Things I Liked In March 2024

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

If you celebrate Easter, then Happy Easter! I’m not big on the religious aspect of it, but do I enjoy jellybeans and Cadbury creme eggs? Yes, I do, and you better believe I’ve been stocking up and pigging out! It’s kind of wild that tomorrow is April too. Where is the year going?

Now onto a brief writing update. I’ve scheduled my editor, Kate, to complete a copy edit on Book #2 in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” series in May, so I’m really excited about that. I’ll have more concrete information on Book #2 over the summer, I think. This book might be my favorite one I’ve written. It’s bigger and better in every way. I can’t wait for you to see how I loop Mateo into participating in another reality series.

Book #5 is coming along – I’m probably about 1/3 of the way through. Unfortunately, work has gotten really crazy, kind of unexpectedly. While I still anticipate that I’ll be able to stick to my normal writing routine, I’m a little concerned that some of the editing for Books #3 and #4 might need to be put on the back burner until June. I work at a university and commencement is coming up, so aside from the unexpected craziness of work, there’s also the expected craziness, which will keep me busy. It won’t affect my release schedule in any meaningful way but I’d still like to be focusing on my writing and not all this other noise. And, also, I just like complaining!

Anyway, onto things that I liked this month…

I Love TV

So March saw the return of the X-Men on TV with the premiere of “X-Men ’97.” I have always been a huge fan of the X-Men; though, I never really read the comics. I watched the shows, the movies, and played the video games. When I was a kid, the original cartoon, “X-Men: The Animated Series,” aired and I loved it so much. So I’m thrilled that this sequel series is airing now. Picking up where we left off, Professor X is gone and Magneto has inherited the X-mansion as well as become the leader of the X-Men. Only three episodes have aired so far but they’ve all been excellent episodes. It’s slightly grittier and more adult than the original cartoon, which is kind of fun to see. Basically, if you’re a fan of Cyclops, Jean, Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Jubilee and the rest of the gang, then there’s no way you’ll be disappointed with this series.

“3 Body Problem” is a new sci-fi show on Netflix based on the Chinese novel, “The Three-Body Problem,” by Liu Cixin. I really don’t want to say too much about it because it’s really fun the way this story unfolds. What I will say is that it starts off by following two time periods. The first is that of Ye Wenjie in 1960s China as she is taken in by the military because of her scientific background to a base in a remote region. She ends up getting involved in a project that the military has been working on, which includes sending signals into outer space. In the present day, two investigators are trying to uncover how a gaming headset is linked to a string of scientists dying by suicide. Separately, a group of physicists start experiencing unusual occurrences – Auggie, for instance, starts seeing a countdown in front of her eyes at all times, and a strange woman tells her not to let the timer reach zero. What the physicists and the investigators uncover just might involve a decision that Ye made back in the 1960s, and that decision could just doom the planet. I really, really enjoyed this. It’s not a perfect show, but it kept me captivated through all eight episodes. I hope there are future seasons (there are three books) because I need to know what happens next!

Movies I Enjoyed

“Anatomy of a Fall” is a film I really wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy. Even though it was nominated for a bunch of film awards this past year, movies about criminal trials are just not really my thing. I thought it would be boring but I was very wrong. Sandra, a writer, is married to Samuel, though they’ve had some marriage troubles. They have a son, Daniel, who has limited eyesight due to an accident. One day, Sandra is trying to interview someone and Samuel is playing loud music, which causes some tension. Sandra ends the interview and Daniel goes to take their dog for a walk. When Daniel returns, he finds his father’s lifeless body lying on the ground outside. Sandra then must prove her innocence in her husband’s death. While Sandra’s on trial, many different things come to light making it difficult to tell what really happened. It’s a quiet film, but the story is strong and engaging, and the characters are all well-acted. Check it out! It’s currently on Hulu in the US.

