Author: Madeline Crane

Fantasy writer, tabletop gamer, wearer of hats.

Song of the Week

Mazan Poshtarov, “Steppe of My Homeland”

Hello and happy Monday.

I had a lovely time at both Spooky Frog and What the Hex this past weekend! What the Hex was interrupted by a church group handing out flyers about how we’re all going to Hell, but they were eventually driven off.

I also realized that I’m seeing a lot of people who have already read one or more of my books! It is really great to recognize faces and be recognized in return, but I need to get some new material out! To that end, I’ll be trying to focus more on the comic than The Well Below the Valley for a little while, though you should expect new content from both to gradually make its way to you.

Last week’s episode of The Well Below the Valley will be up here on Wednesday for free reading.

The recording of The Book of the New Moon Door is finished and edited! I’ll be uploading it to the audiobook platform this week. Expect a release date soon.

Here are some petitions:

Via RAICES: Medical care is a human right

Via Justice Democrats: Hold Israel accountable and end the occupation of Gaza

Via Demand Progress: End violent ICE raids

Via Hip Hop Caucus: Stop using military troops and ICE to invade American cities

That’s all I’ve got for today. Stop by again soon!

New Patreon Post/ The Well Below the Valley, Episode 13

KURT:

In order to make any sense of what happened back at Milton’s, I had to start believing in magic, I guess.

It’s not regaining some childlike whimsy. I think it was more giving up on anything ever making sense again. 

ERNEST:

I’m…sorry. 

KURT:

Nah, don’t be. 

It’s weirdly freeing. 

As promised, there’s a new episode of The Well Below the Valley on Patreon! We’re concluding this arc (Chapter Two of the module) with a lot of violence, an escape in the dead of night, and a strange encounter.

Song of the Week

Loreena McKennitt, “Between the Shadows”

Good morning and happy Indigenous People’s Day!

I am running on very little sleep, but I should have the next episode of The Well Below the Valley ready today. It’ll go up on Patreon on Wednesday. I’ll also be starting a new page of Last Watch Before Dawn this week, in which we’ll finally get some dialogue!

The audiobook of The Book of the New Moon Door is coming along. I think I can safely say that it will be out sometime in November, hopefully early. I’d love to have it ready so that it’s available for anyone who needs something to listen to during holiday travel. I’ll update you as the process goes!

I’ll be out and about this weekend, so if you’re free and in the Milwaukee area, I’d love to see you! First up is the Spooky Frog Horror Book Fair on Saturday the 18th. We’ll be at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel from 11AM to 4PM. There will be horror authors as well as artists and craftspeople, free hors d’oeuvres while they last, and a live DJ set by Goth Barge. Entry is only $5. If you’re going to the protests that day, I wish you power and safety, whether or not you can find the time to stop by.

On Sunday the 19th, I’ll be at What the Hex: Dia de Muertos from noon until 5PM at Dresden Castle on Underwood, Cudahy, WI. Entry is only $3 and gets you access to the market, live performances, and workshops on magic and healing. What the Hex is always a fantastic time, so if you’ve never made it to one, I highly encourage it.

Some petitions:

Via No Business With Genocide: Stop the UAE from fueling genocide in Sudan

Via Civic Shout: Hold ICE accountable for civil rights violations

Via the National Campaign for Justice: Demand governors fight Trump’s attempts to deploy their National Guard

That’s all I’ve got for today. Take care, stay warm, and stop by again soon!

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 4

I tried all those fancy brushes last page, and I honestly think I like the simpler look better: just the one brush, using cross-hatching for texture and in-between shadows. I’m interested to know your thoughts.

Here we have a big sci-fi reveal. Image below the cut:

Continue reading “Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 4” →

Song of the Week

Sinéad O’Connor, “House of the Rising Sun” (traditional)

Good morning! This is my favorite version of “House of the Rising Sun,” so I hope you enjoy.

I have a new page of Last Watch Before Dawn for you, and it will be up tomorrow. I’m working on the next episode of The Well Below the Valley.

I also have some very exciting news, which is that The Book of the New Moon Door will be available as an audiobook soon! I’ve been working with two talented and hardworking voice actors, and they’ve just finished the recording. I’m hoping for a Halloween release! I’ll update you as we go. I’ve maybe mentioned the audiobook before once or twice, but I didn’t want to promise anything before I had an idea of the timeline.

Also, please mark your calendars for the Spooky Frog Horror Book Fair on Saturday, October 18 and What the Hex: Dia de Muertos on Sunday, October 19!

Here are some petitions:

Via Win Without War: Don’t silence dissent with tear gas

Via Ekō: Protect the Sumud Flotilla now

Via The Intercept: Demand Big Tech cancel contracts with Israel’s government

That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by!

The Well Below the Valley, Episode 12: Sundown

A bleak, leafless tree against a sepia-toned sky. Text reads: Space Whales Press presents The Well Below the Valley, an audio drama

Table of Contents

Dramatis Personae
(in order of appearance)

Inspector ISKANDAR Meshkia, former Ottoman cavalry officer. Male, late 30s, strong Turkish accent.

