The Hollow Queen Series

I posted on Instagram about this, but I thought I’d add a bit more about it here.

After seeing a few reviews from ARC readers, I’ve decided to go back in and edit Vows of Shadow once more in an attempt to make the book a little shorter, and I want to do this in 2 ways: I want to remove a bit of the descriptive language — in general and especially in between some of the dialogue. In addition, I think that there are portions in later chapters that I can combine in order to also cut some of it. (I had actually tried to do this way earlier, but thought it might be too much work to untangle what I had already done, so I left it alone.) But I can also see that if I get bored reading certain sections, then a reader is going to get bored too.

So, I’m going to change some things up and hope for the best.

The reviews I have seen have not been bad, but they are also not as great as I would like. Some said they liked it, but it was a little too much, and others praised the writing but that it was also too much and made the story slower at times.

I’m okay with it. It’s part of putting yourself out there as a writer. But i want to listen to what readers are saying.

One thing I used to struggle with in my writing (and I got better at but apparently I still struggle with after taking a break) is deleting any of my text after I write it. So for example, I may write a paragraph and later rewrite it, yet I can’t bring myself to delete what I wrote before, so I try to make them both work somehow. So then, I have paragraphs that say almost the same thing because I can’t bring myself to get rid it it… BUT! I’m going to do it. I’ve made a new file so technically I’m not losing anything, but I’m going to take the new file and cut cut cut!

One reviewer felt that there were too many intimate scenes, but I don’t think I’m willing to cut those. Leila is a very sexual character, and the intimacy is also a big part of her dynamic with Drazan especially, so that will likely stay as it is. I’ll admit that this work is a highly indulgent piece for me. I think I’ve mentioned before that where I am usually plot focused, this time I went forward with more character focus. So those who are looking for the plot…the plot is Leila Morana.

So that is what I am currently working on. I have 6 weeks left…

Pray for me.

As of now, this is not going to delay the release date. It is still set for Dec 2, 2025, but I will know about that as I continue to work, to see if it needs to be delayed.

I really want this book to succeed, so I’m trying to do anything I can. Okay! Back to work!