The Books I’ve Liked

This month I read fantasy novel “Mister Magic” by Kiersten White. This was kind of a wild book that I don’t think would work as well if I didn’t have the knowledge ahead of time that it’s based off the author’s childhood as a Mormon. If you decide to read this book, keep that bit of information in mind. The story follows a group of thirty-somethings who have reconnected after decades apart. They used to be a part of this children’s show called “Mister Magic,” led by a mysterious caped figure. The friends have now reconnected because someone wants to do a podcast about their experience. The weird thing is that there’s no footage of the show and no real proof that it ever existed except everyone remembers watching it when they were young. Making matters more mysterious, the show ended suddenly after a tragic accident. Once the friends have been reconnected, they band together to discover just what really happened on this supposed show for children…

Music

Things I Liked In February 2024

On By Michael Procopio2 Comments

I can’t quite believe it’s been almost a month since “Red Flags” released. I’m really glad that it’s out there now but I’m already looking forward. In March, I’ll reach out to my editor, Kate, to get Book #2 edited. As much as I love “Red Flags,” I’m so excited to share the rest of the series with you. I’ve been doing edits on Books #3 and #4, and just this week I started writing Book #5. I’m still feeling my way around this new book but I’ll worry about making it all fit together in edits. When did I become such a pantser?

I’ve mentioned before how I’m taking a slow approach to promoting “Red Flags.” Currently, I’m planning on sending out my newsletter a little more regularly – once a month or so – and I’ve been utilizing StoryOrigin. I’m excited about this new strategy! Once I have a few more books out in the series, I’ll start advertising. Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t, but I’m happy to try.

I definitely learned in February that advertising a completed series is much more beneficial to advertising a single book. My “Forgotten Monsters” trilogy had its best month ever in February. It gives me a bit of hope for “The Álvarez-Moreno Files.”

Anyway, onto things that I liked this month…

I Love TV

I first read the book, “One Day,” maybe fifteen or so years ago and I absolutely loved it. To this day, it’s one of my favorite books. Then in 2011 they made a movie based on the book starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess and I enjoyed that too but it lacked some of the magic the book possessed. Well, now we have a TV show based on the book starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. The premise of the story is that every year on July 15 we revisit Emma and Dexter in their lives. They met at university right before graduation and became close friends over the years. As Dexter becomes a famous TV presenter, Emma tries to find her way in the world. Their friendship is put to the test after Dexter struggles with substance abuse, and Emma eventually gets her life on track. Over the years, it becomes apparent that there’s more than friendship between the two of them. In case the TV show is the first you’re hearing of this story, I won’t really say more. I loved the ending to the book and movie at the time but I really can’t stomach it now. I just don’t think it’s necessary. Maybe you’ll disagree. I enjoyed everything else, though. Anyway, the TV show improves upon the movie and the two leads have outstanding chemistry and give incredible performances.

Okay, I’m completely serious when I say this season of “The Bachelor” is really good. I’ve watched the series for years, which should be no surprise given “Red Flags,” but I haven’t felt that they’ve had a good Bachelor lead in a really long time. This year’s lead, Joey Graziadei, is maybe the best Bachelor in the franchise’s history??? He’s just so good! Not only is he incredibly handsome, but he’s kind and thoughtful and maybe a little bit dumb? It’s the perfect combo. To be fair, I don’t actually think he’s dumb, but I did get a chuckle at him confusing Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Of course, it’s “The Bachelor” so you’re going to get the usual made-up drama so it’s not too far removed from the usual seasons. But, I don’t know what to tell you, I’m just really enjoying it.

Movies I Enjoyed

“All of Us Strangers” may have changed my life. I don’t even know how to talk about this beautiful and powerful film. To say too much would ruin the experience. So, briefly, what I will say is that it follows a lonely screenwriter, Adam, after he meets a handsome young man who lives in his building, Harry. Harry visits Adam’s apartment and hopes to have a drink with him but Adam is reluctant so he sends him on his way. Soon after, Adam goes back to his childhood home where he finds his deceased parents living just as they were before they died in a car accident in the 80s. Without really questioning this, Adam begins having conversations with them, which he finds incredible healing. All while this is going on, Adam reconnects with Harry and, eventually, the two grow closer and develop a relationship. I won’t say more. I don’t want to ruin this for you! At times, “All of Us Strangers” is a fantasy, a romance, a horror film. It is honestly ridiculous it was shut out of the Academy Awards! Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy, and Jamie Bell are brilliant in their roles and they deserved more recognition (as did this film). It’s absolutely incredible and you need to watch it.

