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!
This Just In! My print proof arrived, and it’s perfect! The print editions have been green-lighted, so they’ll be showing up in virtual shopfronts for everyone, everywhere. Order at your leisure. Or ask for them at your favorite bookstore. They’ll be able to order them in. Same goes for libraries.
I unboxed:
At nearly 500 pages, it’s kind of a chonk. One thing the print edition has that the digital edition lacks is … the illustrated back cover:
::twinkle::Folk-Spelled (Immortal Holmes, No.1) is now available as an audio book! Travis Baldree reads!
Folk-Spelled (Immortal Holmes, No.1) is in the hands of readers. If you need a place to react, confer, or kick up a fuss, this is the spot. I’ll enjoy your enthusiasm, I might be willing to clarify small points, but I reserve the right to evade questions that will be answered in due course.
[[[WARNING: HERE THERE BE SPOILERS]]]
Folk-Spelled (Immortal Holmes, No.1) is releasing today in digital & audio formats. These should be showing up in virtual storefronts soon. Thank you to everyone who’s willing to brave a new storytelling universe with me!
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.
• • •
If you’ve already begun reading, hold onto your comments and put them on the Squee Post. (I want this thread to remain spoiler free.)
Four Days (and some change) until Folk-Spelled! I’m doing my best to get all the last-minute details in order for next week’s release of the first book in my new series. One thing that’s just been sorted is … scheduling a drop on Patreon. All members (even free members) will be able to see the countdown for an audio drop of the first chapter of Folk-Spelled, narrated by Travis Baldree. If you haven’t become a patron yet, why not give it a whirl? You’ll find lots of sketches & art of the cast. FREE membership is now an option, and that’ll give access to some of the things I post … including this release day drop.
Thanks for trusting my storytelling enough to follow me into Realmish places. ::twinkle::
Folk-Spelled (Immortal Holmes, No.1) will be narrated by Travis Baldree, and he begins his recording sessions tomorrow. Monday, February 17, 2025. You can listen to him do his thing (which is amazing) by dropping into the Live Narration channel and clicking the audio link. I’ll be hanging out in the listeners-lounge if you want to chat & react in real time. ::twinkle::
Hope to see you there.
Travis Baldree’s Discord channel is called Cryptid Audio > https://discord.gg/duzCS2D
New Release Date. I’m doing my best to coordinate all the pieces & parts of publishing Folk-Spelled. In order to have the print, digital, and audio editions releasing at the same time, I’m nudging the release date into March. If you want early looks and behind-the-scenes details, come on over to Patreon. There are free memberships & gift memberships, which opens up new possibilities.
Folk-Spelled (Immortal Holmes, No.1)
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Do you like extras? While I’ll make announcements & post final art here on the blog, there’s a whole lot more going on behind the scenes. I’ve been posting artist thumbnails and sketch peeks and insights into the people and places in my new series. The thing is, they’re posting on Patreon. For instance, here are some of my main character Varti’s expressions, which will be part of his character sheet. Mart Lett, my illustrator, will be creating them for several of the folks (and Folk) in Folk-Spelled.
You can start to get to know Varti, Enzo, Ramage, and the rest even before the story releases. Don’t want to spend money on those extras? Patreon has added a FREE tier, and I do make posts that are visible to all members. So why not follow me there, too? I’d be glad to see you! (Always am.)
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.
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!
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!
FORTHRIGHT 