No matter how many things I crossed off the list this past month, my to-do list keeps getting longer. Since I’m at the point where I’m doing work (writing blog posts) to take a break from doing other work (line edits on Steel Time), let’s jump right in.
May Wrap-Up
- I have printed out a copy of Steel Time to do my final pass through before it gets sent off to my editor for her review. The good news is that it is solidly below 90k words! Based on the recommendations of my beta readers, I cut two and a half scenes (which are saved and will appear on the blog as deleted scenes after publication). That got me down to 92k words, and my massive word search for passive and filtering language took care of the rest. That’s a huge weight off my shoulders (my editor was pleased, too).
- I created a form for anyone interested in participating in the July blog tour for Steel Blood. I’m still looking for volunteers, so check it out!
- I totally forgot to include Balticon on my list of goals last month! I had a blast last weekend, which you can read about in my con report.
- Let’s not talk about book 5 right now.
May Book Reviews
- “The Magician” (A Fool’s Journey #1) by Mark Pannebecker (1 star)
- Short Fuse by Brent D. Seth (5 stars)
- “Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings” (A Chronicles of St. Mary’s Short Story) by Jodi Taylor (5 stars)
- “Christmas Present” (A Chronicles of St. Mary’s Short Story) by Jodi Taylor (5 stars)
- “The Very First Damned Thing” (A Chronicles of St. Mary’s Short Story) by Jodi Taylor (5 stars)
- “The Great St. Mary’s Day Out” (A Chronicles of St. Mary’s Short Story) by Jodi Taylor (5 stars)
- Memories of Magic (Fay of Skye #3) by Cara McKinnon (5 stars)
- “My Name is Markham” (A Chronicles of St. Mary’s Short Story” by Jodi Taylor (5 stars)
- Bite Somebody by Sara Dobie Bauer (5 stars)
May Speculative Chic Contributions
- My Favorite Things: Superior Spin-offs, Alternative History, and Word Games
- Sound Off! The Circle
- Sound Off! Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Roundtable: Hollywood, Do This Instead!
- Sound Off! King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
- My Favorite Things: Evil Clowns, Immortal Goblins, Exceptionally Adorable Artwork, and Sense8 Returns!
June Goals
- Finish and input Steel Time line edits and submit to my editor. I have a the LEGO Snowspeeder set waiting for me in celebration.
- Finish coordinating the Steel Blood blog tour and start writing guest posts.
- Book 5 outline. There’s a heavy sigh there, which is a poor representation of how I feel about the book. I’m excited to write it, but I’m also scared that I won’t do my story ideas justice.
As usual, thank you to everyone for coming along for the ride!
