Writing Update: July 2026

On July 2, 2026 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

I hope your summer is off to a great start! For me, I plan to spend a little time at the beach this month, which I’m very excited for. I don’t have any real big trips planned, which will give me more time to focus on my writing! (I really wanted to visit Norway this summer but I didn’t follow through on that plan. Maybe next summer?)

Where I live it’s going to be just about 100 degrees Fahrenheit over the next few days, which isn’t usual. I think pretty much half the country is going to be experiencing extreme heat (and I know Europe has had a major heat wave as well), so please stay cool and hydrated!!

Publishing Update

Well, last month I released the final book in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” series and I’m really glad that it’s completed. I had a lot of fun writing all five books but I’ve come to realize the stories are a little more niche than I initially realized they would be. That made it kind of hard for me to market them and I never really was able to find the right audience for them.

I’ll spend the next little bit of time trying to figure out what worked and what didn’t work in terms of writing, publishing, and marketing so I can make sure I carry that knowledge with me for my next book. In some ways, I took chances with the storytelling that didn’t always pay off…but sometimes they did. It’s hard for me to know what people will respond positively to and what they’ll absolutely despise. But with each book I write, I get a little bit better, I think, so I’m excited to see what comes next.

I think, for the time being, I’ll be focusing on writing standalones. It takes a lot of time and effort to write a series when it might not pay off. I started writing the first book in the series, “Red Flags,” in October of 2021. Here we are mid-way through 2026 and I’m just wrapping up that series, so it took many years for me to complete the whole thing. If, in the future, I get lucky and one of my books takes off, maybe then I’ll consider a sequel.

Writing Update

With that said, I’ve been doing quite a bit of writing lately. I’ve mentioned a few projects in past posts, so I’ll use this opportunity to update you on them and also share what else I’ve been working on.

First up, the MM romcom that I love with all my heart. I’ve been querying this one and I currently have a full out with an agent. I’m fully expecting to be rejected any day now, but I’m really proud that I wrote something that got an agent’s attention! So far, I’ve queried maybe 25-ish agents? I know it sometimes takes up to 100 before you land one, but I actually think I might stop querying this book and focus on my next one.

I recently finished the first draft of another MM romcom, and it might be my favorite thing I’ve done. I haven’t edited it yet. I’m putting it aside for a few weeks to give me a chance to clear my head of it since I’ve been thinking about it almost nonstop for four months. But I love the characters and I love the setup. If you’re big into tropes, this is a fake dating story, and I had so much fun with it. By the end of the summer, I hope to be in a position where I can query it. I’ll see how that goes and then maybe I’ll send a few more queries for MM romcom #1. If by early-to-mid next year I haven’t landed an agent, I do plan to self-publish them.

The reason why I am interested in getting an agent is because I kind of suck at marketing. And it would just plain be helpful for me to have an agent. I know if I was trade published I’d still have to market, and I would, but a little boost would be helpful. I love self-publishing—especially working with cover designers on my vision for a book cover—and I don’t think I’ll ever completely stop! But it’s definitely a lot like running a small business. We’ll see what happens.

I do think I’ll stick to MM romcoms for a little while. I used to think I couldn’t write a story unless it had a fantasy element to it, but it turns out I was wrong about that.

The third book I have on my computer is one I’ve mentioned a few times. It’s a paranormal fantasy about a witch who thinks he’s cursed because everything is going wrong in his life. It’s funny and emotional with a dash of romance and a few spooky scenes thrown in, and I really like this book a lot. I wrote it thinking it would be a duology but, as noted above, I’m not too sure I want to start writing sequels just yet for my stories. So, what I’ve decided for now is to spend some time editing it so that it can stand on its own. Maybe, if people like the story and really want another, there will be a sequel down the line but I think it’s probably a good idea to keep it as a standalone for now.

TL;DR

I loved writing and sharing the entire “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” series but it didn’t exactly connect with the audience. I’ll be trying new things including releasing MM romcoms, so more to come on those!

“White Flags,” the final book in the series, is out now!

On June 8, 2026 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

Well, today’s the big day! “White Flags” is now available as an ebook or paperback, and is also available in Kindle Unlimited.

