Open Offer

Any Tier. I do at least one mailing every month for my patrons, and for November, I’m sending out promo cards featuring the cover illustration for Folk-Spelled. Glossy 5×7″ art cards give you an up-close look at Mart Lett’s artistry, and the reverse includes the full book summary & assorted taglines. Normally, you would need to be on the Sparkle tier (or higher) to receive this mailing. But from time to time, I do an Open Offer, which means patrons at the Glimmer & Twinkle tiers can comment (or DM me) to request inclusion.

This is a great time to join up. The Glimmer tier is just $1/month, and that’d give you access to Bard & Barbarian, one of my Patreon-exclusive stories. Join at the Twinkle tier, which is $4/month, and you can also read Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons, plus you’ll be able to receive the Quarterly Art Cards. Head over and consider your options. Choose a tier that’s comfy for you.

by Categories: Immortal Holmes, PatreonTags: , Leave a comment

Behind the Scenes

And Fun Mail. If you want to catch ALL the behind-the-scenes gossip about my upcoming series, the best thing to do is become a patron. While I will be posting official stuff here on the blog, early peeks at thumbnails and sketches are a perk of patronage. Also, there’s a new thing. You can become a FREE member, which gives you access to any public posts. Think on it!

Patrons starting at the Sparkle tier received Mart Lett’s “Varti & Hound” portrait for the monthly mailing in October. If you enjoy getting fun mail, exclusive stories, early looks, and first news, I’d be pleased to see you & do my best to spoil you. ::twinkle::

Many thanks to those who already support me there. I’m also grateful to everyone who reads, rates, and reviews my stories, wherever they’re found.

Stories connect us!

by Categories: Immortal Holmes, PatreonTags: , , Leave a comment

The Latest

Folk-Spelled (Immortal Holmes, No.1). My new series is a paranormal mystery set in an alternate history. Steampunk and gaslight leanings. Fantasy elements. Cozy suspense is a thing, right? And hey! Hopepunk also fits the bill. NOW AVAILABLE!

This gaslit Holmesian steampunk mystery from Forthright (author of the Amaranthine Saga) opens with a scene as cozily inventive as it is tantalizing …. A promising series-starter about a truth-seeking liar, a city cloaked in ancient magic, and a detective who distrusts his own mind.” —BookLife Reviews (Editor’s Pick)

An immersive read …. the author’s meticulous attention to detail makes the most commonplace scene memorable.” —BlueInk Review

Forthright immerses the cast in a rich environment with hints of a more familiar world beyond the steam-powered machines and the constant whirring of gears …. This delightful opening installment introduces an eccentric, magical world. —Kirkus Reviews

Varti shines as the unlikely protagonist, persevering despite (or perhaps because of?) his curse; while the supporting cast is varied, interesting, and just as crucial to the plot, helping to paint the picture of the quaint-turned-ominous Newcomb in the throes of a series of mysterious murders. —BookLife Prize

OTHER STUFF:

  • The Amaranthine Saga is complete in seven volumes, though it’s fair to say the story isn’t quite finished unfolding, thanks to various serials underway (see Amaranthine Interludes).
  • Songs of the Amaranthine is a collection of short stories that predate the Emergence. They encompass a variety of -ships: kinship, friendship, partnership, mentorship … and romances of every stripe. Crossovers, cameos, and saga-relevant details abound. There are currently 10 to choose from.
  • Amaranthine Interludes are stories that happen in the background of the main Saga or in the years soon after. Two are complete. Three are ongoing. More are planned. ::twinkle::
  • Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons – Readers have often asked for more of Kimiko Miyabe’s courtship of Eloquence Starmark. Their grand cycle is a tale I’ve been telling as a Patreon-exclusive serialization. Cozy Fantasy. Slice-of-Life. Family. Courtship.
  • Coop and the Elderbough Trackers – An ongoing serial that posts here on my blog. Cole Pfeiffer-Cooper, who prefers to be called Coop, became part of a pack way before the world found out about the Amaranthine. Begins here.
  • Boniface Smythe of the Stately House Smythes – a story in 100-word chapters that’s being serialized over on Patreon. Free to read for all members (even free members). Begins here.
  • Bard & Barbarian is a D&D-inspired action/adventure tale that posts exclusively to Patreon. Now with serialized narration! Become a patron to read along.

