June 2022 Author Update

Hey guys,

I’m a little later than I hoped (technical issues,) but I’m back for another monthly author update.

The Tavern

For those who don’t know, I run tabletop games for some friends of mine every Tuesday, like clockwork. Recently, a fellow writer of our ranks, and new gamemaster to boot, decided he wished to record his sessions in an effort of note keeping his game.

Me and the other regular GM thought it was genius and since followed suit. So, I figured since these are new characters, in a new story arc, and with a lower barrier of entry (unlike last time) that others might find it entertaining to watch.

So, for a little, I intend to share these game sessions on my YouTube channel, Anthem of Ink, for others to see. It’s just a bunch of guys having silly nerdy fun, taking sidetracks, and playing goofy characters. As the Dungeon master, I am the referee and facilitator of the story, but it is up to the characters/players to decide how they wish to proceed.

We have a great time. Sometimes the jokes may get a little crazy but it’s all in good fun and not meant to be offensive.

The upcoming session follows a group of convicts and pirates rounded up and gathered for an apparent suicide mission, a breakout to save the true heroes of the land who are imprisoned. You’ll also see the main inspiration for a lot of my characters in my WIP (work in progress.)

So, if this interests you, a link to my YouTube page is below. Please like and subscribe and check out the game. These times with friends continue as a fun, creative outlet for me, and I wish others to join in our game and see the same.

Lafonda and Leo Heroes of the Land

This coming August, Lafonda and Leo’s story will turn one year old, and I wish to celebrate. One logical step would be to release the hardcover edition for its special anniversary.

I also thought it would be fun to hold a contest to see who could make the best bedtime burrito from the story. I’d make my own rendition, and you all could share your own showing how you like your bedtime burrito.

This would be for more kicks and giggles rather than prizes, of course. (I can’t think what I could giveaway.) However, I still think it could be fun.

My main concern if I do this would be whether it steals too much time away from my WIP. Let me know if this would be something you’d be interested in participating.

The Hollow Death of Belladonna Bates

Currently, I’m gathering some peer feedback before I get too far along, and adjustments become harder. My peers have read over a quarter of the way through the story and their feedback has been immensely helpful. They showed where the book is on the right track and strengthened others.

Only two or three real major issues remain with the overall plot as far as I can tell. But as they stand far off from peer revision, I have some time to iron out those kinks.

Timing remains hard to say when this book will release. I’m pulling out all the stops to publish this ASAP, and it was almost unhealthy, so I’ve tried to dial it back some. Some days I worry when progress feels little.

In short, I feel a bit disappointed that it’s taken this long, and I’m worried about its reception. No other book that I’ve worked on has taken this long. Granted, nothing I’ve written has been this lengthy either, so maybe I’m beating myself up too much.

My tentative target date to release is spring 2023. I hope you all will like it. I want this one to do well. By the time it launches, it’ll come up on two years of work.

The Gathering of Misfits: The Muscle.

The first draft nears its ending, but I put the story on hold to focus all my efforts on publishing The Hollow Death of Belladonna Bates. I want to finish that story as much as possible right now.

Amorphous Ties

We finished the story! 🙂 Filing with that foreboding copyright office remains next before cover design, blurbs, and finally, publishing. I wish to make it a free exclusive to the Mustache Cartel for one month before going wide.

You all have been very patiently waiting for the next story and I want to share this with my community as a thank you. The world and setting of this novelette will be the same for my upcoming book, so I hope you find it intriguing and like the characters and story.

Concluding remarks.

Thanks for reading!

In short, I spent a ton of time polishing and searching for peer feedback on The Hollow Death of Belladonna Bates and not too much else this month. I hope you all are as excited about reading it as I am about sharing it.

Until next time,

Keep writing!

Antonio