DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
On The Cobblestone Road
WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH?
Welcome to the monthly newsletter with all of the latest updates about my books, projects, blog, featured artwork, news, and more!
About the photograph featured in the heading: I took this photograph in my backyard a couple of years ago.
BOOK UPDATES
Chronicles of Avilésor (Book IV: Lab Rat)
I’ll be spending these next few weeks between holidays reviewing feedback from my beta readers and making edits with the goal of getting the manuscript to my line editor at the start of the new year. Despite battling a major mental block for most of November, I’ve made solid progress on the book cover, character list, and pronunciation guide.
Here’s what one of my beta readers had to say after finishing the book recently:
“My mind is blown that I can be so attached to a group of ghosts, but author Sara Noë has built such believable, relatable characters. Book IV, Lab Rat, takes the reader to a much deeper understanding of the Alpha ghosts and keeps you riveted to your seat. The definition of ‘family’ continues to be redefined through the well chosen words of the author.”
Inked: An Author’s Advice & Inspiration for Writers
No updates to report since my focus has been completely on Lab Rat.
Cobblestones
Cobblestones is also a backburner project. As of now, I’ve gathered 26 drawings, 20 photographs, and 13 poems.
LAST-DAY SALES!
Today is the FINAL DAY to take advantage of some holiday sales!!
I’m offering 15% off everything on my primary website as well as my online apparel shop with promo code MERRY15.
(Note: my Patreon subscribers have access to an even better deal with their own exclusive promotion! Spoiler… you can sign up for a free seven-day trial to access this code on Patreon.)
Today is also the last day of Old Soul Artisan’s 25% off deal if you want to stock up on some amazing candles inspired by literature, folklore, and the dark psyche.
I partnered with Old Soul Artisan in 2020 to collaborate on creating the Ghost Realm candle, and I do earn commission from online sales of that particular candle, but she has other fantastic scents that bibliophiles should definitely check out while supporting a woman-owned small business that donates part of its proceeds to wolf conservation every year.
NEW PRODUCTS
BOOK BUTTONS
Over the weekend, I introduced new book-themed buttons with my own graphic designs. These 2.25” buttons are larger than the existing 1.25” collectible Chronicles of Avilésor buttons and Elemental Guild buttons that are already part of my collection.
MAGNETS
Following up on my announcement in the last newsletter, the first batch of magnets have arrived and are also available on my website and at events! These sturdy 2.5” x 3.5” magnets are a great (and functional) way to display my art. I’ll be building this collection up over time, as I have a lot of art prints that still need to be added.
MYSTERY ITEM(S)
I’ve added a fun new feature to my website! When you add a product to your cart, you have the option to include a $5 mystery in your order. You’ll receive one or more small items valued between $5 and $10. These items can include event-exclusive products that aren’t even available on my website.
LOCAL PICKUPS AT HOTSPOT CAFE
This new website feature took a bit of time (and a few calls to tech support) to get up and running, but I’m happy to announce that I’ve officially partnered with HotSpot Café to allow a pickup option for La Porte locals. Customers now have the option of having their items dropped off at the café instead of being shipped.
Orders can be picked up during HotSpot’s normal business hours. Just pop in, give the barista your name and tell her you’re there to pick up an order, and she’ll bring it up from the back. (And while you’re in there, you might as well treat yourself to something yummy and support another small local business! My personal favorite is the lavender dream bubble tea with lychee bubbles.)
**I do ask that customers wait until they receive email confirmation from me so they know when their order is ready in case I run into any delays with the drop-off.
SEASONAL KIT DESIGNS
Winter Kit has finally arrived!! She and Christmas Kit will be here for the holidays, although Winter Kit will stick around a bit longer until it’s time to switch places with Springtime Kit in the vault.
These seasonal designs are available as stickers and keychains for sale at my event booth and on my website.
NEW DESIGNS IN MY APPAREL SHOP
Two new designs have arrived on a variety of products! You can shop my new graphic design “Dark World” and my sketch “Broken” in my apparel shop.
GIFT CARDS
It’s a good time to remind everyone that I offer electronic gift cards on my website. So… if you know somebody who is anxiously waiting for Book IV and might like to cash in a gift card when I open up preorders for limited editions of the first print run… this would make an excellent Christmas gift!
I have multiple designs available featuring some of my most popular art prints and designs from the Chronicles of Avilésor so you can choose the most appropriate one depending on the recipient’s primary interest.
