Hello dear readers!

I come to you with a humble request. My horror novel, A God in the Shed, has the honour of being a semi-finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards 2017. This is a big deal. What would make it an even bigger deal is making it to the next round as a finalist. A huge deal. Gargantuan really.

All I as of you, is a few clicks.

First, click here to get to the voting page. Then, while logged into Goodreads, click on the red VOTE button under A God in the Shed.

There you go. With that simple gesture, you participate in what can be a huge step in my writing career and that makes you awesome. Hurry! You only have up to November 12, 2017 to vote!

Thanks for the support!

You’re the best.

JF

Happy Halloween!

Another month has come and gone, and it’s time for another reader update. The Walls are Closing In is still voyaging through the production process. The entire first round of rewrites is wrapped up and has been submitted to my editor.

Portions of my precious story were difficult to part with, and some rewrites flowed easier than others. But, out of the ashes of my murdered darling came a stronger, more piercing novel that I am incredibly happy with and eager to share with all of you.

Matt has already marked up Act 1 (of 3) for round 2 of the developmental edit, and I have completed those changes as well. I am now waiting for him to return Acts 2 and 3 with notes. It will likely be about two weeks before he gets those back to me. So, in the meantime, I am going to dive into National Novel Writing Month.

Every November, authors around the globe strive to write 50,000 words of the first draft of a novel within the month of November, and I have jumped on board.

Someone stop me, please.

The rewrites of The Walls are Closing In will take priority whenever it is in my hands, but when the manuscript is with Matt, I am going to strive to meet the quota (1,667 words per day).

During this time, I’ll likely resemble the undead roaming the streets this all hallows’ eve, and will accept all offers of free caffeine and chocolate.

Until next time,

Jacqui

Hallelujah!

This day has come at last. The final hours of the Inkshares Horror contest. My Facebook friends are exhausted. Sorry folks. It has been a carnival thrill ride and it’s almost over. You all have to be done with me by now too!

And whatever happens at the end, thank you all for your support. And to the other contestants, I’m proud to be included with such esteemed company. Thank you for pushing so hard…I guess. And best of luck…starting tomorrow.

Hallelujah!

Let the writing time arise again and the huckstering time scab over to a distant painful memory. Looking forward to burying my introverted self into the bowels of Murder Happens, as crappy as that sounds. Amen

Hello all,

I didn’t provide an update on Human Resources last month, so some of you may be wondering what I’ve been up to. Never fear — I’m still working on the book!

September and October were intense. In addition to the book, I had some critical deadlines in my “day job” and an overseas holiday with my family, which is just ending now. The good news is my laptop travelled with me and I continued work on the manuscript whenever time would allow. My dreams of ten hours typing like a maniac on international flights were thwarted by our toddler (who has decided planes require constant Daddy Cuddles), but I did manage to sit down in hotel lobbies and make some solid progress on the rewrite. 

Now I’m back in Australia, I’m aiming to buckle down and finish the rewrite ASAP. Act One is looking solid as I implement some polish using my editor’s notes. Act Two is done, but needs a lot more work before it is “ready” and Act Three is sitting in my cross-hairs. 

You’ve all been amazingly supportive and patient and I thank you for that. Stick with me a little longer :). 

Robert. 

Friends, Readers, and Sorcerers All,