It’s been a while since I created my Patreon page, but I finally decided what to do with it:
I’m giving you stories before I publish them, and I’m posting updates about what I’m working on. I tried posting what I wrote every day, and that worked only as long as I was steadily writing one novel at a time.
I’m no longer doing that. I’m jumping between stories, between chapters, between everything. Since I finished the Wolf series, my writing has become chaotic, as I’m trying to find something new to focus on. Apologies also for… some mental health breaks.
This progress report features a Viking traveling at speed in his longship, with good wind and in beautiful weather – that’s how I feel right now, barreling down to the end of the year.
I had to change course – writing Penumbra once again became as hard as pulling teeth. But as I finished up A Wolf’s Hacker, two side characters began nudging me to tell their story.
Which is why I am now writing Wolf Book #9, A Wolf’s Mate, starring Lucky and Heather.
Even better, the story is great fun, the words are flowing, and all of that makes me a happy writer.
Wolves Progress Report
I have more awesome Wolf news!
You see, A Wolf’s Hacker is now available in my own little bookstore. Right now, that’s the only place where you can get it, I will put it into all the other stores (like Amazon) in January.
Yes, it’s mean, but I’m not really sorry because I have a good reason to do this, at least that’s what I believe.
(Short political insert: I no longer want to depend on tech bros that are financing fascism, which is why I am pushing my store a little harder these days. I also don’t want to give them even more money.)
Here’s the description:
A Wolf mired in guilt. A Hacker lying low. A Rogue and a Tank facing down Hunters.
Shane is tormented by remorse about his past. The only good thing left in his life is his friend Shadow, an accomplished gamer. When Shadow is in trouble, Shane rushes in to help.
Little does he know that Shadow is much more than just a gamer, and that helping his friend will jeopardize Shane’s own life.
Dylan cannot allow a Hunter forum to continue to spew hate. But when she and her friend Lucky take it down, someone retaliates directly, sending her into hiding. Soon, she mistrusts everyone, including her online friend Joker.
Little does she know that Joker is already coming to help her.
Can they survive the Hunters’ onslaught? And will their online friendship survive the test of real life?
A Wolf’s Hacker is the eighth book in the Wolves of the South series, and it keeps up the action-packed, tension-filled kind of adventure you love. And yes, there is kissing.
As I promised in the last progress report, the print version of Sun Burns is now available through Amazon. If you ask me, it makes for an awesome Christmas gift. (But yeah, you’re not asking me, I know.)
Anyway, it’s there for your pleasure, and of course, I’ll drop the link for you: Sun Burns Print
There are two more books left to write in the series, with Moon Rises next in line. I have already started it, and I will add words to it during my Christmas break. I haven’t forgotten this series, even if Writer Brain loves the Wolves more these days.
(My bank account also loves the Wolves more, ahem. They are paying for their own covers, at least.)
Want to try the Winds and Pillars? First book is free: South Breaks
Penumbra Progress Report
I’m stuck.
Again.
Writing this story is painful, because it takes place in the near future, and right now, the near future looks a bit grim. And I write partially to escape my constant worry about the near future.
So the words are drying up for Leander and Melody, and I’m a little upset about it. But I need to go where the words flow, and unfortunately for them (and poor Wilson who was left suffering from severe burns), right now the words are not coming in that story.
But they will eventually flow, and then you’ll get a glimpse of what I envision for the future, both the good and the bad.
AO3 Progress Report
I’m still posting chapters in three stories, just not quite as regularly anymore. That’s because I need to write new chapters for the Valheim fic, and because I’ve reached the end of what I have written for the Spicy Shifters. At least the Twin Worlds take is progressing nicely (because that’s basically finished).
If you’re interested in the stories, hit these links:
(Why am I giving away these stories for free? Because they are unpolished, I’m not ready to publish them – covers are expensive – and because I would love feedback on them. And maybe, I’ll try crowdfunding the covers, eventually. If you all like the tales.)
Valheim Progress Report
Right now, Valheim is losing a bit of its appeal.
You see, while I really love the first six biomes of the game (Well, not the Swamp. Who loves the Swamp?), it’s very clear that the endgame is geared towards groups. With the introduction of magic and eitr, specialization is more important than ever, and the Bog Witch update emphasized that further.
And it’s great for people who can easily play in groups.
I can’t.
Part of that is time zones, most of the people I know who play Valheim live in the US, and a time difference of 6-9h makes regular meetings very difficult.
Another part of it is the different speed of progress. I’ve been invited to a shared world, and coming in late means that the nearby resources have already been exploited. Just a fact, I’m not casting blame. So getting stuff is more difficult because I have to travel further, it’s less fun, more work, and I’m falling behind even more. Again, that’s nobody’s fault, I cannot make others wait for me. So I mostly go there to look at the awesome buildings they create.
I still love the game, but right now, building holds more appeal than chasing down more resources or fighting bosses on my own.
But enough of that.
Life Progress Report
I’m pulling in, reading less news, following fewer reports, reading and writing more. It’s good for me.
I’m also using my 10k lux daylight lamp a lot and it makes a huge difference. I have more energy, I’m less sad, I actually get things done. And the anxiety is getting better. Still very worried about the future, my empathy makes me cry often at the news, but… all in all, I’m better.
I want to believe that even though we’re about to enter some dark years, things will be all right in the long run. That we humans come to our senses, unite against the oligarchs and fascism, and heal our world as best as we can. Getting there will be painful, but I can’t give up hope entirely.
It’s why I write what I write.
Ember and Spark Progress Report
As you know by now, this is me plugging my newsletter. It always has an Ember tale (who is my little dragon familiar to the right in the picture), and right now, I’m about to wind up the story of how Spark could get his fire back.
