Having three books almost ready to publish is getting a bit confusing. Which book is in what state? Writing that last sentence made me realize that I had missed a step with at least one of them — which one was it? That’s not even considering what I just learned about my proofreader’s schedule! And, oh, yeah, did I actually write anything this week? Let’s take a look at the infographic first!
Last Week’s Progress By the Numbers
Looks like Dreams of Deucalion Book 1: Stellar Entanglements is officially underway!
Last week was the week I started writing Stellar Entanglements. I even experienced two Real Life Family Events (RLFEs) that kept me from writing. Plus, that’s not counting the time I had to spend casting a new position I didn’t know I needed or design the bridge for the Paul Revere-class carriers.
Did you know that Atticus Porter, CEO of TransStell Sol, travels with his own combat maid security detail? I didn’t either, until last week! The Supervisor of that team is Patricia Brown. She was the unnamed waitress that Dek Conrad recruited back in Evolution’s Hand Book 2: Dying Breath.
I needed the bridge design for Paul Revere because that’s where Jadwiga Janczak was in her hook chapter. Wanting to make the design crisp and clean, I intended to use Adobe Illustrator on my iPad to perform the work. I enjoy using that tool, but I didn’t know I needed the design until the scene started coming together, and I didn’t want to take the time to relearn everything I’ve already forgotten about using Illustrator on the iPad. So, I went back to graph paper and pencil. That was also fun.
Fingers crossed I have the plot lines correctly aligned and can just keep writing now!
Which Books are in What Stage?
As I wrote the introduction, I realized I’d lost track of one of the beta reads for The Sword of Sirius Book 2: Collapse Zone. Whoops. I’ve updated my calendar, and I now think I have everything straight. Maybe. Here’s where I think I am:
- The Sword of Sirius Book 1: Red Flag Warning
- My proofreader just finished.
- Next: I need to incorporate the edits, then create the ebook
- The Sword of Sirius Book 2: Collapse Zone
- Beta reader 1: Due July 9
- Beta reader 2: Due July 14
- Next: Incorporate the beta feedback and send this to my proofreader
- The Sword of Sirius Book 3: Firebreak
- Alpha read due July 8
- Next: Incorporate the alpha feedback and select beta readers
I spoke to my proofreader. She should be able to finish Collapse Zone, assuming I get it to her soon, by the end of July. August, though, is going to be a problem for Firebreak. I need to come up with options because I had hoped to publish in September.
Toward that end, I’ve decided not to run promos in July, August, or September for Evolution’s Hand. Some of the outlets won’t allow advertising within 30 days; some, 90 days. I’m going to conserve everything for the launch of The Sword of Sirius. I plan on using David Gaughran’s idea of promo stacking, which he discussed in this post. I want to give the series every chance of success.
In the meantime, I’ll refine my Facebook ads for Evolution’s Hand. I’m using the techniques that David Gaughran discussed in his recent YouTube video. I highly recommend that video if you’re at all interested in creating ads based on your book covers. I’ll also continue growing my e-mail list.
Progress against Last Week’s Goals
Here’s how I did against last week’s goals:
- Begin to write Amazon blurbs for all three books in The Sword of Sirius: Brace yourself: Done! Yes, I finally hammered through this step.
- Write Trent Raven’s Hook: Done!
- Write Atticus Porter’s Hook: Done! I even finished the first draft of part one of his Plot Turn 1!
- Write Jadwiga Janczak’s Hook: Done!
- Take delivery of the cover for The Sword of Sirius Book 2: Collapse Zone: Done!
- Consider bidding for the last beta reading of The Sword of Sirius Book 2: Collapse Zone (stretch objective): Done!
- Consider bidding on the first alpha/beta read for The Sword of Sirius Book 3: Firebreak (stretch objective): Done!
All in all, it was a busy, productive week, especially considering I went through two RLFEs!
Goals for the Week in Progress Report 2024 Week 27
Here’s what I hope to accomplish this week:
- Write Atticus Porter’s Plot Turn 1 Part 2
- Write Jadwiga Janczak’s Plot Turn 1
- Write Trent Raven’s Plot Turn 1
- Receive and process the first beta read for Collapse Zone
- Receive and process the alpha read for Firebreak
What Do You Think?
Do you often have more than one book waiting to be published? Do you find it a mental challenge to keep their states straight — much less juggle the budgetary considerations? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
Doesn’t everyone have combat maids???
My attempts at juggling look something like this. Working on one project, getting somewhere, put it down for one moment and pick up another project… rinse repeats. I need to find a way to get a finish project step in there somehow! Plus, is it really juggling if all balls aren’t in the air at the same time?
Good question about juggling!
When I was younger, I couldn’t finish anything to save my life. Too many ideas — which sounds similar to what you’re talking about!
Heinlein’s rules helped:
https://deanwesleysmith.com/heinleins-rules-introduction/
But what really did it was when I realized I hated my writing so much that I figured if I didn’t finish it, no harm done starting. Once I accepted that I needed to write and my opinion of it wasn’t relevant, it helped. Accepting that I needed to write helped, too. So I might as well finish something and learn from my inevitable mistakes.
In another post here, I talked about how Dan Wells’ seven plot points series on YouTube reigniting my writing. I’m not saying that’s the answer for you, because I recognize that timing and my own mental journey were part of the equation. I’ll jus say that you got this, and you’ll figure it out when the time’s right for you.
I like reading your author journey posts like this one:
https://otakuauthor.com/author-journey-july-1-2024/
Starting this blog helped me organize my thoughts around writing. It also gave me a sense of accountability. From where I sit, I think you’re absolutely on the right track!