Blog Post No. 487
The making of the new novella, Snow from a Different Sky, took longer than the last couple. It was written very quickly, but the editing process was slow. There were some long gaps between beta reads and I struggled to keep productive while I waited. I’m sure I’ll figure out juggling two projects at once one of these days.
Either way, after getting my final reviews, I did my out-loud read last week and with frequent check-ins with the Writing Wrecking Crew for their opinions, I did the layout, cover template, back cover copy, and acknowledgements this weekend. Since that was the last of it, I submitted the book to the printer and ordered a sample copy. That means, I can officially share the amazing cover by Glen Hawkes.
If there are no issues with the sample copy, I’ll order a small run to spread around the city and the book will be available online or to order from your local bookstore. The printing can take a couple of weeks, so while the book is technically done, it may not be “released” for a little while.
This marks the end of this phase of The Synthetic Albatross Novella Series. I hope to get back to it, but I have some novels to work on for now. Thanks to all the amazing readers who’ve come along with me on the journey so far. You’ll get some questions answered in this one finally. Keep an eye open for news about the novels I’ll be working on for the rest of the year!
I’m racing to the finish line with the Snow from a Distant Sky, the fifth and potentially final novella in my 
This is it. The last post of the year. As any readers who have followed me for a while know, I reserve this space for looking forward to what next year may hold. There are usually a lot of hopeful expectations that don’t always turn out, but I’d like to think that over the course of writing this blog, I’ve made real progress. As for predictions, I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I missed the mark when I guessed what 2020 would hold and even when we were mid pandemic, I was way too optimistic for 2021. Not in terms of writing or productivity (I’ll get into looking back in January when I reach the new year mark from when I started this blog). 
Most of the artists I know don’t have a ton of extra scratch to pay for things. Sometimes when you’re making, say, a book, you need things like good looking covers. How does an artist pay for a good looking cover when they don’t have enough money to get a kindergartner to finger paint for them? That’s right, they trade for it. I was lucky enough to find someone to trade with in 
I think it would be fair to call this an update, but the title came before content so I’m leaving it. As I write this, there are 14 days left in the month and left to get the coveted discount on the sett-up fee at the printer. I just finished the last review/edit of 
Last week I finished off the third draft of Break/Interrupt and (like passing off a mewling baby) handed it over to Christian for review. There is still a lot of editing left to do, but other than more potential cuts, the story is pretty well set. With the novella out of my hands, I am trying to be productive in other ways without diving into another project that will have to be put on hold when I get the edit back. At the top of the list is coming up with some good ideas for the cover so that 
I’m going to try to stay on topic for this one. I’m sure no one needs to hear about being stuck inside from yet another person. We’re all in that boat together. Though, I will say, staying focused has been a challenge. I’m a creature who craves structure, so a total lack of my usual structure is challenging. That being said, I’m trying really hard to get this novella (
Welcome to the long post where I look back on my previous year on this blog and as a writer and feel things. Those of you who have been with me for a while (hi mom and dad) know the story of this blog all too well. Some time back in 2010 I decided that I should have a blog. I was still in the “I want to be a writer but I don’t actually write,” phase, so it fizzled out rather quickly. Then, at the end of 2012 something clicked and I actually started to do this thing (for real). I started writing stories to go up on 
It’s 2020. Nine-year-old Ben is really excited about all the really cool future stuff. Current Ben is terrified with what some of the new future stuff could mean for us (like deep fake and AI). It’s all writing fuel, though. I’m currently listing out all the things I didn’t get finished this year, that I have to get done early in the new year (or was just before I started to write this). The list is long and includes some things that are more long term (or long term for finishing, but I may have to get started soon). It’s jumbled and there are overlaps and loose ends all over the place. Some of it is erroneous (or out of date) but with all the issues, it’s a requirement for me to get my head around the new year and the new and old projects I have to get done. 
Ben Van Dongen 