Friday, December 27, 2019

My 2019

Writing Year in Review

This year, I published four novels, 5 short stories, 1 novella, and 2 box sets.  Obviously the lengths of story definitions can vary, but I'm not feeling too technical right now. :)  I should add that some of the short stories were written before 2019 as Patreon rewards.

For me, this year held some hard times and some burnout, and I ended up getting less done than I'd hoped.  Some things I was very proud of, and sometimes I just felt discouraged and like none of it was really worth bothering with.  The most meaningful story for me to write (and the hardest) was "You're Worth It."  But I'm not sure it was the best.  I'm not sure there was a best this year! 

I wrote about 281,000 words this year, which I do not consider highly productive.  It's less than 800 words a day--not my best average!  (Average obviously doesn't mean the pace at which I actually write, because I had one month with under 1k, and one month with over 80k.)

And I don't know how much of the year was devoted to editing--whether you can tell or not, haha--but I can tell you it was a lot, and I found it challenging.  For me, writing is easier than editing by a long shot.  Not always easy, but much less awful than questioning everything I wrote and trying to fix it all up.

I've had years where I wrote over a million words of fiction in a year and published most of it.  (But that could be one of the reasons I've been struggling with burnout.  That may have been an unsustainable pace for me.)

I won't deny I'd like to step up my game as an author in 2020, but I can't promise anything.  I'm not planning any new ventures like audio, and I can't promise that I'll be a better or faster writer, or how much I'll manage to write and actually publish.  I can only tell you that I'm still trying, and I think I still have some stories to tell.  I'm currently plugging away, as well as trying to regain the joy of writing and replenish my idea well.

Thank you for sticking with me this year.  I hope you have a great 2020.

love,
Hollis


               

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Shifters and Partners Box Set 11-15




 


Shifters and Partners
Box Set 11-15
by Hollis Shiloh

This box set contains the following stories from the "Shifters and Partners" series:

Foxed Up
Not My Mate
Second Time Charm
Harry Ever After
All My Broken Pieces



Monday, December 16, 2019

GR nominations - thank you



I was nominated in the following categories:

2019 Members' Choice Awards > Best Military / Intelligence Officer /Spies
Two Soldiers by Hollis Shiloh

2019 Members' Choice Awards > Best Law Enforcement
My Fox Mate by Hollis Shiloh

2019 Members' Choice Awards > All-Time Favorite M/M Author
Hollis Shiloh


Thank you for the nominations!  :-)

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Christmas Treats



This collection contains seven Christmas stories from Hollis Shiloh:


Winton's Strays

Two young men meet on a train in 1917.

Miles is out of the hospital in time for Christmas, traveling to relatives he doesn't want to see. He was lucky to survive the Great War. But he doesn't feel very lucky right now. Until blue-eyed Winton trips on a scarf and into his life. Winton, with his quirky smile, gentle nature, and rescued pets.

Miles could love this man, he really could. But how the hell can he burden this kind, bright young man with his wounded, limping self?



Falling for Archie

Harris writes instruction manuals for a living and is self-conscious at the best of times. He's not pleased when he manages to break a leg—but he's even less pleased when a pushy friend sends someone to help him around the house while it heals.

When the young man in question rides up on a motorcycle, Harris expects the worst.

He certainly never plans to fall in love. But Archie—short, clumsy, and utterly gorgeous—doesn't make it easy.



Mark & Spence

Mark is a cynical, too pretty, slight man working as an elf for the Christmas season at a department store. He also hasn't been in a relationship since his manipulative and abusive ex left him.

Spence is a tall, handsome, strong man who works as a reindeer helping 'Santa' at the same department store. The two share a special chemistry, but it's hard for Mark to trust anyone, even this gentle man.

They both have secrets that could -- perhaps should -- keep them apart. Gentle, caring Spence keeps getting past Mark's barriers...but will Mark be able to handle it when he finds out  why Spence is really here?

Contains a Christmas theme, reindeer shifters, elves, abusive relationship aftermath, angst, and a happy ending.