“Bottoms” is the most absurd movie I’ve seen in a while and I loved it. I’m not really sure what to say, honestly. It’s wild. The film follows two high school best friends, PJ and Josie, who are very unpopular and are tired of getting picked on. They have crushes on two cheerleaders and, one night, witness the cheerleaders’ boyfriends treating them poorly. So, what do PJ and Josie do? They form a high school fight club to win over the two cheerleaders. Since the cheerleaders were burned by their boyfriends, they join in too. They soon find themselves in over their heads when the fighting gets a little out of control. That’s a very basic summary, but the film really made me laugh out loud quite a bit. The ending is so completely absurd – it’s something you really need to see to believe. So watch it.

The Books I’ve Liked

I really enjoy movies like “Scream” so when I heard about “The Final Girls Support Group” by Grady Hendrix, I kind of had to check it out. The basic premise of the novel is that all our favorite slasher movies from the 80s and 90s? Well, they really happened in this universe and the “final girl” of each murder spree has joined a support group. Because surviving gruesome murders – often times not just once – is pretty harrowing. When one of the final girls, Adrienne, is brutally murdered, support group member, Lynette, suspects someone is targeting them. What unfolds is a gripping mystery as Lynette works to find out who the killer is before she and her friends get killed. The novel’s classed as a horror but I didn’t find any part of it scary. I almost wish it was more like a typical slasher film but it wasn’t, and I shouldn’t rate things based off my expectations. I had a lot of fun reading it, though, so if slasher films are your thing, check out the novel.

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“Red Flags” is Now Available!

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

Ah! It’s finally here! “Red Flags” is now available to purchase as either an ebook or paperback! AND you can read it for free if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.

Mateo Álvarez-Moreno is an undercover agent at the Department of Supernatural Activity (DOSA) and has recently been assigned his worst mission yet: as the lead on the reality TV dating series Red Flags.
 
As if being the first gay and non-white lead suitor wasn’t overwhelming enough, intel from DOSA suggests that one of the other contestants is secretly a demon. Mateo has been tasked to apprehend the monster before it can kill or maim the other contestants and crew members.
 
There’s just one tiny problem. One of the guys he’s falling for might be the demon he’s supposed to kill. Now Mateo must put aside his feelings until the mission is complete or he risks starring in the most murderous season in Red Flags history.

This is the first book in my new five book series, “The Álvarez-Moreno Files.” I think it’s a really exciting introduction to a series that is going to get a little bit wilder as it goes on. I’ve mentioned before that each book incorporates a different reality show, and you know what? It’s not so easy to find new ways to incorporate the same guy going on different reality shows! But I think you’ll be surprised by (and hopefully laugh at) what I’ve come up with.

I had so much fun writing this book and I can’t wait to hear what you think. “The Bachelor” vibes are strong with “Red Flags” but I also took huge inspiration from my favorite show, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” That show informed the way my characters spoke to each other and how they acted. Honestly, “Charmed” is another show that inspired my story but I’ll let you read the book to figure out why.

Don’t forget to check out the free prequel short story to “Red Flags” entitled “The World is Definitely Not Ending” by signing up for my newsletter. It can be read before or after you read “Red Flags” but there’s some stuff in there that will show up again in future books so it’s a good place to start.

So I do hope you pick up a copy and I hope even more that you enjoy it!

Things I Liked In January 2024

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

We are now days away from the release of my next book, “Red Flags,” and I couldn’t be more excited. You can still pre-order the ebook for only $0.99 up until the release day, so now’s a great time to get your copy!

I’m currently making my way through another round of edits on Book #4. My read-through of the first draft made me a little nervous but I think my last round of edits really fixed most of the issues, so I think things are back on track. Editing is funny like that sometimes. Once I finish these edits up, I’m going to go back to Book #2 to give it a final read and make a few more minor edits before passing it off to my editor. While I feel prepared to release two books a year, it’s also a lot more fast-paced and a lot more work than I’m used to! I’m in good shape, though.

Anyway, onto things that I liked this month…

I Love TV

“Almost Royal” is definitely not for everyone. It’s a faux-reality show following Poppy and Georgie, two aristocrat siblings from England, as they visit America to learn more about the country. They travel around and try their hands at different jobs and activities with humorous results. The comedy doesn’t always land but when it does I find it hilarious. It’s kind of cringe-y sometimes, so if cringe comedy isn’t your thing, I wouldn’t try this show. But there are two seasons and I’ve enjoyed both of them. Watching two fake almost royals try to do everyday things just makes me laugh, I guess.

