AJ’S EDITOR’S DESK
There’s a bundle of thoughts and emotions each time I sit down to finish the final installment in The Admiral Inn Series. I admit, summer is a stressful time to hit a deadline with harvests and car breakdowns, a daughter starting college, and home repairs, but what nags me most are the projects after The Admiral that don’t seem to want to wait.
WHAT’S NEWS?
My deadline for the final book in The Admiral Inn series was always November 15th. Then, with one thing and another from the marketing team, the date was pushed up to November 1st, then October 15th, then—gasp—October 1st. Now, I’m a dedicated and prolific writer, but in the midst of harvest and my daughter starting college, I could only nod, unconvincingly, and just keep writing. Truth is, a long form manuscript is blocked out years in advance. Swapping deadlines can be done. But moving deadlines? Not so much.
The Admiral Inn series isn’t all I’ve been writing. With the end in sight, four manuscripts sit on my desk—and they’re getting restless.
Coupled with the new audiobook studio, and the two other voice actors I have online, I pretty much know my next year of projects.
The White Wardrobe. A literary supernatural fiction, or, if you prefer, urban speculative fiction, about a master woodworker and his antiques. Presented as a meta story with footnotes and links to real and fabricated pages.
Purgatory. An urban paranormal fantasy about a neuropsychologist professor investigating paranormal claims in a mining town and far beneath it.
Mutt: Not Sorry. A gritty urban neo-noir fantasy about a dog who’s gone to the humans. An irreverent, unapologetic guilty pleasure of upstanding readers.
Third Law. This is the first half of an urban speculative fiction duology about a special young man and the consequences of his actions.
But the very first book I’m finishing is The Cul de Sac (working title) because my mom is going to record the audiobook as soon as I finish the manuscript. I’m reasonably sure I can’t get all these projects done next year, even starting this fall, but what a fun problem to have. I’ll likely self publish all of these because waiting two or three years is not really an option at this point. Besides, the people I have character reading don’t want to wait that long to hear their books. Life should be enjoyed now!
FACTS OF FICTION – Chris Chiller, Researcher
This month’s exploration behind the scenes expands book #11’s quagmire of old, sea-soaked case files with a light overview of heavy water. (more)
A WELL-SEASONED STORY DISPATCH – Chris Chiller Essayist
Wondering how we got to this divided now? Again? I explore the non-political reasons for the divisions, citing peer-review research in psychology, neurology and genetics and salting in my experiences, anecdotes, and interviews. Join me at my website and blog: https://chrischiller.com for exploration and discussion.
FROM THE VAULT – AJ Alanson
A post about a “building character” building character and little bit of my woodworking. Pictured is a shelf for a unit I built for my breezeway. This time of year, there’s 12 feet of pickles, sauces, and dehydrated veggies from floor to ceiling decorating the friends’ entrance to our home. It adds a lot of, well, character. From the archives, enjoy “Building Character.” https://ajalanson.com/2026/01/12/building-character/
ENTERTAINMENT SECTION
Upcoming EVENTS
Fingers crossed, the November Newsletter will announce the release of the final book in the The Admiral Inn Mystery series. We will be offering the full series in bundles for the holidays.
THE GRACE NOTES – music in the earbuds
My friend and music mate has been releasing new music this autumn. Gordon Daring writes, plays, and produces the tracks himself, or in collaboration with other artists. Find him on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon, or go directly to his website, https://www.gordondaring.com/copy-of-ep1-2
I’ve written a couple new songs since last month but I’m looking to curb my habit. 24 new songs is a stack I’ll be picking through for the next year as I pair them with audiobooks.
THE POST CLASSIFIEDS
ANNOUCEMENT: Come one, come all to the Grand Opening Celebration on All Hallow’s Eve. Get Your Tickets at The Admiral Inn Mysteries Here
QUOTES FROM THE CAST
– Book#12,
“Oh, my god!” June blurted and backed into the window frame. “Is there nothing secret? Nothing sacred?”
“Not in a small town, deary. I thought you knew that.” Pandora threaded her arm through June’s and pulled her toward the door. “Come on. I need to show you the exquisite taste you’ve shown picking out the festival’s logo. It’s perfect, if I do say so myself.”
BOOKS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
NEXT MONTH:
Post trick-or-treating sugar crash.
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