Quarterly Author Update: April 2025

This quarterly business update covers my progress on multiple writing projects and their commercial performance.

Husk Preorders & Sales

I launched preorders for my science fiction novel Husk through an unconventional channel: my own Shopify store rather than exclusively through Amazon. This experiment proved successful, generating 239 total preorders across platforms. The Shopify store alone produced 204 copies worth $7,727 in total sales, while Amazon contributed 35 additional sales.

The challenge of this approach: preordering physical books directly from an author's website requires extra steps that discourage some customers. Additionally, fiction preorders remain uncommon, especially for debut novels from unknown authors. Despite these obstacles, I'm satisfied with the results—readers are essentially purchasing on faith rather than established reputation.

The preorder bundle includes a signed hardcover plus free digital and audiobook versions—a package set to disappear after the May 27 publication date.

Crypto Confidential Performance

Sales for my previous nonfiction work have slowed considerably. Since January, only 453 copies sold, bringing lifetime sales to 3,700 units. The book's sales basically follow the crypto market. I remain proud of the work's quality but acknowledge it hasn't found a place in the market and have deprioritized promotion to focus on new projects.

Husk Novella Development

A 36,000-word novella set in the same universe as Husk reached first-draft completion in March. The novella tells the story of Felix's consciousness transfer into the digital realm of Meru. Inspired by fantasy author Ryan Cahill's strategy of offering a free novella as a lead magnet, I plan to give away this novella through my email list. The editing timeline calls for completion by June, with publication following shortly after.

Husk 2 Progress

Work on the sequel began March 28, immediately after finishing the novella's first draft. I estimate the sequel will reach approximately 150,000 words and target completion by November. I've set a daily writing goal of 3,000 words—significantly lighter than the 5,000-word daily pace I maintained while drafting the first book.

I intend to allow creative freedom with the ending, having learned from Husk that the most compelling conclusions sometimes emerge organically during writing rather than through advance planning.

Secret Project

I briefly want to mention a third book idea I conceived during a ski trip that I'm absolutely in love with. However, I remain uncertain about prioritization given the existing Husk trilogy commitments. I acknowledge the time-intensive nature of book writing and note that multiplying story ideas necessitate better organizational systems for managing which project receives focus.