Oh, look! You know how much I love making connections … right? I hope many of you have been able to enjoy Scribbled in Margins (Songs of the Amaranthine, #9). Many thanks to those who bought, shelved, read, rated, and reviewed. It means a lot to any author. I appreciate your support.
Scribbled in Margins. Today’s the day! The 9th Songs of the Amaranthine tale has released. Here’s hoping you enjoy the new addition to the collection. And since such tales are short & sweet, I’ll make this post do double duty as the Squee Post for Scribbled in Margins.
They were sent into solitude, yet neither of them was ever truly alone.
Wrongfully accused of insulting a man of higher rank, a bright young man is banished to a remote post where he must stand watch over a signal fire. Batu isn’t entirely alone, though. There’s an orange-robed monk who checks in on him from time to time, and he’s somehow befriended a golden eagle. But strange things begin to happen when the guard changes in the next tower over.
Qara can’t bear to face the future her father planned, so she runs away, pretending to be her older brother. But her new commanding officer isn’t so easily fooled. For her own good, she’s bundled off to a mountaintop watchtower. Qara is safe, but the cold and the solitude become too much to bear … until she befriends a wild sheep, a cheery villager, and the man in the next tower over.
Release Day: April 4, 2023
Amazon (US) | shelve on Goodreads
Squee Post. 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 later in the Saga & Songs. ::twinkle::
[[[WARNING: HERE THERE BE SPOILERS]]]
Scribbled in Margins. The official release day for the next Songs of the Amaranthine story is tomorrow, April 4, but as per usual, many of you will find the story downloading onto your devices early. (Mine always shows up before 10pm.) OR you live in the future, because it’s already the 4th in your hemisphere. So the festivities begin early. Happy Release Eve!
An official Release Day post (with Squee Post tacked on) is scheduled to go up at midnight here. Until then!
Scribbled in Margins. The next Songs of the Amaranthine short story will be releasing in a few days. There’s still time to pre-order it … along with the three other stories releasing between now and June. Here’s a peek at the first page of Songs 09’s digital release:
They were sent into solitude, yet neither of them was ever truly alone.
Wrongfully accused of insulting a man of higher rank, a bright young man is banished to a remote post where he must stand watch over a signal fire. Batu isn’t entirely alone, though. There’s an orange-robed monk who checks in on him from time to time, and he’s somehow befriended a golden eagle. But strange things begin to happen when the guard changes in the next tower over.
Qara can’t bear to face the future her father planned, so she runs away, pretending to be her older brother. But her new commanding officer isn’t so easily fooled. For her own good, she’s bundled off to a mountaintop watchtower. Qara is safe, but the cold and the solitude become too much to bear … until she befriends a wild sheep, a cheery villager, and the man in the next tower over.
. . .
As a reminder, here are all four books and helpful links:
Scribbled in Margins (Songs of the Amaranthine, #9)
Release Day: April 4
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend (Amaranthine Interludes, #2)
Release Day: April 22
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
Farley (Journeymen of Stone, #1) by C.J. Milbrandt
Release Day: May 23
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
Lord Mettlebright’s Man (Amaranthine Interludes, #1)
Release Day: June 4
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
. . .
Yep, they’ll be showing up in other storefronts soon. All I can really suggest is checking back regularly. :: helpless shrug ::
Four Stories Coming Soon! After a weekend of set-up, I have firm release dates & links to pre-orders (only Amazon/Kindle so far) for the next four stories that will release. Here they are:
Scribbled in Margins (Songs of the Amaranthine, #9)
Release Day: April 4
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend (Amaranthine Interludes, #2)
Release Day: April 22
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
Farley (Journeymen of Stone, #1) by C.J. Milbrandt
Release Day: May 23
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
Lord Mettlebright’s Man (Amaranthine Interludes, #1)
Release Day: June 4
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
. . .
Yes, these books will be available on other sites. Amazon is just always first out of the gates. Closer to release day, these titles will start showing up in other storefronts. Thanks for reading! ::twinkle::
Pre-Order Now! The next short story in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection will be releasing on April 4, 2023!
They were sent into solitude, yet neither of them was ever truly alone.
