Susan Forest's Blog

Got a start on revising my novel based on beta feedback.

YA Mystery, 5+/5

Thrust into the dangerous streets of 1700 London by the murder of his master, apothecary’s assistant, Christopher, must use puzzles his master left him to solve the crime. Packed with great characters, authentic detail and a fast-paced plot, this book was right up my alley.

Revised my short story and submitted to beta readers!

Upmarket Fiction, 5+/5

Struggling white novelist, June, steals a dead Chinese-American’s unseen draft novel and publishes is as her own, with ripples upon ripples of fallout. This fast-paced, gripping novel critiques the publishing industry and social media, and as an author myself, I found the settings and events familiar, but eye-opening.

Finished the editing job, and wrote a short story first draft. I’m happy with it–may put it out to beta readers on Wednesday.

Nonfiction, 3-/5

With a chapter on each of the ten pillars of fascist politics (including propaganda, anti-intellectualism, victimhood, and law and order), How Fascism Works provides insight into the interconnectedness of fascist ideology and tactics. Although many of the individual points were so easily recognisable in Stanley’s examples from around the world and across history, it was the way the elements all work together that fascinated me.

Edited two short essays that are part of the biography of a mountain guide that I’m finishing for my sister who passed away recently, and returned to the structural edit I’m doing for a client–should be finished today or tomorrow. Then, I have a short story idea, and a beta reader got my novel back to me, so that’s next!

I had a cool opportunity to support a group of students from MacEwan University in Edmonton, whose assignment was to create a one-day SFF conference. I was one of the editors on the Live Action Slush panel. The students did a great job–it was very well organized, and the speakers included a number of university professors.

Horror 4/5

Gideon, cavalier, and Harrow, bone witch, are an unlikely pair to beat out the other eight houses and solve the puzzles set by the Emperor to become his immortal servants of the Resurrection. But it is this interesting interpersonal dynamic—as well as a phenomenally creative world—that make this action-adventure horror story sing.

Critiqued a novel for a friend, and gave my revised novel to a different friend–waiting for feedback. In the meantime, I have an editing project due to a client next week.