The Pixelvania Publishing Proclamation o’ Progress is a semiannual post detailing what’s going on around here, and what might show up in the future. It also includes reviews of shows, books, games, products, etc. you may also like. It’s only posted twice a year so as not to clog up your valuable, beautiful brain space.
Cute kitty photo at the end.
Recap
Here’s what’s been published since the last post:
- Chrystine’s Sleep Solution, an eerie midlength horror story inspired by ASMR videos and sleep ambience apps.
- Bad Tidings from Queen Sophie became my first short story sale…but instead of being printed in a magazine or posted blog, it got made into an AUDIO DRAMA over at the NoSleep Podcast! Way cool! Queen Sophie is a (kinda funny) horror story featuring a kitty “talking” with buttons, a la Billi the cat or Bunny the dog.
Listen to my new kitty horror story FREE on the NoSleep Podcast!
My story starts around 25 minutes.
Prefer to read it? Jump on my new releases newsletter if you wanna be notified when it comes out in ebook and paperback!
Sign up and I’ll email you when QUEEN SOPHIE is released in written form.
Coming Soon
The Accuser
A Christian horror story. A Christian horror story?! Well, yeah, and it has a cat, too. I was reluctant to write it, but the story wouldn’t leave me alone. This one’s currently making the rounds at the magazines.
Bona Ossuaria
A short story about a home reno gone terrifyingly wrong. Once it’s done, I’m submitting it to a certain horror anthology. Cross your fingers it gets in!
Currently in Production
The Guests of Crooked Neck
(AKA the sequel to Steel City, Veiled Kingdom.) The Prisoner of Azkaban-sized manuscript is finished and being looked over by a friendly reader.
While she’s working on that, I’m illustrating the cover and some bonus images…because (with your help) I plan on funding the copyediting (typo check) and print interior via KICKSTARTER! This way I can give you a little more for your money AND support two other indie publishing friends! Join my newsletter to be notified of the Kickstarter launch!
Sign up and I’ll email you when the CROOKED NECK Kickstarter launches!
Future Plans (AKA Plotting and Scheming)
I just reread Fashion Frenchies book 1 in preparation for writing the second Fashion Frenchies book, Salute a Pooch! Afterwards, I’ll probably pop on back to the nosferatu novel(s).
While all this is going on, I have a backlog of production tasks I’d like to finish. Getting my final two backlist books into paperback is one of them—The Purrfect Christmas’ illustrated paperback stalled out, along with releasing Love Potion Commotion! in paperback with a new cover.
Recommended Reads, Watches, Plays, and Products
Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil
(series, Hulu or Disney+) This show is ALL BOY and it is HILARIOUS. I wasn’t sure of it initially—there are a lot of butt and fart jokes (my husband says it has just the right amount of butt and fart jokes)—but the main character talks like Christian Bale’s Batman and I am absolutely cheering for the friendship between main character Kick and his best friend Gunther. It’s a really great GUY friendship (and very funny).
Kick Buttowski is a FANTASTIC character. He’s ALL boy (Wants to do stunts! Doesn’t care about school!) AND a good kid (is there for his friends! Wants to do right by his family!). And he NEVER GIVES UP.
There’s next-to-nil high fantasy in this show (by which I mean, there’s no magic or unicorns or elf quests or that kind of thing—though there are Vikings, BWAR!). The adventures take place mostly in the neighborhood or at school. That strong setting, along with the great cast of kid characters, means Kick reminds me of grounded neighborhood-kid comedies like Pepper Anne, Fillmore!, or Recess, but with a post-Internet sensibility.
Older brother Brad’s voice actor is a hidden gem, giving 10,000% percent and you really need to watch it to appreciate the energy he gives to his performance (Yeah, Brad!)
Also: the theme song sounds like an AC/DC track.
Dude, just go watch it. It’s only two seasons, but it covers a lot of great ground with the characters.
5/5 Pixels Snackies.
Wordle
I hear this word game is taking the world by storm. I don’t know, I just heard about it from Penny Arcade.
Think Hangman meets Mastermind.
Only one puzzle a day.
Only six tries per puzzle.
I love it.
https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/
6/5 Pixel Snackies.
Made in Chinatown
(Amazon Prime Video) A movie about a Chinese guy who wants to become a member of the mafia to win the love of a girl. Big budget? No, but it got big laughs from me and my hubby! And it’s got a sincere heart…It’s got a good message without ramming it down your throat, if you know what I mean.
3/5 Pixel Snackies.
Nissin Hot and Spicy Soups
(Your local grocery store?) A delightful upgrade from regular ol’ cup o’ ramen. But DON’T use all the spice packet! Squeeze a tiny, sub-pea-sized blob…stir…then carefully taste!! Otherwise your lips could go numb.
We’ve tried chicken, beef, and shrimp flavors…They’re all good, but be aware the shrimp has a bit of shrimpy sweetness and is best hot.
4/5 Pixel Snackies
Ocean Spray Cran-Pineapple Juice
I’ve fallen in love with this sweet treat. It’s delectable and clean-tasting, not cloying like straight pineapple juice can be. And one cup gives you 100% of your vitamin C, so that’s an excellent excuse to drink some every day.
If you’ve read Steel City, Veiled Kingdom, you know squarglings love their “jubal fruit.” Well, I’ve decided it tastes like this juice. So if you were ever wondering what that particular fictional fruit tastes like, grab this drink!
5/5 Pixel Snackies
Our Mascot, Pixel J. Cat
This year, at age 15, he finally decided he likes the sofa. Now he’s stolen my seat. And my teal blankie. And my heart. ❤️
Infinity/5 Pixel Snackies.