I can’t believe it’s the final book in the series. I know things have taken some wacky turns throughout, and that remains the case as we wrap everything up. When I started the series, I definitely didn’t think I’d be finishing it with our heroes battling a deranged billionaire who has tentacles jutting out of his abdomen as the final bad guy, but here we are.

I’ve had so much fun writing “The Álvarez-Moreno Files,” and I hope you had as much fun reading it. If you picked up any of the books, please know how grateful I am to have had you along for the ride.

It’s tough for me to say goodbye to these characters, but it’s time to leave them where they are. I hope you enjoy!

Announcing My New Book, “White Flags”

On May 25, 2026 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

It’s been a while since my last post, but I’m back with some exciting news! The final book in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” will be released on Monday, June 8. It’s a little bittersweet to say goodbye to this world and these characters. On the one hand, I started writing the series in October 2021, so it’s been with me for a while. But, on the other hand, I’m pleased with where the story ends and I’m ready to try something new.

From now until release day, you can preorder the ebook for only $0.99 (or your country’s equivalent). The paperback will be available on release day as well.

Check out the cover and blurb below!

After an evil warlock kidnapped his boyfriend and best friend, Mateo Álvarez-Moreno’s life is shattered, and he’ll stop at nothing to get them back. But their abduction is only the beginning. A powerful crystal has been stolen, an artifact said to grant invincibility and unimaginable strength. In the wrong hands, it could lead to the end of humanity. And Mateo suspects it’s in the hands of a billionaire hellbent on godhood.

To save the people he loves—and the world—Mateo must return to the one place he swore he’d never go again: the infamous Red Flags mansion. Whispers say the crystal is hidden there, along with the captives he’s desperate to rescue. But the mansion holds more than secrets. It’s a labyrinth of betrayal, dark magic, and horrors that defy reason.

Every second counts as Mateo battles demons, vampires, and other monsters who try to thwart him from stopping a ritual to end the world. With his friends scattered, his magic pushed to its limits, and the world teetering on the brink, Mateo has one rule: burn it all down before it burns him.

This book was one of the hardest I’ve written. Trying to conclude all the stories that I started was no easy feat, but I’m very pleased with where things ended. I hope you pick up your copy and enjoy it. Thank you so much for sticking with this series or giving it a shot. It was a little wacky at times, I know, but hopefully it was fun too!

As for the incredible cover, I want to thank the team at Damonza. I love the work that they do, and this cover was a breeze to complete (well, on my end anyway!). And of course, I also have to thank my copy editor Kate Nascimento for her incredible work on the book.

So, mark your calendars for the book’s release on June 8! I can’t wait for you to read it!

Writing Update: January 2026

On January 17, 2026January 19, 2026 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

It’s been a long time since I’ve updated, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been doing nothing! I figured now would be a good time to share what I’ve got planned for the year in terms of writing and publishing. It’s going to be a quieter year for me, but I’ve got a lot of exciting things in the pipeline, nonetheless.

Publishing Update

First, let’s talk about the final book in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” series. I’m estimating that it will be released in May of this year. In March, it’s going to my editor, so I’ll read through everything in April to make sure there are no glaring errors. So, we’re in good shape on that front, but I’m not quite ready to make an announcement for the book just yet. I’m guessing I’ll be reaching out to my cover designer in April, so I think May is a pretty accurate guess as to when I’ll be ready to release the book. So, it’s coming!

This is going to be the only book I release this year. For the past few years, I’ve released two a year, but we’re going to be slowing things down for a little while. I’ll get into that more below. Writing this series has taken a lot of work, so I think a slower pace will benefit my creativity.

It’s crazy to think it’s the last book. To think that I started writing “Red Flags” during Covid when my brain was a little whacky (and it shows!), and now here we are at the end of the series. With every book I write, I learn something new and I get a little bit better at my craft. So I’m excited to see what comes next on this publishing journey.

Writing Update

I’ve got two books completed and I couldn’t be prouder of them. One is a paranormal fantasy that is about a witch who thinks he’s cursed because everything in his life has gone wrong. The other is a MM rom-com about a guy who meets his love interest at a cooking class (oh, and also, their exes cheated with each other!).

