Mid-Month Check-In: December 2015

Well, everyone, we made it. This is my last mid-month check-in of the year. I’m not sure if I will do these again next year (if you feel passionately one way or the other, feel free to let me know in the comments), but I will keep doing the month-end updates. Anyway, as a special treat to all of us, I will keep this one short and sweet.

WRITING

I am currently working on two writing projects — Desertera #2 and a nonfiction project that I hope to reveal at the end of the month. I have created a writing schedule for myself and am trying to balance the projects. So far, things are going well, but I know they could be better. Given that I can’t go home for Christmas and almost everyone we know in New Haven will be gone, I’m looking forward to the holiday so I can get some major work done.

BUSINESS

I am still letting the business side of things stay quiet. The main project I am working on is sorting out the cover design for my nonfiction project, which I believe is well on its way. Other than that, I’ve finally finished my entire book review list, and I’m happily reading purely for my own enjoyment and education again.

MARITAL

Daniel is almost done with finals, and I’m looking forward to his break so he can tackle a few projects we’ve been neglecting. My day job is still taking up most of my time, but we’ve managed to fit ourselves into a comfortable routine. I’m not sure that I will ever fully adjust to living in New Haven, and there are still plenty of rough days, but I’m okay for now.

HEALTH/WELLNESS

I really really really hope I don’t jinx anything … but I haven’t had a full-on migraine in about two months (maybe longer?)! I’m not sure what exactly is the cause — I’m still a bit stressed, my sleep is worse than ever (thanks city noises), and goodness knows this move didn’t make me happier — but if lessening migraines is my one reprieve, it’s a pretty good perk. Otherwise, I’m still walking two miles a day (thanks commute) and eating relatively healthily. Hopefully I can add onto those good habits in 2016.

Well, folks, that’s all I’ve got for you. Let me know how your goals are going, and enjoy the rest of your 2015!

---

How are your new year’s resolutions going? Have you been keeping up with your own writing goals? Share your progress and/or commiserate as needed!

Mid-Month Check-In: November 2015

2015 is almost over — only a month and a half left. On one hand, this makes me very excited, as I love the “fresh start” mentality that comes along with the new year. However, on the other hand, the older I get, the more the speedy passage of time unnerves me. I think that for every single Mid-Month Check-In, I’ve marveled at how fast the time has flown. I guess that means I’ve been having lots of fun?

WRITING

Despite my hectic schedule and common sense, I’m doing NaNoWriMo this month. For the challenge, I started rewriting the sequel to The Cogsmith’s Daughter, and I’m now about 20,000 words in (meaning I’m behind for NaNo, but ahead of where I was in the draft prior to November). I’ll post more on this later, but this novel is just fighting me every step of the way. With The Cogsmith’s Daughter, all the words just came to me, as if Aya were telling me the story and I were merely dictating, but this one is like squeezing blood from a stone. But hey, “they” say the second novel is always the hardest. So once I’m over this hump, it’ll be smooth sailing, right? RIGHT?!

BUSINESS

After last month’s book launch, I’m letting the business side simmer down while I focus on writing. Mostly, I have read a few indie publishing/marketing books and watched a couple free video training series. I have been making plans for marketing as well as a production schedule for 2016, but overall, I’m trying to focus on drafting. It’s much easier to market the first book in a series when there are others to follow it. Or so I’m told.

MARITAL

“Real life” is relatively consistent. Daniel is plugging away at school work, while I spend my days at work work. He’s found a good place for himself in the Yale community and is really thriving here. I’m just trying to be supportive and taking it all one day at a time.

HEALTH/WELLNESS

I’m getting decent walking in still, thanks to my environmentally friendly commute. However, I have been feeling the sluggish effects of the professional writer’s life, and I want to start exercising beyond my normal walk. We’ve been eating relatively healthy, and my stress levels haven’t been any higher than normal. I would say that I haven’t had a migraine in the last month, but I won’t say that, because that would jinx it…

Anyway, I think that’s about all I have to report for November. I hope you all have a productive month (and slay NaNoWriMo, if you are participating).

---

How are your new year’s resolutions going? Have you been keeping up with your own writing goals? Share your progress and/or commiserate as needed!

“Special Edition” Mid-Month Check-In: October 2015

Hey, there everyone! I’m going to do something a little different with this mid-month check-in and answer a few burning questions you all have been asking as well as recap The Cogsmith’s Daughter Book Launch Blog Tour, so you can catch up on any posts you missed.

So here we go:

When is the paperback being released?

