Hello, friends, and happy Monday. I hope the time change isn’t messing everyone up too badly. For me, the hardest part is telling myself that it’s the same time it has always been, we just call it something else now. I even managed to go to bed “early” last night, in other words, the same time I always do. That practice never lasts for me, but I always try to stick with it for a little while until the mental transition sets in.
What’s going on in my world? Well, I’m less than a week out for my last author hurrah of 2025. I will be vending at the Merritt Square Mall Con this Saturday from 11-5. This will be my second comic con this year and I’m excited!
I finished my second round edits for the big boy job I’ve been working on for months. Phew! That was the one I was really worried might end up pushing into Mercury Retrograde, which I really didn’t want to happen. But, with a solid dedication on my part, I finished it last week. That in itself is a victory, and I’m celebrating it. I came into this year as an editing apprentice and am going out of it as an editor. I’m not searching out those jobs, I’m not to that point yet, but I do have some probable repeat business on that horizon. So, yay!
As mentioned in my previous post, I’m slowly settling all my writerly obligations before Retrograde hits on the 9th. It’s still my plan to take November and December as author down time. Mostly. I had previously thought this meant I wouldn’t be working on Order of Crows book three (hopefully) final revisions. Now, I’m thinking that’s not true. I’ll probably still work on it, just not with a pressing sense of urgency. No, instead I’ll work on it when I can, when I feel like it, without feeling like I need to have it ready by my original goal of January. If it happens by then, great. If it doesn’t, fine. I’m the one driving this bus so I get to make the call.
I’ve had another realization since my last post. November and December are already extra as months, but I think taking the time to celebrate my wins is in order. This year has been a big one, lots of moving parts and important decisions. Who is going to celebrate that more than me? Maybe Derrick because he has been there the whole way. But beyond him? Nobody. I think it’s important to celebrate our own victories. We deserve it. So, I’ll be chilling, watching all the balls I sent rolling either gain momentum or settle somewhere new. Then we get to see what next year brings.
So, as of right now, I’m down to one major obligation, and chance to connect with readers and other creators. Then I’m coasting for a while. A huge thanks to everyone who has been enjoying the ride along with me! Every effort has been greatly appreciated. Cheers!
Aj Elmore, Author 