Topics (click the link to go directly to the thing):
Micro fiction short, What If…
A bunch of competitions (lots of links)
New works in progress
Free paranormal urban fantasy novella by Renee Marski
Podcast
I meant to record another podcast before this newsletter launched, but I was scrambling to get my manuscript done for the third in series so I could turn it in by the 1st.
I also struggle a little coming up with ideas that people might find relatable. I may be giving myself too hard a time about it, but when I think about things I find interesting, I look back on it to wonder whether I’m being selfish, or silly to make a whole podcast on it.
Additionally, I haven’t recorded anything new regarding my querying updates because I’m at a point now where I’m. just. waiting. I submitted my first batch of queries on July 27th, and there are a few I’m still waiting on.
My micro fiction short, What If… got an honorable mention in the battle. This is a single step outside of the final showdown, so I’m pretty happy about that! Especially considering it was a first draft type of story.
I have 2 more Writing Battle battles this year, and after they’re done, I’m going to give that platform a break for a while. I’ve participated in it for 2 years now, and I’ve seen so much change in the community that I just don’t feel like I belong there anymore.
Conflicting opinions are squashed for the sake of “not hurting feelings,” even if the statement is as simple as, “there’s no sense in getting so worked up about this.” Ask me how I know…
This may be a little bit of a conspiracy too, but I’ve found that the people that are most active on the forums there are the ones that tend to slide into the final showdowns most often. I’ll just leave that there :)I turned in a Rhyming Story challenge to NYC Midnight a few weeks ago, and it was an interesting ride. If you’ve read my story, The Tale of Timothy True, that’s the type of story this was (even if TToTT was not necessarily supposed to rhyme). The one I submitted recently was called Wayward Captain. I’ll know more about this one in November.
I also recently turned in a Freewrite 500 word challenge. The winners will be announced on October 13th. This one was an interesting one for me, and I’ll share it when the winner is revealed. The title is Chirp and the prompt was “an unusual companionship.”
The Elegant Literature challenges are something I’m considering. I have a few friends that participate, and I’m curious about those. Perhaps when I give WB a break, I’ll pick up EL. The difference with this platform is that I can see that it requires a monthly, or annual subscription to submit anything.
UP NEXT ON THE DOCKET: I think I bit off more than I could chew for October… I’ve signed up for FOUR COMPETITIONS. I’m insane.
— (1) Fear Flash Fiction, a pro competition by Writing Battle (going on right now!)
— (2) The Not Quite Write competition
— (3) Autumn short story competition by Writing Battle
— (4) The Scary Story challenge hosted by NYC Midnight
If you’d like a peek into my ingenious nighttime writing ideas, here’s a little gem for you:
BOOK UPDATES
Reaper’s Legacy; “The Unnamed Fantasy”
I finally submitted the third book in the Northern Roseaarde series to the editor on October 1st! I’m excited to bring Lor’s story to an end, and I hope that an agent will pick up the series (still no update on that - I’ve sent 70 queries, and I’m going to rest on that for a little bit). Did I mention I’ve submitted to Brandon Sanderson’s agent? I had no idea at first, then did more digging and found out that little tidbit. I think it would be cool to sign with him, but I’m definitely not holding my breath.
Remember, if you want to read the 3rd book, please reach out!
As part of my writing process, I’ll occasionally write “side chapters” for characters that don’t make it into the final book. These are typically for me to get a better feel for these characters to help me form their arcs in the main story. My hope is to gather these chapters and create a supplemental novella if anyone is ever interested in reading more about someone they fell in love with. This novella would be completely free, and not necessary reading to understand the overarching story.
Current Work In Progress
I’ve begun the plotting process of the small town horror! Honestly, my outlines are more guidelines than rules, and I guarantee the end result will only contain a fraction of this work. Why am I like this?
I can never only have one thing going at a time, so in addition to the small town horror that I’m starting, I’ll also be plotting an Eastern Roseaarde series or standalone, as well as a backstory.
LH Soaps & Sundries updates
I love that I still have people on my YouTube channel getting value from former videos I’ve posted. I just got a few questions the other day from a viewer, and it was nice to be able to share my knowledge with them. I haven’t posted any new videos, but I think what I have on there now is a good archive for those wanting to learn.
I still have soaps available on my site for sale - I have a TON of them! I made a bulk listing, so if you’re interested in soaps, they will be a random selection of styles and fragrances, unless you note specific ingredients/scents that you do NOT want to have.
VISIT THE SOAP PAGE HERE to check out the “final call” soaps and/or the scrub bars.
I also have some first edition paperback copies of Metaxysm and Hillbilly Vamp listed on my soap site if you’d like to CHECK THOSE OUT HERE.
Anyway, that’s all for now, thanks for being awesome!LINKTREE | YOUTUBE | BOOKS | RED BUBBLE
