Where've You Been All My Life?!
Err.... or how about, where have I been the past couple months? Some heartfelt words on my absence from story land, happy new year wishes, and some fun news too!
Hello Monsters!
How in the world are you doing these days? I know it’s been a minute or two since last we spoke, but I wanted to come into the lair today and wish you all a very happy January, and say that I hope your 2025 is off to a great start! We’ve had, probably, the country’s lighter end of the latest winter storms this week. Yesterday the blizzard was blizzarding, though, and left us with a few mighty snowdrifts to deal with today, but all-in-all not too bad. Here are a few pretty pics of our outdoor wonderland:
Author Update
I’ve had some major life things going on over the course of the past year, or so, that steam-rolled all of my creative pursuits, and they’re still going full steam ahead. How’s the saying go? When it rains it pours.
I really wanted to get more writing out in the second half of last year, and I feel bad I haven’t had any new books in what feels like forever, but it just wasn’t in the cards, unfortunately. All that said, even though sometimes it feels like it, I know I’m not alone in being overwhelmed. We’re all in this thing called life together, right? So, I’ll take a moment right here to let you know that, if you’ve been experiencing hard times, or feel like you’ve been taking emotional hits left and right, lately, somewhere out there is a little author lady who gets it. My inbox is always open if you need to chat or hear something silly about some frivolous, fantasy entertainment, or talk about books to take your mind off your troubles. I may have been behind the curtain in recent days, but I am still here. And I’m ready as ever to dive into books and fantastical story worlds with you.
On another note…
Last fall, I finished publishing my updates to Snow Maiden on Ream Stories. It was a pretty quiet affair. I didn’t do a good job of shouting it to the world that I was on that platform, (besides letting you Book Monsters know, of course) and so it wasn’t an effort that was shared very widely. Still, I am glad to have put in the extra work on the experience. It also taught me a little more about serializing—something I hadn’t done very much of. One thing I had fun with for the project was adding in author notes. Since not many readers have read these or the updates I made, I’ve decided to bring the whole project over to Substack and publish the chapters in serial form, the same as I did on Ream. You will start seeing those in the next day or two, and the first few chapters will be free to read, the same as they are on Ream, maybe a few more. I’d like to go through at least Valentine’s Day sending these out for you… it’s a romance thing, ya know? ;)
I’m also really raring to get out some more flash fiction and shorts. I especially have my sights set on re-imagining some classic couples with a fantasy slant, the way I did with Tarzan last year. If you missed that one, you can start reading it here.
I wrote two scenes for that short and sent the steamiest bit over to a compilation file on Ream, but I may just bring that file over to my paid content here version so they’re accessible from “the Stack” as well.
If I’m honest, I’d prefer to focus my energies on just one platform right now, as much as I’m able. My book monster lair is where my heart is, in that respect, with all of you lovely readers. So, expect to see more from me in this space again, in coming days.
Till then, Monsters, I’m sending my love and reminding you to always…
Stay in the magic!
(The magic of beautiful, exciting, romantic stories. :) )
Amanda V Shane
Whenever my writing gets derailed by life (aka now) I remind myself the derailment won't last forever and do what I can.