Here they are settled next to my advent candle in my kitchen. But you’ll only be able to read about their adventures if you subscribe to my newsletter.
Fortunately, that’s easy and also not a big thing: My newsletter only comes out once a month (on the 13th, love that number), it has writing news, book sales, and the Ember Tale.
Another Valheim pic for this Progress Report. I do think it fits – the future is murky but we’re not alone, right? And we will fight for what is good in this world.
I’m actually writing more than I have been, and that feels good. Of course, it’s both a fun escape and a way of not thinking too much. Not a fan of panic attacks, and right now, they are generally close to the surface. Let’s just say… I’m German, and I know history.
Yeah, escapism is great. I seek it even as I provide it for my readers. Feel-good stories were never needed more than now.
I’ve actually had my first 2k day last week, when I was in the final sprint for my latest Wolf book. More on that below.
I also did something very writerly: I started writing in connection my obsession with Valheim (yeah, it’s obvious, right?). So you can enjoy one of my very rare fanfiction stories on AO3. More on that also below.
So anyway, writing is good, and we’ll just ignore why, at least for now.
Wolves Progress Report
I finished A Wolf’s Hacker last weekend. Yup, it’s all written, but as you know, that doesn’t mean you can buy it tomorrow. Here’s what will happen next:
I have to commission a cover. Always hard for me, but I’ll get it done this week.
Editing has to happen, and I have set aside Friday (and probably the weekend) to do that.
Formatting is a breeze, thanks to Atticus. Seriously, buying that program has been the best decision of my writing (and publishing) life. It saves me so much work.
So – *takes deep breath* – I do think I can get the book out by the end of the month.
This time around, I’m planning to publish it on my own store first, and give people a chance to grab it from there, before publishing it everywhere else. Moving further away from Amazon (and all US-based services) has to do with the aforementioned knowledge of history.
Long story short, A Wolf’s Hacker is coming, and very soon. Make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter to catch the announcement.
Winds and Pillars Progress Report
Right now, I’m dropping balls right and left, but I finally got the print wrap and interior all set for Sun Burns, and the only thing left is to upload it all to Amazon. Not sure when I’ll find the brainspace for that, but it will happen soon.
That means there are two more books left to write for the series, and I will write Moon Rises in early 2025. I just have to finish another book first, and that leads me to the…
Penumbra Progress Report
Yes, I’m finally giving Lion’s Battle my full attention. And I’m starting a completely new version of it. Right now, I’m finally happy with the voice of it all, as well as the setting – in Cincinnati of 2045.
Yes, recent events have impacted my vision of the future, although not disastrously so. I just need to tweak my worldbuilding a little bit. Of course, history will not unfold as I have foreseen it (some of it seems fairly optimistic by now), but all we can do is take an educated guess. And I will claim “alternate history” for that tale anyway.
The other day, I finally came up with a great term to describe what the Penumbra series really is: Vampire Punk.
I mean, let’s face it, Vampires are in fashion again, although in a very vanilla version. Mine are pretty vanilla, as well, with a bit of a twist: They work for the Light. You’ll find out more later.
AO3 Progress Report
And now we get to the Valheim fanfic.
Basically, it’s a story of two people thrown together in a dangerous world who have to learn to work together – and who are as opposite as possible.
Kembe is a hunter from Africa, dark skin, tall, strong, bald. He’s very much out of his world in Valheim, nothing seems familiar, at all. Even the forest of Meadows is all wrong, and it *irks* him.
Ulfbrit, on the other hand, is a Viking, with pale skin, white-blond hair and an ability to wield magic. Not that it is available to her in Valheim. (She might get there in the Mistlands, but … that’s a looong way off.)
They start out with massive distrust, especially from Kembe’s side. For him, she’s a witch. For Ulfbrit, he’s a surely guy dismissive of women.
I’m four chapters in and hope to update it every Monday. Click here: The Horned Beast
You didn’t think I’d forget this, did you? Special Interests are a thing for Autistic people.
By now I have one Main character and four twinks (Big Twink, Guy Twink, Baby Twink and Red Twink). Valheim is still my biggest escape, and sadly, I need it more than ever these days. I have Writer Brain, and it delights in building scenarios, trying to predict the future.
Those are not fun right now. Very much not.
It’s much easier to go run in the Meadows, build houses, gather resources and explore a world.
The one thing I’m really missing is finding more people to play with. Main is for the game I play with a good friend of mine, but he doesn’t have a lot of time. I really wouldn’t mind finding another game buddy, especially as Valheim is designed for group game.
Wanna play? Drop me a comment.
Life Progress Report
Well. I’m scared of the future, but let’s not dwell on that right now.
Having said that, I’m as safe as anyone can be in Germany these days – which is to say, pretty safe. I have my day job, stable income, a nice apartment, I live in a nice town, I have health insurance, I have friends.
Objectively, things are good.
In even better news, I made it to an Autistic group meeting about two weeks ago, and it was wonderful. Definitely my tribe, and I hope this can expand into new friendships and more joy. They even made me brag about my books once I let slip that I’m a writer. So cool.
Life looks good. I can only hope it’ll continue to do so.
Ember Progress Report Newsletter Not-A-Popup
As with every post, I close out by mentioning my newsletter, Ember Alert!.
That’s my monthly newsletter where I talk about my writing (like the above), but even better, I share book news, I link you to sales and giveaways, and you’ll meet my little dragon familiar, Ember.
The Ember Adventures are only available for subscribers, they don’t appear anywhere else.
Want to know what’s up and never miss a new book? Sign below.
Above is the badge that a book may wear if its nominated as a semi-finalist by any of the review blogs participating in SPFBO.
But let’s back up a little.
What is SPFBO?
The acronym stands for “Self Published Fantasy Blog Off”, which is a contest created by Mark Lawrence. This year it has been going on for ten years, which is an amazing feat.
