May 2025 News
Lately writing has me neglecting things left and right, including preparing and writing this monthly news report. That’s the way it should be and we should rejoice in productivity I suppose, but these posts must go on. That said, I am considering cutting news post frequency from monthly to something less than that. Consider this your heads up if June comes and goes with nary a post.
On the 16th of May, I’m going to see Mr. Joe Abercrombie in ATL. I will ask him to sign my copy of his his new release - The Devils - and I’ll invite him to join me and the boys on
The Four Beardsmen of the Bookpocalypse
Worst he can say is no, right?
No. He could brutally insult your mother.
He’d never.
In April we interviewed/interrogated Baptiste Pinson Wu, who kept going off on tangents about the Han Dynasty for some reason. He’s a unique person and it was a very inspiring talk. Here’s a link to it.
We also had a fun Beardly DnD session with Dave Lawson, who is hilarious but he trolled Ozzy Rob so hard I got worried Charlie would buy an airplane ride to the states just to challenge Dave to a duel. That one’s here.
I believe our only podcast of May is on the 16th, and features special guest - Livia J. Elliot.
Subscribe to our channel to support us and make us feel speeeecial!
Writing
I’ve busted my ass since November and smashed out a draft in record time, for me at least. Despite averaging only 1,500 words a day, and only writing 5 days a week, the current draft of V&V2 is complete at 150,000 words.
But David, that’s only half the size of V&V.
I know. That’s partly because it isn’t finished, and partly because V&V was meant to be two books. The temptation to split V&V and release V and V before V&V2 drops is strong. More products, more …. opportunities!
Sounds like the shameless urges of a vulturine capitalist.
Yeah well f**k you too.
So what’s next for V&V2?
I have roughly 60,000 words of notes to parse and either ignore or apply.
Now that the story is finished and the scene order is determined, as are point of views, character fates, set pieces, etc. etc. it’s time to polish this turd. Priorities will shift from overall narrative flow to: Character voices, character arcs, setting arc, scene/chapter vibe, scene progressions, and of course PROSE, which I’ve neglected so hard up until this point you’d think I’m writing in the Cosmere. As usual I have no idea how long this will take but I’ll maintain my frenetic pace as long as I can before the earth tilts further, the lake warms up, and all focus shifts to
Lake Hartwell Kayak
April was NOT a record month for our homely biz and you should know by now that annoys me. It was a bit cooler and rainy though. As I noted last month, there’s no telling from one month to the next how business is going to be.
I gather that there is general concern here in the states over shriveling 401ks due to economic something or anothers. If it recovers, so shall we. If it doesn’t, let’s roast marshmallows while the world burns.
I suppose you think you’re cool for that edgy line.
No. If there’s anything that makes me cool it’s
Something Once Sacred
picture source: Webster’s definition of cool
In April we had a show on Hartwell’s biggest stage - The Station. We’ll return to the Boathouse on the 10th of this month. Both venues are in Hartwell, GA. Come see us if you’re nearby. Bring hearing protection.
Next Month
You may not see me. As I mentioned, these posts step on writing time.
I’ll see you then, or I won’t.
dtl
