Author: Melinda Kucsera

Melinda Kucsera writes fantastic short stories, novels, and books when not being kidnapped by dragons or chased by armies of fictional creatures. (Her characters do, on occasion, rescue her.) She leaves the running of her newsletter to a cast of lovable characters who hog her inbox. Enough about her, it’s us you’re really interested in, her cast of characters. Join us every week for a new story at www.mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters. Over 15,000 readers have enjoyed their fight to survive and thrive as they straddle the often blurry line between fiction and reality. Let them take you on an adventure behind and between the scenes. Sign up at www.mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters to experience our weekly shenanigans. Go where no book or newsletter has gone before!
Fantasy

Tag you’re it! 

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes here. Okay, yesterday I worked on taglines, aka the “hook.” This is what I came up with: When magic turns to murder, who do you call? Curse Breaker: Enchanted is at its heart a mystery as well as epic fantasy. Two groups of hikers are found dead at the beginning. One of them was a child. The crime scenes are located in the enchanted forest. But wait! The enchanted forest has three rules: No fires No blades (no cutting trees down) No harming children Break any of those rules and the forest will kill … Continue reading Tag you’re it! 

Fantasy

Battle of the Pixels

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes here. Why the obsession with cover designs? Because I learned the hard way that before the book is done, you gotta think about how to market it. In fact, it’s best to consider the cover/blurbs/marketing before you start the book. Since Curse Breaker: Faceted is a crossover novel, it will lead right into both Curse Breaker: Haunted and Ride the Darkness. Ride the Darkness is the first book in a related series. So I need a visual and marketing direction for it. No pressure right? Oh, and I am re-editing and re-releasing Curse Breaker: … Continue reading Battle of the Pixels

Fantasy

Curse Breaker: Enchanted (More Epic Version) Chap 1

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes here. Curse Breaker: Enchanted (The More Epic Version) Chapter 1 Unnatural, shrieked his magic seconds before an invisible fist punched Sarn. Struck from behind, he tripped on the uneven ground. Sarn bounced off one of those damned statues—they were everywhere—and its marble arm slammed into his chest. What’s unnatural? Pressing a hand to his aching brow, Sarn wobbled when his head map pushed outward, exploding from a two-dimensional, icon-rich line drawing into a three-dimensional wire frame. What just happened—some sort of backlash? A sea of non-magical humanity shuffled past jostling him. Had they felt … Continue reading Curse Breaker: Enchanted (More Epic Version) Chap 1

Fantasy

Death, Editing and Birthdays, Oh My!

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes here. Hi Readers, I’m sorry for not writing you. I promised to let a certain character have his say, and I didn’t. Last week I was a wreck. My cousin disappeared and was found dead three days later, shattering our family. May he rest in peace. Standing by my cousin’s coffin, I wished I had reached out. Maybe if I had, he wouldn’t have he sought release at the end of a noose. That day, I lost my sister all over again. Grief stabbed me, shredding my heart. I went through the motions until my eye caught on a … Continue reading Death, Editing and Birthdays, Oh My!

Fantasy, poem

RIP

Melinda Kucsera

Some sad poetic musings inspired by the Poets of Twitter who tirelessly post prompts. Thank you for providing a frame to express the grief, anger, and inevitable questions raised by a loved one’s suicide. – – – RIP Rest in peace– those who have fallen, those who hang, those who lie six feet underground. – – – Questions for the Damned You who traded your pillow for a headstone, a coffin of silk, or an ash-filled urn– was it worth it? Did your pain end when life ebbed? – – – Musings on Suicide Strangled by his twisted halo, he … Continue reading RIP

Fantasy

The Story Behind the Story

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes here. As I write this, a certain character is pacing around my apartment shooting looks ranging from disgruntled to outright pleading. (He wanted to talk to you.) But I’m the author, so he’ll have to wait until next week. Anyway, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for signing up for my newsletter and sticking it out despite the takeovers and character mayhem. I am grateful for your time and attention especially today. Writing this email to you is keeping my mind off the tragic death of my sister three years ago. She was … Continue reading The Story Behind the Story

Fantasy

How to Steal the Scene for Free

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes HERE. Hi Readers! This time it’s Miren writing to you. My nephew has been hogging your attention for far too long. If you missed his little missives (and his shameless begging), you can find them HERE. If anyone should win an interview with a blogger, it should be me. I deserve it. I’m the one babysitting the green-eyed imp while my brother goes off and does interesting magical stuff. (You can read all about his exploits in Curse Breaker: Enchanted). The book is based on my journal. The quill snaps in his hand, and … Continue reading How to Steal the Scene for Free

Fantasy

How to Get out of Trouble for Free

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes HERE. Hi Readers! This is Ran, son of Sarn. My Papa is the main character from Curse Breaker: Enchanted. (If you missed last week’s antics, read them HERE.) Where we last left off, I was in trouble. Picture little me dangling from my evil uncle’s grip. Hear the scrape of boots outside our door. See the mischievous smile I’m biting back because I know something my uncle would love to know.  The door swings in and green light slides into the cave bathing a boy suspended by his angry uncle. They are almost nose to nose before the boy … Continue reading How to Get out of Trouble for Free

Fantasy

Confession time!

Melinda Kucsera

Hello readers! It’s me, Melinda, the author of Curse Breaker: Enchanted and I’ve got a confession to make. I’m addicted to audiobooks.  Take Enchanted, the first book of the Curse Breaker Saga. I edited it while binge listening at work to Louse Penny’s Inspector Gamache books–an addictive police procedural/cozy mystery mash-up series. So Enchanted became a fantastic mystery. Take Enchanted, the first book of the Curse Breaker Saga. I edited it while binge listening at work to Louse Penny’s Inspector Gamache books–an addictive police procedural/cozy mystery mash-up series. So Enchanted became a fantastic mystery. Book two, Faceted, is shaping up to be Tolkien shakes hands with Harry Bosch because … Continue reading Confession time!

Fantasy

More Shenanigans + Free Books + 2 Giveaways

Melinda Kucsera

Lost? Don’t be. Find previous episodes HERE. Hi there! I’m back! This is Ran, son of Sarn (the main character of Curse Breaker: Enchanted) and you’re going to vote for me so I can win the interview! Only one character will be chosen— Ran turns in his seat and tries to block the laptop screen with his small body. He hasn’t come into his power yet, but unease prickles his skin. Someone’s watching him. After closing the lid, Ran stands up and approaches a tear in the space-time continuum. Its purple edges sparkle inviting him to poke his head through. He … Continue reading More Shenanigans + Free Books + 2 Giveaways