Checking in on June 2024

By Tabatha on July 1, 2024

This is not a drill: we are halfway through 2024.

I need to do a little reflecting on the progress for June, some looking at the progress for the second quarter, and some comparison between quarters 1 and 2.

Join me if you'd like.

Section 1: Individual Projects

I had 5 projects I was tracking when 2024 started. Let's take a look at their progress.

YA Contemporary

January 1 Progress Page

First Quarter Progress Page

Progress Page Today

When 2024 started I had already fully drafted this one. Actually, it had already had a full edit. When someone asked about it I told them "something is wrong with it, I'll figure it out". It sat and sat and sat. So I decided in 2024 I would take a look at it and see if I could find the "something" that was wrong with it.

During the first quarter of 2024 I committed to another editing round to see if I could find the problems. I also had PAGES of notes from the first edit that needed to be input.

After second quarter I have a little more to report. The edits are done. The changes are put in. I can confirm there is a scene missing but I can't seem to bring myself to actually write it. I'm guessing that's why it's been missing this entire time. Have I given up on this one? No, not really. I just haven't figured out yet how to make it the best it can be.

In short, it's still missing "something".

I'll likely send it to betas for this second half of 2024 and see if they can give me any insight.

Slasher WIP, Apocalypse Project, and the Romance have had NO changes in 2024.

Short Story Collection

January 1 Progress Page

First Quarter Project Page

Progress Page Today

This one, obviously, saw the most growth in 2024.

In fact, this one has a RELEASE DATE and a title now! In Trust We Fall is coming in October of 2024. This progress page will now be focused on all the publication information to help me make sure all of this gets done on time. EXCITING!

I do still have to do my final proofread of this one (my paperback ARCs just showed up and I like to work from those so I can get this one done pretty quickly) and I have a lot of ARC set up stuff to do … but this one is definitely rushing to the finish line now!

Section 2: Monthly Progress

Before I dig into the second quarter overall stats, let's take a peek at my June progress (hint: it wasn't great).

Here's what June looked like before I started:

And once the month was over:

I knew going into this month that summers can be rough around here. Work has a lot of projects going on, my teens are off of school (even my college age kiddo was taking the summer off of college and is home), plus it's HOT which makes me want to lay under a fan and not move a muscle.

Anyway, despite all this working against me, I knew I needed to buckle down and finish the short story edits. Obviously, that happened. I told myself I'd be happy if that was ALL I got done. Guess that means I can't complain.

I did also manage to add 895 words to the blog (that was one post) and write like 3,000 words of book reviews.

As for totals, here are some numbers I've compiled from my notes and progress pages from previous months.

Words Written:

Overall Progress:

How do I feel about this?

Well, it's hard to feel terrible when a project that was stalled for literally YEARS has an official release date now. Could I have done more? Obviously, yes. But I'm making progress and I can't complain about that.

Section 3: Reading

My 2024 reading goal is to read and review 104 books. It's been that same way for a few years now, despite often meeting that goal ridiculously early in the year. 2 books per week is perfectly acceptable, even for a big reader like me. I set that goal and then I do the best I can.

June looked like this.

13 total books (about 117 pages read per day). Everything I intended to read, both books I started in May and needed to carry over, and a whole lot of impulse reads from the library.

Prefer covers? Cool, here they are.

Another month full of reads I'd highly recommend. If you're a contemporary fan, check out Britt-Marie was Here (or, really, anything by Backman). If you prefer nonfiction, I recommend I'm Glad My Mom Died and The Emancipation of Robert Sadler. If you like a fantasy, The Fate of Crowns is the kickoff to what promises to be a GREAT series featuring fae and magic.

For fun, here are some second quarter reading stats for you.

41 Books Read/Reviewed
13,140 Total Pages Read
26% of the reads were independently published

Borrowed/Library	23.5
ARC/Review	8
Purchased	7
Gift/Giveaway	2.5

Where I got my books for second quarter

eBook	10.5
Audiobook	23
Paperback	5.5
Hardover	2

Format of my books for second quarter

Classic	1
Contemporary	3
Fantasy	5
Historical Fiction	2
Horror	5
Mystery/Thriller	10
Nonfiction	5
Paranormal	6
Romance	1
Science Fiction	3

Genre of my books for second quarter

MG	1
YA	10
Adult	30

Age Category of my books for second quarter

So, that was my June … which brought an end to the second quarter of 2024. So far this year I have managed to complete the writing, editing, formatting, and scheduling of the release for the short story collection. I've read and reviewed a total of 78 books. I've also (although I don't have this documented on any of the journal pages) had the most successful event in the history of my publishing journey.

I guess that means, even if I'm not perfect, I certainly can't complain.

Onward to 3rd quarter.