Hello, friends! And a quick, special hello to new subscribers, many of whom I had the immense pleasure of meeting at the Book Vendor Fair of Meier’s Creek. I’m still riding high on the thrill of that event; I’ve been a published author for less than a year, and this is exactly what I’ve always dreamed. Thank you all for stopping to say hello, and for signing up for this newsletter!

Word of the Day!

Honestly, one of the worst parts of the human condition is how it just keeps happening. You never really get a break from the whole “being a person” thing. I mean, sleeping kinda helps (or so I hear), but it’s all just so … relentless.

In some of the difficulties in my personal life, more often than not, I get the same advice: Keep trying. Don’t stop now. It only needs to work once.

Anyone who’s been job hunting, trying to finish a huge project, trying to find a good romantic partner … I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Each rejection feels more familiar, as it cuts a little deeper. I can’t afford to look at the pile of disappointments, or else they’ll overwhelm me. History should be teaching me a lesson, here.

Except, truly: What else am I going to do?

Before I released my book, I spent a long time feeling like I couldn’t write anything “good enough” to publish. Before I met my husband, I truly dredged some dark corners of humanity. I am, unfortunately, still out of work, and every job application feels like an exercise in futility.

You can either keep going, or give up. But what does that get you, exactly?

I don’t say this with any kind of false positivity. In some cases, letting go is the kindest thing you can do. There have certainly been relationships that I’m better off without. I didn’t even feel bad when I gave away my crochet supplies. But there are things in life that just … matter too much. Like writing. And paying my bills.

The time will pass anyway. If I fail, I’m not really any different than I am now. I have everything to gain, and nothing to lose. The rejection is just proof that I have another chance.

It doesn’t really feel like a choice at all.

Gheist Updates

I had a whirlwind of an October, ending in two bookish events in one week; a Create-your-own-Cryptid demonstration at my childhood library that I mentioned in my last newsletter, and the Ink & Paper Book Vendor Fair at Meier’s Creek Brewing Company. I loved talking about making monsters, and I loved getting to meet so much of the local bookish community! For such an isolated exercise, writing has expanded my world to meet truly some of the most delightful people.

Today will mark the third anniversary of sitting down to write the first draft of Bludeye Beach. If I could tell myself that three years later, I’d get to hold my book in my hands and show it to a stranger, that I’d get to gush about characters I was in love with and swap writing tips with other authors …

Gratitude is the least of it. Both to everyone who has supported me and my book, and to myself, for not giving up.

It’s now tradition to write the first draft of every Bludeye book in November. 2024 saw Return to Bludeye Beach (hopefully to be released in 2027), and last year, I wrote Below Bludeye Beach, which might be my favorite Bludeye to date.

Today, I start writing the fourth Bludeye book. In the midst of the chaos of 2026 and everything that’s been thrown at me, I get to complete a project that has given me more than I could ever say. It’s going to be an emotional journey, and I couldn’t be more excited.

So, in this month of giving thanks, I thank you all, and I hope you’ll keep watching to see what I can do next; as you cheer me on, so I’m cheering on all of you, and encouraging you with all my heart.

Your Turn

What’s the thing you refused to give up on, your stick-to-itiveness? Or – what’s something you could use some encouragement to not give up on?

You got this ❤

-Eli

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Did you know that the best way to support an author for free is to leave a review? If that sounds like I’m begging, I assure you, that’s only because I am. If you’ve read Bludeye Beach, kindly consider leaving a review on Goodreads, Storygraph, or any platform where it’s available!

Don’t feel like doing any of that? Totally understandable! We’re still cool, I’m just glad you’re here! Thanks for reading 🙂