Fingers crossed – the end of next week (or beginning of the following week). I have finally sorted out the issues with my print-on-demand distributor, and all I have to do is wait for my updated files to be accepted. This should take roughly three business days.

Where can I buy the paperback?

On all the same online retailers as you find the ebook AND on my site. I’ll have a PayPal link in the blog sidebar (pending any more unforeseen technological issues, of course!).

Can I get a signed paperback copy?

YES! I will be selling signed copies directly from my website.

When will the sequel be coming out?

Sometime in 2016. If you want to be the FIRST to hear about it (and read it), you can sign up for my author newsletter HERE.

If you have any other questions, please leave them in the comments, shoot me an email, or get in touch via social media.

---

The Cogsmith’s Daughter Book Launch Blog Tour Recap

Monday, October 12 | What the Heck is Steampunk Dystopian, Anyway?

In this post, hosted by the wonderful Kate Evans, I explain the basics of both the steampunk and dystopian genres, as well as what attracted me to a “steampunk dystopian” mash up.

Tuesday, October 13 | The Evolution of The Cogsmith’s Daughter: From First Draft to Final Product

Here, I’m hosted by Ula, and I share how I went about writing my first draft as well as some “trivia” about how the final book differs from my first draft.

Wednesday, October 14 | Desertera: Conception and Construction

Zach asked me how I came up with the idea for Desertera, my novel’s world, as well as how I went about building it. In this post, all is revealed!

Thursday, October 15 | How I “Became” a Writer (and Stumbled Upon the Idea for My Novel)

Charles wanted to know more about my background as a writer and how I came up with the idea for The Cogsmith’s Daughter. This one goes way back, folks.

Friday, October 16 | Author Hall of Fame Introduction

Chris the Story Reading Ape was kind enough to add me to his Author Hall of Fame. As my introduction, I talk about how my sociology background influences the purpose behind my writing.

DON’T FORGET – As part of the blog tour, you can enter my Goodreads giveaway for your chance to win one of three signed copies of The Cogsmith’s Daughter – enter HERE.

---

Now…on to the normal check-in. I’ll keep it brief!

WRITING

Writing has taken a backseat to promoting my book launch and my new day job. I’m seriously considering doing NaNoWriMo to force myself back into it (after all, it worked out well last year!), but I’m not sure if I will or not.

BUSINESS

Beyond the blog tour, I’ve been trying to lay out specific plans and schedules for a few other projects I have in mind.

MARITAL

All good here. Daniel’s been super supportive during my book launch, despite his own obligations with school. Though, I think we could both use a week off to rest!

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Migraines are down, but still existent. Healthy eating is…less existent. I am walking two miles a day, thanks to my new public transport commute, so at least I’m getting some exercise!

All right. I think that does it for me! I hope you all are having a great October, and I wish you all the productivity and accomplishment you deserve!

---

How are your new year’s resolutions going? Have you been keeping up with your own writing goals? Share your progress and/or commiserate as needed!

Mid-Month Check-In: September 2015

I can’t believe September is already half over. I’ve spent the last six weeks (seven weeks, if we’re counting my pre-move time off in Kansas) being a full-time author. While a few of those weeks were unproductive (thanks to the move), the last four have been incredibly productive. I’m happy to report that there are several exciting announcements coming up, and I cannot wait to give you a taste of what I’ve been working on in this post!

For a quick refresher on all the goals I’m working on this year, check out my 2015 resolutions (most of which I should probably just throw out the window at this point!).

WRITING

I’ve managed to write about four and a half new chapters in Desertera #2. Admittedly, I have a bit of sophomoric insecurity this time around, so I’ll be sending chapters to my alpha reader as I go so she can help me stay on track. When I wrote The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1) (whose cover I revealed yesterday!), I finished the first draft in 30 days during NaNoWriMo 2014. I didn’t have time to be insecure. This time around, I have much more time to fret while writing, so I’m trying to push through it as best I can.

BUSINESS

This is the most exciting part of the news! As many of you will have seen yesterday, I have the ebook cover for The Cogsmith’s Daughter ready to go. As of this writing, I am still waiting on the final paperback cover, but I expect it any day now. Likewise, the novel’s editing and formatting are both done! You can even add it to your “to-read” list on Goodreads! Of course, no novel is ever perfect, so I expect a few typos will emerge when my keen-eyed newsletter subscribers receive their advance review copies this week (assuming they jump right into the book, that is) or when I do my last-minute oh-crap-this-is-releasing-soon third/fourth proofread.

