Hi friends,

I could use a little help, and I just have to say hearing from you guys is like a breath of fresh air.

Sam took the time to give me a tip about chewing a chunk of raw ginger for stomach pain and cramps after last weeks tip on the herb.

And Chelsea, an awesome new fan, wrote me a friendly note after what she called "rude people" left mean comments on my Facebook ad.

I'm wondering if you're noticing them being more vocal lately, or is it just me?

I call them "sand castle kickers".

You know, after a kid spends hours of work and creativity building a beautiful sand castle. Many kind passersby comment on how much they like it, or even just walk past without a word if it doesn't appeal to them.

Then comes the kid who kicks and destroys all the work as if it personally offends them and then yells out to warn the world about the "stupid sand castle!"

How do you handle people, adults even, who act like this? I generally ignore them and move on.

However, lately they're attacking my books and ads with nasty words and low reviews that are as destructive as those kicks to ratings and sales.

I'll interject that I'm fine with a well-written critical review. I don't expect everyone to love my writing. But these are not that.

Like this recent one:

Kat2009: "Couldn't finish it. Was stupid. Characters weak. Storyline ridiculous. Waste of time. Don't waste yours. I didn't get past 6th chapter although I tried."

These are generic and mean enough that some authors think they are targeted "review bombs", or attacks to hurt successful books.

Want to help me counter this kind of stuff? Here are two easy ways:

. . . and I understand time is always tight, so no pressure at all! :)

1. Scroll down to the reviews on Deadly Lockdown's page and find a few of the positive reviews that you like. Click the "Helpful" button under them which helps them move to the top of the page ahead of the nasty ones.
2. If you've read Deadly Lockdown or even the opening chapter, post a positive, honest review or rating. It can be just a sentence or two, nothing long or complicated.

That's it. And you can smile knowing you've done a small part countering some of the bitterness out there with a touch of positive.

I just want to thank you in advance for being such supportive fans that encourage me to continue writing even when I run into a handful of angry sand castle kickers. :)

Hopefully you also have more supporters than kickers in your life!

You're the best!

-- Misty :)

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Deep underground in Antarctica lies the Virus Vault – a pandora’s box of the world’s most dangerous viruses and plagues.

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A treehouse isn’t always a safe place to play!

The Last Peacemaker by EC Fisher

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Marcus Wyndom is the genetically altered lone survivor of his Shelter; after the threat of exposure is past he emerges into a world that is rife with corruption and lawlessness.

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Misty's Writing Update:

I'm in the groove again!

I just wrapped up chapter five in my new litRPG novel and Pax, our teenage street kid, has just been rounded up for the annual Awakening, where the powerful mages from the capital use magic to unlock the classes and talents of the youth of the city . . . whether they want to or not.

Pax has some mysterious backstory, including the ever-popular missing parents, along with an unusual spark of power that's been a secret he's kept since childhood.

The question, now, is how that spark will interact with the magic of the Awakening ceremony . . . :)

Yes, I'm having a blast writing this. The whole magic, coming-of-age fantasy story has always been a favorite of mine since I curled up in sun-warmed nooks as a child with Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong series and Ender's Game.

I was thinking of giving Pax a disability or weakness that sets him apart and that he can later overcome. What do you think? Or is being an orphaned street kid already enough?

Enjoy reading this week and thanks again to anyone who helps me fight the sand castle kickers with positivity!

— Misty :)

p.s. For a web version of this newsletter and previous newsletters: https://sendfox.com/mistyzaugg/campaigns