Hello Bookworms,
How is your week going? I have had had a pretty busy week with work and plays, and as such have been struggling with my writing a bit, but at the same time have made some really good progress. 
Let's take a look at the stats
Start of Week: 46,437
End of Week: 56,038
Total: 9,609
Nano Total: 16,298 
Goal Words: 18,333
Chapters for the week: 8
My chapters this week were a bit shorter, and I did do some bracketing* so I know I will be expanding on those sections at a later time, but the framework for them is there.  I feel really good about where It is right now, and where it will be going.  
A really cool thing did happen this week, I crossed 300,000 words for my lifetime tracking on the NaNoWriMo Website. Knowing I have also written more that that during the off time, makes it a really cool number to see that is ALOT of words. 
As far as the next few weeks go I am about 3k behind over all, or about two days, and that is just from being busy and not being able to hit my daily word count every day. But I have been able to write everyday. I can see where things are headed and am working on getting the characters all lined up for the climax of the book! Only 33,000 words to go! 
I am working on attempting to come up with cover idea and have a general concept! You can see some ideas and the inspiration I take on my pinterest board. And I am hoping I will be able to come up with a synopsis... soonish. I think these are the hardest part for me... how does one some up thousands of words in a few concise paragraphs that will make other people want to enjoy it? Not a clue, not a clue.
Anyway, are you doing Nano? How is your project going? I was going to vlog last week, but really it is just cat videos... if you want to see a weeks worth of cat videos and maybe like a summary of the week let me know I can can try to throw that together by the end of the night.

*Bracketing is where you write yourself a note to remind yourself at a later time that you need to go back and work on this section.

Want a chance to see an early rendition of the first part of Rebellion? Want a signed hard back? Have you read The Frituals and left a review?
Well then you should and may have already started to enter this my winter giveaway!

This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway.

Must be 18+ or with Parental approval

11-15-2018 - 12-15-2018

Post a photo on social media of you reading, your reading progress, whatever but mention The Fituals and use #thefrituals

Leave a review on Goodreads and/ or Amazon.com

If you have already reviewed the book than you already have half your entry done! Just post a picture and use the hashtag and you are all set!


As always I love you and thanks. If you haven't yet please follow my social media links below and see what I am working on.
​Love,
Kate

Be my Writing Buddy
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/katelyn-costello
​
Order my book:
Signed: https://www.katelyncostello.com/store/p1/The_Frituals_%28Book_%231_The_Frituals%29.html
Print:
​https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981463097/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Ebook: \\https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW8P33P/ref=sr_1_2ie=UTF8&qid=1529540545&sr=8-2&keywords=Katelyn+Costello

Follow me on the interwebs:
amazon.com/author/katelyncostello
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello
https://www.patreon.com/katelyncostello​

Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @authorkatelyncostello
Facebook: Author Katelyn Costello
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.katelyncostello.com

To My Scripturients,
I want you to know that whatever project you are working on. Whatever art you are trying to create. Whatever you are passionate about. You can create it, there will be people that will appricieate it. 
It is worth it.
I want to take a few moments as the hours wind down before The Frituals goes live, to reflect on the last year. On September 23rd of last year I posted a thesis update to my youtube channel. I made the video at 11:45 at night. I was stressed, tired, mentally drained, and wasn't feeling very creative. I had decided to scrap my original thesis project and to write something new. I wasn't really happy making the change, but I wasn't happy with what I had written. 
That was the theme for my senior year. I was creating work I wasn't happy with. 
I promised myself when I was done with my thesis I could work on whatever projects I wanted. They would be mine, and I didn't have to let other people's feedback change my ideas. 
I had been considering self publishing for about a year at this point. I had been researching the publishing industry and what it was like to be a writer outside of school since my sophomore year of college (Shout out to the Creative Penn, Authortube, and The Dead Robots Society for giving me a good foundation.) So with that decision made, I knew I needed to start to create. 
So I turned back to my first full length novel. The Frituals, then called Cabineral Lake. I had started and stopped this story since 9th grade. Having written bits and pieces of the tale for years, and being in the same world as both parts of my thesis kept, and trashed, I felt I was ready. I formated and ordered a proof and the week before Christmas it arrived. 
Since December I have felt the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as a creative. I have hated and loved my work. Gone through the stages of grief over it. But with the support of a great group of friends and a loving and growing community The Frituals has come together. I really couldn't have done it without you. Even if all you did was like the instagram posts or if you were one of my regular commentators on youtube. You helped fuel me. Thank you.
Making this book has been one of the hardest, most rewarding, and happiest things I have ever done. I am sure I am going to cry tomorrow. I am sure I am going to cry on Thursday at the Launch party. To be able to say that I have created this book, this piece of art, this product that people can buy. That people have bought and that are already enjoying or read in its various stages is mind blowing. I set a goal to publish this book by 2020. And man I smashed this goal. If you told me a year ago when I cried in the basement of Wells' Library about my thesis, that just 364 day later I would be publishing my first book. I probably would have cursed you out and cried harder. Because I am a wimp. But this wimp wrote a book. And so far, everyone has absolutely loved it. 
Please pick up a copy if you wanna give it a try. I would really appreciate it. Book 2 is in it's outlining stages slowly. Since Ethan won't let me work on it for a few more weeks :P but you can find out the title and a excerpt at the end of book 1. I love you all and thank you for helping a little nerd's dreams come true.