In Mark’s words, the SPFBO is meant to
shine a light on self-published fantasy. It exists to find excellent books that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. It exists to help readers select, from the enormous range of options, books that have a better chance of entertaining them than a random choice, thereby increasing reader faith in finding a quality self-published read.
As far as I know, SPFBO is the only online contest for fantasy books that does not rely on votes by readers. Instead, it teams up with ten review blogs – and the bloggers that cooperate with them – in order to rate the 300 books that can enter every year.
In other words, it’s not a popularity contest. The winner does not get decided by how many votes an author can mobilize. To me, that’s always been inherently unfair because when all is said and done, the number of readers an author can entice to vote for their book says nothing at all about its quality.
It bears repeating: SPFBO is not a popularity contest.
Yes, your book can end up with a reviewer who doesn’t like it for some reason (someone who hates dragons had to review Dragon Prey two years ago, and it didn’t go that well, even though they tried to be fair). Even so, it will be your book that decides the contest, not the size of your email list.
So what about South Breaks and the SPFBO?
I managed to get South Breaks into this year’s round of SPFBO. That wasn’t guaranteed. They have so many interested authors and slots filled up so quickly last year that they changed to a new system this year: Authors can enter books over a period of 24h, and then a random system will select 300 of them to be distributed to the participating review blogs.
I got lucky and South Breaks was among those chosen. (To be very fair, a book can be entered again and again until it has participated once. Mark really is a good guy here.)
What is a Semi-Finalist?
Each participating review blog pick up to five Semi-Finalists from their batch of 30 books. Once that is done, the team gets together and picks their Finalist. That means, out of 300 books, 10 make it to the final round, and from those ten a final winner is chosen.
Even being a semi-finalist is a good thing for a book. It means that more reviewers are going to read and review it, and that gives a book more online reach – and hopefully, more readers. More readers can mean even more reviews and ratings, and well… with a bit of luck, it can become an uplifting spiral.
It’s really what I am hoping for with South Breaks and my series.
Where can I find all the books in SPFBO?
Mark has quite the blog page for all the entries, as well as some statistics.
Entries are broken down according to the blogs that review them. Once you scroll past the stats and the updates, you’ll reach the list of books. South Breaks is pretty far down, it ended up with Philipp Chase who mostly reviews on YouTube. He will read South Breaks because he picks the finalist for his blog. And he’ll review it there, I believe. (Which… ugh. I’m scared.)
How far can South Breaks get?
To be honest, I’m surprised South Breaks made it this far. Not because I think it’s a bad book (it’s not), but because it’s the first in the series and I was still figuring out the world while writing it. It’s also more spicy than the rest of them. In addition, it certainly doesn’t fit your standard expectations for epic fantasy.
However, the reviewer – Vaughn Roycroft – found a lot to praise in my story and gave it 8 out of 10 stars, the best of the six books he reviewed. His review was an additional surprise, really. You know, I just write this stuff. I don’t always think about the deep implications and meanings, and I certainly don’t do it for praise. But read for yourself:
My score: 8—I would definitely recommend this book to adult readers, particularly those who enjoy spicy fantasy, and/or those interested in ancient Mesoamerican culture.
Where can I read South Breaks?
Well, South Breaks is available as free ebook in all stores (yes, even Apple, Kobo, Google Play Store etc). Amazon doesn’t do that very well, however, you should have no problems in the US and the UK stores. If it charges you, grab the book from my store and sideload it to your Kindle (hang on, links are incoming). I even made a print edition, which you can get through Amazon only.
Now, if you enjoyed South Breaks, I’d really love to hear from you, either in a comment or – gasp! – through another review, wherever you like to put reviews.
For the next few weeks, I will wait with bated breath to see which book will become the Philipp Chase finalist and which will become the ultimate SPFBO winner this year.
The Newsletter Pop-up
If you have been following my blog, you know that I loathe pop-ups. But sadly, they work. So I’m doing the next best thing right here: Offering you my newsletter.
It’s a low-intensity one because my energy goes to my books, mostly. It goes out once a month, on the 13th, and it has a writing update, some book deals, new releases, recommendations and (yes, yes, Ember, give me a moment!) a sweet little tale from my dragon familiar, Ember. You cannot get that anywhere else.
I want to start off this progress report with a Valheim pic that celebrates the season. In October, we get two extra build pieces, one of them is the Jack ‘o Turnip my char put up at the roof cross of his workshop. Spooky, isn’t it?
I write a few hundred words every two or three days, but it’s not flowing.
Part of that is low sales, with people grabbing my freebies (they are welcome to them!), but not continuing with the series. Which makes me sad, since they miss out on so much fun.
I fear that a lot of people struggle these days, and probably on a worse level than I do (my day job pays for my apartment, food and all that). We have reached end-stage capitalism in many ways. Don’t worry. It won’t get more political than that, although I would have a lot to say about the state of the world… and it is part of why I feel so depressed and listless these days.
So if you feel like giving some emotional support, send me a few nice words, maybe in a comment. I may not notice immediately, but they will help. Or say hi on Mastodon (@firlefanz@writing-excange). Or – even better – if you have read one of my books, write a review.
Wolves Progress Report
I’m really close to finishing A Wolf’s Hacker. I just need to set up the showdown and write it all out. Probably another 8-10 words, and usually, I’d be able to hammer that out in a week. Sadly, it’s no longer happening.
In better news, I already know one of the two new main characters for the next Wolf book – it’ll be Lucky, Dylan’s ex and important side character in the one I’m currently writing. Yes, that means he has plot armor (but you know I rarely kill good people in my books).
Winds & Pillars Progress Report
Not writing anything (yet), but Moon is stirring in the back of my head. I’m getting a feel for her, and I am revisiting the landmarks I want to hit in that book. That’s about the level of planning that goes into a book, however.