So “School Spirits” has a fairly straightforward plot. A high school girl, Maddie, is now a ghost roaming the halls of her high school. There she makes friends with other ghosts who have also died within the high school at one time or another. She’s on a mission to find out how she died, who might be responsible, and why. As she gets closer to figuring it out, she uncovers more secrets and lies than she bargained for. It’s a fun little teen mystery show that has a strong supporting cast. Each episode kind of focuses on a new suspect, so you’re always left guessing who could’ve really killed Maddie. The season only has eight episodes, so it’s a quick watch too. I read that it got picked up for a second season and the whole time I was watching I was thinking, “How could that be possible?” Well, that season finale sure threw me for a loop. I did NOT see it coming. It’s fun and you should check it out!

Movies I Enjoyed

I wanted to see “Renfield” in theaters when it came out but I didn’t, so I was glad to find it on streaming services this month. It’s not perfect, and I do have my criticisms, but I overall thought it was a lot of fun with some really great performances from Nicholas Cage as Dracula and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield. As we know, Renfield is a servant of Dracula, but in the movie he’s kind of had enough of that life. He hates having to bring Dracula his victims to feed on, and he finds Dracula to be kind of abusive to him. So when he encounters a self-help group for codependent relationships, he makes every effort use what he’s learned in the group to break free from the vampire. But it’s never that easy, is it? Because Dracula soon finds out and things get very, very messy. Throw in a crime family and corrupt cops and it’s kind of a wild ride. Is it the best movie ever? Well, no. But I think you’ll have a lot of fun with it anyway.

The Books I’ve Liked

This month I’ve focused a lot on “Red Flags,” reading it over and over again, trying to find quotes to use on social media. But yes, this is also a book that I liked. Loved, even! I just think it’s so fun. There’s a good amount of humor on top of all the murders and romance. There’s something in there for everyone, basically. So, I do hope you take the time to read the book so you can get to know and love Mateo and all his friends like I do. I’m so proud of this book (and the series as a whole) and I can’t wait to share it.

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Cover Designer Review: Damonza

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

It can be kind of scary choosing a cover designer, right? Your book is your baby and you want the cover to be amazing. Even if you can see the potential designer’s portfolio and decide you love their work, you may not know what their process is like or if their communication style works for you. Basically, there’s a lot to consider. So I thought I’d walk you through my recent experience working with Damonza.

Why I Chose Damonza

If you’re an indie author, you’ve likely heard of Damonza. When I was first researching cover designers, their name came up a lot, and for good reason. I checked them out when I was preparing to release my first book and really loved their work, but I ended up working with someone who was more within my price range. It was my first book, after all, and I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money if nobody was going to buy my book.

With “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” series, I decided to revisit Damonza and I fell in love with their work all over again. I read reviews from people online, which were all very positive, and I thought their recent works were all unique and exciting. I was admittedly going back and forth between Damonza and another artist. I think what tipped me toward Damonza was that their recent covers matched the vibe of my series a little more closely. In any case, I’m absolutely thrilled that I chose them.

The Process

First, their website is very easy to navigate, I thought, which is great. The first thing you need to do after you’ve registered for their site is to fill out a form. This is where you include as much information about your book as you possibly can. In my case, I included the back cover blurb, a complete summary, links to covers that I liked, character information, themes, series information, and a picture of how I viewed Mateo, the lead character in “Red Flags.” It was very important to me that I be as specific as possible so that the designer would have all the info they needed.

I had a vision of what I wanted the cover to be in my head, and I included some ideas in the form. For instance, one of my suggestions was to have a television screen with a demon claw scratching down the front of it. I was not married to this idea but, again, I wanted to include as much information as possible in the hopes that revisions wouldn’t be major.

The package I chose to go with was the Standard Front Cover Package, which includes the ebook cover design, two different first draft options within 14 days, and unlimited changes. The cost was $645, which is a lot! I also added on some additional items such as a paperback cover and social media banner. I’ll talk more about the cost below, but it definitely added up.

Even though they say you’ll receive a first draft within 14 days, I was surprised that I actually did. Don’t ask me why – well, okay, I’ll tell you. I once worked with a cover designer who would go silent on me for months, so for someone to have such a quick turnaround was really exciting for me. I actually got the first two options within a week and a half.