Wrongfully accused of insulting a man of higher rank, a bright young man is banished to a remote post where he must stand watch over a signal fire. Batu isn’t entirely alone, though. There’s an orange-robed monk who checks in on him from time to time, and he’s somehow befriended a golden eagle. But strange things begin to happen when the guard changes in the next tower over.
Qara can’t bear to face the future her father planned, so she runs away, pretending to be her older brother. But her new commanding officer isn’t so easily fooled. For her own good, she’s bundled off to a mountaintop watchtower. Qara is safe, but the cold and the solitude become too much to bear … until she befriends a wild sheep, a cheery villager, and the man in the next tower over.
. . .
Scribbled in Margins (Songs of the Amaranthine, #9)
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Pre-order on Amazon | Add to your shelves on Goodreads
Scribbled in Margins. The next short story in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection will be releasing next month!
They were sent into solitude, yet
neither of them was ever truly alone.
Wrongfully accused of insulting a man of higher rank, a bright young man is banished to a remote post where he must stand watch over a signal fire. Batu isn’t entirely alone, though. There’s an orange-robed monk who checks in on him from time to time, and he’s somehow befriended a golden eagle. But strange things begin to happen when the guard changes in the next tower over.
Qara can’t bear to face the future her father planned, so she runs away, pretending to be her older brother. But her new commanding officer isn’t so easily fooled. For her own good, she’s bundled off to a mountaintop watchtower. Qara is safe, but the cold and the solitude become too much to bear … until she befriends a wild sheep, a cheery villager, and the man in the next tower over.
. . .
I’ve been tweeting teasers, and early peeks are a perk of patronage, so some of you already know that this story will involve wild sheep, golden eagles, snow leopards … and a “new” moth clan (as per the cover art). Scribbled in Margins will be a digital-only release. In fact, you can pre-order the ebook now if you buy through Amazon. It’ll turn up in other storefronts closer to the release date. Eventually, once I have four stories written, there will be a print anthology & an audio edition.
Scribbled in Margins (Songs of the Amaranthine, #9)
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Pre-order on Amazon | Add to your shelves on Goodreads
Songs of the Amaranthine. Good news! The audio edition of Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology is on sale until 2/24/23. Travis Baldree narrates the first four short stories in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection:
Opulence Windlore. When this dragon clansman showed up for Bathed in Moonlight, it must have been a “confluence of destinies,” because he charmed his way into all my future plans for the Amaranthine Saga (and quite possibly a future Interlude). A song-writer and storyteller of some fame, he’s long-winded, high-handed, self-important, and often smug … yet somehow manages to be (as Sinder would put it) one of the good guys. Opal is due to recur in Bk7. ::twinkle::
. . .
Where are my manners?” Seyroo beckoned him closer. “Char, this good dragon is Opulence Windlore, widely known as Opal the Sage, a tale-bringer and lore-singer in high demand throughout the Widelands.”
“Charmed,” said the dragon, whose smile was winsome and wily.
—Bathed in Moonlight
(Songs of the Amaranthine, #7)
Opal the Sage | Art by FoxOfTwilight
. . .
Oooh. I happen to have a clip from Bathed in Moonlight, in which Opal presents Char with a choice:
Hajime and Naoki. We first meet this duo in Flattered by Flowers (Songs of the Amaranthine, #8). Naoki is a bookseller in the city of Keishi, and he befriended Junpei, who became a regular at his shop. Only after a bit of tanuki mischief did Junpei realize that Naoki wasn’t alone.
“Tell me what you see,” Naoki prompted, his expression guarded.
Meeting a red-eyed gaze, Junpei offered a respectful nod. “I see another man with long, black hair and a lavish crown of red flowers. You are similar to Kusunoki, but Matsu’s friend has more height and girth and wears hakama.”
With a heavy sigh, Naoki said, “Junpei, meet my longtime companion, Hajime.”
Flattered by Flowers
Songs of the Amaranthine, #8
Bloom for You | art by FoxOfTwilight
November’s Monthly Mailing. Qualifying patrons will be receiving “Bloom for You” art cards this month. They’re large & lovely (4×9″). If you’d like to get in on mailings like this, consider supporting my storytelling over there. I’ll do my best to spoil you. ::twinkle::
Bathed in Moonlight. I know there’s other stuff also going on in the seventh story in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection, but Char and Rinloo-dex are two of my favorite people. Have you read their story? If not, do! Bathed in Moonlight is on the must-read list before you dip into Pimiko and the Uncharted Island, which releases in less than a week!
