I think that sometimes, people imagine that the life of an author is something really glamorous. Waking up late, sipping coffee while leisurely thinking about writing, scribbling some notes and spending a few hours in front of a typewriter, that sort of thing.

But friends, for most writers, our life is far from glamorous.

Take myself, for example. I have a corporate day job as a technical writer in healthcare. So, I get up every morning at 6am, prepare breakfast and lunches for the day, and then my wife and I commute to work together. From 7:30 to around 4, I’m editing release notes and help documentation. Oh, yes, so glamorous.

Around that full-time job with a 30-60 minute commute, I’ve got all the normal adult responsibilities. Laundry. Dinner. Paying bills. Mowing the lawn. Taking care of the cats. Trying not to ignore my family.

And around ALL THAT, I make time for writing. Not just sitting in front of the computer and working on the next draft of the next book or poem, but writing these newsletters. Emailing my agent or publishers or whoever is involved with the next phase of various works. Recording and editing social media content. Interacting with people on social media. Setting up events, making Canva designs, and dozens of other things I’m not even thinking about right now.

I’m not complaining, by any means. I love writing. I love putting my stories out into the world. And there’s a big activism part to my social media presence, which is super important. I just think it’s important for people to understand that when you buy a book from most authors who aren’t on the New York Times bestseller list, this is what you’re getting. This is who you’re supporting. Just a regular person living a bookish life.

We’re now less than a month from the release of The Cordelia Solution, the third book in my Jayu City Chronicles! You still have time to sign up for an advance reader copy, meaning you can read the book early in exchange for an honest review. Yep, even if it’s one star. In fact, The Cordelia Solution is part of a great sci-fi, fantasy, and thriller ARC exchange right now!

And there’s still time to preorder if you’re just happy to wait until November 11. Your local bookstores and libraries can order it through Ingram. There are many options to buy online, including these:

And if you’re in Kansas City, please come to one of my release events at Trailhead Books and Boozy Book Fest. Check my website for more details.