So I was presented with the above two options and I chose one to continue with. There were things I liked about the first one – I liked that it alluded to a gay reality TV dating series and I liked that there was a figure in the back suggesting danger. I just didn’t feel like it really captured my story, though. I (obviously) chose the one on the right. I loved the font, I loved the model, and I loved the colors. I didn’t love that there were no fantasy elements on it, though. I went back to the designer to share that I’d like to see some fantasy element on the cover, such as a demon claw on the screen (my original idea), or glowing red eyes, or a demonic figure in the background. I also suggested modernizing the TV sets a bit, but I also noted it wasn’t a dealbreaker if it meant changing too much of the model’s pose, which I really liked. Finally, I suggested darkening Mateo’s skin and adding rose petals along the floor to play up the romance angle. I then received these next two drafts.

Initially, I was slightly disappointed that the TVs weren’t modernized and I wasn’t given a draft with an attempt but I quickly got over it. As to what was actually presented to me, I immediately liked the one on the left a bit more. I thought the rose petals looked great and the demon eyes were a nice touch. With the one on the right, though, I really liked the two men leaning in for a kiss. I didn’t care for the demonic figure they presented on the right cover, so I knew I didn’t want that included. After showing the two options to a few friends to gather their feedback, I decided to merge the two drafts a bit. So, the designer worked on it some more and we were left with the cover I eventually chose. There were some minor edits too before things were officially complete but the hard part was over!

The Cost

I can imagine the cost of working with Damonza is what might hold some people back and I totally understand that. While I wish that this book series takes off and earns me back my money, I think there’s a pretty slim chance of that happening. But, I don’t currently have any major expenses, so I figured why not give them a try? I feel really proud of and really excited about this upcoming series and I wanted to do everything I could to give it a boost, and that included finding the best possible cover designer.

What I will say about the cost is that Damonza seems to offer discounts fairly frequently. For “Red Flags,” I received a discount because of a special Halloween sale that they had. I believe it was a 15% discount. Since I’m registered with their site, I receive emails from them occasionally. At the end of the year, they offered a limited amount of vouchers that you could use any time in 2024, so I nabbed myself one for the “Red Flags” sequel for $595, which is $200, or about 25%, off the cost of the ebook and paperback standard cover design option.

So, is it expensive? Yes, absolutely. If your price range is a little bit less than the standard pricing, keep a look out for discounts.

Conclusions

Overall, I was incredibly pleased with the whole process. The staff was incredibly kind and professional. The entire project lasted about a month, from inquiry to final product. I considered that to be fast and, if I didn’t have as many edits, it would’ve been faster. They also offered me two slightly differing social media banners at no extra cost, which I was very pleased with.

The only sticking point for me is the cost, so I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for those discounts (and also hoping and praying for this book series to take off!!!!).

Will I use them again? Absolutely. Will I recommend them to people looking for a cover designer? You bet. It was a great experience and I couldn’t be more in love with the cover for “Red Flags.”

Don’t forget, you can read your copy of “Red Flags” when it releases on Monday, February 5!

“Red Flags” is now available for pre-order

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

We’re getting closer and closer to the “Red Flags” release date and I’m sooooo excited! Starting today, the ebook is available to pre-order for only $0.99. If paperbacks are more your style, rest assured you’ll be able to order one on February 5.

Also, I’ve got an exclusive free short story prequel for you entitled “The World is Definitely Not Ending.” I’ve been dying to share this because it’s the first glimpse you’ll get of “The Álvarez-Moreno Files.” In this short story, Mateo has recently become an agent at the Department of Supernatural Activity and his first major case puts him in charge of thwarting a demon from bringing about the apocalypse (no big deal, right?). It’s a fun little story that can be read before or after “Red Flags.” You can check it out by signing up to my newsletter.

I hope you enjoy it (as well as my “graphic design is my passion” cover art skills). I think it will give you a good idea of how this new series is written, and you’ll also meet some of the characters that will appear in “Red Flags.” If you like this story, I do hope you consider picking up a copy of “Red Flags!”

The Idea for “Red Flags”

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

My next book, “Red Flags,” comes out in just a few short weeks on Monday, February 5, 2024. I honestly can’t wait. It’s the beginning of a whole new series and I’m thrilled for you to join the ride. The idea for the story had been kicking around in my head for a while before I started writing it, and I’d like to share with you how it all came about. So gather round for story time. Maybe it’ll provide some insight as to how my crazy brain works.

