Author Archives: unspywriter

A retired public servant who's trying to get people to read her writing.

An Old Problem

SUMMARY:

Duncan gives us some background on the history that inspired the series A Perfect Hatred, and in a reading from book 1, End Times, she shows us the lengths Mai Fisher will go to in profiling a subject to plan her approach and her cover story.

You can purchase Quintet, the compilation of A Perfect Hatred reader magnets (plus a bonus story) at books2read.com/u/3R6d6x (non-Kindle ereaders) or amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ (for Kindle).

The reader magnet “Out of the Ordinary” for the upcoming series Meeting the Enemy is FREE from dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc.

Find all of Duncan’s work at amazon.com/author/phyllisduncan.

An Old Problem

Writer Balance: History vs Sensitivity

SUMMARY:

This episodes winds up the month-long look into the author brand of P. A. Duncan, and, as a prelude to her upcoming series, Meeting the Enemy, she also talks about the difficulty as a writer of historical fiction and an historian in staying authentic to the history knowing that some might find it painful.

To download the FREE reader magnet for book one of Meeting the Enemy, go here: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc. To celebrate the fourth anniversary of Duncan’s first series, A Perfect Hatred, you can purchase the eBook, Quintet, a compilation of the reader magnets for A Perfect Hatred, plus a bonus, previously unpublished story here: amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ or here: https://books2read.com/u/3R6d6x. Find all of P. A. Duncan’s books at amazon.com/author/phyllisduncan.

Real Spies and Family Lives

SUMMARY:

The importance of keeping a low profile and blending in for spies and their families. What on earth is a blood cover? And some teaser readings from my upcoming book Terror, due out on June 25, 2022.

Quintet preorder links: For Kindle, amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ. For other e-Readers, https://books2read.com/u/3R6d6x.

Terror Reader Magnet Free Download: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc.

Upcoming in-person author events: https://unexpectedpaths.com/about-the-author/events/

Does Romance Belong in Espionage?

SUMMARY:

It does, but not how you’ve been conditioned to think of it. Some fans do go for exploitation of either sex, but mostly it’s women being exploited, but some fans and some espionage writers think romance, or at least a hint of it, has a place among the spies.

Find out how I balance a hint of romance against the action in any of my books at my Amazon Author Page. (amazon.com/author/phyllisduncan).

My reader magnet for the upcoming series, Meeting the Enemy, is available to download for FREE. Find “Out of the Ordinary” at dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc.

And. . . drum roll . . . I have a new preorder available–Quintet, which is now a novella-sized eBook only compilation of the four reader magnets for my first series, A Perfect Hatred, plus a bonus story. Preorder for your Kindle at amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ. For other eBook providers, preorder at https://books2read.com/u/3R6d6x. Quintet launches on April 1–no fooling! 

Everything You Ever (Maybe) Wanted to Know About Author Branding

Summary:

Like Apple, McDonalds, or Nike, authors have brands that identify the author and what he or she writes for marketing purposes. This week we delve into how I developed my brand, “Real spies, real lives, a hint of romance.” And a reading from an upcoming novel that shows what real spies are like.

To see examples of my authorship brand, visit my Facebook Author Page at www.facebook.com/unspywriter or my website, www.unexpectedpaths.com.

And don’t forget my reader magnet giveaway for my upcoming new series Meeting the Enemy. Download your FREE copy at dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc.

Two for One

SUMMARY:

I was dragged down by sinusitis last week and didn’t post last week’s episode, so today you get two for one.

2/17 Podcast:

A bit about what inspired me to write Love Death and some readings from the novel.

Love Death is free for your Kindle or Kindle App through Saturday February 19, and you can find it at amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS.

Don’t forget my other, ongoing giveaway of a short story reader magnet for my upcoming new series, Meeting the Enemy. You can download the story, “Out of the Ordinary,” at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc.

2/24 Podcast:

What does it mean to be an Indie author? A lot of non-writing related “stuff.” Plus closing out a month of celebrating Love Death’s book birthday.

Love Death sale: amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS

Reader Magnet giveaway: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc

Phyllis A. Duncan, Author: www.facebook.com/unspywriter

Instagram: www.instagram.com/paduncan1

Twitter: www.twitter.com/unspywriter

Website/Blog: www.unexpectedpaths.com

Newsletter Sign-up: https://unexpectedpaths.com/contact-the-author-2/

Accurate History

SUMMARY:

If you’re not a believer in teaching a country’s accurate history, you might want to fast forward to 18:53 because this week I was in a mood to rant about book banning and book burning. Here. In the United States of America.

Starting on 2/12/22, Love Death will be free right on time for Valentine’s Day. You can find it at amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS.

And my short story reader magnet giveaway is still ongoing (and will be for a while). You can find “Out of the Ordinary” at dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc.

Symbolism in Writing and Espionage

SUMMARY:

Writers use symbolism, but so do spies, so why not symbolism while writing about spies? Plus some readings from this month’s featured book, LOVE DEATH, which is 40% off (eBook only). Find LOVE DEATH at amazon.com/gp/B08QDLXBCS. 

And don’t forget about my short story reader magnet giveaway. “Out of the Ordinary” introduces my upcoming new series, MEETING THE ENEMY. You can read for FREE at dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc.

Episode WARNING: Sexual innuendo and sexual banter between a married couple.