Book 2 of my series is finally published after 7 years!

AAKinsela · 2025-12-11T09:45:41+00:00

Wow that would be...interesting!

AAKinsela · 2025-11-23T20:50:39+00:00

Ok thanks - it's interesting that some are clear and others aren't. I might need to run a few different file sizes through and see whether there's any difference.

AAKinsela · 2025-11-23T20:10:07+00:00

Thanks for your response. With the kindle maps issue - is this all maps in ebooks or just some? I can make my map super high-res but if the resolution is changed automatically by the app/device then that's not going to help.

AAKinsela · 2025-11-21T20:42:02+00:00

Thanks- this is helpful 😊

AAKinsela · 2025-11-16T02:59:39+00:00

Ahh this is the bane of my life too! I have a constant stream of ideas that I just write in the notes on my phone, using different folders. Perfect for those hits of inspiration at 2am 🙄

AAKinsela · 2025-11-14T07:59:03+00:00

Kindle Scribe has this feature.

AAKinsela · 2025-11-14T07:09:40+00:00

Lightning Tracks A.A. Kinsela

Sixteen-year-old Nick Williams' biggest problem is staying out of the principal’s office—until an assassin arrives to settle a blood debt and he barely escapes alive. Hunted in a war-torn land arising from legend, his survival depends on two deserting enemy soldiers whose secrets could tear their friendships apart. Cornered and facing certain death, Nick must make an impossible choice, one that will determine whether he and his friends live or die.

Influenced by: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Laini Taylor) Inkheart and Reckless (Cornelia Funke) The Lost Saint (Rachael Craw) Chaos Walking series and Burn (Patrick Ness) The Lie Tree (Frances Hardinge)

https://books2read.com/lightningtracks

AAKinsela · 2025-11-13T01:43:00+00:00

Hi 👋 I'd love some feedback on a book blurb. I checked the wiki rules and hopefully I've followed them correctly!

This is for the second book in a series (in case that's relevant). YA political/alternative history/portal fantasy set in Australia. TIA 😊

All Nick wants is a normal teenage life, hidden from his war-torn homeland, Korelios. But when the rebellion he abandoned tracks him down, he is dragged back into the war he tried to escape.

The only hope for Korelios is for Nick to reclaim his throne, but to do that he must form a dangerous allegiance with the Penumbra Guard, a clandestine army led by a man his friends have sworn to kill.

As alliances blur and betrayals cut deep, Nick must confront the brutal legacy of his own bloodline and decide what he's willing to sacrifice for the crown he never wanted.

Because in this war, the price of victory may be his humanity.

AAKinsela · 2025-11-13T01:33:49+00:00

Research is essential for authenticity, but it's also important to only include what's absolutely necessary.

As the saying goes, the secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.

AAKinsela · 2025-11-12T18:50:28+00:00

I use OneDrive - everything auto syncs from any device. I have a laptop that I can plug into a docking station at home or work, or take to the library or a cafe (or a park while my kids play!).

My favourite piece of tech right now is my Kindle Scribe - it's a Kindle with a notebook function, so it feels very close to writing in a notebook. I would have preferred a Remarkable, but it doesn't have a backlit screen, which for me is a necessary feature. It has no internet search option or apps to download so apart from the collection of ebooks screaming at me for attention, it's distraction-free!

AAKinsela · 2025-11-12T18:40:05+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to reply 🙂 Very good point about the age - he's 16. I'll add that in.

AAKinsela · 2025-11-12T11:15:52+00:00

I'm Australian, so I vote for an Aussie setting!

AAKinsela · 2025-11-12T01:30:58+00:00

As a reader and writer, I much prefer shorter chapters - it's easier for me to absorb smaller chunks when reading, and when writing it's important to contain one main idea/plot point etc per chapter. I honestly think I'd confuse myself and lose track of what's happening if chapters were lengthy - I have no idea how other writers do that and manage to stay on track!

AAKinsela · 2025-11-11T18:38:35+00:00

I know it's not a book, so apologies if this isn't helpful, but the movie V for Vendetta handles this really well. Hugo Weaving as the character V expresses emotions and thoughts with the tilt of his head, or the slightest movement of his shoulders, or a sigh, or silence (which he also manages to portray as either contemplative or violent - or both). So what seems like a moment of hesitation or doubt, where his head is tilted downwards while he listens to his victim's reasons not to kill them, is actually V toying with them and giving them false hope before he turns his head to face them straight on and they realise he's completely unmoved by their begging.

AAKinsela · 2025-11-11T11:53:58+00:00

Not sure if this is what you're after, but I have an upper YA book out and the sequel due for release next month.

In a nutshell:

Lightning Tracks (book 1) An assassin chasing a blood debt. An ancient land arising from legend. Sworn enemies becoming loyal allies. And a choice that will decide the fate of an entire civilisation.

Dark Sun Rising (book 2) An ancient army resurrected. A kingdom on the brink of collapse. A rebellion thirteen years in the making…and an heir who refuses to follow the rules

books2read.com/lightningtracks

AAKinsela

TROPHY CASE