It’s summer, and for the last few weeks it’s been really hot, especially in the Midwest where I live. Ninety-plus degree weather has been the norm, and the humidity only makes it worse.
Except this week, when the weather is in the 80s, which somehow feels cool. I suppose that means it’s all relative, right?
I’ve had a busy and productive writing summer. In addition to my regular nonfiction blogging work (on such exciting things as ketchup and batteries), I’m hard at work on three fiction projects.
- For the first time in three years, I’ve sent out a new novel to beta readers. Yes, it’s been that long. (The last time was in July of 2016, when I first sent Through Chaos to beta readers.) My new novel is science fiction. It’s in a setting separate from my Sarco novels, with a brand new world and a brand new cast of characters. (However, I did plant an Easter Egg referencing this novel in Into the Void, so there is a very vague, distant connection.) My hope is that I’ll be through beta reading by the end of August and through any beta revisions by the end of September. From there? Well, we’ll see. Writing, as I well know, is a marathon, not a sprint.
- My new novel is part of a planned trilogy, so … I’m also starting up work on the sequel. (Yes, I’m working on the sequel to an as-yet-unpublished novel.) I’m taking advantage of the beta read time to start my first draft, which I’m about 10% of the way through. I even have some ideas for book 3, although I’m not *that* far into the game yet.
- Finally, I’m working on compiling the Tales of Sarco series into a short story compedium. Most of the short stories have been put out, individually, on my mailing list already, but some of the stories have never been published before. Older stories have been lightly revised, and every story will feature an introduction and some suggestions on where to read it. I don’t yet have firm release information on this compendium, so stay tuned.
Cheers!
Josh