Bittersweet Tastings and Complimentary Book Recs
Life Updates:
It’s been a little over a year since I have messed with a newsletter or blog post. While my website has remained updated, I admit I have neglected this part of being an author. Of marketing. Readers, you have my sincerest apologies and I do intend to be better about this.
This last year has been a whirlwind of bittersweet tastings. Life has dealt me blessing as well as several losses. My grand parents passed, one peacefully and the other suddenly and painfully. Friends and family moved far away. It has been a lot to juggle while also keeping up with writing and a full time job.
Most recently I had to make the hard decision to let Finn go. You’ll know my sweet corgi from my social media videos who has been my companion for over the last decade. He had tumors on his brain that were causing destructive seizures and in his last visit to the ER (that resulted in him being unable to walk) they found another tumor on his spleen. He was tired. He was hurting. It was a hard decision to make, but the right one nonetheless. I miss him like hell.
Last year, I started my own publishing house called Finnegan Publishing Group. In hindsight I’m glad my boyfriend suggested using Finn’s name so that his legacy would live on. Though he is no longer with us, FPG is doing quite well. We had our first successful Kickstarter over the summer and will be releasing our first anthology: As Above So Below: An Indie Author Dark Fiction Anthology this October. We have a few final things to print before getting the books and other goodies into the mail and into readers’ hands.
Curating this anthology has been a wild ride and something I was struggling to handle on my own. I’m thankful and blessed that the people who did offer to assist did because without them this would have been a much more difficult accomplishment. Fleur DeVillainy, who you might recognized as the author of Sky of Thorns, was one of these kind souls to assist with many aspects of this project. (Thank you with all my heart! You are a literal saint!)
I anticipate to have the anthology in readers hands very soon!
Writing Updates:
The Apostasy: Hymn of Sun and the Moon and prequel to my Revelation series is well on its way. I received the first round of edits two weeks ago and have been making a few developmental edits before forwarding it to Beta Readers. Readers, if you’re interested, applications are open! Keep in mind this is not the same as being an ARC reader, but you are welcome to apply for both.
India Lee, who has done the cover art for ATB and THW, is nearly finished with the cover for The Apostasy and let me tell you…it is incredibly striking. I’ve always admired her work, but this one truly takes the crown. It has been killing me to not share the drafts with you all.
For those of you unfamiliar, The Apostasy is a dark fantasy romance that takes place right before Leah’s story does. You can read the first two chapters here. I have a slew of character art coming your way!
I’ve also decided to name the world in which I’m writing. Something to put both Revelation and Hymn of the Sun and the Moon under. I’m playing around with a few ideas, but if you have any suggestions of your own, I’m all ears. Maybe if I like yours I’ll even treat you to something special.
Last, I am working on a dark romance novella. I’m about 10k words in and am hoping to have the first draft completed in the next month or two. While writing this I am writing book two of the Hymn of the Sun and the Moon and making active notes for Revelation 3. Oh, and did I mention I have another secret project? I’m also actively working on book one of a new duo logy that will take place on Earth in the 1800s, and no, it doesn’t have anything to do with angels or demons.
Book Recs:
It’s officially fall and that means it’s time for a new round of book recs! Specifically spooky book recs (or some that are just my personal favorites!)
Dark Romance:
The Poisoner by IV Ophelia (she is also running a special edition Kickstarter here.)
If I Had A Heart by Ariella Isabella
Horror:
A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson
Starling House by Alix E. harrow
So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
Fall - Romantic vibes:
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
Personal Favorites:
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
Sky of Thorns by Fleur DeVillainy (Her second book has a Kickstarter here.)
Thank you dear readers, for all of your love and support, and most importantly your patience. To stay up to date on daily maters be sure to follow me on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok under the handle: @shewriteswithknives
I’ll write to you soon!