The Cat Begins Anew
The Cat and the Comma Issue #5
Last night, I aimed to make another post on Revue and publish it. Instead, I was greeted with the message that they are shutting down. This is quite unfortunate, and for a while I worried I would have to start all over with my newsletter. Not quite so! Thankfully, I was able to import a lot of the data I was going to lose. If I succeeded and you were previously subscribed, you should be receiving this email without issue.
That said, let’s get down to business.
Misc. Professional Update
January means NYC Midnight begins once again. The first round starts on January 20th. Wish me luck!
Last issue, I mentioned I have stepped back from most social media. I have most of them active still, just not using them. This is still the case for Twitter. I’m thinking of ways to use Instagram more, and against my better judgement I am eyeing TikTok. The sad fact is this is the new means for marketing and promotion, especially for indie authors, and I want to give myself a fair shake at success.
As for other medias, I still have my Tumblr and recently set up a page for all of my projects. This may be strange to say, but Tumblr has been the most relaxing social media experience yet—mostly due to the fact I don’t have to try to be a Content Creator and can instead just… post what I want.
Also, as of today I have confirmation that the high school I graduated from wants to carry the anthologies I’m in as part of highlighting their alumni, which I’m absolutely ecstatic about! It’s been surreal enough seeing people buy my work—stranger still to have the opportunity to sign them sometimes—and now it’s officially going to be on a library’s shelves. I am… over the moon with joy.
Finally, obviously, I have jumped ship to SubStack. If you’re reading this and were previously subscribed, there should have been no major loss in moving over. The newsletter will look a bit different. There’s an option for paid subscriptions now. I’m using that section for people to access archives of my past newsletters (if you are reading this, it’s likely you have them in your email inbox already, so no major loss). I also want to use the paid subscriptions to give out codes/copies of upcoming releases. Maybe I’ll do a quarterly free short story. Not sure yet.
Writing Update
I have cemented my goal to finish my novel, A Sharper, More Lasting Pain by March 1st and have outlined in my calendar when I need each chapter done in order to make this happen. This starts with finishing chapter 6 by tomorrow. I'm almost done with it, so I'm on track so far. The novel has 20 chapters, counting the prologue and epilogue, and I currently have 6/20 completed. Gods willing, I can finish it in time. I am eager to finish it and pursue the next steps needed to get this out into the world.
Speaking of, here’s an excerpt of some recent writing from it:
She’s getting ahead of herself, she thinks as she regards herself in the mirror hanging from her bedroom door. The surface is smudged enough to give her a sort of warped aura around the edges. Still, it suits its purpose as she holds up shirt after shirt, dress after dress, determined to find just the right outfit.
Finally, in a huff, she calls Etienne. He’s there minutes later, perched on the edge of her bed. She stares at him through the mirror, a floral-print dress pressed to her chest. His lips purse as he inspects the fabric. Finally, “Too dark.”
“You’re right.” She tosses the dress aside and scours the mountain of clothes surrounding her for a new one.
Media Update
It’s the start of 2023 which means it’s time for another Goodreads reading goal. Last year, my goal was 52 books—one for each week—and ended 2022 with a resounding 67. Quite the accomplishment! This year, I’m aiming a little higher. 60 books in a year doesn’t sound bad, and I certainly have plenty on my TBR list to go through.
For those who saw my last newsletter, I mentioned I had gotten the chance to play Pokemon Scarlet shortly after its release. I’m still doing that. Finally beat the game, which is something. I’ve been thinking a lot about going back to Octopath Traveler because I know the second game will be coming out soon. However, with how I have 2023 planned (see below), I’m unsure how much time I will get to devote to playing games. We shall see, I suppose.
Blog Update
As I did last year, I have a goal to try to post on my blog at least once a month. So far I’m on the right track. Here’s what I’ve posted since my last newsletter:
Standards Within the Publishing Industry – Why I Will Never Go Trad
On the Count of 2-0-2-3 — 2023 Writing Goals and a Reflection on 2022
Next up, I’m thinking about a post on how to write side characters
The Cat Recommends
I’m using the space this time to shout out Jade War by Fonda Lee, the second in her Green Bone Saga. If you love urban fantasy, gangsters and gang politics, and characters of all shades of grey, this is the series for you. Jade War is the first book I’ve finished for 2023 and… wow. What a way to bring in the year. It’s a doozy of a series.
And that’s a wrap! I hope you have a safe and wonderful 2023 and that this message finds you well.
Kind regards,
Alex