It’s been a year since I’ve written and what can I say? I’ve procrastinated writing for months; edited Bellosguardo to death; visited NYC in March; moved residences in June; feel thrilled to be in a fantastically beautiful neighborhood (cue photos of the Chippewa River by my new place above and below); and have researched a lot and written about a third of Hercules Knot.

I hope to be ready to publish around January 2026. The writing is going well and I feel confident about the timeline.

I had the manuscript’s first couple of chapters previewed by a friend and he gave it a positive thumbs up. He read my first novel and said it was challenging to read but well written. He didn’t like it, per se, but he completed it. However, when he read the first couple chapters of Hercules Knot it was an easier, much more enjoyable read for him. He feels this second novel will be far more accessible to the general readership.

I wonder how many other readers will feel the same.

Another interesting thing that’s happened is an acquaintance looked at my website, read the synopsis of Bellosguardo and shook his head. Nope, not his type of book. He’s a big reader but the Gilded Age is not his thing. Not interested. But when he read the synopsis of Hercules Knot, he said yes, he’d read that novel! He likes the Romans.

It’s always interesting how readers view one’s work. I tell myself to plug forward because it’s impossible to please everyone. I can think of several readers who enjoyed Bellosguardo for its unexpected quirkiness and historical detail who might think Hercules Knot is a bit too predictable of a story.

Apart from visiting petting zoos at a local greenhouse, I’ve been watching in the media for any reports that HBO is beginning production on the series on Huguette Clark. Not a word since the original announcement two and a half years ago. I’m very eager to see what they do with her story!

Now I’ve got to get back to writing!