ARTWORK OF THE MONTH
Aurora Borealis © 2024
Level 2 and 3 patrons can learn more about this and watch me draw “Aurora Borealis” in an exclusive timelapse video.
PATREON & SUBSTACK UPDATES
Subscribers get exclusive content emailed straight to their inbox every time I publish a new post! I offer two types of premium subscription content on two different platforms.
Patreon is a fan-based community featuring behind-the-scenes content centered around my books and art. I offer three membership tiers with varying perks: Human ($5), Kálos ($10), and Alpha ($15). Here are the latest posts since the last newsletter:
• Upcoming event announcements
• Exclusive holiday promotions
• First look at new button and magnet designs in production
• Sneak peek video at Book IV’s character list and pronunciation guide
• Early sneak peek at the digital proof showing brand-new keychain designs coming soon
• Daily art-in-progress posts of “Aurora Borealis”
• Timelapse video of the featured monthly artwork + details about the process and challenges
Substack features business-oriented content for creative solopreneurs and artistic professionals. I discuss tips I’ve learned from my experience as an author, artist, and entrepreneur after doing over 160 events ranging from book signings and artist pop-ups to festivals, markets, and conventions.
Subscriptions are only $5/month, and members have the opportunity to read, share, comment, and network with other creative professionals within the community. Just like Patreon, these exclusive posts are sent to your inbox when I publish them. Some of the topics I’ve discussed on Substack:
• Tips for your vendor application biography
• Should authors pay for book reviews?
• How to make discontinued or slow-moving merchandise sell
• Money-saving hacks to help weather the slow season
• Ways to tastefully accept tips or donations without obnoxiously asking for money
**These posts are partially visible for free subscribers, but to read the entire post, members need to upgrade to the premium subscription tier.
$5 a month isn’t much, but these small subscriptions add up and help me cover the publishing costs for upcoming books in the series along with many other business expenses such as vendor fees, liability insurance, website costs, and more. Thank you to my subscribers for your support!! 🖤
For more information about the membership tiers and how subscriptions/donations support my business, check out this FAQ page on my website.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Author Tip: How Amazon Book Reviews Unlock Marketing Benefits
A look at why book reviews are so important for self-published authors and how those reviews can potentially influence Amazon’s recommendation algorithm.
RECENT EVENTS
November 16-17: South Bend Artisan Market in South Bend, IN
November 23-24: Valpo Holidaze in Valparaiso, IN
November 30: Hometown Holiday Market in Chesterton, IN
UPCOMING EVENTS
Be sure to check my website for the most up-to-date list.
To receive event reminders, you can join my Discord server, follow me on Facebook or Buy Me a Coffee, or become a Patreon subscriber. Here's the current schedule of events:
INDOOR SANTA MARKET
Friday, December 06, 2024
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 07, 2024
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Lake County Fairgrounds
Crown Point, IN
CHRISTMAS AT THE CIVIC
Sunday, December 08, 2024
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Civic Auditorium
La Porte, IN
KRIS KRINGLE MARKET
Friday, December 13, 2024
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 14, 2024
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
1515 119th Street Parking Lot
Whiting, IN
19th ANNUAL GARDENING SHOW
Saturday, January 25, 2025
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Porter County Expo Center
Valparaiso, IN
MICHIANA REN FEST
Saturday, August 23, 2025
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
St. Joe County 4H Fairgrounds
South Bend, IN
Friday, August 29, 2025
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday, August 30, 2025
9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday, August 31, 2025
9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Monday, September 01, 2025
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Centennial Park
Plymouth, IN
WOLF HOLLOW WITCHES MARKET
Saturday, October 4, 2025
3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Boone County Fairgrounds
Belvidere, IN
SHOP
This year, I finally launched my own ecommerce site so anyone in the U.S. now has the opportunity to order online directly from me. Many of my products are available, including notecards, keychains, buttons, postcards, bookmarks, stickers, mouse pads, novelty CoA merch, and autographed books. Some products, such as my canvas prints, puzzles, resin book holders, and build-your-own bookmarks, are still event-exclusive.
Browse my custom designs on apparel and accessories produced and shipped by Spring. Shop for Chronicles of Avilésor designs plus others inspired by reading and writing (and my popular banned books graphic).
In 2020, I partnered with Old Soul Artisan — a small USA business operated by an amazing woman solopreneur — to create a custom candle fragrance inspired by my book series. The “mystical forest” scent is a blend of apple, cedar, chrysanthemum, and green leaf that captures the essence of Avilésor. Online purchases help to support wolf conservation!