An Early Idea

I watch “The Bachelor” franchise. I admit it, I do. I can’t help it. I find it entertaining. Often times I’ll see comments from people like, “This show is still on?” Or, “It’s all fake. It’s not really about love.” I KNOW THAT! But it makes me laugh. To be honest, I started watching the show after a rough breakup and I got into it because I wanted to see something romantic to remind me of better times. But what I really found was that my love life was not nearly dramatic enough, and it made me feel better about the breakup.

ANYWAY. I’m also a huge fan of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and one day, I couldn’t tell you why, I thought, “What if Buffy was a contestant on this show and she had to secretly fight demons and vampires while filming?” And that’s how the rough idea for “Red Flags” first came about.

A New TV Show

So, yes, as noted, I’m a fan of “The Bachelor” franchise, but that doesn’t mean I think it’s amazing television or doesn’t have room for improvement. The couples who make it to the end, more often than not, breakup. Aside from some of the more obvious reasons why (the show attracts people who want to be on television, not people who are serious about a relationship; you can’t really get to know a person under these circumstances; it’s fake…etc.), I think one of the main reasons they breakup is because the lead suitor is encouraged to give roses to people even if they’ve done something wrong or there’s no connection. You’re essentially rewarding bad behavior.

My friend/former co-worker and I used to talk about the show the day after it aired. Sure, we’d laugh about the ridiculousness, but we also shared the same grievances. Why did they give the villain the rose?? He’s not there for the right reasons! So we came up with a solution – a show of our own – “Red Flags.” See, in our version, you’d do the dates and all the usual stuff, but instead of a Rose Ceremony, there would be a Red Flag Ceremony. The suitor would give red flags to people who exhibited behavior that wouldn’t be appropriate if you were trying to date someone. Whoever had the fewest red flags in the end would be the winner. PROBLEM SOLVED. (Not really, but I think it would be a fun show, nonetheless.)

Alexis Hall and Gay Rom Coms

But wait! There’s more! Around the time I had the idea for “Red Flags,” I started reading “Boyfriend Material” by Alexis Hall. I’ve made it no secret that it’s one of my favorite books, and it inspired me to maybe write a gay rom-com. I love how “Boyfriend Material” is equal parts hilarious and sweet. I wanted to do something like that.

“Red Flags” initially was about a woman going on the show as the lead suitor, not Mateo Álvarez-Moreno. But after reading “Boyfriend Material,” I switched it. I wanted to give it a shot and see if I could make a rom-com. Did I accomplish that?

No. I absolutely did not. Why? Because there’s way too much death in this story to be considered a rom-com. But I’m so glad that I decided to make the lead suitor a gay man. I think it is a much better story than if I, personally, had done it another way. I feel really good about my decision and I think it was the right one. I love gay fiction and I want to be a part of creating it in my own little tiny way.

So, with that all being said, I do hope you pick up your copy of “Red Flags” when it’s released on Monday, February 5, 2024. I’ll have a preorder link at this time next week, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Writing Goals for 2024

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

Every year I like to set goals for myself and I try very hard to accomplish them all. Writing them out helps keep me motivated. Last year, I posted a list of my writing goals so now’s a good time to review them to see if I succeeded in meeting them.

Last year’s goals

  1. To complete work on “Forgotten Monsters #3” and release it in September.
  2. To complete edits on the first book of my new series.
  3. To complete edits on the second book of my new series.
  4. To write books #3 and #4 in this new series.
  5. To write a new short story to give away for free.

Did I accomplish them?

Yes! I’m happy to say that I completed all five of these goals. Well, sort of. “Preying Monsters” came out in October instead of September, but I released it so I think it counts.

On goals #2 and #3, work is officially done on “Red Flags” and I’ve also pretty much completed edits on the second book of “The Álvarez-Moreno Files.” On goal #4, I also wrote books #3 and #4 in this new series, though they’re in various stages of edits right now. I feel like #3 is pretty close to being done, which is a relief, but book #4 is currently going through some major revisions. I was, admittedly, a little worried after doing the first read-through of #4, but I think the edits are really helping. I tend to be a pantser lately so not everything always makes sense or flows correctly in the first draft. I also tend to be an under-writer, and I think that actually helps make the editing part easier for me.

For my final goal, I managed to finish work on the new short story, “The World is Definitely Not Ending,” which I will be giving away for free to newsletter subscribers in just a few short weeks. So it was a very busy writing year for me but I’m super pleased with the way things have turned out.

