I think it was Søren Kierkegaard who said, “Writing is like exercise; do it often and you’ll be totally swole.” (Don’t Google that.) Point being, even if we fall short in our goals and expectations, we can always learn from our mistakes and improve. We’ve all fallen short at some point. There are stories brewing in our writerly noggins that must manifest, but when they do they resemble a shambling monstrosity screaming “Kill me! For the love of all that’s holy and pure kill me!” And then we hit delete and write something else.
What better time to get started on a new writing project than January, the worst month of the year? Seriously, it is. It’s freezing cold, bleak, and can depress anyone. Since we’re stuck indoors thanks to an oncoming blizzard, we might as well write. Those long, dark winter nights are good for one thing: a perfect excuse to draft new writing projects. Huzzah!
Here’s what I’m working on:
“Sooper Sekret” Co-Writing Project
I’m co-authoring a book with Charles Barouch, author of the Tiago series and numerous short stories. Check out his work here. Charles and I both have stories in Across the Universe: Tales of Alternative Beatles, a 2019 speculative fiction anthology featuring the Beatles.
I’ve written the first five chapters of our super secret project. I’m not going into details just yet, but it’s a love letter to old monster and horror movies and why cheap scares are the best kind.
Book 4 of The Martyr’s Vow
I’m drafting the fourth and final book of The Martyr’s Vow series, slated for release in December 2025 by Shadow Spark Publishing. This book wraps up Armand Tarkarian and Vonnie Hudgens’ story, and brings closure to Spandaramet’s deal from Book 3, Blood Family. I’m plotting it now and completed the first few chapters.
Short Stories
I’ll continue writing and editing my short stories. One of these stories will be published in an anthology this spring from Shadow Spark Publishing. It’s about nightmares, the Hat Man or urban legend fame, and a cranky novelist who can’t sleep or catch a break. Look for that one in June 2025.
That’s it for the update! As always, thanks for reading!
Eric Avedissian 