I’m hoping to get West Flows into a Kobo feature, wish me luck.
The books have almost earned back the first four covers, so that’s something. Still sitting on a loss with them, however. Which means that as soon as the final two books are finished, I will not write more in that universe. Although… I do have a prequel idea.
Tell me – do you like the Winds and Pillars enough to want that? Because that’ll cost me another cover, you know.
Penumbra Progress Report
Back burner. I’m sorry. I hate it as much as you do, but all my energy goes to Shane and Dylan at the moment.
Leander is a cool guy. I just don’t have it in me to write his story… he has to wait in line until I finish the Wolf book.
But if you want to help me find more interest, ask me questions!
AO3 Progress Report
I’m still posting in two stories every week that you can read for free even without registering.
On Wednesdays, I’m updating my YA portal shifter story (Steps of Courage, Mages of the Twin Worlds Book 1). We’re up to 12 chapters now, so there is quite a bit of progress and content. This is a sweet story, with an unlikely friendship building between two Earth girls and two young men from the Twin Worlds.
Fridays belong to my Spicy Shifters (My Shifter Prince, Shifters of Culis Book 1). This story started when I was in a spicy mood, and it – ahem – shows. We’re 16 chapters deep, and the story is definitely moving now. Soon, the Prince will plot treason, and my plucky female MC will support him with all she has and knows. And she is smart, you know.
If you like hot bed scenes, possessive and caring princes plus smart heroines, the Spicy Shifters are for you.
Valheim Progress Report
Well, you’ve seen the pic above.
Right now, Valheim is my comfort home, even though the Mistlands are an incredible challenge. We’re too soft in our old armor, our weapons don’t really do enough damage, and well… the first Infested Mine didn’t yield enough cores to mitigate even a small part of this.
Yes, it’s frustrating.
Even so, I go there to rest my mind, because right now, thinking and reading the news tends to make me so depressed I want to curl up in bed. It doesn’t help that the days are getting shorter and darker.
Life Progress Report
I’m trying to be more social. In fact, I actually met with an old lady I befriended in the park in a café. We spent an afternoon chatting and sipping our beverages. That was wonderful, and we plan to repeat this in November.
I’m also teaming up with my ex to clear out a partition in the attic where some of our stuff ended up in. We spent an hour the other day just tearing up cardboard boxes and getting it all ready to be taken away. We’ll continue that soon. I’m very glad we’re still friends and I don’t have to tackle that alone.
In addition, I’m finally taking care of a corner in my living room that used to be taken up by a large plant. Had to cut it down massively because it was infested with mealybugs. (Ugh. Awful creatures.) It feels like a new beginning, and that makes me plan new things for the entire corner. I may even visit a DIY store soon.
Ember Progress Report
By now, you know this is actually my plug for my newsletter.
I do tell a little story in every newsletter that you cannot get anywhere else – about Ember, my little dragon familiar. Right now, we’re trying to get Spark’s fire back… and running into a bit of a dead end there. I am confident, however, that we can resolve this in time for Christmas.
You’ll also get book news, promotions for books on sale – and a very exclusive coupon for a book in my own bookstore. I don’t do that anywhere else, either.
It’s definitely not a high-volume newsletter, it only goes out once a month.
This month’s progress report is full of interesting discoveries, just like the one in the picture above. (It’s from Valheim, showing a circular cistern, right between the Swamp and the Plains, This environmental feature tends to pop up in Swamp and Mountains).
Still writing the next Wolf book, A Wolf’s Hacker, not with a lot of speed, alas. But I’m writing fairly consistently, and that makes me happy.
In addition, I have all the ideas for so many more books… I’m sure it won’t ever stop.
Oh, and before I forget, I am still updating my AO3 stories with a chapter a week, every Wednesday and Friday. Both are portal fantasy with shifters, but one is YA and the other is very… spicy. They also ended up being very different stories, despite the similarities. You get to pick:
I just realized I still have to set up the print version of Sun Burns. There was a hiccup on Atticus with the More Books page that didn’t display in print in the way I wanted it to. I have to try one more thing (tedious), and if it works, great, if not, well, you’ll get a book with slight ugliness in one spot.
Just need to find the energy to tackle this.
Next book up is Moon Rises, but you’ll have to wait until 2025 for it. Sorry.
(Want to start reading the series? Book 1 is South Breaks. It’s free.)
Wolves Progress Report
Yep, definitely getting close enough to The End with A Wolf’s Hacker that I need to start thinking about a cover. Probably should commission that soon. I’d love to give you all an October release.
Even better, a new main character is coming out of this story, one of the discoveries I mentioned. The next Wolf book will be about Lucky, an important (and battered) side character in A Wolf’s Hacker. Preliminary title is A Wolf’s Escape, but that might be subject to change.
At any rate, I won’t write this until 2025, because there are two books that I need to do before I can return to the Wolves.
(Want to start reading the series? A Wolf’s Quest is free.)
Penumbra Progress Report
The moment I finish A Wolf’s Hacker, the first Penumbra book is up on my screen. I will ditch most of what I have written so far, but I’m keeping the plot. I’m just going to root it firmly in the 2040s, and my brain is still serving up new images of how that near future will look.
Of course, the science of how the climate catastrophe is actually going to play out is still fluid. And I still haven’t really picked a town to base the story in. Leaning towards Chicago or Cincinnati, because it’s supposed to be set in the US. I may need to find people living there to help me make it authentic.
I will say that Leander is definitely occupying my mind at times already. There are some very firm plot points set for the story, but as usual, the in-between is still open to change.
Valheim Progress Report
Things are about to get exciting again! My friend and I are planning to face the Plains boss, Yagluth. Neither of us have experience with that fight, so we want to do a trial run in my Twink’s world where fights are a little easier.