As for the paranormal fantasy book, I’m not focusing on what I’m going to do with it right now. Ideally, I’ll query it to see what any interest might be, but I’m not ready to do it yet. I’m envisioning it being a duology. I haven’t started writing the sequel, though I have some ideas for it. If the querying goes well, I might hold off. If it doesn’t, I think I’ll start writing the sequel and then release book #1 next year.

The book I’m focusing on right now is the rom-com. I’m so in love with it and I really want to make sure it’s perfect, so it’s getting all my attention at the moment. I know a rom-com is quite a different genre from what I’ve been writing, so I understand if it doesn’t interest people who’ve read my other works. I don’t plan to use a pen name, but I’ll be very clear that it’s different from my other stuff. I’ve really taken to rom-coms lately—especially MM rom-coms—and I’d been dying to try writing one. I’d tried in the past and it was absolute cringe, but something clicked for me and this book came out better than it had any right to. I’m focusing on querying it now, or I will be soon. I reached out to one agent so far and already got a rejection. It’s expected and I know I’ll get many more. I’m trying to make sure the submission materials are as good as they can be before I query any other agents. It’s a tough, tough business so I don’t exactly have my hopes up, but I need to try.

I think I want to look for beta readers on the rom-com but I have no idea where to look. I’ve utilized writer friends before but I hate bugging people. Besides, I probably should have people who love MM romance read it and not just someone who knows how to write. I am open to harsh criticism too, as long as it helps improve the book. So if you have any suggestions as to where to find solid beta readers, I’m open to ideas! I’m always happy to trade works too.

TL;DR

Book #5 in “The Álvarez-Moreno” files is likely coming in May 2026. I wrote a paranormal fantasy that might be out next year. I wrote a MM rom-com that needs some beta readers. Fin.

“The Warlock’s Revenge,” a paranormal fantasy, is out now!

On September 15, 2025October 10, 2025 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

Well, today’s the big day! “The Warlock’s Revenge” is now available as an ebook or paperback, and is also available in Kindle Unlimited.

After facing off against demons, vampires, and other hellish beasts, Mateo’s earned a vacation. When his friend, Austin, invites him and others on a luxury yacht getaway, he jumps at the opportunity to finally disengage. What could be more relaxing than the crystal blue ocean and beautiful beaches?

But Mateo’s dreams of paradise quickly become a nightmare. While on board the yacht, strange happenings and collective memory loss point to the presence of dark magic. When Austin reveals that a vengeful warlock from his past wants him dead, Mateo realizes he can’t just sit back and enjoy the margaritas anymore.

As tensions rise, Mateo must use his skills as a paranormal investigator to protect his friends and outsmart the cunning warlock. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the enemy may be closer than he thought—magically disguised as one of their own.

Can Mateo unravel the truth and save his friend from the clutches of dark magic? Or will he too become a victim of the warlock’s deadly plan? One thing’s for sure, not everyone is going to make it out of this vacation alive…

This is the penultimate book in the series, which is kind of hard to believe. It was definitely a difficult book for me to write, to the point where I was completely re-writing whole chapters and plot points. There’s some pressure to make sure things get wrapped up well in this series, and I think that pressure was starting to get to me!

I’m very pleased with the way things ended up, though. There’s a mystery element to the story, which was a lot of fun to play with. If you’ve had a chance to read the third book in the series, “The Dead are Coming,” then you’ll be familiar with the premonition that’s going to come into play in this story. I hope I keep you on your toes when you read this one. Toward the end, I think there are a few scenes that will take you by surprise!

As with all of these books, while connected, they each tell their own story. So if this one appeals to you, I hope you pick it up to read!

I hope you consider picking up a copy, and I hope you enjoy!

Announcing My New Book, “The Warlock’s Revenge”

On September 1, 2025 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

I’m so excited to announce that my new book, “The Warlock’s Revenge,” is now available for preorder! And you won’t have to wait long to read it. On Monday, September 15, 2025, the fourth book in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” series will be released. You can preorder the ebook now for only $0.99 (or your country’s equivalent), and the paperback will be available on release day. Check out the cover and blurb below.

