Author's Writing and Book Selling Journey: September Countdown & Birthday Wish
We’re in the last days of September, with Fall officially in play, and I’m delighted to share that progress of my haunting thriller novel has been strong (insert applause). Yay!
Output has been steady as I roll into chapter 28 of my manuscript. My goal is to have the completed story in the hands of my editor by end of January or, at the latest, early February 2027. Whew! A tight deadline considering the holidays are right around the corner and my full-time job often demands 50+ hours a week.
But ... when I hit my goal, it'll be a wonderful start to the new year; albeit, a temporary celebration. Because, a big decision lurks along the sidelines: Do I query for an agent or do I submit my finished novel to an independent publisher?
Either way, royalty payments are minimal. The weight of my decision comes down to distribution and accessibility to every channel imaginable where my book will fall into the hands of readers locally, regionally, state-wide, nationally, internationally, and, when the time is right, across the Milky Way ...
Okay. Truthfully, making the decision is a bit of a teeter totter in my mind. Thorough research is required, which is time consuming. For now, my primary focus currently remains on writing and completing my manuscript --- a psychological, twisty and haunting thriller centering around the questionable death of the main character's toddler brother. I leave you with this questionable thought --- a line straight out of my novel in progress:
But I swear.
It wasn’t my fault.
It wasn’t me who murdered my brother.
This Saturday, Sep. 26, dare to join the Spinal Dread Horror Lit & Culture Festival at the Anaheim Central Library. Experience the hauntings of author panels, books by local indie writers, creative artists, yummy food, and a variety of spooktacular vendors. The fun starts at 10 AM until 4 PM.
Plus, as added bonus, you can find me there creeping around corners and signing my books, zines, and vending scary-fun merch. I'll be at table #5 in the author's section of the library.
Wait!
There’s more!
Adults 21+ are invited to the After Party at Asylum Brewing (a 10-minute walk from the library) for more haunting fun. Friends of the Library are hosting a fundraising raffle. Enjoy music, adult drinks, community fun, and get yourself a flash tattoo --- I plan on it! More info about the After Party is available at the Spinal Dread Event.
Friday, September 25 is my birthday. Yay!
It’s nice to say I’m only 25. But it’s getting harder to keep up youthful appearances after a decade or so. Hee-hee.
I did make a special birthday wish to sell 25 books for my birthday on my birthday.
Help me celebrate!
If you don’t have a copy of Born of Dirt & Dust, now’s the time to take a chance and experience short & flash speculative fiction --- stories about everyday life with knots and twists of psychological horror, dark fantasy, and bitter sci-fi. Bite-sized stories you can sink your teeth into. Plus, as a bonus, you'll get to see the kind of haywired thinking that goes on inside this writer's head.
Grab your copy from Amazon.com.
Or, if you have a copy already, share my birthday wish with your family and friends.
Thank you for the most wonderful and happiest birthday gift!!
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