​Katelyn Costello

​Order my book:
Signed: https://www.katelyncostello.com/store/p1/The_Frituals_%28Book_%231_The_Frituals%29.html
Print:
​https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981463097/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Ebook: \https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW8P33P/ref=sr_1_2ie=UTF8&qid=1529540545&sr=8-2&keywords=Katelyn+Costello

Follow me on the interwebs:
amazon.com/author/katelyncostello
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello
https://www.patreon.com/katelyncostello​

Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @authorkatelyncostello
Facebook: Author Katelyn Costello
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.katelyncostello.com

​But do I?
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If you are asking yourself that question, then I think you know the answer to that question. But in case. Yes, yes you do. No, come back don't click away. Just hear me out.
I was like you; I wanted to keep my project safe and close to me for as long as I could. I didn't want to have Beta's even though I already knew how much it would benefit my writing. I really didn't want to send my work to an editor. It probably had something to do with the fear of the red pen, and knowing that I am awful. And I mean AWFUL when it comes to grammar. I fully admit that. And anyone that has read early drafts of my work will tell you that I am not lying. But I knew that to make my book the best it could be and to give it a chance in such a competitive market; I had to invest time into it. 
You might be saying, Katelyn, you didn't invest the time into it? You editor did.
You are totally right, but I want to talk about some of the reasons it is so good to hand it over to someone else.
1. You can't touch it.
Why is it okay to not touch it? Most writers know that before editing you should try to take a break from a work. It gives you space to really see things that may not be working and lets the things that work shine through.
With an editor, you literally cannot touch a work when they have it. If you change something when they have it, it is a waste of time for all involved. Let the editor do the work and take that break.
2. Release the pressure
You need that break because let's be real your brain is whizzing like a pressure cooker. You have so many thoughts, ideas and ultimatums you have put on yourself. 'This book has to be perfect not a period can be out of place! Everyone MUST cry!' right? Relax, decompress a bit and really take some self-care time, the book can't be good unless you are.
I AM REALLY BAD AT THAT STEP ASK MY ROOMATES
3. MARKETING
This is a great time to really push your book. (Hint look at my Instagram.) I learned a trick that a consumer is more likely to purchase your product if they see it on average seven times. So this is the time to be your own personal hype man/Woman/human. Pimp your book, hold giveaways, gather reviews. MAKE YOUR BABY KNOWN.
4. Planning
 Use this time to plan your future endevors. How will you continue to market your book? Is there a sequel or other book bouncing around your head that you haven't outlined yet? You have a few weeks to a month USE IT!

So who was my wonderful editor? 
Meet Melanie. 
"As an indie author herself, Melanie (A.K.A. The Word Sleuth) understands the importance of a polished final product that will wow readers with its professionalism. She is a stickler for grammar and spelling, and is one of those people who is constantly spotting erroneous commas and misspellings on menus and shop-fronts when out in public (it’s a curse, I tell you)."
Melanie did a wonderful job with my edits. She communitcated in a timely proffesional manner and was a real supporter of the book. Her rates are increadibly affordable for the work she does. I can't even begin to say how thankful I am for her work on the line by line edit. I highly suggest you turn to her for your editing needs. As an indie herself she understands the needs of the an indie author and makes it very easy to have a great time working with her. 
Your can contact Melanie on her website Thewordsleuth.com or on her twitter @MelanieJKirk
If you reach out to her let her know that I sent you!

Find yourself a great editor kids. Your novel will thank you.