• • •

Want fanart? Try the Cast Portraits and Fanart tags.
Want MOAR to read? Try this highly recommended series >>
(spoiler: 4thy has other pennames)

by Categories: Uncategorized 3 Comments

Cover Reveal

What if Sherlock Holmes never truly defeated the Baskerville Hound?
What if they’re still embroiled, still vying, still wrestling for control?

Varti Weller’s promising career as a badge ended the day he was cursed by an Olde Childe to only speak in lies. While others from his cohort protect the city, Varti’s consigned to the evidence lockers in the Bastion’s several basements. Until a string of grisly murders bring him face-to-face with a monster and a legend and a job offer. Because Sherlock Holmes is in fresh need of a new assistant. And the job can be Varti’s, so long as he outdoes every other badge—and a foreign rival with designs on Holmes—by proving that the centuries-old detective isn’t a murderer.

A steampunk mystery. An alternate history.
Cozy suspense with a paranormal twist.

Releasing January 14, 2025
add to your Goodreads shelves!

by Categories: Immortal HolmesTags: Leave a comment

Rhomiko: Signed Books

Rhomiko and the Confirmed Bachelor. Book boxes have arrived! I’m ready to begin taking orders for author-signed print editions. For details about what I need from you + payment methods, check out the Signed Books tab >>

I’ll respond to your emails over the next week or two. Have patience with me as I prep the signed books by adding little personal touches … like the stamps I always have made. ::twinkle::

I looked high and low and found something with glittery inclusions to serve as “Chastity Blue” for this lil bonus stamp:

And as always, there are teasers for my next book (a new series will debut in 2025) tucked into each signed copy. It’s tradition! ::wink::

Questions? Email me at always.forthright at gmail dot com.

by Categories: Amaranthine SagaTags: , Leave a comment

Quarterly Art Card

Patreon Perk. One of the perks that patrons can expect is the Quarterly Art Card. For September, we have another of Asha’s lovely lettered pieces, this time featuring a snippet from Tamiko and the Two Janitors.

Art Card: 5×7″ on heavy stock with gold foil stamping
Art: “She Gave Me a Paperclip”
Lettering and Art by Asha

To receive this mailing, you’ll need to be a patron at the Twinkle tier (or higher) during the month of September. So there’s still time. If you do join at the $4/month tier, you’ll need to request the mailing. Higher tiers get these mailings automatically. Take a look at your options over on my patreon page >>

by Categories: PatreonTags: , Leave a comment

September’s Mailing

Heroic Rivals. Patron mailings are a perk for some of the tiers over on Patreon. Those who receive monthly art cards can look forward to something with cast members of Bard & Barbarian this month. (Art by Jane Pica.) Added bonus? These D&D themed stamps from the USPS came out just in time! Perfect postage, acquired!

Interested in reading along … receiving mail … or catching all the gossip that I only tell patrons? Well, come on over! You can even join as a free member now (no cost), which means you’ll catch any of my public posts over there. ::twinkle::

by Categories: PatreonTags: , 1 Comment

600+ Pages Later

Tiny Teaser. The print editions of Rhomiko and the Confirmed Bachelor are finally in the works! Here’s a peek at the rubber stamp I had made to help embellish signed copies. (Because if you think about it, this quote can be applied *several* ways in this story.)

Because of the heft of these books & the rising costs of shipping (which I have to pay coming & going), I’m going to have to bump the price of this volume up by a few dollars. Once I have to books in hand, I’ll post pictures & open up for orders. The price for a copy (US addresses, includes shipping) will nudge up to $32. International friends? We’ll have to check the cost based on weight, but it’s always pricey. I’ll get you a price on a case-by-case basis.

Hold off on requesting your copy until I’m ready, please.

by Categories: Amaranthine SagaTags: Leave a comment

Pressed into Service

Songs of the Amaranthine, #10. In case you missed it, this short story is ready for readers.

She’s used to writing headlines.
She’s about to become one.

Levity Jones is a local celebrity. As a journalist with the Perspective, her reports connect a whole city. Nobody would believe that the one bringing them heartwarming human-interest stories isn’t human. Unless she goes public. Which is exactly what the Five are asking her to do. The clans are about to become breaking news, and they need influencers like Levity to cast the Amaranthine people in the best possible light. Contemporary rom-com with an Amaranthine twist. Workplace romance.

Already read it? No spoilers, please! The squee post is over here >>

by Categories: Songs of the AmaranthineTags: Leave a comment