Status Updates:

Response to the Cat has been overwhelming, but it's time for me to begin again.

What's Next:

The Wizard's Cat​
I finally got the physical proofs. Glad I did. A problem right on the first page. Tedious but I'll get it fixed and published Real Soon Now.

Future Ishmael​
Shackleford House is my home for now, but I keep getting flashes of Ishmael and Zoya in the Deep Dark. Who knows when they'll fly into my head again.

Future Tanyth Fairport​
Same with Tanyth.

What I'm Reading:

I read a lot of litRPG this last month after finishing what I could get of Robert Kerns's Shepherd Security Services series (which I recommended on my blog). S. D. McKittrick's Homestead Crafter has a lot of potential but the one that keeps me checking for the next release is Jeremy Fabiano's Glyphywright Chronicles.

The story starts in a small village (as do so many of these) and follows a young man seeking to make a life of his own, separate from the destiny picked for him by his father. An enchanter, putting magical sigils together to make objects of power. Wards for protection and preservation to begin with. It gets complicated pretty quickly

He uses the lessons he learned from his father to overturn the way the world looks at enchanting and the power structures that support it. Those structures don't always appreciate his efforts.

It's not all sunshine and roses but the good guys generally win in the end. I'm eagerly waiting for the next volume (due in April).

But don't take my word for it. Grab a sample and see what you think.

Looking Ahead:

I hope my extended fallow period will bear fruit. I think I know how the next book begins and how it ends. I've opened a word processing file and set up the structures I use when I write.

That's a good sign.

The final task on the Cat sits here on my desk, staring at me like I've forgotten to feed it in month, which - if I'm honest - I probably have. Figuring out how to get Amazon's machinery to put the words in the right places on the page is a challenge. It will come to "good enough" soon which, sadly, is not "perfect" but I haven't the ability - or patience - to reach perfection.

Having a new story bubbling along, waiting for me to put this one to bed for now, is a strong incentive to finally, finally, finally getting this darn cat off my desk.

Fingers crossed for the next month. Until then, safe voyage.

-NL

Remember ​
I update the blog every month on the first so if you're wondering what's happening, you can check there to get an interim report until the next one shows up in your inbox.

Beta Readers:

Every so often, I put out a call for beta readers. These are people who are willing to read the work in progress in a short period of time with only the briefest of notices.

I'm going to be fine tuning this process going forward but if you'd like to be considered for future works, then click this link.
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​It puts a tag on your address in the email list. You don't have to check anything. The ConvertKit people (who store the addresses) will handle it and then take you to a page to tell you that your preferences have been set. By clicking that link you're done.

And thanks.

Fine Tuning:

Would you prefer to get ONLY new release notices?YES, PLEASE​

Note: Newsletter people will get New Release notices, too, but
I've had several people say they preferred to only hear from me when I
release a new book so I'm trying to accommodate them.
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