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 photo of frost on the window of my front door last month. Nature is beautiful!!
BOOK UPDATES
Chronicles of Avilésor (Book IV: Lab Rat)
The manuscript is still with the line editor, but I expect to have it back within the next week or two if everything stays on schedule.
In the meantime, I’ve been busy these past few weeks working on:
Formatting the interior file for the hardcover so it’s ready for the manuscript after edits are done
Submitting a request for a Preassigned Control Number (PCN) from the Library of Congress so the book has its LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number) at the time of publication
Assigning ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers) for all three media types of Lab Rat (hardcover, paperback, ebook)
Working on the supplemental material that will be published in the back of the novel, including:
Character list - Currently at 203 entries and includes all characters that have appeared or been mentioned in the books, even if their name was never given but they served a role in the story (such as ghosts who battled the Alphas or raiders)
Pronunciation guide - Currently at 154 entries of relevant words including cities/towns/landmarks from the maps, character names, powers, types of kálos, Avilésian words, etc.
Glossary - New! My line editor suggested adding a glossary of terms as well. Currently at 414 entries… this turned into a MUCH bigger project than I was expecting! But I’m really excited about it and think it will be 1.) a helpful asset for readers who come across a term they don’t remember and need a quick refresher, and 2.) a fantastic resource for the fans who love worldbuilding and want to take a much deeper dive into the lore. Here’s a teaser I shared on social media:
Still on my to-do list:
Finish the back cover art for the dust jacket
Draw the final Project Alpha floor plan in ink, then bring it into Photoshop for touch-ups and text overlay so it matches the other maps for the series
Take an official author photograph for the “About the Author” section
No rest for the weary! Patreon subscribers have been getting periodic sneak peeks behind the scenes while I work to see the less-than-glamorous parts of book publishing I don’t share on social media.
Lab Rat is sitting around 161k words right now (compared to AFH at 154k, PM at 194k, and BOTE at 204k). That count could go either up or down, depending on the line editor’s feedback.
The supplemental material is estimated to add a hefty 10k to that word count. I’m really glad that I ended up splitting the manuscript, as it would have been WAY too big to support all of this bonus content if I’d left it at the size it was. Once the line editor is done with the manuscript, she has agreed to work with me on proofreading and editing the supplemental materials.
As a reminder, the Book IV preorders are LIVE on my website! These preorders are for a special collector’s bundle that includes a numbered hardcover from the first print run, a bookmark featuring the cover image, 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 last month’s 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.
BOOKMARKS
The new bookmarks are now available on my website in addition to my event booth! Each one features the artwork and corresponding eye from its book cover… including Book IV’s design, which hasn’t been published yet (and may undergo some minor tweaks in future batches, depending on small updates to the book cover after I receive the proof copy).
NEW KIT EMOJI
This ended up being a last-minute project I put together in time to celebrate my assistant’s birthday at the end of February… but Birthday Kit has joined the emoji collection on Discord!
This will eventually be available as a sticker (possibly also a keychain? I haven’t decided yet). But it probably won’t be here for a while since I order my stickers in bulk and need to get a variety of designs together for my next order.
As a reminder, Level 2 and 3 patrons receive the full Kit emoji sticker collection for free, including new designs as they’re released, as part of their membership perk.
NEW CARLISLE LIBRARY ART DISPLAY
If you stopped by the New Carlisle Public Library recently, you might have noticed some familiar art on the walls!
After seeing my booth at Rebel Art Fest in South Bend last year, the library had contacted me to ask if I’d be one of their featured local artists for a month. My work was on display for most of February.
FREE SHIPPING (FOR A LIMITED TIME!)
Since I didn’t have an event this weekend, I decided to waive the shipping fees on my two websites (so it’s almost like buying directly from me in person)!
That promotion has been extended through Tuesday, March 5th, so there’s still time to take advantage of the free shipping! Use promo code SNOWDROPS when placing your order.
ARTWORK OF THE MONTH
Sorrow © 2025
There’s a story behind this one, which took a drastically different turn than I was expecting. I decided to create an angel to accompany “Broken,” which I drew last fall (on the right). However, my original plan was to try and create an artistic visualization of brain fog… but the art decided that it needed to be something else, so I let the process guide me. It wasn’t until after the piece was finished that I had to step back and determine what emotion I’d captured. “Sorrow” felt appropriate. It also echoed the heart shape from “Broken” in both the legs and the wings, making it an excellent companion piece.
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
• Character Q&A with Agent Kovak (question submitted by a patron)
• Glossary updates, stats, and information about what to expect in this extensive new resource coming soon
• Deleted scene from Book II - the original introduction of A6 to the people of Phantom Heights, cut so early in the first draft that Trey wasn’t a character yet
• Behind the scenes of the interior file formatting process and first look at LR’s chapter headings being created
• Birthday Kit emoji launch/announcement
• Timelapse video of “Sorrow” + details about the inspiration and challenges when drawing the art
$5 a month isn’t much, but these small subscriptions really do add up and help me cover the publishing costs for upcoming books in the series along with other business expenses such as vendor fees, 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: Finding Your Unique Display Aesthetic
I accidentally started my reputation as “the girl with the black feathers” and have gradually built my booth’s display aesthetic over the last few years.
Vendor Advice: 10 Tips to Find Great New Events
When I’m hunting for new events to add to my calendar, these are some of the factors and red flags I watch out for to try and gauge the potential success (or failure) of an event.
RECENT EVENTS
February 14-16: Polar Vortex Game Convention in Lisle, IL
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:
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
CHESTERTON'S EUROPEAN MARKET
Saturday, May 10, 2025
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Broadway & Third Street
Chesterton, 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
CHESTERTON'S EUROPEAN MARKET
Saturday, August 16, 2025
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Broadway & Third Street
Chesterton, 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 amazingly creative woman — to make 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!
