False starts, slow starts, jumpstarts, and kickstarts

Every once in a while, there’s a social media trend that goes around that I enjoy. The most recent one I saw on Instagram, and it’s about an author’s writing/publishing journey. I love seeing everyone’s path, and it made me think about my own. Here’s what I shared on Instagram the other day.

This only includes the finished stuff, and it doesn't include my shorts: The Tree Monster of Dunmore Falls, and Holiday Hellcat, both folktales set in the world of Heartwood Hollow.

There were a few false starts. Chasing Hope is one of them, and it wasn’t the first. It was just the first that I finished. Is it truly shelved? I really love those characters, but it would take a lot for me to go back to them (and by a lot, I mean finishing all of the other books on my plate and then some).

My other false start at writing was My Alien Summer, though I got further along in those. There's a third book in the series that's maybe 30k words long and isn’t done, so I’m not sure if it will ever see Vella, nor am I sure if those books will ever be physically published. Although the romance is on par with what you see in my cozy books, the genre (at least the writing of it) isn’t for me. But hey, you can gain valuable insight by false starts, and that was certainly worth learning for me.

If you look at the list, Love on the Road was written between Potluck and Powers, and Sweets and Santa. Talk about a slow start with this one. About half of it is on Vella, and I started publishing episodes of it again just this week. I’ll continue to do so as I edit it. It’s my do something productive if the words aren’t coming to me on other things project. And next year it will be time to bring that book physically to life. You won’t hear me talk about this book much, not on here, anyway, but it will be out there if you like romance that’s on the level of what you see in my cozies.

Unfinished in my Fiddlefern Fjord universe is Teacups and Typtology, book 6 of the Mixing Up Magic series, coming sometime in 2024 once I finish it. There's a spinoff to the series featuring Joanie's cousin that's 19k long so far. It's back burnered until after T&T is done. That book has had a few false starts in itself, most recently at the start of this year, when the idea for Foster Familiar took over. And I’m so glad it did as I love that book. Have you read it yet? Grab it on Prolific Works if you haven’t (and from there load onto your reading device/app) by clicking the image below.

Also unfinished are the next Purrfect Travel Companion book (#2), which is 5k words long so far. I also have the start to a prequel featuring Nora from Foster Familiar, that crosses over with both Joanie and Meredith, that's about 2k long.

One thing that is coming soon is Catastrophe in the Kitchen, Purrfect Travel Companion book 1. It’s back from the editor!! I’m working through the edits now, and then I’ll be able to format it and get it ready for its special Kickstarter project, which I’m happy to tell you more about now.

I really wanted to do something fun with this book, and I’ve decided to combine both books together with tête-bêche binding, sometimes known as flippy-floppy books. As a result, the book has no back cover and instead has two front covers. Start with one, get to the end, then flip the book over and start the second book! With these two, you can pick which book you want to start with first, as there's no wrong way to enjoy these stories. Although one is a prequel, you don't need to read it first to enjoy Book 1.

This format will never be available on retail sites. Why? They don't allow for flippy-floppy books as they lack a barcode on the back. Kickstarter does, which is why I'm bringing this project here to you first. That means by backing the campaign, you’ll get Catastrophe in the Kitchen before it hits retailers, no matter whether you’re getting it in ebook or this special edition paperback.

In addition to the unique binding, the Kickstarter version of the book will have unique interior formatting and bonus scenes. I’m currently working on a chapter from Trubbs’s point of view. So much fun!

And if you’re wondering, yes, traditional style paperbacks will also be a part of this campaign (with the bonus scenes), and you’ll get those before the retail versions as well.

I’m currently developing some book related swag to go along with these books. What sort of swag do you like? Let me know!

Also, do you have questions about Kickstarter? Feel free to ask by leaving a comment on this post, which will allow others to see your question and read my answer. Just click the button below.

This is also where you can tell me about swag you enjoy. Let’s get a conversation going!

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Looking for another project to follow? My friend R.A. Muth has recently prelaunched her upcoming campaign, and oh my goodness. I LOVE this cover and can’t wait to read the book. Click on the image below to head to Kickstarter to follow the campaign.

Remember that clicking “notify me on launch” is free for you and is not a commitment to back the campaign, only an agreement that Kickstarter can email you when the campaign is live.

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On Halloween, you'll also be able to find me in the Midnight in the Garden Reader Group, where I'll be chatting about my books along with several other awesome authors chatting about theirs. Come check it out by clicking on the image above or the button below.

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That’s all for me for now. Until next time (when I’ll share some peeks of what I have going on for my campaign), stay cozy.

Rosie

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