An indie author’s regular spoiler-free update on his writing, editing, cover design, marketing, publishing, website maintenance, and blogging. Issue 66.
This week in one word: variety.
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Previously on WWW…
For the next week, I’ll write a review of Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (once I’ve finished reading it), but my main focusses remain revising The Spike Volume 2 and creating the cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition. If I find time, or feel like a change, I’ll begin my next blogpost.
Last week was mostly focussed on one chapter. This week, I mixed things up a little to keep myself and my work fresh.
My review of Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor expanded to include an analysis of the ending. It’s a good book, but I’m still searching for my first five-star read of 2026. I don’t think either of the books I’m reading at the moment (Vigil by George Saunders and Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose) will reach those heights either.
For my next read, I might pick one that’s a continuation of a series I’ve already enjoyed.
I began writing my next blogpost, which will again be a hybrid and incorporate a short story. It’s outlined, and I’m about 20% through writing it. I’m hoping it will be quite fun – the short story will be the most generic I’ll ever write.
The cover for the The Spike Volume 1 second edition didn’t get much attention this week. I spent an hour on it, but then paused again as I had an idea how I could make a previously-abandoned idea I preferred more effective. I’m not sure how best to proceed so am giving myself some time to think it through.
The biggest area of progress this week was with the revisions of The Spike Volume 2. I finished writing the new chapter that I’d been having difficulty creating, and blasted through to the end of my first sweep through part 1.
I still have a number of minor changes to make so began work on those.
I’ve added about nineteen thousand words so far, almost another 50% on top of what I had, so the changes have been significant and a big improvement.
Once the rest of the changes to part 1 are complete, I’ll move on to part 2, which has less big revisions to make so (hopefully) won’t take as long.
Famous last words.
My usual aim for my creativity vs consumption percentage is to be at least at an even 50/50, and this week I sneaked above it at 51%. It’s slightly down on last week’s 52%, but close enough that I don’t mind too much.
I haven’t yet managed three consecutive weeks of 50% or more, so that’s something to aim for next week.
Writing of next week, I want to complete the revisions of part 1 of The Spike Volume 2. I’d like to finish writing my next blogpost but will settle for getting most of it done. I suspect I may have another book review to write before the next WWW because Vigil by George Saunders is only 192 pages.
And it would be bloody fantastic if I could get somewhere with any of my book covers.
Reading this week: Vigil by George Saunders and Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose
Watching this week: Succession season 1
Playing this week: Red Dead Redemption 2
status_report
In addition to the three short stories available to read for free here, there are three more yet to be published that make up The Spike Volume 0. The new three are in the final stages, and will be available some time before Volume 2 is published.
I’ve resumed work on a new cover design for a second edition of The Spike Volume 1.
I’m also working on covers for the two individual parts, 1.1_Application Infiltration and 1.2_Laying Down The Law, which are going to be published separately for the first time. I want both to have a similar style and layout, and I have an idea I like for each.
Draft 3 is under way for The Spike Volume 2!
Volume 2 is my biggest and most complex project to date, containing three separate books from the perspectives of seven characters.
The aim is to publish Volume 2 in 2026.
Early brainstorming has been done for The Spike Volume 3. I know how it must begin; I have an ending that I think will be great; and I have a long list of ideas to get from one to the other that needs to be whittled down and put in an order. I’m not intending to do much more work on this until revision is complete on Volume 2.
I have other project ideas that are on the backburner:
Project Lawless is a non-fiction book.
Project Fang is a fiction book that I’m still trying to work out a way to incorporate into The Spike.
connecting_links
The Spike is set in our world, incorporating real events; the links below are relevant to the themes and overarching storyline, and may or may not provide clues to the direction of the series.
I do not necessarily agree with or endorse any of the views within.
People are selling your home address online. This privacy tool will help
Nearly 4m Londoners below income for decent living
LLMs can unmask pseudonymous users at scale with surprising accuracy
The hidden technology that could unlock commercial fusion power
UK creative industries face a clear and present danger from generative AI
New engine uses the freezing cold of space to generate power at night
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’m recommending Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor, an interesting mix of science fiction and literary fiction. I enjoyed it overall; I felt it fizzled out a bit in the final act, until the last chapter, which I felt compelled to analyse in my review.
I haven’t read anything else quite like this book, which I always take as a positive.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 