I can’t believe this is the penultimate book in the series. When writing this book, and as I thought of the end of the series, I really tried to incorporate everything that came before. That includes the prequel short story, “The World is Definitely Not Ending,” which you can get for free by signing up for my newsletter.

This book was a lot of fun to write because it’s got a little bit of “whodunnit’ vibe. If you like a little bit of mystery with your fantasy, then this might be right up your alley. And if you’re a fan of “Below Deck” like I am, then maybe you’ll enjoy some of the nods to that TV show too.

If you’ve read the rest of the series, you’ll know that reality TV plays a part in the stories, which I promise is leading to something. The series is wacky, but there is a point to the wackiness.

So, mark your calendars for the book’s release on September 15! I can’t wait for you to read it!

The Magic of Edinburgh

On July 7, 2025July 21, 2025 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

Last month I was lucky enough to visit Scotland, and I had the most amazing time. I’ll be honest and say it wasn’t initially high on my list of places to visit, but I couldn’t be happier that I went. I turned forty earlier this year and I wanted to take a trip to celebrate. Schedules didn’t exactly align with friends or family, so I decided to go someplace myself. After doing some research, I settled on Edinburgh because it seemed like a good place to go if someone was traveling alone. I traveled solo to London a few years ago and, while I enjoyed myself, it wasn’t my favorite way to travel so I wasn’t too sure how I’d like this. Long story short: 10/10 trip. No notes. Absolutely so much fun.

It’s always a little tough the first day you’re on a trip overseas because of the time change, so I was a little sleepy when I landed. Didn’t sleep a wink on the plane because of course I didn’t. From the airport, I went directly to my hotel, but it wasn’t ready, so I hung out at the graveyard across the street, as one does. From there, I took in gorgeous views of Edinburgh Castle. After, I kind of just wandered around and explored Dean Village and then walked to the Stockbridge Market. One thing I did a lot of in London, as well as here in Edinburgh, was visit farmers’ markets. It’s a great place for me to stock up on some fruit/food to have in my hotel room, and I also picked up a few gifts for people back home. So, that’s what I did. Oh, and Scottish strawberries? Life changing. I’d say you should visit Scotland just to taste them, but the whole country is definitely worth a visit. (You can click onto the pictures to see bigger versions.)

Day two was a little more exciting after I slept for about ten hours the previous evening. The first thing I did was walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens, which were very pretty. Unfortunately, a lot of the flowers/plants seemed to be between seasons, but it was still very pretty and serene walking around. Honestly, I really enjoyed being outside and taking in nature.

If you’ve read some of my books or even just talked with me, you might’ve picked up on the fact that I love witches. So when I saw the opportunity to go on a witches’ Old Town walking tour, I booked it so fast. I met my tour guide along the Royal Mile, and she wasn’t hard to spot considering she was dressed as a witch. This tour was so much fun. She took us up and down the Royal Mile sharing Edinburgh’s history with witch trials. It was very similar in ways to what happened in Salem, MA, and I loved learning about it. We ended the tour down in the Edinburgh vaults. It was just so much fun and my tour guide had a great sense of humor. I’d definitely recommend this tour if you were ever to visit!

Day three was even busier for me, but equally as fun. First, let me just say that the weather for my entire time in Edinburgh was absolutely beautiful. Because it was warm and sunny, I always carried a water bottle with me so I could stay hydrated. Of course, on this day I forgot my water bottle in my hotel room, which was annoying because I was walking quite a bit. Anyway, my first stop was at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and I had a little tour. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I loved it. I loved learning the history as well as about its present use (as of this writing, I think the Royal Family might be visiting there now?). My favorite part of this tour was the ruined Abbey outside. I hope I don’t sound ridiculous saying this but it kind of reminded me of “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” In fact, a lot of Scotland did! It was beautiful, though.

From there, I climbed Arthur’s Seat, which is an ancient extinct volcano. This is where that bottle of water would’ve come in handy! It probably would’ve been a good idea for me to wear better shoes, stretchy pants, and suntan lotion too, so I think it’s safe to say I was not prepared for this climb. But, I made it! The views at the top were breathtaking. Definitely worth the trek!

