Let's Talk Books

So far on this blog I have spoken about my book in veiled and non-specific ways. Part of that, quite a lot of it really, is because I have never really spoken about it at all. Not publicly, not like this. Part of that, as I covered in “The Last Draft” is that only recently have I got my manuscript to a point, I feel, is even approaching query-able. Part of it, the largest part, is that despite the time, the thought, and the work that has gone into this book, I’m still convinced no one will read it.

My new year’s resolution this year, in direct defiance of the millions of others doing the opposite, was to spend more time on social media. Specifically, it was to build the kind of following, or at least standing, within the online book community that would make me a good prospect for an agent. So far that just looks like posting on a blog I set up at 17, and haven’t used since 2018, and being incredibly thankful for the 2-5 likes I’m averaging per post (and I am thankful). Today, that also looks like finally talking about my book on the internet.

My novel is the first in a planned series, although I have no doubt it could be easily adapted to work as a stand-alone. The people I’ve spoken about it with have asked if it is romantasy, and to that I can only answer ‘I don’t know.’ To me it’s a fantasy book with romance, just as it is a fantasy book with friendships, with adventure, and with a pantheon of dark and light Gods. I will say that I have enjoyed writing the romances in this book as much as the arguments, the friendships as much as the conflicts; which I hope means they’re pretty fun to read. My novel is titled, at present, Heirs of Light.

Heirs of Light follows Elvetta ‘Elva’ Healtier. Princess of Forasia, healer, and High Priestess. As her 21st birthday approaches, Elva believes all she has to contend with is her upcoming arranged marriage, and the seemingly bottomless well of magic that dwells inside of her. If her power is revealed Elva will be deemed ‘Ruinmarked,’ a term for dangerous and unnatural Godsblessed magic wielders, putting herself, her family, and all of Forasia at risk. But just as she begins to reconcile her own dreams with a future she did not choose, the world around her changes. Tragedy, danger, strange creatures, and prophetic dreams ensnare not just Elva, but Royals and Gentry across the continent of Ourra. Elva, her brother Darius, their friends, allies, and even enemies, must learn how far they will go to protect themselves, and those who rely on them. Set in world where magic is Gods-gifted, fae and mortals live in tenuous harmony, and continent-wide conflict is only a bad political decision away, each of the POV characters must deal with the unique pressures of their own situation.

How’s that for a blurb? That’s a serious question, I’ve only ever had to write one once before. At any rate, this has been cathartic, if much more difficult than I had thought it would be. I don’t usually ask for engagement on posts, but if you’ve read this, and you’re a writer or a reader, let me know what you think.