April 2026 Newsletter

Hey everyone! Happy April!

This month’s email is fairly basic—I’ve got an update on my writing projects, a book review, a life update, and some of your updates from last month. I hope you enjoy it!

I don’t know if you heard, but I started an Instagram account for The Introverted Writer back in December. As a writer, it’s getting harder and harder to get published—or, once you are, to have anyone besides your mom (love you, Mom) actually read your work without having some kind of platform. I never originally intended to create content for Instagram, but I hope to be published one day, and I want to give myself the best shot I can. If you’re able, I’d love it if you followed me on Instagram (@abby_theintrovertedwriter) for similar content to my newsletter, just in a different format.

Thank you all so much for your support—it really means a lot to me. ❤️ 

Writing: Update on my Projects

It’s been a while since I’ve given you an in-depth update on my projects, so I thought I’d share a quick overview of my main ones.

The Phoenix Pendant: This month, I officially finished draft #4! I started this project back in November 2023, so it’s crazy to think it’s been almost 2.5 years since I began writing it.

Early this month, I reached out to several people to ask if they’d be my beta readers—and then I asked you all, too. I now have around 10 people reading my book, and I’m so thankful for each of them. I had a lot of fun printing out copies for them to read.

If you want to see a video of me getting the physical beta copies ready, click here to watch the reel on Instagram!

Project: Europe: After nearly two years since I first had the idea in Florence, I’m finally wrapping up this novel. It’s going to be around 35,000 words. It’s in pretty rough shape right now, but I’m hoping to come back to it for draft two after a couple months’ break.

I’ve loved working on this project and getting to share it with my awesome readers on the Young Writers’ Workshop community, but I’m also excited to finish this draft.

New Novel: By next week, I’m very excited to start a new full-length novel… or possibly two. For months now—maybe close to a year—I’ve been playing around with the idea of a YA fantasy with a pirate/sailor/ocean vibe (see the Pinterest inspo board above). I’ve been outlining it since January, and it includes some themes that are really important to me. I can’t wait to start writing it!

A couple of months ago, I also had an idea for another fantasy novel—this one with more of an Aladdin-inspired desert vibe, featuring arranged marriages and feminism (see the Pinterest inspo board below). I’m really excited about this idea too and want to start working on it as soon as possible.

That said, working on two full-length novels while also finishing my first one in a reasonable timeframe this year sounds like a lot. But I’m excited… so we’ll see!

Which do you think should be my main focus? Let me know in the comments or by replying to this email.

Reading: The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

Genre: YA Dark Fantasy/Mystery

Age Range: 14+

Freddie Gellar didn't mean to get half the rival high school arrested. She’d simply heard shrieks coming from the woods, so she’d called the cops like any good human would do. How was she supposed to know it was just kids partying? Except the next day, a body is found. And while the local sheriff might call it suicide, Freddie's instincts tell her otherwise. So, like the aspiring sleuth (and true X-Files aficionado) she is, Freddie sets out to prove there's a murderer at large. (Blurb from goodreads.com)

While I loved this book, it would’ve been even better to read around Halloween—The Executioners Three is full of cozy, fall, spooky mystery vibes. It’s set in a small town and features a hilarious main character alongside her equally quirky best friend. Usually, the main character isn’t my favorite, but this book might be an exception.

The romance is a cute and funny enemies-to-lovers, complete with a school rivalry and a prank squad thrown in. My one critique is the paranormal elements introduced toward the end, though that’s mostly a personal preference. I also have to mention that the cover—and the map inside—are absolutely gorgeous!

Am I the only one who reads the same book in multiple formats? I started this one as an audiobook at work, then downloaded it on my Kindle so I could read it at night, and finally thought, “I have it on my shelf—I should be reading the physical copy.” So I ended up listening to the audiobook at work, reading the paper copy during the day, and reading the ebook at night.

Spotlight: Subscribers’ Updates

Last month, in my spotlight section, I asked what you’ve all been up to—what have you been up to? What’s been exciting in your lives lately? Here are the responses I received!

Caris is finishing up her fanfiction and is looking forward to the sequel to Ignite by Kara Swanson coming out this year.

Jola recently took a trip to Florida to see family, and her dog, Sadie, enjoyed coming along too.

Personal: Life in March

I feel like March was simultaneously really full and kind of empty. I puttered along at school (I’m really enjoying my anthropology class) and worked on writing.

I had two weeks off this month—more like one and a half, since part of the second week was in April—for spring break and Easter break (one of the perks of taking PSEO classes at a Christian university). It was nice to have a more relaxed schedule and some time to breathe.

I’d say the most exciting thing that happened this month is that I got a new job! On the 25th, I started working at the Target close to my house. I’ve only worked four days so far, but I’m really liking it. All of the coworkers I’ve met and trained with have been super nice, and it seems like it will be fast-paced enough to stay interesting without being stressful. Another plus is more money to spend on books! 😂 

Quick Writing Update

• Sent out beta copies of The Phoenix Pendant

• Wrote 2,500 words in my short story

• Wrote 1,000 words in Project: Europe

• Outlined my new novel

Which of the two Pinterest inspo boards do you think I should start writing first? Do you read one book in multiple formats at once? Let me know by replying directly to this email or leaving me a comment on the website that corresponds to The Introverted Writer!

Thank you so much for reading! Have a great rest of your day!

Abby Henderson

P.S. Look out for next month’s email for a fun giveaway!