Updates

Guess what? It’s even hotter in July than it was in June and I’m even more over it than I was a month ago. We also keep getting teased rain and then getting practically nothing and I’m getting legit upset by it. When autumn comes proper, I won’t be shutting up about it, so I apologize in advance!

Freelancing

While June was great for me since I offered my biggest discount of the year, July has been my busiest month of the year, working on four different author manuscripts!! I have two done and turned in this weekend and hope to turn in the other two at the end of next week. August is shaping up to be fairly busy, as well. I’m so fucking grateful. 😭

• Openings: I have room for one full manuscript in December and plenty of smaller project availability for the rest of the year! 🎉If you’d like to work with me, you can fill out my (newly revamped) contact form here!

• Discounts: as always, an evergreen reminder: if you’re a marginalized or self-publishing writer, you always get 10% off full manuscript edits.

• Deals: Nothing currently! But, as newsletter describers, you’ll be the first to know that I will most likely be raising my prices (for the first time in six years) starting in 2026. So, if you want to work with me next year but want to lock in my current prices, I’d book before December 2025. 👀👀

Writing

We still have about a week left of the month (at the time this goes out), so I am hoping that I can bridge into Act II by August. I am so close. And I’m having so much fun with this story, plus found some more things to include that make me just absolutely giddy.

Want more in-depth details on my writing? Join my Patreon (free or at a paid tier) to get biweekly writing discussions, hot takes, updates and exclusive early access to everything related to my books!

Highlights

I wanted to have a section of things I’ve been enjoying lately, as well as a space to highlight what others are working on, highlight client wins or just share cool things. Behold the good things!

• So, I have entered the world of dark romance and I…don’t hate it? I’ve been binging these books like candy, at this rate, which is great to finally break my poor reading slump. I’ve read Lights Out by Navessa Allen, Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver and Phantasma by Kaylie Smith in the span of…a week? Maybe less? Thank goodness for public libraries.

• Currently playing Assassin’s Creed: Shadows! I was hesitant about it since Ubisoft is not the best company, but it completely fills the itch that I’ve loved about the Assassin’s Creed franchise since Odyssey. Plus, I can pet AND ADOPT the cats and doggos (plus others)!? I’m having a grand ol’ time.

• Watched K-Pop Demon Hunters and I enjoyed it!

ICYMI, here’s some highlights surrounding those I care about:

• Please help us support an important pillar of the publishing community as they face a hard time. Can’t donate? Then please share to help Michael LaBorn and his family.

  • Also, did you see that, if you donate any amount, I’ll edit your query letter? And, if you match my donation of $50, I’ll edit your first chapter for free?? Send me a screenshot of your receipt in my DMs on socials or to my email to redeem!

• Go check out a dear friend’s writing channel over on Twitch!

• Also, there is still time to preorder Lia Amador’s fantastic Witch You Would, if you haven’t already!

Musings

If you’re not interested in long-form random personal musings, this is your time to close the newsletter! Thank you so much for reading and being here. I’ll see you next month!

If you want to read more personal thoughts, read on!

In August, I’ve decided that I’m going to try and promote Blood Price every single day over on socials, including trying to make TikToks (the bane of my existence). I’m excited about the prospect, even though it’s going to be a lot of work. I’ve been so focused on marketing and growing the editorial business (since it’s how I afford to live) that marketing my writing and my book has gone on the backburner. And the sales (honestly, the lack thereof) reflect that. So, I want to see if I can move the needle a little bit. I’m excited to see if anything happens!

But I’m also nervous. The idea that I’m going to be “annoying” won’t go away (I need to unpack that, I know). I fear putting my face on TikTok, despite that being how the algo operates. I’m nervous that I’m going to be putting a lot of effort in for very little return. I’m nervous that my debut has already run her course (though, if she has, I’m so, so proud of her).

BUT. I’m going to push past those nerves and see what I can do. And I’m going to try and actually have fun with it, instead of constantly worrying about it and getting stressed. We’ll see how well it goes!

So, if you follow me on socials (which you can find here), thanks so much for your engagement, shares, support and patience as I go on a marketing streak!

Wrap-Up

Thanks so much for reading, no matter if you read the entire newsletter, only parts of it or anything in-between. I’d love to hear your thoughts, whether here or on socials. Plus, tell me how you’re doing. What are you working on? How can I support you? 🖤

Take care of yourself and each other, okay? It’s important that you’re here and you deserve happiness, joy and safety. Never forget that, no matter how hot the fire grows around us (also, please take initiative to help put the fire out, in any way that is accessible and makes sense to you. Call your reps, invest in your community, donate to mutual aid, read books, protect queer people, etc).

Until next,
Nicole 🖤

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