sci-fi romance

Novel November, Day 9: Aeva 2 WIP

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I’m nine days into PWA’s Novel November, drafting Aeva 2, and as of yesterday I’m at 14,034 words. Chapter 10 is done and I’m starting Chapter 11 today.

I almost always have music playing when I write. Usually it’s a playlist that runs in the background while I work, and I barely notice it. Every so often one song pulls out of the mix and captures me. Right now that’s “Another Life” by Jordy Medina. It’s been on repeat since I started outlining. I’m not sure why this one stuck, but sometimes a song just does that.

And yes, for this story, I outline. I’m a bit of both, plotter and pantser. I don’t usually outline shorter stories, but since this one has become a series, I’m finding myself doing it, especially because I want to get the whole series out on a steady schedule.

Currently, this rough draft is messy, plus I’m moving fast. Editing will come later. For now, I’m just hitting the word goals. It’s the sloppiest I’ve ever been, but don’t worry, it all gets cleaned up.

If you haven’t met Aeva yet, book 1, Aeva: The Last Hope, is free on Kindle+.

More soon. Back to Chapter 11.

The Republic of McCoy Is Now on Kindle+

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The Republic of McCoy is now on Kindle+ (formerly Kindle Unlimited), so you can read it free.

Neon streets, a Republic that thinks it owns her, and a slow-burn romance she never planned on. It’s neon-noir cyberpunk with hope at its core, and Marlowe’s story is the one I’ve spent the last few years living inside.

🌶️🌶️ Open door · 18+
Content warnings: suicide, violence, strong language

Read The Republic of McCoy free on Kindle+

Back to Aeva for Novel November

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Eight years ago today, I posted a meme about NaNoWriMo pulling me away from my work in progress. That WIP was Aeva. I was supposed to be finishing it, and a shiny new story kept stealing my time. (Here’s the proof.)

This year, it’s the other way around.

I’ve signed up for ProWritingAid’s Novel November, and I’m spending it on Aeva: The Inheritance, book 2 of The Last Hope series. Last year I used Novel November to push through a round of edits on The Republic of McCoy. This year it’s a draft, two actually. I’m aiming for PWA’s full 50,000 words: about 35,000 to finish book 2, and the rest to get a head start on book 3.

Book 2 picks up right where Aeva: The Last Hope left off. Aeva is on her way to Earth, a planet that isn’t sure it wants her. Meanwhile, out on Pfore, Maya’s story is only getting started.

If you haven’t read book 1, it’s on Kindle+ now.

I’ll check back in December to let you know how it went. Are you doing NaNo this year? Tell me what you’re writing.

40 Words Friday: No. 21

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“Astraea,” he said, so slowly and breathtakingly that Astraea bit down on her lip to keep from saying something stupid like, “You say it so lovely. Say it again.” He rolled her name around before adding, “What a beautiful name.”

Aeva: The Last Hope Is Now on Kindle+

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My space opera novella Aeva: The Last Hope is now on Kindle+, Amazon’s new name for Kindle Unlimited as of this week. If you’re a member, you can read it free. If not, the ebook is $2.99.

And it comes with something new: a playlist. Every song is matched to the chapter where it plays, from the opening track as Rowen finds the missing cargo ship to the last song at the end. You can listen along here: Full Playlist: Aeva: The Last Hope.

If you haven’t met Aeva and Rowen yet: a virus is destroying an alien species’ ability to have children, human women are being used as surrogates, and a captain who’s just lost everything is assigned to help a genetically engineered survivor recover her memory before interrogation day. What she remembers could cost her life, and Rowen has to decide how much he’s willing to risk to protect her.

And yes, there’s more coming. I’ll be drafting Aeva 2 this November.

Read Aeva: The Last Hope on Amazon

The Republic of McCoy Is Now Available for Pre-Order

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It’s been a while since I’ve written here. There’s a good reason, though: I’ve spent the past year inside a city called McCoy.

Today I’m happy to share that The Republic of McCoy is available for pre-order and releases on October 15, 2026.

Marlowe wants a Central job and the real money that comes with it. When her roommate moves out, she can’t cover the rent alone and takes a security job at Cleancore Industries. It turns into something else—guarding Trevor Ledeus, heir to the company. The job comes with a helmet she doesn’t take off, a number where her name should be, and one condition: ID 7 does not show her face. Trevor asks for her real name anyway. She doesn’t give it to him.

Cleancore sells security services and builds the machines that clear debris fields. The machines are built from the dead. It’s legal.

Then the newest line of units is unveiled, and Marlowe knows one of the faces.

He didn’t choose it. He can’t come within three feet of her. And he no longer registers the name Marlowe.

This book took nearly a year and more edit passes than I want to admit. It pulled me somewhere new as a writer, and I’m proud of where it ended up. I can’t wait for you to meet Marlowe.

The ebook is available for pre-order now on Amazon, and the paperback and hardcover will follow on release day.

Pre-order The Republic of McCoy

Thank you for sticking around while I was quiet. More soon, including the music that kept me company while I wrote it.

— Tori