June 2026 Check-In

Hi, friends, and happy July! July is always one of my favorite months because it’s the official halfway point of the year. There’s plenty of time left to get things done and lots of things are starting to seem like they’re accomplished. It’s just a nice check in spot. 

So, let’s do that. 

As a reminder, we began 2026 with these (lofty) goals in mind:

Each month, I take a look at that document and get myself some focuses for the coming month. In June those focuses were:

1. Assemble the ARC team for the Apocalypse Project
2. And reveal that gorgeous cover (as well as the title) for that project
3. Open preorders for Succour
4. Get that final proofread of Succour done
5. Add words to Superhero 2
6. Look through the notes for my Super Secret Project and organize them
7. Attend Fan Fusion 2026

So, let’s take a look at how I did, shall we?

APOCALYPSE PROJECT

This page is starting to look really full! Not much changed in June. I added the title, since the cover reveal sort of gave that away. I marked off a few more smaller things and even added the ordering of the author copy, which I forgot to put on the checklist when I first made it. I also got my new copies of this one yesterday, which I had to order after a few changes to the cover were pushed through. Anyway, it’s beautiful now … see for yourself. 

I do want to take a quick second and talk about some of the smaller things that aren’t marked off yet. I’ve been asked a few times to explain those. 

• Format ebook and format Kindle
  • I’ve been asked why those are separate and why they’re separate from paperback. Simply, they’re VERY different processes. Ebooks have no headers, for example, where paperbacks do. Also kindle doesn’t play nicely with files created anywhere else, even if they’re ultimately still labeled as epub. I end up taking my ebook file to Kindle Create and using their software to get the best download for Kindle. It’s a pain, but it’s worth it in the end for readers. 
  • So why aren’t they checked yet if I am way past that step? Imagine creating the book, then converting it to ebook, THEN converting it to Kindle. Now make a single grammatical change on page 215. You’ll have to change it on all three documents. I’ve learned it’s best to wait until all the editing is done before getting those last formats. 
• Set up Goodreads before ARCS
  • As many readers have pointed out to me, this is already done. I appreciate that! It might be. I have this one on there as sort of an oldie. People who have been publishing for a while will remember the days when you had to upload everything to Goodreads yourself. Now it’s sort of streamlined as Goodreads will pull all the information from multiple sources. Now I sort of leave this as a reminder to go check all the information on Goodreads and make sure it’s accurate, which I haven’t done yet. 

If you have any other questions, PLEASE ask! I’m always willing to talk about the steps involved in this process with other authors and writers. 

SUCCOUR

I managed to get this one pretty much finished up in June. I accomplished everything I said I needed to plus set up a Fan Fusion special preorder, wrapped up my order, and got my copies ordered. The last step is the publication, which is pretty much set to go without me doing anything! Preorders are officially open right here on my website and my paperbacks are already here. There are a few of the boxes left for preorders (boxes come with a signed book and some goodies) so go ahead and snag yours if you need one! Those will ship out this week ahead of the July 7th official release day. 

SUPERHERO TRILOGY

I sat down and added 13,867 words to this project in May. I’m still solidly on outline for book 2, which is good because book 3 is also outlined. I’m loving these characters!

OTHER GOALS

• One of the things I said I wanted to do in 2026 was either outline or abandon the “Secret Project”. In June I decided to go back to my notes and sort of organize them. Not only did I do that, I actually was seized by the idea and wrote like 1,060 words on the outline. So I think we’re looking good for this project. I’m not revealing anything about it yet … still keeping it super secret. 
• I did attend Fan Fusion!
• In fact, I started another secret project (of course I did) inspired by something at Fan Fusion! I’m not ready to announce what that is yet … but that one will be sooner than the other one, I promise! 

All in all the June Progress pages in my journal look like THIS:

So What’s Next?

Succour drops July 7th so all I have left to do is get those preorder boxes packed and out! Once They’re All Gone will need to be proofread so I can get that ebook and Kindle set up. There will be a final ARC call on Instagram here shortly and then ARCs drop July 13th to give readers three months to get those reviewed. Meanwhile, the Superhero project needs to keep moving. I’m hoping to add words to the second book and MAYBE even finish it up. I’ll also be finishing up the newer secret project in July so watch for that announcement. Lastly, I might see if I can’t outline the super secret project. 

That sounds like a lot so I’ll quit listing!

Wait, we didn’t talk about READING

True, we did not. I’m officially moving ALL of my reading content to All the Right Reads. Follow us on Instagram or TikTok to catch those updates! 

TLDR: June left me in a great spot for both of the 2026 releases and allowed me time to work on more drafts!

STATS

For those who like numbers

• 13867 words added to the Superhero Project
• 1616 words written on blog posts
• 3559 words on book reviews
• 1060 words in the idea journal (which were the work on the super secret outline)

For a grand total of 20102 words in June