Quickflicker

Long time no see, everyone!
          
          I've been hard at work editing Dark Places for publication, and I have some updates to share on that front!
          
          First and foremost, I know I've mentioned before my plan to split Dark Places as it's currently published into two separate books. That process is complete, turning what was originally just Dark Places into the first two books out of a planned three.
          
          Which brings us to the Dark Bound Souls Trilogy!
          
          Book one is now Dark Dreamer, encompassing the first half of the current story; book two is now Dark Places, which contains the remaining half of the current story, and book three is called Dark Secrets, wrapping up Jenn and Karl's story.
          
          I will most likely release the first two books simultaneously via Kindle Direct Publishing, and also enroll the e-books in KDP Select, making them free for all Kindle Unlimited members to read.
          
          My plan is for book three to be released within six to nine months of books one and two.
          
          Right now, I am about 80% through the final editing and formatting of Dark Secrets, and I've made the cover. I'm expecting to be done with the editing and formatting soon, and will then restart the process with Dark Places. I have the cover for this one about half finished, roughly.
          
          While editing and cover-making (and working a full-time job, phew!) I've also been slowly working on the rough draft of Dark Secrets. I have the (very) rough plot outline completed, and have several scenes written out.
          
          Clearly, I've been very busy!
          
          I have a goal to at LEAST have a release date for Dark Dreamer and Dark Places by the end of 2026, but please stay tuned if these releases are something you're interested in. I'll keep making updates throughout the process!
          
          Thank you to my readers! Your support gave me the courage to try to make my dream of being published a reality. <3
          
          (If you want to see the cover I have made for Dark Secrets, and a WIP of the Dark Places cover, check out my website, where they're on my current blog post!)

Hey there Quickflicker,
          
          I just finished your book Dark Places and I really, really need to thank you for your awesome book. I was hooked from the first chapters and practically inhaled it over the last few days (went MIA on my family hehehe). But it was sooo worth it.
          
          I can’t even start to describe what I loved the most—the storyline, the characters, your love for detail, and how you take the time to really describe the scenes and emotions. Including the topic of endometriosis was such a meaningful touch. It’s just so wholesome… just thank you.
          
          I hope you keep enjoying writing and creating such awesome pieces ♡

Well, after doing a ton of final nitpicky edits and changing all of the header images yet again, Dark Places is finally entered into the 2025 Wattys!
          
          Now that I can't touch it again (if I make any edits, I'll be disqualified), I have free time to begin work on my next book. I'll be closing the voting for which novel I write next soon, so if you still want to vote for which one of my ideas I'll be writing first, do so soon!
          
          You can vote here: https://quickflickercreative.weebly.com/voting.html
          
          I will also be working on splitting Dark Places into two books, although those changes won't be coming onto any platforms until after the Wattys conclude. My goal is to split it into two approximately 100k-word novels, at which point I may look into e-publishing. I will, of course, keep everyone updated on this!
          
          Thank you all for supporting me as I worked my way through writing Dark Places. Seeing people enjoying my story gave me the motivation to continue working hard, and I'm so proud of what I've created. I can't wait to share more of my work with you all soon! <3

Dark Places has officially been completed (for now).
          
          Before we dive back into more Karl and Jenn action, it's time for a break with another novel, and I'm letting you, the readers, help me decide what's next.
          
          Please go to this page on my website (https://quickflickercreative.weebly.com/voting.html) and read about the two potential next books, then cast your vote for the one you're most interested in reading next!
          
          Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. I look forward to sharing another world with you!

Well, everyone, this week should mark the last few updates to Dark Places, as we wrap up the story... for now.
          
          Tuesday the 1st will be chapter 43, and Friday the 4th will be chapter 44 and the epilogue. I can't believe we're finally at the end! We'll finish at just over 200,000 words, which is substantially longer than I had originally anticipated when storyboarding this, but much shorter than the rough draft! So much cut content that may make its way into the next book...
          
          That's right! Karl and Jenn's story won't be ending with the close of Dark Places. Once the epilogue is posted, I will begin work to split Dark Places into two separate books and begin yet another editing pass, this time shooting to get each book down to around 85k words, with the help of my beta reader and potentially an editor. I already have some work done on what will end up being book three, and I hope to start sharing that with you all sometime this year.
          
          Before we continue Karl and Jenn's adventures, though, I am going to be working on another novel, because as much as I love them both, I need a break from them, too. And they deserve some rest.
          
          I will be letting you, the readers, help me decide what direction to go with my next novel. I have two that are through the basic planning phase, each one has a plot outline complete, and I'm polishing the first couple of chapters of them both. When the final chapter and epilogue go up for Dark Places on Friday, the 4th, I will be putting a poll out for readers to vote on which of these two potential novels I will work on first. Ultimately, I'll make the final decision, but your input will be very valuable to me in making my choice!
          
          I will provide readers with the cover, genre, and synopsis for each of these stories, and then you'll be able to cast your vote. I look forward to seeing what you all think!
          
          ​See you all tomorrow for chapter 43!

The Friday update for Dark Places will not be coming out tomorrow, as I will be out of town for work.
          
          We will resume updates as usual on Tuesday!
          
          See you all then! <3

The second editing pass with the beta reader on Dark Places is COMPLETE for all the already-posted chapters! Hooray!
          
          PLEASE NOTE: In the process of editing, two chapters ended up becoming one, so we're back down to 35 chapters instead of 36. 
          
          Those of you who were caught up are still caught up, and the "new" chapter 36 will be going up on Tuesday as planned. THIS CHAPTER WILL BE NEW to all of you!
          
          I hope that this big cohesion pass will help new readers follow the story better. Those of you who have already read the first 35 chapters aren't missing anything really from the editing pass as far as any major new content, although I will say that I added a lovely scene in chapter 25 (look for the drive), that I'm quite proud of, if you feel like checking it out. :3
          
          See you all on Tuesday!

Just a heads up that I have begun a second editing pass on Dark Places (even though I didn't get caught up to where we're at with the first one), with the help of a beta reader. As of posting this announcement, we are re-edited up to chapter 13, and I'll just keep going with the beta reader until we are caught up. 
          
          New chapters aren't being beta read yet, they'll get a pass as soon as my beta gets to those chapters!
          
          While there haven't been any big changes to the plot made or anything, many areas have been cleaned up, fleshed out, and had their grammar, syntax, and punctuation fixed. Especially my beloved em dashes, which OpenOffice just refused to make the appropriate length. They're all getting fixed, too, and it looks so much cleaner!
          
          Also, chapter 35 is now posted, sorry it didn't go up sooner! I was caught up with a very busy day at work, and then working with my beta reader afterwards on the early chapters.
          
          Enjoy and happy reading!

Hooray - Chapter 29 of Dark Places has been uploaded! The next update will be next Friday as planned.
          
          I also have two little brainworms wriggling around, whispering ideas to me for future books... so be on the lookout for more information. 

Chapter 27 of Dark Places has been uploaded!
          
          I will have another update by Friday of this week, and I am tentatively planning for a weekly update schedule on Fridays going forward.
          
          I hope you all enjoy the latest chapter! <3