Well, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it?
Last March we expected to be done with our next book and when we got there, we realized we needed a little bit longer. And here it is, March again and well, we need a little bit longer. Though, there’s been somewhat of a change to the original plan. When we set out in 2021 to write our next book, we thought it would be just that: our next book. But as we got going, and just kept on writing, we realized that before long we were on to our second book, and now it seems like we’re finishing up the third. Granted, that’s a lot of books for not having one published yet but you get the idea—that we’re not very good at finishing books.
In 2022 we had about 150,000 words. Today, we’re sitting somewhere over 400,000. There’s an extra 2 in there somewhere, but we’re trying to be modest. So, it seems like three books, or perhaps it’s just one really, really long novella, or maybe a couple thousand short magazine stories. Who knows?
Speaking of questions, we know what you're thinking: "That's a lot of words." (We know that's not a question but we're committed now and can’t go back). And you're not wrong. Sure we may have gotten carried away, but our characters are having the time of their lives, and we're so excited to share their story with you. Besides, who doesn't love a good fantasy series? (Please love ours, we’ve spent so long on it.)
So, without further delay—since you’ve been waiting on the very edge of your seat—say hello to Ellen in Puzantium, Ellen and the Squidgy Bits in the Middle, and Ellen and the Farce of Prophecy. Catchy titles, aren’t they? We probably won’t keep them.
Of course, we're not quite there yet. We're still in the rough draft phase, but the end is in sight. Just a few more pages to fill and plot holes to dig, then it’s on to the next exciting phase: Editing. That oh-so-joyous time when we’ll undoubtedly question some (if not most) of the life choices we’ve made. Rest assured, though, we’ll finish the book…unless of course, we don’t.
In all honesty, though, it's worth it. This writing process has been a much-needed source of therapy for us during these crazy times, allowing us to jump into a world of our own creation and pour our creativity into something positive and fulfilling.
But it's not just about the writing. Ellen has been hard at work (the writer, not the character) creating some incredible illustrations for the series. She's even taken some classes to up her game. Who knew drawing snailfolk, snooterwagons, and schmetterlins would require so much technical finesse? We do hope you enjoy the sneak peek into our world we’ve included for you below.
If all goes according to plan (fingers crossed), we hope by next March we won’t have to make any more excuses. But, what is it exactly you’re waiting for or half-eyeballing with feigned interest because you’re related to us? Well, I think the best way to describe Ellen in Puzantium is as a Narnia-type tale, but where the kids aren’t British and nothing else is the same.
You can expect exceedingly helpful comments like that all throughout our book. If you’re interested, we have a few short stories already on our website. You can check them out in our This & That blog.
Oh, I’m sorry, I’m being told we should probably be more formal than that. Ahem. We invite you to take a look at some of the early chapters for Ellen in Puzantium—there, now you don’t have to go looking.
We also have a fantastically regular email list that we send out once a year if you’d like to join and be really up-to-date on all our super cool writing stuff. Honestly though, just check the blog every once and a while, you’re not missing anything.
Go ahead, click on them, you know you want to!
And hey, don't be shy about giving us feedback! We're always open to hearing your thoughts on our writing samples. And if you know anyone who might enjoy our work, please feel free to share it with them, we’d love to hear their complaints as well.
Lastly, but certainly not leastly, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to you—our readers, our friends, our moms, that one Dad who hasn’t read anything we’ve done yet—for your support and interest. Without you, none of this would be possible. So, from the bottom of our hearts, we wish you all the best and are glad you’re alive to read this.
Happy late Midwinter Not Dead Yet Still Living Festival (that’s something from our book!)
—CE Huntingdon
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