So!
…
I haven’t been this nervous since the first time I clicked “Publish” on fanfiction.net. Seriously. I know this story is a good’un. I’m positively giddy to get it into your hands. It’s a very ME kind of adventure in all the best ways. But at the same time, I’m having all those silly qualms that come with starting something new.
(In the immortal words of Kagomaru) Erm…
…
So!
Let’s you and me just pretend I’m all Brave and Brazen (and completely professional) so we can get down to business. Because I’ve created a world for you. It’s shiny and new, and it’s specially suited to my fandom friends. If you like my fics, you’ll probably enjoy this new series. In fact, if you’re passingly familiar with (or obsessively voracious about) my fanfiction … you are going to have So Much Fun guessing and second-guessing where forthy is headed next.
::cues drumroll::
Introducing… the Amaranthine Saga, which is due (or doomed) to have seven volumes. Book 1 is just about ready for readers and will release this coming February. Some of you may have noticed that during NaNoWriMo 2017, I roughed in Books 3 and 4, so I have a decent head start (and a crazy writing schedule ahead of me).
Book #1: Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox is about a young woman who inherits a vast fortune, a secluded estate, and a butler who isn’t exactly human. Sound familiar? You know where I’m going with this, right?
Or dooo you? ::twinkle::
Let’s unveil the official summary:
Humanity is rocked by the Emergence of a people who call themselves the Amaranthine. They are our myths and legends come to life. Neither human nor animal, yet embracing qualities of both, the inhuman races inspire both awe and fear. Every newsfeed is clogged with updates about the peace process, but some places don’t concern themselves with worldly affairs. Like the girls’ school run by St. Midori’s of the Heavenly Lights, where Tsumiko Hajime grew up.
A letter from a long-lost aunt names Tsumiko heiress to an ancestral estate and its accompanying fortune. Only the legacy comes with an aloof heirloom: an inhuman butler. Argent has served the Hajime family for centuries, and Tsumiko must renew the generational bond or he’ll die. Argent hates her for the hold she has over him, but he craves her soul almost as much as he craves his freedom.
Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
(Amaranthine Saga, #1)
by FORTHRIGHT
Release Date: February 22, 2018
Okay, okay … I know what some of you are thinking. “The outrage! She’s just repackaging a fanfic. Like that’ll ever make it.” Well, I sorta did, but I mostly didn’t. I only borrowed the story elements I liked best. Then gave them a twist. Which is to say … Tsumiko’s adventure may have impeccable underpinnings, but it’s become something else. If anything, it’s an AU of my AU (the kind where you privately think the fanfic was really actually better than the original).
Yep. I’ll be tossing teasers and excerpts your way, and links once the book shows up on Goodreads, etc. And I’ll be looking for reviewers, book bloggers, squee-buddies, and the like to help get the word our. But more about that later.
So… questions?
FORTHRIGHT 
Question: where can we buy this? Digital copy? Who’s the artist for the cover?
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When the time comes, you’ll be able to purchase the book in either print or digital format. And it’ll be available everywhere books are sold (internationally).
And I hired a graphic designer for the cover. We went for a “new classic” vibe. If you like it, gush a little. She deserves it. ::twinkle::
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I do like the cover. Kinda reminds me of the initial print covers of the LOTR books, if I ain’t mistaken. That’s why I was asking who the artist is? Want to see other works. Or did both of you want the person to be incognito?
But I’m excited for this. Congrats on finally making the leap!
On another note, the ad for the new book “Time & Again” kinda rains on your parade. Eh, just an observation. Maybe it shows differently in the desktop format.
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Hmm… perhaps I should pay to turn off ads on the blog? (Pesky things.)
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Will this be available for purchase on kindle?
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Yes, of course!
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I am so excited!!! Giving some of your AU fanfics their own original stories sounds like a lot of fun and I can’t wait to read the full length tale!
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Is there going to be an audiobook?
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No audiobook at the outset. Maybe later?
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I am guilty of borrowing, upending, reversing, and spinning off in new directions.