Katelyn Costello

​Order my book:
Signed: https://www.katelyncostello.com/store/p1/The_Frituals_%28Book_%231_The_Frituals%29.html
Print:
​https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981463097/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Ebook: \https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW8P33P/ref=sr_1_2ie=UTF8&qid=1529540545&sr=8-2&keywords=Katelyn+Costello

Follow me on the interwebs:
amazon.com/author/katelyncostello
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello
https://www.patreon.com/katelyncostello​

Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @authorkatelyncostello
Facebook: Author Katelyn Costello
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.katelyncostello.com

​Hello, my scripturients and welcome new friends,
My name is Katelyn Costello, I am a young adult fiction fantasy and science fiction author, and today I have a big announcement for you all. Today I will be announcing the publication date and reveal the cover for my debut novel, The Frituals.
This project has been in the works on and off for nearly a decade. So I am sure you can imagine the excitement and anxiety that this day has brought me. I would say I am mainly very excited.
If you are new here, please let me take a moment to introduce myself.

Author Bio:
Katelyn Costello started to write when she was 13 years old out of spite. Her best friend got to go to a writing conference, and she didn't. What she didn't know it was that writing conference was more tailored towards poetry and she had decided to write fiction. The idea for her debut novel The Frutuals came that following summer. Now 22 and with a creative writing degree from Wells College under her belt (go evens!) Costello continues to write fantasy and science fiction. Living in Rochester, New York with her boyfriend and a new kitten when not writing Katelyn can be found reading, attempting to go on a run, or working in the visual arts as a photographer, stage manager, and lighting designer.
​
So what is this project, if you follow my youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSEeWBRSsR2aTwC8rDjAXkA) you will know that I have been talking about it for months, giving little details here and there. And you have seen all the different passes of editing I have done. But what is the best way to describe it?
We can start by saying it is a YA Fantasy novel with elemental magick, elves, and adventure. Another way is:
Is having Magick worth the cost?
Each year men and elves are tested to see if the Fritual of their kingdom will be revealed, a powerful person able to control an elemental magick. Shauna Flynn has always wanted to meet a Fritual, but these magick users had all be disappeared  the war of men and elves nearly two hundred years before. Shauna has always wanted to meet a Fritual, she never thought she would be the fritual. Shauna is the first human to ever be able to control magick. Forced from her home by a group of elves known as the Dark Ones who want to control the first human Fritual, Shauna has to find the other Frituals and stop the Dark Ones, to save herself, her family, and the home she has always known.

Well, are you intrigued? I would hope so! 

Okay... I think I have talked about it enough to peek your interest. I think it is time to show you the cover!!!!
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Well, here it is! Isn't gorgeous! This beauty was created by my best friend, Jane Farrell. Having a friend who is a graphic designer is the best! She did a great job working with me and creating a design that I think is out of this world. 
So when can you get your hot little hands on this baby? You can start pre-ordering it right now! You can order it here off of my site or off amazon (link). I will have Ebook pre-orders available as well. 
An exclusive offer on my site is signed editions! So if you want a personalized version, this is the place to be! 
But Katelyn when will I get my book? You said this is a pre-order. 
That is right I did. You will receive your book starting on September 22nd, 2018 just three short months away. (* note if you order a signed copy, it will take a week or two longer) 
I have a goal, and if you would like to help me with it, I think it would be really cool. Pre-orders are really helpful for authors as they boost visibility on publication day. This is something that as a debut author is very much on my mind, so my goal for June and July is to have 22 pre-orders by my 22nd birthday on July 29th, 2018. Wanna get me a birthday present? Order my book hahaha. 
So that is all for the day. If you wanna watch my cover reveal video and see who won the give away for an arc go here (Video link.)
I love you all and thank you so much for all of your love and support. 
Katelyn Costello

Order my book:
Signed: https://www.katelyncostello.com/store/p1/The_Frituals_%28Book_%231_The_Frituals%29.html
Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981463097/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Ebook: \https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW8P33P/ref=sr_1_2ie=UTF8&qid=1529540545&sr=8-2&keywords=Katelyn+Costello
Follow me on the interwebs:
amazon.com/author/katelyncostello
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello
https://www.patreon.com/katelyncostello​
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/ladykate100/novels/wip-1233502
Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @authorkatelyncostello
Facebook: Author Katelyn Costello
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.katelyncostello.weebly.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello
https://campnanowrimo.org/campers/ladykate100

Hello Scripturients,
Happy June 1st friends, this past month has been crazy, it has been exciting and it has been so wonderful. If you haven't already seen...

That is right I will be revealing the cover to The Frituals on June 22nd, just 21 days away from today!
Do you want to support me by helping share the news? There is a google form below for you to  fill it out and you will receive the cover early and will be able to share it how ever you want. You don't have to have a large so social media presence by any means, it is just a plus for me haha. 

