Rachel E. Carter

Hey Guys, So as you all know I’m on a hiatus from social media but it’s been a year or so since I lasted posted an update on book stuff so here’s another quick check in… 1. The prequel series to The Black Mage is still in the works and I’m still writing! Nothing has released yet is because I’m not putting this series until all the books are complete (to save you guys the agony of waiting too long between releases) and right now I’m rewriting half of the second book. I’m so, SO!!! sorry, I definitely did not anticipate it taking me this long to write but I really can’t wait to share these characters & their stories (I’m being purposefully vague about everything related to this series but when it’s done I’ll start giving you guys all the good stuff: titles, plot, teasers, preorders, the amazing covers done by my favorite artist -yes they’re already done and they’re so beautiful I want to cry!). Which leads me to… 2. When will the prequel series be out? I was really, truly shooting for early- to mid-2022 but it’s looking like early 2023. Foreign editions? Random House DE wants to try and release the German editions around the same time as the English editions which would be wonderful but I can’t make any promises until the series is done and we have a more accurate timeline -Polish editions would be more than likely on a 6-12 month delay… 3. Why is it taking me so long? Cross-country moves (twice! I’m now back in California —we moved for an amazing work opportunity for my husband and then when a transfer opened up we jumped at the chance for him to do what he loves close to family and friends again, stressful, but worth the sacrifice!), a baby (who is now the world’s sweetest little man!), a death, covid childcare issues, procrastination, anxiety and self-doubt (I’ll be real here, as much success as TBM had, it really got to my head and had me second-guessing everything I wrote for a VERY LONG time —I feel like that stereotypical writer you see in movies with a one-hit wonder who spends a million years trying to write their next book and throwing things around a room… I wish this wasn’t me as so many talented authors I follow don’t take this long/let their succe https://www.instagram.com/p/CVIgGt4lAd1/?utm_medium=tumblr

Hey All 💜 I'm still off all things social media and I haven't posted anywhere else yet but just want to let you know that: 1. Yes, I'm still alive, yes, we love our new home/state, yes, Cooper is the most adorable child who ever lived, and yes, the best and only way to reach me is email: [email protected]. Unfortunately I'm terrible at keeping up with my social media messages:/ 2. Yes, I'm still writing the prequel series to THE BLACK MAGE. Want to know when I'm finished? Follow my newsletter here: http://www.subscribepage.com/rachelecarternewsletter or follow me on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/author/rachelecarter. 2. There may, or may not, be a book already done in the series. Okay, yes, it's done, and I get all weepy just thinking about it. 3. Said book will not be published until the rest of the series (3 more books) is ready to go. I know this sucks, but the last thing I want to do is release a book now and then make you guys wait another year for each book. Isn't it better to binge a series while the characters are all fresh in your head? Maybe some of you would rather not wait, but the truth is, I can get more done with my limited writing time at the moment if I focus on nothing but writing -when releases happen I get side-tracked (ie reason no longer on social media, another form of distraction). 4. My timeline to be done with full series is April 2021, with the series ready to release end of 2021 or early 2022. Could it be sooner? Absolutely. Realistically? Maybe, but that depends on childcare... 5. Am I the slowest author you've ever met? Probably. Why am I taking so long? Egh, I don't even want to get into that one. What should you do in the meantime? I mean, there are so many other great books out there, I'm sure you'll find plenty of fun reads. And need a rec? I have an amazon store (and yes, I do update it whenever I find a 5-star read): https://www.amazon.com/shop/rachelcarterauthor 6. Okay, please, just give me a hint about this series. We basically know nothing, not even titles.... I promise I'll give you guys plennnnnnty of info later, I promise!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/B_-zsJbgzfB/?igshid=pq7223nradj5

Our remodel is done, and I finally got a beautiful office and bookshelves!!! Still not on social media (just snuck on IG to post) but so proud of how far this house has come 🏚🏡 Posted a few pics and of course mandatory Cooper spam 😍 We were very fortunate to have amazing contractors who helped transform a decent house to our dream house 💜 If you live in South Carolina and want to remodel (big or small projects) look up @guffeyrenovation they are an amazing team! Also big shout out to @harris_farms_simpsonville for making me the most gorgeous custom bookshelves for all my pretties 💛📚🧡. PS Yup, still writing away on new series, I promise! https://www.instagram.com/p/Buz06XSnR8W/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10i80avsfrjg7

Repost 6 of 6, final repost guys 💜📚🧡👑 Thank you lovely bookstagrammers all across the world 😍 I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing your posts with the US, German, and Polish editions of Ry & Darren's story! Sorry it takes me so long to repost, a cute baby keeps me distracted:) PS if I forget to tag anyone for credit please let me know! https://www.instagram.com/p/BtgiNCuniln/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=art9ihz9l7h6

Repost 5 of 6 💜📚🧡👑 Thank you lovely bookstagrammers all across the world 😍 I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing your posts with the US, German, and Polish editions of Ry & Darren's story! Sorry it takes me so long to repost, a cute baby keeps me distracted:) PS if I forget to tag anyone for credit please let me know! https://www.instagram.com/p/BtghVd_HaRG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d9bdsjkapbt9

