Madeline Crane

I just read it! A fantastic afternoon read that packs a lot of characterization in just 65 (ebook) pages. My personal preference is for a higher scary:sexy ratio, but I still want 50 more stories about Vergil.

Audiobook news! It’s happening! As it turns out, audiobook platforms have some very strict file requirements. Over the course of this week, I have gone from knowing nothing about audio editing to learning ab…

spacewhalespress.com/2025/10/30/a...

The Book of the New Moon Door will be available in audio very soon! Watch this space for more updates.

“Fantasy is nearer to poetry, to mysticism, and to insanity than naturalistic fiction is. It is a wilderness, and those who go there should not feel too safe. And their guides, the writers of fantasy, should take their responsibilities seriously."

From Elfland to Poughkeepsie, Ursula K Le Guin

A still of Goliath and Elisa Mazda from the animated series Gargoyles. They’re in a close embrace, about to kiss.

Can’t believe there are 90s kids who give The Mummy credit for their bisexual awakening when these were out there FIVE YEARS earlier.

QRP your dark art

Song of the Week Guante & Big Cats, “Dog People” Good morning! I am almost done uploading The Book of the New Moon Door to Author’s Republic, which appears to work similarly to IngramSpark in …

spacewhalespress.com/2025/10/27/s...

Weekly update, plus a song! Includes audiobook news.

I was deep in academia then and didn't read much else, so it's definitely new to me!

👀

A small torbie cat sits on a black office chair, her feet tucked underneath her in a loaf position. Her face is turned toward the viewer, her ears pointed outward in a mildly perturbed expression.

A small loaf, full of concern.

#caturday

The Well Below the Valley, Episode 13: Daybreak Table of Contents Dramatis Personae(in order of appearance) KURT Cross, private investigator who has already seen too much. Male, early 30s, New York accent. Inspector ISKANDAR Meshkia, who still r…

KURT:
...I had to start believing in magic, I guess.
It’s not regaining some childlike whimsy. I think it was more giving up on anything ever making sense again. 

ERNEST:
I’m...sorry. 

KURT:
Nah, don’t be. 
It’s weirdly freeing.

spacewhalespress.com/2025/10/22/t...

Song of the Week Mazan Poshtarov, “Steppe of My Homeland” Hello and happy Monday. I had a lovely time at both Spooky Frog and What the Hex this past weekend! What the Hex was interrupted by a church gro…

spacewhalespress.com/2025/10/20/s...

Weekly update, plus a song

There is a church group outside scaring away our customers 🤬

Five Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot cards, all in reverse, positioned as though they are falling from the top of the image: the Emperor, the King of Cups, the King of Pentacles, the King of Wands, and the King of Swords. Text in block capitols: no kings, no dictators

I made this in order to participate in the demonstrations while also attending the book fair, but ended up not being able to use it because of printer issues. Maybe someone else will find a use for it?

#nokings #tarot

#witchsky #booksky

A display of books and Tarot art!

We're here! Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield, on the right down from the entrance!

#horrorbookfair #spookyfrogevents

Spooky Frog, Goth Barge, DJ Synthia A Horrifying Book Fair Over 45 horror authors, local vendors, and more! Saturday, October 18th, 2025 11AM-4PM | All ages | Free parking | $5 entry Sheraton Hotel | 375 S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield, WI Image of a speckled frog on an orange and red geometric carpet

What the Hex DIA DE MUERTOS A Día de Muertos-themed witch market featuring goods inspired by ancestral traditions and a vibrant respectful celebration of the dead October 19th 12pm-5pm $3 entry, children under 12 free Dresden Castle 3775 E Underwood Ave Cudahy, WI 53110 Image of a paper banner of cutout skulls in orange, pink, and yellow and black birds patterned with bones and flowers on a light blue background

TWO events this weekend! Come say hi!

