The house is peaceful, the light is low over the bare trees, and I’m taking a moment to reflect back on the roller coaster of 2024, which was filled with major life changes and adventures. As the new year slowly awakens, it’s also the perfect time to put into writing what I want from myself in 2025.

The end of the year is the perfect time for reflecting, so I delved into my archives to look back at the earlier ideas of what I thought Lishka might look like. I found old covers I had very roughly created, one of the first blurbs, and the very first ideation of the mage’s mark.

Lishka is finally published, making me an author! After 18 years of creating my debut fantasy novel, it's pretty exciting to finally realize this dream. Of course, me being me, the final stages of publishing were filled with a few bumps... and rewarded with an amazing reception.

Devouring other authors’ delicious words is one of the best ways I can get inspired to write my own. So far this spring, I’ve read a mix of fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi. Check out what I’ve been reading to get ideas for your own TBR list!

Here we are on the road again! After seven years of living in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, we are ready for our new adventure. But moving across the country after being settled for so long, and with our little cat who has zero travel experience, is no easy feat.

As a little girl, I made my own books out of stapled sheets of paper with scribbled drawings for illustrations. Now, at the age of 37, I finally got to hold the first proof of my debut novel for the first time.

Lishka is slowly on the way to being finished after 15+ years. Read on for Autumn milestones: what was completed and what there is remaining to get ready for publishing!

‘Tis that time of year when the rain arrives, the wind swirls orange and red leaves into the streets, and mist creeps delightfully over golden fields. My favorite season, Autumn brings wistfulness, a cozy resettling indoors, and the sense that things are about to happen…all in all, a perfect energy for productive writing.

The summer escapades continue with another glorious adventure paddle camping in the North Cascades. I also made a little more headway researching self-publishing, and almost got scammed in the process.

What summer would not be complete without some road trips, backpacking, and reading in the hammock. Oh, and I suppose I’ve been making a smidge of novel progress too.

Hiring a professional for the final edit of my debut novel will give me that extra bit of confidence to self-publish. The problem? I had no idea how to find the right person for the job. After an overwhelming Google Search and assessing 26 applications, I learned a lot more about what I’m looking for!

When I made the choice to self-publish my debut novel, I thought the hardest part would be marketing the novel. I was wrong. There is something more subtle, more nuanced, that is beginning to raise it’s head as a challenge in doing this without the backing of a traditional publisher.

There is a certain energy that steals over me when I am thinking of resuming (or starting) a project. It slides under the skin, restless and itchy and excited all at the same time. Right now, that sensation is telling me: it’s time to start editing.

Spring is here in Bellingham! After taking a minor break from all things books, I’m starting to delve back into self-publishing research while I eagerly await beta feedback. Read on for more life and Lishka updates.

The larger Lishka’s world grew, the more I realized I needed a map to help guide the way. But where to begin?

An update on writing Lishka and on how we spent the holidays preparing for 2023.