Course Corrections - September 2026


Status Updates:

Not as much as I'd hoped. A lot more than I've been getting.

What's Next:

The Wizard's Next Thing​
I had plans for this to be Nathan's Novel Writing Month. Nate-oWriMo. It hasn't turned out that way but I've still made more progress in these two weeks than in the whole two months before. I'm taking the win and looking for the last half of the month for some redemption.
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​Everything Else​
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No changes. I need to clear this third book in the series (trilogy?) before I let myself get too deep in the weeds on anything else.

What I'm Reading:

As usual, I read a lot of "next in the series" works last month but found some space opera by an unknown author. If you saw my monthly blog post you'll know I'm talking about Joe Durham's Officer of the Union Fleet series. It was beautiful and dark and totally space opera.

After reading all 7 of those books I needed something else. Something with a little whimsy.

Nole Moody's Mr. Gorzug, Substitute Teacher splashed onto my reader like cool water on a hot day.

Yes, there's a certain level of absurdity in this sort of isekai insertion of a fantasy character into current reality, a reversing of the normal trope. Grant that one suspension of disbelief and the story flows seamlessly.

It might be the driest, wryest, and warmest novel I've read in forever. It's a British sitcom set in a struggling elementary school. The trials are real. The characters all so real, I think I might have met a couple of them. If not, I'd certainly like to.

I've read some good novels this year, but this one might be the best of the lot.

But, as always, don't take my word for it. Mosey on over and grab a sample yourself a sample to see what you think.

Looking Ahead:

I may not have gotten as many words as I wanted, but I'm very happy with the words I have. I spent more than a few days spooling out a plot that I couldn't see the point only to have it snap into place when I wasn't looking.

So I've got a good foundation. Something I can keep building forward with.

My reading is taking time away from writing, but it's doing something that might be more important. It's inspiring me to dig in and play in my own universe again.

I'm really looking forward to it and that is all kinds of good.

Until next month, 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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Nathan Lowell

Full-time self-published author and sometimes podcaster, I write and publish science fiction and fantasy. I also write about the business of writing and publishing in The View From Here.

Read more from Nathan Lowell

Status Updates: Finally, I'm beginning to find the edges of the story this needs to be. What's Next: The Wizard's Next ThingIt has been a productive month in terms of story, if not actual word counts. Many, many words have been put down - in both senses of the word. I put them down on the page and then erased them again. It feels a little self defeating, but in truth, that's how this sausage gets made. What seems like a good idea doesn't always stand up once I see it playing out. Everything...

Status Updates: I had high hopes for high word counts by now. What's Next: The Wizard's Next ThingWhile the word counts aren't there, the movie in my head has started playing. It's more like a one real, black and white silent film at the moment but it's more narrative than I had before. The Wizard's CatThe audio edition has dropped.Everything ElseNo changes. I still want to get back to the Deep Dark. Still want to revisit Tanyth. Still want to work with EJ to get back to the steppes. What I'm...

Status Updates: The last month has seen some interesting developments that aren't ready for public consumption What's Next: The Wizard's Next ThingThe story is coming together. At least in my head. Word counts, continue to lag behind. It's tedious but it's tru The Wizard's CatThe audio edition drops tomorrow! Happy listening to those who celebrate. Everything ElseNo changes. I still want to get back to the Deep Dark. Still want to revisit Tanyth. Still want to work with EJ to get back to the...