HELLO EVERYONE!! 

Long time, no hear from. Alot has happened since I started with Inkshares to publish my first novel, Beyond the Code. I got to have book signings at big bookstores like Chapters and Indigo, I have had several good reviews from professionals, I put myself out there in the writing world and now, I’m proud to say that Beyond the Code is now available on AUDIOBOOK!! Check it out through the link 

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Code-Kelsey-Rae-Barthel/dp/1947848097

It was a great experience and the narrator, Lisa Beacom, did an amazing job. She delivered an awesome performance that brought the characters to life and I couldn’t be happier. 

Check it out and spread the word!!! 

Kelsey Rae Barthel 

September! I managed to rewrite a chapter every day and finished this draft on September 5! It’s up to over 141,000 words and I think (hope) my main character is more interesting, my setting is more immersive, and my prose is more engaging.
I’m rereading the whole thing before I send it back to my awesome editor, though I keep telling people it’s kind of like when you say a word over and over and it starts to sound ridiculous. It’s hard to gain enough distance after going through it so many times to imagine what it’s like to read it for the first time. So far I’ve mostly been removing unneccesary dialogue tags and the word "just."
We’ve been busy at Writing Bloc editing our Deception anthology and creating several cool episodes of the podcast. Check them out! I’m in the one on crowdfunding. 
I hope you are all having a fantastic month so far. Let me know what you’re up to!  
Thank you for your support!

 August!

I’m still working on the latest rewrite but I’ve been able to get through a chapter a day by writing before the kids wake up and in the afternoon while they relax with a TV show. I got ten chapters edited/rewritten on the writing retreat Jared sent me on for Mother’s Day! You can read about that and my tips for planning your own DIY retreat on the Writing Bloc blog. I am hoping to finish this draft by September 8! 

Speaking of Writing Bloc, there’s a new podcast episode up-- this one is on world building and features hosts Christopher Lee and Jacqui Castle along with guest author Rachel Sparks. I’m on the next one, which is about crowdfunding and should be up soon!

Jacqui Castle is currently crowdfuning the sequel to her award winning speculative dystopian novel The Seclusion, which has won a bunch of awards, and is timely and important. If you’ve got $10, consider supporting it-- you get a free copy of the first book and it helps bring new relevant literature into the world.

What else are you reading right now? I’ve been devouring novels on immigrants’ experiences:
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue,
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala, and
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez are all fantastic. 
I think that even if you really want to be a good person, it can sometimes be hard not to let hateful rhetoric seep into your brain. Fiction is a powerful way to hold onto empathy and compassion.

Thank you for your support!

I’ve been told that ebooks will be released on July 23rd. Physical books will following in the ensuing weeks. The reason? Because there are just so many bloody copies of my book that the printer needs more time. Thank you for making that the case. Thank you for making this box on my living room floor a possibility.

Thank you for everything.