An indie author’s regular spoiler-free update on his writing, editing, cover design, marketing, publishing, website maintenance, and blogging. Issue 76.
This week in one word: burnout.
my_writing_week
Previously on WWW…
For the coming week, my priorities are: 1) design the cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition; 2) revise The Spike Volume 2; 3) write my next two blogposts.
I’m close to finishing Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker and need to write my review for that too – it should go live at either the end of next week or the start of the following week.
This week started quite well, but I ran out of steam. I’ve still been doing at least something every day to extend my streak to 708 days, but I paused my creativity vs consumption records again.
My creative work is supposed to be enjoyable, but my poor brain needs a rest.
I did some work on the cover design for The Spike Volume 1 second edition and added a couple of layers. It still needs a lot more detail work, but I’m chipping away at it.
I began writing a new blogpost, and it’s not a hybrid short story this time. Once it’s finished, if I’m happy enough with it to post it, I have an idea for a companion piece.
Revisions to The Spike Volume 2 continued: another 7 chapters done, leaving 7 to go in part 2.
The epilogue links all three parts, and I was considering running through it after finishing part 2, as there are some changes to be made linked to this part, but as there’ll be more changes to make after part 3, I’ve decided against making changes now that might need to be revised again later.
On Friday, I wrote and posted my review of Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker. It’s undoubtedly a very well-written book, but I didn’t love it, so it was a tricky review to write.
With not much progress made this week, my main priorities remain unchanged: 1) design the cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition; 2) revise The Spike Volume 2; 3) write my next two blogposts.
I’ll likely keep my creativity vs consumption records paused until after my next holiday, in three weeks, but will do at least something every day.
Reading this week: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker and Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Watching this week: Mint 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 finish 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 (that keeps growing) 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.
Microsoft researchers find AI models and agents can’t handle long-running tasks
Woman covertly filmed for ‘humiliating’ social media content – then told to pay
Major publishers sue Meta for copyright infringement over AI training
Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence
Scientists turn plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel using sunlight
Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ will cost $1.2tn and might not stop all-out missile attack
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’m sharing a song that’s been stuck in my head for days.
Sufjan Stevens is one of my favourite musicians. He writes and records everything himself, performing most of the instrumental parts with minimal additions. This track, Will Anybody Ever Love Me?, is from his 2023 album Javelin and is so good, I haven’t minded that it’s been on a constant loop around my brain.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 