I've been creatively burned out since mid-2022, which if you hadn’t seen me mention on various social media platforms, or heard me talk about in-person at book events, you might have simply noticed a decline in my production—from a cornucopia in 2021 to two books in 2022 to only one in 2023. While I feel like I’ve finally broken free of that rut, am writing consistently again, and at a level of quality I feel to be on par with previously published titles, it’s been slow-going. Writing is like a sport in that sense, and after sitting on the sidelines for so long, my muscles and stamina aren’t what they used to be. It’ll take some time for me to get back to a pre-burnout pace.
I’m sharing this backstory to explain why, if you had The Councilman (Magic & Steam 4) pre-ordered, you probably got a notification from the retailer that the pre-order has been cancelled and the book is not currently being released in January.
The reason is simple: I couldn’t get it written in time. Either the story would have suffered or the editing would have been subpar. I am very proud of providing readers with nothing short of my absolute best, and to have cut corners to meet a retailer due date wouldn’t have sat well with me or you.
But let me reiterate: The Councilman is still being written! It will still be published!
The book is halfway done, the cover art is, of course, complete, and there’s a working blurb. I’m not going to estimate an exact release date right now, but will keep readers informed through social media, my website, and newsletter. And when The Councilman is done, you’ll hear me shouting from the rooftops, I promise.
Thank you so much for your support of the Magic & Steam series, and thank you for supporting my writing. Whether you’ve only recently begun reading me, or have been around since my 2015 short story debut, this career would not be possible without your love of books and commitment toward stories representing LGBTQ people in a positive light.
Gillian and Gunner are returning in 2024! Declan Winters is returning for the audiobook production!
Just give me a bit more time to really nail that story into place.
