December 2022 Newsletter: The Turning of the Year
Some reflections on 2022 and looking ahead to 2023
Well, amici, we made it through another one. If you’re reading this, congratulations on having survived another revolution around the sun. (And, if you’re actually reading this, thanks for opening it amid what I’m sure is a deluge of similar end-of-year newsletters in your inbox!)
It was a strange year, for me. A yo-yo of a year. Some absolutely wonderful things happened, and some crushing things happened, and some frustrating things happened -- or, in a lot of cases, failed to happen.
Starting my new full-time position with Plato Learning has been a delight. I love what I’m doing, and I’m very good at it. I am, once again, gainfully employed, even if succinctly answering the question “So what do you do?” has gotten no simpler than it was when I worked for Shakespeare. There’s pride in that, along with the very real satisfaction of a regular paycheck (for adult money, even!). So in that regard, 2022 was a success.
Publishing-wise, my emotions about 2022 are highly complicated. This has been the year of reinventing myself post-DAW. I did not seek out the self-pub life, but the self-pub life found me nonetheless. I’ve definitely learned a lot, and I can take pride in that -- even if it’s a rather stubborn, grim, defiant pride, a “this industry will not beat me” pride.
The goal was never to become a self-pub superstar, which is good, because I’m definitely not. I have neither the skillset nor the inclination to do the sort of constant flogging of one’s wares that’s necessary to break the bank as an indie author. But sales have been steady and consistent and, I think, no worse than they were through DAW. Plus, I can look at my numbers any time I want and know exactly where I stand, which is never a benefit that traditional publishing affords its authors. I also get paid every 30-45 days (depending on the platform), instead of every six months, which is nice. I also had the opportunity to make a few small changes to From Unseen Fire, just to tighten it up a bit. I also adore the new covers, which are just so beautiful, and it’s wonderful to have these versions of the books out in the world.
And I’m very, very proud to have finished The Bloodstained Shade and to be looking forward to its release next month.
Speaking of which…
News and Promo
In case you missed it: The Bloodstained Shade is available for pre-order from most retailers!
Just can’t wait? A limited number of Advance Reader Copies are currently available from Book Sirens, and it will be up on NetGalley starting January 1st, so if you belong to either of those programs, you can get it early!
I’m also delighted to announce that From Unseen Fire and Give Way to Night will soon once again be available in paperback! And The Bloodstained Shade will be, too. I’m currently waiting on proof copies, but once I’ve checked those out and approved them, you will be able to get paperbacks of the Aven Cycle with its gorgeous new covers, all nice and matching!
The Bloodstained Shade will also be available in audiobook format from Audible; the current release date for that is 5/30/23. It will have the same narrator as the first two books, and I’m so excited about that! I love what Khristine Hvam does with the characters, particularly my beloved Latona.
Random Current Thoughts
Where was I? Ah, yes, 2022.
What else happened this year? I finally went to Batuu, aka Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and I very much did not want to leave. My podcast was nominated for a Hugo Award for a second time, which meant I got to go to WorldCon in Chicago and attend the ceremony again. I sprained an ankle and then made it worse, twice, by refusing to acknowledge how bad it was and soldiering on through special events for camp. My family lost a beloved dog, and we’re all kinds of not over it yet.
I’ve read many books (81, at the time of writing, though I may yet get through another one before the year is over) and watched far fewer shows and movies, but I did love both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor, for very different reasons. I’ve finally got a regular TTRPG again, and I didn’t even have to resign myself to D&D to get it. (Sorry, D&D fans; I just do not like that system). Star Trek: Adventures is a real treat, though I’d still love to have a Star Wars or Genesys game again, too.
I went to ArmadilloCon (as Toastmaster!) and ConCarolinas, each for the first time, and was back at my hometown’s RavenCon once again. I did the Bridgerton Experience and found it wildly underwhelming. I gave up on TikTok after going cold turkey during camp season and discovering I did not miss it. I’ve rolled with the chaos continually unfolding on Twitter and am trying to find a new digital home, though none of the currently available options yet feel right.
I found an editor for The Bloodstained Shade and got it into a shape I’m really proud of. I did not finish drafting another book, which is probably my biggest source of self-flagellation for the year. I had very much intended to, but to be honest, for the first several months of the year, the whole thing with DAW just knocked the stuffing out of me. And then camp, and then a new full-time job, and then losing a dog, and then suddenly the year was over.
2023, though. In 2023, I’m going to make good use of the establishing work I’ve been able to do in 2022. I’m going to finish something new, and hopefully, before too much longer, I’ll be able to tell you all when you can read it.
What else is coming up in 2023?
Upcoming Events
The winter’s looking fairly quiet so far, though I’m hoping to line some things up, whether virtual or in-person, to go along with The Bloodstained Shade’s release.
On March 21st at 7pm, I’ll be doing another virtual workshop for the Orange County Library System! My topic this time will be “Developing Magical Systems.” Please do sign up! You do not need to have an OCLS library card to join the event.
Later in the spring, I’ll be back at RavenCon, April 21-23! Register now to come see me in Richmond.
What I’ve Been Reading
The Ivory Tomb, by Melissa Caruso
The Stardust Thief, by Chelsea Abdullah
Hotel of Secrets, by Diana Biller
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett
The Last Heir to Blackwood Library, by Hester Fox
The Princess and the Scoundrel, by Beth Revis
Wrapping It Up!
Thanks for being with me this year! I hope that 2023 brings each of you great opportunities for warmth, community, and prosperity.
Audaces Fortuna iuvat,
Would love to talk more about Star Trek Adventures. I’ve only done one campaign with it, but it felt very clunky and Captain-heavy (the rest of the crew often felt like they were supposed to be excited if they got to push one button during a session). It could also have just been our GM - I found his style very frustrating.
So excited for Bloodstained Shade and the audiobook release date! Since your contract with Audible was independent of the DAW contract, how optimistic are you about securing audiobooks for future Aven titles not covered by the initial 3-audiobook contract?