In the Home Stretch!

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a Reddit post from a reader who loved my book. Some of the comments under the post indicated hesitation starting the series knowing only the first book of three had been published.

I reflected on what my strategy had been; how I’d made my debut novel the start of a trilogy and why most authors don’t go that route. It takes a loyal reader to trust an author will follow through on their promises, and what kind of loyal readership did I have a month after producing one book?

So, I responded to this concern in the thread, and wanted to share the same update here :)

Rest assured, the entire Missionary series is written. Those who read the ultra spicy version on Reddit in 2022 know this. But to make the story accessible to a broader audience, and to also build upon the world I’d created with more experiences that I’d actually lived, I needed to rework the vast majority of what I’d produced.

The whole series was initially one “novella” that covered two years over sixteen chapters. It came out to something like ~30k words.

Compare that to just Book One, which came out to be over 65k words alone!

So while the narrative is complete, the rewriting/editing/enhancing process is not.

However, Book Two (which I’ve named Missionary: Exodus) sits at over 100k words as of this update. I have about three chapters left to revise and edit before sending off to my copy editor. The goal was to get it in her hands before the end of the year—I think I’m making great time! :) Publishing is tentatively March or April 2027.

I’m also busy finishing cover art for the second edition of Book One, with the same style in store for Books Two and Three.

I’ll provide another update when the manuscript is done! Hopefully in the next few weeks.

Love,

Dylan