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:
Not Exactly Lulling. I received several nudges last week, reminding me that I missed updates on some of my stories. This happens periodically, and it’s nothing to worry about. I usually try to “write ahead” so I can post chapters regularly, but I’ve caught up to myself. No reserves. And rather busy with Bk6 at the moment. Also I tend to pile a lot into November (word sprints, festive plans, seasonal mailings, extra shopping, family stuff) so I can take it easy in December. Which means … patchy updates for a while.
Speaking of seasonal mailings, I’ve revealed the Quarterly Art Card for December over on Patreon. This winter scene will round out a collection of four commissions by Lara Pickle for the first four short stories in Songs of the Amaranthine. “The Dark” features a moment in Marked by Stars, and it turned out very pretty, since it’s printed on pearlescent paper. (The snow & sky, they shine!)
If you want to get in on these quarterly mailings (and so many other perks), check out my Patreon, where I appreciate my supporters & try to keep things interesting. ::twinkle::
Close Crop of “The Dark,” art by Lara Pickle. Other illustrations in this set were “The Dance” (for Songs 02), “The Den” (for Songs 03), and “The Drama” (for Songs 04).
Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology, which contains the first four stories in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection is now available as an audio book. Travis Baldree narrates:
Don’t forget, you can still pre-order Mikoto and the Reaver Village‘s audio edition, which releases next week! ::twinkle::
Pre-order! Travis Baldree’s narration of the first four stories in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection will be releasing on August 10, 2021. You can pre-order the anthology now! Titles include …
Waaseyaa & Zisa. As we head toward release day for Mikoto and the Reaver Village, I’ve been encouraging folks to read/reread Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1) because it tells the story of the founding of Wardenclave, which is where Mikoto’s story is set. Although it’s been simply ages, Amaranthine lifespans = recurring characters.
At the very center of Wardenclave are a dog, a tree, and his twin. Remember them?
• • •
Glint sat on the ground, held out both hands, and found himself with his arms around a fabled imp. Would wonders never cease? “Do you have a name, boy? Or must I guess?”
“Brother named me.” With a flash of dimples and a flutter of lashes, he sweetly said, “I am Zisa.”
“It means orange,” Waaseyaa murmured.
“Welcome, Zisa. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“I know.” The child was suddenly nose-to-nose with Glint. “I know everything.”
—Marked by Stars
• • •
“Heart of Wardenclave” by Nicko
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Release Day is September 22. I’ll begin taking pre-orders for signed books on September 1. You can also shelve this book on Goodreads >>
Cameras Ready?! Take pictures for me! This time around, I’m inviting you to send me snapshots of ANY of the books (Saga & Songs). Jumble them together or feature them individually. Prop one up in your favorite reading spot. Snag a book-sniffing selfie. Showcase the latest title with the other books in your set … with props from the story … with your mug of tea … with your pets … with your plushies … with character doodles … with a Kimiko-worthy snack. Get creative. Be enthusiastic. Impress me. Be elegant or silly. Make me smile. Because there will be fabulous prizes.
YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
June 20 – August 20
always.forthright@gmail.com
If you’re taking part, I’m going to assume you’re okay with my re-posting your pictures here on the blog, on Twitter, on Goodreads, etc. And yes, if you can find creative ways to show off your digital edition, I’ll count those pictures, too.
Fabulous Prizes. Everyone who participates (and lets me know w/ a comment or email and link) will be entered into a drawing. Four people will be selected by ye olde randomizer. Multiple pictures are welcome (encouraged, even), but they’ll add up to one entry per reader in the prize drawing. I’ll reveal what those fabulous prizes are in a future reminder. ::eyebrow waggle::
Since it’s become tradition to put up a squee post, here’s a place for you to react, effuse, speculate, or simply chat amongst yourselves. I might be willing to clarify a point here or there, but I must remain reticent if I’ve raised questions that will be answered in the main series. ::twinkle::
[[ HERE THERE BE SPOILERS ]]
Now Available! It’s release day for the first short story in my Songs of the Amaranthine collection. Digital only. Currently on Amazon. Need more incentive to splurge? How about twin wolves?
Highwind Twins by FoxOfTwilight
• • •
Beloor-dex and Loor-ket were alike
in every way except significance.
—Marked by Stars
FYI. Marked by Stars is a short story. In fandom circles, it’s what we call a long oneshot. I wrapped it up in just under 20,000 words. That’s the target range for all future stories in the Songs of the Amaranthine collection. That way, when I have four stories completed, I can bundle them into a print anthology that’ll look nice alongside the Amaranthine Saga.
Marked by Stars is the first of many short stories set in the Amaranthine universe. The tales will give me the chance to go beyond the plot of the Amaranthine Saga and explore the inner workings of other places and peoples. Each story will stand alone, though it will contribute to your knowledge of clans and cultures. I’ll borrow from various genres—adventure, romance, mystery, slice of life. All of the stories pre-date the Emergence, and they’ll span history, from ancient and medieval to contemporary. Marked by Stars gives you a peek into a past referenced in Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal. Here’s a screencap of the page just before the tale gets underway…
A wolf without a pack and a boy in need of roots become founders.
After a heavenly visitation, one young wolf turns his back on his pack and on the moon in order to tread a lonesome path. A blaze of stars. A brand of copper. A burden of trust. First of Dogs, he takes a new name, makes peace with group of weary humans, and helps to found the In-between. This is a tale of the Kindred. This is the lore of the Starmark clan. Continue reading
FORTHRIGHT 