Monthly Author Newsletter - May 2025
Foreword
Hello Reader,
Here we are again, with another amazing round of updates! Not only amazing, but this edition is super special!! One week from tomorrow, May 14th, The Last Cry of Innocence goes live into the world.
It's still hard to believe, but I'll have released two full-length novels within 7 months of one another.... and I promise, I'm doing everything I can to get book three into your hands by the end of November (I will move heaven and earth for this, to the detriment of my eyes and fingers lol).
Anyway, enough intro, let's get you to the good stuff!
Housekeeping: For those who've joined us since the last edition
As I promised each of you when you signed up, here's the link to the free short story, The Last Honor of Iosefa Fatu. There's no better time to read this than right now! This is the segue between the first and second novel in my The Fates of Aten series. Not required reading, but I highly recommend you do for...reasons...
Link to BookFunnel: Download The Last Honor of Iosefa Fatu
ARC follow up for The Last Cry of Innocence
This has been NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING with this ARC team. Only three stayed on from Book One, but this group for Book Two has been incredible! Thanks to each and every one of you for reading my work, and I've loved all the amazing messages you've sent me the past few weeks!
If you were part of the ARC team: there's still time to get your reviews in before my contest closes at 11:59 pm on May 13th! I'll be drawing the ARC review winner around 1300 MST on release day, in line with the promotion winner.
Want to pick up an author-signed copy?
I recently closed my window to author-signed copies on Google Forms. BUT! with the opening of my brand-new Etsy store, you can order direct from me anytime :) If you signed up for author copies, you don't need to purchase through Etsy too.
Check it out at: Etsy - LegendForgePress Shop
P.S. - Just be patient while I work out logistics and how much stock I need to keep on a regular basis.
What was my big news?
I made the decision to pull my books down off of Kindle Unlimited, and made the decision to "go wide" with my work. What does that mean?
Now, both The Waking of Storm and Flame as well as The Last Cry of Innocence (on release day) are listed on both Kobo Plus, and Google Play Books. You'll also find them in the coming weeks on Apple Books, and at many other eBook retailers around the world. KU restricts the eBook to their site, where as "going wide" helps me reach the most amount of people as possible.
What's the update on The Serpent and the Shattered Sword (Book 3)?
The first draft is written! Currently, it comes in around 430 pages, but will increase dramatically with my "augmentation" edits that begin on May 16th.
I'm doing everything I can to meet a release date around end-November, as I'm hoping to have it ready for Christmas Markets, by the first weekend in December. No promises though! The book will take as long as it needs to, in order to ensure it's perfect for each of you.
Exciting news: for those of you who've heard The Last Cry of Innocence's theme song, One Step Away From Dawn, by the ethereal angel, Gea Wildwood, I'm happy to tell you that she's returning with a new single for Book Three.
The Plight of the Shattered Soul will be Book Three's theme and, like Book Two, will be able to be found, and listened to, within the pages of the text!
Stay tuned for your first chance to listen as she's releasing it on May 14th! :) Best to follow along to Instagram with both @authornickbetts and @geawildwoodmusic!
It's not farewell, it's see you next month!
And that's all I have for you for May. Short, sweet, and to the point. Next month we'll touch on how exciting the few weeks have been since release!
Until next time, my friend! Happy reading,
Your favourite Fantasy author - Nick "N.A." Betts
P.S. - if you've read this far and didn't take off when you saw "farewell," here's a little nugget for you. In the hibernation of Book Three, I've started writing Book Four - to the degree that the first 49 pages (the opening two chapters) are written as of the release of this newsletter! Just wait, this series only gets better as it goes :) Still aiming for a release in Fall 2026.
