2024. Can’t wait to get to know you, maybe. Wild to think that, my debut novel, HOST has been out for six months now. As I still toy with and figure out the best ways to promote it, I’m working on a second book, which I plan to have out by the end of the year. What’s it about, you ask? If you read HOST then you know about LiLo, an on-the-run mysterious hacker, just trying to survive in this crazy wild world. Well, the next two books I have planned are focused on her, where she came from, why she is who she is, and where she’s going. The first book planned, tentatively titled Zero-Trust, will take place leading up to the events of HOST. While the second book in her arc, tentatively titled Zero-Day (aiming for a 2025 release), will pick up right after HOST. I’m excited about both stories and ideas are flying off the shelves in a chaotic manner, and I can’t wait to organize them.
For Zero-Trust, I’ve completed my pre-planning, outlining, story beats, character profiles, and scene breakdown. The first couple chapters have been written, and I’m getting myself into first draft mode, well, at least doing my best. With a goal of completing a first draft by the end of March…eh…maybe mid April. Zero-Trust will introduce a few new characters from LiLo’s past which I’m excited to play with. More of a techno-thriller this time around, with the basic premise of a ruthless hitman is on LiLo’s tail. It’ll have a little more action than HOST, might be a little more violent, but not over-the-top. All new ground for me to explore which I’m excited about.
Some people have commented about the open threads left with HOST, which I plan to close out with the third book, Zero-Day. I know, we all have to wait, including myself. BUT I have other books planned for the “HOST universe” which I’m really, really excited about and will continue to build on existing characters arcs, while introducing new ones. I want them to all be stand-alone, so you could read them in any order, but each will be connected in some way. And yes, there will be an author suggested reading order at some point. After I finish up LiLo’s primary story, I’ll be diving into more sci-fi focused stories, but that’s down the road. One story at a time. Right now, I’m focused on book two and building more of LiLo’s world, which I can’t wait to share. Stay tuned!
