From Self-Pubbing to Re-releasing
by Rhys Ford
A few years ago, I wrote an urban fantasy called Black Dog Blues. When the book simmered and boiled in my brain, there were a few things I wanted to have in this book: An elf who was unapologetically bisexual and raised human, blood, gore, guns and monsters.I’d released it into the wilds of self-pubbing—mostly because there wasn’t a place for him then— and Kai did pretty well.
Then, one day at a yarn store, Elizabeth North of Dreamspinner Press fame, started talking about a new venture they were trying out—DSP Publications, DSP’s boutique genre imprint. Long story short, Elizabeth asked if I’d submit Black Dog Blues, I did and now, here we are—with Kai making his way into the mainstream.
Repackaged and gone over again for red squiggles, Black Dog Blues is getting a re-release on February 3rd and I can’t be more excited. The story is the same but Anne Cain rocked me a new cover, more in line with the urban fantasy feel of that genre and I’ve had a chance to kick a few of the tires I wanted to kick in editing. The biggest thing about this re-release is that Kai is going out there again and I can put his sequel firmly into my queue.
If you’ve already read Black Dog Blues, thank you. REALLY. Thank you. You rock and you’ve made Black Dog Blues a success and got it notice. I cannot say thank you enough. No need to re-buy the book but if you’d left a review on Amazon—and have the time—repost it onto the new listing. Unlike Goodreads, re-release reviews don’t carry over. *grins*
If you haven’t read Black Dog Blues, ah—Kai really is my special precious, growly kitten. I adore writing him. I adore writing his world and man, there’s so many places to go with his story. I’m really looking forward to digging in.
Thank you again for letting my snarling elf have a space on your ebook reader. You all rock. Thank you.
Black Dog Blues Blurb
Ever since being part of the pot in a high-stakes poker game, elfin outcast Kai Gracen figures he used up his good karma when Dempsey, a human Stalker, won the hand and took him in. Following the violent merge of Earth and Underhill, the human and elfin races are left with a messy, monster-ridden world, and Stalkers are the only cavalry willing to ride to someone’s rescue when something shadowy appears.
It’s a hard life but one Kai likes—filled with bounty, a few friends, and most importantly, no other elfin around to remind him of his past. And killing monsters is easy. Especially since he’s one himself.
But when a sidhe lord named Ryder arrives in San Diego, Kai is conscripted to do a job for Ryder’s fledgling Dawn Court. It’s supposed to be a simple run up the coast during dragon-mating season to retrieve a pregnant human woman seeking sanctuary. Easy, quick, and best of all, profitable. But Kai ends up in the middle of a deadly bloodline feud he has no hope of escaping.
No one ever got rich being a Stalker. But then few of them got old either and it doesn’t look like Kai will be the exception.
Available at: DSP Publications & Amazon
About Rhys Ford
Rhys Ford was born and raised in Hawai’i then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain.
Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.
And at the Starbucks down the street. No really, they’re 24/7. And a drive-thru. It’s like heaven.
Find out more about Rhys on her Blog, Facebook, Twitter or her books can be purchased, folded and first chapters read at Dreamspinner Press.
So to celebrate Black Dog Blues’ re-release, I’m holding a 12 stop blog tour where YOU can win a dragon. Well, a stuffed dragon. Who’s kind of goofy. And much less terrifying than the one Kai ran into. Leave a comment or use the widget the blog’s provided and enter to win one of these plush dragons! International welcome. Dragons for all. Mostly because man, they’re HUGE and take up a lot of space in the guest room.
This giveaway starts now and ends February 11, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!
Rafflecopter Giveaway
As an added bonus, be sure to collect ALL of the Black Dog Blues trading cards and return to my blog rhysford.com at the end of the tour for a special giveaway. You’ll need the cards to enter. Winner will be chosen randomly from entrants with the correct answers.
Black Dog Blues Trading Card
These fine collectibles showcase some of the many creatures and inhabitants of Kai Gracen world. Just like life, there are no true good or evil creatures. It’s just that some of them are more wicked and deadlier than others.
The Blogger Girls 
Looking forward to reading this! Thanks for a fun tour!
This has been an awesome tour 🙂
I just can’t help it. I love that dragon. 😀
Fun tour! 🙂
This was a fun tour and I loved all the trading cards.
Another great card! Thanks for the contest and tour.
Fun tour. Almost to the end!
debby236 at gmail dot com
It’s been a great tour and I’m convinced to buy the reprint even though I own the original – what if I miss awesome stuff?!
This has been such a fun tour. I love that dragon!
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Great idea for a tour. It has been fun.
Whoohoo! Love these cards!
guess that’s why my vrother has never been found…..
brother
Another great trading card. Love this tour and the dragon!
Enjoyed the tour, now where is the afterparty?
I am re-reading this. Lucky me found it in my content!
Well at least they are neat eaters & don’t leave a mess…or waste anything😶
Loving it
I enjoyed the tour and the trading cards are so much fun!
Super fun tour. I think I’m gonna enjoy having the cards to keep win or not!
I’m about halfway finished with my reread and I think I like it even better this time. (Maybe because I know there’s going to be more) 🙂
Loved the tour. I’m presently re-reading the book. Any plans on printing the cards out?
“Kai really is my special precious, growly kitten.” Possibly the best description I’ve ever read. Certainly one of the most entertaining. Just his name – Kai Gracen – does warm, fuzzy things to my insides. He’s totally my type (I happen to adore bisexual males, particularly those of the snarly, snarky, elfin persuasion). I’m looking forward to seeing more of him in a sequel.
Thanks for everything you’ve done to make this blog hop so much fun. Best of luck with the re-release!
This has been such a fun tour! Love collecting all the cards and wow some of the information on them is really scary.
This has been a blast!!
I’m really enjoying the blog tour. I can’t wait to read this.
I always run out of things to say by the end. Congrats on getting a second chance with this.
Great tour! Thank you for all the lovely trading cards =)
Loved the cards. Fun tour. Enjoy India:)
Great book!
I loved the dragon!!!
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Enjoyed the tour! The dragons are so cute!
Excellent tour! And the book is in paperback ~ woohoo!! Thank you so much for hosting Rhys ~ we all love her and her stories. Such an imagination!
Nice to see this back in print!
I have enjoyed catching up with the tour and the cards are so cute, especially the dragon 🙂