new words and mapped wherever I need to go a little better. Still a lot to write, but I guess I can keep going now that I have adjusted the first part!

So I’m going back to high fantasy for now, even in my readings. You can check my recommendations on Bookbub, but the latest titles are all sci-fi, because that was what I was working on in July. Next you should see more fantasy titles in that section!

I’m also studying Viking history, so I might throw some of that into it! 😉 Then I may eventually go back to historical novels and write the sequel to The Fern and The Cross! But I’ll need time to research, possibly in a real library instead of online, so we’ll see… it’s probably for next year!

Thunderstorms all over Italy are taking away some of the heat, but it’s still a long hot summer and I look forward to the end of it… that’s all for today! Have a great week!

by Barb on 21/08/2024 • Permalink

Posted in indie publishing, reading, real world inspiration, writing projects

Tagged historical research, indie publishing, writing

Posted by Barb on 21/08/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/08/21/wedmesday-weekly-roundup/

Wednesday Weekly Roundup

Scheduling this on Sunday morning, since I know I won’t add any words to the lot. I wrapped up the project and this week’s wordcount is 3250 new words. This week I’m taking a break from everything – I have a family project to set up, and my pictures of Scandinavia to review – then I’ll be back in the saddle.

Some of my friends went to the Anthology Workshop, others to Worldcon, I just stayed here, sweating in the head. AC gives me a headache, and I’m doing fine with old-fashioned hand fans or electric fans. Hope this week off will help me clear my mind despite the heat.

Great news for my Indian friends! If you’re a voracious reader, you no longer depend on Kindle Unlimited! Kobo Plus is reaching India, a subscription program less taxing for us authors (they don’t demand exclusivity)! Happy reading!

I shall be back with the next project! To India, happy Independence Day tomorrow, to Italy (idem) Buon Ferragosto! Have a great week!

by Barb on 14/08/2024 • Permalink

Posted in writing projects

Tagged indie publishing, vacation time, writing

Posted by Barb on 14/08/2024

https://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com/2024/08/14/wednesday-weekly-roundup-251/

Wednesday Weekly Roundup

Last week I wrote about 4K, and I’m not sure how many new words I’ll manage this week – or the next, when I’ll probably skip the post not because I’ll have no laptop, but because I won’t have any WiFi. Unless I manage to schedule something Sunday night, I guess I’ll skip another week. I probably won’t have much to say anyway…

The August title is out! And the September title will either come out at the end of the month or at the start of October, because I need to send a couple of stories to Mighty Editor mid-September. And I might have completed another mini-series by then, so I might make it to the end of the year, then we’ll see.

For now check Killer Squad! It’s the last longer work of the Star Minds Federation sub-series, the last title is a collection of shorts. And with these, I’m closing the Star Minds Universe for now. I might do the third box set, in case you want to buy them in bulk and you don’t have a Kindle! 😉

What’s next? Not sure. Probably more sci-fi, then I’m definitely going back to fantasy. That’s all for today! Have a great week!