Hey friends! I hope you're doing great and that summer's off to a fun start. WARNING: This is a long email. Lots of stuff going on! But I hope you appreciate it all the same! Onward...
So, I can finally share my excitement about this project: I'm writing a Spider-Man story for the upcoming Marvel Zombies: Black, White & Blood miniseries! I'm so lucky to be joined by the incredible artist Javi Fernández on this story, coming to shelves in October. If you know anything about me, you probably understand I'm a HUGE Spider-Man fan, so being able to write Peter Parker himself was a thrill, especially writing a tale that features his darkest moment ever. I hope it delivers. Our story will feature alongside comics by greats like Garth Ennis, Rachael Stott, and Justin Mason-- you won't want to miss it! Huge thanks to editors Tom Brevoort and Analisse Bissa.
And, speaking of webbed heroes - if you saw Across the Spider-Verse and you're looking for more Miguel O'Hara, have I got the book for you! You can pick up my YA novel, Araña and Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow. It's a fun, time-hopping adventure that brings together two of Marvel's most beloved Latinx Spider-Heroes for an action-packed romp that's also loaded with heart. Trust me!
If you're in need of an Araña primer, you can learn more about her at this interview I did with BookRiot! I also spoke about the book with NBC and Kansas Public Radio.
Lupita Reads asked me some fantastic questions about writing noir and working in the Spider-Verse over at her Substack.
In terms of writing progress, I turned in a draft of Alter Ego, the follow-up to Secret Identity, to my editor in March. I'm also well into a first pass of Dark Space, the sci-fi spy novel I'm co-writing with Rob Hart! On the comics front, I've got two major releases next month: a two-part trippy, character-driven Sinestro story in Green Lantern: Knight Terrors #1-2 from DC and a Return of the Jedi-era caper starring Admiral Ackbar, Mon Mothma, Kes Dameron, and Shara Bey in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - The Rebellion #1 coming from Marvel.
If you’ll be at Bouchercon in San Diego at the end of August, please consider voting in The Anthony Awards! Secret Identity is nominated for Best Hardcover alongside some amazing novels! My comic book noir is also up for the Strand Magazine Critics Award for Best Novel, also stacked up against some wonderful books. It's been such a thrill to continue to see this book rack up the accolades and I'm very grateful to the readers for their continued support.
If you won’t be at Bouchercon, don’t worry, I might be coming to another city near you!
Later this month, I'll be at Florida Supercon in Miami! I'll be on my first-ever "spotlight" panel - in conversation with the wonderful Chantel Acevedo. Later this week, I'm doing an online writing masterclass for my friends at Miami Book Fair, looking at ways I combine genres in my writing. You can register here.
At the end of July, I’ll be at Terrificon in Uncasville, CT!
Then, August 12-13, I’ll be a featured guest at Wellsboro Comic Con in PA!
Last of my updates: backer surveys have gone out for my Kickstarter for The Dusk with Elizabeth Little and David Hahn. If you backed, check your email!
Now, it’s been a while, so I’ve got even more books to recommend than usual! Grab or preorder these! You'll thank me later.
COMICS -
NIGHT FEVER by Brubaker and Phillips
TITANS by Tom Taylor and Nicola Scott
NOVELS -
BEWARE THE WOMAN by Megan Abbott
ANYWHERE YOU RUN by Wanda Morris
MISSING WHITE WOMAN by Kellye Garrett
ALL THE SINNERS BLEED by SA Cosby
That's a lot! But I'll be back soon with some more updates. Thanks for reading!
Best,
Alex