Title REVEAL and other updates

It’s been a while since I’ve sent out an update. When I’m heads-down writing my next book (and working—I still have a full-time job that is NOT writing novels), I honestly forget that I have a blog. And readers who might want to know what I’m up to.

But now that I’m in revision mode on the first book of my debut fantasy series, I feel like I owe you all an update.

So here it is—I’m revealing the title of the first book in the series.

Drumroll, please…

The Healer of Fóthraka

Oooh. Exciting, huh? And before you ask, no, I don’t have a title for the series yet. Just the first book for now. And maybe an idea for the second book (how does “The Keeper of Túr” sound to you?).

Writing fantasy is a whole different beast than the other novels I’ve written so far. It’s stretching me as a writer, but in good and fun ways. I’ve written almost as many trash practice chapters as real chapters at this point, but I learn something useful about the story and my characters with each one. I’m also spending a lot of time writing lore and backstories and scenes that readers will never see (sorry!), but the more I can make sense of the world and characters in my own mind, the more capably I can guide you through their stories.

My amazing cover designer, Abi, is already brainstorming the look for the series. When I have a cover to reveal, you’ll be the first to know!

Last thing, unrelated to the fantasy series: 680 Miles Away placed in five(!) different categories in the 2024 Incipere Awards from Entrada Publishing. It won First Place in the YA Christian, YA Literary Fiction (Clean), and YA Romance (Clean) categories, and Second Place in the Literary Fiction (Clean) and Women’s Fiction (Clean) categories. Woohoo! 🎉