Year in Review, Part the Second

This year has been rough, and I’m ready to put it behind me. Let’s focus on the positive:

  • I went to FOUR markets this year and met a lot of cool people!
  • The Book of the New Moon Door is finally published! As of this writing, it has sold 34 copies, most of them preorders.
  • Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea sold an additional 49 copies this year, which brings the total number of copies sold to 146. Two of them were purchased in Germany!
  • I worked on Journey to the Water and The Well Below the Valley, though I had to put both on hiatus while I finished New Moon Door.
  • Our garden did very well! I was happy to share some photos after planting.
  • I also released a short story, “The Howler.”

I had to put a lot of my other goals from last year on hold, but I hope to pick back up next year:

  • I want to finish, edit, and publish Journey to the Water.
  • I will revisit the script for The Well Below the Valley and start making it into something that might actually, eventually, be good, and hopefully finish it as well.
  • Over the next month or so, I’ll be rolling out some changes to my Patreon and Ko-fi, to better reward people who want to support me directly.
  • I’ll return to The Tarot of the Gates and work out a timeline for its eventual completion. I haven’t decided if it will involve serial chapters or if I’ll keep it under wraps. It’s also a collaboration with an artist, so her schedule and availability will have an impact.
  • I’ll be going to more markets and events, so be sure to stay tuned for those!
  • I want to do some video content (Twitch or YouTube) and have more nonfiction posts here, like discussion questions, talking about writing, that sort of thing. Maybe some more short stories, as well.
  • I might not get to a new manuscript this year (other than Journey to the Water), but my long-term goal is to be a hybrid author with both independent and traditionally-published books.
  • More garden pictures!

I’m more grateful than words can say for you, reader. You make all this worthwhile. May the new year bring you peace and happiness.

Today’s the Day! The Book of the New Moon Door is now available!

Amazon (paperback & ebook)

Barnes & Noble (paperback & ebook)

Kobo (ebook only)

Apple Books (ebook only)

A very special thanks to everyone who preordered, and to everyone who reads it now! I’m so excited for you to finally get your hands on this book.

If you haven’t read the back-of-the-book blurb, it’s right here for you below the cut:

Continue reading “Today’s the Day! The Book of the New Moon Door is now available!” →

Song of the Week

Kate Bush, “The Morning Fog”

Good morning!

The Book of the New Moon Door releases this Friday! I’ll have all the retail links for you then. If you preordered a copy, they are supposed to arrive at my house tomorrow. I’ll be heading to the post office today to get some Priority Mail envelopes to put them in, and the wrapping paper, sealing wax, bookmarks, and stickers are already here. Gods willing and the weather holds, I should be sending them out on Wednesday!

No new chapters this week. Journey to the Water should start up again next week with a new chapter on Patreon, and then I’ll be back to a regular posting schedule. All the previous chapters are under the Stories tab above (under the Menu if you’re on mobile), if you need to catch up. Thank you for being patient while I was focusing on getting New Moon Door done.

Here’s a tool from the Friends Committee on National Legislation to write Congress asking for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. I’ve sent a letter, and I hope you will too.

As always, thanks for being here. Stop by again later this week for more updates as we get closer to release day!

One week until The Book of the New Moon Door!

The book will be available in paperback and ebook from whatever online retailer you prefer on Friday, December 15.

Also, preorders have left the printer! They’re on their way to me, so I can sign and wrap them. I’ll update you when I have an estimated arrival date. Once they’re here, I should get them finished and back into the mail within 24 hours.

Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to release day!

Song of the Week

Delta Rae, “The Beast”

Good afternoon!

Preorders for The Book of the New Moon Door are officially closed! I’ve ordered the books from the printer, and hopefully I’ll have some more news about that soon. The book officially releases December 15, when it will be available from all the major online retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, probably others too).

The last two chapters of the serial version of New Moon Door will be up here on the blog on Wednesday. I’ll be working on getting Journey to the Water running again, so expect to see new chapters in the next couple of weeks. I’m hoping to publish Journey next year, so I’d better get on that.

Tell President Biden to redouble his efforts to renew the ceasefire in Gaza. Win Without War is hoping to collect 10,000 signatures today.

Thanks for all you do! Have an excellent week.

Last day to preorder The Book of the New Moon Door!

I’m closing the preorders first thing tomorrow morning.

Preorders include a signed copy of the book (paperback) wrapped in paper and sealed with wax, plus some bookmarks and stickers as a special thank-you. You can read the first chapter here, and order the book here. (Both these links are under the Buy my books tab above, or under the Menu if you’re on mobile.)

Thank you so much for your support! I’m so excited to finally bring this finished book to you.

Song of the Week

Enya, “May It Be”

My husband and I are almost done with our annual Lord of the Rings rewatch, so here’s a song for you. (Fun fact: “May It Be” is also super easy to play on the piano, even if you haven’t touched a keyboard in years.)

Preorders of The Book of the New Moon Door are open through Friday, December 1! I’ll be closing them first thing Saturday morning, so if you want an autographed copy and some bonus bookmarks & stickers, be sure to order this week. You can find the link to the shop, and the first chapter of the published version, under the Buy My Books tab above (under the Menu if you’re on mobile), or you can click here and save yourself a step.

I’ll be sending the newsletter out tomorrow, which is earlier than usual, so that newsletter subscribers who don’t also read here have a chance to get a preorder. If you’re not subscribed and would like one email a month that does contain cat pictures, you can put your email into the box at this link.

The last two chapters of the serial version of The Book of the New Moon Door will be up on Patreon tomorrow, and last week’s chapter will be here on the blog on Wednesday. I appreciate everyone who’s been along for this journey!

There has been a temporary pause to the violence in Gaza, but a permanent ceasefire is needed to save civilian lives and ensure hostages are returned. Keep pressuring your representatives! Here’s Amnesty International’s petition.

I think that’s it for this week. Thanks for being here.

The Book of the New Moon Door: Preorder Updates

First order of business: I’ve posted the first chapter as a preview! You can read it here.

So, my files have been approved, but there has been some confusion regarding paper type at the printer. Right now, I’m waiting for customer support to get back to me. For that reason, and because I want to make sure that everyone who wants a preorder can get one, I’m leaving preorders open until Friday, December 1.

As always, I appreciate you. Stay warm this weekend!

The Book of the New Moon Door, Chapter One (Free Preview)

Continue reading “The Book of the New Moon Door, Chapter One (Free Preview)” →

Song of the Week

A Perfect Circle, “Gravity”

Good morning!

I am happy to report that all of The Book of the New Moon Door‘s files are submitted! It has been a long road, but this book is officially done. I can’t wait to get it into your hands.

Later today, I’ll be back with a very special Cover Reveal, and I’ll open up preorders. Just as a reminder, preorders will be signed, wrapped in brown paper, and sealed with wax, and I’ll throw in a bookmark or two and some stickers. I appreciate everyone who buys a book, and I want to show my appreciation. I’ll have more information about the shipping timeline when my files get approved and the books are ready to order. The retail release date is December 15, and I hope to get your preorders to you close to that date.

If you’re still following the serial version, I’ll have a new chapter on Patreon tomorrow, and last week’s chapter will be up on Wednesday. Journey to the Water will start up again with new chapters in a couple weeks, so stay tuned for more on that.

As always, thanks for being here, and stop by again soon!