Repost 4 of 6 💜📚🧡👑 Thank you lovely bookstagrammers all across the world 😍 I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing your posts with the US, German, and Polish editions of Ry & Darren's story! Sorry it takes me so long to repost, a cute baby keeps me distracted:) PS if I forget to tag anyone for credit please let me know! https://www.instagram.com/p/BtggoD_nLDW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=155mnwqt9301g

Repost 3 of 6 💜📚🧡👑 Thank you lovely bookstagrammers all across the world 😍 I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing your posts with the US, German, and Polish editions of Ry & Darren's story! Sorry it takes me so long to repost, a cute baby keeps me distracted:) PS if I forget to tag anyone for credit please let me know! https://www.instagram.com/p/Btgf36kHrdW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12rp1tc02ylee

Repost 2 of 6 💜📚🧡👑 Thank you lovely bookstagrammers all across the world 😍 I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing your posts with the US, German, and Polish editions of Ry & Darren's story! Sorry it takes me so long to repost, a cute baby keeps me distracted:) PS if I forget to tag anyone for credit please let me know! https://www.instagram.com/p/BtgezaHHtrG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bx9ncmhkxnq1

Repost 1 of 6, wow, I missed a lot!!! Thank you lovely bookstagrammers all across the world 😍 I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing your posts with the US, German, and Polish editions of Ry & Darren's story! Sorry it takes me so long to repost, a cute baby keeps me distracted:) PS if I forget to tag anyone for credit please let me know! https://www.instagram.com/p/BtgdGFTniov/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=os1bsqqiegm2

So I've been offline for what feels like years. But you see my problem. Just look at that FACE 😍 To be honest, it's been nice to avoid social media and focus on this ridiculously handsome little man and get our new house together (remodel is almost done now!!!) I plan to share a couple before & after pics when it's over... let's just say my office finally has the bookshelves I always dreamed of! As for IG and the rest of the online world, I can't promise I'll be back anytime soon except for the occasional repost or baby spam, as things are finally settling down and that means BACK TO WRITING. I know. I'm beyond behind schedule. The fact that you guys have waited this long and not tossed me into open flames is just a testament to how I don't deserve you guys. On the bright side, my super secret amazingly talented cover artist is almost done with all 4 book covers for the prequel series (not releasing titles or cover until release day gets closer). Aaaand the whole series is already outlined with playlists and charts and secret pinterest boards and everything else so really there's nothing left but to write my heart out. I'm going to try my hardest to get the first if not two books out by the end of this year to you guys -and books 3/4 by end of 2020. Oh, and if anyone needs a book rec while waiting check out Holly Black's Cruel Prince/Wicked King. You want to talk about romantic tension, just wow. So good. I want to be Holly when I read those books, that's how wow she is. Alright, now time for some mandatory book reposts because another WOW. I will never get tired of seeing those covers all across the world 🌍📚💜 https://www.instagram.com/p/Btgb7BFnp5M/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=n6ldma7q0sb

All my heart, I'll love you endlessly 💜🧡💛 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpfgfzIFhd-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fxc5imtjrjbh

Okay I'm finally caught up, last post for Magic Academy (The Black Mage series in Germany) 🏰💜👑 Huuuuge thank you to all the amazing bookstagrammers out there for tagging me in their posts and following Ry and Darren's magical love story 😍 Alright, now baby spam and then I'm disappearing from social media for a couple months to focus on baby Cooper and writing the new series AND remodeling our new house all at same time 😂🤣😂 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpfcnivFwhZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8ayfy18w392j

And moooooore photos for Magic Academy (The Black Mage series in Germany) 🏰💜👑 One more book post after this then baby spam 💕 Thank you to all the amazing bookstagrammers out there for tagging me in their posts and following Ry and Darren's magical love story 😍 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpfb0OEFJvv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pcsoope75k1g

And even moooooore photos for Magic Academy (The Black Mage series in Germany) 🏰💜👑 Thank you to all the amazing bookstagrammers out there for tagging me in their posts and following Ry and Darren's magical love story 😍 PS I'm almost done catching up on all the book photos, I promise 😉 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpfaNAWFqjo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uyagozn8h6be

More epic photos for Magic Academy (The Black Mage series in Germany) 🏰💜👑 Thank you to all the amazing bookstagrammers out there for tagging me in their posts and following Ry and Darren's magical love story 😍 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpfWnsKlIFp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ku2izoq5vk7a

Die Kandidatin (The Black Mage book 3 in German!) just released a couple weeks ago and I'm already seeing such amazing posts, I'm in awe you guys 😍 Thank you to all the lovely bookstagrammers out there for taking a chance on my series 🤴👸💜👑 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpfTEfCFvKD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12ygqmj7pdv1t

Gah, more stunning book photos 😍 Once again thank you to all the lovely bookstagrammers out there for tagging me in their gorgeous photos of Pierwszy Rok, Czarny Mag (The Black Mage: First Year) as well as the English editions! 🤴👸💜👑 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpfRj8dFrYQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3rq361w59m9w