We finally have a book on the way!
THE BURNING QUEEN pub date, April updates, and more
Hello dear friends,
I have been MIA in my writing cave — for good reason! On March 26th, at exactly 2:24am, I submitted the completed manusccript of THE BURNING QUEEN to copy. What does this mean?
When you submit a manuscript to copy, it means you are done. No more changes to the story. No more changes to the plot or characters. The story is locked in. Now, all that remains is a quick edit for grammar/copy, then a proofread, and then we’re off to the races.
And this means: ARCs are coming.
Most likely, we will have e-ARCs ready in mid-May, and possible print ARCs in mid-June. Now, the latter is still up in the air. I am waiting on my publisher to confirm, but I will update you in this newsletter once I know more. But for now, I am celebrating.
THE BURNING QUEEN has been a 3 year long endeavor where I have questioned and doubted myself. Not because of my quality as a writer, but my diligence as one.
We are not born poets. We are made into them.
To write a story, to write a 150,000 word book, you have to show up to the page. You must make writing an intentional act. Some days, I feel like total crap. Maybe my full-time job has drained me, or my hands are acting up, or, or, or. We will always have a million and one excuses. But a book has to be made regardless.
THE BURNING QUEEN was a test of strength, obdurance, and resilience, but it was also a gift. It taught me of my own tenacity as a storyteller, my capabilities as a writer, and the simple quality of courage. I’ve said this before: sometimes, books come to save you. That was THE PHOENIX KING for me. Then, there are books that come to teach you and help you discover a hidden truth. THE BURNING QUEEN gave me that gift, and now it is my turn to give that gift to you.
So mark your calendars for November 4th, friends. The day of THE BURNING QUEEN is finally coming.
Preorder Details
You can now preorder The Burning Queen at most book retailers, like Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Waterstones, etc. If you submit your preorder receipt to this Google form, my team will send you 1 of 3 cards, as shown below. We only have 200 cards left, so submit ASAP!
Book Events
Here’s where you can find me IRL. Come say hi. PLEASE. I don’t bite.
Austin Greater Library Book Festival
Panel: Speculative Fiction
April 26 | 3-4 PM | 2nd Floor, Art Gallery
June 6 -7 | Washington D.C.
June 22-25 | Houston, TX
July 12 | Chesterton, IN
What I’m Reading/Watching
Sunrise on the Reaping
I just finished this, and I quickly jumped on the Ravence Discord to say that I finally understand how readers felt after finishing THE PHOENIX KING. For a full hour, I stared at the wall. I soaked in the dark, broken hope of the book, and then I went back to writing Book 3. If that tells you anything…
Isle of the Silver Sea
I recently received an ARC (the perks of being an author!) of Tasha Suri’s latest and I am ready to be swept away. I’m only 50 pages in, but my, do these 50 pages shine.
The Knight and the Moth
This is another ARC I received of Rachel Gillig’s latest. I haven’t cracked this one open yet, but I fairly enjoyed her debut duology, and I am curious to read her next work.
Paradise
My coworkers kept telling me about a show called Paradise. I went into it blind, and looking back, I’m glad that I did. We only have two episodes left, so no spoilers! The show does a great job weaving flashbacks with the current storyline to add emotional depth and character complexity. I also admire the handling of Sinatra’s character. The writers could have easily made her an all-encompassing villain, but they chose a more interesting route, and I’m curious how this season will end.
White Lotus Season 3
I loved the prior two seasons. This one, not so much. However, I am here for Walter Goggin’s and Carrie Coon’s characters. The dinner conversation between the 3 friends, where one was revealed to be a Trump supporter, was an accurate portrayal of an Austin transplant mom. If you live in Austin, you know that she screams Westlake mom who eats Flower Child while complaining about tax increases for free student lunches at the public schools.
What’s Next
I plan on announcing an official preorder campaign with a bookstore, so stay tuned. My team and I are still hammering out details about a possible Book 2 tour, but if you want me to come to your city, or know of good bookstores that will host visiting authors, please let me know! I would love to send them signed bookplates regardless.
This newsletter was a joy to create, and though I’ve been spotty in the past, I endeavor to be more consistent with my monthly check-ins. Til then,
Keep a fire burning,
Aparna
I can’t wait for book two!!!! So thrilled😱
Im so happy!