The Six-Week Sprint: I Published a Book, Moved House, and Got a New Job.

I found out at the end of January that my landlord was ending my lease (which was month-to-month) and moving back into her condo. That gave me a very short period of time to move, but it’s worked out for the best, because I’m settled into a new home and I absolutely love it. It’s the best apartment I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something, because I’ve lived in some lovely spots. But this home just feels like me in a way I never anticipated. It’s also: more affordable, in a better location, and utterly filled with sunlight. My new office, where I’m now writing my books, is an utter dream. There’s a lesson in this, somewhere, because I definitely cried and cursed and despaired at having to move from my cozy little home before this one, but sometimes changes—even painful changes—are worth the growing pain.

But that’s not even the most important thing that happened to me in the last six weeks. The most important thing is called Hawk & March, and it’s a novella, and the first thing I’ve ever professionally published. I’ve sold 79 copies and accumulated 41 reviews across various platforms, but the thing that I’m the most proud to share: I’ve received a dozen private messages from readers wanting to discuss the story, or share how much they loved it, or request more content in this world. I’m happy to say that the last request is incoming! I’m drafting three books in this same world and it’s my most ardent wish to publish them all this year, but that’s not as set in stone as I wish it could be. The move really waylaid my drafting plans, and my editing plans, and I spent several weeks solidly burnt out and incapable of doing anything other than sleep, laundry, food, walks.

This week, the last week of March, is the first time I’ve been back in the saddle properly. I’ve written every day and it no longer feels like a stressful burden, but my life’s purpose. Phew. For a minute there, I thought maybe I’d lost it. (But absolutely nothing in my life is as consistent as my desire to write, so I really should’ve had no doubt.)

Oh, and I should talk about the job thing: I’m with the same company, but I’ve been promoted to a new role, and it’s been a thrill! I’m proud of the work I do day-to-day. It’s quite different, and quite separate, from my writing life, but I’m grateful to have the career I have that allows me to draw and design and direct. The work is creative, but creative in a way that’s different from my writing, and I think this variety has helped keep me sane over the last few weeks as my life uprooted. 

One final exciting update I should share is that I’m tabling at an author event on Sunday, April 5th, from 2:45-5pm at Finney’s Books in Austin, Texas. I’ll be selling (and signing!) copies of Hawk & March, giving away stickers, and hopefully adding new folks to my newsletter roster. I have plans to update this blog, and the newsletter, at least every other week. And what’s a blog without its readers? (It’s a diary, that’s what, and I already have one of those. Well, several of those. I’ve been daily journaling for over a decade now.)

I’ll share another update post-event to share my thoughts and feelings, because as of now, I have no clue what to expect. I’ve never attended one of these as a reader, much less as an author, and I don’t know how slow or fast-paced it’ll be, or how many books I’ll sell (if any!), or if it’ll be fulfilling for me to do. But I’ve done several new things so far this year—what’s another?

And in case you have any questions on writing specifically: it’s going, slowly but surely, and I hope to have some excerpts and art to share soon. I’d love to get a map completed before the event (and give it out on post cards…), but I’m taking it one day at a time right now. I’ve been taking it one day at a time since I received that email from my landlord in January, and I gotta say—it’s made the year incredibly long. I cannot believe it’s only March; I’ve lived an entire year in just six weeks.

Let’s talk soon. I hope your spring has been full of sun and flowers—just as mine has.