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2026 Author Signings
And a Pirate Princess sneak peekš“āā ļøš
Surprise! I threw together a January newsletter because we have some news. Then Iām back to wintering while also editing Pirate Princess, a sapphic pirate/princess romantasy (title reveal coming this year and a publication date for 2027!). Hereās a new snippet from Chapter 2 for all you curious folks:

The rushing in Ceceliaās ears faded to a dull roar as the captainās laugh rang out.
āWhat do you think of my baby?ā the Terrible Ross asked, stroking the railing adoringly. The new coat sheād put on was positively ridiculous: frilly, a dark emerald brocade with silver accents. Underneath, she still wore the form-fitting white shirt with large sleeves, one torn. Where had she gotten another coat so fast? No matterāthat was the least of Ceceliaās concerns.
āYou did not tell me this was a flying ship,ā Cecelia said flatly.
āShe does like to show off.ā
Cecelia shook her head as if to rid herself from the ridiculousness. āWhatā¦what happened to my hands?ā
āThe ship made you hers. That is, you are a part of her now. I tried to warn you.ā
āYou did not tell me about this!ā Cecelia didnāt know where to level her disgust: at the railing, her hands, or the pirate herself. Right before her eyes, the holes in her fingertips were already healing themselves, and the blood washed away. Magick.
āPerhaps you should go back, then.ā The captainās lips twisted with mirth. She leaned back casually, her arms crossing her generous chest.
āNever.ā Cecelia said it first in defiance, but then it all came crashing down on her. The weight of what sheād done. She couldnāt return now that sheād broken some very stringent lawsāwith the deadliest of consequences. Still, she wanted to burn Greenhill to the ground for what theyād done to her. Sheād have to grin and bear it.
By the way, the first chapter of this book was published in Bardsyās first chapter anthology last spring! Stay tuned for more sneak peeks, etc.āI canāt wait to share more about Ross and Cecelia with you this year.


-So, in late fall, I didnāt realize that 2026 events are⦠very much booked up already (some places are accepting authors for 2027 now š¤Æ). Iām doing some local events around NJ/PA and Iāve been lucky enough to just be invited recently or accepted! I expect a couple more will come up too. Iāll keep you updated, and Iām also keeping a list on my website under Events! Visit that link for times and ticket info.
The first one Iām very excited aboutāone of my local-ish Barnes and Noble locations is hosting me on Jan. 25. If youāre nearby, come stop and talk to me about fantasy books and say hi!
By the way, a big thank you to everyone who is reading The Great Tree of Iris this winter and sharing with their friends and family and social media, and reviewing, etc. (Iāve said it before, but reviews REALLY HELP. Even just a star rating). I canāt say it enough. Your recommendations speak louder and spread further than my own ever could. ā¤ļø

Watching: We just finished rewatching all of the Lord of the Rings extended editions like we do at least once a year, and weāve moved onto some of the documentaries (which Iāve also watched a thousand times). The music ones are my favorites. It still absolutely blows my mind that Howard Shore created such a masterpiece that is the score of those three movies (Iām very partial to those over The Hobbit, but I do enjoy those movies, too).
Iāve also been enjoying Loot on Apple TV, and it took me a hot second to realize that Arthur is The Swede from one of my favorite shows, Our Flag Meets Death. I literally still canāt believe this is the same actor. Seriously.


Listening: My beautiful friend Zoe made me a Lia and Rory playlist. š„²
Crafting: I just finished binding (the edges) of a quilt and gifted it and of course promptly forgot to take pictures. This week, Iām hoping to start working on a wedding quilt (with cats on it) for our close friends.
Reading: I ended 2025 with 28 books read, which surprised me. For some reason, the last two winter breaks, I havenāt been motivated to read much. You would think that would be the perfect time, no? But I leaned into some other hobbies/activities (watching tv, Lego, playing video games, and editing my book).
Itās really hard for me to pick up nonfiction most days, but Iāve been re-inspired to finish Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green because itās fascinating and infuriating all at once.

Me ready to tell you how everything really is tuberculosis

Amber and I will see you in February! Maybe weāll do a little newsletter about worldbuilding. At least, thatās what Iām thinking. You can always reply and tell me what you want to hear more about!
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