On another day, I visited the National Museum of Scotland, which I was super impressed by. It had everything you could think of for a museum. Sure, it had the usual artifacts you might expect, but it also had sections dedicated to science (I saw Dolly the cloned sheep!) and to fashion, just to name a few. I also went to a museum that was unlike anything I’d seen before—the Surgeons’ Hall Museum. It’s connected to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and it basically gives the history of surgery. The gruesome part is that there are actual human remains in jars on display. It’s all educational, and it’s certainly not for everyone, but I thought it was so interesting!

One of my favorite things I did on my trip was a day tour of the West Highlands. The tour took me all over, and I got to see some beautiful castles, like Doune Castle where they filmed “Outlander,” and lochs, like Loch Lomond, which looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. I saw sheep and Highland cows too!! It was a long day but totally worth it. I thought it was kind of funny that half of my tour group was from Massachusetts. I can never get too far from home, apparently! The views in the West Highlands were stunning, and they’re not something I’ll forget.

Wrapping up the week, I went to the Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions museum, which, you guessed it, is a museum of illusions. I did something similar in Las Vegas earlier in the year, but this was so much better. They had one of those mirror mazes, which I definitely didn’t get lost in and definitely didn’t need to rely on the family who was in it with me to find the way out… I also took in the views atop Calton Hill. Did you know that from Calton Hill you can get a really great view of the W Edinburgh hotel, which cost over £1 billion and looks like a certain emoji? Because I found that out!

Another favorite thing that I did was attend the Pride celebrations on my last day there. It was just really nice to be there. I saw the parade, which had some really powerful signs and messages displayed, especially those about supporting trans people. I saw a performance by Ellie Diamond from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 2. It was overall a lot of fun, but it was also a reminder of how important it is to stick together and stand up for the LGBTQ+ community whether you’re gay, straight, trans, non-binary, questioning, etc. Times are tough, and we all need to stick together.

Anyway, those are the highlights of my trip. (Actually, also a highlight? The squid ink risotto I had to get twice because it was so tasty.) I was pretty sad to leave because I had such a fun time. The people in Edinburgh were so lovely too. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better vacation. It comfortably sits alongside Iceland as one of my favorite destinations. So who wants to go back with me???

Things I Liked In June 2025

On June 30, 2025 By Michael ProcopioLeave a comment

This entry is going to be a little light on recommendations because I’ve been a little busy. Earlier this month I traveled to Scotland for a week and had the absolute BEST time. Sometime soon I’ll post about my trip and share some pictures but, let me tell you now, you need to visit Scotland. I was mostly in Edinburgh, and I had so much fun while I was there. I went to museums and castles, took a tour of the West Highlands, and even celebrated Pride. The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful. I am so grateful I took the trip and I’ll be thinking about it for a very long time.

So with all the travel, I didn’t have as much time to sit on my butt and consume media! There are a few things that I liked, though, so I’ll share them below.

If you’re looking for some updates on my writing, you can check out my recent post on the subject. I’m so glad that I finished the first draft of my new book. I plan to start editing it in a week or two. Today I sent Book #4 in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” off to my editor, Kate, and in a few weeks I’ll reach out to my cover designer. I’ll have a lot more info to share very soon!

So with that being said, onto things that I liked this month…

Movies I Liked

I finally got around to seeing one of the biggest movies of last year, “Wicked.” Took me long enough, right? I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the play. I saw it a few years ago and, while enjoyable, it’s not something that I thought I’d want to revisit. But when you’re stuck on a plane heading to Scotland and it’s one of the movie options, why not, right? By now you probably know the story: a green-skinned young woman, Elphaba, with magical powers goes to study at Shiz University and befriends her popular roommate, Glinda. In this world, animals can talk, and some even teach at the university. Unfortunately, animal rights come under attack, and the Wizard of Oz decrees that animals should not be treated equally anymore and should be caged. This enrages Elphaba and she releases her magic, catching the eye of some very interested parties. There’s a whole lot more to the story, and ultimately it’s a story about the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. I’m not sure why I liked this version more than the play, but I did. I thought Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both did an amazing job in their roles. I also just kind of liked the scenery and the effects! So I’m sure if you’re a fan of the play, you’ve already seen the movie. But, if you’re like me, maybe give the movie a chance because it’s really good!

