Introducing Durst

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.

forthrightly on Patreon >>

Lunar New Year

January’s Mailing. I’m in the middle of prepping my monthly mailing for patrons. The Year of the Snake is oncoming, and as per tradition, I’m sending out red envelopes and lucky coins.

My stamps are on pre-order from the USPS, and I’m working on inscriptions. If you want to get in on this mailing, join the ranks of my supporters. You’ll need to be at least Twinkle Tier, which also gives you access to fun stuff like two ongoing serials: Bard & Barbarian and Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons. And all sorts of teasers for my new series, which begins with Bk1: Folk-Spelled.

Open Offer

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.

Behind the Scenes

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!

September’s Mailing

Heroic Rivals. Patron mailings are a perk for some of the tiers over on Patreon. Those who receive monthly art cards can look forward to something with cast members of Bard & Barbarian this month. (Art by Jane Pica.) Added bonus? These D&D themed stamps from the USPS came out just in time! Perfect postage, acquired!

Interested in reading along … receiving mail … or catching all the gossip that I only tell patrons? Well, come on over! You can even join as a free member now (no cost), which means you’ll catch any of my public posts over there. ::twinkle::

Amazing Art for June

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 >>

May’s Mailings

“Such a Gentleman” is featured on the art cards going out to patrons for the regularly scheduled monthly mailing. And for the equinox, the quarterly art card will include lettering of a favorite moment from Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, Bk4). I’ll post pictures of those when they come from the printer. ::twinkle::

“Such a Gentleman” | art by FoxOfTwilight
5×7″ on cream-colored felted paper (posh)
Reverse: appropriate excerpts from Lord Mettlebright’s Man

Many thanks to all those who are supporting my stories, wherever they may be found!

forthrightly on Patreon >>

January Mailing

Includes a Rhomiko Excerpt! I finally received my box of art cards from the printer for the January mailing (better late than never). They include an excerpt from the upcoming series finale, Rhomiko and the Confirmed Bachelor, which I’ll need to push off another month. Probably looking at a March release now. If you want to get in on this lovely art card (5×7″ on heavy linen paper), today’s the last day to become a patron at the appropriate tier (Sparkle on up will be included in this one).

Art by Mart Lett
Tea Towel by gingiber

ART: Cat & Crosser

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::

December Mailings

Patrons and Perks. I’ve been away for a few weeks, being a semi-adventurous traveler, but now that I’m safely home & settling in for holiday shenanigans, I’m catching up. Some of the boxes that awaited my return held the art cards for December. This month’s regular mailing features art by Mart on a lovely linen paper. It’s the first in what will be a set of four commissions, and patrons have the chance to collect them all.

Kusunoki | art by Mart

Dichotomy Day is nearly upon us, and that means there’s also a Quarterly Art Card mailing. This time around, I chose another lettered piece by Asha, and for the first time, I splurged on gold foil. The results have given some serious shine to her favorite quote from Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal.

“Forgive my lack of eloquence…” | lettering by Asha

I’ll also mention that it’s “courting comb” season. This year’s selection features a phoenix.Those go out in January, but in order to qualify for the mailing, you’ll need to be at the appropriate tier (beacon or reliquary) for both December and January. So now’s the time to make that leap. Quantities are limited, and I do have a few leftovers from past year’s combs (fox, dragon, chrysanthemum).

forthrightly on Patreon >>

Many thanks to everyone who supports my storytelling in such practical ways. I’m grateful. Always.

October Art Cards

Dazzle Tier and Up. I forgot to mention here that the art cards for October are extra special. To celebrate this month’s release of a Russian-language edition of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, I received permission from the publisher to use the cover art (by @artovbros). These 5×7″ prints have a pearl shimmer treatment. (So shiny!) If you want this Argent, go peruse the tier options on Patreon. Sparkle tier patrons, whose perk includes mail every other month, can expect to see this blaze-baring Argent in their mailboxes in November.

forthrightly on Patreon >>

Quarterly Art Card

September Mailings. In addition to the regular monthly mailing (this one featuring Jacques), the Quarterly Art Card goes out this month to patrons. This time around, I’ve selected a lovely lettered quote by Asha, one of her favorites from Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox. She generously gave permission for me to share her art with all of you. Here’s a zoomed in peek at the original:

Asha created both a full-color version with the blues and gold highlights of the original cover … but she also did a black & white version. Choosing which to print was a breeze because … I did both. The prints are reversible, so you can choose which side to display!

Lettered Tsumiko Quote by Asha
Size: 8.5″ x 5.5″ on felt-textured paper

Thank you to everyone who’s come alongside as a patron. I appreciate your supporting my storytelling in such a practical way. September is a great time to join the ranks of Glimmers, Twinkles, Sparkles, et. al. because later this month, I’ll be sharing the first chapter of Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons (Amaranthine Interludes, #3). This novel-length book will be a Patreon exclusive for now. It’ll give you ALL the kisses of Kimiko’s courtship along with other excitement at Kikusawa Shrine. Check out the various tiers and their perks here >>

September Mailings

Doubling Down. September will see both a regular monthly mailing & a Quarterly Art Card. Here’s a peek at the regular mailing, which will go out to patrons beginning at the Sparkle tier. Jacques Smythe in the suit on his book cover looks especially fine on heavy felted paper. And as a bonus, Lord Mettlebright’s man will bring a sneaky excerpt from Bk7: Rhomiko and the Confirmed Bachelor, which will release later this fall. Worth joining my glittering ensemble of supporters? Maybe!

I’ll show you the Quarterly Art Card soon. Look forward to it! forthright on Patreon >>

Also coming in September … a Patreon-exclusive. Think of it as a subscription story. You can read along by joining at the Twinkle tier ($4/month).

Monthly Mailing

Patreon Perks. July’s mailing, which is available to patrons starting at the Dazzle tier, features Boonmar-fen Elderbough. Art: “Seafaring” by FoxOfTwilight.

If you like getting fun mail, consider joining the ranks of supporters at whatever tier makes sense for you. Other perks that may apply include:

  • The chance to read Bard & Barbarian, my Patreon-exclusive adventure.
  • Even better, the chance to listen to Bard & Barbarian, because Travis Baldree has been narrating this serial tale as it develops.
  • Small gifts arrive quarterly for those at the appropriate tiers. Contents are “subject to whim,” and always somehow story-related. Recent offerings: courting combs, silver spoons & custard cups, acorn-themed tokens of affection, and little glass bottles (no wind imps were harmed in the assembly of those gift boxes).
  • Tote bags & free signed copies of my books are part of the jumble.
  • Access to Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons, a serial that’ll start this autumn & see monthly updates.

forthright on Patreon >>