I may also be guilty of a great fondness for Hisoka-sensei.
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Ooh, Hisoka-sensei! 😀 Now you have my undivided attention!
I’ve been waiting to catch wind of any possible stories where he might make a cameo appearance.
Will he be a main character in one of the books, or a secondary?
Must go back and reread those two stories that contain him now… 😉
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The good sensei is a constant throughout the series, and he’s scheduled to land a leading role before it concludes.
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Aaah!! Congratulations!! This is so amazingly exciting!! I am so totally, completely, and epically excited for you and for us (your avid fans)! Who is publishing it?
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Twinkle Press!
(Why yes, I do get my own imprint!)
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Congratulations and Happy New Year!
Putting this on my list of books to read, can’t wait! (Never would I think you would recycle an old story, you are far too creative for that.)
Feb. is soooo far from now, what will I do until then?
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…I plan to resume Clumsy and Savvy this week. Probably. But that’s slim pickin’s. Maybe sashay over to Goodreads and embark upon a reading challenge for 2018? ::saucy wink::
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Yaaaassss! It’s high time I get a hard copy of your stories! I haven’t bought a book in a very long time (as it’s more practical to read digitally for me) but I know I must get one for your book. I can feel it in my bones that I’d enjoy physically turning the pages while I embark on this journey.
Btw, when you say 7 volumes, does this mean book 1 is just the start and book 7 will be the finish, or will each book just be interconnected but could be read independently from one another? I’d die if it’s the latter! T.T Oh well, I’ve followed Lord Charming for 4 years… so I’m still suuuuper excited! 😀
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The plan is to make the print editions pretty enough you’ll *want* them for your bookshelf. I can’t wait to get samples back from the printer.
As to your question … here. Let me say it another way.
Do the books stand alone?
Yes and no. Each book in the saga encompasses a story with its own beginning, middle, and end. All of them are romances, so readers can expect the same sort of storytelling found in my fandom adventures. But all of my serial writing has turned me into a series writer. A larger story develops along the way. So I’d recommend reading the books in order.
Which means … you’ll have seven complete stories when all’s told.
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The more info we get the more excited I get.. Printed copies?! Be still my heart! :3
I just know the wait between books is going to be awful though. DX
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As a fellow reader, I know what you mean about the wait between release dates. I’ll do my best to liven up the lulls in creative ways. Fanfics. Excerpts. Outtakes. Q&A sessions. More Fanfics. (Hey, am I allowed to write fanfiction for my own books? o__O)
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I’ve got literal tears in my eyes I am SO EXCITED FOR THIS FORTHY. Like. Look. Ok. I’ve been reading your fanfic for at least half a decade (waits it’s been longer! 7ish years?) and now I’ll have your beautiful, wonderful writing in legit print (not printed and bound myself) and it’s the best freaking present.
This is so exciting and please please please let me have you on the blog I co-run ok? We’re pretty modest, but don’t let that dissuade you!! (It’s For the Sake of Reading).
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::glomp:: Squee-buddies are the best!
And sure, I’d love to be featured or interviewed or whatever on your blog. Sounds fun!
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Waiting on Clumsy. Congrats on the book in the meantime though
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Thanks! And there should be more Clumsy this week. (I was a good girl and worked on the remaining chapters over the weekend.)
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Well this is an excellent bit of living up to better things in the new year. So excited for you and also for me to be able to read your works in a way that can support you as an author. Congratulations and thank you for writing!
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I’m so excited for the stories to come in the months ahead. May they find you when you need them most.
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Oh I can’t wait to buy it! This is so exciting! And your graphic designer did a fabulous job! The cover is beautiful and I think it’ll draw many to pick it up! Congratulations and happy new year!🎊🎆🎈
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Thank you, thank you! ::twinkle::
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I’ll definitely buy ^^ And yes, I like the cover as well, its cutely intriguing. Happy New Years.
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Ah, yes. With forthy, you cannot avoid the cute.
