Update 8/14/26
First things first. This week has been a bit off for me. It's the contrast of really having fun with a story that I'm writing and at the same time not getting enough sleep. Kids are back to school and there has been a great deal of chaos at my house. I won't go into details, but the net result has been me sleeping about 2 less hours every day than I need.
That's led to late starts, and less overall productivity.
I want to slap myself because for decades whether it be in the corps, working as a restaurant manager, being in school, or working as an attorney- all while raising a family- I lived on 4-5 hours of sleep as normal. Today, I simply can't do that. Whether it's because of getting a bit older, sleep apnea, or what not, it just doesn't work any longer. I will add that creative work comes best from a full well, and so I'll use that excuse for needing sleep.
I'm getting a very late start today and that's going to mean 2, maybe 3 chapters today. I'll likely work on Saturday at least part time to make up an extra chapter or 2 that I wanted to get done this week.
Okay- my apologizing/whining is off and now about what's upcoming.
1) I'm still planning on finishing Grunts (book 1 of the new Basic series) on Tuesday August 18th. I'm thrilled with the response that I've gotten from people here, and writing both the 40 something protagonist and the family aspect of it have been a breath of fresh air for me. The release date for this series is still up in the air. It's currently planned for either November 30th or December 7th. I am a bit worried about over saturation with putting out too many books in the same time frame, given co-authored books, and the rerelease of Life in Exile 1-6 along with the release of book 7 coming in the end of
2) I'm still planning on the first chapter of Unity (book 13 of WttM) coming on Wednesday August 19th. Then I'll be full-time on that book with a targeted completion on Monday September 21st.
3) After WttM 13, I plan to start on Apprentice of the Past 3 on September 22nd with a target completion date of October 27th. I get that book 2 won't have come out when this is started, but it's about meeting deadlines for the narrators.
4) After APoP 3, I'll work on Magic Eater 6, which will absolutely complete that main series. The target completion date for that will be November 20th.
5) Finally- for fans of Life in Exile, Aethon is doing a re-release of books 1-6 with new covers and polishing edits meant to culiminate in the release of book 7, She Who Befriends Monsters.
These releases will start on November 10th and finish up in January 2027 so fairly rapid. They are all on pre-order now on Amazon.
Comments (6)
Question. I want to read your other series. In what order should I read them?
5 hours is all I get at 68, so enjoy the extra while you can. After 60, you don't need that much. Reading and writing make me sleepy throughout the day, so I take 40 minute naps to stay fresh. On days I don't read, I don't nap.
Well Sean, it goes like this. Similar to the ROUS trope the Men over 50 is a real thing too! It really sucks, not being able to shake off a hangover in a few hours, or party till 4 and back at work by 6. After 50, everything hurts more, and the constant bathroom trips make getting at least 6 hours a necessity!
I guess we have to laugh at that. Either that or cry.
Not to be snarky, but I’d noticed that you weren’t keeping to the schedule you’d set for yourself, and was starting to get concerned. Your well being (and family life) are more important to us than an extra chappy here and there. Stability is good.
Trust me, I'm well aware of when I'm not meeting my goals and am harder on myself than anyone else. But I have been learning that I have to protect myself to make this sustainable for the long term.