January 2022: Endless Ways
"I can't remember how this got started, but I can tell you exactly how it will end."
Found this while going through my camera roll the other day. That’s our ginger kitty, Obie (short for Oberon), watching John Carpenter’s The Thing.
Anyway. Hi, I’m Todd Keisling, and this is Messages from the Southland, my (mostly) monthly newsletter. Prior issues can be found here. Comments are turned on, so you’re welcome to drop me a line if you want. I like hearing from you.
I have some updates.
First, that novella I’ve been working on is a short novel now. Or it will be, when it’s done. The word count is currently around 45k, and I expect another 10k1 by the end. That means I wrote approximately 20k or so since our last conversation. Not great for a month’s output, to be honest, but I’ll take it.
Next… It feels like I only wrote about this a month or two ago, but here we are again: The Monochrome Trilogy is back in print today. I posted a lengthy Twitter thread last night about the story’s beginnings, going all the way back to 2006, which you can check out here.
The eBooks are no longer Amazon exclusive. You can find them over at B&N in the Nook store as well. There were some unforeseen issues with Ingram, so the books aren’t back in their network yet. I’m still working on that.
As for the audio editions, there’s been a snag with their production. The first book’s audio release is still available on Audible, and will remain so. However, the production company, Fireside Horror, was recently acquired by Pink Flamingo Productions, and ownership of unproduced content is reverting back. So, books two and three are up in the air.
The unfortunate truth is that sales of the first audio book tanked when I had to pull the novels from the previous publisher. Without sales, it’s hard to justify the production cost for two more books. It sucks, but that's the long and short of it.
However, if you prefer audio, give the first novel a shot. There’s a chance that, with enough sales2, the company may be encouraged the produce the sequels.
Speaking of audio, here are my playlists for all three books. Check them out.
That’s all for the Monochrome now. Forever, probably. I’m ready to move on.
Lots of design work landed on my desk this month, and there isn’t much else to report. When I haven’t been writing, I’ve been working on client stuff, and when I haven’t been doing either of those things, I’ve been either sleeping or consuming some kind of media.
Such as…
Archive 81 - Incredible. Loved every minute of it. If you like horror about haunted media, cults, and other weirdness, check this out.
Station Eleven - Halfway through the season. It’s not at all what I expected, and I mean that in a good way.
My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones - Halfway through and loving it. An ode to the slasher genre.
Nobody - I’m late to the party on this, but Bob Odenkirk is great as always, and the story was just pure fun. A great popcorn movie.
Maid of Sker - Played this one for Patreon. A cat-and-mouse walking sim set in a rundown Welsh hotel. Really enjoyed it.
At Dead of Night - This game scared the hell out of me. It’s an old-school point-and-click FMV adventure set in an hotel where you’re being stalked by a crazy night auditor3. Didn’t finish it. Probably won’t. It’s that terrifying.
I think that’s it. I hope the rest of your January is safe and healthy! Let’s chat again next month, when I’ll hopefully have more to report.
Until next time, folks.
TK
Famous last words.
750, to be exact.
Not Max Booth III.
That's the second time in the last 10 minutes that I saw "Archive 81." Must be a sign . . .
Good luck with that novella-cum-novel!