Hey Blogosphere,

This is it, April’s over! Can you believe it? I’m conflicted to be honest. I got a lot done this month, but I need a time stopper so I can get even more done. Got one on hand?

Sooo yeah, this month has been crazy. Let’s dive right in!

Personal Conquests

Starting with the personal stuff, I got into grad school! I kept postponing doing a post about it (sooo busy!), so I’m stating it now. As of Fall 2021, I’ll be going half-time to SJSU (San Jose State University) for Library Science in hopes of becoming a librarian. Life’s too short, and I just want everything I do to be centered around something I love. Books are basically my life, so it makes sense. Plus, I can wear cheeky glasses and plenty o’ turtlenecks. Haha, just kidding!

Schooling will affect my blog, so you’ll be seeing less of me from that point until graduation but I’m not going to vanish I promise! I’m currently thinking of what can stay and what will go. Already I’ve decided to stop doing my WWW Wednesday posts and I’ll be cutting down my digital game nights with friends to only the weekends. More changes will definitely be coming and I’ll keep you posted!

I also got my first COVID vaccine shot this month. I’m super happy about that development and I had no side effects. My second shot is scheduled for 5/3, so wish me luck I don’t feel cruddy that day! The nurse said I would be ready to be around people two weeks after that, which is just in time for …

My birthday! Okay, I’m super obnoxious about my birthday, but if you can’t celebrate that, then what can you celebrate? I’m taking some time off for pretty much the first time this year and am really excited about it. Honestly I’ve been really stressed with work lately and never taking any time off so I think I’ve done a good job of withholding using my PTO until May. I’m not doing a trip or anything, but I’ll be spending time with family and friends and hopefully enjoying some nice weather.

Writing Conquests

As usual, this month has been crazy with writing!

The Ruins

I’ve gotten a ton of work done on the plotting of The Ruins, an LGBT horror novel I’m working on.

I plotted out Chapter 5 through the end of the second act (loosely). Right now I’m working out the details of the final act, but I should have that sorted out in a week or two.

After that, I’ll be looking over what I have, cleaning it up a smidgen, and getting started on writing.

I’m really excited that things are moving quickly, and hope the next phase does too!

Something Witchy This Way Comes

I also got a new story idea while listening to an episode of the podcast Real Life Ghost Stories (which I highly recommend)! For now I’m calling the short story Resurgence. This story is a witchy horror with a slight Halloween theme.

This new idea really came in handy when plot items wouldn’t magically pop into my head for The Ruins. I’ve got most of the plot figured out in general and I’ve started writing the first draft.

Hopefully in a month or two I’ll have a strong, polished first draft that I can get some alpha/beta reads on, then I’ll start looking for a magazine to publish through.

For more random info on this little project, check out my video at the bottom of this newsletter. Super excited!

Forever Freebies

Before I move on, I wanted to remind everybody of is that my ARC Review Team is still open to applications. I have a great little team but would love to grow it a little bit, so if you know anyone that may be interested, definitely spread the word!

The gist is this review team is simple. If you like to read horror and are willing to leave an honest review on two of your favorite retailers, this is definitely for you.

I’ll simply let you know when an ARC is available and from there you can download and get your free read. Seems pretty easy, huh? To sign up just click on the image below.

Bookish Conquests

This month was insane on the reading front! I read a whopping 9 books!

A big difference this month is that I started reading more graphic novels. As it turns out, I blaze through them a LOT faster than I do with normal books, so that was interesting to find out. That being said, I’m not going to be primarily reading graphic novels, but will review them from time to time. I just got carried away with how awesome Locke & Key was.

Another thing to note is the types of books I’ll be reading from here on out. After doing more research on my genre and niche after reading Amazon Ads Unleashed, I realized I really don’t read all that much in my genre. I don’t really think that’s acceptable, so I’ll be focusing a lot more on YA, Adult, and Middle grade horror going forward. Hope you’re ready for a scream fest!

I will also be reading a lot less once I start school in the fall (I’m thinking one or two books a month starting out), but don’t give up on me!

To check out my reads for the month, feel free to go through the book review links below. Enjoy!

Book Review: The Uncanny Raven Winston

Graphic Novel Review: Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games

Graphic Novel Review: Preludes & Nocturnes

Graphic Novel Review: Locke & Key, Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows

Graphic Novel Review: Locke & Key, Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom

Graphic Novel Review: Locke & Key, Vol. 5: Clockworks

Graphic Novel Review: Locke & Key, Vol. 6: Alpha & Omega

Buddy Reads & Rants: The Locke & Key Series

Book Review: Amazon Ads Unleashed

Book Review: The Called

Video Highlights

Video time! This was my third video, and I did it on the first take! I’ve never done that before, so I’m pretty happy with it. I also reminded myself to just have fun, so I smiled a lot more and made my Jonny faces.

One thing, if you hear some slight interference I was trying not to melt. I’ve noted the fan’s distance for next time, promise!

Hope you enjoy!

That’s a Wrap!

All right, there goes the month of April. How was your month? Did you read something in my conquests? Do you have any recommendations for books or get some serious progress done on your WIPs? As always, feel free to comment!

Happy Reading, everyone!

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