Updates

It is so fucking hot outside. I usually enjoy summer; getting to feel the sun on my skin; going swimming; feeling like there is so much time in the day with the late sunsets; ice cream. Yet this year, even before we hit the proper heat of this week (90+ degree days that feel like 100+ degree days with tons of humidity), I was already over it. Right now? I’m especially over it. Give me fall weather, thank you.

Freelancing

June marks my biggest month of the year, as I shared my third annual Pride discount! You still have a little more than one week to take advantage of truly a STEAL of a deal. See the details below (reshared from the last newsletter for ease).

• Openings: I have room for two 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 (unless there is currently a better offer, like this one ⬇️).

• Deals: It’s PRIDE MONTH aka the best month of the year. As a queer writer and editor, it’s a month I celebrate and am very invested in personally. But, now more than ever, queer voices, stories and dreams need to be heard, uplifted, understood, celebrated and protected. So, it’s time for my third annual Pride Editorial Discount!

Queer writers, if you book with me during June 2025 (for any full manuscript edit, with actual editing happening between now and May 2026), you will receive 50% off your edit. No need to disclose how you qualify. Simply reach out via my website and tell me you’d like to take part in the discount, using the code: QUEERSTORIESFOREVER in your email.

I cannot wait to see what queer stories we can bring to life together. 🖤🖤

Writing

Still lost in the sauce of the fantasy romance WIP! I’m having a lot of fun writing about my quirky and nerdy fat female protagonist learning to trust herself (and her heart again) alongside our cinnamon roll male love interest who gets all of his romance tips from the books he binges (plus advice from the rest of the party which is certainly going to be...interesting). We’re nearing the turning point of Act I and might actually make it to Act II by the end of this month!!!

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!

• I am so thrilled to get some great new music this year. Bangers have been released by I, Prevail, A Day to Remember, Wage War, Starset, Sleep Token and Twenty One Pilots…so, pretty much every favourite band currently. I can’t believe it but my ears are blessed.

• I beat Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and it broke me in all the best ways and will be one of my forever favorite games that truly altered me. Game of the Year, 110%, without a doubt, hands down, I will be taking no questions. Now, my current obsession is Palia, as I needed a cozy farming life sim after being emotional devastated. Plus, I plan to play Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Outer Worlds II, Tales of the Shire, Borderlands 4 and Paleo Pines this year. So fucking grateful for video games.

• I am still slowly working through Ada Hoffman’s The Fallen, which is super interesting. And really enjoying JD Rivers’ The Edge of a World. I haven’t been reading as much (see aforementioned videogames) but hopefully that’ll change with the 2nd half of the year?

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

• E.A. Bard revealed the title of her upcoming witchy historical fantasy romance set in Scotland! Go check it out on her newsletter!

• Speaking of newsletters, have you subscribed to Chris Juhlin’s yet? It’s fantastic and gives great insight to their upcoming YA Fantasy, which you should have on your radar!

• If you aren’t already enjoying the fantastic gameplay and community of The Kids Are Asleep over on Twitch (made up of power couple Valerie Valdes and Eric Valdes), you are MISSING OUT.

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!

So, I wanted to talk about manifestations and dreaming for this section this go around, but it’s so long, it’s going to be it’s own seperate post! So look for that to come out in early July as it’s own, separate newsletter!

Wrap-Up

Thanks so much for reading, no matter if you read the entire newsletter, only parts of it or anything in-between. I really like this new format and I hope you do, too! 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, etc).

Until next,
Nicole 🖤

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