"Journey to the Water" by Madeline Crane Online Fantasy Bookstore and Bookshop for Indie Fantasy Books

www.arcanetomes.org/2025/10/jour...

Journey to the Water is featured on Arcane Tomes! Check out the other featured books too.

Can do! Thanks for taking the time!

Buy my books ANNOUNCEMENT: The Book of the New Moon Door will be available in audio November 2025! Watch this space for more updates. Journey to the Water: Companion to Beyond the Frost-Cold SeaDecember 2024 Re…

You can find my books in many non-Kindle places, such as Kobo, Apple Books, or, like, Venmo-ing me $5 and I'll send you the epub.

spacewhalespress.com/buy-my-books

My second sword-and-sorcery is called Journey to the Water 😊

The Well Below the Valley, Episode 13: Daybreak | Madeline Crane Get more from Madeline Crane on Patreon

As promised, there's a new episode of The Well Below the Valley on Patreon! We're concluding this arc with a lot of violence, an escape in the dead of night, and a strange encounter.

www.patreon.com/posts/well-b...

Song of the Week Loreena McKennitt, “Between the Shadows” Good morning and happy Indigenous People’s Day! I am running on very little sleep, but I should have the next episode of The Well Below th…

spacewhalespress.com/2025/10/13/s...
Weekly update, plus a song. I'm going to two events this weekend: a horror book fair at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield and a witch market at Dresden Castle on Underwood!

A small torbie cat sits in the loaf position on a white couch, with a gray blanket in the background and a dark gray pillow behind her. She faces left, her small face in profile, and her eyes are closed. One ear is turned toward the viewer.

Small loaf spotted

#caturday

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 4 I tried all those fancy brushes last page, and I honestly think I like the simpler look better: just the one brush, using cross-hatching for texture and in-between shadows. I’m interested to …

New comic page!

LAST WATCH BEFORE DAWN is about found family and demon hunting, but right now it's mostly about the fantasy and sci-fi aspects of the setting coming together. Warning for a bit of nudity.

Website: spacewhalespress.com/2025/10/07/l...

Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/last-w...

Song of the Week Sinéad O’Connor, “House of the Rising Sun” (traditional) Good morning! This is my favorite version of “House of the Rising Sun,” so I hope you enjoy. I have a new page…

In this issue, you will find a song, some petitions, and some exciting news about an audiobook! Also, I'll be at the Spooky Frog Horrifying Book Fair and What The Hex: Dia De Muertos on October 18th and 19th, respectively.

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Peacehammer 40K: Paintinge litel miniatures of gardeneres, sculptors, academics. Trimminge hedges. Makinge friendes.

An orange tabby and white cat emerges from the mouth of a smiling cardboard jack-o-lantern, one paw on the ground and his head twisted around toward the viewer. He is licking the wooden floor.

Solaire got a new, Halloween-themed cardboard cat house. It came with some GOOD catnip.

#caturday

A painted background of mountains rising above blue fog under a yellow sunrise. Text reads: Praise for Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea. This was such a run read. It has great action, a solid plot, and a lcoestory that unfolds naturally so you actually care about the characters. I don't read mich modern sword and sorcery, but this book is definitely a welcome modernization of the classic genre I grew up reading. I'll definitely continue reading more in this series.

It's been a while since I checked around, so I was surprised and delighted to find this five-star review on Goodreads! If this sounds like something that interests you, BEYOND THE FROST-COLD SEA is available wherever books are sold, or go to spacewhalespress.com/buy-my-books

#swordandsorcery

Digital audiobook cover of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, showing a cardinal and beneath it, a bluebird placed upside-down so the two birds' feet meet in the middle. The images of both birds have been cut apart on vertical axes and imperfectly pasted back together.

#currentlyreading THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic landscapes described in poetic language, so it grabbed me from the start. Since then, the worldbuilding has been just excellent.

Pokémon moves my baby has learned thus far:

•Growl
•Bubble
•Lick
•Charm