Writing Updates!

A Witch and Her Minotaur is coming along well, though it sure feels like my progress is slow after having to crush my deadlines for the last three books I wrote. 😅 We’re currently sitting at 64,805 words, and my goal word count for this project is 75k—80k, so we’re about 10k away from hitting that! I’m working on chapter 42 and am still in act 3, though I’m quickly closing in on act 4 (and I’m pretty excited about it, because it’s one of my favorite acts to write). I’m hoping to have this book finished in the next couple weeks, which would allow me to take a short break and dabble in something new (more on that below!) before returning to Minotaur to do my first round of revisions in early August.

Check out this short excerpt from a scene I recently wrote, in which Lyra asks Cairn to tie a ribbon into her hair. ❤️

I love these two so much, and I can’t wait for you to meet them! The book releases on October 3, and it’s available to preorder now for a discounted price. It’s going to be the perfect autumn read. 🎃🍂

Dangerous Plot Bunnies 🐇

Plot bunnies are dangerous; I think every writer has a keen understanding of this. And a couple weeks ago, one of these little troublemakers hopped across my path, leaving a ✨SHINY NEW IDEA✨ in its wake. And now I’ve got one book of a new romantasy duet already roughly outlined and an outline for the second book in very early stages of development.

This. Was. Not. The. Plan. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I plan my writing and publishing schedule many, many months in advance. I’m a deadline-oriented person, someone who thrives on schedules and daily word counts and lots of organization. It’s how I operate my business and my creative life. And plot bunnies are typically not welcome here—though sometimes, getting a really shiny new idea can help propel me through manuscripts faster than I can blink. That was the case with Little Monster. I was happily writing The Pureblood Queen when suddenly, a plot bunny appeared, this one wearing a chain and carrying an electric guitar. And so began the insanely fast process of writing and publishing Little Monster.

So, all of that to say that I’m really wanting to start writing this new book, but I have to finish Minotaur first. And I’m already planning on starting book 3 in the Coven Crest Academy series in early October, so my schedule is already packed tight.

Still, I couldn’t help but to start gathering up some Pinterest inspiration (isn’t this the way it so often starts?). Think you can guess what this book might be about? 😏

Okay, let’s hope I can keep my excitement for this book in check—at least long enough to finish A Witch and Her Minotaur. Then I can dabble for a little while. 🌊 It’ll be a reward to myself for finishing a first draft!

Looking for a great deal on a new cozy fantasy book?

My fellow cozy writer, T. L. Stone, is having a $0.99 e-book sale! The sale ends today, so if you want to pick up Tusks, Tails, & Teacakes, now’s the time to do it. 📚

One part Legends and Lattes, one part Hallmark rom-com, and a generous sprinkle of cottagecore coziness.

In a sleepy village where magic simmers just beneath the surface, a half-elf rogue trades her lockpicks for mixing bowls and teams up with a dwarf burglar to restore a run-down tavern.

With a handsome orc guard who keeps finding excuses to visit, magical creatures with a taste for pastry, and enough cozy charm to fill a dozen teacups, this heartwarming tale of found family and second chances proves that sometimes the sweetest treasures are the ones you weren't looking for.

✨You can grab the ebook here: Click me!

Other Life Updates

Summer is officially here where I live in the mountains of Colorado, and my garden was doing SO WELL.

Then the prairie dogs evolved. They learned how to climb and fly. Two years ago, my husband and I built a garden fence and two-foot-tall raised beds, thinking it would solve our prairie dog problem.

Ha. Ha. Ha. 🫠

These prairie dogs never cease to amaze me. They’ve now learned how to climb our fence and leap into our raised beds. Half my potato plants are already gone, and my lettuce is getting nibbled daily. So, this fall, we’ll have a lot of work in terms of changing the type of fence we’re using and trying to reinforce our raised beds against the troublemaking intruders. (I love the prairie dogs, truly, but they’re also my biggest gardening nemesis…and I typically lose the battle.)

Wherever you live, I hope you’re having a beautiful season (and better gardening luck than I am)! May your days be full of sunshine and wonderful books. 📚 I’ll touch base with you soon!

—Emberly 💛