2020 has been a Hells of a year. We all have been here, we’re aware of all the bad. I can sit and make a seperate post about the trials of 2020, but I’d like to discuss the triumphs instead. Recapping my journey to publishing “In the Orbit of Sirens“ and reflecting on all the positives that have come from this experience.

In the photo carousel above, following the picture I took of my bookshelf, are photos that people took holding their own copy of “In the Orbit of Sirens”. I have been floored by the overwhelmingly positive response to my book. From friends and family congratulating me and enjoying the story I wove, to complete strangers both near and far leaving such great reviews and looking forward to more, it’s been heartwarming. I love telling stories, and I can’t wait to get you all back in Kamaria soon.

I have made some new friends in the author/writing/reading community, and their support and encouragement has meant the world to me. Just today I am sending a thank you card with a bookmark to a friend in Italy that I would possibly not have met if it weren’t for my book. The novel isn’t just a portal to a new world, it’s a bridge to new friends. I can’t wait to meet more people and read the stories they want to tell.

On the business side of things, the novel is selling great! I have been pleasantly surprised with how steadily it’s selling, and it just recently went to Kindle Unlimited, where in just day one 780 pages had been read (the novel is only 580 kindle pages, so either one guy read it and someone else read a good chunk, or its spread out between a bunch of people, or 780 people read one page, who knows.) And has been having a steady, nice amount of pages read every day since. I look forward to hearing what people think.

Editorial Reviews have been positive so far, with more on the way! “In the Orbit of Sirens” has also been entered into a few book award programs, some of which get the results at the end of this month, just a few short weeks away. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

Book 2 is hanging out with some Beta Readers, who are helping me iron out all the dents in that book’s armor. When it’s a little farther along, I look forward to bringing Daniel Schmelling and Jason Michael Hall back to do more amazing artwork. I also hope to snage a few others from the first team back if they are available, it was an awesome experience working with such a talented team to make Sirens publish-ready.

Book 3 (yes there’s a third), has a pretty solid outline. I always create an outline before jumping in to make sure I get the most out of the story I want to tell, but I also allow myself to stray from it if the characters ask me nicely. It’s going to be one Hells of an ending to my trilogy, but I intend to make smaller ventures back to Kamaria afterward too, perhaps in short story or anthology format. I also am planning some side content for people who want more lore based stuff, maybe something like Denton’s Sketchbook filled with all the beasts of Kamaria as an art book for purchase. Still tinkering with post-trilogy ideas like that.

So, to all my friends, both new and old, I thank you for all the warmth you’ve given me in 2020. It’s been a tough one for Earth, but I hope the journey to Kamaria took some of the edge off for just a little while.

I hope you all have a lovely holiday.
Stay safe and stay healthy.

Cheers,