I will be holding a series of giveaways leading up to the release of my book. Each month someone will receive a signed ARC of  The Frituals. An arc is an advanced readers copy. What does that mean? That means if you win you will receive an exclusive copy of the book that may still get changes before publication. You will be the only person besides like me, lol that will ever see and own that version of The Frituals.  All you have to do to enter the give away is sign up below for my monthly news letter.

Again thank you so, so, so much for all the support already, this has been a project I have been toiling over for years, to have such an abundence of support before its has really launched has me over the moon. Make sure you are following me on all the my different forms of social media in order to get instant updates.
Much much love,
Katelyn
​Find me on the interwebs
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/ladykate100/novels/wip-1233502
Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @authorkatelyncostello
Facebook: The Scripturient 101
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.katelyncostello.weebly.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello
https://campnanowrimo.org/campers/ladykate100

Hello my Scripturients,
March... March was the month that I told myself I was going to come forward full force for my blog and for my youtube channel... instead I fell off the face of the earth. I didn't read that much that month, I didn't really get to write or edit all that much, however I did have a really great month.  I have started the apartment hunting process with two of my favorite people, I have gotten another job which should make me a bit more moolla $$ and make it easier for me to meet my publishing goals... after I pay the bills. 
This month I stepped into another management roll in the theater for my old high school and have a few new avenues coming up for me. So while I haven't been as productive as I wanted to, and I can't check the box for that goal I can check the box saying I took care of myself and felt genuinely happy. And I personally think that that is all that matters.

​I do still have ideas for several videos that I was going to put out, and I still plan on putting those videos out. So you will see newer videos on my youtube. I am also going to be doing Camp NaNoWriMo again, and I will be doing weekly vlogs again this time around. I did want to work on a different project but I will be using it as a push to get my edits done. I am creating a cabin for it similar to what Kristen Martin and Vivien Reis did last year. We all have our own projects and goals but doing these little daily check-in's makes all the difference. It really holds you accountable. If you would like to join my cabin click HERE to go to my account and send me a message and I will add you! This has been open since Monday so I want to apologize in advance if you miss that chance, we could still do buddy messages.
So Katelyn how did your editing actually go for the month? 
Wellllll.... I finished editing the physical proof
*wooooooo* *Insert crowd noises here* 
Butttt I only transcribed three of those chapters. *Whomp whomp whomp* While it doesn't take me to long to find edits and write them into the book, it takes much, much longer to put those edits into the computer. Much longer than I anticipated. So if you again, if you wanna be able to yell at me if I don't edit join me for Camp Nanowrimo! I am going to try much, much harder to be more active, even with jobs and moving in two months.... HELP
Goal: Have book edited and in beta process by June 1st.
Make me do this people!

Love,
Katelyn
Find me on the interwebs
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/ladykate100/novels/wip-1233502
Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @Scripturient101
Facebook: The Scripturient 101
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.thescripturient101.weebly.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello
https://campnanowrimo.org/campers/ladykate100​ 

Hello my Scripturients!
So, it is the last day in January. 2018 huh... I don't know about you but for me, 2018 has started by digging in it's heels and refusing to budge. That is to say I feel in some ways I have fallen flat on my face. What can I say? Adulting sucks! I haven't been able to work on the my projects just as much as I would have like to but I am getting there. Like I said in my last update I have been plotting and planning several different books while editing my book. I still want to try and get the edits for this draft formated by March 30th, it just means I need to try to make more time for myself. 
So how have I been doing?
The Goals of the Month:
Edit To page 200
- I have only been edit to page 103 so far. Starting work as a substitute teacher, and working on my the musical has caused my life to be locked into a cycle. Sleep, go to school, drive, rehearsal, drive, sleep. I don't have much free time in between. I am actually writing this on a day when rehearsal was cancelled, I am not really sure when I would have written it otherwise.... 
Start Outline for ISS Project
I did this! I am working on a Sci-Fi project and it has been blooming and building in my head everyday. I have been able to make major headway in this due to Evernote! I definitely recommend using Evernote if you are always on the go like I currently I am.

So I really only had those two goals for January, and I am going to have similar goals for February. 
1. Edit through page 357/ Chapter 37
2. Continue to Outline ISS Project
3.Print proof copy of Silver Manor for future edits.

