Most Important Set of Updates So Far.
21 August 2026
The past month has been a steadily mounting whirlwind of successes. Today, as I'm typing this, A Cold Glow is available in one of the top 3 local book-centric venues in Omaha. I say "book-centric" venue and not simply "bookstore," because The Reading Room downtown is a whole cocktail bar (with literary-themed cocktails and mocktails, as well as artisanal snacks) where you can go in, pick any book off the shelf, and just hang out. I've gone there by myself quite a few times; it's great for groups, too. If you like what you're reading? You can purchase it! And right now, The Reading Room is stocking A Cold Glow.
This is ANOTHER first for me and I still can't quite believe it, frankly.
In other news, I will be traveling out of state in October for an author event! I'll be doing a reading, signing, and I may even sell 1 or 2 copies. Where is it??? It's a bit of a limited entry kind of thing . . . so I'll provide an update on this later. ;)
There will be a whole separate post at a later date of me singing the praises of an incredible ARC reader. known online as The Reading Frog (thereading.frogg IG), but suffice to say that this is an incredible human being whose review has singlehandedly exposed my novel to loads of people. Seriously, she's the best.
Also today, A Cold Glow has been officially enrolled in Wrote A Book's promotional community. These are all-people, no-AI services that have greatly expanded the reach of many an author, and they do it for little to no money at all. They're just sincerely passionate about helping authors, and I can't wait to see where it goes. There'll be a podcast, an Amazon review, everything!
Lastly, would y'all believe me if I said that most of this spectacular news happened within 24 hours of me publishing this new tongue-in-cheek skit advertising my book? Try to believe me, because it's the truth! How insane! I don't know what's even going on anymore!! Help!!!
Okaayyy, more updates coming soon. <3
Bookstores. Promos. Reviews. A new skit.
SERIES
Skits, Distribution, Post-release
Kirkus Review!
18 July 2026
Two days ago, my review from Kirkus Indies was officially published. It's my first novel, and first experience with the institution, which from what I've seen is pretty objective with their assessments . . .It provided the external validation that my story at least made sense and was compelling.
I think this reviewer certainly got what I was going for, even if it was not 100% for them. I have so many pull quotes from this review alone! The description of the premise is spot-on even down to its many subtleties, so I know they read the thing.
Furthermore, their comment on “every hot-button issue” I worked in being handled in a way that readers may find “excessively moralistic” is just as spot-on. A Cold Glow is nothing if not politically charged, and where in some cases it remains more objective, it is packed with moments where I certainly do stand ten toes down with many unambiguous political stances in this novel! To flagrantly quote my own writing like it’s the Bible or something: “There can be no subtlety.”
I’m trying to think of some of these real-world ‘20s events they didn’t list: Race & gender oppression, the glut of speculative markets, the police’s inaction at Uvalde’s school shooting come to mind. The reviewer was very likely correct not to list all these, however, both for brevity but also because not all aspects get as extensive an analysis in my text.
The reviewer acknowledges that these stances won’t be for everybody, without trying to discount the work as a whole; in other words, a fair review. Not a Kirkus Starred Review, not a “Get It” review, but a positive review nonetheless. We’ll see if and how I evolve my standard with my next novel!
I remind myself to be realistic about how this is my first go in the literary world. I’m not going to debut with some showstopper; I’m no prodigy, I’m a new guy to the scene and a hard worker. Why I am happy about this review is as follows: I know this project was heavy on the ambition and editorializing. So the fact that my reviewer found my story simultaneously “dizzying”, and “intriguing” and “compelling” as well? That means the world to me. I’m on the right track!
Read the review here :)
In full & brief thoughts on the review.
SERIES
Criticism, Post-release
First Libraries
10 June 2026
One academic & one community.
I've talked to 4 local bookstores. Once the Kirkus Indie review comes in (if it has good parts) I'll get the approval process finalized for each, as well as all 15 branches of Omaha's Public Library and Pittsburgh's libraries. We'll see who wants digital and physical! The second and fourth pics are just a peek at other copies out in the wild. More news soon, and big news, at that!
SERIES
Distribution, Post-release
First Sales Check for an Original Work . . . Feels Weird
2 June 2026
I thought it was a phishing attempt.
Staycation with the cats was productive. Started exercising and lifting more regularly and have gotten over the two-week hump. The cats have been good. Melvin's getting his hair cut in a week.
SERIES
Diary, Post-release
Stevie's Better & Groundwood Paper!
27 May 26
Gum Healing & Carbon Preservation
Went to her follow-up appointment and her gums are finally closing with no complications, no pain (!), and no further meds needed. Out of the woods!
Amazon KDP is running a beta on groundwood paper that will reduce carbon emissions as well as make A Cold Glow more book-like in texture! It works real well in Ingram copies; hoping it's the same here. Physical buying options will disappear for just a few hours tops while the format reconfigures.
SERIES
Diary, Post-release
Official Copies Arrive!
22 May 26
Ingram v. Amazon
So although the Amazon print copy nails the spine title placement, I don't think its cover build quality or color depth measure up to IngramSpark's print copy. I can tell the cover won't warp & curl outwards. Anyway.
"It’s the first week of A Cold Glow! Thanks for the multiple purchases, it meant a ton when even one person outside of myself wanted to read it.
Here’s to a long journey ended and much continued support ahead for this title!! Onto the next story!!!"
SERIES
Post-release
Bookmark
& All
10 May 26
1st Copy Edit copy & FROM Season 4 thoughts
A scene I have to rewind continuously because I know it's the rules of Julie's Bookmark in her Storywalking; I'm too busy to pay attention each time. Stevie chipped her tooth in the courtyard and I was partly to blame. She's got the antibiotics and painkillers but not the tooth surgery to remove the rest of her broken canine, and that involves anesthesia. Actually scary. Wracked with guilt a bit. I'm too Artie, even still.
First copy edit copy looks good; jotting down faint mistakes for maayyybee making an under-the-wire final submission, polished. I kinda don't care either way. Enough of it is there that I feel leargely happy about this story.
FROM Season 4 is good so far. A lot is happening. The pace has finally gotten into Third Act pacing so, yes, naturally, by this point I'm fully on board with the lore and tone and characters. More to be seen, of course . . . we're not even halfway.
Max Zell is a god of a professional copy editor. <3
SERIES
Diary, Release logs
The Personal Video
08 May 26
Why & when I made it
I made this video about a month ago, and sat on it. I wanted to release it right then but knew that'd be a rash decision. It also wasn't a weekend when I made it; weekends work the best for advertising books.
I wanted to make it because I hate the idea of fronting as something I'm not. The only way I'll front is if it's funny and ultimately (at least as far as I can see) harmless to do so.
And as my novel's Afterword states, my self lore is hella thorny. This is everything I am prepared to share atm. It's the essential elements that personally compelled me to make and stick with this particular story. If knowing why the person who made it, made it, is important to you: Give this a watch.
SERIES
Release logs
