2022: It Was A Lot.
A Comprehensive List
2022 is almost gone.
As always, the end of the year catches me by surprise. In February it seems too far away. By December, it seems as if the year has flown past, even though I have experienced every single day.
Perhaps this is the paradox of living since we are all, after all, headed toward a terminal destination even if we don’t know when we will individually reach it. I keep working to pay attention to what is in front of me, the breath of the moment, rather than getting mired in the un-revisitable past and lost in anticipation of an unknowable future.
In work terms, a lot has happened. In fact, I was amazed at how long it took me to compile this list (with all its links).
Herewith, my comprehensive list of writing and writing related accomplishments in 2022:
In January, my fantasy novella SERVANT MAGE was published by Tordotcom.
In January I finished revisions on THE KEEPER’S SIX, my first contemporary fantasy, to be published by Tordotcom in January 2023. It’s a long novella or short novel, depending on how you look at it.
In the spring, FURIOUS HEAVEN (sequel to UNCONQUERABLE SUN) had its publication date moved from August 2022 to April 2023. It’s definitely coming in April (barring an asteroid from left field). The UK (Head of Zeus) edition may drop a few weeks earlier than the USA edition.
From May - October, I wrote a standalone 240,000 word romantic fantasy intimate epic set in a new universe, mostly because I needed to find my joy in writing again -- and I did. This book dropped into my mind like a grand piano falling out of the sky. I revised it in late November/early December. The novel is currently out on submission. May it have good fortune.
I have begun work on Sun 3, LADY CHAOS, but have no progress reports ready yet. It’s a challenging book, and I’m determined to write the best book I can to finish up what has become a monumentally complex space opera trilogy based on the life of (gender swapped) Alexander the Great.
Audio versions of CHILD OF FLAME and THE GATHERING STORM were recorded (by Shiromi Arserio) and released (Tantor Media). The final two volumes will be available in 2023. I’m incredibly glad to have this series on audio at long last. Shiromi is a fantastic narrator for the entire series.
On my Patreon, I posted the following public essays on writing craft.
Turning An Idea Into Story: The Diplomat’s Daughter
Turning An Idea Into Story: The Guild Meet
Converting the Scenes in my Head Into Text
Revision Process: Revision is Happening All The Time
Revision Process: Layers of Revision Start With Conceptual Revision
Revision Process: The Dreaded Structural Revision: The Reverse Outline
Revision Process: The Dreaded Structural Revision: There Is No Correct Answer
Revision Process: The Dreaded Structural Revision: Heightening Involvement
A note about Patreon. The support of so many people on Patreon has made it possible for me to write an on spec novel (see above), which was a crucial reminder to myself that I still love writing. It’s also allowed me to write this ongoing series of craft posts (many of which I’ve posted on “public”). I will eventually collect all the writing essays into a “how to write” volume. To unlock more content (including unpublished excerpts as well as a partial draft of the Black Wolves sequel) — and/or support my writing — become a patron. I can’t thank folks enough for this support.
At the same time I want to acknowledge all who follow me here and/or on social media, buy my books, and talk about them. All of you make my career possible, and I thank you for reading.
My SFWA/Nebula Conference Narrative Worlds webinar continued with the following episodes featuring fabulous guests:
January 2022: KAREN LORD: "The Puzzles Inside Worldbuilding: Constructing Narratives at Various Lengths."
February 2022: MICHELLE SAGARA: “I Hate Worldbuilding and I Have To Do It Anyway: Why There Are No Shortcuts.”
MARCH 2022: FONDA LEE: “Go Big or Go Home 2: Bringing Hefty Themes, Structures, and Influences to Doorstopper Novels."
APRIL 2022: MARTHA WELLS: How to Avoid the Monoculture: Writing Cultures in Isolation and Contact."
MAY 2022: SALADIN AHMED: Old Bottles/New Wine: Re-purposing and Reinvigorating Worn Genre Tropes and Archetypes."
OCTOBER 2022: DONGWON SONG: "A Deep Dive into The Revision Process."
NOVEMBER 2022: URSULA VERNON: "Not Just Nobility: Everyday Lives as Worldbuilding."
DECEMBER 2022: Zoraida Córdova and Dhonielle Clayton:
Worldbuilding for Middle Grade and Young Adult
To be posted soon
My 2022 schedule included publicity events for SERVANT MAGE:
Shannon Chakraborty at Brookline Booksmith (a delightful book launch, and I was so glad Shannon agreed to share it with me!)
Dungeon Crawlers Radio (just a lot of fun, with entertaining hosts)
Read Between the Lines podcast (this is short -- just 30 minutes -- and the host Molly asks such good questions)
FAIR WARNING:
You’ll be receiving more newsletters than usual over the next month or so. Subjects will include an ebook sale on Servant Mage, where you can buy signed books, a online book launch event on January 21 for The Keeper’s Six (with John Scalzi) that I hope some (many?) of you can attend, and possibly a couple of in person events for Furious Heaven in April.
I know you all hear this a lot, but it remains true. If you can preorder (and convince your friends to preorder) it does truly help because it signals to publishers and booksellers that there is interest in a title. How they proceed in the days, weeks, and months after publication is based on sales and the all important word-of-mouth. Truly, word of mouth remains the a crucial factor in book success even in these hellscape days of publishing.
Finn does what he does best: BARKING. Appropriate to a newsletter in which I list the writing related work I accomplished this year.
Thank you. As always, I could not do this without you.
Kate Elliott