Revisiting Soft Case: A Decade (and More) Later
Going Back to the Beginning
Soft Case will always hold a special place in my mind and heart. It's my first (published) novel and I love it for all it represents, including how far I have come since. I usually do some small updates every two years to my books but Soft Case has long needed more than that. And I guess I avoided it because it was a huge endeavor. Now, it's done. It was quite an experience.
When I first wrote Soft Case, I was a first-time author with big dreams, a decent amount of self-doubt, and, let’s face it, very little leverage. My goal back then was simple: get published. It’s a goal many writers share, and one that can overshadow other creative aspirations. The publisher and editor had their ideas about what the book should be—ideas I didn’t always agree with but wasn’t equipped to challenge at the time. Let’s just say I didn’t yet have the gravitas (or courage) to tell the editor “no.”
In hindsight, some of those compromises gnawed at me over the years. They weren’t bad decisions, just not entirely mine. Creative decisions that dulled the edges of certain characters, softened the impact of some moments, and in a few cases, outright replaced my intended tone with something more conventional. But when you’re a new author, poetic license can feel like a luxury you haven’t earned yet. You learn to pick your battles—or, in my case, avoid them altogether.
Fast-forward to today, and I had the opportunity to revisit Soft Case with fresh eyes, a better sense of who I am as a writer, and most importantly, the freedom to make it truly mine. This updated version is Soft Case as I always envisioned it. Not drastically different, but more polished, more in line with the tone and themes I wanted to convey. I did have to face my own blemishes, really looking at the text to see the blemishes and the shortcomings evident in my writing. It's harder than seeing through the rose-colored glasses we often wear when looking at our past.
Fixing Old Scars
When the book first made the leap to ebook format, it wasn’t exactly smooth. Conversion errors slipped through the cracks—tiny formatting glitches that distracted from the story. At the time, I didn’t have the tools or experience to tackle them myself. Those errors were an itch I couldn’t quite scratch, but now they’re gone. This edition finally feels seamless in its presentation.
Some errors were just stubborn, embedded into the file. This required a complete retyping of the book word by word. That made it a huge endeavor but it also allowed me to look at every sentence, every phrase, and enabled a better product at the end.
Modernizing Without Changing the Soul
One of the biggest challenges was adapting Soft Case for a modern audience. It wasn’t about anything overtly problematic or offensive—it’s more about the little things. Humor, cultural references, and even the pacing of a narrative evolve over time. Some elements that worked in the early 2000s now felt out of place or even jarring. The world moves fast, and stories—particularly crime fiction—should keep up.
I did have to avoid changing the timeline, and some of the humor and references needed to stay so it wouldn't feel out of joint. And yes, some things did need to go, if for no other reason than they drew attention to themselves, even if they were temporally relevant. There were hard decisions to make but I think I managed pretty well.
Finding My Voice Again
Rewriting a book after more than a decade is a strange experience. It’s part nostalgia, part reckoning. I got to revisit characters and scenes I hadn’t thought about in years. I remembered the excitement of crafting Keegan’s first case, but I also saw where my inexperience showed through. It was like reuniting with an old friend and realizing you both grew up a little.
The process reminded me of why I started this series in the first place. It wasn’t just about solving mysteries; it was about exploring the messy, human side of crime and justice. Keegan isn’t a superhero—he’s flawed, introspective, and often at odds with himself. Getting back into his head was like slipping on a favorite, broken-in leather jacket.
For New and Old Readers
If you’re coming to Soft Case for the first time, welcome. I hope you enjoy the ride. And if you’re returning for another look, thank you for sticking with me—and with Keegan—all these years. This new edition is as much for you as it is for me. It’s sharper, leaner, and closer to what I wanted it to be all along.
Here’s to growth, evolution, and the occasional second chance. Soft Case has come a long way, and I can’t wait to see what you think.
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—John Misak
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