The Books I’ve Liked

Every so often I pick up a book and I love it so much that I need to go back and read everything the author had ever written. “Funny Story” by Emily Henry is one of those books. I’ve made it no secret that I’m a big fan of rom-coms, but I didn’t know how much I’d love this book. The story follows Daphne just as she’s barely recovering from being dumped by her ex-fiancé, who left her for his childhood friend. To make matters more complicated, she’s had to move in with her ex-fiancé’s new girlfriend’s ex, Miles. Make sense? At first, Daphne isn’t interested in connecting with Miles as he kind of keeps to himself while listening to sad break-up ballads. But then one day they’re both feeling particularly sad and they hatch a plan. It wouldn’t be the worst thing if they posted misleading photos of the two of them on social media and pretended they were dating to prove to their exes that they were moving on, right? And maybe the more that they hang out together, the less they’ll have to fake it… Honestly, 10/10 book. Loved Miles. Loved Daphne. Loved their relationship. It was funny, it was heartwarming, and it just made me so happy. So, if you haven’t already picked up this book, what are you waiting for? Maybe you’ll be like me and want to read all of Emily Henry’s books (next up: “Beach Read!”).

Music

Lorde: Current Affairs
Lorde: David

Writing Update: June 2025

On June 17, 2025 By Michael Procopio1 Comment

Happy Pride Month!! Given what’s going on in my home country right now, I think it’s more important than ever to celebrate things like this. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of, or should be part of, the fabric of this country and I refuse to hear otherwise. I’m very proud of who I am and I deserve the same rights as anyone else. Members of the LGBTQ+ community should feel safe here, but we don’t. When trans men and woman, especially those who are people of color, are getting murdered, or fear for their lives, or are worried they’ll have their rights stripped away from them, it’s essential that people speak up loudly to protect them. So whether you’re gay, straight, trans, non-binary, questioning, etc, stand up for the people in your lives who need it the most. Because we’re all in this together.

The Stuff I’m Writing

I’m very happy to share that I finished the first draft of my new book on June 1! I feel really good about it, though I haven’t read it back yet. While there will certainly be some big edits to make to ensure it’s of high quality, I think the story is in really good shape. It kind of feels like I’ve mixed the more low-key aspects of my “Forgotten Monsters” trilogy with the more fantastical elements of “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” so I’m curious to see how people react.

When it comes to my writing and stories, I’m always trying to understand what works for people and what doesn’t, so starting a new series gets me excited to see if I’ve understood enough. When I wrote “Forgotten Monsters” or “Red Flags” I tried tying mostly everything up at the end because I was querying them and I didn’t want to end on too big of a cliffhanger. With trade published books, a new author probably won’t get a sequel unless the first book is a big hit, and I wouldn’t want the story to be unresolved. But with this new one, I found a way to make the end of book one more enticing. If I get an agent (HA!) then I can re-work things if needed but if I don’t, I hope this ending gets people excited about the second book. I hate to say it but I’ve struggled with read-through rates, which stinks because I think the latter books are better. So I’m hoping to change that going forward.

Speaking of a potential second book, I have ideas, and I hope to start writing it either next month or in August. After I finish the first draft of a book, I always need some time to recharge before starting the next one, so this will give me enough time to do that.

Edits and Other Things

The fourth book in “The Álvarez-Moreno Files” heads off to my editor, Kate, in two weeks, and I’m doing one final read through to make sure it’s in good shape. And I think it is! This book caused me so much trouble when I was writing it and I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out. So once I get the edit back from Kate, I’ll be able to share a lot more information about it. You can expect a release date sometime in September, so it’s gonna come up fast.

Speaking of troubling books, I also did some edits on the fifth book. If I thought the fourth book caused me problems, this book was way worse. But this read through was different than the others I’d done since finishing the first draft. I really like the way it came out and I think it’s a fitting end to the series. It’s still got a ways to go before I’m ready to announce a release date, but it’s in good shape.

