Rethinking the Path and Starting Again.

Hello ether, it's been a while.

It’s been a year since I published my first book. A moment I’d dreamed of since I was a little kid. If you’ve read it or even just thought about, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. That means more to me than you could possibly know.

However, if you follow me on social media, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been absent for several months. To be honest, the last six or so mouths have been a personal storm, and those "life issues" mean that I will likely be less present here and on social media for several more months.

Taking this required break has given me a lot of time to think, and it has led to two major decisions that I need to share.

Decision 1: The First Draft Was Only the Beginning

Over the last year, I’ve worked harder than ever to become a better author. Writing is a skill and storytelling is an art. Blending the two together is something that you are never truly done learning.

After recently re-reading my published book, I realized something important: while I am proud I did it, I now know I can deliver you a much, much better read.

As I said in my last post, the story itself isn't changing, but a lot of the writing will be. I am committed to producing work I am 100% proud of, and the current edition is just something that I’m not.

Therefore, I will soon be pulling my book down from all outlets so that I can deep dive into my work on this new, improved edition. I'm nearly finished with the second complete read-through of this new draft, and it will be going to my editor soon.

And it’s not the only project in the works. My enforced absence has given me focus:

• Book Two is done and waiting for a final read-through before going to my editor.

• The first book of my new series is also complete.

I’m incredibly excited about all of these projects, but I want to ensure they are the best they can be before I share them with you again.

Decision 2: Finding My Place in a Performing World

This brings me to my second and more difficult decision. This past year hasn't just been difficult for personal reasons; it has also been incredibly challenging professionally.

As I mentioned, I have wanted to be an author since I was a kid. But I have never, not for one moment, wanted to be an "influencer."

I am the definition of an introvert. I’m the kind of person who has never left a comment on a YouTube video or a TikTok, I never even signed up for twitter before all the shit happened with that.

My most vivid social media memory is cringing at the silly, desperate-to-fit-in things I posted as a teen on Facebook. I have no natural inclination to over-share, and I have absolutely no marketing expertise.

But everywhere I turn, the advice is the same: to get traction, you need an online presence. Agents, publishing companies, and even fellow authors repeat it like a mantra: You need a platform. You need to be a brand.

It feels, at least to me, that the story and the writing don't matter anymore. When I see AI-generated swill being mass-produced, it’s clear what’s being prioritized: quantity, speed, and a following. (also smut which… no thank you, my nephews want to read my books)

The immense, crushing pressure to perform, to be a public face, and to turn myself into a "brand" just to sell enough books to pay for my next round of editing has been a battleground for my mental health. It has driven me closer to quitting than I'd like to admit. The constant anxiety of "performing" is taking away the energy I need to do the one thing I love: write.

So, I’m changing my approach.

I just want to write my grim stories and explore my fantasy worlds. I would love to have an open, thoughtful dialogue with you about my books, about the craft of writing, or about the amazing stories you're working on. That is the kind of community I yearn for.

What This Means Going Forward:

The coming months will be quiet. The current book will come down, and I will be head-down, working with my editor to polish these three books until they shine. I may not post. I certainly won’t be trying to dance on camera or create daily "content." (because I promise, no one wants to see that)

When I have genuine news, like a new cover, a pre-order link, or a publication date for the new edition, I will share it. If you want to know when that happens, the best thing to do is subscribe to my newsletter (link below), which I will use for major updates only. I promises, no spam. I’ve never even sent out a newsletter, so seriously, no spam.

Thank you for understanding that I'm just a writer who loves grimdark fantasy and needs to focus on her stories, not her screen time. I’m doing this because I love it, and I want to share that love with you in the best way I know how: through my words.

With gratitude and a lot of focus,

The Grim Scribe,

AJ Eddy