I’ve been preparing the site somewhat, by taking out a Fuling village, building a base and killing a small herd of lox that were loitering in the fighting grounds. As you can see, we’re close. Wish us luck!
I have been sneaking into the Mistlands, shot my first hares and even killed my first Seeker. But that fog is making things quite miserable.
Life Progress Report
Something fairly shocking happened last week: Pretty much exactly at midnight, one of my big pictures fell off the wall and crashed on the floor, smashing its frame. The crash woke me up out of solid sleep – and finding the debris in the morning was quite a discovery of the not so fun kind.
I made that poster myself, it was basically three Chinese words, painted somewhat crudely. It was part of my coaching practice decorations, and I suppose it was high time to move on from that. I’ve actually been looking for replacements, and this… incident forced my hand. I have ordered a new poster and will pick up a new frame at Ikea next week. Kind of looking forward to that.
If there is a bigger meaning to the whole thing, it’s probably this: This is very much MY life, and I get to live it my way, without being stuck in the past. That’s something I’ve been struggling with, still not claiming the full freedom I get from living in my own space. Because it also includes self-care – something that is difficult for me. Still, I’m leaning into that more now, and it’s… revealing. (More about this next month, I expect.)
Newsletter Progress Report
Some of you who have subscribed to my newsletter might have gotten strange emails yesterday. Apologies for that.
You see, I went through my newsletter system and fixed a few things behind the scenes that were caused by me being a little… inexperienced with automations and the programming behind them. I hope that my system is a little better now and will require less work in the future.
Now, if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, here’s your big chance!
Once a month, always on the 13th, you’ll get writing news (like this post), special book offers, a coupon for my own book store, and maybe most importantly, the Ember Tale.
Ember is my little dragon familiar, and each month, I share a cute, sweet adventure we have together. They are not available anywhere else.
This month’s progress report is full of new beginnings – and I think the picture above (Valheim, as usual) illustrates that bright feeling of hope on a new day. My character stands at a place where three biomes intersect (Meadows, Black Forest and Mountain), and that’s also representative of where I feel that I’m standing.
I’ve actually written more in the first two weeks of August than in any other month for about a year. I have quite a few new ideas for a reason (more on that below), and I’ve been more inspired and happy with my writing than I have been in a long time.
Maybe I’m actually coming out of burnout. That would be a very nice thing. Even so, I’m trying to be careful and not push myself hard. I know where that leads.
Right now, I’m writing the 8th Wolf book (something I never thought I’d do). I’m also thinking about Penumbra because I want to write Leander’s story next, before I pivot back to the Winds & Pillars. I have so many ideas, it is actually costing me sleep at times.
Which is a good thing, and also not a good thing!
Winds & Pillars Progress Report
Right now, they are on break. I still need to publish the paperback of Sun Burns (sorry, that completely slipped my mind), so I’ll let you know when that’s out. There are some formatting issues that bother my slightly OCD mind, and that completely pulled me off track. It’s on the to-do list now, though!
Moon’s story is next, and yes, I have ideas. I just need a bit of a break, and people have been waiting for more Wolves. (Impatiently, I might add.)
In case you missed it last month, there is a quick live-reading of South Breaks on YouTube, on the channel of Katherine D. Graham. I’m talking a little about South Breaks and read Chapter 1 and parts of Chapter 3.
I’m about halfway on A Wolf’s Hacker, word count wise. The story is now starting to get into the action, and Shane and Dylan have actually met in real life, after being online friends for quite a while. Yes, there have been surprises…
Writer Brain has given me a bit of a download for the plot, and for once, the showdown will involve a third person (who might well become the MC for Wolves #9, if things go well). I won’t say more, but it’s great fun to actually see this story develop from a simple idea to a complex tale.
No ETA just yet, but I do hope to have it out in fall, possibly October.
The Wolves are definitely my best-selling series, although the market niche for shifters with low spice and no alphas is small. It’s still big enough for me!
Penumbra Progress Report
I’m having fun with the worldbuilding because it’s set in the near future. I have plans for most of the big nations of today – and they will not stand unchanged. The climate catastrophe as well as the rise of fascism will leave a mark. Watching politics unfold these days is adding fuel to my imagination.
Truth is, I can’t wait to jump into this story, but for this month, at least, the Wolves rule my writing time.
Valheim Progress Report
Yeah, I’m adding this, a little tongue in cheek, because my brain loves that game. And yes, there is definitely progress to report.
Both my Main and my Twink have defeated Moder, the Mountain boss, and are moving into the Plains. I mean that quite literally, because the new plants need to be grown in Plains soil, which means securing areas and building fortified farms.
In even better news, I found out how to invite people to my game (Twink) which is a huge breakthrough. Friend helped with the Moder fight, mostly because I felt too insecure to take her on myself. Now I’m learning to kill Lox, and that… that is also a good step forward. (For those who don’t know: Lox are massive creatures that deal both direct and area damage, very hard to kill. But they can also be tamed.)
Life Progress Report
I’m happier. I’m back to walking in the park (huge thing), Writer Brain is engaged and I’m really enjoying my AO3 posting.
In fact, I’ve basically decided to shift my marketing (which always felt like a chore). I’m already having good results with my Mastodon posting, so I’m going to call posting there marketing and just keep loving it. I’m finding friends and fans there, and that’s so uplifting.
The biggest difference, however, comes from my AO3 serials. I’m only posting twice a week, once for every story, but just having a little feedback and regular dopamine hits from seeing people reading them is building up motivation. Which in turn is revving up Writer Brain.
So you will all benefit from me falling in love with AO3, by getting to read new stories for free. And I benefit by sliding back into the writing joy that I have missed for so long. Win-win in my book!
