Drea

Getting dressed to go talk to a venue about a book fair! Light a candle, burn some incense, sacrifice a chicken, or just think good thoughts for me.

In light of recent comments from Virginia Johnson of AAP Events, as well as issues with their stance on maintaining a safe space for their authors, I will be withdrawing from Book Blast Seattle and Getting Witchy in Salem. If anyone knows a book event in the fall accepting authors, let me know.

I just got the sweetest email from one of my accepted authors, and y’all don’t know it but you’re keeping me sane right now.

I mean, it could be England depending on the era.

Oh, you know, threats of invasion, attempts to overthrow the government and destabilize society. That sort of thing.

#FebruaryWorldbuilders. The Seers of Dawn stories take place across one continent. The kingdoms of Vasi, Veli, Adalar, Dayira, Miterathea, and Ropa all play one role or another. Earldolang is on the southern (different) continent, but we never go there, we just have to deal with their nonsense.

Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.

Offline today. See you tomorrow. www.standwithminnesota.com

Fun facts: Something only has to be 15 years old to be retro. It only has to be 20 years old to be vintage. The 80's were 40 years ago. 💋

Reading through SEAF entries was hard this year. Lots of good pieces, and a number of works that will be very good in the future, but just need more editing than our tiny team has time for. Lots of new writers, though, and I love seeing that.

“Carys!”
Startling up out of sleep, Carys flailed, briefly caught in the enormous feather comforter, but finally freed herself and hopped out of bed in her panic.
- Seer of the Strait, 2024

Sighing, Asil took Hasim’s hand. “You would be so much better at this. You’re passionate. Women adore you.”
“True,” Hasim said, and Asil cast his hand off in disgust.
- WIP, Lady of the Bridges

“Then I will welcome you into my home,” Carys said, feeling her chest rise and her shoulders straighten. “I will be honored to have you as a guest. And if there is a way to pull you back from the moon, then I will do whatever I can to help you.”
- WIP, Lady of the Bridges

“So, do you hate all women, or just me,” I asked without preamble as I approached him by the prow. The question startled him, and I saw his face relax for once. For three breaths he actually looked approachable, and all the more handsome for it.
- WIP, The Broken Crown

“How fortuitous that you realize that now,” Judex stated, materializing on the other side of the counter. “Perhaps you can avoid it in the future. Maybe even remember not to chase fickle noblemen who will forget you exist by this time tomorrow.”
- Seer of the Strait, 2024

“I pity the woman you do marry,” Carys said blandly.
“The entire kingdom will weep for her,” Asil agreed without a blink.
-Seer of the Strait, 2024

There, from what had been my own window, I saw fabric fluttering. It was Moira, waving to me, a scarf in her hands to make it easier to see. I waved back as more tears coursed down my cheeks.
-WIP, The Broken Crown

“I will feel tremendously guilty having denied you the woman you love,” Veysel said, that smile still there. “I hope it will not sour relations between neighboring kingdoms.”
-WIP, Lady of the Bridges

I like this idea! 1 like = 1 random line from one of my WIPs/ Published works!

Me last night: Worrying about my dumbass country is filling me with hopelessness and despair.
Universe: How about something at home to worry about?
Me: Sure, I... wait, no—
Universe: Too late! Get the car warmed up, you're going to the ER!
(Everyone's okay, but I'm at my limit.)

I really hate that map of North America where they’ve attached a handful of blue states to Canada and are like “this is the new country we should have.” 1) Canada doesn’t want us. 2) We’re just gonna leave people in Red State Hell due to where they’re geographically located? Not a good look.

We trust our eyes and ears. We trust locals, not corrupt federal officials or "news" outlets. We listen to what people say is happening in their city. We don't let other people think for us.

So my TT experiment netted me this lukewarm take today. I still don't understand why so many of y'all continue to think creators don't deserve to get paid.

I had someone tell me today that I should start identifying myself as neurospicy in bios, etc., because it would make me more relatable to my audience. Honestly, I just assumed y'all could tell.

I used to really love mods (especially for RPGs). Better hair, fun outfits, I'd scroll through Nexus for hours finding what I wanted. Now I'm like give me the one that makes the UI not janky and leave me alone, you're lucky I made time to play.

I've seen people doing their year end totals, and decided to take a look. I have told 250 books this year (not including giveaways, and missing a few cash sales at events). Last year it was 101. I may not be on a bestseller list yet, but that's progress, and I think I can be proud of that.

I have apparently transitioned from “this has to be in the mail tomorrow morning” to “or maybe you all can just be grateful when it gets there.” Happy holidays.

We went to a craft fair at a local high school today. Apparently it's the largest craft fair in the city, and is the ENTIRE first floor of the high school. 300+ vendors. Lots of fun stuff, though also disappointed at how many booths were just AI images slapped onto tumblers, shirts, towels, etc.

“I don’t like to read a series until it’s done.” Fine. Buy the book now, and don’t read it until the other ones come out. But if you want this series to be finished, someone needs to buy the early books.

I can tell I'm going to have to dig deep to find my inner silly goosery today.

"I pirate books so that I don't give Amazon money" is not the moral high ground some people seem to think it is. May I introduce you to libraries? Other books stores? Anything that doesn't support stealing from creatives who are barely making anything off that book to begin with?