Two Stories. One Goal. One Big Step Forward.
- Todd Ockert
- Jan 11
- 2 min read
Today marks a major milestone in my writing journey.
Both Blackout Genesis and Journey Home have officially been sent to my editor.
That moment—when you hit “send” and let someone else start shaping what you’ve poured months (and sometimes years) into—is both terrifying and exhilarating. These stories have lived in my head, on my laptop, and in my late-night coffee or wine sessions for a long time. Now they’re on their way to becoming the best versions of themselves.
What Happens Next
My editor is scheduled to complete both manuscripts by mid-February. That gives us time for:
Developmental edits
Line edits and polish
Final revisions
Proofing and formatting
This phase is where good stories become strong stories. It’s where pacing tightens, characters sharpen, and the emotional weight hits harder.
Target Release: May
The plan is to release both books in May.
That timeline allows space for:
Final edits and approvals
Cover design and formatting
ARC reviews and early readers
Launch planning and promotions
If all goes as planned, May will bring two new worlds into yours.
About the Books
Blackout Genesis
A world powered by fragile systems…A collapse that changes everything…And the first sparks of survival, resistance, and something far more dangerous than darkness.
This story explores what happens when modern life shuts off—and humanity has to remember who it really is.
Journey Home
After the fall, survival is only the beginning.
This story follows the fight to get back to what matters most—family, safety, and a place worth defending. It’s about the long road after disaster, the people you meet along the way, and what “home” really means when the world is broken.
Thank You for Walking This Road With Me
Every comment, share, message, and bit of encouragement has pushed these stories forward. Sending these books to the editor isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting gun for the next phase.
I’ll be sharing updates as edits come in, covers are revealed, and May gets closer.
Two books. One season. One hell of a journey ahead.

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