I have to start off with an apology—I try to keep this newsletter limited to one a month, but I can tell you right now that I’m going to send a second one this month. The reason for that is good! I have a lot of good news to share, and I really hope you want to share my joy! But I also promise to keep the update a little short and just show you the goodies. Because trust me, this next email will be a good one, too, with even more surprises revealed.
Let me get straight to the point with today’s big reveal:
The cover for Full Speed to a Crash Landing!
You can find out more about the cover and the book by checking out the big reveal over on reactormag.com!
Full Speed to a Crash Landing is:
A fun, hilarious space romp involving secrets, heists, and sarcastic flirting!
Coming to hardcover on August 6!
Ada Lamarr is going to solve all the problems with explosions and jetpacks!
Rian White is going to try to make Ada follow the law!
Ada will simply not do that!
Basically, this book is Sherlock and Moriarity, told from Moriarity’s POV, but if Moriarity was a spunky looter with a spaceship who has an enormous flirtation with the Sherlock who works for the government. Also there’s more kissing and jetpacks, but less cocaine (for those of you who’ve not read the books, Sherlock sure did love his coke).
But Ada Lamarr is the smartest person in the room on the spaceship, and she knows it. Except when she meets Rian White, his sharp eyes might just be enough to cut off the mask of humor deflection and sarcasm she wears.
I shall be shouting about this book much, much more, but in the meantime, head over to Reactor to get some more details! (I love this book! It’s full of spite! I use a lot of exclamation marks with it!) (Also! The sequel How to Steal a Galaxy, which is a heist book that takes place in the futuristic space version of the Met Gala, is coming out this year as well! And the final book in the trilogy will be out early next year…which is all to say, get the books now because the sequels are coming at ya fast, and you won’t have long to wait!)
Speaking of covers, did you see the reveal for The Fate of Magic?!
Night of the Witch ended on a teeny, tiny cliffhanger (sorry, not sorry!), and I know many of you are eagerly anticipating the sequel to find out what happens next! I am so thrilled to confirm that this cover is just as pretty as NOTW’s cover, and the neon pink WILL be on the spine, just like NOTW has neon green:
The Fate of Magic is:
A magic exploration of medieval Germany, which seems to have a shortage of beds at the inn (there’s only ever one)!
Coming to hardcover on October 1!
Fritzi and Otto must save magic itself…but Fritzi is increasingly questioning whether or not wild magic is right.
A return to Trier, followed by some new German locations that are fun!
By fun, I mean creepy and weird AF!
Otto is going to protect Fritzi, but not if Fritzi protects Otto first!
I am so freaking proud of this book Sara and I wrote, and I really think if you loved the first one, you’re going to super love this one. I feel like a lot of Night of the Witch was making promises to you, and they all are kept true in The Fate of Magic. It’s swoony, romantic, hits all your favorite tropes, and it truly is a magical story.
Again, much, much more shouting about this book in future, including some more events where you can meet Sara and me!
Other Books & Secrets:
As many of you know, I have been hard at work…and all that hard work is culminating this fall. I will have FOUR traditionally published books out this fall. (And I’ll have two self published books out, too—the paperback for House of Hex and the serialized novel Darkness Fills the Void!)
You maaaayyyy have noticed that I have been teasing some other Big News. I’m not sure when the reveal for THAT news is coming, but it will be SOON. (And a few eagle eyed Star Wars fans have already spotted the biggest clue…but so far, only two people have guessed correctly!)
Upcoming Events
This Friday, March 8th, I will be at the University of Missouri in Columbia, talking about creative writing to teachers! If you’re in the area, please check this out and come say hi! I’m giving the luncheon speech as well as teaching a workshop blending DND dice rolling with writing.
On April 2nd, I will be at Malaprops in Asheville, NC, in conversation with F.T. Lukens as we celebrate their upcoming launch of Otherwordly, a fun YA fantasy about a skeptic and a supernatural being who make a crossroads deal and get far more than they bargained for. This is going to be a fun event, so join us!
Over on Patreon
This month is going to be the month I finally mail out stickers to my Patreons! In addition, perks include:
For the readers: We’re getting to the spooky bits of Darkness Fills the Void! I’m working with a graphic designer now who’s making some of the visual elements of this interactive, multi-media YA horror—by the end of this month, there should be new images you can scour for clues to see if the poltergeist is real or not…
For the writers: I’ve got some really in-depth posts coming your way, including a money talk that breaks down what I make in self publishing and how that helps me decide which projects go which route, a detailed analysis of my bookstore outreach marketing plan using cookies (really!), and a craft workshop in development.
Additionally, remember that all are welcome to join our Discord community of readers and writers! This Discord is a free way to join the conversation and community.
What I’m Working on Now
YA Fantasy proposal: SOLD—now to start drafting!
Marketing plans, events, and promo for The Fate of Magic and Full Speed to a Crash Landing. This is like a whole other full time gig, whew.
Last Chance to Save the World: The third book in the Full Speed trilogy, currently drafting. Edits for How to Steal a Galaxy coming soon.
Adult fantasy proposal: With publisher.
Darkness Fills the Void: YA horror novel set in Western North Carolina. Currently only available to Patreons.
House of Hex edits; paperback and ebook is slightly delayed after other projects got in the way.
Side gigs!
Weekly posts and videos about writing at Patreon
SNHU as an online adjunct in the MFA writing program
Accepting critique and coaching jobs with Wordsmith Workshops—in addition to doing Word Lab! Also, we’re starting live and in person retreats again!
Actively doing in-person school, library, and book fair events—book me for panels, signings, and workshops for both adults and teens on writing! If you’d like to get an idea of some of the programming I do, I describe it a bit here.
These covers look amazing! I can’t wait to read. I also feel so behind on my reading. I need to catch up quickly.
I LOVE the new covers, Beth! They're beautiful and I can't wait to have them on my shelves!!