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June has sped by at an insane clip. It feels like Burden only just came out, but here we are almost two months since its release.
Now, as the weather heats up and summer begins to settle, I’ve not just been chilling out and relaxing because Burden is available. I mean, yeah, there’s been some (extended) downtime, sure, but there’s also marketing to be done and books to sell. More on that—and the little challenge I’ve set myself—below.
I’ve now been through the post-release slump that comes after a new release: the excitement, the anticipation, the release, and then…WHAM! Back to real life, and the *thing* is just…there now.
It can be a hard adjustment, especially if sales are slow and/or sluggish. This is now my third time around with a book release, and I share some insight into the complicated, mixed emotions I’ve experienced each time later on in this issue.
Let’s get stuck in, shall we? |
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Basking in the Afterglow
Burden came out on 6th May. It was a labour of love that took years to finish. That’s how a lot of books come to life. They aren’t fully formed out the box. And, assuming the writer is decent and cares about their stories, there are often months and/or years of tweaks, changes, work, and behind-the-scenes action nobody knows about—unless you happen to follow an author’s newsletter who shares such things, of course.
Now, I’m what’s known as a “slow writer”.
It takes me a while to complete each stage of a manuscript’s journey, and I like to let things rest so that when I return, I can be more critically honest with myself, not only in the writing but also in its story, characters, and structure.
I also enjoy basking in the afterglow of a release. Perhaps a bit too much…
Given how long it can take for one of my ideas to evolve from a collection of ideas to finding structure in a notebook to being written and rewritten multiple times before being professionally edited and finally released…yeah, it’s a long process that requires tenacity and perseverance.
So I do find it important to reflect on the journey and take time to celebrate the accomplishment. (Enjoying it guilt-free, well, that’s a different subject entirely.)
But that’s done now.
The glow has faded, real life has settled once more, Burden is out just like Steen and Temporary before it, and all things are as they ever were.
Except…
Except, I didn’t want to let too much time pass by this time…
Horses for Courses
Ripping the bandaid saw me jump back into a writing mindset, starting with taking a Facebook Marketing course.
I wrote about committing to marketing earlier this year in previous issues of The Recap, and this was a core step towards that.
And, yeah, I know it’s not ‘technically’ me in the chair writing, but it’s part of the bigger process. A necessary one at that. Just like plotting and planning. It’s all part of the plan.
Now, although a lot of what was covered in this course was, honestly, just common sense in how Meta’s ad system works, there were still a few tidbits and hints I’m hoping will help supercharge my adverts when I’m in a position to start running them. (Because taking the course and actioning it are, at this point, two very different things thanks to a couple of expensive real-life commitments. Boo, I know!)
I’m hoping to start running ads for Burden soon, if only to try help boost sales and earn a few more positive reviews. I ran a few successful campaigns for Steen, with great results for the demonic thriller, but one of the things I’ve learned over the course of my research is that campaigns work best for a series.
It turns out a lot of people are eager to sink their teeth into a series instead of one-off books and standalone stories, which is super great because—although I have future plans for the world and characters of Burden—my most recent book is for all intents and purposes, a standalone at this time, which makes marketing a tricky proposition.
I’m hoping Burden readers will be intrigued enough to check out my other offerings—though I know, as a multi-genre author, just because one of my books aligns with what someone might enjoy, it doesn’t guarantee the others will.
But, speaking of expanding a series…
An Evolutionary Challenge
Once I’d completed the course, I was ready to allow the dust to settle (remember my fondness for that afterglow?) before refocusing on writing. But looking at my calendar, I made an executive decision: don’t wait.
You see, my son breaks up for summer soon, and as his primary caregiver, this summer is my first true test to ensure he’s entertained, engaged, and occupied over the holidays.
Last year he was in nursery up to the wire before starting Reception. But now he’s in school, well…six weeks have never looked so long. So wish me luck. Please! And if you happen to be a parent and have advice on how to survive the summer with a five-year-old, don’t hesitate to email me back with tips and hints!
But, to bring it back on topic, all of that brought into stark focus the harsh fact that, if I just fucked around for the next few weeks, counting down until the holidays start, I wouldn’t be writing until September!
Quite frankly, I couldn’t have that.
So I had to rip the afterglow bandaid, refocus, and embrace the only real option given the time limit: Write Steve Write!
And so I set myself the challenge of redrafting the second Ultraverse novel, Evolution, before Austin’s school breaks up for summer.
Returning to this manuscript after some time (too long, really, given when I first started), and armed with notes from my beta readers, I’ve been in a great position to highlight the story’s strengths and weaknesses.
Some things needed refining and honing; others needed to be taken out or changed completely, but that’s what’s fun about this stage of writing. The whole thing is a puzzle. But overall, things have been going at a steady rate, and I’ve been pretty stoked with where Evolution is currently at.
Notes, feedback, and a willingness to tear apart your own work to embrace its flaws are an intrinsic part of the process—one needed to help make it as strong as possible.
