100 Percent!

And not an ounce more. Because it’s impossible to give 110%. Believe me, I’ve tried. Check it:

Sand 100

Here’s the freaky thing, and I’ve had numerous people ask me about this, and I really don’t have a good answer, but the word count came out exactly where I anticipated yet again. Not sure what’s up with that. I put 0 / 80,000 words on my site a while back. These things always end up within 10% of my estimate. I totalled up the word count across all 5 parts, and it comes to 87,832. So weird. I wish I knew what that was all about.

Anyway, the entire work is now in draft. I’m going through my lovely and hilarious David Gatewood edits on SAND 4 for the rest of the day, and then I’ll do my passes on SAND 5 over the weekend, get them edited next week, and we could see this puppy wrapped and published by the 15th. That’s two weeks earlier than I’d expected. It also means, if you want to read the parts individually (which I think is the best way to read these), you could start this weekend and not have to wait long — if at all — before the last piece is out. Or you can wait for the Omnibus at the end of the month.

The Omnibus, by the way, is going to be the most gorgeous book I’ve ever produced. A lot of secrets to reveal about this work when it comes out. I’ve never been so excited for an unboxing. Trust me, you’re gonna flip. All these editions will be available on my site in case you want signed copies. Probably not until February. I have two big trips coming up, which is why I’m holding off.

Cheers, everyone. Thanks again for making this adventure so much fun.


19 responses to “100 Percent!”

  1. Awesome — can’t wait to check it out.

    Congrats!!

  2. Great work HH! Am patiently awaiting the last two pieces of this glorious work. My wife will be happy when my incessant Amazon checking stops I’m pretty sure I’m wearing out the F5 button my keyboard.

  3. I’m curious… You have six projects listed in your sidebar. Are you always truly working on multiple first drafts simultaneously? How do you do this?

    Congrats on being 100%.

    1. I bounce around a little, but I try to concentrate on one thing at a time. Some are works I have to let sit idle while I complete other things with deadlines.

  4. Through the recommendation of a friend, I am just starting to read your works. I’m excited to get started on them right away!

  5. I don’t know which will be the bigger thrill for this weekend – Part 4 “Sanday” release or NFL wildcard games? (Go Chiefs!!!)

    1. Oh…and about that 93171 / 100000 ??? We need Molly!

    2. I better get part 4 up quickly, hadn’t I?

  6. I will be more impressed with the accuracy of your word count predictions after I see whether the book ends in the middle of a sentence.

  7. Hugh:

    Yay!

    Yay!

    (Going to check to see if you’ve snuck it out before Sunday.)

    Patrice

    1. It should go up on Friday. :)

  8. If you go to the books and stories link it says:

    SAND

    34,000 / 60,000 words. 51% done!

  9. Yay!!! Now I must finish the book I’m reading currently before January ends, because I don’t want to wait any more day for SAND omnibus than absolutely necessary!

  10. Hugh would’ve had this completed even sooner if not for me slowing him down. He writes faster than I edit. And I’m not kidding!

  11. Thanks for making Sand eligible to borrow for Prime members. Will the omnibus also be eligible?

    1. It will be for the first month that it’s out. It’ll be a Kindle exclusive through the end of February. :)

  12. Fantastic, congratulations! I check in pretty regularly to see your progress bars when I need additional inspiration. Also terrific to hear in the vid that your work is bringing up strong emotions as you read through it. Probably a good sign that readers will too!

    Been trying to teach myself touch typing to increase my output. In addition to “practice, practice, practice”, any pointers?

    Congrats again!

  13. I’m so proud of myself that I haven’t opened Sand #1 as I patiently wait for the Omnibus. It hasn’t been easy.

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