It’s been a weird year. A really weird year.
First, it started out winter. But like, a weird winter, where we hardly got any snow and it really wasn’t that cold.
Then we decided to try to sell our house, and we got an offer within a couple weeks.
Then we had to find someplace else to live. It took us a couple tries, but we got a contract.
Then we didn’t have anywhere to live for ten days so we stayed with my in-laws while the cats stayed with Josh’s godfather.
Then we moved into our new house, which came with goats and chickens and my favorite thing of all, a swamp!
Then I published three books (more on that later).
Then I got a real life, grown-up job.
Yup. I’m working a full time job now.
Like I said. It’s been a weird year.
So yes, my new position is as a corporate content writer. It has definitely changed things. I’m partially remote, so I still spend a good deal of time at home, but I’ve stopped taking freelance clients (other than the couple remaining projects I have to finish up) and am devoting all of my time and energies to one single client—or at least, that’s how I like to think about it.
“Why did you take a job, Ariele?”
Great question. Because I’ve been taking freelance contracts on the side ever since I started writing books full time, I always keep my resume up to date and regularly browse job listings.
Typically, I look for jobs labeled as part time, contract, or freelance, but I also sometimes browse full time listings, just to see what is available.
So when we moved back to New Hampshire, I decided to check and see what was available in the local area.
I found this job, and weirdly, I loved the job listing.
Most job listings are overwritten or underwritten, full of hyperbole, or just dumb. But this one was straightforward, reasonable, and written like it was exactly the type of job I would want to do if I was going to go full time.
So I applied.
I did four interviews.
They offered me the job.
And here I am. A full time, real life grown-up.
I love it so far, and I’m happy for the opportunity. Since I’ve been freelance for so long, my goal is simply to remain here for one year and see how I feel. I have given myself permission to leave at any point if I become dissatisfied.
“What about your books, Ariele?”
Another great question. My books aren’t going anywhere. I’ll continue to work on them in my free time, holidays, and weekends. That won’t ever go away.
What might change for you is fewer emails and marketing updates. I might forget to post on social media. I’ll definitely be publishing a bit more slowly.
Otherwise, I’m going to keep doing what I’ve always done: work on my books when I can, and do work for other people when I have to.
“What about those new books you mentioned?”
Yes! Very exciting.
You may remember my series Land of Szornyek. It’s been a while since I published the first book, Tentacles and Teeth (2019!) and slightly less time since I published book 7, Fog and Flame (2022!), but I finally got around to releasing a book I’ve been promising for ages: a monster manual.
So, allow me to present Minda’s Book of Monsters, a hardcover special edition filled with artwork by yours truly. In addition, you’ll find a journal written by Minda (one of the characters) just after the end of the world (in 2015 per this alternate universe).
There are drawings and sketches never before seen, maps, “polaroids” of Minda and her companions, and overall, I’m hugely excited about this project. I’d like to give a huge thank you and shoutout to Beth Martin, who did the book design for me, and came up with quite a few ideas to make it look and feel amazing.
The catch is: this book is only in print. It isn’t designed for digital. However, if you would like a digital copy, email me and we can figure out how to get you a PDF copy of the book.
I did mention that there are 3 new books though, not just the one.
Alongside Minda’s Book of Monsters, I also released two associated short stories. The first one is Minda’s journal, the same story that is included in Minda’s Book of Monsters, but without all the illustrations. If you just want the story, this is the book for you. It’s called “Minda’s Account of the End of the World.”*
The second short story is called “Minda’s Daughter and the Man with an Empty Face,”* and this is the tale of how Askari’s parents met. It’s got a miniature romance in it, and lots more monsters!
*(These two short stories should be available on all platforms, but the print book has more limited distribution.)
I’m still planning a redesign of the original series, with new covers and new editing, but that’s still in progress, and might take me a bit longer than expected given the fact that I have a new job.
I’m also continuing forward with the Rove City series (the next book is half done!) and the Sablewood series (I have 3.5 more books drafted!) with book 2 in edits.
Like I said—my book business isn’t going anywhere. I’m just going to have to devote a little more time to my grown-up job for the foreseeable future.
Let me know if you have any questions! I’m very excited about this unexpected shift in my life, and I know it’s going to fill up my brain with tons of new ideas for new series and new books!
Stay tuned for updates, and don’t be afraid to reach out any time with questions or concerns.
