Harriet Gale by @zelyphia

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Life bombarded at full force this week. In rapid succession, my Jeep, cell phone, and laptop all frizzled on me. What began with a hard-shifting transmission morphed into weeks without a vehicle. What began as my Bluetooth glitching on my cell phone, turned into a crashed device that refused to power back on. Then, to make matters even spicier, my laptop updated overnight … and signed me out of every single platform, including my Google account, where all my manuscripts are stored in my GoogleDrive.

Guess what Google and Meta have in common? Two-step verification processes that require … you guessed it, a cell phone. Unfortunately, my Google Pixel is currently en route back to the store for repair or replacement.

So here I am … cosplaying the good old days. Soon, I shall be reduced to a walkie-talkie and a bicycle, I fear. Or perhaps a horse and buggy. Does anyone have a wax seal for sealing envelopes? Should I buy a pigeon for mail delivery? Should I begin to worry about scurvy? Does the Pony Express still operate?

I guess the Almighty decided I needed a BREAK from technology and socials. So here I am, reading, playing with my kiddo, and making the best of an unplanned (and hopefully temporary) hiatus.

character art of Hades and Gabriella

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Life lately:

I’ve submitted copyedits of THIS SILENT CITY, the sequel to Scythe and Pen, to Counterpoise Press. Recently, I discovered that I can download an .epub file of my manuscript and email it to my Kindle. With highlights and note-taking, I can easily read my work in a comfortable format. Perhaps it’s just me, but reading on a laptop screen is dreadful. Often, I print my manuscripts, but that can get pricey. So I was happy to realize I can email things to my Kindle (I know, I know, I’m very late to the game with that one. I’m not a very techy millennial).

I also completed another (secret) project that I can’t really talk about yet. It’s fun, exciting, and romantic — I will say that! Expect an announcement later this year. Maybe. Hopefully. The only thing I can say . . . the characters were inspired by our spring trip to Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys.

I’ve jumped back into drafting THE DREAD, my epic pirate fantasy as well as BOOK THREE in my Hades trilogy. Project Dread is unbelievably close to completion, after which I will begin major developmental edits. I would love to query that project; but querying is not for the faint of heart. After losing my agent offer during the 2020 lockdowns, I spent almost two years querying Scythe and Pen before I connected with Counterpoise Press. Hannah Parker has been a joy to work with and I know that CP is the perfect home for Hades’ rip-roaring series. But I would still love to land a literary agent, if possible. If not, I’ll remain indie — which honestly, I do adore! Different stories work well in different markets.

Hades and Gabriella by @hemoglobine_

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Recent Great Reads

I recently read and adored What Blood Remembers by C. Williams Phillps. This book releases November 14th. This noir Western thriller had me reading faster than ever. To be honest, I am a slow reader. As a busy mom and writer, I have limited free time to curl up with a book. But I made everyone wait as I read this pageturner. For Cole Traeger, life ends in blood spectacle when a disgraced mafia soldier tears through his home and family. But unexpected twists place Traeger on a path of revenge that winds through the Western United States and deep into cartel-controlled Mexico. Readers go on a heart-pounding journey of rival gang fights, back-alley deals, and high speed chases through the gritty southwest.

This was an exccellent and thrilling debut from Phillips. I can’t wait to see what else this author produces! I am so glad I received an ebook ARC and definitely recommend this book for fans of Westerns like No Country for Old Men, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, The Missing, or Taken.

I’ll post a full review on Instagram once I have a phone again!

I’ve also really been into Mimi Matthews’ books lately. Her Belles of London series reignited my love of historical romance. I’m currently reading John Eyre, her Dracula-flavored reimagining of the classic Jane Eyre. . . but make it genderbent. I’m actually obssessed. A vampiric Mr. Rochester . . . um yes please? This has me thinking I need to attempt a Jane Eyre rewrite. Maybe for Substack? Let’s make it even more horrific, shall we?

Yeah right, Abi, you have two books to write and you barely have time for those. Calm down, girl.

I also just downloaded my friend Moriah’s new book: The Curious Case of the Midnight Specter. I haven’t started it yet, but I loved her young adult debut last year! I am sure this one won’t disappoint. Her novella Thorns of Winter was excellent as well! You can follow Moriah’s newsletter here. She’s a local Carolina author and is incredibly sweet!

Pray all of my devices are fixed and operational soon. Although, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t somewhat enjoying the unplugged life. (Well, mostly unplugged.) Until then, I’ll be writing (in notebooks) and reading (physical books) . . . and being WAY less anxious without doom scrolling.

Stay warm and kind, friends.

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