Happy New Year!

Two weeks into 2026 and I hope everyone is recovering smoothly from the holiday season. I know I was still not ready to part ways with my coquito by the time I got back to my desk, but switching over to water has restored my health bar during these painfully dry times.

As someone who hates getting emails, I am going to spare you all from updates for every step between here and the fulfillment stage. I promise I won't vanish off the face of the Earth and leave you all in limbo, though. For example, this update is to let you know that the acrylic bookmark proofs have been approved and are off to manufacturing! I will likely send out a monthly update that aggregates all the small things inching us closer to sweet, sweet fulfillment.

Monitored Activity itself just passed the halfway point on this round of revisions. Once that's done, it's off to my beta reader, back to me, then off to the editor you guys helped fund! That's why I'm calling the next few months The Dead Zone, because I'll be nose to my screen and fingers to my keyboard until this book is polished, and that usually means a lack of exciting news to share.

However, if you'd like to stay in the know, catch the occasional snippet, or just say hi, you can follow me on Bluesky since that's the only online platform I actively haunt.

Alrighty then. That's it for now. 

I am wishing you a kinder and more restful year than 2025.

Until next time,
Mitch

It's been a week since The Book Bazaar wrapped. A whole seven days since Monitored Activity wrapped its campaign and slapped a slimy little festive bow on it. But this is only the beginning.

Thank you all for an absolutely killer campaign! I am still speechless by what was achieved here, and stoked over what's still to come.

The acrylic bookmarks unlocked late in the game, and this is your chance to grab one (or two, or three) if you'd like. Same goes for every add-on you may have missed: books, keychains, sticker sheets, a one-of-kind dust jacket, so on. Once I get all those survey answers in, it's manufacturin' time.

Once the holidays head out the door, it's time to clock in.

Final draft edits are officially scheduled for January, art files are fully formatted, I'm caffeinated, you're awesome, and now — we all chill until the new year*. And then we get this party started.

*"Chill" as in I get to keep working on this draft without worrying about the campaign.

Until next time. Have a great week, and stay warm.

 — Mitch

What an off-the-charts three weeks this has been.

I won't take up too much of your time since Backerkit has no doubt slammed everyone with a kajillion "Final 48" emails (myself included), but real quick: 

Final design will be slightly different, but I wanted to go with a fun shape that matches the book's vibe.

GULA is incredibly close to its funding goal. If you enjoy epic poems that not only push the boundaries of "traditional" epic poetry, but also dive deep into a darkness that's all too prevalent in these modern times, this piece of transgressive art is right up your alley.

And speaking of alleys...

Tales From The Alley is offering a sick discount if you grab both, which is an absolute steal! Go. Continue to support queer, indie art!

There's still two days left, so now is a great time to spread the word if you haven't!

That's it for now. Have a great Monday. Stay hydrated, warm, and don't forget to give yourself a lil' treat.

— Mitch