Getting Newsy
It's probably time for some updates
You get a little less resilient as you get older. It’s been over five weeks since Caged in Silver released and I still haven’t fully recovered. I am t-i-r-e-d. For the two weeks after release day, I did nothing but jigsaw puzzles and coffee runs. I’m past that phase now, thankfully, but I’m still searching for that same peace I felt when drafting and revising book one. That sweet, innocent time before the Instagram frenzy and the giveaways and the newsletters. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the excitement of becoming a published author, of seeing my book baby in print and holding her in my hand, of talking to readers about Leo and Betts (and Rime, always Rime). But it’s hard for me to create in that mode. I may just have to go into a cave for a few weeks to properly revise book two, definitely to draft book three.
Writing Updates
As of right now I’m aiming to have book two (which I’m about 98% sure will be named Harnessed in Gold) out in early 2026. This is assuming, of course, that I don’t hit any major roadblocks in editing or in life. I also want to make sure I give my wonderful beta readers time to get me their feedback without rushing them.
I’m participating in a few more giveaways this fall (for some author friends’ releases), an interview, and hopefully at least one “Stuff your Kindle” day. I’ll announce these as they get closer.
I’ve got some more character art coming!! Rime has been commissioned and I hope to reveal him in September. I’m tempted to throw in one more character (as a birthday gift to myself). Who would you love to see?
Reading Updates
So many author friends are releasing books this fall. I’ve beta or ARC read all of the following (except Nameless which is a future ARC) and they’re amazing!
Shadow Girl Dahlia Amy
Magic & Murder in the Holler Sara Lilienfeld
Breaking Ruby Annabella Lowe
Whispers of the She-Wolf Pauline Walters
The Revenge Deal Kay Red
Diving in with Alioth Meghan Monarch
The Way of the Nameless M. M. Bartlett
As Boundless as the Sea Joy Peregrine (free serial here on Substack!)
Guilty Pleasures
My husband and son are back to school this week and I’m getting serious fall fever. I’ve been indulging in PSLs and crocheting a snuggly, fuzzy poncho. Hubs and I are also in a race to see who gets the furthest in Peaky Blinders. Yes, this is what a good marriage is based on. (He’s winning, btw, because he doesn't have a book to edit, lol).
I also like to up my witch game in the fall. We have some major house renovations going on (as in, a whole exterior wall coming out) and the vibe here is pure chaos. Once the work is done, a major cleansing will be in order, and some new protections—most likely sigils on the windows and doors.
What do you like to do to welcome in the fall? Do you like back-to-school season?
Until next time, thanks for reading!
~Mara
Ooh, do you have a link to the crochet pattern?
Liv!! (You haven't done her yet, right??)