Confession time: I'm not a regular GoodReads user. I don't log all the books I read, and to be honest, I completely forgot that I had a Goodreads blog. But in 2024, I'll be more diligent about logging and reviewing books, making recommendations, and writing regular blog posts.

In addition to reviewing books, I plan to get back to writing both novels and short fiction. And yes, it has been a while.

My first project for 2024 is a short story set in a newly invented fantasy setting, featuring a half-orc bard. The protagonist, Zeeka Jade, was inspired by "Orc gal" by artist Joanna Wolska. I decided to write this story as a thank-you to Forgotten Realms readers who supported the bard class IRL by making a donation in 2023 to the symphonic choir that's my current day job.

Thanks to a full year of long Covid, this project has been on the back burner, but work began in earnest today. When the story is completed, it will be posted on my new website (another work in progress) free to all, and a printed chapbook, signed and personalized, will be sent to donors.

So that's my current project. I'm still debating which novel-length project to tackle next. More news soon!

Happy new year to all.

ec