Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted writing updates! Lots of great stuff has been happening, and I can’t wait to tell you about it.

So, the biggest news is that the editor of Running Wild’s Anthology of Short Stories Vol. 2 asked me to write a novel based on my story “Idylls of the King.” I know, right? Major squeeeee! I immediately started on the manuscript. I worked with the editor to develop an outline, and she gave me some excellent suggestions.

The novel picks up eleven years after the short story, but the short story is also included within the context of the novel through a flashback. I spent a few months working on the manuscript, and I finished it in early June. Since then, I have had one beta reader look at it, and have done two full edits. A second beta reader has it now, and is currently leaving me comments to think about. I’m so grateful to Jill and Jason for their time and energy.

Once I get through a third editing draft, then I think I’m ready to submit the novel to my editor. My editor…*swoons* I have ALWAYS wanted to say that phrase. It makes me sound so professional!

In other news, I.O.W.A was a lot of fun. I broke even on sales, but I got to spend my time talking to the wonderful Randy Roeder and Brian K. Morris, and hang out with Alexandra Penn and Erin Casey too. They are all amazing writers, so you should check out their work!

I’ve also been hard at work on a few short stories. I found three wonderful anthologies I really wanted to submit to, so I wrote stories for them.

Unlocking the Magic (edited by Vivian Caethe, who brought us Humans Wanted)

Writers of the Depths 

Release the Virgins! 

I’ve already submitted for Release the Virgins! and I’m getting some beta reads and help from others for Unlocking the Magic and Writers of the Depths. There are such interesting themes for anthologies out there these days. If I get accepted to any, I’ll let you know.

I hope not to be away for so long, but working on “Idylls of the King” has really sucked up my time. But I’ll try to be better about keeping you posted.

Stay cool!