Now that Brynn did me a solid and got the site not looking like a 4 yr old got let loose with wordpress, I suppose I should offer an update on where things are right now for the millions (and MILLIONS) of people who might one day read this. Or just for myself so I have it put out.
The Sanctuary Lock:
I am currently querying my first novel. It’s as complete as I feel it can be without paying for a line edit. If querying yields no results, then I’ll find the money to self-publish, including getting a line edit done to get it nice and polished. If I do that, I’ll likely register Strangeland Publishing LLC and repurpose the strangeland.net domain I’ve own since 1997. I’ve sent it out to 10 or so agents as well as one publisher so far. I will likely try to get it to another 5 or 6 agents this week and then consider digging into small presses who accept unagented submissions.
The Thousand Doors:
I’m about 52K works into the sequel for TSL. The current outline will have it coming in at about 120K words, so I’m not quite halfway. I AM into Act II, but I’m struggling to keep focused on it for a variety of reasons. I’ll get there, but given it’s a bit darker than TSL, it’s harder for me to process parts of it. I am finding inspiration in some different places. One of the parts of the book deals with the Remnant Legion, and a youtube video about how crossbows and great swords should be used along with a hike at Sweetwater State Park (if you’ve seen the Hunger Games or various other movies, you’ve seen parts of SSP) brought into focus some of the parts that will introduce the Remnant Legion. Regardless, I am into the 2nd act of the book and making slow and awkward progress.
Short Fiction:
I have a half dozen short story ideas going through my head. I’m doing my best to write down the blurbs for them in my writing notebook so I won’t lose them. The one I may take a break from TTD to work on is set in the same world but about 200 or so years before the events in the book. The tone of it makes it likely something I’ll save for when GrimDark Magazine reopens submissions.
Other Stuff:
I’ve updated the Cons I’m attending this year. All of them but MultiVerse will be with my kids and generally having fun with them. I’m a little disappointed that SAGA isn’t happening this year, but I 100% understand Hartness needing a break for a year.
I’ll try and post updates as I can on the possibility someone is actually going to peak in and read these.
