Book 3 Beta Updates + Gladiators & Magic Coming✨⚔️

Book 3 Beta Reader Update

Even though I finished Book 3 two weeks ago, I haven't stopped tweaking it until today. I need to step back and take a breather.

Early beta reader reports show that Book 3 is pretty solid until after its second major climax (about 400 pages in) where the reader hit the first snag. Luckily its an easy fix, still more than half way with no major comments. Great stuff! But I won't get started until all the beta versions come in around April.

I've spoken to a few of you over email and in person (you know who you are!) about being beta readers, but I also won't be offended if you don't think you'll have the time or if you just want to wait for the polished version. And if anyone else is interested in being a beta reader, send me an email and I'll send you the manuscript.

Fair warning though: it's the raw work with problems, occasional notes like "need to foreshadow this," and sometimes disjointed passages where I've lost track of rewrites. So it's not super glamorous but you get to be involved and its much appreciated.

AI Audiobook Progress

I'm at chapter 47 out of 66 for Purgatory of the Ancients. Unfortunately, I've become so frustrated with Ardan's voice that I'm hunting for a new one. Some of the heavy hitting emotional events he brings all the resonance of a dead fish. So I'll be testing new characters even if their accents don't quite fit. C'est la vie.

What's Next: Gladiators and Magic

I've picked up my Roman gladiator series again—the one I finished after Ardan's second book. It's a 350-page standalone (for now) about gladiators with magic, mythical creatures in the arena, Roman politics, meddling gods, and a found family fighting for survival. Basically everything I love in one book.

The first half is solid, so edits shouldn't take too long. Depending on timing, I may have time to dive into the sequel before tackling Book 4 of Wild Green Flame as I expect beta versions of Book 3 to be back by April, and I won't do much more than rough notes for Book 4 until then.

Honestly, after the mental marathon of an 800-page epic fantasy, a tighter 350-page book feels like a vacation. I'm also tackling a few writing courses and craft books that have been gathering dust on my shelves.

What I'm reading:

Or at least will be in four days. Latest release in the Dresden files. I had hoped to complete a full reread before its release but only made it to book 12, titled: Changes. Without giving any spoilers its when the tension and stakes get ratcheted up significantly as Harry Dresden becomes more rogue and powerful but not without cost. I just wasn't quite ready for that emotional journey again just yet. 

Wizard private eye detective set in chicago over 18 books (with a planned 23 or 24 I think) as the magical world becomes more complex and nuanced. I love it!