May I get a LOT more written in 2021 than I did in 2020! I’ve already been hard at work on When Darkness Falls. I’ve done a read-through of book 1, followed by a pass thru all my beta reader feedback for book 1 to be sure I’d addressed any and all issues (I had), and have currently been working on adding some crucial scenes which have been coming to me in the wee hours (naturally!). Book 1 is up to 75,000, I consider book 2 more or less finished at 90,000, and book 3 needs the most work, at 37,00 words. Right now, however, I’m working on polishing just book 1, and getting a second round of beta reading started. I already have 4 beta readers, which is pretty much all I need at this point, I think by and large, it’s in pretty good shape. My hope (I’m not close enough to being done on book 3 to make it an actual goal yet) is to have all 3 books finished and ready for publication by mid summer. I don’t plan to bring them out individually ,but as a set, at least for the Kindle books. And oh my gosh have we got gorgeous covers for you all to drool over!

I got my marketing/promos set up (and paid for!) for the release of A Cat for Troy on March 4, 2021. Yesterday I had my first pre-order for Cat, which was also exciting! I’ve gotten the covers for all three books of When Darkness Falls, and there’s a full book trailer in the works, but that will be a couple of weeks.

All that, and it’s only the 3rd of January! I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself!

Do remember that A Cat for Troy is available for preorder on Amazon at the special pre-order price of 99 cents. Release day is March 4, 2021, and it will be available as paperback as well as Kindle.

 

Also, last but not least, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter and keep up on important news, previews, and pre-cover reveals!

 

In Other, Non-Writing-Related News……

• Coronavirus, of course. I’ve been in self-imposed #stayhome since March 15th, when I read this article by a journalist in Italy. I’m staying home and safe, and hope you are, too!

 

The Books

1. Truck Stop
2. Wishes in a Bottle (Wishes & Dreams #1)
3. A Gift of Jacinth (Wishes & Dreams #2)
4. SwanSong (Sons of the Desert #1)
5. Castles in the Sand (Sons of the Desert #2)
6. A Cat for Troy (Wishes & Dreams #3)

 

The Manuscripts

1. Finished Manuscripts, major revisions in progress prior to 2nd wave of beta reading:
   1. WHEN DARKNESS FALLS (201,775 words, as follows:)
      1. Book 1: The Palace (61,150)
      2. Book 2: The Dark Lord (90,500)
      3. Book 3: The Prophecy (39,400)
   2. A CAT FOR TROY, Wishes & Dreams #3
2. In-Progress Manuscripts:
   1. MICHAEL’S QUEST, Sons of the Desert #3
   2. SHADOW CAT, Wishes & Dreams #4
3. To Be Written Partial Manuscripts:
   1. BEHIND THE CLOUDS, spin-off of Sons of the Desert
   2. INTO THE STORM, spin-off of Sons of the Desert
   3. Short Story: Amanda & Julian, spin-off of Wishes in a Bottle
4. Planned Manuscripts:
   1. HATED MATE, Wishes & Dreams #5
   2. UNNAMED, Wishes & Dreams #6

 

THIS WEEK’S WRITING PLAN

(Not in any particular order except as indicated)

1. Working on When Darkness Falls.
2. Working on the January newsletter.
3. Working on When Darkness Falls some more!
4. Keep staying home and safe.