2022: Q1 Recap
2022 has been a year of ups and downs already. Between power outages, appliance breakages, crafts/hobbies, and new baby prep, I’ve somehow found a way to get a lot of reading and writing done!
Life updates:
As you might have gathered, we’re preparing for a new baby in May! That means I’m trying to get all the things done - housework, baby room/house prep, writing, reading, etc - since I plan to go on a bit of a hiatus after she arrives. It’s been great some days, challenging on others. I’m taking lots of naps in the middle of the day, cramming in exercise, and trying to relax in the evenings with books and some new crafts and hobbies (I bought a beginners resin kit to just have some mindless fun). Here are a few highlights for you.
New Music:
Upgrade - TWIN XL & DREAMERS
Kamikaze - Chaz Cardigan
Hold My Breath - Paper Idol & ufo ufo
Chapstick - COIN
Favorite Reads:
You can always follow my updates on Goodreads, but here are the best reads of Q1.
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (series) by Laini Taylor
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
Writing Updates:
Two exciting updates to ready you for the rest of the year…
Star Supernova, coming May 21
It’s coming, finally. I finished the draft of Supernova this quarter, including the first round of edits. The story is done, but I’ll have a few more passes at it before the release date. Because baby will likely be taking my time, there will be no Instagram Live or other release day parties. I’ve had to schedule posts ahead of time (I’m sorry!) because when I first scheduled this release date, I didn’t know about baby. Still, you’ll be getting a playlist and a ‘making of the project’ post in the next few months to get you excited.
Prequel title announcement, release date
For those who are dying for the next book in the Smoke and Shadows series, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a little longer… but I have the next best thing! The prequel book to The Curse of Broken Shadows has a title and will be released April 12, 2022. This isn’t a book with a single plot, rather a collection of six separate stories that follow Brela from her time in Valisea to her makings as an assassin and finally adding her two friends to the mix.
To keep on theme, I’m announcing the title for you… The Bones of Crystal Sand. I wonder if a certain sand sprite is involved in one of the stories… ;)
Writing hiatus / on the backburner
I know you guys are dying for the second book in the Smoke and Shadows series but life is about to get in the way. I promise it is going to be done, and I am so grateful for your patience as I learn how to manage life with a new baby. You’ll be happy to know I am fully aware of the plot and story, it’s just about finding the time to sit down and write. As I learn to juggle new mom life, I’ll have a better idea of what I’ll be capable of when it comes to getting this book done and out to you.
Patreon news:
As a reminder, you can find the entire prequel book (The Bones of Crystal Sand) on Patreon now. Until May, I’ll be releasing three new chapters of Star Supernova a week, including a first look at the playlist. When I return from baby, you’ll be getting the unedited chapters from book 2 in the Smoke and Shadows series.
Newsletter reminder:
When baby comes, I’ll be taking a break from the newsletter (minus a quick update about Supernova’s release). We will see how the updates go on other platforms, but rest assured I’m checking them! Likely, I’ll stick to Instagram, but any important updates will still go through the newsletter, this blog, and Discord.
