June 2025 Newsletter
At least it’s on time this month, folks. So, what’ve I been working on for the past 20 days? Mainly editing. I’m working on chapter 11 with my editor. There are a total of 22 chapters, including the prologue and epilogue. We’re also working the appendices and including a (apparently much needed) pronunciation guide for the character index. Here’s some flimsy proof that I was actually editing:
pretend author performing actual editing
So here’s the good news. The book 2 cover art is nearly, nearly there. Here’s Dale’s progress:
So, the bad news is that the coloring needs some work (i.e. goblins in this setting are blue, not green, etc.) and there’s a building to draw. But it’s coming along nicely.
With that, though, and some other staffing challenges, book 2 is not going to make it to O-CON (Omaha Convention) in mid-July. I will go with my copies of book 1, a poster, and ‘coming soon: Unseen Wrath, Book 2 of the War of the Mountains series’ type of sign or verbal message.
The silver lining is that the pressure is off to get book 2 done in a super hurry. I have a little bit of breathing space for the cover art, one of the illustrations that I’ve outsourced, two illustrations that I have to finish, editing, formatting, etc. I may be signing myself up for another illustration or something like that, if you read below on the voting.
That’s the news. Now, I have a couple questions for you folks. Please reply back to the email, email me at morgan.springglace@gmail.com, comment on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, something, or otherwise let me know about your opinion on the following two questions:
1) Which chapter opening style do you prefer?
2) In the process editing chapter 11, my editor made some comments about the how the nomenclature of the parts of a sword and stances would be too much jargon (i.e. the strong of the blade, the crossguard, the middle guard stance, etc.). So, what do you think?
A) keep it as is. The readers will figure it out.
B) simplify/clarify the nomenclature and be descriptive with the stance the character is taking, rather than naming the stance.
C) Include simple diagrams that explain the parts of the sword and some of the stances.
D) Combo/Other?
But, aside from that, I’ve had a couple of significant (for me) home improvement projects. First is a table that I built from April 23rd until May 28th. Moved it upstairs and bolted the legs in place on May 30th. Here’s the road to it and the final product.
A metamorphisis
the chrysalis hatches (don’t mind the slime stains on the rug; reflooring plans are in the future)
The other thing that’s been keeping me busy on and off since November, besides editing, illustrating, etc. is renovating a room into a ‘library.’ A few months ago, someone commented to me about my youtube shorts that I needed a ‘author-looking’ place from which to record them. I don’t have it fully, completely done, so I won’t give you the full montage, but I’ll give you the before and current:
So, a little bit more work. Gonna use throw rugs for the floor for the foreseeable future. Going to frame the window and finish painting the outlets/vents. Besides that, it’s furnishing and decorating.
Conventions! Kinda weird to be doing this. So, spoiler, for anyone that is thinking of getting into writing or any other kind of creative endeavor. You know that Rommel saying of ‘amateurs study tactics, masters study logistics’? Well… it’s pretty broadly applicable. Not that I claim to be a master of anything, but there is a lot, lot, LOT of other work that goes into making the writing viable, if you ever hope to have anyone broadly read your story. I began this endeavor with a story that I wanted to tell you. Along the way, I find myself having to get onto Instagram, make a website, go to conventions, etc.
Anyways, conventions!
I’ll be heading to O-CON (Omaha Convention), July 12th-14th, in Council Bluff, IA (across the Missouri River from Omaha).
I’ve applied to Enchanticon, August 15th-17th, St. Louis, MO.
And Planet Anime Kansas City, November 21st-23rd, Kansas City, MO.
You’ll notice a Midwest flavor to all of this (spoiler: it’s because I live in the Midwest).
Song/music of the month:
The soundtrack to the 1993 PC game, The Legend of Kyrandia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymTioBu2_Hk&t=1199s)
The full album of the Awakening, by Robert Parker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U7M1ZKW0gg&list=PLT3ccL9Gu5yooffenI2QQxyCvkuhmMzJR)
Stay classy, folks.
fin