What’s in store for 2024?

In order to hold myself accountable, here are a few writing goals I want to accomplish in 2024. We’ll revisit them next January to make sure I did what I said I would (or else)!

  1. To release “Red Flags” on February 5 and try out some new marketing tactics (such as, unfortunately, utilizing social media a little more). I’ve mentioned before, but I don’t want to use paid newsletters just yet. Once I have more books out, I will, but it’s too soon. So I’m going to try to find new creative ways to market.
  2. To write book #5 in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files.” I’m still editing book #4 so I think I can start book #5 in February and hopefully have a first draft done by June, or July at the latest.
  3. To release book #2 in September. I will likely want to do another read-through of the book before sending it to my editor later this spring. I just want to make sure nothing major needs to be changed, but I think it’s in good shape. This may be my favorite book I’ve written, so I really can’t wait to share it.
  4. To complete edits on book #3. Again, I think this book is in fairly good shape now but it may need another pass or two. I need to get it off to my editor this fall so that I can release it early next year.
  5. To begin work on my next project. It’s weird to be thinking about this considering “Red Flags” hasn’t even been released yet and the series won’t wrap up before 2026. But I have some ideas for what I want to do post-“The Álvarez-Moreno Files,” and now’s the time to write it so I can stay on a consistent writing/release schedule.

I’ve given myself quite a bit to do this year, so I better get to work!

Announcing My New Book, “Red Flags”

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

I’ve been teasing this new series for a long time but now I can finally share with you the cover and blurb for the first book. “Red Flags” will release on Monday, February 5, 2024. I can’t wait for you to read it!

Mateo Álvarez-Moreno is an undercover agent at the Department of Supernatural Activity (DOSA) and has recently been assigned his worst mission yet: as the lead on the reality TV dating series Red Flags.
 
As if being the first gay and non-white lead suitor wasn’t overwhelming enough, intel from DOSA suggests that one of the other contestants is secretly a demon. Mateo has been tasked to apprehend the monster before it can kill or maim the other contestants and crew members.
 
There’s just one tiny problem. One of the guys he’s falling for might be the demon he’s supposed to kill. Now Mateo must put aside his feelings until the mission is complete or he risks starring in the most murderous season in Red Flags history.

I love this cover so much, and I have to thank the talented and wonderful staff at Damonza. I’ll write more about my experience with them (all positive) in a future post, but for now I want to make sure they get all the credit for this beautiful cover! I’ve had it since mid-November and I honestly will sometimes just pull it up so I can see it again. It makes me so happy.

Since the cover is now public, I’ve added a new page for the book, where you’ll find the cover, blurb, and a fun little playlist of songs inspired by the characters and events in “Red Flags.”

The Álvarez-Moreno Files

So, “Red Flags.” Let’s talk about it. Originally, I had ideas that this would be a romantic comedy and then I started writing and realized I wrote way too many murders and monsters into it. So, yeah, it’s urban fantasy but with romantic comedy undertones.

What exactly can I tell you about this series? Well, it will contain five books and I plan to release one every six months or so with the series concluding, hopefully, in early 2026. I’ve already written four of the books (currently in various stages of edits) so I’m in pretty good shape, I think. I plan to start writing the fifth and final book next month.

Each book incorporates a different type of reality show and a different type of relationship. “Red Flags,” as you might imagine, incorporates elements of “The Bachelor” and explores romantic love. Future books will focus more on friendships, sibling/parental relationships, etc. It’s been really fun delving into all these areas in Mateo’s life and I can’t wait for you to read all about them.

Looking for an ARC?

Are you interested in receiving an ARC for “Red Flags?” Early reviews can be really helpful when launching a new book. If you’re interested in receiving a free digital advanced reader copy and leaving an honest rating or review around the book’s release, please fill out this form and I’ll send you one.

I can’t believe that in just about a month my new book comes out. I’m so ready for it and I hope you are too!

Things I Liked In December 2023 (and for the year!)

On By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

Happy (almost) New Year! I feel like 2023 went by really fast, but I also say that at the end of every year so it’s kind of meaningless. Anyway, I hope you had a nice holiday season. I’ve had the past few weeks off from work, which has been really great, but it’s going to be hard getting back into the swing of things come January 2nd.