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Welcome to Hawkins
June saw me head back into London Town with Thea to finally watch the Stranger Things play, The First Shadow.
I don’t get into London as much as I once did, so I was looking forward to visiting and checking out the Phoenix Theatre for the first time.
Now, I love London. Always have and always will, but…man, there were a few things I noticed that had drastically changed, and not all for the better, unfortunately.
But to the play itself, a show I’ve been wanting to see as a Stranger Things fan since it first debuted in 2023…
Yeah, it was all right.
Just all right.
The story felt very familiar and safe. Very…“done”, I suppose?
But the stage direction and creative use of multimedia in telling that story…man, that was awesome.
There were some captivating moments—though, it’s worth noting, there were no demogorgons in the version we watched. This, despite the amount of previous advertising showcasing a demogorgon being in the play.
That being said, there’s a new-ish Netflix documentary covering the creation and debut of The First Shadow. It’s well worth a watch if you’ve seen the play, or if you’re just interested in understanding what goes into creating a stage play for a major IP.
Hint: there’s a lot of drama. And not all if it is on the stage…
One of my main takeaways from the doc was how deep into the production process they were without a fully locked script. That’s honestly wild to me. Even more so when you consider that the version of The First Shadow I saw was so different to the one shown during its debut season.
I imagine, after a year and a half into its run at the time of writing, that they’re probably locked in now, but who knows…the version you potentially see in the future could be way different from what I just saw, though I doubt it.
I wrote a little bit more about my theatre day trip on Instagram, which you can check out here if you’re interested.
(Half) Guard Up
This month saw Roberto “Gordo” Correa visit the gym where I train and coach. It’s the first time I’ve met and learned from the man who helped truly popularise half guard.
Now, in case you weren’t aware, my gym is affiliated with two people, meaning we are connected and represent them: Gordo and Ben Poppleton. We had both men on the mats for the seminar itself, and it was great to be in attendance.
Granted, I didn’t have much of a chance to talk to either, but I did enjoy the seminar and managed to hone and steal a few of the finer details to moves I’m already familiar with. The devil is, after all, in those details, and if there are things I can take and add to my game that will make me more effective when rolling, I’m going to.
Importantly, that night also saw one of our higher-ranking coaches receive his black belt!
I knew he was going to get it for a few weeks as I was let into the inner circle, so I was stoked all night knowing he would be surprised with it come the end of the seminar.
Really happy for you, Sam. Well done! Truly well earned and deserved!
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The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes
I’m a huge horror fan and, over the past few years, have gradually been playing more and more horror video games.
I used to avoid them because, despite loving horror overall, I just couldn’t get comfortable with having to be in control of the character to force the story forward. It was always easier to watch it all unfold instead!
But, as mentioned, the past few years have changed that and I’ve been playing more and more horror—both with my Resi Bro, Jamie, and solo.
House of Ashes is made by Supermassive Games, the developer behind Until Dawn, which probably still remains its biggest hit to this day.
Although I enjoyed Until Dawn, I didn’t jump onto any of the Dark Pictures Anthology until recently, my favourite of the series probably being House of Ashes, released in 2021.
Here’s a synopsis from the Supermassive Games site:
“Iraq, 2003. In the shadow of the Zagros mountains a military unit comes under fire from Iraqi forces. The resulting firefight causes an earth tremor where both sides fall into the ruins of a buried Sumerian temple. With all communication severed, our protagonists are trapped in a terrifying underworld they must navigate to escape - unaware that something ancient and evil has awakened in the shadows and has found a new prey to hunt.
Horrific discoveries and impossible decisions now face the survivors as they strive to escape the terrifying threat they awakened. Will they each prioritize their own survival, or put aside their fears and personal rivalries to fight together as one against these underworld monsters?”
House of Ashes is more of an immersive experience than a traditional video game, but with that comes an amazingly cinematic story, refined character choice, and narrative consequences.
Playing these games is the modern-day equivalent of a Choose Your Own Adventure book, just with permadeath results if you make a mistake or wrong decision. These choices create unique paths and story threads that, in theory, allow each playthrough to be different from the last.
The thematic exploration in this game is on point, especially when contextualising its time period, helping to elevate it over some of the other titles in the anthology. Even if some of it is kinda on the nose, it doesn’t stop the themes from resonating.
It also helps that the overall technical execution of House of Ashes is phenomenal. Even now, years after release, the game looks stunning.
The game isn’t perfect, but what it does do, and how the story develops with its twists, turns, and reveals, made the experience a captivating and enjoyable one.
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In case you haven't picked up your copy of Burden yet, you can do so right now as an eBook or paperback! Or, if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you can check it out via KU!
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UNTIL NEXT TIME
Be sure to recommend my books and The Recap, follow me on the socials, and remember you can also support me with a cup of coffee on Ko-Fi!
Take care and all the best. |
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