DARK TRIUMPH, she is done–whisked away to copy editing just in time. Of course, it will be back on my desk in two weeks and I will then need to go through it with a fine tooth comb, a pair of tweezers, and many brightly colored pens and post-its, but until then, I can call it done.
Truly one of the best feelings in the world. Especially with regard to THIS book, The One That Nearly Killed Me.
It’s not that I can’t write a 400 plus page manuscript in nine months. It’s just that it takes me a minimum of six or seven drafts to produce a book that I’m happy with, and writing SEVEN drafts of a 400 plus page manuscript in nine months is a bit of a pressure cooker.
(And lest you doubt that I have been truly working, here is the evidence:*)

Note to Universe: In my next life, I want to be a more efficient writer.
And before you ask, word on the street is that ARCs will probably start going out in late September/October.
Also, I have made a Pinterest Board for Grave Mercy and will be starting one soon for DARK TRIUMPH.
* And please ignore the messy desk. That was the first thing I did once I finished the book–cleaned off my desk!
I have been absolutely slammed by this Dark Triumph deadline. It seems like the more I write, the farther away the end gets. Not sure how that’s even possible, as I believe it is in contradiction to a number of laws of physics . . .
I have so much more stuff I want to post here, about the books, about the mythology, and just gabbing in general. But I believe my absolutely FIRST priority is writing the best book that I can, even if that means writing ::gulp:: eight drafts of a four hundred page book in twelve months. (I could do the math and discover just how many pages that is, but I’m afraid my brain will short circuit.)
It also means I will continue to get by on nothing more than a lick and a promise here until I turn the book in next week.
However! I did find some eye candy in one of my inspirational folders that I thought you might enjoy. I collect pictures and images for all the books that I work on, and I stumbled across these, that were just perfect for the Grave Mercy inspirational folder. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!



(As much as I adore that picutre, I’m pretty sure Duval would never wear breeches that tight!)
Also, for those of you who won prizes, I have yet to get them all shipped out to you! Next week, I promise hope!