In terms of sales, I’ve been trying to work some new Facebook ads this month but nothing seems to be working. Maybe the ads just aren’t as good as I hoped they would be, or maybe it’s the time of year. Sales during summer tend to slow down in my experience. I might pause things until I’m ready to release the next book and then start them up again. I really don’t want to be wasting money on ads but I also feel weird not doing anything.

So much about self-publishing seems to be constant trial and error.

Aaaand that’s what I’ve been working on in June!

Things I Liked In May 2025

On May 31, 2025 By Michael Procopio3 Comments

May is always an incredibly busy month for me since I work at a university. It’s the time when we close out the academic year and have a bunch of events, like commencement. My brain is usually scattered and mush by the end of it. So, I’m glad it’s all over and we’re heading into the summer months! I’m more than ready for a vacation and, luckily, one is on the horizon. I’m very excited to be able to relax, but also to explore a new country. I’m starting to work on my itinerary a little more seriously now that I have the time and mental space for it.

Also this month? I found out I’m going to be an uncle again. I’m soooo excited! My niece and nephews are the absolute best so the fact that another one is being added to the mix is super exciting for me. I recently went over to visit my niece and nephews and one of the things they all love to do when I visit is play Nintendo games with me. It’s so sweet and fun and I’m so grateful I get to make these memories with them.

If you’re looking for some updates on my writing, you can check out my recent post on the subject. In short, everything’s coming along great! Book #4 in “The Alvarez-Moreno Files” will be heading to my editor, Kate, next month. Also, I’m pretty much finished with the first draft of the first book in my next series. I’ll have more information on all of this next month!

So with that being said, onto things that I liked this month…

I Love TV

So, my little corner of the internet was talking quite a bit about “Overcompensating,” so I obviously needed to check it out. And I’m so glad I did! The show follows a college freshman, Benny, who’s closeted and trying to fit in. In high school, he was the star football player and valedictorian, and he tries to gel with a similar crowd in college. He becomes quick friends with Carmen, who has always been more of an outsider, and the two of them navigate their first year together. While it’s not the same as “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” it kind of fills the void of it. There are some truly laugh out loud moments in the show and, by the end, some really sweet and heartfelt moments too. It’s kind of a college sex comedy with heart. So, if that sounds like your thing, give it a watch!

Movies I Liked

I’m a big fan of sci-fi movies but it took me a while to get around to seeing “Mickey 17.” In the future, a group of humans is trying to colonize an ice planet. Technology has allowed for cloning, so to test the planet out, a clone of Mickey is sent down to make sure things are safe. This particular clone of Mickey dies because of a virus in the air, so he’s “reprinted” (with his memories in tact) and sent down again and again until the scientists on board the vessel figure out a vaccine, which allows other members of the colony to join the clone on the frozen tundra. A problem arises when Mickey 17, the seventeenth clone, becomes seriously injured but doesn’t die. He’s left for dead, however, and a new clone is printed out. This clone is decidedly more impulsive and violent than Mickey 17 and ends up causing some trouble for him when he makes it back to the ship. I really liked this film and I thought Robert Pattinson was phenomenal in the role. Definitely check this out if you like sci-fi films!

The Books I’ve Liked

If there’s one thing you should know about me it’s that I go to bed every night to the sound of “The Golden Girls” on my TV. So when I found out that Rachel Ekstrom Courage had written a “The Golden Girls” cozy mystery, “Murder by Cheesecake,” I obviously had to pick it up. The story mostly follows Rose as she prepares to give her young cousin, Nettie, a traditional St. Olaf wedding…in Miami, of course. At the hotel where the wedding is being hosted, however, Rose, Blanche, Sophia, and Dorothy accidentally stumble upon a dead body in a freezer. And it’s not just any dead body. It’s someone Dorothy recently went on a date with. Dorothy then becomes implicated in the murder, and the wedding planning becomes complicated by the murder. The four friends work together to solve this mystery so they can absolve Dorothy and also make sure Nettie’s whacky St. Olaf wedding goes off without a hitch! Now, as a big fan of the show, I really don’t think the author nailed the personalities of the four women. There are hints of the characters we’ve come to love, but Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia especially just aren’t the same. So if you can look past that, I think you’ll find that it’s still a really fun book.

Music

Lorde: Man of the Year
Wet Leg: catch these fists