Here’s a link if you want to see what’s slumbering on my hard drive: AO3
Ember Progress Report Newsletter Reminder
As usual, I’m closing out with the reminder to sign up to my newsletter. It really is only going out once a month (can’t handle it more often), with this progress report, a coupon for my store, some awesome book deals, and of course, the Ember Tale.
Right now, I’m actually serializing a little story about poor Spark who has lost his flame.
Another Valheim pic for this progress report, of course. It shows a fortress my friend and I have constructed in the Mountains, in preparation for a big fight. In fact, we’re planning that for this very weekend when I’m writing this.
To me, it’s quite illustrative of my own progress this month. I have conquered my own monster already – finishing, editing, formatting and then, finally, releasing Sun Burns. More on that below.
Writing is still going very slowly. In fact, I spent most of the last week not writing, and editing Sun instead. I did dive into the new Wolf story that I want to publish next, a Wolf’s Hacker.
And in fall, I want to focus on Penumbra. Maybe you remember me talking about a vampire series set in the near future. Would be fun to publish it around the US elections, since the outcome does impact my timeline somewhat. Still, I can make it work either way. Fun times.
Here’s something very new, though: I joined the Archive of Our Own (AO3 in short). And I’m slowly posting a Joanna Steenen story (spicy shifters with portals) I wrote and never found the right mindset to finish. I’ll add an extra paragraph with a link further below.
Winds and Pillars Progress Report
Big news for this month: Sun Burns is out!
I already updated my Winds and Pillars page here on the website, with all the links to the stores – so head over there if you want to grab it.
I promise all the adventure, some slow burn romance and a peek at a region on the continent no other Wind or Pillar has seen before. And Sun stumbles on an old, old secret (very cool, even if I wrote it).
Honestly, I’m so glad I finally managed to finish this book. It’s been two years since I started the whole Winds and Pillars series, and it’s been quite a ride. (It’ll also take me at least another year to finish the final two books.)
Next up is Moon, and I already know her a little (she has a cameo in Sun Burns). I also know where she’ll go and who she’ll meet. Good stuff, I promise. However, I won’t get to write her until the end of this year.
Oh! I also have a new little video out on YouTube, on the channel of Katherine D. Graham. I’m talking a little about South Breaks and read Chapter 1 and parts of Chapter 3.
Yes, I’m back to writing Wolves, and already putting words into “A Wolf’s Hacker”. The main characters are Shane (who you might remember from “A Wolf’s Peril”) and Dylan, an accomplished hacker who gets into trouble.
Poor Shane is wallowing in guilt over what he did to shifters, made worse by the fact that he is a wolf now. When Dylan needs help, he jumps at the chance to redeem himself… not knowing how high the price will be.
It’s fun, but the book is still in the early stages (although I have the main plot figured out). I’ll do my best to write faster than I have, but… there’s also a lot of other stuff on my mind and to-do list. I hope I can publish it in fall.
Penumbra Progress Report
Penumbra is back on the list! I want to write Lion’s Battle as soon as I can finish Wolves #8, while hoping I can also publish it this fall. (Let’s be honest. Probably won’t happen. But I want to!)
It’s great fun speculating about the near future of our world, especially considering the disruptions ahead. (Well, those aren’t going to be fun to live through, but you know what I mean.) I have plans for the US, Europe, Russia, Asia and possibly South America.
Going to share the cover, just so you get the sense of excitement I have. (Yes, it’s partially AI-generated, by a cover designer.) I really, really want to write Leander’s story. And yes, I know why his hair is white.
Valheim Progress Report
I shared our fortress above – we’re almost ready for the big Moder fight. Moder is the mother of all Drakes – a huge frost wyvern. And killing her is the key to progress with the next biome, the Plains. Moder drops material we’ll need to build the next level of tech infrastructure.
Sadly, I’m more and more convinced that playing Valheim solo is hard and maybe impossible. My poor Twink also has to fight Moder and being alone, she has much more trouble with the stone golems in the region. She needs a harpoon to drag them into pits, and both the gathering of material for the harpoon as well as actually using it on a stone golem is much easier when having at least one companion.
I have not been able to invite anyone to my server for help, though. Something in the settings somewhere.
Life Progress Report
I’m pulling out of the pit of depression and autistic burnout. Life is getting easier. I do a lot of positive self-talk, I am doing my best to worry less and take things easy wherever I can.
Even so, quite a few things are coming up. In good stuff, my sister will spend a few days with me, and then I have another few days off. Very much looking forward to that.
Sadly, there is also admin stuff looming with a very firm deadline at the end of August, and I really need to start moving on that. I’m planning to take it in many small steps to avoid sliding back into burnout. (Who am I kidding? I’m not good at long turn planning and many small steps. Maybe I can learn?)
At least it’s summer, and here in Germany that means pleasant temperatures, reading on the balcony, and lots of light and sunshine (you have no idea how loooong days are here in summer). It really is my favorite season of the year, because those are the few months when I’m not constantly cold.
Ember Progress Report
Ember is actually dealing with quite a big problem: Her friend Spark has lost his fire. Together, we’re trying to get it back for him, but so far, nothing has worked.
Oh, you want to read those stories? Well, you have to sign up to my newsletter, I only share them through there.
Aside from the Ember Tale, you also get writing news, great deals on books you might enjoy, and a coupon code for a special monthly deal in my very own store. Interested? Sign up below!
For this progress report, I’m sharing a gruesome but triumphant image from Valheim: My character Gerla has finally slain Bonemass and hung its trophy on the altar stone, gaining a new power.
Of course, I haven’t gained a new author power, although that would be a fun thing to contemplate. But a few things have changed. I’ll tell you in a moment.
