Found in the Wild. This is the best time of year for finding new pajamas, since all the stores are bringing in tons of holiday coziness. Scanning through options at our local Walmart had me doing a double-take. Boy, do these look familiar.
Not exactly the same, but close enough to count. If you want ’em, too, best nab a pair in your size before the holiday rush. ::twinkle::
ART: cropped from a fun piece called “Hold Him Down” by FoxOfTwilight
Eyes in the Shadows. When I described Skrik to illustrator Mart Lett, I compared his form as something between a feline & a small gargoyle, a shadow with wisping edges that are in constant motion.
He’s small enough to perch on Enzo’s shoulder. In fact, he’ll often drape himself along his shoulders and peek out from under his hair. Shy thing.
More behind-the-scenes details about Folk-Spelled are sure to turn up here. But if you want LOTS more posts like this, they’re the sort of thing I share over on Patreon. Consider joining, even as a free member. I’d be grateful.
If Looks Could Kill. One of my Folk-Spelled cast members is a gorgon. When I was picking and choosing recurring characters, I wanted to mix things up. That’s one of the reasons why I took two traditionally female creatures (harpies & gorgons) and created a male counterpart. Durst’s steampunk-style goggles counteract his deadly gaze.
This month’s Patreon mailing is a portrait of Durst created by Mart Lett, series illustrator, from which the above art is cropped. Want great mail? Head on over and see if one of my Patreon tiers suits. I’d appreciate the additional support.
Purdle the Water Sprite. I’ve been asked several times about his size. In my notes, he’s just six inches tall, so quite small. His trusty steed Cubit‘s name is a hint about his size, since a cubit was an ancient measure, roughly the distance from one’s fingertips to one’s elbow.
::twinkle::Mr. Hudson. In the original Sherlock Holmes mysteries, he and Watson relied upon Mrs. Hudson, who lived downstairs at 221 Baker Street and served as … well, housekeeper and cook. I felt there needed to be a Hudson on the premises in my own series, but opted for a slightly different head of the household. And so Thomas was added to my cast.
Close crop from “Hudson & Holmes,” one of the portraits that Mart Lett, series illustrator, created for the art card series that I have been sending out to patrons. Yes, Thomas’s hair is purple. His fashion sense has folksome leanings. ::twinkle::
Quarterly Art Card. These were delayed, but they’re finally in, and I’m tucking them into envelopes for patrons. Featuring art by Nicko, I included a “missing scene” for Suuzu & Akria on the back. If you want to read “Nesting Instinct,” you’ll need to come on over, join up at the Twinkle tier, and request inclusion in the mailing. Because of the delay, I’m letting any new/upgrading Twinkles in July request the Quarterly Art Card. It’d be a shame to miss out!
Art Card: 5.5″ x 8.5″ with a semi-gloss finish
Art: “Treehouse” by Nicko
Reverse: “Nesting Instinct,” a new and exclusive scene
Patreon Mailings. Just a quick peek at crops from the art cards that are going out to patrons this month. There’s still time to take the plunge and support my stories in new ways. Perks include mailings like these, access to Bard & Barbarian (an ongoing original story), narrated chapters of BnB (because Travis Baldree is amazing), and a subscription of sorts to Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons, which is currently seeing monthly updates. Check out the various tiers and choose the one that suits your needs.
June’s regularly scheduled art card features art by Jane Pica.
And one the reverse of the Quarterly Art Card, I’ve printed a brand new, original, highly exclusive missing scene for Suuzu and Akira, entitled “Nesting Instinct.” But let’s not breeze past that gorgeous art just yet. It’s being printed at 5.5″ x 8.5″ and features art by Nicko. This is just a crop. Love that body language!
Patreon is also the first place to find out about my new series. Art and character introductions and cover reveals and summaries! Take a look >>
Congrats, Lara! I happened to stumble across an upcoming graphic novel release last week, just in time to get my pre-order in. What caught my eye? The author/illustrator is Lara Pickle, who was charming to work with a few years back, when I commissioned celebratory art to use as art cards for the first four stories in the Songs of the Amaranthine series.
The four Songs illustrations (these are obviously just close crops) were titled The Dance, The Dark, The Den, and The Drama … and early patrons received these as art cards. Recognize these cast members? They’re all still figuring prominently in current storylines!
Lara’s graphic novel is a brand new release. I received my copy yesterday. Join me in celebrating her success … and if you’re interested, be sure to pick up her book. :: confetti toss ::
Boon & Moon. Given where we are in Coop and the Elderbough Trackers (Amaranthine Interludes, #4), I thought this repost of Fox’s art wouldn’t be amiss.
“Trackers” | art by FoxOfTwilight
Rhomiko Teasers. The monthly mailing for January includes Rhomiko, the unique person that Hisoka-sensei carried home after the events of Book 6. And because we’re getting closer to the release of Rhomiko and the Confirmed Bachelor, I’ve included an excerpt from Bk7 on the card’s reverse. To capture one for yourself, become a patron at the appropriate tier. Teaser:
Rhomiko is neither male nor female (non-binary), and it was fun to work with Mart to make sure their appearance sends mixed messages.
::twinkle::Quarterly Art Card. Happy Solstice! I’m finally getting around to showing you the art for this quarter. Junpei’s portrait turned into a larger piece incorporating paper parasols. Fox and I decided that while red flowers were a must … we could next-level things by including the Junzi/Four Gentlemen. Junpei is the main character from Flattered by Flowers (Songs of the Amaranthine, #8), and yes … as many of you have guessed, he’ll be recurring in Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons. (Coming this fall! A patreon-exclusive serialization!)
Junpei | art by FoxOfTwilight
For the art card, there’ll be an original story snippet on the reverse, titled “Sacred Tree.”
Lord Mettlebright’s Man. Jacques’ story will release on the morrow, but for those who pre-order, there’ll probably be an electronic delivery this evening. And readers on *other* continents always get books first. ::twinkle:: As per usual, I’ll schedule an official release day announcement & squee post for midnight in my time zone. In the meantime … happy #PrideMonth.
June | art by FoxOfTwilight
Lord Mettlebright’s Man (Amaranthine Interludes, #1)
Release Day: June 4
Amazon | shelve on Goodreads
Smol Spoiler. On the off-chance that folks here are still skittish about Pimiko spoilers, you’ll need to click through for the full illustration. Suffice to say … many plot threads converged in Bk6, and some weren’t bad outcomes. ::twinkle::
First and Last and Always. The Amaranthine Saga begins with Argent and Tsumiko, and later this year, when the final book in the main series releases, we’ll be right back at Stately House. Happy Valentine’s Day, reading friends! ::twinkle::
Bonded | art by FoxOfTwilight
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:
FORTHRIGHT 