Hello!
I’ve seen multiple hits on certain blog posts, particularly the ones that set out what I wanted to publish this year so I figured I’d better do a quick update because I am feeling a bit stressed about it. ðŸ«
I do my best to keep my promises not just to readers but in all other spheres in my life but they’re not always possible. In this case, I’m very very overwhelmed with work and with my multiple health issues. A significant amount of my stress-related symptoms improved drastically after I deactivated my bsky and Threads public accounts because with my work-related tasks, and all other things going in my life, I really couldn’t handle the anxiety of having a public face (with increased exposure). But with the ongoing state of emergency our planet is in, I’m not really inclined towards returning AT ALL in 2026, or at least not till after the war is done. Also, I don’t feel it’s the right time to be publishing any of my books. Apart from the state of the planet, I need to be slightly more present on social media. Ergo, the book promo merry-go-round needs to be starting again in 2027. If the planet is still standing. 🙃
In 2026 I have extremely important and stressful academic priorities: I have around 6 PhD supervisees (out of a brood of 20, with a waiting list for when my supervision load reduces) completing their doctoral studies this year (yes, I did get a research cert/award for supervision but that only makes me more anxious I’m not doing enough, hahaha), am working on academic book projects (yes, in the plural), an Environmental Humanities grant-funded project that means a lot to me, multiple articles both co-authored and solo-authored, and countless other academic tasks including recently, an invited talk. All of these things are not too arduous to me except for the extreme stress part because I’m doing the things I love; I’m so grateful to have a job doing things that I love! However, it does mean that my fiction needs to take a bit of a backseat for now, even though I am quietly plugging away at it whenever I have the time, health and energy for it.
Some relevant author-related notes for you:
- I’m still working on Rosemirror and will likely release it together with a new edition of Watermyth sometime in 2027. The good news is that by the time that happens I’ll also be deep into working on the third novel. So there won’t be (hopefully!) too long a wait. At any rate, with a drastically reduced social media presence, I only sold one book this year with a profit of USD2.86 (before taxes on both the US and Malaysian front). I’m oddly relieved by this because it’s less pressure but I’m still committed towards finishing and publishing the rest of the Cantata of the Fourfold Realms books.
- As for Prosthetic Daughter, I’m thinking of submitting it to small press open calls, or even querying it with agents once I am done writing and revising it.
- Re the short story collection: I’m changing the name of the collection; since I’m not publishing it this year, I’m submitting the unpublished stories and novella(s) to various publications. I’m happy with that decision because those stories deserve a chance at acceptance before I publish them in the collection.
- Re the poetry collection: I’m likely not self-publishing that one this year, but I may be submitting other poetry collections (I kid you not, I have HUNDREDS of poems) to open calls by small presses.
- I’m also returning to the agent hunt (as indicated above) towards the end of this year. I’m ready to re-engage with trad pub because while I’m not letting go of the indie publishing aspect, I’m going to reduce reliance on it. I can only do so much!
- I’m also working on new short fiction! Mostly science fiction/space opera but there are a couple of dark fantasy/Gothic short stories that may interest those of you who like my spooky stuff. I’m having a lot of fun with all of the above!
- Apart from that, I’ve got a revision request for one of my short stories that I’m working on. So I’m very much in the fiction submission game as I need to keep that momentum going.
I really don’t think I have too many readers who would be bothered about the lack of publication but this note is for those who are waiting. I’m sorry that you have to wait just a bit longer but in the meanwhile, stay safe, stay hydrated and stay regulated in these extremely fraught times.
Till the next blog post,
xx
Anita