Productivity Choked Out by Anxiety

“You don’t have as many short stories coming out this year,” the person said to me. I promise. I will write more soon, but it’s been a hell of a year so far. The first half of it was one of the hardest times in my life. I have to be vague to protect confidentiality, but it was the first time in my 45 years on this planet that I’d ever been crippled by anxiety. Everyone has anxiety to some degree, and I’ve always worked through mine in a fairly healthy way. It’s never truly held me back other than some minor social anxieties. However, this year, the anxiety monster brought everything it had, sat on my chest, and pinned me down until I couldn’t breathe. It was like a bag of cement on my chest every day. I’m working my way out from under that weight now, and it’s been a struggle.

Typically, I’m pumping out short stories every month and submitting them to various publishers. I’m usually working on several projects, shorts, novels, etc. while also running Death Knell Press. But the beginning of 2024 put a lot on hold temporarily, and I only worked on what was absolutely necessary… that is, when I had time between taking care my family’s physical and mental health. Despite not overfilling my plate with projects, though, I still managed to have a fairly productive year so far. This is due to the fact that I had some projects already lined up before life crashed into my chest and knocked the wind out of me for a bit.

BLOODSTAINS BY GASLIGHT

I’ve completed edits for my novel Bloodstains by Gaslight, submitted those to the publisher (Brigids Gate Press), and I’m awaiting round two of edits on that. We’ll be meeting and discussing its new release date soon. This book was originally scheduled to publish in July, but with everything going on, I had to request a delay. Brigids Gate has been incredibly understanding and I’m so excited to share this novel with the world. It’s an incredibly personal story that explores the horrors of teen relationship violence and abuse, told through the lens of a vampire tale.

IN EXCESS OF DARK RE-RELEASE

In Excess of Dark had a wild start to the year, because shortly after the book released, the press shuttered their doors. Fortunately, I received my rights back, and it found a new home with the brand-spanking new press, Sobelo Books. I kept the cover art, thanks to Ben Errington. It got a fresh and more thorough edit, thanks to LP Hernandez, and all new formatting, thanks to LC Marino. My favorite part of the rerelease is that it’s illustrated. I created 15 brand new dark, grief art charcoal pieces to accompany the story. And I’m giving them away! You’re automatically entered to win when you buy a copy of In Excess of Dark from Sobelo Books. (Or send them proof of purchase if you’ve bought it elsewhere.)

I had two short stories published this year:

SIGNINGS

I will be appearing at a book signing for the new release of In Excess of Dark (as well as Fear of Clowns) at Vortex Books & Comics in Columbia, PA on September 28.

My next signing will be an appearance at Monsterfest on October 5 at the Chesapeake Library.

Time to Write Again!

If I hadn’t already had some projects lined up, it would’ve been a fairly stagnant start to the year. But now I’ve got to start writing again. Since I’ve been getting health and family taken care of, I feel I’m finally able to do so. I had started writing a book last year, but something about it wasn’t working. The story wouldn’t come out of me. After some heavy plotting and planning (and a dream!) about how to fix it, I’m stepping into this novel with a fresh perspective. The weight of the world is still hovering over me, propped up on a sketchy jack for now, but while I’m able to breathe, I’m going to take the opportunity to write something again! Maybe I’ll have the first draft of a novel in a few months.