Edits, and publications, and socials—oh my!

Most days, this whole writing journey feels like an absolute fever dream. I have to remind myself that, yes, I have written a full length novel and actually intend to seek traditional publication. That, in and of itself, is an entire process I’m learning so much more about with each passing day.

After Dark Fall Progress Report

I am still working through fourth draft edits on my YA urban fantasy novel, After Dark Fall. The largest aim for this round of edits is to cut down my manuscript word count from a whopping 115k words down to a reasonable 100k words.

As of last night I’d whittled my manuscript down to 106,757 words (yes, every word counts.) With only fifteen chapters left to edit, I’m not sure I’m going to meet my goal of 100k words, but I strive to do my absolute best. It’s been an excellent challenge in paying attention to details and learning how to write more concisely!

Whimsy’s Wishes Publishing Update

My first middle grade short story, Whimsy’s Wishes, is set to be published online with Starspun Lit at the end of August 2025 in their Summer 2025, quarterly edition. Right now Starspun’s staff are hard at work to provide three illustrations to go with the story.

I can’t wait to see my story brought to life!

First Fiverr Review

This past month I worked on the beta reading gig for my very first Fiverr client. It was a pleasurable experience and I look forward to completing more services in the future. Above all, I really enjoy helping others in their writing journeys and this project was no exception. It just came with the added bonus of reading an amazing story that I will carry with me, always.

If you, or anyone you know, would like help with their writing projects check out my Fiverr Gig. I offer three levels of services and guarantee that I do NOT use generative AI in my work. All feedback provided is 100% generated by me.

I can even create special listings if you have something in mind that’s outside of the current scope of my listed gig. Just reach out!

No way! 1k!

Last week I officially reached 1k followers on TikTok (@v.b.hughes). It’s such an amazing milestone to hit, especially with someone as technologically impaired, sometimes, as me. The biggest benefit of reaching 1k followers is that I get to share my links in my TikTok profile. I’ve created a linktree that I’ve shared there.

Along the same vein, I am working on creating a more appealing and functional author website. I’ve purchased my own domain, but I’m still working on setting up the website.

Hopefully I’ll have a fully polished page by the time my next newsletter is distributed!

What’s next?

So while I’m working on After Dark Fall edits, growing my social media pages, and excitedly waiting for my short story to be published, I am working on a few new projects!

After Dark Fall sequel

I intend to submit After Dark Fall as a standalone book with series potential, but have enough story to fully flesh out three books in total. In my limited spare time I’ve been actively plotting away and creating an outline before I start diving headfirst into creative bliss.

Untitled Short Story

As a kid, I loved The Wizard of Oz. Not just the movie, but any of the books or stories I could get my hands on. In those days, they mostly came in the form of the little Illustrated Classic books. If you aren’t familiar, they were nearly index card sized books containing abbreviated versions of classic stories like Moby Dick, Oliver Twist, etc. that came with illustrations sprinkled throughout.

In that time, I also had a fascination with strong female role models: specifically Amelia Earhart and Christa McAuliffe. Even then, as a kid just in elementary school, knew that what those women did was something tremendous.

This all came back to me when just last month, researchers announced new efforts to locate Earhart’s missing plane. Something sparked my imagination and from it came a tiny seedling for a story.

What if a female pilot crash landed on an island, but was really transported to Oz?

The idea has grown so much that I’ve actually developed a fully fleshed outline. With all of the fun details I want to throw into the story, it’s looking like it may end up being more like a novella instead of a short story. If it does, that will be just something fun I can put up on my website for you all to enjoy!

Thank you!

I really wanted to take the time to thank you. The folks who take the time to read these newsletters, comment on my posts, share my content, and even talk to me about this silly venture with me when we see each other.

There hasn’t been a point during this past year that I haven’t felt supported. Writing has brought me so much joy in a time when I’ve been trying to find a creative outlet after not LARPing since the start of the COVID pandemic.

This. This writing business has given me a sense of joy and purpose outside of my life as a friend, daughter, sister, wife, and mother.

So, again, thank you for your continued support. It means more to me than you’ll likely ever know.