July has come and gone in all its sweltering glory. I’ve never been productive in summer time. A combination of my typical fatigue and the heat tends to sap most of the energy from me, and my brain feels like a fried egg. It doesn’t help that the blowups in the indie lit community are a bit… distracting? terrifying? Still, I was able to get some things done, even if it was less on the writing side and more on the production end of things.
Let’s get into some specific details.
Shadow’s Prey updates
Shadow’s Prey is now closing in on its final stages for print, and I’ve decided on November 18th for a release date. Really, all I’m waiting for is the cover design to come back and I can get the pre-orders set up. I’ll probably send out a quick email blast when that is ready. I maybe should’ve waited for the cover to get back before setting a date, but it kind of felt like if I didn’t set a date I simply would never actually release it.
It feels strange to be here, and I still feel quite anxious about the everything involved in the release. But the idea that soon, very soon, November soon, I can actually hold a book with my name on it in my hands? Sounds fake.
Other Updates
I’ve started edits for Tinder Saint, but like with all things, it seems to be a bigger thing than I thought it would be. Still, I am excited to work in this length and form again, and to tell this part of Vahn’s story (as well as build on the lore of Lifrasir). Hoping to release this one in early Spring of 2026, and I kind of already feel a bit more prepared with what I have to do on the backend now that I’ve worked through a lot of the kinks for SP.
I set up this newsletter and the page! A long time coming, but consistency starts with one small step.
My author website (bylinaket.com) and the Shadow’s Prey website (shadowsprey.com) got a bit of a polish. Obviously, these things are still and always a work in progress, but I’m pleased with what I have for now.
I’ve also been hyping myself up for social media. I’ve always said that I want to be a bit more active on there, but I’m honestly a bit… shy, I suppose, when it comes to that kind of thing. The mortifying ordeal of being known, amiright? Haven’t moved much on the front and actually getting to posting and making a schedule… but this newsletter is another aspect of that, so I guess I can say I’ve partially accomplished this.
Coming Up
August: Seattle Worldcon! I don’t think I’ve ever been so far away from my home, but I am excited to head up there and see what’s what. There’s been quite a bit of drama around the whole of Worldcon in the last few years, but I am ecstatic to be meeting up with some friends. Also, I’ve been in a bit of a reading/writing slump, and I’m really hoping the change of scenery and being in such a bookish environment will get me going once more.
September: Hopefully about this time I’ll be able to actually get more into posting on social media. Likely, I’ll be focusing over on instagram (I’m bylinaket there) because it is the platform that makes me least anxious. By this time, I also hope to be in full edit mode on Tinder Saint.
October: By October, I will hopefully have all of SP ready and set, and I can go mostly hands-off on that project. If everything goes well, I should also be well along with the edits for Tinder Saint, and I can turn a part of my mind to what project I want to focus and tackle on next.
November: Shadow’s Prey release month!
I believe that’s all for now… Thank you for everyone who subscribes and reads this newsletter, and be sure to check out my new sites and let me know what you think of them!