Two months in, and 2018 is already starting to irritate me.
I mean, I guess there’s something to that old adage about time starting to fly right by, the older you get. I blinked, and we’re already at March? The hell is that about? I’m afraid of hitting the snooze button tomorrow morning and waking up in August, or some shit.
Anyway……
Yep, there was some writerly shenanigans afoot at Ward Manor during February. As with January, I’ve continued to spend a good bit of my waking hours writing for the day job, but there was still time to push ahead on a couple of fronts.
“But, Dayton,” I can hear someone saying, “can you finally announce anything?”
Yeah. No.
Check out the rundown for February:
Drastic Measures – You were warned, and indeed my Star Trek: Discovery novel was published on February 6th. It’s presently available in trade paperback, e-Book, and audiobook formats. I’ve given several interviews over the past few weeks, and so far response to the book is largely on the positive side. It was definitely a fun yet challenging book to write, and I’m happy folks are digging it.
Unidentified Tie-In Project – I delivered the manuscript for this on February 21st, and I’ve already received editor’s notes. I’ll be taking care of those over the coming weekend with an eye toward getting a revised doc back to my editor early next week. At present, this is slated for publication early in 2019. This one’s been a lot of fun, so far. Here’s hoping I can talk about it soon.
Another Unidentified Tie-In Project – For a new client. I’m calling it a “tie-in” not because it’s based on an existing media property, but because it’s a concept they’ve developed and pitched to me to help them flesh out and act as a “lead writer.” I sent an outline along with the first three installments of the actual story to its editor back on February 12th, and I’m presently awaiting feedback and direction on how to proceed. More details soon!
And Another Unidentified Tie-In Project – After having my manuscript for this approved back in early August, I’ve been waiting patiently as the graphic design/art portions of the project are developed. I saw a rough layout of the entire book in December and a check-in with my editor a couple of weeks ago tells me that we’re getting oh so close to approvals from the licensor and (hopefully!) an announcement of some sort. At last report, this one was scheduled to be published in June, along with….
What’s This? Yes, Another Unidentified Tie-In Project – The manuscript for this one was approved in early October, and I also saw its rough layout back in December. As with its companion, I’m currently awaiting further instructions along with info on the cover, packaging and so forth. It’s also slated for publication in June.
Other stuff in the pipeline:
Hey! It’s Another Unidentified Tie-In Project – After spending a week back in October at the IP owner’s headquarters, during which I and other writers brainstormed story ideas with the property’s creative team, the first outline has been readied by its author and is being reviewed. As I’ve mentioned before, this is a new client and new IP for me, and I’m excited not just by working with this property but also with the creative team that’s been put together. Due to other stuff, I’ve not yet had the chance to really dive into my outline, and the new paradigm will take some time for me to reacquire that balance between day work and writing, but I’ll get there.
Still Another Unidentified Tie-In Project – After submitting a revised outline to my editor last August, I’ve been in limbo since then while we await a response from the licensor. No worries…I mean, it’s like I’m drowning in free time or anything, but I’d really like to get on with this one. Here’s hoping.
Possible future projects:
Original SF novel concept – Something I’d started a while back, refreshed some older notes and added some new ones. This one’s been on the back burner for a while, because…well…look up at all that other stuff. I’ve been giving this one some thought lately, as it’s the sort of thing I can scribble about during lunch breaks and such at work. I’d like to get it to a point that I feel comfortable approaching at least one editor with it. I guess we’ll see.
Original e-Book concept – I’ve been pondering an idea for a new series – something akin to the “men’s adventure” style books I loved back in the 80s and 90s. It would be a setting for which I could write shorter tales – novellas, likely – for e-Book distribution. It would be something of an SF-ish/action bent, with (I hope) lots of humor. Not quite campy, but definitely lighter in tone. This is still very rough at the moment, but it’s something I’d really like to get into once I get some free time (HAH! HAH AGAIN!).
Aloha, March. Let’s do this.
The Fog of Ward. 