The Last Note: Issue 13

It’s been a minute, and I truly appreciate everyone’s patience while I worked through the completion of Anastasium: The Dawn of EDeN. I’m slowly getting back into a rhythm of more regular content, and I hope you continue along for the ride. I finally finished the prequel novella to my upcoming Anastasium series and am now deep in the late refining edits. I’m quite happy with how the story has revealed itself—the characters and events work beautifully to set up the first novel, Anastasium: Shadows of Deception.

Finding the Rhythm Again

Refining a book is no small feat. It’s a reminder of how much effort goes into the process after the first draft. We get that rush of excitement seeing the draft completed, but then comes the meticulous work of tweaking, wordsmithing, and sometimes even rewriting to ensure the best possible reader experience. It reminds me of a line from the book where Ana tells Joe, “See the shape it’s meant to take... the inner beauty beneath the overgrowth. You’re just helping it reveal itself.” It’s a glorious and tedious experience, but worth it—coaxing the beauty through the pages.

Beyond Fiction: Exploring New Paths

Beyond fiction, I’ve also been immersed in non-fiction writing on resilience and leadership. These books are currently with Beta readers and will be released under a different name, but the work is both exciting and purpose-driven. The blog has been a bit quiet these past few months, but I have new topics lined up and intend to release content more regularly moving forward. Your continued support means the world to me—thank you for being part of this journey!

Blog Post Preview

Next week, I’m releasing an article titled A Message to Authors and Freelancers: How Cold Pitches Can Help or Hurt. It addresses a common experience in the author community—navigating unsolicited pitches on social media. The article provides tips for both authors and legitimate freelancers looking to build professional relationships in the indie space. Let’s work toward an environment where mutual respect leads to mutual benefit.

Following that, the next article will dive deeper into marketing from the author’s perspective with Why ‘Best Practices’ Aren’t Always Best (And How to Find Your Own Path to Success). We’ll explore the allure of best practices, why they’re not always the best choice, and how to find your own edge.

Anastasium Update

As mentioned earlier, Anastasium: The Dawn of EDeN is finally complete, and I’m working on the third draft and cover design. More updates will follow, including some early access to the first chapters for my subscribers.

Additionally, I’ll soon be resuming work on completing the final chapters of the first full novel, Anastasium: Shadows of Deception. The story picks up shortly after the prequel’s conclusion, continuing the journey of Joe, Ana, and EDeN. Stay tuned to see how the saga unfolds!

I’d like to share an insight from my non-fiction writing that feels particularly relevant in this season of change and creativity:

Comparison Weakens Focus

True progress comes from an unwavering focus on one’s own path—not from measuring against others. In an age of endless comparisons, distractions, and competing expectations, those who stay committed to their mission, values, and vision cultivate clarity, confidence, and long-term success.

Have you ever found yourself caught in comparison while working on a creative project? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Wishing you a wonderful week—stay creative, keep innovating, and live in peace.