The Pageturning Report: October, 2023
Writing my second children's book. LegendHaven 2023. And more!
I am happy to announce that Pageturning has finally passed 200 subscribers!!!
Thank you so much for all your support. I have big plans for this newsletter in 2024. More book reviews, more essays, maybe even a few short stories! Some of these I may decide to make exclusive content for paid subscribers.
And, of course, these monthly Pageturning Reports as well as my occasional Duc in Altum spiritual reflections will continue to remain ABSOLUTELY FREE for all readers. I’m always open to suggestions, so please leave a comment below if you have any ideas for future posts you’d like to see.
Ongoing projects
I’ve been extremely busy in the past few weeks, with several family obligations taking priority. But I’m still working hard on my various writing projects. My freelance writing has been fallow for a while, but I’m hopeful that it will begin to pick up again soon. I have several articles in the works right now.
Middle grade nonfiction book
In late September I completed the second round of revisions to my MG manuscript, focusing on suggestions made by the copyeditor. I also expanded the glossary of terms. I expect there will be at least one more round of edits in the pipeline, after the fact-checker completes his review of the text. What I’m most looking forward to is seeing the work-in-progress illustrations from the art team!
Sadly, I can’t share any more details with you at this stage, but I hope that next year I will be able to officially announce the title of my book right here on Pageturning. Be sure to stay subscribed so that you don’t miss any of my monthly updates.
Accountability group (and a new book!)
I signed up for another quarter of accountability sessions with book coach Katelin Cummins. You may remember that last month I announced that I was thinking about writing a book on the spiritual life, drawing inspiration primarily from St. Francis de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life. This was going to be a book aimed primarily at single men. However, as I began my preliminary research, I quickly became overwhelmed. I concluded that this manuscript was not the right project for me at this time.
So, I decided to use the last few months of 2023 to write another middle-grade nonfiction book. I won’t reveal much about it right now, except to say that it is about DRAGONS! (That’s right, a nonfiction book about dragons. Trust me, it’ll make sense once you know more.)
So far, the work is going quicker than I hoped. I finished organizing my raw notes (what I like to call my “Draft Zero”) and I’m now hard at work on my true first draft. I’d say that I have this draft about a third complete as of today. I’d like to have a second more polished draft finished by the end of December. If all goes well, my plan is to pitch this book to publishers at the Catholic Writer’s Guild online conference in February 2024.
Revamping my web presence
I’d really like to relaunch my author website in November with an entirely new design, better reflecting my accomplishments as an essayist, children’s book author, and podcaster. Hopefully I’ll have that ready by the time I post the next Pageturning Report.
LegendHaven 2023
This year’s LegendHaven writer’s convention was a lot of fun!
and the team at did a splendid job organizing this free online event. I wasn’t able to attend all of the panels and booths that I wanted (I had a family member visiting) but I had a splendid time overall interacting with other wonderful Catholic writers. I’m looking forward to next year’s convention!In case you missed it, I participated in a pre-recorded talk for LegendHaven all about epic science-fantasy sagas! The post below has a link to the YouTube video:
Podcast life
I’m still busy recording podcasts for the StarQuest Network (SQPN). Today, I actually started scheduling some really cool episodes to release in November and December. In the meantime, check out some of these entertaining discussions:
The Secrets of Star Wars
What Dreams and Madness filled Ahsoka Ep. 7? I join Angela Sealana, Ryan Nafziger, and Josh Beeghley to peek behind the New Republic's curtain, and into the minds of Thrawn, Ahsoka, Baylan, and Shin.
The Secrets of Middle-Earth
Explore the theological and philosophical themes concerning good, evil, and power, as reflected in the One Ring's symbolism. I’m joined by Jeff Haecker and Mike Schramm to discuss the influences of Tolkien’s work on modern fantasy, highlighting the Ring's evolution from a plot tool to a symbol of power and corruption, paralleled in modern takes on sin and redemption. The Ring's symbolic narrative rooted in Judeo-Christian themes signifies a timeless struggle between power’s allure and the redemption found in its renunciation, showcasing Tolkien's enduring impact on the genre and moral discourse.
The Secrets of Movies & TV Shows
I join Patrick Mason and Jason Eugea to discuss this biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist behind the atomic bomb. We discuss the film’s depth, historical accuracy, and nuanced portrayal, highlighting Oppenheimer’s complex relationships and ethical dilemmas.
Diving into the first season of Foundation, I join Jeff Haecker and Patrick Mason to discuss the show’s complex narrative, where it deviates from Isaac Asimov, and the unique storytelling elements, especially the exploration religion, politics, and technology's societal impact.
Reading life
The World’s First Love by Fulton J. Sheen
A Holy Life: The Writings of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes by Patricia A. McEarchern
Travels with Charlie in Search of America by John Steinbeck
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
Farewell for now!
Again, thanks so much for your continuing support. And please share this newsletter with anyone you think might be interested in the work I do. God bless!