It's a delicious thing to write. To be no longer yourself but to move in an entire universe of your own creating. - Gustave Flaubert

Happy August, happy Sunday, happy start of the month. I'm Vincent, here with your weekly check in. Pull up a seat, let's chat.

In case you didn't know (and you won't, I didn't talk about this with anyone), I'm doing a little experiment with this column/newsletter/whatever. For the next two months you'll hear from me every Sunday, where I'll ramble about my life and work and find some kind of purpose for them, and this. It's an accountability thing; when you have to tell people what you did every week, you have to get your ass moving. And if there's one thing I struggle with, it's moving. And hey, maybe this little series will sprout a deeper reason to exist than just a weekly update and chat with y'all. Who knows?

I'm hoping to get 10 active readers by November, people who actually open this up and read it regularly. If that doesn't happen, I'll go back to the drawing board. Or maybe I'll continue to shout into the void. We'll see.

It's the beginning of the month so let's talk about what I'll be doing for August.

My reading goal this month is three books.

Yes, just three. ADHD and social media are a messy combination. But you can't be a writer if you aren't a reader. Fellow authors are our friends, not our opponents, and all that. Reading heals the brain, reading feels good. So I'm making it a priority to read more every single day.

Here's this month's TBR:

1. America's Most Gothic: I'm a little over 80% done with this. It's nonfiction and every chapter stands by itself so I read about a chapter a day. I'll be done with it by next Sunday I bet, and will link my review in my next check in.

   Current opinion: very much recommend. Click the link to check it out.

2. The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle: an indie horror novel I wanted to read last month… yeah that didn't pan out. I'm on chapter 6. This month I read it all the way through and finish it. My goal is to read for at least 30 minutes a day in the evening. Yes, I'm reading a horror novel in the evening. I never said I was smart! Click the link to give it a look.

3. Devil in the White City: a nonfiction book I've got in paperback. At least 30 minutes a day in the morning is my goal, the opposite of Erstwhile. I think it'll be good for my eyes and my brain.

4. Raziel’s Jewel: yes, we're doing the exact words thing. This is an ARC I got from the author via Bluesky! I'm not sure I'll finish it this month, but I intend to get it all read and reviewed for when it releases in late September. Click the link to learn more.

5. The three other public domain Nancy Drew novels: I have no idea if I'll actually read these. I read the third one on a whim and was not impressed. They're a slice of the time period in all its ugliness. But I figured I'd mention them if I do it. Click the link to check them out for yourself.

About social media… There's a few things I want to highlight.

First, I have an Instagram now. I mean, I have since before I published my first story, but this time I plan to actually use it. I say, when there's nothing on there yet. Sigh. I'll get to that this upcoming week.

More important, and fun, is this, the Transmasc Protagonist Jam on Itchio! Come write a story with a transmasc MC with us from August to September! It starts next week so there's time to plot and plan if you're interested. Follow that link if you want to know more!

So that's reading and social media. What, you say, about writing? Glad you theoretically asked that.

WISH UPON A STORM is my current main project. It's a cozy hero x villain fantasy romance inspired by cutesy 80s cartoons like Care Bears and Rainbow Brite.

Heroic ex-princess Wes is throwing a party for his family at his castle in the hopes of a reunion. However, as a storm rolls in, an uninvited guest arrives: Professor What, a draconic villain with plans to kidnap the princess Wes once was. It's been seven years since they last clashed. Professor What no longer recognizes the now-transitioned Wes. But he likes what he sees in the younger man. Trapped by the storm and flustered by the Professor's desire, can Wes fight off his crush and throw the party that gets his back in his family's good graces? Does he even still want to?

Features a colorfully painted castle, a monster love interest, and an entirely winged cast, even the cat!

Secondary WIPs include:

• Amare: sequel to Honoria and set in the same universe, the next part in the Runner Owen mystery mini series.

• The Echoes in Anson House: sequel to Lock the Last Door, a Cthulhu Mythos short story.

• Untitled Cthulhu Mythos short story: the story I'm writing for the Transmasc Protagonist Jam. It's a contemporary take on the Mythos. You'll learn more soon.

• The Smiling Skin: release date in late November 🤞 🤞 🤞

• Untitled werewolf novella, undecided sword and sorcery story, and more and more and more…

Is that everything? Maybe. It's gonna be a busy month for me. But that isn't a bad thing, not at all.

But this check in is about you as much as me. What are you doing this month? What are your plans, your dreams and desires? How are you going to make them real? Or are you just resting this month? We all need rest sometimes, especially when the temperature climbs.

Reply to this email or message me on Bluesky with your thoughts. I want to hear from you! And I hope things turn out your way this month. Don't give up.

All the best,

Vincent