Status Updates:

Finally, progress I can report! The last month has seen a few changes and I'm pleased to say things are moving along after stagnating for the last few weeks (ok, months).

What's Next:

The Wizard's Cat​
I know where this is going. I tossed everything out and started over with the idea that I was just going to have fun with it. It's working.

The SC Marva Collins (no change):​
Book 1: School Days - Published in ebook, paper, and audio. ​
Book 2: Working Class - Published in ebook, paper, and audio. Some problems exist in chapter 4's encoding. Podium knows and is looking into it.​
Book 3: Hard Knocks - Published in ebook and paper. Podium has the book in production for release later this year. I still don't have a date.

What I'm Reading:

I'm currently hip deep in a fantasy series by Azalea Ellis, A Practical Guide to Sorcery, but I've recommended a lot of fantasy to you.

Luckily I have a SF title to share this month. John Beresford's Gatekeeper, Book 1 of The Berikatanyan Chronicles. It's a convoluted, absolutely engaging pot boiler of a tale.

The timeline is all wonky at first. The setting shifts all over the place. Beresford introduces what feels like a whole herd of characters and it feels like you've been spun around - given a stick and a blindfold - and you have to whack a pinata.

But the threads start coming together. Sometimes slowly, slyly. Sometimes all at once until suddenly the whole landscape comes into focus.

I need to finish this fantasy series but then I'm leaving my sample pile alone while I get back to Beresford's books. I need to find out what happens next.

But, as always, don't take my word for it. Maybe grab a sample and see what you think.

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Looking Ahead:

I fell into the fountain pen rabbit hole this month and my game-of-choice has shifted to Cities Skylines. Normally that much psychic shift would mean no writing, but the fountain pens have me wanting to write more. Not just with the pens, but with the keyboard as well.

The pens and notebook doodlings gave me the key i needed to unlock the Cat. I've been developing it and translating those ideas into the word machine to start the book moving again. Finally.

Will it last? I think so. I don't want to jinx it because there are still huge holes that I need to fill in but for the first time in ages, I'm having fun with it.

That can only be a good thing.

Anyway, until next month, safe voyage.

-NL

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Remember ​
I update the blog every month on the first so if you're wondering what's happening, you can check there to get an interim report until the next one shows up in your inbox.

Beta Readers:

Every so often, I put out a call for beta readers. These are people who are willing to read the work in progress in a short period of time with only the briefest of notices.

I'm going to be fine tuning this process going forward but if you'd like to be considered for future works, then click this link.
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​It puts a tag on your address in the email list. You don't have to check anything. The ConvertKit people (who store the addresses) will handle it and then take you to a page to tell you that your preferences have been set. By clicking that link you're done.

And thanks.

Fine Tuning:

Would you prefer to get ONLY new release notices? YES, PLEASE​

Note: Newsletter people will get New Release notices, too, but
I've had several people say they preferred to only hear from me when I
release a new book so I'm trying to accommodate them.
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