Hello September. You are almost October so I’m glad you’re here. I have several publishing updates and writerly things to share from last month / coming this month. It’s also a IWSG Wednesday (what’s that? read on!) and the question posed this month is about English studies in school.
This month I am:
- Reading: How To Keep House While Drowning on audio| Key Lime Sky in physical | Space Station X on ebook
- Drinking: Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
- Watching: Star Trek Discovery
- Playing: Final Fantasy 7 Remake (yes, finally)
Writing Progress and Publishing Updates
Imaginari Poetry Book
Please share the word! My preorder campaign has 21 days left. Preorders of my scifi, fantasy, and poetry book paired with photography comes WITH GOODIES. Like a sticker, bookmark, and photo print depending on the pledge level. Or, preorder now.
My favorite level has an 8×10 print of my favorite fall photo taken in Brown County Indiana, the paperback and ebook of Imaginary, a sticker, and bookmark. I just recorded me reading three of the poems which is exclusive to those who back the project.
Writers of the Future
I received an Honorable Mention! For my sci-fi short story “Candy Crash” from Writers of the Future, 2024 3rd Quarter. This was my 8th entry to the overall contest and 6th honor received. (See this post and why I think even honorable mentions with WotF are BIG small wins.)
The Siren’s Song
I had three poems published in The Siren’s Song Vol 1 August 2024 “The Breaking”, “The Last Centaur”, and “Waterways of Deceit”. The theme for this volume was mythical and magical creatures. It also contains short stories and other poems from other writers!
Aphelion Publication
My poem “Decontamination Station” was published in the magazine Aphelion, Issue 298 September 2024. Read it here!
RPG Zine
It’s finally out! Learn more about Tavern Tale in this Zine! So excited to have my little RPG-inspired story have a tiny place along side all of this great content. The RPGs Zine is out now!!! This zine is all about role-playing games! Inside, you will find cute character art, creature stats, an original game about a tiny spaceship, a character creator for a “little guy”, dungeon maps, LARP costumes, 100+ fantasy classes, and so much more!!
https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/product/pdf-rpgs-zine
Interviews
I WAS ON THE RADIO. Whhaaaat? This was so exciting. An Indiana radio show Page Turners The Broadcasting Book Club out of Muncie on WMUN. Am I officially official now? You can listen to it here https://www.wmunmuncie.com/e/kristina-kelly-on-page-turners-the-broadcasting-book-club/
And Here’s my latest online interview I talk writing space, balancing work + mom life + writing, and why I’d want an alicorn as a pet.
Other Projects
I’m sending out my ARC for Imaginari this week, and I’ve started a short story that’s kind of pirates in space. And of course, I’m still working on book 2 of the Etherea Cycle. We’re nearly at 100k words on that one.
How’s Life?
I visited the Zoo recently and got an awesome glass I’m going to use for boba tea. I love how it incorporates structures as well as animals and then has other Indy references.
We fought a war against yellow jackets. They built a nest inside our grill, under a chair, and apparently the Magnolia tree is our back yard produces sap that draws wasps so that thing is going to get chopped down in the winter. Since yellow jackets aren’t pollinators, I was able to put my nature loving on hold so that my family didn’t get massively attacked. We think we won but we are being careful and might not play in the back yard until winter.
And I went to another local Author Fair! This time at Carmel Clay Library
Insecure Writer’s Support Group September 2024 Author Question
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group post on the first Wednesday of the month. “Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance.” You can find my previous posts here. The group poses a monthly question to answer as well.
The co-hosts this month are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando! Be sure to visit them to say thanks for their work.
IWSG Question of the Month
What’s a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?
The classic essay format. Opening, thesis sentence, your main points from the opening have to have a paragraph each, and a closing paragraph. For so long my essays were incredibly bland and all five paragraphs long. I don’t really write essays anymore, but when I was in college that whole structure got blown to pieces by my professors and they taught me better ways of writing academically.
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How was your month? What did you accomplish?
Sounds like some boring essays.
Congrats on the accomplishments!
I just finished How to Keep House While Drowning and really enjoyed it.
That’s a beautiful glass jar!
Congrats on the various projects you’ve been busy with: the ARC/local author fair/ online interview… and good luck with the war against the yellow jackets!