With a week to go until the release of Company of Ghosts, things are finally starting to calm down.
I told myself at the beginning of this process that I wasn’t going to chase numbers beyond my control. No stressing about likes, shares, sales, average reviews, or any of the modern definitions of success. I was going to do my best, give myself a preemptive A for effort, and get to a point where I could start working on the next book.
The plus side of this strategy is that I can set the goalposts wherever I want them. The downside is that I’ve spent the last month asking myself, “Am I doing enough? Is there something I’m forgetting?”
Without knowing how any of it will work out, I can honestly say that I’m proud of the work I put in. Maybe I’ll sell fifty copies. Maybe I’ll sell fifty thousand. Whatever the number is, the ceiling isn’t going to come from my own lack of effort, and I’m trying to slow down and celebrate that achievement before the numbers start rolling in.
Support Your Local Bookstore
I spent the better part of last month trying to get Company of Ghosts into local bookstores. Amazon is a burning gas giant of the indie publishing space, but I tend to browse local bookstores and libraries as I’m working through my TBR list, and I wanted to make sure like-minded readers had the same options.
If you prefer to order Company of Ghosts through your local bookstore, you totally can (and should)! Most bookstores have an email address for physical orders, and virtually all of them have a friendly face behind the counter when you walk in. Whichever you pick, this is the info you’ll need to place an order, plus a handy thumbnail for reference.
Title: Company of Ghosts
Author: J. Kyle Turner
ISBN: 9798999460400
Release Date: September 16th, 2025
I also want to give a huge shoutout to the independent bookstores that agreed to stock my book. Indie bookstores run on thin margins, and can’t afford to take a chance on every new book that comes along. The following bookstores graciously offered me space on their shelves, and have therefore earned my undying gratitude:
in Rio Rancho, NM (thanks, !)
Boulder Bookstore in Boulder, CO
Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins, CO
Everyone’s Books in Brattleboro, VT
Second Story Books in Oklahoma City, OK
Finally, if you prefer to order a physical copy online, you can do so through bookshop.org. When you order, you can direct the profits toward an independent bookstore of your choice. If you don’t have a preferred local shop, might I humbly suggest supporting one of the stores mentioned above?
Other news
With book promotion efforts slowing down, I have a bit more time for my other hobbies. I’m a very infrequent knitter, but I decided to tackle a simple colorwork pattern for the first time this year, and I think it’s going well.
I also play the harp, and I recently contributed a short piece to the main landing page of the Ynysfall Codex, so give that a listen if you have a moment. I recorded a short video of myself playing the tune, but the harp is a very resonant instrument, and I’m not sure it really comes through on the iPhone microphone.
(Ignore my face in the video. I promise I really enjoy playing the harp! This is just what I look like when I concentrate!)
Speaking of things I promise I like, I’m about done with my Expedition 33 playthrough. There’s a really weird quest at the end where you have to hang out with your best friend Simon, which I didn’t expect because he wasn’t really mentioned before this at all?
He’s a pretty cool dude, though. Really happy that we can spend so much quality time together. Can’t think of anyone I’d rather share my evenings with.
That’s all for now! Take care, folks.
How exciting! Congrats on the upcoming release. Looking forward to stocking the book, reading it, and promoting it!