Elves and Deer

Greer is a reindeer shifter working at a magical shipping hub up North. He has little use for or understanding of elves—such delicate, short-lived creatures—but he tries to do his best by the ones in his life. And it seems like more and more are coming into his life, confusing and frustrating him, needing help, needing rescued.

Since Greer is always busy, it's easy to overlook the things he doesn't want to acknowledge—until a terrible danger gives him unwanted time to think…and to realize there's just one elf who means more to him than he's ever wanted to admit.



Most Wonderful

Tyler has never been in love in his life. So why now? Why his best friend?



The Christmas Divorce

Sean and Jem are getting a divorce. It's a sad way to spend Christmas, apart for the first time in years, but times change and love dies. Jem has been trying hard to move on with his life...but now Sean's back asking for his help. Sean's parents are coming over for Christmas, and he doesn't want to tell them about the divorce and ruin their holiday. If Jem will just come back for a few days, to decorate and keep up the pretense till after Christmas, he'd be ever so grateful...



Felix Navidad

Justin isn't a fan of Christmas (or holidays in general) at the best of times. But now his long-term boyfriend has broken up with him, and he's even more gloomy than usual. The hot and unfortunately straight Felix, his partner on the force, keeps trying to help. It's really not working until Christmas Day arrives, and brings with it an unexpected gift...





Saturday, October 12, 2019

Men Like Us




Men Like Us
by Hollis Shiloh

Ollie Boyd enjoys Jack Finley's company, likes to make him laugh, and wants to work with him...and maybe something more than that. It sure is confusing to have these feelings for another guy, and in the homophobic 1950s, it's not really safe.

Jack Finley finds time for Ollie, sure, but he's just humoring a friend. He's a tough private eye. He's certainly not indulging secretly in a crush, no matter how attractive or charming Ollie might be. Jack's smart and careful, and he's been around the block. It's hard enough to be who he is without taking on extra trouble.

But now Jack needs some help, after a botched Good Samaritan act leaves him broken in body and spirit. Ollie wants to be the one who's there for him. He also wants to figure out these feelings—even if they mean he's in pretty deep trouble.

A whole lot of bumps in the road—including blackmail and murder—might take these two down more dangerous streets than they'd guess...together.



65,600 words

(save 25% at Payhip w/ code: WQADIYLV6O)


Wednesday, August 28, 2019

2 Short Stories



Two Soldiers

Two soldiers marry in haste the night before a battle, each for reasons of his own.

On the eve of battle, Henry has a premonition of death. He decides to marry his impoverished friend so if he dies, at least his awful cousin won't profit off it, and instead Isaac will be able to pay off his debts. But Isaac has been concealing his feelings for some time now, and it's a bit awkward, being married to the man he really does have feelings for...


~8,000 words

A "Marrying Men" story. These pseudo-historical tales feature men marrying one another in various worlds and ways. Happy ending are to be expected.


B&N / Nook






Rowan Clare At Home

Rowan and Hugh were married years ago. Time has passed, but Hugh still has feelings for Rowan and wants to try again. Rowan has other ideas...or does he?

second chances, sweet gay romance, 4800 words


[previously a Patreon reward]


Saturday, July 6, 2019

You're Worth It



You're Worth It
by Hollis Shiloh
shifters & partners #24


Will is gay, a sweet but forgetful wolf shifter who doesn't seem to have any standards for who he "dates." That bothers his partner far more than it should.

Elliot (who is definitely, definitely not gay) was deeply traumatized by growing up in a strict belief system. In his mind, there's nothing to be gained from examining too closely who he might be. Nothing but pain, heartbreak, maybe even damnation.

An overly-friendly fox shifter, a fat orange housecat, and a lot of soul-searching may end up changing his mind.

Because sometimes secrets won't stay buried. And at some point, he has to tell the truth, to himself—and to Will.


