Tonight, the air smells like bonfires and there was a ring around the moon. While not as chilly as a few nights this past week, I found myself craving hot cocoa. I realized, as I rummaged in the cabinet, I have finally reached the end of the box of the raspberry cocoa packs my dad bought me the large bulk box of Christmas 2021, the last one he was alive for. It made me a little sad as I heated the water and stirred the cup. As we edge up on November, my mood is sure to plummet, no doubt, unless I can keep myself sufficiently distracted. Losing your parents in the same month , albeit several years apart, can make you hate November.
After a short round of D&D and dinner with friends today, I found myself alone for a few hours at home while J hosted his usual Saturday night karaoke. I was determined to push off my other writing work til tomorrow to get the wrangling mass of RUINPORN edited for the final time, as the design schedule is creeping up on me if I want to at least have things finalized by the end of November. So much happens before the official layout begins, since its easier to make rearranging and changes in the text before I start sizing and formatting the final version for printing. I have gotten speedier with each new book, much in the same way of chapbooks. the bulk of any chap these days is edits and back-and-forth more than the initial design. There will also need to be 2-3 passes through before I finalize, then possibly 2 or more after I have a galley in hand. To avoid ordering and paying shipping for proofs, its best to have everything but minor tweaks in place now before I upload. I am using the same printer for a couple upcoming chap projects that needed different trim sizes than I can do at home (one, a very boxy 8 x 8 inches) and its much the same process, just in collab with the author. It's not something I can afford to do with every chap, but its nice to have the option. I am also very close to having everything from GHOST BOX in hand to release both eth e-version and the artist book/box project that will be available in the shop, possibly by Tuesday. There are some fun elements going in, including the above lil' baby Ouija boards I found on Etsy that are so fun. There is still more coming for #31daysofOctober over on IG, so look for the launch of it there.
This week will be busy with tattoo appointments and Shakespeare productions, and a couple films, including Cronenberg's The Brood. With just a couple weeks til Halloween, I reserved our rooms in McHenry for the drive-in outing, which actually spans two nights, one a triple feature topped off with Halloween: Season of the Witch. The days left for perhaps a visit to an apple orchard, mostly for the donuts and cider, much less the actual apples. Meanwhile, those nights are starting to feel more encroaching as we round out the month, each night requiring the lamps earlier than the last.