On a purely “business” note, I have established new author photos (one for social media and one for my book covers), which I think fit my genre and brand much better than my old photo. Also, my logo designer, Brenda, saw my business card poll and leaped to my rescue with a gorgeous, professional business card design, which you can see above and below this paragraph. Needless to say, she is the best, and you should all click on her name and bombard her with orders.

Last, I am working on arranging blog tour to promote The Cogsmith’s Daughter during its upcoming launch. I will probably send out more details later, but if you are immediately interested in hosting me on your blog, feel free to shoot me an email to author@katemcolby.com. If you’d like to suggest your own post ideas, I’m game — but I do have a list of my own in case you don’t!

MARITAL

Things are going well in the “real life” department. Daniel is rocking his classes and slowly but surely conquering Greek. Thomas is being a bad ass, as per usual. I’ve started a new job as a copywriter for a wine marketing agency…so even if Boxthorn Press is a catastrophic failure, I can at least say that I am officially a “professional writer!” Other than that, we’re just monitoring our budget and trying to spend quality time together whenever our crazy schedules allow.

HEALTH/WELLNESS

As I am just coming out of temporary unemployment, I am not quite yet re-insured and have become somewhat of a hypochondriac. Despite the fact that I am eating healthy (…who needs exercise when you get your veggies?), I am a bit stressed about health. I’m hoping to join the Yale gym with Daniel and get back to exercising soon. In the meantime, though, I am happy to report that my migraines have been minimal and my outlook (other than the mild hypochondria) positive.

And that does it for my September mid-month check-in. Remember, if you’re interested in helping out with my blog tour, shoot me an email. Also, make sure you stay around this corner of the interwebs for more exciting news to come!

---

How are your new year’s resolutions going? Have you been keeping up with your own writing goals? Share your progress and/or commiserate as needed!

Mid-Month Check-In: August 2015

Even though I just did my July 2015 recap a little over a week ago, I wanted to go ahead and stick with my tradition of holding myself accountable. Since the first week of August I did basically nothing other than lift boxes, unpack, and organize my life, I’ll keep it short and sweet.

For a quick refresher on all the goals I’m working on this year, check out my 2015 resolutions (many of which I should probably just throw out the window at this point!).

My new author nook!

WRITING

Unfortunately for all of you wonderful people, my writing so far has been focused on a project that I cannot go into more detail about at this time. However, I’ve managed to crank out a chapter and a half in the last week(ish) of August, which I’m happy with considering all my moving nonsense. I need to get back to Desertera #2, but I’ve just been so excited with this new venture that I haven’t gotten around to it.

I’m also finding myself inspired to write poetry for the first time since university. It feels a little strange to be back in that mindset, but I’m enjoying the inspiration. I’m not sure if I will publish any of it (for a while or at all), mainly because poetry doesn’t sell very well for indie authors, but if nothing else, it is a fun exercise just for me!

BUSINESS

So far this month I’m just twiddling my thumbs and waiting for my line editor to get back to me with her comments on my revisions. When this process is over, I’ll put out a vlog or write a post about the experience. In the meantime, I’ve been watching a free video training series by Joanna Penn about managing an author entrepreneur business. I highly recommend it.

Other than that, I’ve been trying to get back to my book review list. I’ve decided that I won’t be offering formal reviews anymore, as it is way too time consuming and I need to focus on my own writing. However, I may still write book reviews if I really enjoy a book, or if I admire the author and want to give him/her a helping hand.

MARITAL

Daniel and I are officially moved into our  apartment in New Haven! We’ve been exploring the city, trying new restaurants, and getting to know his colleagues. Our feline son, Thomas, loves his new abode and is already a lazy house cat.

Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University

HEALTH/WELLNESS

In a surprising twist, my health and wellness goals are going smashingly this month. Between moving in, sight-seeing, and city life, I’ve done a decent amount of exercising. I’m also trying to eat a bit healthier, though I do still indulge in a treat once a day. I had a minor migraine (ironically after the stress of moving passed), but other than that, I’m staying positive and feeling pretty well. Fingers crossed it continues!

And that about does it for my August so far. I have strong hopes that I will have much more exciting news over the next few months, so stay tuned!

For more updates, sneak peaks at The Cogsmith’s Daughter as I revise it, and to be considered as a beta reader for book two, you can sign up for my newsletter HERE.

---

How are your new year’s resolutions going? Have you been keeping up with your own writing goals? Share your progress and/or commiserate as needed!