Dear readers,
Happy June! This newsletter is an extension of an Instagram story I shared a while ago about debut year scaries and the book promo grind. It’s definitely a bit of a mind-fuck that you have to be so chronically online in order to promote your book, but at the same time, you need to disengage from the world in order to creatively focus. It feels like splitting yourself in half—constantly thinking about your next book while worrying about how to make content out of your life, your writing process, and your work in order to try and reach as many readers as possible. Not to mention the stressful few weeks when your ARCs first go out.
It’s draining. Content creation and self promotion is a mirage in the desert. You keep walking towards it because maybe—just maybe—it might lead to something. You have to be annoying. You have to do everything in your power to scream about your book because at the end of the day, you might find one or two potential readers, and isn’t every reader worth it?
I have done my job already. Most days, I forget that.
Once you have a book to promote, you start to realize how little you know about book marketing. It’s easy to feel restless even alongside your publisher’s efforts. Should I host a launch event? Arrange a mini tour? How does one go about doing that? Should I be contacting outlets/podcasts to host me? Should I be networking? Should I do book signings? Should I commission character art? Should I contact bookstores to boost my preorder campaign? Should I do giveaways? How much does shipping cost? What should I use to print art/bookmarks? Am I not planning enough for my debut month and post-launch publicity? Will any of it matter? Is my book even worth celebrating?
It’s a lot of exhaustion and uncertainty, and the more I talk to fellow authors in private, the more I realize I’m not the only one feeling that way—nor am I going through it as badly as others.
The curated life highlights of social media can be a difficult place to navigate in general. To top it all off, we often watch from the periphery as everyone around us is forging friendships, networking and finding community—making the lonely parts of writing feel even lonelier. For as long as I’ve been in the writing community online, I feel quite cut off from the majority US-based writing/publishing world as a non-American. There’s some sadness that comes with not being able to participate in, or be invited to, in-person events and to have the chance to form deep connections with more writers.
It feels weird to say all this aloud because reading it back, it’s easy to think: “Well, none of this stuff matters and just focus on your writing.” Which is true, of course. But the thing about feeling isolated is that it can only be truly solved by breaking that isolation. I think it’s normal to still be affected by it some days. On the plus side, I do my best to support and be a part of my local book/author community (which I’ve loved doing and highly recommend).
In any case, there will be always be authors who seem like they’re a million miles ahead of you. Special editions, book box picks, tons of engagement, six-figure deals, writing retreats, literary festivals, author events, awards, bestseller lists, national tours, film/TV options—the list of reasons to feel like a “failure” seem endless. You wonder, what’s the point?
The point, as naive as it sounds, really is the art. The reassurance that someone, somewhere will read your story at the exact time they need it, and you, as a writer, will have done your job.
I’m four months out from the release of LOCAL HEAVENS. But I’ve been tagged/DM’d some of the kindest messages and reviews for the book that have made the many years of labour worth it. I have done my job already. Most days, I forget that. I forget that I’ve actually already achieved my dreams. I made good on that promise to the seven-year-old girl who was scribbling stories onto a lined-piece of paper or teaching herself how to type in a Microsoft Word 2004 document, telling herself that when she grows up, she’d like to be an author. I can tell her that in twenty years, her name will be on the front cover of a book that she wrote, and that book will be in stores.
Of course, this “dream” isn’t what I thought it’d be at seven years old. I didn’t know that for all the sheer joy and intense euphoria, that it would bring, in equal parts, bouts of anxiety I couldn’t even fathom. But I have zero regrets and wouldn’t change a single thing about my journey. There are also many things that I feel lucky and grateful about.
To be clear, no one is a failure for deciding to let go of their creative work in order to prioritize other sources of happiness—if you realize that maybe all this stress isn’t adding value to your life, after all. I also think that learning to embrace the mindset of “I wrote the book and everything else is gravy” is the only way I’ve been able to get through any of this. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t advocate for yourself in publishing—you definitely should—but it does mean it’s not worth punishing yourself for things you can’t control, and for mistakes you didn’t make.
I shared this quote from Maggie Rogers on my story and I’ll share it again here: “When you get on stage and the house goes dark, all you can see are the exit signs.”