Thank you for all the motivation through out the month. To see more updates from me follow me around on social media the links will be down below.
Love,
Katelyn
Find me on the interwebs
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/ladykate100/novels/wip-1233502
Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @Scripturient101
Facebook: The Scripturient 101
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.thescripturient101.weebly.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello

​Hello  Scripturients,
Long time no update right! I think the last update that I made may have been my thesis update. I miss writing about my writing, but if I am honest, I haven't been doing a ton of actual drafting.
I had three goals for 2017... and I kinda failed them....
1. Edit "The Frituals" to a publishable level.
2. Finish Drafting the then named "Frituals Fatel."
3. Get a B+ on my Thesis
Soooooo let's start with the easy one! I got my thesis goal accomplished. While I didn't get an A, I did get a B, it was a piece that for me was really hard and changed so much since I started working on it last June. 
My other two goals are a little bit more complicated. I did work on editing "The Frituals" a lot, but the more that I edited, the more I realized I needed to combine the two books into one. The plot threads made more sense woven all into one big plot versus spread out over two books. So the two have been combined, and I have begun another massive re-edit to make sure that all the plot lines match up and to tweak characters.

​So this year, the goal to work on "The Frituals" to a publishable level has hit yet again. I ordered a printed copy to take around with me, but due to the musical, I am working I am a bit behind. Keep checking back here, I am going to be putting out a call for beta readers. My goal for this is to make it publishable and possibly begin the publishing process. It hopefully will go to a professional proof editor afterword. So if you do choose to help out, just bear with me on some of the grammar. I know some people have an issue with it. However, my mindset is that if I am going to do a structure edit and end up deleting scenes I am not going to make it exactly perfect. 
Goal #2 is to outline and possibly write the first draft of my Sci-Fi project that for right now I am calling ISS. I would also like to work on restructuring a piece I wrote in high school. It was actually my first ever NaNoWriMo project. 
I would love to build up my platform as The Scripturient 101 and have  700 Instagram followers, 500 youtube followers. This will help spread my words and make any plans that I have for publishing easier in the future. 
I think this is all I have for you today! I miss writing on my writing. I am going to try to go back to my old habit of doing monthly writing updates so keep your eyes peeled for that post next week!

Wanna watch me react to opening my book in print?

Love,
​Katelyn
​Find me on the interwebs
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/ladykate100/novels/wip-1233502
Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @Scripturient101
Facebook: The Scripturient 101
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.thescripturient101.weebly.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello

Hello my scripturients,
November sure has been a roller coaster ride hasn't it? As you can see by today's image I am a Nanowrimo winner again this year. This marks the 5th year that I have won Nanowrimo, yay for five years. I do want to say that I feel slightly torn over my win this year. If you don't know, I used NaNo as a way to get back into my novel and do a first rewrite of my novel draft.  Not every word or every sentence was new. Some of the sentences stayed the same while others change complacently. But that is the nature of a rewrite, not every word is going to change. And that is something I have had to keep telling myself. Part of the reason I have felt so bad about it, is that I know that I would not have been able to get though a new draft this month. But for me this month rewriting The Frituals was my escape from work and school and everything else that has been getting me down. It has really been good for my own mental sanity and productivity to escape into my world. This week I have been working on planning out the last few chapters and then branching out into outlining the next book in the series.
As a present to myself for winning NaNo I have spent the last few days working on formatting my novel in order to print out a proof copy from Createspace to annotate. I will be filming my unboxing of it FOR SURE. I am very very excited about these next steps and to actually hold my book in my hands. I have some thoughts about the next steps for it but that might be a more in depth video/ blog post for next week when I get my thoughts together. I have a lot of thoughts I need to correlate together before I can explain them in detail.  But I hope to share my plans for future projects soon as I am sure I will need all your help.
My final thesis workshop is tomorrow. Tomorrow is the last day to receive edits. So this weekend I will be hiding and editing. I am also hoping I can set up my office space at home... a bit at least. 
So my thesis will be done and submitted by Wednesday at noon,  but do to my schedule it has to be done a bit earlier.  I have one other paper so I need to hide and write, sorry if I am not nearly as accessible as normal. Finishing this semester feels bittersweet. I am really excited to be done, but am also feeling lately like I am not prepared enough but I know I am. It is a struggle.
HOWEVER since next week I submit my final papers I will be free. I am working on getting a day job but in the mean time I am going to be throwing myself into this. I am going to be posting whenever I can but at least Wednesday and Fridays. So I will be shifting my reviews to friday's and they may not be every week but there will be more books so be sure to follow me on twitter to know whenever I am going to be posting. 
I think that is all of the thoughts that I have together for now. Send me a message on instagram or twitter and be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel to hear my ramblings out loud!
Katelyn
​Find me on the interwebs
https://nanowrimo.org/participants/ladykate100/novels/wip-1233502
Twitter @Scripturienting
IG: @Scripturient101
Facebook: The Scripturient 101
Youtube: The Scripturient 101
www.thescripturient101.weebly.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53086148-katelyn-costello