February 3, 2025

The Year That Began With a Bang

The Cat & the Comma Issue #23

Normally, I send this newsletter first thing on the first of the month. Alas, I’ve been fending off a plague. Apologies for the lateness.

I grow tired of living in unprecedented times, if I’m being honest. And yet, as the month of January rumbled—and then roared—to life, it is unprecedented times we all find ourselves in. And so I must continue on, as must we all.

Misc. Professional Update + Reflection

January has been rather quiet on the professional front, but nevertheless there are some things moving in the background.

There was a bit of a snag with the anthology that I am a part of, so the release date has been delayed a touch. I am currently not at liberty to disclose the new release date. Regardless, you can preorder a copy here!

I mentioned last time that I am teaming up with a friend and artist for a cover and maps, and the first glimpses I’ve gotten have been stellar. I’m so excited for the final result and people to see it. In the meantime, I am seeking someone else to make chapter headers, a title page, and a dinkus (scene break icon)! I had someone I was eyeing, but ended up going in a different direction for personal reasons.

In other news, I continue to sign myself up for events! I’m signed up for the spring Indievisible book event, the Indie Author Spring Spectacular! From March 7th to March 10th, my debut novel A Sharper, More Lasting Pain will be discounted/free to read. But really, ASMLP will be discounted before then, because I’m ALSO part of a sapphic SYK book event February 26th, a separate event February 28th (maybe—waiting on confirmation), and, the biggest news of all…

I’m having a birthday sale!

My birthday is this month, so to celebrate it, I am having a sale on all of my available works1 on all available platforms, starting on February 18th! Itchio, Barnes & Noble, Amazon… all of them.2

Writing Update

I’m sure this will surprise no one, but I re-shelved Across This Hollow Distance.

I would say I tried with it, but the truth is I opened it up on January first, took a cursory look at my notes, started writing a whole new opening scene from scratch… and decided to scrap the whole thing. I do not know what it is about that WIP, but I feel the deepest sense of dread every time I look at it. I can’t fathom it. But, I also know that I cannot put forward a work I am not enjoying writing, and this year I’ve decided I’m not going to spend my time on things I do not enjoy. And so, back into the closet it goes. I may leave this project to die. I honestly do not know.

But… got an essay idea out of it, so at least there’s that!

Instead, I spent a great chunk of my month working on The Distance Between Stars and Salt, my sapphic seafaring fantasy novel inspired by the likes of Wind Waker, Maltese culture, and various other things. This novel is shaping up at its heart to be a love letter to all the things and places and people in my life. There is so much being put into it. I’m having a blast! I also briefly pecked at an official first draft—just enough to send to my writing group—but I ended up running out of time for that one, so…

Your three eyes gleamed in the rising sun. The frown you wore softened. “I am glad you came with me,” you said. “Regardless of the danger.”

I couldn’t help the uncertain tendrils that unfurled in my belly at that. What else could I have done? A year without you had been a unique agony I was ill-suited to repeat. All we had to do was live to see the end of this quest, no matter what. After? We would go home. You would be the woman who had saved the world. I would be the woman who married you.

No. I glanced at you out of the corner of my eye. This time, I had an equal role to yours to play, divine ordinance or not. I couldn’t allow such narrow thoughts to distract me.

“I’m your wife,” I said as I grabbed your hand. “To have allowed you to go alone would have been cruel.”

It was as though you had scoured my thoughts. You squeezed back. “Not just my wife, Edera. Never just my wife.” You gave our joined hands a shake. “Never forget that.”

If you’re intrigued by this project and what comes out of it, you can currently read the first ten chapters if you become a member of my Patreon!

I also mentioned last month that I wanted to change how frequently I work on projects, which is still mostly true… but TDBSaS has occupied a lot of my time. That and a short story/novelette called Honey, Intravenous, which is about a plasma donor who, after her latest donation goes awry, finds herself attracting a vampire Domme with a VERY alluring offer. I’ve been hoping to have it finished to release on Valentine’s day, but between all my working hours and the malaise I’ve been subjected to recently, I’ve not had a lot of time for it. While a Valentine’s release is still my hope, I’ll be happy if it’s out by the end of the month. Time will tell.

One thing that has been introduced and—thus far—remained consistent in my writing sessions is the inclusion of a tracker!

I don’t know why I didn’t think to use one of these sooner, but it’s been incredibly helpful. While I’ve tweaked the database a LOT for my own usage, this is where I originally found the template!

So now, a new addition for this section: Stats

For the month of January, I wrote a total of 14,183 words and an average of 567 words per session. I’m writing more than I think I am, and that feels cool! And here’s a breakdown of what stage of writing I’ve spent what amount of words on, too:

The settings for Notion get a little… funky, so it’ll be interesting trying to adjust in future months. Don’t know how I’m going to juggle that yet. In any case, I like numbers and seeing number go up is good for making me feel like I’m accomplishing something.

Media Update

Due to being quite busy, I haven’t had a whole lot of time for playing games or watching shows. When I see my girlfriend, we watch Yellowjackets and I’m still enjoying that!

On the gaming front, I have recently been re-consumed by my obsession with Sonic Adventure 2—and, more specifically, the Chao Garden therein. I acquired two whole GBA games to grant me access to a special breed of Chao and am now taking time futzing with stats and colors and evolving them all. Perhaps some day I will go over my progress, but today is not that day. Just know it has utterly devoured me once again.

Blog and Video Update

I barely have the energy to do livestreams right now. I want to go back to doing them, though, especially so I can talk about my current drafting and research process and how I’m going about it all. I’m still planning a video going through all the research I’ve been doing for TDBSaS… Cause there’s a lot. The good news here is, as of next week, I’ll be able to do livestreams again! I’m very excited to get back to it.

Otherwise, as I mentioned earlier, I have an essay I’m working on about when it’s time to let a project go. It’s been cathartic to write.

The Cat Recommends

I like to use this space to shout out other indie writers, cause I think we could all use a boost from time to time. This time, I’m using this space to shout out Dax Murray, an author of revolutionary queer fantasy. While they have many books under their belt, I’m choosing today to shout out A Lake of Feathers and Moonbeams.

Strange things can be said of the forest that spans the border of two kingdoms long at war. An evil sorcerer has made it his dominion, or an elegant enchantress has claimed it as her domain and grants wishes to those who chance upon her, or maybe the forest is guarded by an ancient and wrathful spirit. But Katya calls the forest home, living a life of magic and charms with her partner Ivan.

But a threat looms over their forest, some darkness and danger that Ivan swears to protect her from. Katya finds herself caught up in a web of grudges and deception spanning generations, but most dangerous of all is the beautiful princess who stumbled into their woods. A princess who sets Katya’s heart fluttering with both desire and fear. As forces rally to rescue the princess or go to war, Katya must take measure of her own powers and decide what she is willing to sacrifice.

You can read more about A Lake here, as well as all the available purchase links for it!

The Cat Thanks

One of the perks for higher-tier patrons is shout-outs at the end of newsletters. Special thanks to Ceph, Hannah, and Larkspur. If you want to have your name here with theirs, subscribe to my Patreon!

And that’s a wrap. I wish you well on all of your endeavors and hope you stay safe.

Kindest regards,

Alex