Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the older, wiser ones.
101
Tempted to Attempt
Costs on the Rise. When I shipped the first round of Folk-Spelled book orders, Mr. Right and I were a little taken aback. We hadn’t realized that the USPS had raised the cost of sending media mail. Usually, I can ship a book in the US for about $5. But that price has been hiked to $9. So I need to raise the cost for the author-signed books I mail out. Again. As of June 1, 2025, I’ll begin charging $30 for nearly all my titles (Rhomiko, which was already at $32 will go up to $35). If you want to catch them at the current rate, contact me! Details are available on the Signed Books page >>
Be with You. I’m home, and I’ve mostly taken care of my post-travel necessities. Laundry handled. Fridge restocked. To be honest, my internal clock still seems to think I’m on the east coast, but hey … nothing wrong with getting an early start to a writing day! ::twinkle::
I spy a 4. (I’m always snapping pictures of fours.)
The writing part of my retreat has given me a solid start on the next novel on my writing docket (Hadwin is the second book in CJ’s Journeymen of Stone series.) It went from zero to 30k with about a week’s worth of full attention. Wish I could keep up that pace on the daily, but I have other responsibilities. One of those is responding to emails (many of them book orders, so thanks for that!), and my serial stories will be back this coming week.
::twinkle::Varti’s Bestie. Here’s a peek at Philtrum Kemp, who has been Varti Weller’s best friend since they entered Badge Academy together as boys. All these years later, they’re still quartermates.
Phil wears a copper cloak because he’s a member of the Bastion’s irregulars. He has specialization that suit him to cases involving Folk (a.k.a. the fae races).
Harpy Design. During Travis Baldree’s recording session for Folk-Spelled, a couple of people spoke up, saying they couldn’t really picture my harpy character. So I shared this art from Ramage’s character sheet. My harpy characters are flight-capable, with large wings, trailing tail feathers, and crests that can rise or puff out, according to their moods.
::twinkle::Maps & Coins & Terms. I took my time with world-building for my new series, and I know my way around pretty well now … but it’s kind of a lot to navigate. For the first time, I created a glossary for the back of a book. Folk-Spelled includes a run-down of everything from the names of seasons to the value of the local coins.
If you’d like to snag a printable version of “Navigating Newcomb,” it’s available to members (even free members) over on my Patreon. Here you go >>
Comfort Food. One of my editors remarked that she couldn’t really picture Varti’s favorite eggy buns. Happy for an excuse to go buy some, I headed to the Asian market and secured a few hexes so I could snap pictures.
Writing Retreat. I’ve scheduled a few posts, but my serials will be lulling for the rest of the month because I’ll be away, focusing on my next novel. As always, thank you for your patience!
Outsider’s Perspective. The Immortal Holmes series has two POV characters. Varti knows Newcomb inside and out, but Enzo is a foreigner. Many of the city’s longstanding traditions baffle him. (To be fair, he probably baffles the people of Newcomb just as much.)
Enzo is a mage, and he’s accompanied by his familiars. (I’ll give Skrik and Purdle their own posts.)
Folk-Spelled has arrived on my front step, and I’m prepping them for those of you who’d like an author-signed copy. As per usual, I use stamps to add personal touches, and there are other little details that are only found in the print editions.
If you’re interested in securing one, all of the details are on the Signed Books page.
::confetti toss::
Main Man. This is some of the official character art of Varti Weller, one of the main characters in the Immortal Holmes books. This is his work uniform. He’s a member of the local constabulary in the royal city of Newcomb.
The green cloak marks him as a member of the Bastion’s regulars, and he serves as the head of the Files & Evidence division. A humble position for one of the Badge Academy’s most promising graduates, but Varti’s lucky to have any job at all, thanks to being folk-spelled. He’s essentially cursed to only speak in lies.
Folk-Spelled (Immortal Holmes, No.1) was a pleasure to typeset. Choosing fonts and fiddling with page layout are the fun part that comes after all the writing & editing are completed. Here’s a peek at a page in the program I use for readying a book for the printer:
I’m currently taking pre-orders for author-signed copies of Folk-Spelled. Interested? Details are on the Signed Books page. I’ll post pictures as soon as I receive boxes from the printer!
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially he curious one.
100
Free Time
Updated! Bard & Barbarian has updated over on my Patreon with Ch75: “Gaps in the Ranks,” in which Yarrow looks toward hiring on new crew members. But hazard pay is gonna be a problem, now that Cataclysms are involved.
Patrons at any (paid) tier can read Bard & Barbarian!
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one who speaks.
99
Knotty Boy
FORTHRIGHT 