kae

Character art by the lovely @dominolucky.bsky.social ! Follow her!

State of the WIPs 2026 My biggest, most exciting news is that The Last Firstborn is on track to be published this fall!

My new job has taken over more of my life than I'd hoped, so blog posts have slowed way down. But I have good news about my WIPs! The Last Firstborn is going to be a real book this year!
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www.krholton.com/post/state-o...

The indie author sci-fi/fantasy/horror new release list: February 2026 Promo image includes: Hammerfall by Rob J. Hayes Emperor's Fall by Nick Snape The Identity Matrix by Jennifer Rahn Copper Skin, Oaken Lungs by Adam Bassett A Game of Kings by Steven Boers

It's February!

And there are new indie books releasing this month 😊
ajcalvin.net/the-indie-au...

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Writers too!

#WIPSnips - Jan 30 - Suggest

This snip is from The Last Firstborn, book 1 of my dystopian fantasy series, which is coming out this fall! Follow for brothers, prophecies, found family, and fighting the man!

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#WIPSnips - Jan 29 - Formation

How about a rock formation?

This snip is from Firstborn's Legacy, book 2 of my dystopian fantasy series.

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I froze. Understanding slammed into me like a prophecy. If there had been anything in my stomach, I would have vomited again. Vivienne was closer now. Her perfume blew towards us with each gust of wind. “Everything I said yesterday, we can still make that happen. You and I can lead this empire. You can raise the next prophet how you want.”

#WIPSnips - Jan 27 - Storm

Swapped for wind for this snip from The Last Firstborn, book 1 of my dystopian fantasy--coming this fall!

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I've been out of the #WIPSnips game for a while. My new job means I'm not consistently online on sun or mon to schedule the posts anymore. 😭

But anyways, here's a snip from Firstborn's Legacy, book 2 of my dystopian fantasy trilogy. Pretty sure I've already cut this bit in revision. lol #WriteSky

#fuckAI

Everyone deserves shelter, food, water & healthcare.

Even the people you don’t like.

Even the people you feel made “bad lifestyle choices”

Even the people who you don’t think “contribute enough”

Every person should have their basic needs met

This shouldn’t be controversial.

GUYS, it’s okay, relax, we have accrued enough punches on our FIFA Peace Prize Card, and it lets us have One Free Unconstitutional War Maneuver — and presidential abductions are not exempted, so it’s totally fine!

Tonight, the President of the United States has launched an unconstitutional war of aggression, dooming another generation to spill their blood for oil, and lay waste to a sovereign nation.

I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.

The Holly Tree & I Finally Have an Imagination Creepy · Episode

My friend, A. Hawk, got her short story read on Creepy, a #horror #podcast by Bloody FM! You can listen to it here: buff.ly/HL2LRzc (it's the second story) or read the text here buff.ly/zvQPyMB . The vibes are eldritch horrors meet new age yoga guru, and if that catches your fancy, check it out!

I stopped waffling and finally sent my book to an editor, drafted book 2, won at the RAWR writing challenge, plotted the overview of a prequel trilogy, and made some good writing friends. It's been a good writing year. ❤️

So, I talked about doing Revise with Me vlogs, but then I just dove into doing the revisions without filming anything. Oops. And now, interrupting my work with the camera seems really awkward. That said, it's been so fun to go back to the beginning of The Last Firstborn! #WriteSky #AmEditing

I was wearing a cassock robe again. Rhaz had had it commissioned for me from one of her favorite tailors, and the fit was perfect. The fabric was heavy but draped easily rather than constricting my movement like the old brocade ones I used to wear. The tailor had swapped the traditional buttons for snaps that were easier for me, made the collar shorter in the front so it didn’t cut my throat, and even given me extra pockets hidden in the side seams. Emblazoned on my chest in raised embroidery was my family’s crest—an open eye in the center of a stylized flame, meant to symbolize the phrase “by Polea’s light, we are able to see.” The textured thread allowed me to “see” it for the first time.

#WIPSnips - Dec 28 - thread

This is from near the end of The Last Firstborn, during the "main character finally claiming his power" phase. I love the idea of him finally taking his family's crest into his own use.

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Happy Holidays, from Peppermint Menace and the Rogue Writers!

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Lune arrived less than an hour later and exuded calm into the room with her mere presence. She absorbed my name, blindfold, and description as “tower boy” without any hesitation. “My name’s Lune. Can I take your hand?” she said in a soft, even voice. I reached out and gripped her fingers probably harder than I should have. “I’m a nurse at the hospital and I’ve treated water poisoning more times than I can count, don’t worry.” I trusted her immediately, despite Eno’s warning to stop doing that.

#WIPSnips - Dec 27 - Doctor

Swapped for Nurse because Lune, one of the side characters in The Last Firstborn, is constantly helping out the crew on her downtime. They'd all be dead without her probably.

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My goals are:
1. Publish The Last Firstborn, book 1 of my debut dystopian fantasy trilogy
2. Revise book 2
2.5 (maybe twice)
3. Zero draft book 3
4. ???

