This one is going to be especially long since it’s all my updates since Oct. 24. (Silly Ketchup posts taking over a Saturday Update.) But I hope you enjoy all the exciting news!
What I’m Writing:
I didn’t get much writing accomplished the past two weeks. I was a nervous wreck after submitting my manuscript to Clean Teen Publishing, so reading and writing was basically impossible. (As I’ve stated before, publishing has a strange effect on me.) I bought a puzzle book to distract myself with, but dun dun dun…the publishing results are below.
What I’m Publishing:
If you’re a part of the Clean Teen Publishing Street Team, then you were the first to know! Read the announcement here (and join the street team, because they are awesome), but November Snow is happening. Clean Teen Publishing enjoyed the story and signed me on, so the future is coming. I sent off my contract yesterday. I’ll have additional news soon, so keep your eye out every Saturday for what’s going on and where we’re at in the publishing process. I’ll tell you this though: What they have planned is awesome. Since it’s releasing in the future, I’m still using it as my #1lineWed manuscript, and this past week’s theme was “cold,” so here’s a preview from November Snow: Her voice was as warm as the summer wind, but her stare reminded me of how cold it was outside.
What I’m Reading:
Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini: I started it this week, and boy, is this book bizarre. I feel like it’s been the week of bizarre books. It is not what I was expecting at all. (Not a bad thing.) So far, it’s very much like a scene from a video game where you’re fighting your shadow self.
Sailor Moon, V. 6: It’s no secret that Sailor Moon is favorite manga and anime. I read it all the time, and I officially own the new set…since I went a little crazy at the bookstore this week and bought 5-12 at once. Couldn’t help myself. I decided to reread volume 6 since Sailor Moon Crystal is returning, and this is the volume they’ll start off with. It starts the Infinity Arc, which introduces Sailor Uranus (my fav.) and Sailor Neptune. You can read my entire review here. Spoiler Alert: I gave it five stars. 😉
Sailor Moon, V. 7: I couldn’t stop myself. I had to read the next volume too, mainly because it’s been WAY too long since I last read this particular arc. (I have a bad habit of skipping this one, even though it’s a fan favorite. Don’t get me wrong. I still love this one.) You can read my entire review here. I gave it four stars.
A History of Glitter and Blood by Hannah Moskowitz: I finished it this week, and boy, was that book insane. It’s a complicated, chaotic exploration of racism, loss, and youth during the terrors of war. Not for the lighthearted. (A lot of cursing, prostitution, and cannibalism.) And it’s written in a very strange, unique way—often breaking the fourth wall and inserting photos in-between. I gave it three stars, and you can read my full review here.
What I’m Listening To:
Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know Podcast: I love them. I love their YouTube Channel, which is where I originally found them, and then, I was introduced to the podcast, where they expand on the videos on their channel in-depth. Pretty neat!
What I’m Watching:
American Horror Story! Finally! A local theatre here in town has the rights to show it, so I have been able to watch it again. I also caught up on Are You The One? (Don’t judge me…but I love that show. I normally hate reality TV, but, but, but…I just can’t help myself there.) The only other reality show I’ve followed before is King of the Nerds, and I just found out that season four was canceled, so boo.
Bridge of Spies: The new Tom Hanks’ movie is a must-see. It’s a fantastic true story, a tearjerker, and just brilliant. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy war movies that take place off the battlefield, even though this was very much the battlefield for The Cold War. Another war movie I went to see was Sicario. I like Emily Blunt, but not so much her character in this film. There were some great one-liners, and one or two characters I really enjoyed, but the overall rhythm of the story didn’t work for me. If it came between the two, I’d definitely say go see Bridge of Spies.
As you’re about to see…I go to the movies a lot. The latest one I saw was Our Brand is Crisis, the new Sandra Bullock movie about an election in Bolivia. It’s rated R, but I’m not sure why. I didn’t think there was anything R-worthy in there, but the movie was great. Sandra is a goddess. I wish I could say more, but I’d probably spoil it. A Bridge of Spies was still my favorite of the ones I’ve seen recently.
Documentary wise, I watched Love & Terror on the Howling Plains of Nowhere, which is about an author who wrote a book over the disappearance of Steven Haataja, a brilliant math professor who moves to a small town only to end up burned to death and tied to a tree. The mystery is how and why.
What I’m Baking, Making, and Drinking:
I carved a pumpkin into a moon (Maybe I was on too big of a Sailor Moon kick this week), and because of this carved pumpkin, I roasted a bunch of pumpkin seeds…which ended up being a giant FAIL. Anyway, our groundhog ate our pumpkin. But I made up for it later. I made cocoa cookies with white chocolate chips. NOM. They were, by far, the best cookies to pair with black coffee. I also made Apple Pie Sangria (both a white and a red one), which were awesome, and chicken fajitas in the slow cooker (also awesome). I made beef stroganoff recently too. On Halloween, I didn’t get to do much (boo, work), but I did manage to make myself a rootbeer float, and who doesn’t love a rootbeer float? My favorite drink to make, however, was the Eiskaaffee, a coffee drink that includes ice cream, whipped cream, coffee, and cocoa.
What I’m Wearing:
Cat-themed knee socks. They are awesome.
What I’m Wanting:
I missed out on Halloween costumes for my cats. (I know. I know. I’m cruel.) So, I really want elf costumes for them so I can celebrate SOMETHING this year. I worked on Halloween, so boooooo.
What I’m Dreaming Of:
Two little monkeys were in my window, and it was adorable. Then, I opened the door, and these GIANT baboons came running into the house. One even tried to eat my cat Kiki. I kept running around the house, trying to get them to leave, but everything I tried failed, and they destroyed EVERYTHING. I even rode on a baboon’s back at one point. It was wild.
All my other dreams were too bizarre to explain in a reasonable manner.
What Else Is Going On:
I kind of went a bit crazy while waiting to hear back from my publisher about November Snow. I couldn’t really write or read. (Publishing has a strange effect on me.) So, I went out and bought a variety puzzle book…and obsessively did meaningless puzzles for two weeks straight. I wish I was kidding.
~SAT
Announcement time! Other than November Snow being signed on, Minutes Before Sunset was nominated for the Cybils Award in Young Adult Speculative Fiction. Yeppee! Thanks for staying Dark and sharing the Dark with others.
During my next newsletter, you might be receiving a Black Friday Sale for The Timely Death Trilogy, so be sure to sign up here, but if you just can’t wait…
Minutes Before Sunset: book 1
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Goodreads
Seconds Before Sunrise: book 2
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Goodreads
Death Before Daylight: book 3
Shannon A. Thompson 
Congrats on the contract!
Thank you, Allie!
~SAT