I know I’ve been quiet these past few months. Lately, as I’ve tried to sit down and post something, the only thing I felt was complete intimidation. With the publishing date for Ancient Blood fast approaching (January), and the response I received from the editor I’d been working with, I started feeling stuck.
I found myself checking notes to see if things in the book correlated with my short stories. Searched for details I had missed, changed names, clarified vague issues and so much more. Because once the book is published, I can’t take it back.
The editing process has virtually taken up most of my time as I prepare. There’s a lot of moving parts that I never realized, especially when you’re self publishing. Good news is I have a finished cover. The Book is being beta read for mistakes and errors. The hardest part of the process is going to be sending it off for a second editorial review and still hopefully make the deadline. If not I may have to push it back.
I hope that once I get this project finally in the publishing stage, that I’ll be able to turn my attention back to posting more short stories and other bits in the coming months. I’ll be reviewing book two and prepping it for later next year (Possibly fall) or the beginning of 2023.
Book three of the series is still fresh in my mind and is probably the phase of the project I’m most excited about. Valkyrie is still on the horizon, though I might change the title to Vakari with an explanation of where Valkyrie came from.
Fates Intertwined will be re-titled Tangled Fates. I may have said this a few months ago, but I realize it was never meant to be a short story. There are simply too many details that need to be explained and flushed out. I’ve decided to turn it into a novel, and it may end up as two books.
For those of you who follow my Silas and Malorian posts and tweets, I have spent the last year considering how to begin their story. While their antics are whimsical and occasionally dark, their story has really drawn me to how their situation came about. It might make you feel a deeper for Malorian and why the two of them are bound together for eternity.
I’m also changing the section where I post my maps. I’m going to be polishing some of them up and adding notes on the cities and towns listed on them. You’ll get to see more about each region and nation with possible timelines included.
I just finished a map of Shyre, a diplomatic province used by other nations to settle their differences. It’s what was left of another nation overtaken by Absion during a great war, when the Absonians decided to flex their military might and advance their borders.
I’ll have more info on this coming soon. There’s a lot of content to organize and set up for each region. There’s also referencing to make sure that no detail is missed, and I keep the timeline intact and in proper order. My hope is that, as you dive in, you can see just how big and growing El’Anthar is.
On a personal note, I’ve started a journey of working to get in better shape and lose some weight. I’m really proud of the fact I’ve been able to keep at it and remain consistent. It’s done a lot for my ability to focus and overall self-esteem. I’ve never felt quite as confident about things as I do now, and Ive been told by those closest to me that they can see a definite change in how I carry myself. As of last month, I’ve already lost five pounds! My starting weight was roughly 215lbs. At the end of October, I’m going to weigh in and see where I’m at.
I’m also keeping a photo log that I’m considering sharing on Instagram in a few months. I’ve always been a bit self-conscious about my appearance, so sharing these photos is a huge deal for me. Part of me doesn’t even want to post them, but if anything I hope that it might encourage others in some way.
I hope all of you are having a wonderful Halloween. Feel free to leave comments on the post. I’d love to hear from you.
Regards, Matt