That Promised Update...Sort Of

I know, I know, it's been a while...

[Disclaimer: I have switched to a different newsletter service. I’ll no longer be using Mailchimp. From now on you’ll be getting updates via my Substack blog. Enjoy!]

[Disclaimer, Part Deux: A version of this has already appeared on my website. My apologies if this is redundant!]

[Now, on with the show!]

Well, a lot has happened since my last post.

Pandemic. Lost my job. Started narrating audiobooks. Working on some non-fiction. Writing novels again. Pandemic.

Did I say pandemic twice? Yes. Yes, I did. Seems some folks refuse to believe we're actually in a life-threatening pandemic. You know, the kind that KILLS thousands and thousands of people. Just for clarity, I believe 100% in the science and the realities of this Hellscape we've been forced into. Could we have avoided where we're at? Shit yes! But, hey, personal responsibility isn't exactly what Americans are known for...

Anyhoo, enough with the End of Times, let's talk about me!

Over the past few months I have started narrating/producing audiobooks for AuthorLoyalty and their partners. I have to say it has been a blast. I spent years podcasting my fiction (it's how I started my career) and years podcasting writing advice (the soon to be resurrected Writing In Suburbia), so audio is something I gravitate towards. The income has been needed and welcome.

Want to hear what I've narrated? Check out Traitor here on Google Play (free!) and Audible (not free). More titles will be forthcoming as works are released.

Speaking of forthcoming...

I am currently writing the sixth Roak novel. Huzzah! It's slow going since I am also working on other things, and I have no desire to kill myself with a writing schedule like I had previously, but you can expect to have it in your paws by the end of the year. I plan on rolling right into the seventh (and last) Roak novel to complete the series. Does this mean Roak goes away? No, it just means I can give y'all some closure so you're no longer left hanging.

I also plan to provide closure with the third and final Flipside Sagas novel.

Oh, and if you really want some closure, I do plan on reviving and finishing the Kaiju Winter series with the fourth and final book. Currently you cannot buy the Kaiju books, but I did get the rights reverted to me and I'll be publishing them myself. I need to finish the fourth book, record all four audiobooks, then publish everything at once. You know, just a couple things to do.

The "sort of" part of this post is that until I know my narration schedule I can't give a definitive answer on when any of the novels will be done and out there. It's one reason I have put off writing an update. I wanted to make some audiobook announcements, but it's all taking a little longer than expected. So stay tuned for announcements!

What was that about resurrecting Writing In Suburbia? Yep, that's gonna happen! I switched my newsletter service from Mailchimp to Substack which allows me to expand the scope of the podcast so that it becomes a forum for my work, my advice, my thoughts, my beliefs, my art, and much more. It'll be a combo newsletter/podcast that will include podcast episodes where I revisit the past statements I've made on publishing (Writing In Suburbia Redux), podcast fiction (I'll be releasing the original podcast version of Dead Mech), written announcements, links to videos of me doing "live" readings from home, weekly posts on my career and life, and semi-daily posts on Big Picture thoughts, faith and my beliefs, and so much more.

And it'll all be free!

However...

Part of switching to Substack is that I can offer the option for folks to pay for a monthly/yearly subscription.

Why would anyone pay for something that is free? Not everyone will, that's for sure. But I know I have some fans/readers/friends out there that appreciate what I do. Hopefully, that will be you! The first level will be "Buy Jake A Pint!" which'll be $5 per month or $50 a year. Think of that for a second. Once a month you can buy me a virtual pint o' beer for $5. There will be a "pay what you want" option for those that can't hit the $5 per month level and also for those that feel super generous. The cool thing is that paid subscribers will get access to the full archive which will eventually have bonus content (Friday Night Drabble Party shall return!). Paid subscribers will also be able to join in on the community threads and speak directly to me about all kinds of subjects.

Speaking of all kinds of subjects...

Let's get real, y'all. The times we are in really force you to look at yourself, your life, and what you stand for. I stand for justice, I stand for peace, I stand for change, and I stand for faith in something larger than ourselves. Most that know me won't be surprised about any of that except for the last part. Faith. Even though my name is Jacob David Bible, I haven't exactly made faith and belief in a Higher Power/God/Buddha consciousness my main priority. That is changing. Don't worry, I'll still be me and won't be shoving any communion wafers down your throats, but I will be posting my thoughts on faith, belief, religion, and all that spiritual jazz. It'll be a semi-daily thing and should be very interesting to watch how things develop.

Okay, what else?

I think that's it for now. Once I know what new books I'll be narrating, I'll let y'all know.

Oh, wait! Here's the link to the new Writing In Suburbia with Jake Bible Please head on over there and subscribe (or click the button below). A version of this post will be the first thing you see, but there will be more content added starting in September/October. I'd give you an exact date, but making plans for the future is a shaky proposition, so just go subscribe to make sure you don't miss anything.

Alright, I'm pretty sure that's it for now. Quite a post, right?

I hope y'all are staying safe and healthy wherever you are. Please listen to reality and wear a mask. Most of all, be kind to each other.

Chat soon, y'all!

Cheers!