A quick update on my book progress and Author Site updates. 

Privateers of the Dauntless: The writing is done, as are the rewrites. I have author’s notes, a prologue, 22 chapters, an epilogue, and a postscript. About 87,000 words in all, not to mention the cast & characters and the glossary of nautical terms. Whew…

I’ve been toiling away at editing. There have been no fewer than ten edit passes on each chapter, plus an oral read-through, plus a continuity and timeline audit. If that sounds like a bunch of tedious work, let me tell you…

That said, I’m close to the finish line. I’m adjusting chapter titles and working on graphics now. I have most of the graphics ready, but each takes time. I wish I could share some of the graphics I have with you, but they don’t transpse to this medium well, so you will have to wait for the book. I’ll be typesetting and packaging for publishing next then sending the manuscript to beta readers within the next week or two. The beta readers’ feedback will be the pivotal factor in determining the publishing date, but I am confident it’s close.

I have release forms from all but two of the cast, so thank you for that.

It’s been fun to write, and Robbin has been instrumental in polishing the rough edges. She has injected ideas that has only made the project even better. Is it perfect? No way, but I have to put an anchor in the water somewhere, and this seems like a good place. For you who lived the dream of the Dauntless, this is not that story, but I hope this will be an enjoyable legacy of all we did on the real fake Dauntless. That said, this is a work of fiction, so don’t expect it to mirror the path you had on the Dauntless. For those looking in from the outside, I hope you will enjoy the read just the same.

Dance Noir – The Latin Beauty: Sales continue slowly, but it holds a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, so I am pleased. I have 18 really nice reviews. My next goal is to get to 25 reviews, as that kicks in the Amazon algorithms. So, if you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for? If you have read it and haven’t reviewed it, please, please do. Either way, tell a friend.

If and only if you have read Dance Noir, I have an alternate ending for you. Spoiler Alerts! You can access this alternate ending for chapter 13 on my Author Site at the link below:

https://rigginswrites.com/other-writings/dance-noir-alternat-ending

You may want to re-read chapter 13 first…

Tattooed Canary: I don’t think this is new information, but I have begun work. I’m keeping the same first-person perspective, but I’m adding a couple new “hooks.”  I think the result will make book 2 even better than Nick’s first case. I may give you a teaser in a future edition. I am anxious to complete the Privateers of the Dauntless so that I can dive into this new case in earnest. Maybe I’ll even get this book out before the end of the year. Wouldn’t that be something, to publish two books in the same year? Let’s not hold our breath…

Moon Dance of the Sprigs: This is a totally different genre. It would certainly classify as Fantasy, and probably Young Adult. This is my side project. Whether I ever publish this or not is up in the air. It’s on the back burner for now, but I’ll come back from time to time to add chapters. It’s likely a long-term project that will morph as it goes. If you would like to read the first, and currently the only chapter, you can access it here: https://rigginswrites.com/other-writings/moon-dance-of-the-sprigs

Regarding any of these writings, you’re welcome to send me comments by email if you have it. Otherwise, you can send a note via my contact page: https://rigginswrites.com/contact

Be kind; I have a thick skin but…