fiction

atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: Editing!

(Image Source)

I’m up to three finished rough drafts, as well as parts to edit to post on Patreon. That means no real word counts of note to post. The good news is (is not having word counts ” bad news?) that I am aiming to post again on my Patreon this month. I am still tweaking my page. I’d like a better description and more art, but that’s not the most important part. The most important part is getting more books out.

Also, I’d like to thank everyone once again who has purchased my work during the Smashwords Sale. I really hope you enjoy them!

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: Lots of Updates!

(Image Source)

If you’re subscribed to my blog, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been fairly regularly posting reviews. That’s gonna continue. I have a lot to get through.

Next up is my Patreon! I’ve been editing a lot, and the next part is up! It’s on the paid tier, but the first chapters of all my WIPs that I’m working on will always be free. The first part of “Dewey” is here.

Smashwords has started their July sale! All my books are discounted or even free on that site! You can check them out here.

Now, time for the wordcounts:

  • First Brood 4: 19,914
  • Smut short story: 570 (published 2 stories last month)
  • Dewey: 17,316

I am doing my best to try to get out some good content. I need to treat it like a job if I’m going to make money from it like a job. It’s not going to be easy, I am going to be very tired, but I have debt and a kid to put through college. I gotta do what I gotta do.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Not Your Idol” Vol. 3, by Aoi Makino

(Image Source)

Kamiyama ponders what being an idol means to her while Miku askes Hikaru to guard her after she was assaulted.

Miku is just the worst and I mean that in a couple ways. First, she’s just a manipulative jerk plotting to turn people against Kamiyama because profit? I have no idea. Then the book goes back and forth as to whether or not she’s lying about her assault. And spoilers but I am NOT happy about Miyu’s suicide fake out. Those two things make whatever message this story is trying to say about how women and girls are used and perceived as objects really muddled. Exploring the way exploitation can impact people, victim blaming, and objectification is important but this doesn’t seem focused on that and just wants drama. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Not Your Idol” Vol. 2, by Aoi Makino

(Image Source)

Karen/Nina has allowed Hikaru to be closer to her, making their classmate, Miku, jealous.

I’m gonna call her Kamiyama for now since going back and forth between Karen and Nina is confusing. Again, trigger warning for more victim blaming and sexual assault. I was pretty spot on in that this comic is about Kamiyama struggling to feel safe again but there’s also the questionable things she was pressured to do when she was an idol. She was absolutely taken advantage of by an industry that would sexualize her EVEN AS A MINOR. Remember, she’s in high school at the time this series begins, meaning she was even younger doing racy pictures before she was attacked and quit. Just gross. And Miku… It bothers me that we’re going back and forth about if her assault happened. It’s so weird. I’m in this more for Kamaiyama’s journey. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Not Your Idol” Vol. 1 by Aoi Makino

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Former member of the idol group Pure Club, Nina Kamiyama, now dresses as a boy after being assaulted at a fan event. She now lives as a normal student, having retired from the group until one of her classmates, Hikaru, finds out who she is.

If you’re triggered by victim blaming, maybe skip this one. While this isn’t exactly subtle when talking about harassment or assault, it works fine. This is also critiquing idol culture, but I get the feeling that this will be more about Nina dealing with her trauma and eventually finding out who attacked her. Because not only is he still at large, but he is still stalking her. 3.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Off Schedule Writing Update

(Image Source)

Happy Mother’s Day! If you’re into that thing. If not, happy I finished a project day!

The next part of Fruit of the Dead is finished and the rough draft is 2397 words. I absolutely have a ton of editing to do on it. I gave it a quick read through and there are things I need to add, details to expand on, etc. I have a much needed day off where I can do that and read a bunch of ARCs I’ve been dying to get to. I haven’t outlined the next bit yet but I have some ideas in mind. My book cover site has completely revamped and I no longer have access to edit the cover I’ve been using for this series. I did email them and support told me they could have it moved into the new editing software but it hasn’t happened yet. I really hope I don’t have to delay publishing the story when it’s ready or buy a new cover and have to go back and change it for the first two parts. It may not matter to others but, it’s important for me to have cover continuity. I hope they’re able to help me out soon so I can give this next part to you all.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews Challenge Edition: “Woom” by Duncan Ralston

(Image Source)

Determined to end the pain of all his accumulated trauma, Angel rents Room 6 of the Lonely Motel and enlists the services of a plus-sized prostitute named Shyla.

This book uses Angel and Shyla’s “date” as the wrap-around to a bunch of other stories having to do with the motel and Room 6. Each story is leading up to Angel’s ultimate plans for Shyla, which I will not spoil, but there’s a reason why her being plus-sized is important. I’m not gonna lie, I expected SOOOO much worse. After “Cows” and “Playground” this was a cake walk. In fact, it was almost tragically beautiful because it’s all about Angel dealing with his pain and rage. And I will spoil a tiny bit where I don’t think Angel’s penultimate plan is… Biologically possible? I wasn’t about to Google that. I’m probably on several watch lists already. I appreciate not having graphic descriptions of rancid female private parts but it is graphic; detailed descriptions of shit, vomit, and gore. No spoilers, but I was not expecting the outcome of the prom date gone wrong. It also read fast and in the end, I just felt bad for Angel. I finished it in an afternoon. 3.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Vagabond Definitive Edition” Vol. 1, by Takehiko Inoue

214151579

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After the Battle of Sekigara, Tezezo Shinmen and Matahachi Hon’iden manage to survive. They get rescued but take vastly different paths. Matahachi wants to head back to his home village but Tezuko decides to become a vagabond as part of a goal to become a more skilled swordsman.

Be aware, this is very violent, has some nudity, and an odd number of fart jokes. The fight choreography is really good and the story is interesting but I’m not quite getting the appeal just yet. This is a legendary series for sure but “I wanna be the best at X” isn’t the most intriguing hook for me anymore. I’ll have to see where it goes from here because if it’s just hopping from sword school to sword school as Tezuko has the experience beaten into him, I don’t know if I’ll continue it. I think it’s because I don’t feel very invested in Tezuko as of right now because he’s a bit flat to me. I’m sure I’ll learn more about him. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Patreon Updated! First Brood 4: Emma, Chapter 4

My Patreon is updated with my current WIP. You can join for just one dollar!

Remember this is a work in progress and things may change when the final draft is published. And the prologue is available to read for free.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Patreon Updated!

Lenni-72dpi-1500x2000 (5)

Chapter 2 of First Brood 4: Emma was updated over the weekend and I forgot to post the news here. Click here to check it out and remember, the prologue is up for free for a taste! If you haven’t read the first three books, you will be lost.

Follow me on BlogLovin.