Multiverse of Mystery: Sherlock & Watson as you've never seen them before [UPDATE: WE GOT FUNDED!!!]
Holmes & Watson in every universe, every incarnation, all at once. Plus updates on my books and more! It's going to be a busy spring.
How’s your writing week going? I figured I’d do a quick post about my projects, my writing, my life … and more.
UPDATE: WE GOT FUNDED … and then some!!! Thanks to everyone for their support! My Sherlock story is a GO!
MULTIVERSE OF MYSTERY: Sherlock & Watson anthology LIVE on Kickstarter
My first big update is that our MULTIVERSE OF MYSTERY: Sherlock & Watson anthology IS LIVE on Kickstarter—and we need you support! We only have five days to go but only a little over halfway to our goal.
This anthology is brought to you by the best IP writers in the business, and all the profits go to benefiting the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. The group helps support writers like me who write Disney and Star Wars books.
I’ll be penning a BLADE RUNNER meets SHERLOCK story that will show you a version of Sherlock and Watson that you’ve never seen before, where in the future, AI androids have replaced human detectives, and the earliest models named “Sherlock” and “Watson” and programmed to mimic the speech and mannerisms of the famous literary detectives. But now they’re on their last case before they’re decommissioned and replaced newer models like “Benoit Blanc” and “Jessica Fletcher,” when the murder investigation takes a turn that implicates the androids themselves. They must fight to clear their names and prove they still have value.
Even just a little bit helps us get closer to our goal! Link is below …
A SACRIFICE OF BLOOD AND STARS updates and more …
We’re still a several months away from the publication in September of my new Astromance series, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. Cover is out and the book is listed for preorder on Amazon. Just yesterday the Audible version went live.
Meanwhile, I’m hard at work on the sequel. The series sold as a trilogy, so this will be the second book. I’ve finished the outline and now drafting chapters for a summer deadline. My publisher is already working on the cover design for it. Things feel like they’re moving fast, so I have to remain focused and drafting until finish the book.
Sometimes, it’s challenging saying no to fun plans and socializing, but the writing has to come first. Especially when you’re backing into publication dates and more.
I got a walking pad and standing desk to see if that helps keep me moving while writing, since our work is so sedentary. Has anyone tried a walking pad and/or standing desk? I’d love to hear if it’s helped anyone else. I’m starting slow and working to get used to it on a sensory level (since I’m neurodivergent).
Basically, I have to make “friends” with my tech to work!
Wish me luck on drafting! I’ll continue to post updates on my progress here.
WonderCon Next Weekend!
I’m super excited for WonderCon next weekend! I’m appearing on two panels on Saturday, March 30th! If anyone I know is going, I hope we can connect. I’ll be down there the whole weekend and looking forward to seeing some friendly faces.
Here are the details on my two panels …
WRITING IN OTHER WORLDS
Saturday March 30, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 213CDMedia tie-in writing is where industry professionals craft stories—novels, novelizations, short stories, and more—set in established, licensed worlds like Star Wars, Star Trek, Diablo, World of Warcraft, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the MCU and DCU, and others. A panel of key writers in that genre will talk about writing in these extraordinary worlds and how they bring new elements to each. Hosted by New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry, president of The International Association of Media Tie-in Writers. Panelists include Debbie Daughtree, Stacia Deutsch, Henry Herz, David Avallone, and Jennifer Brody.
MARY SHELLEY PRESENTS
Saturday March 30, 2024 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 213ABDive into the captivating world of Victorian speculative fiction with this panel that transcends time and explores the enduring influence of Mary Shelley and her contemporaries. Delve into the intriguing debate about their relevance in the present day and discover how their legacy continues to shape the tools and themes employed by modern speculative fiction writers. Jennifer Brody (A Sacrifice of Blood and Stars), Leslie S. Klinger (The New Annotated Frankenstein), Jessica Maison (Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters), Keith R. A. DeCandido (Dragon Precinct), Sarah Stegall (Outcasts), and Deborah Daughetee (Mary Shelley Presents) hold a dynamic discussion that bridges the gap between the past and the present, revealing the timeless impact of these visionary women on today's speculative fictions.
WINK: YA Fantasy cover reveal and preorder (YA Fantasy anthology)
I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of WINK, the new YA Fantasy anthology. I wrote the introduction for this rockstar author lineup, including seven NY Times bestsellers.
“Clever and pithy children’s classics turned upside-down, WINK is a true delight.”
—Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of Damsel
Fifteen young adult contemporary fantasy and science fiction tales that wink at classic works of children's literature. Here’s the author lineup: James Aquilone, Kendare Blake, Leah Cypess, Stacia Deutsch, David Gerrold, Tara Gilboy, Henry Herz, Nancy Holder, Alethea Kontis, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Wulf Moon, Henry Neff, Alex Shvartsman, Maggie Stiefvater. Cover by Abigail Larson. Story illustrations by Adam Gustavson. Intro by Jen Brody.
And other news from the desert …
I didn’t actually think I had that much to write this time. But it turns out, I have a lot going on in my life. Here are some updates on my personal life. Little over a year ago and moved out to the hi-desert to Joshua Tree, California. I had a few reasons for wanting to move out here. I'll be honest that a big driving factor was needing to lower my overhead so I could afford to keep writing.
There's been a recent viral thread on Twitter (I still refuse to call it “X”) with the question being why do today's authors seem to be less Proehlific and write last box then authors of the pass. The number one response most authors are responding with is this—we aren't paid a living wage. Almost all authors need one of these things: a day job, often this will be teaching or editorial consulting, a whole lot of side gig work, this is often in combination with the buyer mentioned a job, or a trust fund or wealthy benefactor. In my case, I teach and do side gig work while writing, too.
For the last 20 years, Los Angeles was my home. But when Covid hit, the cost of living skyrocketed. Part of this is inflation, which hasn't gone down from what I can tell, but it's also rent (I won't even talk about the cost of buying a house because that isn't on my radar in my lifetime now, or maybe ever). Under the shield of the pandemic, corporations bought up most rental housing that had an already been converted to Airbnb's and short term rentals. Unexpectedly, rent went up 40% for people like me.
The average cost for a one bedroom one bathroom apartment topped $2500 a month. When I reviewed my options in the state of my industry, including publishing in Hollywood, I realize I needed to make a radical change in my life if I wanted to continue to be a creator. Some of my friends had taken the plunge and moved out to the desert. And enjoyed my trips visiting, and after talking to my partner, we decided to take the risk and move. I can report now that it's been a great change for both of us.
We're both some smaller towns in the South, so we've adapted back to what that means. This area has more stores in amenities than the places where we grew up. There's lots of art and culture and creativity, which I really needed in this age of corporate corruption of creating. The age of the influencer and social media and AI has started to errode true artistic expression and made it harder for us to survive.
But I have to write—it's in my soul. So, sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the things that we love. So, A SACRIFICE OF BLOOD AND STARS: BOOK 2 will be the first full book that I will start and finish in the desert.
I am excited and then I'll be going to WonderCon and StokerCon and hopefully San Diego comiccon this summer. I could use a little time away and hanging out with other writers. I hope I get to see some friendly faces. And if anyone comes out to Joshua Tree give us a shout out.
I'll be back soon with more updates and news on my Subtack. I believe writer should be paid for their work so consider donating but a few dollars will help me carveout the time in my schedule to prioritize writing and sharing more insider tips and advice.
As always I appreciate your support, and happy writing!