Writing Update: December 2021
Hello, 2022! I can't believe it's a new year already. Technically I should have posted this update last week, but I'm a week behind. And what better way to start off a new year than by reviewing the old one?
December was a super productive month for me! I took some time off from my side hustle as a line editor and really focused on revising SPARKS AND SHADOW based on feedback from my writing critique partners. Then, just before Christmas, I got the book back from my amazing developmental editor and created a game plan for editing, the book release, and beyond!
CURRENT WORD COUNT
Current word count: 61,826
Target word count: 65,000
Woo, I'm so close to my target word count! In truth, though, I still have quite a few items to add on my edit list, so I may end up closer to 70,000 when all is said and done. I'm so pleased with the edits I've made so far. This book is really starting to shine!
WRITING THOUGHTS
To tell you the truth, this was my first time hiring a developmental editor. I worked with beta readers and CPs exclusively for the ESI series because I felt like I had that pretty nailed down, but with my genre switch to fantasy and all the complicated parts and pieces involved in creating a brand new world, I thought it was time to bring in the big guns. And let me tell you, it was 100% worth the investment! Alex honed in on exactly what my story needed and gave me great feedback to use in my editing process.
With that game plan in mind, I took some time last week to set up my editorial calendar for 2022, and guys, it's going to be a GOOD ONE! I'm shooting to publish books 1-3 in the Rising Elements series this year, and book 4 in February of 2023. That means the entire Rising Elements series will be complete by this time next year. *cue brain explosion*
I also spent the last week of December lining up all sorts of fun marketing projects for release day in March for SPARKS AND SHADOW. The book will be embarking on THREE book/blog tours, which I'm hoping will create some buzz around it before release day. I want this book in front of as many eyes as possible, and I really think we'll succeed.
I'm due to finish my final edits by Jan 15th (NEXT WEEK ahhhh!) and then I'll finish formatting and the ARC will be ready by the first week of February. That means my ARC team will be reading Everly's story in less than a month! I'm so excited!
(By the way, if you haven't signed up for my ARC team, click here. My ARC readers get exclusive access to free copies of my books up to 4 weeks before release day. Plus quarterly giveaways and lots of other fun stuff.)
Anyway, that's all for this update. I should have lots of fun updates for you in my January recap. See you then!