Getting There!

I'm not going to lie. I struggled coming up with a topic for this blog post, because there are a lot of things going on, but they're behind the scenes, not yet cooked enough to be shared, or being reserved for exclusives... which this weekly blog post is not.

The big news is that I'm currently several hours deep in creating the first of the new book covers for The Timbercreek Incident. I have gotten stuck at a particular detail, but as it happened at the end of the lunch hour session I had set aside for it, I'm not concerned. If the thing I'm trying to do doesn't work in the next session, I'll start getting concerned.

I feel like I'm repeating myself endlessly about this, but just in case I’ve only explained it to the Starlings (it’s so hard to keep track), the idea I have is that there will be two book covers. The Starlings (my Ko‑fi supporters) will get to vote on which they prefer, and that one will become the cover for their exclusive edition. Because they’re awesome, and they get an exclusive edition. I’m intending to include some bonus stuff in the exclusive edition, but I’m not sure what yet.

I am also going over the formatting for the interior… again. I’ve lost count which version this is, but it will probably be the last. I’m not going through with a fine-toothed comb this time around. So, as long as nothing glaring jumps out at me this read through, I should be okaying the interiors.

Because I’m still working on the book covers, unless I get a miraculous fortnight off again, there won’t be a proper book cover by the end of the year, I don’t think. So I’m pushing back the release of this book into early 2026. It’s fine. It will remain free to read on Wattpad the whole time, so that’s not such a big deal, I think.

Once the issue of the books covers is decided, I have to figure out what to do about the exclusive editions. So far, all I’ve got is an exclusive book cover. I don’t know what else to include. I’m thinking that maybe I should put some illustration in there; maybe a legendarium of creatures with pictures at the end of the book. Maybe a medical report regarding the virus and its various stages. Personnel files, perhaps. I’m still figuring it out. I wish I was more clever than I am, because maybe I’d be able to include a code/puzzle in the book. That would be fun. I don’t know what that would look like, though. It all needs to be decided by January of next year.

It’s something to mull over, in any case. Something to rumble about in the back of my mind while I figure out the rest of my writing stuff and life.

I’m slowly getting there. A couple of tiny steps towards completion. I feel like I’ve been working too much on this book, and I’m anxious to get back to writing The Bear. I wish I had more writing time in the day. I would have had that manuscript finished by now. One day.

The important thing, though, is that I’m moving forward with it. It’s going by inches, but I’m moving forward.

​In other news, it snowed for the first time this year Sunday, and it stuck around for quite a bit. I was walking to work in a world of white Monday morning, and it was so pretty. I do love the cold weather. I also understand that I am firmly in the minority here. But it was honestly quite lovely. I’m so happy to see snow in November. We haven’t had a snowfall like this in November for many years. I don’t think the snow will stick around terribly long, but while it’s here I shall enjoy it.

Unhappily, my mukluks have finally given up the ghost. They are very old, and quite leaky, and getting rather stiff. They have torn a hole in my left heel, so I won’t be able to wear them at all anymore. The leaking I could handle. But my painful, bloody left heel is not something I can continue with. I will have to buy a new pair… sometime. I’m a bit out of funds at present, so maybe in December. I am very sad about it. I have an emotional attachment to those boots. Alas.

Oh, I should note for those who don’t watch YouTube, November is my birth month. As last time, I don’t want anything from anyone. If you feel like you must show your affection/appreciation, please instead consider buying a tree to be planted in my grove in Calendonia. They’re roughly £6 a tree. You can do that here. That’s pretty much all I want for my birthday. Only if you want. It’s not a requirement or anything.

Alright, I think that’s pretty much everything I wanted to cover today. I’ll see you again next week.

Slán go foill!