Dear Friend and Reader,
It’s been a while since I reached out. Between working on all of the projects we have going and welcoming our new baby girl (born on April 4th), I’ve been stretched razor thin. That said, I have not been idle. I come to you with glad tidings: we’ll have THREE new books ready for you in the next 12 months, and I’m excited about all of them.
Jack Dillard Book 1 - The first draft is finished. We’re cleaning some things up, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with the novel we’ve been able to produce. Assuming all goes well, we should be able to publish it by the end of the year. Worst case, early next year.
Dad’s Biography - I’ve lost count of the number of drafts we’ve been through, but we’re making headway on the ‘final’ draft. I think it will be ready for publication by the end of the year, too. Depending on how scheduling and dates fall, I’ll either publish this one a few months before Jack Dillard Book 1 or a few months after.
Wreckage - I’m really excited about this. It kind of came out of left field. I don’t think I’ve shared Andrew Wolfendon’s name with you, other than to thank him in the acknowledgments, but he’s the ghostwriter I brought in to help us with Last Resort.
Andy mentioned to me that he’d written a psychological thriller novel a few years back that he’d gotten the rights back to. The book was well-reviewed, but it hadn’t gotten the support it deserved (no one knew more about this than Dad did). He asked if I’d be willing to give it a read and consider publishing it.
After tearing through the novel at a breakneck pace, I concluded two things: 1) this was a great book and 2) there were a few things we could do to make it even better. Andy agreed with my feedback for improving the story, and we got to work on it.
That brings me to where we are now. When considering how to give this novel its best chance for success, I proposed taking a page out of Dad’s book (pun intended) and doing what he did with Mark Stout and Kelly Hodge. I asked Andy if he’d be interested in releasing Wreckage as a co-authored novel under the J.D. Pratt brand in the hope that doing so would give it the visibility it deserves. He agreed, and here we are.
It's an engaging novel. Different from Dad’s fare – it’s more of a psychological thriller that’s a bit lighter in tone. Still, the characters pop, the island-in-a-storm setting is gripping, and the story is riveting. Full of crackling dialogue, intrigue, and intelligent twists. We’ll be releasing it September 1st to coincide with its late-summer setting.
I’m thankful fate brought the two of us together—he’s an exceptional writer and an even more exceptional human being.
Now a bit of bad news—for those of you wondering, Presley Carter Book 2 is still on hold. I’ll let you know if/when that changes.
On to family updates. Jett is now two and a half. He’s a spirited, smart, kind young dude who already has a deep love for golf and the musical, Hamilton. That must be Mom and Dad’s doing from on high (Dad was an avid golfer ever since his mom used the local 9-hole course as a daycare when he was young, and you know Mom’s love for the stage). I’m excited he’s already invested in things so near and dear to my heart, but I’d be lying if I said my parents’ absence doesn’t weigh on me as he grows. Dad would be over the moon with this golf development—I’d have to fight tooth, claw, and nail to keep him from taking Jett to the driving range every day. Mom would be gleefully facilitating an education in show tunes.
My wife, Kadey, has recovered beautifully from her pregnancy. You’d never know she just gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. We named her Scottie Mae. She’s a smiley bundle of joy who shares her Daddy’s fondness for eating. Just shy of four months old, and she already weighs 20 lbs.
I’ll be in touch in the weeks leading up to the release of Wreckage. It’s a good book, and I hope you’ll give it a shot. You’ll be glad you did.
Much love to you and yours,
Dylan
PS Gratuitous picture of Jett and Scottie from a few weeks back.
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