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Eno tries to teach him to be street wise throughout the book. It kinda works, but you can't teach someone to not be an idealist, right? :p

Eno was strangely silent, but I could hear him breathing just a pace ahead of me. “Which way now?” I asked. He took a few more heavy breaths before he said, “Do you realize how many credits I could have gotten by turning you in just then? I could have walked you right up to that Merx meathead.” It hadn’t crossed my mind, truthfully. Polea had told me to trust this man, and so I had. “How many?” I asked. “Enough to pay for my water for months, probably.” “You said you’re not devout, but I think you follow Polea’s teachings better than some of my congregation.” “Don’t put that on me. It ain’t for Polea. I just got trouble with lost-puppy-types. Come on, we’re only a few blocks from Club Nectar.”

#WIPSnips - Dec 26 - Type

Aw, Eno's probably my favorite character from The Last Firstborn. Don't tell Levi.

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Editor @cknightwrites.bsky.social gave me the best Xmas gift anyone could ever ask for--an edit letter!

The Last Firstborn is one step closer to be realllll.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmEditing #AmRevising

There was a delectable smell wafting through the air. It was a bit sweet like caramelized onions, but rich with cream. A plate was set in front of me by a silent waiter. “It’s like, one bite of food,” Wes said. “Like a dome of cheese or something, but there’s stuff inside? When you cut into it, juice spills out.” I appreciated him trying to include me, but maybe his descriptions could use some work. “Ah yes, this is one of our favorites here. It’s onion soup suspended in cheese dumpling.” Niklo’s gentle voice made it sound like he was trying to convince a toddler to eat a vegetable. “Fork or spoon?” “I like to just pop the whole thing in my mouth and eat it in one go.” That was Rhaz. She was sitting across the table and to my left. As tense as our goodbye had been, it was good to hear her voice, hear for sure that she was still alive. “Darling, don’t be rude,” said Niklo. It sounded like Wes took Rhaz’ advice but wound up with a scalded tongue. He spluttered and was making noises that were halfway between pain and satisfaction. “Polea, it’s delicious,” he said, sucking in air.

#WIPSnips - Dec 25 - Delicious

lol, little brother always gonna little brother

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Everything was blurry, bright, and out of focus. I was surrounded by a glowing, flickering ring but couldn’t make out the candles that must have been surrounding the dais. The staff in my hands was a long, black branch, polished to a sheen from centuries of hands of my ancestors. There was a smooth black stone set into a gnarl at the top of the staff. It was embedded there as if the tree had grown around it, rather than it being placed there by human hands. It was said to be polished obsidian. Though the stories of mountains erupted with liquid rock seemed like little more than a creation myth, I couldn’t argue that the stone looked otherworldly. The light of the candles didn’t seem to touch it. I was falling, like sinking into a pool. There was a current running beneath me—the flow of time—and as I sank, the current pulled me forward into the future.

#WIPSnips - Dec 23 - Stone

Levi having his first official prophecy in The Last Firstborn

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It didn’t take long for me to feel turned around. I missed the pylons in the tower that made a soft humming sound at each intersection and allowed me to navigate on my own. I even missed the handrails and the directions they provided with a simple voice request. I hadn’t realized how much I relied on those aids or how much more vulnerable I’d be in a place without them. My guide cane only did so much when the alleyways bent at odd angles or suddenly came to a dead end. I couldn’t keep wandering around like this. I could be headed straight back to the Merx Tower at this point. Based on what Marquez had said, I’d thought I’d had plenty of time to get into place before the assassination would happen tonight, but that margin was steadily running out.

#WIPSnips - Dec 22 - Angle

Levi's first trip out of the Merx tower is not going well so far.

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Donate to Help Kristin With Urgent Rent and Car Repair, organized by Kristin Dani I'm Kristin, a disabled artist who has been living off of commissions and de… Kristin Dani needs your support for Help Kristin With Urgent Rent and Car Repair

Hey bsky.

I really didn't want to do this, but I just need help. I can't see a way to get through my bills this month on my own. Commissions are open as well as my shop and I'm taking on all the work I can, but I'm not getting anywhere. Please consider helping me share.

gofund.me/8d24d1d24

Writers: *summarize their books with a few easy to read paragraphs on the back of the book or on the website*

Tech bros: our AI can summarize books and stories for you!

Writers: we already... Did that...

“Keep going,” Vivienne said. Could I stop? “The dart sticks up from her back and her death is agony. Lights blaring red and blue, sirens shining silver. She dies in the alley. Cops show up later. Not quick enough to save her. The sidewalk people avoid looking at the alley people, mostly. Especially when they’re dead.” “Levi, slow down. Feel your body. Feel your back pressed against the floor. Smell the incense, listen to my voice, and taste this water,” said Vivienne, giving me another sip. I took a deep breath and coughed. “There’s another in the alley, a star-crossed savior. He sees you, sees what you did. That’s how the police come.” “Sees who?” Vivienne asked carefully. Was it worth it? Marquez swore. “Told you this wasn’t gonna work out.” “Why did you lie to me?” I asked. Bold. Too bold.

#WIPSnips - Dec 21 - Silver

Levi finding his spine in the only way he knows how--giving just the right amount of information while he's interpreting his prophecies.

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“You look divine in that uniform,” she said, heels clunking on the floor as she came closer. “I was worried your shoulders wouldn’t fit into the robe without some tailoring, but it looks good. You fill it out better than Silvan did. He always looked a bit frumpy.” The cassock was tight across my chest, and the skirts had too much fabric that kept bunching up between my legs. I much preferred my normal robes—plain linen, no frills.

#WIPSnips - Dec 20 - Default

Lot of Vivienne-heavy snips this week. She's not even in most of the book, she just causes most of the drama. lol

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