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Oh my! Sounds so interesting! You’re so talented writing fanfiction of an already established universe, I can’t imagine what you can do with a universe of your own! Please do keep us updated. I’ll be more than willing to support your work.
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I thank you for your compliments and support! And I will most certainly keep everyone posted on progress.
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I am not going to lie. I am freaking out because I am so excited for this book. YOU BET I’M GETTING IT AND ALL OF THE OTHERS! I love your writing style and I love this world you have created and can’t wait to see what you plan and don’t plan to do. Do you plan to use other fic ideas? Or if that’s a spoiler never mind. Seriously Super excited!! I’ve been following you for years and now I get to follow you more AND PAY YOU!! You have no idea how hype that makes me LOL *Can’t wait to toss her money at you*
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Hey, I’m the same way when it comes to authors I trust. I gather up all their books and read and reread their stories.
What I plan to do … have fun!
Which other fics I’ve borrowed elements from …? That would definitely be a spoiler. I’ll keep you all guessing a while longer. Because ANTICIPATION is half the pleasure, yes? ::twinkle::
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Also I am rolling that the school is called Saint Midori and this book has the First Miko on it. Hmmmmmm!
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I’ve borrowed shamelessly from myself, and hidden a few references that my fandom friends will understand. Kind of like Easter eggs. And you guessed it, Saint Midori is certainly a nod to IY’s Midoriko.
I’ll talk about the whole MIKO connection in an upcoming blog post. Maybe later this week.
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OMg!! I was waiting for such an update from you. However a question. Won’t we ever get to know your real name lol??
Anyway jokes apart, I would love to read your original and surely expect a review from me.
Congrats again.
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I’m rather pleased to be able to publish this series as FORTHRIGHT. That’s how you know me, so it should be … reassuring?
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Oh, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am! I cannot WAIT to read a world of your own creating, or to become reacquainted with Hisoka! I’m predicting that Argent will be silver (aptly named), and wondering if Amaranthine has anything to do with the ancient grain, Amaranth. I look forward to devouring ALL OF YOUR BOOKS! It will be sheer luxury to be able to turn pages. Heartfelt congratulations!
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Oooh, speculation! How fun! ::twinkle::
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Congratulations! I’m so excited to finally get to support a long time favorite author! I hear authors get more from the digital purchases than print- do you have a preference? Personally I would love to support you as much as possible with my purchase. ☺️ I’m super excited for you and love that you are keeping the beloved pen name. I look forward to the release, it’ll be a fantastic B-day present to myself. (Yay February!)
Best of wishes this new year and good luck! Sharing you with the world was bound to happen at some point. (Can’t wait to fan art your characters. 😉)
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Oh, don’t worry about my proceeds. You go ahead and get whichever type of book you prefer. Most authors will tell you that the best support you can offer is an honest review (especially on Amazon, but Goodreads, too).
Fan art? Be still, my heart! ::adores art::
And yes. I shall ever and always be forthright. ::twinkle::
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Yay!
Just Yay!
YAY! YAY!! YAY!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!!!! YAY!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!
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::hophophop:: Yayz!
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Great work, Forthy. I’m definitely going to look into your original book. Congratulations on your accomplishments. This is quite a feat. – quirkyslayer/paynesgrey
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Quirky! ::glomp::
Thanks for sticking by a fandom friend. I’m most grateful.
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This comment is to prove to the world and for me to never forget that I’m officially a fan and after reading the two books, I dunno what to do with my life anymore. Haha. Maybe write some reviews. Soooo glad. Your world is amazing.
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Well!
Two books in, and you’ve so much more to look forward to. Book 3 is also out. And I hope you’ll indulge in Lord Mettlebright’s Man, which is posting here on the blog. (It begins here – https://forthwrites.com/2018/10/01/lord-mettlebrights-man/ ). It’s told drabble style, with 100-word chapters.
If you’re up for more of a splurge, there are the Songs of the Amaranthine short stories. Three currently available, with another coming yet this winter. ::twinkle::
Thank you for stopping by! I’m so glad you did.
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