Hey guys,
I’m back again with some exciting news about the direction my books are going.
An Audiobook! 🎙️📖😮
As you might have guessed from reading this post’s title, I’m proud to announce some good news.
This might be a little early to say, but talks about the Lafonda and Leo Heroes of the Land Audiobook have gotten serious. Auditions for the cast have begun, and the right voice for Maxy has come along!
Here’s an early sample for Maxy the narrator below.
I am curious to know your thoughts and hope you will be as excited as I am.
I’ll share more details as they develop, but for now, know that things are looking up, the pieces are clicking, and I’m excited about it.
How’s writing going? 😎
As you may remember, I have two current works in progress (WIP.)
First, there’s The Gathering of Misfits in The Muscle, where a secretary must bust a convicted killer from a corrupt and haunted prison, so she can protect her sister from the mob.
This story’s next draft will adjust the internal arcs again one more time, so the story stays compelling by the finale.
The arc is moving from Garnet, the secretary, overcoming her prejudice to instead learning her strengths, and that when she has confidence, she can overcome her fears.
Again, that’s easier said than done, and it is a WIP.
Lastly, a setback has eaten my time for the next draft. However, the “setback” includes welcome progress on another story, which brings me to my next topic.
The Bats and Blades Saga 🦇⚔️🐲
The second WIP with the undead fantasy assassins, believe it or not, has come back to life. 🙂
I’ve summoned enough courage and time to seek the story consultant that everyone has been raving about and she has been incredibly helpful and wonderful to work with so far.
At this point, she wants me to map out everything for an entire timeline, so together we can discuss how I’d like to start this as a series and adapt my existing drafts, so the correct themes and arcs still come through the page.
Our discussions excite me and show that all the pieces exist. The puzzle just needs put together.
What’s next? 🤔
A couple of discussions with writers in my circle have given me guidance on the next steps as an author, and I cannot thank them enough.
My current goals are:
- Finish the first issue of The Land of Magic Comics.
- Complete a new first draft of the Bats and Blades (working title) Series’ Book One before the end of the year.
- Revise the story of The Gathering of Misfits Book One once more, preparing it for line editing.
- Continue the early draft of The Gathering of Misfits Book Two
How’s the Comic Coming? 💬💭💥
To reconnect on the comic again, it receives a new page once or twice a month with the last few pages coming soon.
The next steps for publication and printing need mapped out, but I cannot stress how nice it feels to see it come together. Similar to when you publish your first book and hold it in your hands, it hits differently when seeing each page visually. In a good way, of course.
Here’s a peek at last month’s page.
Long-Term Goals 😉
Furthermore, I have a new longtime writing goal to set my sights on. I want to offer my stories for sale on my website.
Last year proved the best for getting my name out locally, and it was partly because of personal, one-on-one connections. Simply talking to people, I’ve had my best year for my books.
So the hope is more direct connections with people could kick-start my career further. But in order to do this on my website, best practice requires 6-7 works in a series or a niche genre.
Being as I’ve fanned out in many directions, this means I only have one foot in the middle grade fantasy genre and one in generic adult audience fantasy for paths I’d like to pursue. So, I need either six more stories one way or the other.
Between the comics and two upcoming series, it’s doable and I’m glad to have something to set my sights on. Once I’ve reached there, I’ve made it. I’ll be one step closer to full time writing.
Until next time,
Keep Writing!
-Antonio