In the past 6 months, I’ve had more dark days and glaring exit signs in my line of sight than I’d like to admit. Even now, as I type this, it’s 3:20am and I’m so tired, and I’m already thinking about what content and promotional strategies I need to try tomorrow. It’s so tempting to give into that exhaustion, bolt toward the exit, and let it all go.
On a weekly basis, I tell myself it’s time to quit publishing and that I’m simply not cut out for this pressure. I also think, over the past year, I’ve built expectations for myself that are so high, I can’t see the top anymore. I don’t even know what I’m chasing but I do feel it’s emotionally unsustainable. If I’m only looking up, I’ll never appreciate what’s right in front of me.
The reason I haven’t quit is because I’m not sure that it would make me happier. I don’t know that I wouldn’t still be glancing over my shoulder at the stage, forever regretful.
So at least for now, I have to believe that the lights will turn on, the darkness will lift, and I’ll realize I’m not alone.
LOCAL HEAVENS updates
🏳️🌈 Pride Month is here, which means I’m obligated to remind you that I wrote a queer book and it would mean so much if you considered pre ordering, or adding on Goodreads/Storygraph! :) All those links are here: kmfajardo.com/local-heavens.
Strong pre orders can be one of the most impactful data points for authors and our careers. Thank you so much to everyone who’s already pre ordered and supported the book in any way!!! I’m already so excited to see the life that this book is living.
💖 I’m so grateful to all the authors who read my debut. Here are some blurbs that were recently shared from very kind, very talented authors who I admire so much (there are more that will be shared over the next few months):
“Easily one of my favorite books of the year. Fajardo’s Local Heavens is not just a cyberpunk reinvention of The Great Gatsby, but a singular revelation in its own right. Creative, incisive, and elegantly crafted, this one will wow you even as it wrecks you—you’ll be holding your breath to the end.” —Olivie Blake
“Gorgeous, decadent atmosphere. Local Heavens pierces to the core of an American classic, transforming the original Gatsby’s prosperity and prohibition into an era of technological dominance and the consequences therein. An exemplary execution of the cyberpunk genre.” —Chloe Gong
🪩 LOCAL HEAVENS: The Playlist (on spotify) is now public—for those of you who want some tunes and vibes, or a soundtrack to accompany your ARC!
📝 After publication, I’ll be sharing an extended author’s note (password protected) on my website. I haven’t decided what the password hint will be but it’ll be something that only readers who’ve read to the end will know. :)
It’s so surreal knowing that LOCAL HEAVENS is out with readers. Thanks to everyone tagging me in their kind reviews! It’s very cool to see many of you are enjoying the book. (I do apologize for any emotional distress caused by the last quarter lol)
More news to come soon! Announcements, as always, are shared early with meteor members on Ko-fi.
Lastly, the new writing office is coming together! But I don’t have shelves yet. I’ll be vlogging some of the decorating process on YouTube if you want to follow along there.
Kris’ never ending TBR.
I actually have an insane TBR pile right now and I read at the pace of a snail but these are the books I’m enjoying a lot right now!
CRY, VOIDBRINGER by Elaine Ho — An epic fantasy set in a world where the kingdom of Ashvi conscripts children from other cultures into their service as soldiers to fight an ongoing war against imperial oppressors. This story follows many characters, including a soldier named Hammer, and a godchild named Viri who has the power that the queen of Ashvi wants. There are also toxic sapphic characters in this and it’s just so damn good. Out Oct 2025. I finished this last week and can’t recommend it enough.
TO BARGAIN WITH MORTALS by RA Basu — Set in an Indian-inspired world, this is a fantasy about the adopted daughter of a viceroy and an infamous gang leader reluctantly allying to challenge the current colonial power structures. This one is super fast paced and I think if you’re a fantasy reader, you’ll tear through it. I’m already excited for the sequel and I’m just past the midpoint. I love Poppy and Hasan and can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next! Out Oct 2025.