I’m back to writing Sun Burns, more regularly than before. Making progress – and there isn’t much story left to tell. In fact, I will post a cover preview in my newsletter, and I really have high hopes of being able to release it next month.
Yes, you read that right, my cover designer is already on it, and I love what she has done. Sadly, she was ill for a while and the final cover is slightly delayed, or I would have had an official reveal already.
I really hope that I can report a release in the next progress report!
Once I release the next Winds and Pillars book, I’ll pivot back to the Wolves. If you have followed my reports, you already know that the next book is called “A Wolf’s Hacker”. One of the MCs will be Shane (from “A Wolf’s Peril”), and yes, he gets a redemption arc.
Both he and Dylan are talking to me, and Writer Brain is taking notes. This will be fun to write, especially as I’m using IRC for some of their communication. Great memories, IRC. (In fact, I still have my own channel, not that I use it for much.)
Writing Progress Report
I already mentioned that I’m writing more regularly now. That’s because I’m working – gently, easily, being soft with myself – on re-establishing a morning writing habit, and it is already yielding results, even if it doesn’t happen every morning just yet.
Even so, Writer Brain is happier, and that means it’s giving me more ideas and blocking me less. That is a very good thing because writing used to be my happy place.
Store Progress Report
Not much to report. Very few to no sales, and that makes me a little sad. But people are locked into the Kindle and other eReader ecosystems, and so far, it’s still working for them. (Yes, I also have a Kindle, but I do email books to it all the time.)
I’ll drop the link anyway, if you feel curious enough to check it out. So far, it has the Winds and Pillars and most of the Wolves. (Yes. I lack motivation to do more. Yes, it’s a vicious circle.)
Well. This is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but yes, I am making a lot of progress in Valheim, as you saw in the header image. Both MC and Twink slew Bonemass, and I’m exploring the Mountains with both and lugging silver home.
The pattern seeker in me realizes that it’s just “more of the same” with a different name, however, and is getting a little bored. I’m trying to overcome this by envisioning my first full stone castle in the Mountains. One that includes a Wolf Barn. Who knows when I’ll actually build it – and where!
Life Progress Report
I’m alive.
I’m becoming a bit of a hermit, only leaving my apartment for errands or work. Makes it difficult to make new friends, but most of them live online anyway. I learned that a lot of Autistic people do better with online friendships.
Even so, I feel lonely and I wish I had more support. It will be fun to figure out that particular problem, but hey, I’m asking the Universe to send me a meet-cute. That works, right?
Ember Progress Report Newsletter Ad
This is the image for today’s Ember Tale. As you can see, this is not Ember. She has made another friend, and poor Spark has a huge problem.
I only post the Ember Tales in my newsletter. So if you want to find out what happens with Spark, you’ll have to subscribe. (I’m sorry. But I’m not making those rules, Ember is.)
Fortunately, it’s easy – just fill in the form and then click the confirmation link in the email you’ll receive. And I only send it out once a month, on the 13th.
In addition to the Ember Tale, you’ll get my writing news, some awesome book deals that are carefully curated, and a special monthly coupon for my store.
Writing this Progress Report, I feel a bit like my character above – sitting in a dark cave, waiting for the light to come back.
Because, honestly, there is not much to put into a progress report. I’ve barely been writing, my book sales are dismal, and there is very little news – except once nice bit that might (with some luck) give me a good review. More about that below.
Poor Sun is still sitting in the desert, albeit in an oasis where they have food and water, as well as shelter. Not going to last, I need to write a confrontation next, because there is no rest for the wicked.
In good news, I wrote a really cool blurb for Sun, and I commissioned the cover. So there is progress. Have the blurb (the cover will take a while longer):
A power out of control. A Pillar in the hands of a Priestess. A deadly desert burning with heat.
Sun Snake’s life is coming to its sacrificial end. His best friend is already gone, and he’s ready to join Moon in death. When his Power goes rogue as the knives come out, Sun literally falls into a new life fraught with danger.
Scared and lonely, Sun struggles to control the fire that bursts from his fingers at the worst moments. He has a single ally, the Priestess who fell with him – if only he could trust her. Desperate to get out of the Holy Empire, Sun allows Laisal to guide him as they sneak across the mountains to the east. Soon they end up being hunted by Houses, driven into a vast desert, towards certain doom.
Can Sun cheat death a second time?
“Sun Burns” explores a part of the continent no other Wind or Pillar has seen yet, in a tale filled with action, magic and desperate acts.
I wish I could tell you when I can publish Sun. Sadly, that’s very much up in the air and depends on finding motivation.
Writing Progress Report
Instead of forcing myself to write, I’m playing a lot of Valheim. It’s my escape, and it’s the place my Autistic brain homes in on right now. There is so much to learn and explore and gather and hoard and build and… well, you get the point. This is my brain’s happy place right now, and nothing I do will dissuade it. Yes, it’s Autistic Hyperfocus at work. I just wish I could make my brain hyperfocus on writing. That would be much more productive.
Even so, I can give you an interview with Night Beats that I did a while ago (long enough that Sky Falls wasn’t published yet!). It went live in April, but too late for that progress report. So without further ado, here’s the link. You can read about my books, my worlds and what books I would recommend to my friends.
You might have heard of the Self-Publisher Fantasy Blog Off – it’s (as far as I know) the only contest for indie authors that is not a popularity contest asking for votes. Instead, 300 books will be subjected to the scrutiny of 10 different review blogs, with each of them reading and reviewing 30 books. Each will also choose three favorites, resulting in 30 books becoming finalists. They will vote for the winner after that.
This year, they had to change their process, because those 300 books were submitted within just 40 minutes last year, and the organizer decide that wasn’t fair. So this year, they kept the form open for 24h and then picked 300 books at random from the grand total.
