We are a week into October and it’s time for an update about what the Coven have been doing, as well as what we’re aiming for over the next month.
First up – there are less than two weeks until the Romantasy Retellings Novella Competition opens! Put 19th October in your diary and visit the dedicated competition page here or our Substack for all the guidelines.
A couple of days ago we also posted on social media about what that realistically means for anyone thinking of entering, in terms of a timeline to get a story written ready to enter (if you don’t have one underway already).
The submission window is six weeks long, so even if you haven’t put a single word down on paper yet, there is plenty of time to work on those first five thousand words. There will then be four months to get your manuscript to the 50k mark ready to submit if you are short-listed. And, from the moment you sign up via the subscription in Substack you’ll receive exclusive content, with the aim of helping you with your writing craft, giving you further insights into the competition, self-publishing, and advice from the Mythic Alley coven, as well as other indie authors.
Next – the Emmas and Jessica are all taking part in the Indie Visible Hauntfest event that is running from today until the end of Saturday! Check out our Instagram and TikTok to see the selection of fantasy romance books on offer at 99p or for free (all the Mythic Alley books will be 99p). You can also check out indievisibleevents.com to see more books in other genres.
And finally, our monthly updates!
Jessica Haines
Jess spent September working on the second novella in the House of Voluptus series, and formatting her demon why choose.
October will hopefully see Jess writing “the end” on the novella, and getting the final cover signed off for her why choose. (We can’t wait to see it!) Recording has also begun on a new season of the SFFRomCast. Three panel episodes are planned to tie in with the Romantasy Retellings Novella Competition, with bonus material being offered exclusively to entrants.
Emma Jackson
September saw Emma completing a development edit, achieving some progress on the second book in her contemporary romance duology, as well as celebrating her birthday. She received a drawing tablet as one of her presents and tested it out with some character art for House of Secrets and Shadow.
Like Jess, October brings a return to the SFFRomCast, which kicks off on 13th October with an episode celebrating its five year anniversary. She’ll also attempt to continue writing around another editing job, demands of family life and the launch of the Mythic Alley competition.
Kate Kenzie
September was filled with brainstorming witchy scenes and future books, as well as attending the Tea Leaves and Reads book festival. There were author chats, books and connecting with fellow readers and writers. Highlights included listening to Liz Fenwick, Nikki Moore and Stacey McNeil talk about indie publishing, Amelia Berry hosting a talk on spice, and Bella Brightside and August Bloom discussing cosy fantasy.
October will be spent balancing memoir writing as part of Kate’s MA, finishing revisions for A Witch’s Guide to Practical Magic, and celebrating the spooky season with pumpkins, candles and general witchiness.
Emma-Louise Smith
In September, Emma-Louise finished writing book one in the Briar Brook series, attended her first in person event at Once Upon a Tyne, and continued brainstorming and plotting for her new romantic horromantasy.
October is earmarked for writing to begin on the new book and editing on book one!
How was your September and what are you looking forward to this October?
