FEBRUARY 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 in December 2021.
BOOK UPDATES
Chronicles of Avilésor (Book IV: Lab Rat)
On January 20th, I sent the manuscript to the line editor! I was relieved to make my deadline, and if she also stays on schedule, I expect to have the edits back by early March, which would put me on track for a late spring or early summer release.
In the meantime, I have a few weeks to work on finishing the cover, character list, and pronunciation guide, drafting the new map, formatting the interior files, and now… also a glossary (suggested by the line editor). This means Book IV will have a lot more bonus content than its predecessors with a total of four maps and three reference lists.
January was a month of reveals! I unveiled the button designs for Lab Rat earlier in the month, and then shortly after sending off the manuscript, fans on social media and my blog finally got to see the official cover reveal. (Patreon subscribers have been getting periodic sneak peeks behind the scenes while I was working on it.)
The Book IV preorders that are now LIVE on my website are for a special collector’s bundle that includes a numbered hardcover from the first print run, a new bookmark, the five buttons I designed for the novel, and a tea light of the Ghost Realm candle by Old Soul Artisan. For more information about preordering Lab Rat, be sure to check out my recent blog post.
Inked: An Author’s Advice & Inspiration for Writers
No updates to report since my focus has been completely on Lab Rat.
Cobblestones
No updates to report at this time. So far, I’ve gathered 26 drawings, 20 photographs, and 13 poems.
NEW BOOKMARKS
Since I mentioned the new bookmark that’s part of the Book IV collector’s bundle… I now have a design for each of the four novels! I debuted them at PopiCon over the weekend and will have them for sale on my website very soon. They’ll also become part of the collector’s bundles for each book once I update the photography for the website listings.
For new fans (and those who might not remember), I used to include a bookmark with early copies of A Fallen Hero when it was first published. Some of the first editions that I have for sale on my website still have these original bookmarks tucked inside!
This image is still around my website in some places, but it’s an outdated design that I made before I created Book II’s cover featuring Cato on the front and Phantom on the back, so the eyes on the bookmark don’t match.
The original bookmark was also a custom size that I had specially printed, whereas the new bookmarks are a smaller standard size that gives me more production flexibility.
ARTICLE FEATURE
I was pleasantly surprised to be featured in a Bookst article along with a few other authors at the end of January!
NEW KEYCHAIN DESIGN
“Werewolf’s Howl” is a new design that’s part of the Book IV button collection. However, I absolutely loved how this digital design turned out, so I also added it to the keychain collection!
While the buttons aren’t for sale yet, the keychain is available on my website and at events.
BOOTH UPDATES
I started off the 2025 event season with some small updates to my booth! A new keychain spinner display that has more room for all of my designs, a book lamp (which will look much more impressive at after-dark events), and a lighted mini vaporizer that adds a flame/smoke effect to the booth aesthetic (without the risk of setting off smoke detectors or accidentally burning down my booth😅).
It’s hard to fully appreciate it from the photo… so you’ll have to come check it out in person at an upcoming event if I’m in your area!
ARTWORK OF THE MONTH
Good Day to Read © 2025
Level 2 and 3 patrons can learn more about the latest featured artwork and watch me draw it from start to finish in an exclusive timelapse video.
If you aren’t already a patron, you can sign up for a free seven-day trial to access this video!
PATREON UPDATES
Subscribers get exclusive content emailed straight to their inbox every time I publish a new post! 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
• See the evolution of Book IV’s cover from the first version I shared to the alterations leading up to the final art
• Behind-the-scenes video exploring updates to the Project Alpha floor plan and why I made the design changes
• Publishing news and preorder updates
• First look at the new bookmark designs before they launched
• Early access to preorder Book IV
• Important message for Alpha-level subscribers regarding their membership perks in relation to Book IV (free collector’s bundle, name incorporated into the story, etc.)
• Timelapse video of “Good Day to Read”
$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 Trips: 10 Tips for Better Business Traveling
From packing to budgeting to networking, I share some tips I’ve picked up when traveling for conventions, book signings, and other business trips.
Book IV Preorders, Publication Updates, & More
Everything you need to know about the fourth novel in the Chronicles of Avilésor, including the next publication steps, preorders, anticipated timeline, beta reader feedback, and more.
RECENT EVENTS
January 25: 19th Annual Gardening Show in Valparaiso, IN
January 31-February 1: PopiCon in South Bend, IN
UPCOMING EVENTS
My 2025 calendar is still falling into place with pending applications! 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:
Friday, February 14, 2025
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 15, 2025
9:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sunday, February 16, 2025
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sheraton Lisle Naperville Hotel
Lisle, IL
Saturday, March 08, 2025
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, March 09, 2025
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Century Center
South Bend, IN
Saturday, March 15, 2025
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 16, 2025
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Porter County Expo Center
Valparaiso, IN
BOOKCON
Saturday, March 29, 2025
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
St. Joe County Public Library
South Bend, IN
FANDOM FEST
Saturday, April 05, 2025
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Grand Upton Hall @ The Mendel Center
Benton Harbor, MI
Friday, April 11, 2025
12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 12, 2025
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 13, 2025
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Kalamazoo Expo Center
Kalamazoo, MI
SOUTHERN INDIANA RENAISSANCE FAIRE
Friday, May 02, 2025
10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Saturday, May 03, 2025
10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday, May 04, 2025
10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Swifty Farms
Seymour, IN
SOUTHERN INDIANA RENAISSANCE FAIRE
Saturday, May 24, 2025
10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday, May 25, 2025
10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Swifty Farms
Seymour, 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
20th ANNUAL GARDENING SHOW
Saturday, January 31, 2026
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Porter County Expo Center
Valparaiso, IN
SHOP
If you can’t catch me at a local event, my website is the next best place to shop! Many of my products are available online, 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!
