Always Something. This week, my usual schedule was interrupted because I had to report to the county courthouse for jury selection. The first day, they didn’t get through the whole process, so we had to reassemble the next morning. Then (after standing in marble halls for a little over an hour) we filed into the courtroom only to have the judge announce that the case was closed. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your service. You are dismissed.” So having done my civic duty, I’m back in ye olde home office, trying to catch up. If things go very well, there might be two Lord Mettlebright’s Man chapters today. ::twinkle::
Author: FORTHRIGHT
Bard & Barbarian
Narrated Edition. Bard and Barbarian has been posting slow and steady over on my Patreon account. Reading along is great, but supporters on some tiers can now listen along. The story is being narrated by Travis Baldree. Ch45, “Over Chowder” just went live for those in qualifying tiers. AND Ch41, “Incursion” has unlocked for the Twinkle and Sparkle tiers.
New narrated chapters will arrive every other Wednesday, which means … there’s always something more to look forward to! Learn more about my Patreon here >>
The Final Miko
Coming in Autumn 2023. We’ll call this my “official” cover reveal for Bk7, even though (as usual) I slipped an early peek at this cover into signed copies of Bk6 that went out last October. It’s tradition. I’ve always given the title of the next book at the end of Pimiko’s digital editions, but print editions always also include a bonus: the summary. Today, you’ll have it all in one place!
One bachelor is love-shy. One is unrequited.
One is much-loved. One is blindsided.
Pokemon GO!
2022 in Review. I received a message from Niantic with a roundup of my year. How many kilometers I walked, how many spinners spun, how many Pokemon I caught, how many raids I participated in … that sort of thing. And I also earned a … title?
Apparently, I’m a good & loyal friend, so if you need one (in-game) … comment or drop me an email with your trainer code. ::twinkle::
LMM 560: Penny Drop
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the cheeky one.
560
Penny Drop
LMM 559: Trivial Pursuits
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s in the know.
559
Trivial Pursuits
Favorite Tropes
Tough Guys & Cute Kids. I’ve been loving (and writing) this classic trope for ages. Doesn’t matter if it’s a dad, a big brother, a guardian, or some (oft reluctant) stranger who’s left holding the baby, I’m there for it. (In the IY fandom, this was Sesshoumaru & Rin.) Thankfully, this trope has become a recent trend in manga/anime. Last year’s big hit was Spy x Family, in which a top-ranked international spy needs to cobble together a family for a mission.
If you loved that, you’ll love this one. I’d been reading The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting manga for months when I heard news that the anime would release (again, last year).
Which brings us to this morning. I just finished the first episode of a new simulcast that fits the going theme. Buddy Daddies involves two guys (assassins this time) who end up having to juggle their career with child-raising.
Umm … you’re welcome. ::twinkle::
ART: Warm Enough?
January’s Art Card. One of my “resolutions” for the new year involves my Patreon. I send out monthly mailings to thank supporters. In the past, I’d choose note cards or stationary that suited my mood for the month. This year, with my mailing list growing steadily, I’ve made the commitment to have cards printed every month. They’ll feature story-related art, book covers, etc. And most will incorporate book quotes or (like this month) an original story snippet.
For January, I wanted something in-character and cozy, so this month’s art card/story will feature two of the Five, longtime friends Harmonious Starmark & Lapis Mossberne. Teaser here. The full illustration is under the cut, so click for more! ::twinkle::
LMM 558: Second Opinion
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the over-protective one.
558
Second Opinion
LMM 557: Efficacious
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the concerned party.
557
Efficacious
Bard & Barbarian
Updated! Bard & Barbarian has updated over on my Patreon with Ch56, “Thwarted.” Because sometimes the enemy that needs to be thwarted is … ourselves. Also, proof that Imber’s summons are best bois!
LMM 556: Like Bees to Honey
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one with gourmet tastes.
556
Like Bees to Honey
LMM 555: When in Rome
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the ones on friendly terms.
555
When in Rome
Amaranthine Interludes, #2
New Years Eve/Day Teaser! I’ve been dropping hints here and there (mostly Patreon & Twitter), but now I have a finished cover, so I can sneak you something more. After a bit of shuffling, the second Amaranthine Interludes story has been locked in. Suuzu’s story will publish in 2023, and it’ll be set between Bk5 and Bk6. More soon! ::twinkle::
Happy New Year!
Amaranthine Tattoo
Shared with Permission. Weeks ago, Sam contacted me with her plans for an Amaranthine-inspired tattoo. The design would include elements from all seven of the Saga book covers … if I was willing to sneak her a little information about the final miko. Only too happy to comply, my cover illustrator and I pulled together a reference sheet of the pertinent elements, and Sam’s tattoo artist ran with them. Their design pulls it all together: forget-me-nots, feathers, acorns, ginkgo leaves, sea shells, and a gloriously showy chrysanthemum.
I shared a picture of the lines with patrons back when they were complete. Since then Sam went through two more sessions. One for shading, and a final session to add the colors. Here’s the finished tattoo! (And yes, there’s a teaser for the cover of Bk7 in the design.) ::twinkle::
::twinkle::
FORTHRIGHT 