Even though it’s pretty much the end of April, Happy April folks!
Do you follow me on Instagram? Well then you probably know that the first draft of Death and Rest is finished! I am constantly reminding myself to go easy on my writing as all a first draft must do is exist. I have to get the story out of my brain or else how else will it become what I want it to be, right? Now, I’m working on my second draft and I’m hoping to have this version finished by the summer solstice. June will mark one year before I want to be finished Death and Rest and start running it through the editing process (for all the icky mistakes the debut print of Time, Swords, and Blood possessed). I’m crossing all my fingers and toes that three months will be enough to make sure all the growing pains I had with Time, Swords, and Blood can be avoided. DNR feels a long way from where I want it, but at the same time I feel like he’s on the right track and really coming into himself.
So, what have I been up to other than working on my next book?
I’ve been slowly dipping my toes into contacting indie bookshops to sell Time, Swords, and Blood on consignment. It’s honestly nerve-wracking attempting to pitch my book to people who aren’t my friends and family, but I’m trying. Being in some indie bookshops is on my list of author goals this year and I’m hopeful that at least two will take a chance on me! I’ll be sending out more emails this week, so cross your fingers for me that I get some bites.
What are author goals I have for 2025?
There’s more than what I’m going to list, but here’s a start:
-have 10 readers/ratings on Goodreads and/or Amazon (I started 2025 with 2 on Goodreads. As I write this blog I now have 7 ratings on Goodreads and 3 on Amazon!)
-have 100 followers on TikTok (started with 94 and as I write this I have 152!)
-have 100 followers on Instagram (started at 78 and I’m sitting at 93, so almost there!)
-finish 2 drafts of Death and Rest (we know the first one is done!)
-sign books in Indigo
-have 50 people subscribed to my newsletter (getting there)
-be on another podcast
-go on a personal writing retreat
On the note of getting more newsletter subscribers, remind your friends to subscribe! Tell people about me, my socials, my discord. As mentioned in March’s blog, I’m running a fun event this year on my discord for the one-year anniversary of Time, Swords, and Blood and there will be a draw at the end for someone to win a free copy of Death and Rest when it releases next year. You like free stuff, right? Well, you should attend that event to enter for your chance to win!
Also, I was not sure when I wanted to officially announce this, so I’ll do so now and remind everyone it’s happening again closer to the date. If you preorder DNR, there will be a treat included for anyone who preorders. Additionally, if you are amongst the first twenty-five people who preorder, there will be something EXTRA special included in your preorder. (I’m trying to incentivise people into preordering my book. Is it working?)
I’m also excited to announce that I DO have a book signing scheduled at my local indigo! I’m really thrilled about it, but it is not happening until Saturday August 9th which is why I haven’t checked it off my goals yet. I’m super proud of myself and once I have that experience, I’m trying to decide whether I’m going to try to get into other Indigo stores or even try touring. WE SHALL SEE.
Anyway, if you have not purchased my book yet, or know someone who hasn’t but they would like to chat with me in person before getting themselves a copy, send them to the Oshawa Centre Indigo on August 9th and I’ll sign a personal copy of Time, Swords, and Blood for them! Of course I’ll be reminding everyone in July of this book signing, but I just scheduled the signing this past week so I’m excited and wanted to tell people now!
Speaking of Time, Swords, and Blood, I should circle back to my blog title real quick.
If you attended my book launch back in October or have had an in-depth conversation with me about my debut at any point, I said that when I wrote Time, Swords, and Blood, I wrote it knowing she was going to come out as a three-star read. My ratings and reviews have been very generous so far, but please know I know what you’re reading. After all -I wrote it. A lot of people out there still have the debut version which is extra *fun* to get through, but the revised versions are in a better place and exactly where I wanted her to be from the start.
On average, I rate most of my reads at three stars, so I why would I be upset if I received a three-star review from a reader? A three-star read is still a good book in my opinion. When I say a book was three-stars, I did like reading it. The book simply wasn’t one of my favourites or something I will deep-dive into the fandom for.
There is nothing better than an honest review/rating to me. To me, you’re talking about my book. AND THAT IS WHAT I WANT.
Since we’re (I’m) talking about reading books, I finished reading my first book of the year this month! I started The Witches of Moonshyne Manor in 2023 then proceeded to not finish anything until this year. I used to try to read a book a month, but I slumped and that’s okay! This year is when I get back into reading again and, as I’ve said before, consuming more media will only help me grow as a writer so win/win!
I still have five books on my “Reading” list at the moment, but I’ll be picking up Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon for my upcoming book club month. The girl who picked it out told us LAST APRIL that she would be picking it as her next choice and I did purchase it several months ago, but I should definitely get started if I want to finish it in time to discuss with book club. I have time, but it’s a BRICK and I’m a slow reader so I really need to dedicate some time to it.
Over the weekend I was reading Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins with my mum again, and we paused at Part 3. This book is absolutely ruining me. People were crying on TikTok about it, and I still was not prepared. Chapter 17 (the last chapter I read before I went home) had me in tears and I had to read it out loud for my mum.
Congratulations Suzanne Collins, you are now amongst three books/authors who brought me to tears.
Are there any books I’m excited to read this year?
Yes!
My biggest anticipation this year is The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater. She is my favourite author, and this will be her debut adult fiction novel. I have already preordered a signed copy and it will be released in June!
I’m also excited to read heart-shaped karaoke box by E.R. Hann, a lovely author friend I’ve made during my author journey and who I’ve mentioned in this blog before. If you like coming-of-age stories and travelling aboard, you should totally check her out! Here is her website: https://www.erhannauthor.com/
I don’t know what else to write for you fine folks without rambling, so I’m simply going to leave you with one of my favourite recent reviews at the bottom.
If it’s not obvious yet, I absolutely love receiving ratings and get super excited when a review pops up. If you’ve read my book, PLEASE give her a rating and/or review. They really help other readers find Time, Swords, and Blood. You can rate her on the retailer website you purchased her on, Goodreads, or even my website!
Also, don’t forget to join my discord, if you have one! https://discord.gg/T8q4dbZ9Km
Chat again in May!
HAM
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