On the writing front, I’ve got some exciting things coming up very, very soon. You should watch this space in the next few days for a very special announcement!

I also finished the first draft of Book #4 in my next series. Whew, does it need a lot of work. The whole story is there, which is good, but scenes need to be expanded and some need to be completely changed. Others need more emotional depth. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I can do it. My goal is start writing Book #5 in February, but we’ll see how these edits go first.

Anyway, here are some things that I liked in December as well as a highlight reel of things I liked in 2023. What were some of your favorites? Share in the comments!

My Favorite Shows

December was a very busy month for me so I wanted to watch something that wouldn’t take up too much time. “Bodies” is an eight-episode mini-series, which was perfect for me! It’s set over four different time periods – 1890, 1943, 2023, and 2053 – and follows four different detectives in each time. What’s strange is that they’re all trying to solve the same crime: in each time period, the same body with the same fatal wound appears in the same location. Eventually, the four investigations become inter-linked. I don’t want to spoil too much but I will say that if you enjoyed the sci-fi show, “Dark,” then you may appreciate this story as well. The entire cast here is particularly great and they all have interesting stories, but I think I preferred the story of Inspector Alfred Hillinghead the most. All in all, it’s a fun show if you’re into sci-fi stuff.

Other shows I liked in 2023:

My Favorite Books

I’ve made it no secret in the past that I love Alexis Hall as an author. I’ll read pretty much everything they write and nine times out of ten I’ll love it. His most recent offering, “10 Things That Never Happened,” was perfect for this time of year. A Christmas-y rom-com? Sign me up. The story follows Sam, a manager at a bed and bath chain store. The owner of the chain, Jonathan, is a grump and wants Sam to fire some of his staff before the holiday but Sam doesn’t want to do it. Also, Sam might be very close to getting sacked himself. While Jonathan is talking to Sam about all this, he accidentally knocks him into a shower at the store and Sam gets a head injury. So what does Sam do? Well, he fakes amnesia so that he doesn’t have to fire anybody. Jonathan is forced to take care of him so that Sam doesn’t sue, and then they get to know each other better and really cute things happen. Some people have difficulty with the plausibility of faking amnesia – and fair enough – but it’s just a fun rom-com so don’t think about it too much. Sam and Jonathan are great main characters and I loved the holiday aspect of this story. The writing and the way things played out reminded me of why I fell in love with Hall’s book, “Boyfriend Material” (of which this story is a spinoff). So, if you liked “Boyfriend Material,” I think you’ll like this one too.

Other books I liked in 2023:

My Favorite Movies

Have you heard of “Barbie?” It seems like it came and went without much fanfare this year! Kidding, obviously. It’s only the biggest movie of 2023. In any case, I really enjoyed it. It’s cute and funny and actually really poignant. Barbie is having a great time in Barbieland with all the other Barbies and Kens, but then she kind of has an existential crisis. So, she sets out into the real world with her Ken to find out why and, while doing so, goes on a journey of self-discovery. I really enjoyed the way this film handled its message. None of it was subtle, but it was handled with thought and care. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are great in their respective roles – it looked like they had an absolute blast. I’m sure you’ve already seen the film but, if you haven’t, you should watch it!

For one of the craziest movies of the year, look no further than “Saltburn.” Maybe you’ve seen the scene online of star Barry Keoghan slurping up dirty bathwater but that is TAME compared to some of the other scenes in this film. It follows Oliver, an Oxford University student, who befriends (and becomes very obsessed with) fellow classmate, Felix. Felix’s family is extremely wealthy and, when Oliver receives news that his father has suddenly died, Felix invites him to spend the summer at his family’s estate, Saltburn. While Oliver is there he, shall we say, ingratiates himself to the family. He strikes up a twisted relationship with Felix’s sister, Venetia, and likes playing with his half-brother, Farleigh. When Felix discovers that Oliver has been lying to him about some pretty major things, all hell breaks loose. It’s a wild movie. I kept saying to myself, “Oliver’s not going to do that…oh, no, he did. He really did do that.” So if you’re curious enough to see what Oliver did, check out the film.

Other films I liked in 2023:

My Favorite Songs

And, lastly, I’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for this year so if you don’t want to miss any of it, then you should definitely sign up for my newsletter. I will never give out your information, so you won’t be spammed.

With that, I wish you a happy new year!