For the last few years, I've had a miserable case of writer's block. It worsened with the onset of the 2020 pandemic, and then came to a screeching halt when my dad got sick. He caught Covid-19 early on, and it was a nightmare that never seemed to end.

So, no writing. Months and months. For those who’ve read my books before and connected with me via social media, you can probably guess how much that hurt. I live to tell stories. 

Then, something strange happened.

I visited my parents and stole a hug from my dad. A little one that I wasn't supposed to get. But I couldn't help myself. It was the first one we'd shared in months. Afterwards, I drove to wait in a socially distanced line, voted, and headed home. When I went to bed that night, I had no idea how the election would play out. But I'd done my part. I voted.

Perhaps that's all my brain needed. A hug from dad and for some of the election anxiety to be over.

National Novel Writing Month had begun and I was seeing all those emails about it, bemoaning my lack of writing power. As I was getting ready for bed, I heard a tickle in my head. Like a distant voice, whispering. If you’re a writer, you’ll recognize this. It’s the sound of a character being born. 

Between going to bed and waking up, the whole story was lodged firmly in my head. The whole bleeping thing. The characters, their journey, their emotions, and motivations. All of it. I still didn’t quite believe it was real, so I sat down to write. 

In twenty-four days, I wrote over 110,000 words of the first draft. A completed draft. Holy macaroni! I’ve never done that. Portals took years of patient work. The Strikers trilogy took five years! What madness was this? 

Shortly after NaNoWriMo ended, I heard about a contest Campfire was running. They make writing and worldbuilding software that helps writers keep track of their stories, and I've used their tools for a few years now. In fact, I used them to help keep all the complex details of The Never-Ending End of the World straight.

Well, wouldn't you know it, I ended up winning that contest. The prize?

$3,000 in in publishing aid along with a lifetime subscription to Campfire.

But it actually gets better, if you can believe it. The folks over at Campfire loved my story so much, they gave me a choice. I could either take the prize I was promised, or they would publish my book. All expenses paid, a great advance, and my book as a flagship offering of their new publishing house.

How could I turn that down?

Here we are, several years and many drafts later... And we're finally ready to share this beautiful story with you.