I will be setting the preorder up in the next few days, but I thought you would all like to know that the Prince of New York should release on May 16, 2025 barring any unforeseen circumstances.
I am now back from my trip to Canada, although I’m still trying to catch up on everything I neglected in the real world.
Patreon posting will resume tomorrow, as trying to do anything today would surely cost me what is left of my sanity.
I hope you are all having a fabulous day.
The current release schedule looks like this:
- November 19, 2024: Partner in Crime
- November 19, 2024: A Light in the Dark
- December 25, 2024: Experimental Voyage
- March 18, 2025: Booked for Theft
- May 16, 2025: Prince of New York
As a reminder, in regards to the Backlist Schedule I posted: books scheduled to be written from the backlist will be written between 2025 and 2026, with the general hope that the first of the books will release at the end of 2025. None of these books will have long preorder cycles. You can expect a three month preorder so those who have to budget can have advanced warning of the book’s release.
Also, those who are subscribed to Patreon in the Otter (or higher) tiers will be getting all of the books in the above list as part of their subscription. ($10 a month or higher.) Alternatively, the ePub version of the book will be made available in the Patreon store on its release day.
It is currently very unlikely that the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series will have a release in 2025. I feel that the series is better off resting for a little while to give Dragon Her Heels the best chance at fiscal success, especially after the poor performance of Whiskers on Kittens. (I’m better off to work on the backlist books at this point, as it will get those books off my plate while giving the series a potential chance to be revived. Do I think the series will revive? No. Will I give it the opportunity to? Yes.)
I am currently planning on aiming for Christmas 2026 for Dragon Her Heels, but this may change depending on numerous factors, including the backlist performance of the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series.
And no, this is not a punishment for anyone. This is making sure I can keep writing in the long term. The problem with putting all the eggs in one basket, such as what was done with the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series for numerous years (as the top priority) is that once the basket breaks, there’s not much in the way of fallback plans.
I didn’t write good enough books to sustain the series, and that’s on me. But I enjoy writing books, so I am going to write the books that either conclude series (so they’re no longer burning holes in my soul) or the books that might help pay the bills.
And yes, that absolutely does mean sliding in experimental pieces and standalones (and new pen names) in search of something that can reliably pay the bills.
Right now, GP Robbins, Lilith Daniels, and Susan Copperfield are doing the brunt of the heavy lifting right now. And I know that disappoints those who are strictly RJ Blain readers or only follow one series, but it is what it is.
I could do what everyone else wants… and have to quit writing. I’d rather not do that.
As such, I pivot, pivot, pivot until I’m dizzy and hopefully in a strong fiscal position to keep doing what I love.
I hope you have a great day… whatever day it happens to be. (Don’t ask me, I don’t know at this stage.)
Prince of New York! and 2025! yay and thank you. Happy you’re home safe and can spend time with the cats. And eat better tacos.
While I am slightly disappointed that you’re scheduling others, I would be far more disappointed if you were forced to STOP writing. At least this way, you put out more of the series that I like the most!
You are far too hard on yourself. The magical romantic comedy (with a body count) is an outstanding series and Whiskas on Kittens was great. Its lack of commercial success is sad but not a failure of your writing. I enjoy all that you write.
Thank you for your writing. I do not think many readers appreciate the authors efforts on their behalf enough. They just demand more and more. When I am a little down, I re-read one of your books and it makes me feel better. That is why I am saying thank you. That’s all, just Thank You. Hugs and all that good stuff.
Yeah a Christmas book! Happy Birthday to me!
I love all of your books. I eagerly await each new release and I’m thankful for your talent. I reread Bailey and her world when I’m sad. Each series carries a special place in my heart. I just keep rereading until your next release.
Welcome back, and thanks for the updated schedule. I don’t know why Whiskers on Kittens was not a commercial success, but it’s certainly not due to any lack of quality writing on your part. That story is remarkable and I reread it regularly.
Well, I was bummed out by ‘May, ’24’ until I saw how much is coming out between now and then. (Yes, my memory stinks.) No matter, I’m eagerly awaiting them all.
Please don’t think you “didn’t write good enough books.” All of your books that I have read (and I have read most of them) are very well written. They are layered so well that many readers miss it. I greatly appreciate clean-ish 🙂 romantic fantasy with plenty of snark and interesting and innovative social commentary layered in. I’m only sorry that more readers don’t appreciate your talent. I, for one, am constantly recommending your books to like-minded friends. And re-reading when I need a pick-me-up. Thank you for persevering.
I enjoy your stories so selfishly I never want you to stop writing.
I love and follow a number of your series, those by RJ Blain as well as Lilith Daniels and GP Robbins, so I have a really hard time deciding what I’d like next! I’m glad it’s in your hands. Just know I’m very thankful you keep writing.
In other professions, if someone wants certain projects to be prioritized, then those projects are funded up front. If there is a desire to prioritize certain series/pen names require a certain amount of pre-sales before you’ll commit to the next book if demand to date isn’t paying the bills.
That’s basically how I prioritize things nowadays. Past sales on retail determine… or if a certain period of time has elapsed and I wish to get it off my plate.
Bills gotta keep being paid.