43,500 words



Saturday, April 27, 2019

How to Hire A Vampire Consultant



How to Hire A Vampire Consultant
by Hollis Shiloh

Steve isn't used to being the responsible party. He's not even a real agent at the Paranormal Research Agency—he's here on parole. But right now, a lot of the PRA's people are missing, and Steve and the librarian might be the only ones who can save them. While she researches like her life depends on it, Steve's running around mopping up monstrous messes. He needs all the help he can get—even from a sassy vampire. Barnaby the vampire is kind of hot (for a twink), and not nearly as badass as he likes to think. Even if he did save Steve's life. Between the three of them, they might just have what it takes to save the day.


16,300 words - low heat
Themes: gay romance, paranormal, humor

(coupon: N488MABSGO for 33% off till the end of the month)




Thursday, April 18, 2019

That Sort of Partners



That Sort of Partners

When Jake is assigned to work with the new guy at the precinct—their first robot cop—he's nervous, to say the least. But his new partner turns out to be a great guy on every level. They work together and learn from each other—and then feelings start to develop.

Jake never thought he'd be the sort to fall for his partner. Or a robot.

~20,000 words
heat level: sweet

previously a Patreon reward

Monday, March 18, 2019

Wolf at the Door


Wolf at the Door
by Hollis Shiloh

Devin has a lot to prove.  

Rickey is just here for the free food.  

Devin's here to get a wolf shifter as a partner.  The short, loud redhead intends to be the best cop in his class and doesn't care if he gets on everyone's nerves in the process.  He loves fancy sports cars and has a competitive nature.

Rickey likes the van life and living by his own terms.  But times have been tight for the wolf shifter lately, and signing up for this course seems like an easy way to keep the wolf from the door.  All the free food he can eat, if he sits through some classes.  What could go wrong?

The two guys have chemistry, despite being so different.  They could be friends at least, maybe partners.  But there's an underlying sexual chemistry that's getting harder and harder to ignore...



~40,000 words – medium heat – standalone


Tuesday, February 26, 2019

My Military Wolf



My Military Wolf
by Hollis Shiloh

Robert and wolf-shifter Trent meet in the armed forces. Their friendship turns to more—just in time for Trent to get moved to another assignment. Five years later, Trent walks back into Robert's life...and maybe back into his heart.

~6,000 words
This story was previously a patreon reward.

Monday, February 18, 2019

Lexie, Not Alex

I wrote this story as a freebie for my newsletter.  You should be able to get it for free if you sign up for my mailing list.  But it's now also available to buy if you prefer.


Lexie, Not Alex
by Hollis Shiloh

Lexie's life is changing for the better, with fresh chances and choices, friends new and old, and opportunities to grow.

takes place after FOXED UP
11,000 words - heat level zero




Thursday, February 14, 2019

Poison at the Bake Sale


Poison at the Bake Sale
by Hollis Shiloh

Abe has an awful premonition that something will go wrong during a local baking contest. Of course it's his silly imagination; he's just jumpy these days, after that murder last year. But when the day of the competition means running into his abusive ex, who later turns up dead, Abe wishes that he'd paid more attention to his anxieties, not less.

Now it's up to Abe and Gregory to figure out who could have done in the awful man. Because the authorities are looking awfully close to home, and there's only so much strain that even the best relationship can take.


A cozy gay mystery
50,500 words

takes place after "The Body in the Backyard"




Let me know if you need a review copy (mobi, epub, or pdf).

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

My Fox Mate



He wasn't expecting to meet his mate yet. He also wasn't expecting his mate to be a fox shifter—or a man.

Marlow's childhood was a nightmare, as an orphaned wolf shifter trying to survive a hostile pack and protect his younger brother. At twenty-three, he's finally in a good place, with a great job working with the police and a partner he trusts. But is he ready for a mate?

Even if he can wrap his head and his heart around this, is there any chance for a good outcome? Marlow has no idea how to even begin talking to a pretty fox shifter. It would help if Frankie didn't hate him already...

69,000 words. Very low heat.




Let me know if you need a review copy (mobi, epub, or pdf).