I hope all is well and that you’re happy, healthy, and wealthy! I think it’s been a month since I last spoke to y’all, so I’m here with an update.
TLDR: Indigo, Islyn’s, and Rimi’s plots have been updated to match the character’s emotional journeys. They’ll be different from what was in the description. I’m still working on writing and editing, but the fully edited first draft is almost complete. The Challenge Coins have shipped and I should have them in hand soon. Sneak peek of Indigo’s and Rimi’s art coming soon. I still have to sample/order character prints, stickers, and proof copy of the book. Surveys will be sent after I receive and approve the proof copy of the book. Delivery of everything is pushed to May, unless things get worse. Then, we’re looking at July. As it states in the title of the update, there have been a few developments in terms of the plot of the short story collection.
As with all stories, my characters have a mind of their own; and, the story I planned on telling for Islyn, Indigo, and Rimi, are not the stories my characters want to tell—no matter how hard I try to stay on track with what’s in the description.
That said, I do think the new stories have more depth and will connect better emotionally while still maintaining some of the themes I listed. When the book is finished, I’ll update the description of the affected stories. I’m still writing, but I can see the end of the tunnel. If all goes well, I’ll have a fully edited first draft by the end of the month and will be able to send it off for editing after that, and then the other logistical things like copyright, LCCNs, ordering, etc.
Speaking of ordering, I have an update on that as well.
As I said in the previous update, I was able to order the Challenge Coins and they’re being shipped as I speak.
I also have a new character artwork for Indigo (which is exciting!) and my other artist is hard at work on Rimi’s art. When I have both pieces, I’ll share a sneak peek with you in an update. What I can say is that Indigo’s piece is perfection! It looks exactly like I imagined—especially the fore/background and the facial expression. I think y’all are going to love it!
I stil have to choose a printer for the character art. I did a test print at my usual place, and the colors came out all wrong, so it’s back to the drawing board.
The next thing I’m working on is getting sample stickers. Once I have samples I can show you, I’ll send out a poll in an update so y’all can vote on the five designs you want on the sticker sheet.
The only other thing I’ll have left to do after that will be to order a proof copy of the book. Once it’s finalized, I can begin packing and shipping.
On the topic of packing and shipping, I still have to send out surveys.
You can expect surveys to go out once I’m at the stage of ordering a proof copy of the books. So, for those who are concerned you haven’t received a survey yet, that’s why. I like to make sure I have all the items I’m packing and shipping ready to go before I send out surveys. This means the sticker poll and other things I mentioned above have to be taken care of first. This brings me to my unfortunate news.
It looks like delivery for this project will be delayed past the month of April.
I was really looking forward to getting Blood Lies out to y’all on time. But, these past few months have been a lot between holidays, my job, writing, and my personal challenges. Right now, we’re looking at a month’s delay, so your products will be sent in May. The goal is to ship everything before I attend Imaginarium Bookfest at the beginning of June.
However, in the worst case scenario where everything goes wrong, I’ll shoot for a July deadline to line up with another convention I planned on attending (although, I haven’t received confirmation that I’ve been selected yet).
This is not the news I wanted to leave you with, and here’s hoping that everything falls in place and I don’t have to push back anything; but, I promised to keep you informed of delays, so this is me doing that.
I sincerely apologize for the delays, but I will continue to update you on changes as they happen.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop them in the comments. Thanks!
