Sometimes, Writing is a Bumpy Ride

State of the Library #18

Photo by Olivia Bauso on Unsplash

What you will find in this month’s issue

• I’m tired. Are you tired? And a husband update.

• What stories are now behind a paywall.

• Publication schedule for Sardis and the Battle for the Library.

• In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

• Excerpt from April’s story, “Edgar Did It.”

If you think others might like this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to hit the share button:

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Personal Stuff First

Let’s go ahead and get what you really want to know out of the way: the Husband is doing excellently.

For those of you who are new here (and there are a lot of you, hello!), the Husband had a quadricep tendon rupture at the end of December, resulting in surgery on New Year’s Eve. He’s almost entirely recovered now, though he’s still limited in some ways.

As you may have noticed, dear reader, I’ve been publishing “chapters” of a novella. Writing the novella was a bit of a fraught process, and each part goes through edits right before publication. So, it really won’t be done-done until the final chapter hits your inboxes.

Writing and editing are mentally strenuous activities, calling on creativity, memory, will, self-discipline, and the constant choking of pride so that I can be open to the constructive criticism of my critique group. While working on this novella, I’ve also been keeping up with my monthly stories and writing a story for a contest (which has been submitted and now I await news). Therefore, I’m tired. Like Bilbo, I’m starting to feel "thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread."

June is my month off, and I’m really eager for it to get here.

Sardis and the Battle for the Library

If all has gone well, then the final chapter of Sardis and the Battle for the Library will drop Saturday, April 19! Originally, it was going to be a nine-part story. However, after having Chapter 9 critiqued, I realized it needed to be broken into two. I plan on writing a “Behind the Scenes” post to discuss my process, intentions, and whatnot. I also want to answer any questions people have!

So, if you have questions about the story, the Forgotten Library, what may come next for the characters, or just my writing in general, please feel free to drop them either in the comments of this newsletter or in the comments of the final chapter. It’s been quite the ride and I’ve been very happy with the reception of this novella. I’m so glad y’all have enjoyed it.

The Forbidden Section

As of the posting of this newsletter, these stories have been placed behind the paywall I have affectionally named the Forbidden Section (because every good library should have one):

• “The Bell of St. Teresa”

• “The Key to Everything”

If you haven’t had a chance to read these, don’t fear! You can upgrade to a paid subscription for only $2.50 a month.

ICYMI: March 2025

April 2025 Short Story: “Edgar Did It”

Alicia is an author used to characters taking control of the narrative. However, when strange things begin happening in her home, she begins to question where fantasy ends, and reality begins.

Excerpt:

A new character was taking shape. A mysterious someone, or perhaps more of a something, which left the magic-ridden Emberwood of her made-up world to invade Killian’s life. She paused and closed her eyes. She pictured the new character in her head, painting him with painstaking clarity.

He was a short, wizened little fellow wearing a green cloak and a pointed hat, and moved like a furtive animal. He had dark green eyes and a mole on the tip of his nose. No shoes. His feet were long and tipped with sharp claws. His fingers were also long, with sharp nails. Good. Now, he needed a name.

After a moment of consideration, she typed, “Edgar.”

Something dropped to the floor behind her. Her head whipped around, eyes searching for the source of the sound and settling upon a little owl figurine on the floor. It had fallen from its place on a bookshelf.

“Edgar Did It” drops on Friday, April 11 at 10 am US Eastern time.

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