This is the last week before “Code Name: Candle” officially becomes known forevermore as the published work, Restore the Night. It’s right about now, the last week of release frenzy that I get what I jokingly refer to as the “book hangover.” What it really is combines a multiple of feelings, activities, and the transition from one project to another.
The first feeling is still and always will be fear. What if you don’t like it? What if I’m fooling myself with this writing thing? What if something goes WRONG with the launch? There are a lot of questions like that swimming through my head.
Then there’s a bit of sadness. These characters who I’ve lived with in my head are gone. Not gone-gone, just … done. Their happily-ever-after told. I’m bereft of their chatter. They are, officially, yours now. I’ve handed off the torch for this one. (I’m going to cry… dammit.)
Okay, then there’s the whole marketing schmutz that I’ve had consuming the last few weeks. Getting blogger names, sending emails, creating ads, polishing the manuscript, proofing the polished manuscript, finding quotes, uploading content, figuring out graphics, and so much more. All with a smile and wave like it’s not a freaking full-time job besides my full-time job. (eek) There was no Halloween this year. Which sucks, because I love Halloween.
Because the to-do list is ticked, the book is there waiting for downloads, and what could be done is done, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.
Last Saturday was writing sprint day. I host three 25-minute sessions for some fellow authors to function as an accountability session and touchstone not only for myself, but for others. And I couldn’t write.
DAMMIT.
The hangover officially hit.
Luckily—extremely luckily, or maybe it was some planning I did a month or two ago worked, I had a road map for the next book (Code name: Dime—which is Jackson’s book) and also had a plot bunny or two up my sleeve to visit the creativity headspace.
One way I do this is by designing covers for books that aren’t “here” yet. To avoid writing, I did FOUR. Yes, four shiny new covers in two versions! (I’m crazy.) It’s one of those spin-off ideas I had while writing “Smoke.”
Wait, IDK if you know about that one yet… (zips lips…)
Just kidding. Here’s the skinny on Legacy of Smoke code named “Smoke” which should be here in January.
For this Destroyers short story, we go up to Skilletsville to revisit what Sprout and Jackson have been doing. There are ALL-NEW characters, Poppy, Lily (I sense a trend in the sisters’ names) and the titular MMC, Smoke. Or as some of the Destroyers call him, “Smoke ‘em.” He’s a BADASS fresh out of prison who loves short, curvy girls like Poppy.
It’s a good thing Poppy’s father is one of Smoke’s former jail-mates because otherwise she might have a tough time understanding this take-no-prisoners Destroyer. Of course, her father also is a murderer with connections on the outside, so poor Smoke better mind his P’s and Q’s, right?
The short story is closer to a novella at 25K and will be released in a January anthology entitled Street Justice. I should have preorder link for you soon!
Well, that’s the bow on the present, the final bow to the audience, and all that jazz. Candle is now Restore the Night. Dime and Smoke are coming. And there will be a four-book series in 2026 with one of the shiny new covers I created last weekend when I should have been writing.
SNEAK PEEK POLL:
Which cover style do you like best?
