Hello, more than a month later. Like a week and a month? It’s summer, okay? Somehow life is busier when the kids aren’t in school.

Anyway, news. The world is still burning. Part of the reason this update is late is because of some activism stuff I’ve been doing on the side. In addition to work. And family stuff. And, let’s be honest, board games and small art projects. Like these mini movies using the art from @gargoyle.pastures and @empyranni_illustrates.

Megan Carney: "I kinda hate marketing . . . but I enjoy support…" - Infosec Exchange

Attached: 1 image I kinda hate marketing . . . but I enjoy supporting talented artists. I worked with two artists to get some promotional art for .Liar, Cheater, Sinner, Saint.' Here's the art from @gargoyle.pastures that inspired me to throw away the cover I had already bought and use one of these panels instead. Links to the full panels are up at https://www.megancarney.com/books.html. #bookstodon

Megan Carney: "A year or so after I finished this book, I realiz…" - Infosec Exchange

Attached: 1 image A year or so after I finished this book, I realized that the Jones character in 'Liar, Cheater, Sinner, Saint' was Kevin from the Navy Trent Series. And, of course, Kevin wouldn't star in his own book. He prefers to work in the background. Art in this reel is by @empyranni_illustrates, cover art for the book is by @gargoyle.pastures. https://www.megancarney.com/books.html #bookstodon

But also . . . publishing. I can’t say I enjoy everything about the process. Particularly the last few weeks. I want to spend every last minute on the manuscript. Like when you’re cooking your favorite dish for a dinner party. Sprinkling on that last bit of cheese or paprika or whatever you need to make your guests say ‘ah!’

The process doesn’t work that way. I had to finalize the manuscript a few days ago so the file can get formatted so I can finish designing the book cover. Did you know a print book cover file is actually the front of the book, the back of the book and the spine? And I don’t know the width of the spine until I know the number of pages.

I also spent a good number of hours on the synopsis. Longer than it takes to write most chapters. I needed the synopsis to register the ISBN numbers that need to be ready for the print manuscript and for the Kindle entry on Amazon. Sensing a theme? It’s side quests all the way down.

Along the way, I’ve been trying to do a few social media posts. Because everything is social media these days. And try to ignore or accept the fact marketing isn’t my strong point. Standard advice is to spend at least six weeks to a month before the book comes out focusing on a strong marketing push - that hype train everyone always talks about. Welcome to my hype train - it’s pretty small.

Like one of those small cozy parties where you can feel special because you’re with friends. I hope you’re all staying sane and joy where you can.

If you’d like to share your projects and adventures with me, you can find me on Bluesky, Instagram, or Mastodon.