JASMINE Indrani, practical ex-academic. Female, late 20s, could have a British or Indian Accented English accent.

KURT Cross, reluctantly courageous private eye. Male, early 30s, New York accent. 

MARJANI Kaur, director and doctor of the women’s home. Female, early 30s, could have a British or Indian Accented English accent.

VIOLET, a resident of the women’s home after her house was lost in a fire. Female, 50s, Northern English accent. 

BELLA, the young daughter of a women’s home resident. Female, four years old, Northern English accent. 

WINIFRED, Bella’s mother and a war widow. Female, mid-30s, Northern English accent. 

Dr. ERNEST Wilde, who far prefers the boring routines of his lab. Male, early 30s, Northern English accent. 

JONATHAN Martel, defender of the Westmont estate and its young mistress. Male, mid-50s, Northern English accent. 

Eloise “ELLIE” Westmont, who wants to keep her past and present lives separate. Female, mid 20s, posh British accent. 

AURELIA Westmont, less than blissful in ignorance. Female, late teens, posh English accent.

JAMES MacDonald, refugee from the ransacked bookshop. Male, early 30s, Northern English accent. 

Sheriff Norbert OAKS, cult enforcer. Male, mid-40s, Northern English accent.

Richard LESTER and Charles PICK, Whitmoor police deputies. Both male, mid-20s, Northern English accents. 

Father John WHITNEY, Whitmoor cult leader. Male, early 50s, Northern English accent. 

MARIE Campbell, unwilling cult sacrifice. Female, early 20s, Northern English accent.

Scene 1: Int. Whitmoor Area Women’s Home – Night

MUSIC: OPENING THEME.

The music fades out quickly, leaving the tense, empty quiet of the house. A floorboard creaks above; MARJANI and the residents are upstairs, while JASMINE waits by the front door. We can hear her breathing softly. Distant, muffled shouts indicate the activity in the town. 

The loud, rapid pounding of a fist on the outside of the door breaks the quiet. JASMINE draws in a breath. 

Continue reading “The Well Below the Valley, Episode 12: Sundown” →

Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 3

This page kicked my butt and adding text in Photoshop is not exactly a nightmare, but more like one of those frustrating dreams where you’re trying to do a simple task and your brain keeps generating obstacles.

I’m still working out the art style and used some fancy brushes for this one. Let me know what you think.

Below the cut to save your RAM:

Continue reading “Last Watch Before Dawn: Volume 1, Page 3” →

Song of the Week

Kira Mac, “Hellfire and Holy Water”

Good morning! I have new content for you!

The latest episode of The Well Below the Valley is up on Patreon now, and on Wednesday it will be up here for free reading. I am putting the finishing touches on the next page of Last Watch Before Dawn, and it will be up later today. The next page is a single panel, so I’m hoping to get it out this week as well.

I’ll also be writing the newsletter today, and that will go out tomorrow. If you’re not signed up and would like to be (it has cat pictures), here’s a link. Be sure to check your inbox for a confirmation afterward.

Some petitions:

Via National Campaign for Justice: Birthright citizenship must be protected

Via Win Without War: Stop Trump’s march to war in Latin America

Via Drop Site: Grant safe passage to the Global Sumud Flotilla

Okay, I think that’s everything for right now. I love and appreciate you. Stop by again soon.

New Patreon Post/ The Well Below the Valley, Episode 12

KURT:

With an antique sword and one and a half guns? 

That’s not a good idea. 

ISKANDAR:

You don’t have to come with me. 

KURT:

That would remove one entire gun from the equation. No. 

Hey, look at that! I have a new episode for you a little earlier than anticipated! You can find it on Patreon.

My Patreon is only $3 a month, or you can purchase individual episodes (or bonus comic art images) for $3 each. If you don’t have $3, don’t worry, this episode will be up here for free reading next week.

Song of the Week

Khaled, “Alech Taadi” (from The Fifth Element)

Hello again!

I had a lovely time at the last Kenosha Book Festival of the year. It was still pretty hot, but the rain stayed away. Next month, I’ll be heading to the Spooky Frog Horror Book Fair and another What the Hex! More on that later.

The last couple of weeks have been difficult for me in terms of work; I managed to qualify for a home weatherization program, so I’ve had a crew coming in and out of the house and disrupting everyone’s schedules. I’m very grateful for the assistance, and will be even more so when winter hits, but it did prevent me from getting all the writing and drawing done that I wanted to (and poor Shepard, my small and cowardly cat, hid in the basement ceiling for the better part of several days).

That being said, I think I can get the next page of Last Watch Before Dawn done this week, and the latest episode of The Well Below the Valley should be out next week. I appreciate your patience.

A couple of petitions:

Via Drop Site: Grant safe passage to the Global Sumud Flotilla sailing to Gaza

Via Doctors Without Borders: Stop the Genocide, let Gaza live

As always, thanks for stopping by! I’ll be back again soon.