An Update on Book Two Johnny: My Writing Journey from Memphis to What Comes Next
Freedom was only the beginning.
There was never supposed to be a deadline for Memphis. No launch plan. No strategy. No real thought that it would one day exist as a physical book I could hold in my hands.
It started as a story I couldn’t get out of my head.
The kind that lingers. That follows you around. That won’t let you sleep until you put it somewhere—on paper, in a document, in fragments that slowly start to take shape. I didn’t sit down thinking, I’m going to write a book. I sat down because I had to. Because the story needed somewhere to live outside of me.
And then it became something more.
Over the next five years, Memphis went through draft after draft after draft. Writing, rewriting, editing, questioning everything, starting over in places, tightening others. By the time I handed it to my editor for feedback and assessment, I had already lived with that story for years. When I got it back, I went in again—refining, sharpening, making it stronger.
By the time I reached draft ten, I realized something.
I wasn’t “almost ready.”
I was ready.
So I said, screw it—and I self-published.
And now… here we are.
I’m about 90% of the way through writing the sequel.
Johnny.
Stepping Into His Mind
If Memphis was about survival, Johnny is about control.
This book shifts the lens completely. It steps inside the mind of the man Memphis fled—and it doesn’t look away. It moves between past and present, building a clearer picture of who Johnny is, how he became that way, and how far he’s willing to go to maintain power.
This isn’t a redemption story.
It’s a character study.
Dark, psychological, and layered in a way that challenged me as a writer more than anything I’ve done before.
And I’ll be honest—I think it’s one of the strongest things I’ve written.
What You Can Expect from Johnny
This story leans into everything that made Memphis intense—but pushes it further. The themes are heavier, the perspective is sharper, and the tension sits closer to the surface.
At its core, Johnny explores control, manipulation, and the way truth can be shaped depending on who’s telling it.
You’ll see that through elements like:
- a fractured relationship built on power and survival
- gaslighting and psychological manipulation
- the cycle of abuse and generational trauma
- public image versus private reality
- a man learning how to control not just a person—but a narrative
There’s also a new layer woven in—motorcycle club influence, power structures, loyalty, and the idea that reputation can be just as dangerous as violence.
It’s gritty. It’s tense. It’s uncomfortable in the way it’s meant to be.
And it doesn’t go where you think it will.
Where Things Stand Now
I’m currently about 90% through the manuscript, and once it’s complete, it will go through the same process that shaped Memphis—editor feedback, assessment, and line-by-line edits to make sure it’s as strong as it can be.
If everything stays on track, Johnny will be polished and ready for release in:
October 2026
(paperback, ebook, and audiobook)
That’s the goal—and I’m committed to getting it there the right way.
The Cover (and Why I’m Holding It Back)
I already have the cover design.
And this time, I’m doing things differently.
Instead of revealing it right away, I’m holding onto it—like a poker hand I’m not ready to play just yet.
My ARC team will be the first to see it.
Then my email subscribers.
And after that, we go public.
Timeline You Can Follow
Here’s what the next phase looks like:
- May 2026 – Memphis book sequel Johnny ARC submissions open
- June 2026 – Coordinated Johnny cover reveal across social media + email list
- October 2026 – Official Johnny sequel release (paperback, ebook, audiobook)
Why Book Two Johnny Feels Different
Writing Johnny has been an entirely different experience.
With Memphis, I was discovering the story as I went.
With Johnny, I’m stepping into something darker, more controlled, more deliberate. I get to explore motorcycle club culture (yes—there’s definitely some Sons of Anarchy energy in there), layered power dynamics, and the way media and perception can be used as tools.
It’s been intense to write—but also incredibly rewarding.
And Yes… This Is a Trilogy
If you’ve been following along on my bookstagram or through my emails, you already know this doesn’t end with Johnny.
This story is a trilogy.
Book three is Doris—a story that acts as both a prequel and a continuation, filling in the past while pushing the narrative forward.
Doris is currently planned for release in 2027.
Final Thoughts on Memphis book sequel update
I know a lot of you have expectations for Johnny.
And I get that.
But I’ll say this now—
it might not be what you imagined.
And that’s intentional.
Because this story was never meant to be predictable.
It was meant to get under your skin.
Turn the page. Turn up the volume.
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