Book two of The Innkeeper's Dirge is drafted.

It is hard for me to type those words because of how insane it is.

Book two of an epic fantasy series is now sitting on my computer. Waiting, letting me get some perspective. Each of these books are bigger than most series I've written. The story of the Fiorae is coming together, and I cannot help but wonder how it happened.

I've spent the last couple of days retooling the outline I had for book three, and realizing that I wrote that outline almost four years ago. More of my work and updates will be found in the "State of the Inkdustries," portion of the newsletter, but for now, I wanted to let you know how everything is going and that we are continuing to move forward.

It has not been an easy week. What I thought would be easier with one child away at day camp turned into chaos one day after another. Toddler screams, potty training gone bad, more screams. Ending with a wonderful yellow jacket stinging me right above the armpit and leg cramps.

But I can see the mountains and the valleys together. The hugs and curled up children enjoying time spent with dad. Running up wanting to play in daddy's office as he writes. And real time spent with my wife. We are that weird couple that will do a date night, find a local tavern, sit in a corner with drinks and appetizers and then read next to each other.

An insane high for me this week was when my wife stopped during date night, and stared at me. "You're not going to want to hear this. But this book one is amazing writing. You're doing a great job, I'm hooked."

I wanted to cry. In the middle of a bar. She's told me my books are good, and good writing. But she's never made me shut up so she could continue to read what I wrote.

The Fiorae's story is coming together, and I could not be happier. I hope you enjoy it.

State of the Inkdustries

• Legends of the Realm - First, how we're doing for Volume 1. We are in the midst of finalizing our files with the printer, making sure that the trim size is perfect. This is a new printer, and he's been wonderfully patient with us as we ensure the book comes out perfect from a technical standpoint.
  Volume 2 is shaping up nicely. After I finished the second book for The Innkeeper's Dirge, I immediately shot back into the tale of Camriddeon. Art Director Evan Scale and I have been hard at work getting the feel for Sanctaidd and what this volume will bring.
• Legends of the Realm other comics - Y'all...this is going crazy. Our penciler for Shania's story Antonio Sforza is going out of his mind with these pencils. And for the Sanctaidd story, artist Eileen Widjaja is turning heads. She's working with Evan on exploring just what the Theocracy is truly about. We're almost halfway through pencils or roughs for both comics, and I will be showing images later this summer or early fall.
• Printopia - God Street 2 is coming soon! We're building the page on Backerkit for our September 10th launch date!
• The Innkeeper's Dirge - Well...we just told you. We're celebrating, and checking in with our beta readers for Book One!

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Where to Find Us Next

If you want to read more of our short stories, poetry, see behind-the-scenes work, or support everything that Arcane Inkdustries is doing, click the link and sign up to be a Patreon supporter now.

Thank you for reading. I hope that this sparked a piece of magic for you this week.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Jack Holder

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