Questless and querying

author life recap - January '25

📬January was a ‘how the sausage gets made’ sort of month. I got into this job because I love writing. Apparently, though, I have to also sell books? In pursuit of this ridiculous expectation, I wrote virtually no fiction this month but just so many emails and DMs offering advanced review copies (ARCs) to reviewers. Questing is so 2024. Querying is my life now.

⚡Servant of Rage launches March 11, and this is my first time leaning hard into ARCs as a promotional tool. I have stuffed more bubble mailers this month than ever in my life. But it’s been so cool to see folks excited about them! Each packet contains a signed, alternate cover ARC, themed bookmark, sticker, totally-not-plot-relevant wooden token, and a note from me.

🎁Want one of these packets? I’ll be hosting giveaways on Goodreads and my social media channels next week. Keep an eye out!

🕵️My favorite item in the ARC packet are these laser-engraved wooden tokens. They’re straight out of the story itself and why are they relevant? Idk, you’ll just have to read the book. =P

🛠️I also spent a significant part of January formatting Wriggly Little Hands. This is the closest to visual art I get in my job and I always enjoy it in a craftsy sort of way. I mean, who wouldn’t get excited about deciding gutter width, text spacing, and the presentation order of the book’s back matter?!

🚧Once the book’s formatted (for ebook, print, and any special editions), there’s always a back and forth proofing process to ensure everything’s juuuusttt right. Then eventually we have a finished book file—usually named something like: finalproof-final-v2-forrealthistime-FINAL.epub.

💚Anyway, here’s page one of Wriggly Little Hands formatted for paperback.

📦And even more fun than formatting is the day the first print proof arrives!

☃️January wasn’t all work, though. Lest Jack become a dull boy, there was also some time for fun with…

❄️🌴Snow in Houston!

🪩A road trip to San Antonio, where Erin competed in the Texas Women’s State Pinball Championships!

🗽A long-awaited trip to NYC!

Where we did more than have incredibly greasy (and delicious) pizza, we also had the pleasure of joining ~20,000 other fans in completely packing Madison Square Garden to watch our favorite comedians play D&D!

Annnnnd that was January. Enchanting, exhausting, exhilarating! Though, next month, I’d very much like to spend some time writing. The typewriter is calling!

Welcome to the new year, y’all.

- Alex