No, I don’t have a release date for Modern Hauntings yet, but we’re getting close! Scarily close.
Many of you have been asking me about how the Skull Daddy sequel is going and, well, I’ve had to put it on hold. But I’m not procrastinating! I’m just so focused on getting Modern Hauntings ready to go. But I’ve accomplished so much this month that I will have no problem dedicating some extra time to Skull Daddy in July.
So, what I have I been up to with Modern Hauntings? Well, my wonderful new editor Nico Bell sent me her first round of feedback. And I could tell right away that she is a much better fit for me and my work than any of my previous editors. I tackled her suggested changes and corrections and sent the manuscript back for a final pass. Now, I get to play the waiting game…
While I’ve been waiting, I’ve put some work into the other parts of the publication process. I’m sure you’ve all seen the cover art on social media and/or the new bookmarks on my table at art markets and author events. But I’ve been doing more than just marketing. I’ve started chatting with a potential venue about the launch party! As my contact is currently on a much needed vacation (I’ve worked with this person before and know just how much they do), I have now begun another round of the waiting game…
While I wait, newsletter subscribers are going to get a little taste of what’s to come. There may or may not be a WHOLE CHAPTER available to read in my upcoming July 3rd newsletter, so keep an eye out for that!
But what else have I been up to? Besides back-to-back in person events, fundraising, overfilling my calendar…
Well, GOATS is officially in the hands of my beta readers, which means I’ve given myself a few extra panic attacks this month. This stage in the editing process never gets easier. In fact, I’m beta reading for another author right now, and it feels good to know there’s someone else out there experiencing the same kind of stress I am. Wait… Does that make me a horrible person?
In all seriousness, based on some early feedback from 2 of my 10 readers I’ve come up with a solution to fix an issue I’ve been fighting with in the earlier chapters. I truly mean it when I say I could not do what I do without my beta readers. I have to do more waiting while I wait for all the feedback to come in, but I can’t wait to get started on the next round of GOATS edits in the fall. And yes, I promise to have draft 1 of Skull Daddy finished before then.
But wait, there’s more!
You may have noticed that I have a publishing anniversary coming up! On July 29th, it’ll be the 4th anniversary of Please Rate Your Satisfaction, which means it’ll be exactly 4 years since I officially became a published author. I mean this in the best possible way, but my publishing journey has not gone the way I thought it would. As a result, I’ve realized I need to make a few changes. No, I’m not going to spill all the juicy details just yet, but I will have one special announcement each week of July as part of what I’m calling my “mini rebranding”. And yes, that July 3rd newsletter might have some additional info for you folks.
I’ve got personal, professional, publishing, and Purge updates to share with you all over the next month, so stay tuned and stay spooky!
