Newsletter

How is August going for everyone so far? Here in the Twin Cities, we're having a gentle week with 70 degree highs and lovely breezes, which really soothes my summerween-y heart.

The Writing Desk

This time last year, I was in the beginning stages of working on the Time's Sacrifice Trilogy Book 2. My hope was to publish it in September of 2024. Then I would publish Book 3 in the winter of 2025-2026. That was the plan, anyway. Around 15 months for each book. How hard could that be, right?

But as you all know, Book 2 has been...a difficult birth, let's say. I had to get over my fears about how it would be received. I had to restructure the plot multiple times. I had to overcome some personal life challenges. And now here we are in August, a month away from when I had hoped to publish Book 2. Instead, I'm finishing the second draft and getting ready to start the 3rd.

And I'm okay with that. It took me a while, especially in this culture where you have indie authors espousing the idea that you have to publish as many as 6-8 books per year in order to not lose readers. But that's not me. I'm what Liselle Sambury calls "a productivity hoe." I always want to be doing something. I love to be writing as often as I can, or plotting, or working on a TTRPG, etc. But the fact that I work often doesn't mean I work fast. I'm not a book machine, and while I would love to have 1-2 books out each year (or more!), I'm not quite there yet.

It's felt freeing, accepting that about myself. Separating myself from the hustle culture, while staying true to my love of staying busy. And it's made things easier for the project, too, now that I'm not trying to rush us both. I mean, I'll be honest: I still get anxious sometimes about not having any news about the book yet, worried that people will lose interest. But ultimately, I think the few readers I have would rather I do what's best for the project. So that's what I'm doing.

So when will Book 2 come out? I'm still not entirely sure. But I think it will be somewhere between January and March of 2025. I appreciate everyone's patience. I promise it will be worth it!

All the Recent Media

THE BOOKS:

• ​Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashadourst. I've had this on my bookshelf for so long I worried I wasn't going to be into it by the time I picked it up. But hoo boy was I wrong. I LOVED the dynamic between the two women in this one, and the take on Snow White was possibly my favorite.
• ​Radiance by Grace Draven. I love Grace Draven, and I want to read everything she writes. That said, this one was extremely cute but not really what I expected. There's not really a lot of conflict for the couple. They get along right away and they continue to get along pretty much throughout. There's a little bit of political intrigue towards the end, but mostly, just these two being cute. I prefer a little bit of conflict, but I'd still say this one is pretty delightful.
• ​Shadow of the Wolf by Tim Hall. Another one that I've had forever and was worried that I'd outgrown before I had a chance to read it, but I turned out to be wrong. A really interesting take on Robin Hood, full of spooky forests, mischievous gods, and a truly terrifying Sheriff of Nottingham.

I started watching Hospital Playlist, which is a bit out of character for me. I'm not much of a medical drama person. I get way too squeamish. But I like the premise: a group of five friends (in their 40s, not 30s) working at a hospital together who also start a band amongst each other. And I like that the band isn't necessarily GOOD. It's just something for them, not something for the rest of the world.

And right now I'm binging the Netflix adaptation of One Day, which I've discussed in a previous newsletter is one of those insufferable stories about insufferable people that I personally love.

My music has been all over the place in the past month. I had a big Epic: the Musical kick. I created a playlist based on a sort of vibe of having a wild, adventurous heart which you can find here. And currently I've just been swinging wildly between Taylor Swift and Ingrid Michaelson.

Indie Fantasy Shoutout

Celeste Harte, one of the authors I met when moderating and participating in panels for Storycrafting Sessions earlier this year, mentioned an anthology that Melanin Library is working on called Magic in the Melanin, featuring all Black authors and Black artists. I love Celeste's work, and the anthology seems really cool. They're still currently taking submissions from Black creatives and they'll be revealing their title soon!

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Indie Author Joy

I'm blanking this month, except that I really am still continuing to enjoy 4theWords. The cute little monster battles always bring me some joy!

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