THE SACRED SPACE BETWEEN by Kalie Reid — An adult romantasy about a devout iconographer who is sent by the abbey to paint the icon of an exiled saint. I remember hearing about this book deal last year and was so gripped by that premise that I followed Kalie on all her socials and since then, I have been so honoured to have an arc of her debut! The writing is gorgeous, the atmosphere is immaculate, and the tension (!!!!). Knowing how deeply and insightfully Kalie talks about/reviews books on BookTok, I had a feeling this book was going to HIT. Out November 2025.
THE MANOR OF DREAMS by Christina Li — One of my most anticipated reads of the year which came out last month!! I started this on a train ride the other day and was actually sad when I got to my stop and had to put it down. Gothic contemporary lit fic about the mansion of a recently deceased Chinese American Hollywood star and the two families fighting over the inheritance. The book starts when the family of the deceased is shocked to find out they won’t be inheriting the estate and the mystery kicks off from there. Also—sapphic!!
THIS MONSTER OF MINE by Shalini Abeysekara — I had the pleasure of meeting Shalini recently at one of her signings for her debut. This is an Ancient Rome-inspired romantasy following a barmaid-turned-prosecutor seeking vengeance for her attempted murder four years ago. The catch is that she’s assigned to work under the man who’s the prime suspect. (Enemies to lovers….. ? but also fantasy workplace romance vibes lowkey….????? Yes.)
Some pride month reads that I definitely won’t finish but I’m going to be ambitious anyway:
GIOVANNI’S ROOM by James Baldwin — I know, I know. I’m behind. Every year, I tell myself I’m going to finally read this book and every year, I put it off.
MARTYR! by Kaveh Akbar — I have serious FOMO over the fact that I haven’t gotten to reading this yet. Rachel influenced me so here we are.
CHAIN GANG ALL-STARS by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah — I started this ages ago as a library copy and I’m going to finish it now that I have my hands on a physical copy. Sci-fi/dystopian and a truly unique examination of America’s prison system.
BLACK SALT QUEEN by Samantha Bansil — This just released this month!! Set in a precolonial Philippines-inspired world. I’m so excited to read more Filipino/diaspora authors.
HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD by Shelley Parker-Chan — I’m honestly not confident that I’ll to this before the end of the month because again, I read at glacial speeds, but we’ll see.
(reread) THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amal El-Mohtar/Max Gladstone — in my defense, this is a novella so I reread it in one sitting.
(reread) A POWER UNBOUND by Freya Marske — third book in the Last Binding trilogy which I finished already, but for some reason, I don’t remember what happened much in the last book so I started rereading it lol.
(reread) MASTERS OF DEATH by Olivie Blake — One of my top 5 comfort reads. I already finished my third full reread lmao. I’ve imprinted onto it like a baby duckling. It brings me so much joy.
THE FLOATING HOUSE updates
I’m still drafting my new fantasy book because it has been SUCH a feat to write this ending. I feel like I’m losing my mind !!!! First drafts make me want to jump off a cliff (in both good and bad ways). I’m at 100k in the draft now and that’s after some extensive cutting and editing so there’s a lot of work ahead of me still, but I’m feeling excited about the project again.
For ko-fi members, I did already share some snippets and the real title of the book.
We’re almost at the finish line and I can’t wait to talk more about this project. It’s starting to feel more real as I’ve shared part of the draft with my agent already and her encouragement has been so helpful in guiding me to the end of this beast of a book!
This is all I can share for now: “Project “THE FLOATING HOUSE” is a secondary world adult fantasy, drawing loosely from the American colonial period of Philippine history and Filipino myth, with a gothic atmosphere and haunting meditations on love, duty, and vengeance. The dark examination of magic and privilege in BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN, meets the high-stakes gang politics of JADE CITY.”
Happy pride month! Thanks for reading,
-Kris
I’ve been following you for a while and I can genuinely say that you’re one of my comfort writers on YouTube. I’m so excited to read LH at some point this year. As a young writer from South Africa, your journey has really inspired me to keep going.
It's funny how the goal posts are just in constant motion with publishing. First it's get an agent, then get a deal, then do all the marketing things to hopefully move the needle on sales and worry if you're doing enough. It's exhausting just thinking about it! But you've already done your job as you said, that's more than enough.