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Is Netherford Hall a Cozy Romantasy?
We are now deep in the throes of ARC reviews for Netherford Hall, and while I try not to throw myself on the mercy of reviews, one observation from some readers has made me rethink this book a little. (The people who love this book really love this book and this post is not for them.) The end of the book is certainly fast-paced, but the majority of the book is not. Like the world of Jane Austen, from which it was inspired, the focus isn’t on high action, complex plotting, or angst and danger. It’s about relationships between characters, establishing their connections, demonstrating their problems, and seeing what happens…
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What is a gentlewitch?
We are quickly approaching the release date for Netherford Hall, and I’m currently busy working on the third installment, The Game of Hearts, right now, so my brain is thinking about all things gentlewitch. (Which is available to pre-order in paperback and in ebook–and soon in audiobook.) Now, this is a term I’m very familiar with. In fact, I’ve been writing so much about gentlewitches that I forgot it’s a term I made up. So, I wrote a little backstory about said magical beings, a la Tolkien’s “Concerning Hobbits.” What is a gentlewitch? To understand the Love in Netherford series, one must first become acquainted with the role of a gentlewitch in…
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The New Cover for QUEEN OF NONE is Here! (Plus Release Info!)
Most books and series don’t get a second chance at life. Indeed, when my publisher closed, not long after I submitted Queen of Fury, I despaired a little. This Arthurian adventure, the family saga, of the Queens of Fate, might never really come to a conclusion. Thankfully, I was lucky and that didn’t happen. Not only that, but I’ve been involved in the discussion of the re-branding of the cover and look of all three books coming out from Solaris next year and in 2024. I wanted something medieval, eye-catching, and representative of the Pre-Raphaelite inspired aesthetic. Thankfully, the publisher was on the same page! So when I got to see…
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From the Arthurian Lit Readings: “Sir Palomydes’ Quest” by William Morris
Arthuriana and the Matter of Britain influenced centuries of writers and artists, but many think of the Arts & Crafts movement and Pre-Raphaelites when it comes to the visuals. Few know, however, that William Morris himself was more than a painter–in fact, he was also a fantasy writer and poet (among many other things). During my graduate research, I came upon his poem “The Defense of Guinevere” and, ultimately, more of his Arthurian poetry work. Sir Palomydes has always been one of my favorites, the prince from the Middle East sent to Arthur’s court as a paragon of chivalry–who falls in love with Iseult but never gets her (thanks,…
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Kotaku: Vivienne Westwood and Video Game Fashion
When I was approached on Twitter about the opportunity to talk fashion icon Vivienne Westwood, who sadly just passed away, and video games, you better bet I jumped on the opportunity! Westwood’s style is both iconic and everywhere, and the result is an impact that goes far beyond the runway. (As a very invested RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, I can’t tell you how many times she’s been cited as inspiration for their amazing wardrobes.) There are few designers who can compare to Westwood, who pioneered the New Romantic style and then continued to work for decades, dressing stars like Doja cat and influencing anime. Personally, I love the work she…
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Gods of Londinium – A Decade of Reflection
By my reckoning, Gods of Londinium was drafted about eight years ago, finally. What I thought would be a relatively smooth road from draft to publication was not. As so many things in this industry go, the unpredictable and unexpected happened, and years later the book was without a home. Thankfully, we were able to re-release Pilgrim and get Gods into readers’ hands through Falstaff Books. Originally, the novel was called Watcher of the Skies, and it was even longer than it now stands (and it is no short story). I wrote the story because I was grieving, and I have always processed my emotions through the written word. But…
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Listen to Todd Robinson & Me on WHUP.FM – Plus See Us Tonight at Noir at the Bar!
It was an early, crisp morning, but an absolute pleasure to join Bob Burtman (Mr. B) and writer Todd Robinson at WHUP FM in Hillsborough to talk all things literary.
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Coming Out in Prose: Reflections on Pilgrim of the Sky, 10 Years Later
The truth is, I came out in prose before I came out in person. My debut novel, Pilgrim of the Sky, published in late 2011, is best described as mythpunk. The main players in the tale are all facets of god analogues–godlings, as they’re called in the book–searching for answers, plotting revenge and mayhem, and of course, falling in love. Maddie Angler, the heroine, begins her tale in Western Massachusetts (where I grew up) but quickly escapes into a mirror world of her own where people she knows and love might look the same, but certainly are not. There are obvious shades of me in Maddie (her love of art…
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Pilgrim of the Sky is up for Pre-Order!
That’s right, folks! Pilgrim of the Sky, my debut novel, is back at it again. Which totally makes sense if you’re familiar with the godlings. They get reborn again and again. The official release is on Thursday, September 22, but if you order the ebook now, you get $2 off. It’s particularly exciting to see the new cover because it’s a perfect companion to Gods of Londinium, which will be out this December. And let me tell you, I cannot wait to share Joss’s whole story with you. Gods of Londinium may take place on a single world, but it uses just about every inch. It’s high adventure on the…
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PILGRIM OF THE SKY Returns September 22, 2022
It’s a fortuitous day for my fellow Lord of the Rings fans. But yes! After ten years, I’m re-releasing Pilgrim of the Sky in advance of Gods of Londinium (which is landing this December). The new edition has some significant edits as well as a bridge scene between the books, connecting Maddie’s story directly to Joss’s. While they are direct sequels, they are certainly companion novels, and their covers both reflect the same aesthetic now, as well. Keep an eye out for preorder links soon!
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Audiobook Giveaway for Shelley Puhak’s THE DARK QUEENS
A giveaway for an audiobook of Shelley Puhak's THE DARK QUEENS.
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Catch me on the Worldbuilding for Mascochists Podcast!
Podcast goodness with Worldbuilding for Masochists.
