Hello Darlings,
I have very exciting news! As you may already have noticed, I have been working on a new novel. It’s inspired by Frankenstein and, though they are not directly connected, you might describe it as a spiritual sequel to What Manner of Man.
It’s been challenging to discuss the novel during the early development process because I haven’t had a title for it. Well, no longer!
A COMPANION IN VICE
The assistant knows his beloved doctor isn’t dead, because he brought him back with his own hands — although that’s more than he can say to the police. When people connected to his doctor start dying under mysterious circumstances, the assistant must find a way to preserve his own darkest secrets, as well as the life of the man who may be trying to kill him. Can love survive the frightening transformation the doctor has undergone? What lies at the heart of this labyrinth of institutional corruption, professional ambition, jealousy, sex, and death? A Companion in Vice is a subversive tale of obsessive love and mad science.
(In addition to the customary privilege of always hearing news like the above early, patrons can look forward to a further post describing the decisionmaking process behind this choice of title very soon! 🤫)
As I said on Tumblr, earlier this week:
If the overwhelming enthusiasm with which this was received is any indication, I'm confident people are going to like what I've got cooking.
IN OTHER NEWS!
What Manner of Man has been nominated in a number of categories at the Indie Ink Awards! Thank you so much to those of you who put our name forward, I was quite touched to find I had been nominated because I only mentioned WMOM’s eligibility once on, uh, the day of the American election. Since voting has just opened, you can support What Manner of Man by putting your vote in for it in these places:
Best book cover and cover artist
This Book Made Me Hungry/Thirsty
You do have to create an Indie Story Geek account to vote, unfortunately, but it's a mercifully simple process (just create a username and password + confirm e-mail.)
I don't actually know what you get for winning this thing, but I believe there may be a certificate and some manner of fancy pen involved. If you'd like me to receive such things, here's how to vote! →
open the above links to each of the categories that What Manner of Man is in
find What Manner of Man (the books are listed alphabetically, so it's near the end)
click on the What Manner of Man book cover (it will be outlined in green when you've selected it)
click the "save" button at the end of the page
That's it! You've voted. ✅
This Friday’s chapter of What Manner of Man will be the last one (aside from the postscript.) After a break for the holidays, I will be in touch to let you know what’s coming next.
I am, as always, your devoted servant,
St John Starling
WOOHOOO so excited for this 🎉🎉🎉
We have a name! I'm stoked to see what lay in store with this one!