November 2024 Roundup

The Blackbirch Series One Year On: Ho... Fantastical Holiday Gifts For Writers

November 2024 Roundup

Welcome to the November 2024 roundup!

Here we are at the end of yet another month, with the 5th blog I have published this November, and it happened because I tend to ramble .

What was supposed to be 1 blog post about reaching the first anniversary of my Blackbirch series turned into 2 posts on the topic, and then 2 posts on the topic of author lessons learned in the last 9 years.

All 4 of those posts were fun, reflective, and a little bittersweet to write and publish. I was nervous about putting them out into the world, but they were met with such great feedback, so thank you to everyone who read the posts, left comments, and openly shared your writing journeys and experiences. They were an honor to read and reminded me why the writing and blogging communities are such a joy to be a part of.

As for what else I got up to this month…

What I’ve Been…Writing

The Writing and Editing Checklist Project. In addition to the blogs, I worked on my checklist book by writing intros for the different book sections, editing the intros in the main text, and adding various “related checklist” sections. I still have more to do before giving the entire MS another read, and then looking at formatting and graphics, including finishing off a design for the cover.

Because I like to set unrealistic deadlines, I’m trying to do this by late December. I want it finished by the time I take a break for Christmas, but I’m not sure I’ll get there, as December is such a busy month. I also can’t even think about the Authoring Book companion which I should also be working on but haven’t touched since my writing retreat back in August.

Watching

Agatha All Along (Season 1)

I absolutely loved how this show opened as if Agatha was a detective solving a crime, and the twists didn’t stop. The subtle hints throughout the episodes that built to the finale and its many reveals are just brilliant writing, and it all matched with the top-notch cast.

When Agatha needs a coven of witches to help recover her magic, they set out along the mythical Witches’ Road, facing trials that will expose their secrets and put them all in danger. The only thing better than the overall story is the numerous musical renditions of The Ballad of the Witches’ Road. Written by the team behind Let It Go from Frozen, it’ll be stuck in your head for days!

Wicked

I haven’t seen the musical or read the books, so I had no clue about this Oz story going in, and I do think that was an advantage because I had no expectations.

Carried by the stunning performances of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, Wicked tells the story of when the two future witches of Oz were sorcery students together, and how their frenemies-turned-friends relationship is tested when Elphaba is summoned by the Wizard of Oz and doesn’t agree with what is asked of her. Featuring amazing sets, and great songs, it’s worth a watch if you’re a fan of big productions and musicals.

From (Seasons 1-3)

I have no idea how I hadn’t heard of this 2022 show until recently, but I’m glad I have now. From centers on a town that many travelers have come across after a fallen tree sends them on a detour. The trouble is, once they arrive they can’t leave, and each night, monsters who look like people emerge from the surrounding forest to kill anyone they come across. While the answers about the town and who the monsters are still aren’t clearly given 3 seasons in, the characters, their backstories, and what they’re trying to do to survive are so gripping that it doesn’t matter. If you’re a fan of horror, mystery, great characters, and slow-burn mysteries, give this show a watch.

Reading

Shattered by Pauline Yates

A tense space thriller that moves at a rapid pace. After Kate’s brother supposedly dies on a mining ship in space, she goes undercover to find out what happened. On board a scavenging ship, the crew picks up something that could prove her theories, but also wipe out humanity. Filled with snappy scenes, interesting characters, horror elements, and an ending that is perfection, this is one for fans of gripping novellas that will keep you entertained.

Original Twin by Paula Gleeson

A year after May’s twin sister June goes missing, May discovers a note leading to a trail of clues. They beg her to not only look into June’s disappearance but also the disappearance of their now-dead mother, Diana, who was once kidnapped without the perpetrator ever being found. Convinced that June discovered something she shouldn’t have, May finds herself on the same dark path.

Told in multiple POVs, the mystery of what happened to Diana in the past, and June in the present, as well as many other family secrets, will keep you reading right up until the final secret on the last page. This is the first book I’ve read by author Paula Gleeson, and it won’t be the last if all of her books are this twisty.

Kill Joy by Holly Jackson

A quick read based on The Good Girl’s Guide To Murder world. Set just before the events of the first book, we get to spend time with Pip and her friends as they attend a murder mystery party. It’s during this party that Pip realizes her knack for solving crimes and it inspires the topic she sets her high school project on that kicks off the trilogy. The murder mystery part of the party is fun, and working out the whodunit along with Pip is very entertaining, especially the twist of who the “Killer” is.

Eleanor Jones Is Not A Murderer by Amy Doak

When Eleanor Jones and her mother move to yet another new town, she writes it off like all the others and does little to make friends. Her one mistake is befriending a boy on the school bus who looks as if he’s struggling with chemistry. Having already studied the subject at her last school, she offers to help Angus, but when he cancels on her last minute, she thinks nothing of it. Then, the police contact her. Angus was stabbed and is in a coma, and Eleanor was the last person he texted.

Now, rumors of Eleanor being a murderer are flooding her new school. In a bid to clear her name, she’s offered help by one of Angus’ old friends, Troy, his friend Alfie, chemistry whiz, Namita, and bad boy, Ethan. Together, the group forms a tight friendship, and it’s these relationships that are the heart of the book as they look into the mystery of who attacked Angus. It’s not a big twist story; it’s a feel-good read, and the characters and the voice of Eleanor make it well worth picking up.

If you’ve got any good book recommendations, let me know in the comments, or be my friend on Goodreads and share your books/recommendations! You can also find and follow my reviews and book recommendations on Amazon and BookBub.

If you’d like to add the Blackbirch books to your Goodreads “Want to Read” shelf and/or check out the reviews, click the following links:

Blackbirch: The Beginning Blackbirch: The Dark Half Blackbirch: The Ritual Blackbirch: The Collector

Taking Photos Of

Book Launches and Library Writing Sessions. This month, I attended the book launch for Katya de Becerra’s new book, They Watch From Below, and had a productive library writing session and lunch with my fellow #6amAusWriter friends, Belinda and Kat.

Blackbirch Review Of The Month

This month’s review is from The Ritual and was such a lovely review to receive. The book world of Blackbirch was with me for 22 years and I’m so happy that it comes across on the page.