Blue Stones, Black Fur | art by FoxOfTwilight
. . .
Bolder now, Char reached down and set the tip of one finger upon brown skin.
Warm.
There was a sudden clamor of impressions—dark and wild and strange. Snatching back his hand, Char scowled at the wolf for being so wolvish. He still didn’t see the appeal. But then … a smooth blue stone caught his eye. And another. And more! They were the most wonderful color and polished to a treat. They caught the shine of his happiness, which doubled until the wolf was bathed in moonlight.
Bathed in Moonlight
Songs of the Amaranthine, #7
A closer crop of one curious moonbeam.
::twinkle::
Sonnet Skybellow. This question came up in comments today for Lord Mettlebright’s Man, and a blog post seems appropriate. As is usual with my writing, you have all the facts, but they’re somewhat scattered. I’ll go through his appearances in publishing order:
**That sets Hemmed in Silver roughly 80 years before the Emergence.
Patreon Teaser. Just in case you didn’t know, one of the perks my patrons receive is good old-fashioned mail. And more and more, I’ve been having cards printed with art, book quotes, and even original story snippets. While I can’t exactly mail out moonbeams for everyone, July’s mailings are Churlish-themed. You see, my topmost tiers will be receiving Quarterly Bubble Mailers this month (“contents subject to whim”), and I decided on custard cups and silver spoons.
Thank you to everyone who’s able to support my writing in this way. I enjoy applying my creativity to finding little ways to spoil you! ::twinkle::
Perks of Patronage. One of the thank you gifts I create for my supporters over on Patreon is a Quarterly Art Card. For June’s summer solstice mailing (which is Dichotomy Day, you know), I’ve had prints made of one of the Ephemera that I commissioned from Ren this past spring. There will be four in all, so if you join up now, you may be able to collect them all! ::twinkle::
Quisp | art by Ren
“They are Ephemera.” Suuzu quietly explained, “A rare variety that develops a symbiotic relationship with certain trees. They must have been hibernating inside, but the presence of so many potent souls brought them out.”
“Lady Anna’s blade is an effective lure,” said Argent. “She is like springtime to them.”
Suuzu touched Kimiko’s shoulder. “If they remain active, I would not be surprised if your friend bloomed this year.”
“How fortunate we sealed your boundaries.” Argent darted upward and returned with a small creature caged between his fingers. It looked like a winged monkey, no bigger than a sparrow, with pale fur glowing softly in the darkness. Round eyes blinked drowsily at them as it clung to Argent’s fingers. He said, “I should bring one home to show Tsumiko.”
Akira rolled his eyes. “Like you don’t want it for your collection.” To Kimiko, he added, “Argent’s a repeat offender when it comes to smuggling Ephemera across borders.”
Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Amaranthine Saga, #2
. . .
Another series of short wingbeats descended, and something caught in Junpei’s hair, chittering as it clung. He balked, pulling Hajime up short, and whispered, “What is it?”
“You are attracting Ephemera. Calm yourself. These are both harmless and adorable.”
“Get it off?” he begged, bending so his companion could reach.
Hajime made hushing sounds. Maybe they were for the animal. Maybe they were for him. And when he stepped back, he had a strange creature in his hands. A teensy, winged monkey with pale fur that glowed in much the same way Churlish did.
“Nothing to fear,” soothed Hajime. “Not from innocents such as these.”
Flattered by Flowers
Songs of the Amaranthine, #8
Thank you to everyone who supports my stories, wherever they may be found! I’ll do my best to reward your trust, one tale (or trinket) at a time. ::glomp::
Flattered by Flowers: The Anthology has released in both print & audio formats! ::confetti toss:: I’m so pleased to add these editions for your enjoyment. You’ll want to give them ALL a listen!
Thank you (as always) to everyone who takes the time to read, (often reread), rate, and review my stories. Your support is invaluable.
FORTHRIGHT 