This will be less captivating than USA's news at this moment which includes, but is not limited to, public executions, riots, commercial space flight, and a pandemic. But if you're into gritty, character-focused fairy tales set in fantasy settings and flavored with despair and black humor, then you may be interested to know...
[let me interrupt myself to say, thank the wizard Felix Ortiz for the following concept images. I hired him for cover design and could not be happier with the results.]
Ausgan, the story of Basalt Kale's rise from Consonant monk into utter nihilist, is finished at ~115,000 words (about the size of HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban). I've sent it off to beta readers. 2020 release? Unlikely.
Next steps-
*Edit Fohrvylda, the story of Irdessa the Undying, who finds her own strength and uses it against her oppressors.
These edits will be smoother than Ausgan's for a couple reasons.
1. I wrote Fohrvylda after Ausgan and was technically a more experienced writer (for whatever that's worth).
2. I've developed a pretty solid editing routine that removes the need for creativity, thereby reducing the process to a grind. This is easier for me. No inspiration or even focus necessary, just time.
On the other hand, it may take a little longer because Fohrvylda is 1.5 times the length of Ausgan (~160,000 words, or about the size of the Two Towers).
*Apply feedback from beta readers to Ausgan. This is assuming there is feedback and that it trickles back to me in a timely manner. If so, I'll examine said feedback, weigh its worth, then edit accordingly.
*Reach out to publishers. I have a hybrid publishing model planned for this release. There are some jobs I've taken care of and some I need outsourced. More details on this to come.
Further off in the future-
Once professional edits are underway for books 1&2, I'll draft book three. Let's call it Redemier for now. I'd LOVE for that draft to be near completion before books 1&2 drop but that's whatever. I'd also like if it releases within a year of books 1&2. Again, we'll see.
Next writing project-
Jesus, calm down.
Next nonwriting project-
Small: Music compiliation video. "Three Hours of Chill Video Game Music to Read my Book to" is the title'nt.
Large:
Schala!