Novel Progress Update - November 2025

The Manuscript

Things have been chugging along with the novel. I’ve been able to get a lot of editing done in the last couple of months, and I’m happy with the progress.

I’m about halfway through the current draft, and I’ve already added 15,000 words to it. The total now sits firmly over 110,000 words total for the current manuscript. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect it to get so much longer in this round of edits. I’m not complaining, but it does mean I’m likely to add close to 30,000 words by the time this draft is complete.

I know it will likely get shorter again when I send it to for professional edits. I’m sure the editor will find ways to tighten things up in ways I hadn’t considered.

The Interior Art

I plan to include a certain number of illustrations in the published novel. I’m not prepared to share how many or what they will look like just yet.

What I will share is that I’m already working my way through that art. I have a collection of sketches ready to refine and paint, as well as some pieces already finished and ready to go.

A rough sketch of a concept for the novel

I’ll be working on finishing up some of the paintings this winter, as well as designing some other fun things for the book’s interior, in between editing chapters of the manuscript.

A Title + More Announcements Coming Later

The title of this novel will be revealed soon - hopefully sometime in the spring when my edits are complete, and it’s sent off for professional edits. There is a title. It’s been chosen for a long time, but I’m not ready to make it official just yet. Soon!

That said, I will have some other announcements regarding books around the same time I officially announce the title of this novel.

I have a lot of things I’m working on behind the scenes - much more than it probably seems from the outside. A lot more than a book and a few paintings.

An oil painting of Julian I’m currently working on (not meant for the novel)

I’m super excited about all of it, and it’s been so weird and satisfying to see things finally coming together. I can’t wait to share my secrets! But until then, just know that I plan to share updates a bit more often, including behind the scenes of the process.

If you’re not already following me on the various social media platforms people prefer, you should! I’m most active on TikTok, where I post a few times a week about how things are going and what I’m working on that day.

Also, if you’re not already signed up, hop on the mailing list! It’s where I share important news first!

Until the next update - cheers!