March 2025
What a challenging month so far!
Hello Gremlins, and welcome to my March Newsletter!
I want to begin by saying that I am by no means trying to complain, but sometimes kicking the bucket has more appeal when you’re this frustrated.
This month I have thrown myself into editing. I’ve collected all my notes, I’ve created a laundry of a checklist, and I’ve done hours of research. To help me better understand the scientifics of publishing, I have spent many hours formatting the novel and created a plan for my ARC readers. As many of you may know, I value the experience of reading above all else. I know what it means to rant and rave over THAT chapter; bonus points if the chapters have names. Which is why I am going to create a collective post soon in order to get feedback on some small things that might make reading more exciting and accessible. I don’t want to miss a thing!
So, some things have already been mentioned:
Chapter Ornaments
Chapter Names
A Navigation Tab
An Index
Maps
Content Warnings
Book format releases of the same size
I’m sure there will be many more additions to this list, but for now, I believe we are off to a great start.
However, in spite of my goals, I can only perform as well as my equipment allows me to. What I mean by this is that I have had the run-around with my writing, designing, and formatting softwares this month. I thought I was beginning strong by redownload Microsoft Word and combining my Beta-Reading copies. That couldn’t be further from the case.
In a horrifying turn of events, I have had to scrap all of that progress.
Yes.
I said, SCRAP.
Trashed, demolished, deleted, OBLITERATED off the face of the earth. Why you ask? Well, because in addition to changing all my fonts, formatting, comment viewing, and having zero general sense of exporting, the app has simply proved to be a liability. Just last night my poor fiance and I spent four hours collectively trying to save my work. The software would not let me save the document. It refused to correct page sizing within app and absolutely said, ‘nope’ to any and all proper printing demands. It viewed my settings as suggestions. and has made me start over.
Thank goodness I had backup plans.
Now that I’ve decidedly wasted a week of my life on the wrong writing equipment, it’s time to get down to business. Here’s what I hope to complete by April!
Finish the formatting issues within my previous writing software (scrivener) and absolutely own that thing.
Make/commission more art for the novel (in progress) !
Figure out what I’m doing to represent the maps in the book since it’s based off of New York and Pennsylvania in the 80s.
Add, add, add, to the book index.
Completely finalize at least four more chapters.
Do some more research on starting a Kickstarter campaign (this should begin right around ARC reading)
Rest a little in between.
Well, that’s all for now. As always thank you so much for reading and your support. I’ll talk to y’all soon!
Ta-ta for now,
—L.L.