Hello, everyone! Since we’re slowly but surely moving past The Band launch and inching ever closer to The Empty Room release in October, I wanted to give you some updates. On the other hand, I’m not even done with the first draft yet (roughly 70% there!), so this will serve as some accountability, too.

So here’s what each update will entail, and these will continue until the first draft is done. And maybe even after! First, a word count update. Second, a projected/fluid release date. And third, a brief summary of what’s happening with the book.

Don’t worry. No spoilers! Just some good, old-fashioned teasers, and a behind-the-scenes look at this chaotic, often-confusing, sometimes-rewarding writing style.

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May 12

#1: This week, I added 1,000 new words, down quite a bit from previous weeks. The end of the school year has me more stressed-out and busy than in April, so progress has slowed down. I did rewrite and edit a few chapters, as well.

One big thing from this week’s writing progress: I finally figure out what to do with the monster seen terrorizing the Woods family in The Silent Forest and the ending, in particular. While the monster already has claimed a couple lives, I wanted to give it more of a consistent role in this book. Now, I know exactly how to do that.

#2: Projected release date– October 17, 2025. A little bit later than before… Eek. Again, this is totally a guess, as I don’t even have a cover yet.

#3: I would love to know what you all are interested in with this book! I don’t want to share any sample chapters yet, but I’m not opposed to giving a few details away. Comment below and let me know what you’re most curious about, most excited to see, etc. I’ll try to answer those in the next update post.

Also, school is ending soon, which means I’ll really start chopping away at this first draft in a couple weeks. My next update might not be ’til June, but then again, I might have the first draft done by then!

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And if you can’t wait until then, check out The Band, my newest novel, a standalone story set in West Virginia about a touring cover band. It’s got murder, mystery, rock-n-roll, romance… what more could you need?