I submitted South Breaks, and it’s actually in! I don’t know if I should be scared or excited.
Take a look at the list and see whether you know any of the other authors: Phase 1 And feel free to follow any of the blogs!
Like everyone else, I’m hoping to make the finalist list. That would give my books a much needed marketing boost.
Store Progress Report
It’s working. And every month, I run a special sale for my newsletter subscribers. (Subscribe below, if you want to take advantage of that.)
If you want to buy a real file, and not just a license from a vendor, that’s where you should go. I’m still adding books to it, but the Winds and Pillars are up, as well as most of the Wolves. Enough to get you reading, at any rate.
I already mentioned Valheim. It has taken over my life, in a good way. That’s because playing it generally makes me happy. Yes, sometimes there are drawbacks, sometimes things don’t go smoothly. I just had trolls attack my base and destroy things, but fortunately that was an easy fix.
My brain is already thinking about solutions, though. I love this, coming up with ideas and plans and breaking it all down into easy steps.
Thus I am practicing project management in game – but even better, getting things solved in Valheim gives me the confidence to tackle some problems in real life, like fixing my kitchen light. That’s an old installation from halogen times, and the transformer blew a week ago. I have all components (a new transformer, new cables), and now I just need to put it all together.
So life is progressing as it should, mostly. And we’re having nice weather right now, which also really helps. Have I mentioned my lovely balcony?
The thing with Ember – NOT a Progress Report
As I’m sure you hate pop-ups as much as I do, this is what I do instead. I know it doesn’t convert as well, but I want to spare you the annoyance.
I’ve also did my best to fix this form but there is no welcome sequence for it just yet. Which means you’ll be plonked into my general subscriber group (after clicking the confirmation like MailerLite will send you) without further ado.
What’s in it for you?
Well, you’ll get my writing news, you’ll get links to curated freebie lists and sales that I hope will appeal to you if you like my books. You’ll also never miss another release and even better… you will get the Ember Tale. That is only available through my newsletter.
What in the world is the Ember Tale?
Ember is my sweet, little dragon familiar (a plushie, really) who goes on an adventure every month. It’s always cute and cozy, and it comes with a photo of her somewhere around my apartment or sometimes on vacation.
My progress report will go a lot like the image above. Which is from a game I was introduced to by a good friend, called Valheim. Now, a lot of you already know Valheim, after all, it’s not exactly a new game. Even so, Iron Gate are still adding to it, most recently an entirely new biome.
No, I’m not adding biomes, sorry. But I am adding XP and new skills to my life, thanks to the amazing coach I have right now (and sadly, not much longer). Here’s what’s happening:
I’m still writing Sun. The sad truth is that I haven’t written a lot in the past weeks. At least my writing is now picking up as I’m establishing a new structure with morning writing times.
There is not a lot more story to tell, I almost have them where they need to be to get ambushed and separated. Then Sun will face his personal nightmare… and get much, much more than he expected. That will be so much fun to fill in.
I do hope I can finish the book this month. So with a bit of luck, we’re looking at a release in late May. (Still need to order the cover.)
Oh, and I’m starting to get a much better sense of Moon. She got a cameo in Sun the other day, which was great fun and will actually tie her book much closer into the story line. I love it when that happens.
Wolf Shifter Progress Report
Not much happening with the Wolves, apologies. But Shane and Dylan are stirring in my mind.
However, I do have question for those of you who read “A Wolf’s Christmas”. I put a lot of German into it (kinda had to) and I wonder how well or awkward it read. Would you drop me a comment or an email and tell me if it bothered you, or whether you actually enjoyed it?
I need to come up with a solution for the audiobook – I’ll probably remove the German stuff, which will create new problems.
Penumbra Progress Report
Yes, they are still on my mind. I love all three (or even four!) of them. I’m letting my predictions for the world in 20 years setting in – and they might just get influenced by the recent news about global warming/climate change. Because all of that horrible stuff might be closer than most scientists expected (or hoped). The fallout will not be pretty, and the tales need to reflect that.
Store Progress Report
That is another sore point. Because while I was sure the store was nicely set up and working well, in fact, it did not. Orders were not fulfilled, and it took me a couple of weeks to realize that. Fixing it wasn’t difficult, once I knew there was a problem.
So if you tried the store and didn’t get your books (you should have by now!), please let me know. Or try again. Because you’ll help me earn more per sale at no cost to you – and you will actually get an ebook, instead of a reading license from Amazon etc. that can be revoked at will.
You may have seen on social media that I was traveling. In fact, I stayed with my sister for two week, first housesitting for a few days while they were away (also keeping little nephew company). The best part of that was taking care of the chicken.
You see, one of the hens always settles on a nest at night. She needs to be lifted off and settled on the rod they are supposed to perch on. I was scared of that. But she really was a dear and allowed me to handle her without much protest. And of course, they all love me when I scatter some grain for them.
I also celebrated my sister’s and my dad’s birthdays, did a bit of shopping and visited the spring festival of an agricultural museum one village over (check them out if you know German or just want to see some pictures: Museum auf dem Gutshof Waake). Best part of that was meeting old neighbors from when I grew up, as well as a lady who used to head the table tennis team I played in. Honestly, I have more roots in that area than I thought.
Which feels darn good.
I’m also getting some coaching which is awesome. Sadly, there’s only one more session left in the package I received. Even so, it’s helping a lot. I’m feeling better about my project management skills (after finishing a few scary and complicated projects before my vacation), I’m starting to understand that strange brain in my head and finding way to use it better. And that gives me much hope for improving my life and enjoying it much more.
The Ember Progress Report Newsletter Reminder
Even Ember is making progress. You see, she traveled with me and when we had some time to kill, she dragged me into a store full of plushies. And there she met… but you’ll have to read my newsletter to find out.
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