A new erotic horror romance is on the horizon

And it's way worse that Ugly Like Me.

Hey y’all! If it’s fall yet, I wouldn’t really know; it’s still hotter than Satan’s taint in San Antonio, and it’s got me missing the old place just a wee bit. If anyone wants to know what it’s like doing a corn maze on a 90° day with clear skies, I assure you, you do not. (And yes, all I could think about was Santana Knox’s No Way Out the whole time, even if I was sweating absolute balls lmao)

Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash

Yup, I made it back home to Texas! The move was relatively uneventful, thankfully – just really long and exhausting. I’m tired of moving lol.

Project updates

Like I mentioned in one of my previous newlsetters, writing has been on hold due to the big move. Instead, seeing as what was supposed to be a quickie novella has turned into a monster of a real romance novel, I’ve focused on completing character sheets for my current WIP to hammer out everyone’s backstories. Working on character sheets has allowed me to go into draft 2 with everything I need to know to complete the project. They brought out a lot of details and scenes that need to be added, so now I’m working on an updated outline.

Oh, you’re waiting for the “but”? It’s like you know me. Or the subject line for this newsletter is hint enough.

I’ll be straight with y’all: I really want to have a new release on my birthday this year. But at the rate this current project is going, it’s not gonna happen. I don’t feel confident in writing another 50k words, having the entire thing edited, proofread, cover designed, etc. by January. And I’m really glad I decided to take that pressure off my shoulders because a family emergency happened this week, so this newsletter almost didn’t happen.

After bitching this whole year about not being able to write a quick story, a novella… welp, somebody’s finally doing the damn thing!

I’ve dared myself to let loose, figure out a quick(ish) outline, and write an erotic horror novella in two weeks – just like I did for Ugly Like Me. (I don’t remember if it was written in exactly two weeks, but it was two-ish and happened hella quick after spending a month figuring out the outline.) The outline has changed a little since I first started working on it and now I feel like I can call it an erotic horror romance, but one thing hasn’t changed: this story is so fucked up.

I know most of you have read Ugly Like Me and thought it was pretty fucked. Let me assure you: this upcoming novella is so, so much worse. Seriously, I don’t think even half of you will read it due to the triggers, and that’s a generous guesstimate. This isn’t to be “edgy” and generate hype; I truly don’t think most of you will be able to stomach this story. I’m having a lot of fun with it though 😈

The outline is complete, and drafting begins next week, so I am planning on announcing more about it in the next newsletter.

Talking about it now, I’m kind of laughing at myself at the total dichotomy between my two current WIPs. I think I really oughta reconsider a second pen name ‘cause wtf!

What do you think is in the new novella? Reply or leave a comment with your guesses!

Six months without Booktok & Bookstagram

It’s been half a year since I’ve logged off social media, so I thought I’d offer some thoughts on it.

The short of it is: I highly recommend everyone do it. Log off. Stay off. Take a deep breath. Touch grass. It’s been so freeing to not be burned by the constant dumpster fire that is social media. Not having to think of the current or next big piece of drama because it’s none of my business and I don’t belong in it has been amazing.

I have to admit though: it’s crossed my mind to get back onto Instagram and TikTok. Not necessarily to restart posting at full speed, but to be able to scroll and see what’s going on, DM folks, be more in touch with the bookish community. Because I’ve gotta be honest: logging off has been completely isolating. Unless I already had someone’s phone number or email and spoken to them via that method, I no longer hear from anybody.

I guess that is what I wanted, in the end: a clearer differentiation between real relationships and pararelationships. But damn… for someone who’s made at least half of their friendships online and communicates better that way, it really sucks.

At the end of the day, though, I’m not returning to Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. Seeing my books being used to feed Meta’s AI without my permission was the nail in the coffin. Seeing that stupid push notification from TikTok “thanking” the president for delaying the ban in the US was another nail. It’s gross, and I refuse to kneel at the feet of tyrants.

While it sucks to not be connected anymore, I think my life is a lot better off without it. I’m a lot happier, and I’m writing again.

What I’m currently into

Calva Louise is one of my more recent faves, and they released a new banger of an album this summer. I have the entire Edge of the Abyss album on repeat, but “El Umbral” might be my absolute favorite. If you have the time and like their genre-bending sound, I encourage you to dig into their music video catalog and watch in order. Their vocalist creates their videos, carries a connecting narrative throughout many of them, and the visuals are completely insane for someone only a few years self-taught.

Amorphis’s new album Borderland dropped at the end of September and obviously I have to mention it. Amorphis uses a songwriter who bases lyrics on the Kalevala, a Finnish epic, and given the content and album art, I think I can safely assume this album is about the border along the Tuonela River separating the living and the dead. (Forgive me, I don’t know dick from shit about Finnish folklore/mythology.)

Also, My Ticket Home dropped another banger. I’m frothing at the mouth for their album to arrive. If you haven’t listened to them at all, I demand you go listen to their album Strangers Only immediately. Top tier album, 100/10, absolutely no notes.

As far as books are concerned, I’m still not reading anything new. Rather, I’m focused on collecting favorites in hard copy and, frankly, collecting all media in physical form. The most recent additions to my physical library include All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert and the deluxe edition of Burning Daylight by Emily McIntire. If you’re able to score one of the deluxe editions of Burning Daylight, GET IT – it’s gorgeous, omg.

I also binged the fuck out of Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923. I enjoyed all of them a lot more than I thought (although I absolutely see what Yellowstone is so problematic, like… yikes). Now, I’ve started watching Monster: The Ed Gein Story – I legit thought Charlie Hunnam was only good at acting as an outlaw biker, but this show is proving me so wrong.

For your TBR

The doctor wants to control me.

I’m always searching for where I belong, but when I learn about my mother’s murder, I find my new purpose: justice.

Dr. Ambrose killed my mother, and I’m determined to kill him.

As I disguise myself as his newest patient, he shows me how much I love being objectified, degraded, and used. The more he trains me, the harder it is to remember why I entered the asylum in the first place.

I will get revenge, even if I crave Dr. Ambrose’s sensual torment.

Even if I lose my mind.

Author’s note: This is a horror novella with explicit scenes. An extended content list is located on the author’s website. Reader discretion is advised.

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That’s it for this month! If you’re looking for a quick spooky and spicy read for Halloween, Claiming the Witch Father is always a good read – or reread!

Stay fucked, abominations.