New Patreon Post/ The Book of the New Moon Door: Part Two, Chapter Nine

There is something about armed guards under the sweeping arches and high columns of the churches of Alcos and Isra that unsettles him. They used to have knights, he reminds himself, whole armies of them.

The Book of the New Moon Door

The newest chapter of The Book of the New Moon Door is now available on Patreon! There’s a new chapter of THE BOOK OF THE NEW MOON DOOR up on Patreon! Berend is recuperating from his encounter with a serial killer and more ghosts than he’d like to count, and he discovers that the situation is even worse than he thought.

This chapter will make its appearance on the blog next week, but you can read it early and support my work (and my cats) on Patreon for just $3 a month.

Song of the Week

Cat Power, “Cross Bones Style”

Hello! I hope you’re doing well this Monday morning.

This will be a pretty normal week around here: new chapter of The Book of the New Moon Door up on Patreon tomorrow, and the latest chapter of Journey to the Water will be up on the blog Wednesday.

I do have two news items, though! First, I’m starting Twitch streaming again with the Tea and Sidequests channel. The plan is for me to stream Fridays and talk about some aspect of fantasy writing. This week, I’ll be playing Totally Accurate Battle Simulator and discussing fight scenes. On Saturdays, my husband/streaming partner will be doing exercise challenges.

Second, we have a new kitten! Her name is Shepard and she is four months old. She’s already helping me work (when she isn’t walking across my keyboard).

Shepard, a brown-and-gray tabby kitten, lies next to a laptop with both paws draped across the keyboard.
Editor Shepard
Shepard receives belly rubs while reaching toward the camera with black toe-beans. Her eyes are brown with a little blue around the pupil.
She is very wiggly and never stops purring.

Solaire isn’t sure how to feel about her, but I think with time and patience they will become friends.

As always, thanks for being here, and have an excellent week.

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: A Comparison

The title image for the serial version
The published version, sitting on my bookshelf

The version of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea that you can purchase and hold in your hands (or your e-reader) is the same story as the serial version that was published chapter-by-chapter here on the blog between 2019 and 2020, but it has been improved upon in several key ways! I thought I would spend some time talking about that process and the work that went into making it a “real book.”

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: A Comparison” →

The Book of the New Moon Door: Part Two, Chapter Eight

Rest

The Book of the New Moon Door cover image: A book with yellowing, wrinkled pages lies open on an old wooden desk, with a sprig of lavender lying in the center.

Table of Contents

Berend has, indeed, noted that Herard Belisia only wanted to do right by the girl his brother murdered after being cut off from his inheritance, but he can’t fault the man. He is, after all, a mercenary. By definition, his loyalty can be bought. Herard is buying it with promises, at the moment, and Berend’s conscience is heavy enough that he doesn’t need more. 

He can’t do anything for Bessa Kyne’s soul now. Not until Warder wakes up—and he will, Berend just has to believe it. His collection of incomplete, nonsensical, water-damaged notes crinkle and crunch under his arm. 

He’s headed for the city center, and the Lady Breckenridge’s apartments. Dressed in borrowed clothes from the hospital, he’s inconspicuous, but he looks over his shoulder every few paces, just to make sure. His ribs ache with every breath, and his steps are short, but he can walk. It’s midday, and the sun is warm and the wind is cool, and the first yellowed leaves drift down from overhead and skitter across the pavement. 

It’s a beautiful day, and he’s alive, after a second brush with death. He didn’t even lose an eye this time. 

Continue reading “The Book of the New Moon Door: Part Two, Chapter Eight” →

New Patreon Post/ Journey to the Water Chapter XVI

“We are charged with protecting King Sondassan’s heirs: his twin granddaughters. They are twelve years old.”

“An immortal king needs no heirs,” I said.

Chapter XVI: Betwixt Iron and Stone

Eske meets a potential ally as the island still threatens to come down around his ears in the latest chapter of Journey to the Water, now available on Patreon. A subscription is only $3 a month, and it supports my work and helps me keep my cat happy. You also support me by reading and sharing my writing! This chapter will make its appearance here on the blog next week.

Song of the Week

Susanne Sundfør, “White Foxes”

Happy Monday.

I was a child when patriotism began to mean unquestioning obedience, adherence to authoritarian religion, and the organization of the world into the deserving and the undeserving. I tend to let Independence Day pass by unobserved. If you’re celebrating, I hope you are safe and can enjoy some good food.

Nothing out of the ordinary to report this week: Journey to the Water will have a new chapter on Patreon tomorrow, and the latest chapter of The Book of the New Moon Door will be up here on Wednesday. In case you missed, it, Episode 4 of The Well Below the Valley went up on Patron last week.

I’ll be back on social media tomorrow as well. I’m sure everything there has been very normal while I’ve been gone…

As always, thanks for being here, and have an excellent week.

New Patreon Post/ The Well Below the Valley, Episode 4

Space Whales Press presents The Well Below the Valley, an Audio Drama, written by Madeline Crane. Episode 4: Spiritus Abyssi

The latest episode of The Well Below the Valley is now available on Patreon! It has some character backstory, some noir monologues, and some tomes of forbidden knowledge.

Journey to the Water Chapter XV: Under Salmacha

Journey to the Water cover image: three evergreen trees stand on a hillside, shrouded in bluish fog. Subtitle reads: the sequel to Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea.

Table of Contents

The man in the glittering black crown smiled at me, a paternal, placating expression that did not hide the devious hunger in his eyes. Whatever his purpose was for me, I was certain I would not like it. 

“After months of delays, the gods smile upon our city at last,” he said. “Where do you come from, champion? What thread of fate brought you here?”

I stepped back from the bars and crossed my arms over my chest. “If there is a task you wish me to perform in exchange for my freedom, then give it to me. I have no time to waste lingering here.”

“In due time, my friend.” His smile did not fade, and the flickering light of his torch deepened the shadows on his weathered face. He appeared carved of wood, a sinister spirit of the forest. 

Continue reading “Journey to the Water Chapter XV: Under Salmacha” →

New Patreon Post/ The Book of the New Moon Door: Part Two, Chapter Eight

Lady Breckenridge’s good name will protect her from any overt action, but a name isn’t armor. It isn’t a sword. It isn’t even as good as secrecy.

The Book of the New Moon Door

There is a new chapter available on Patreon! Berend is recovering and trying to get his bearings, and he receives some concerning news. If you’re not a subscriber, fear not, you’ll see this chapter here next week. If you’d like to read chapters a week early, consider subscribing! It’s only $3 a month and helps me stay afloat and keep writing.

Song of the Week

Omar Souleyman, “Mawal Jamar”

(He did not bury me, he did not bury me)

The Supreme Court decision came through while I was running errands on Friday. I still haven’t quite processed the fact that when I left the house, I had full rights to decide when and if someone else uses my body, and when I returned, that decision was taken from me and given to men I have never met, some of whom died a hundred years or more before I was born.

I’ll regain some semblance of those rights upon my death, when it will be illegal to take my organs without my prior permission.

In the meantime, there will be a new chapter of The Book of the New Moon Door on Patreon tomorrow, and Journey to the Water will have a chapter up here on Wednesday. I’m working on the latest episode of The Well Below the Valley, and that will be on Patreon later this week.

Take care of yourselves. I’m glad you’re here.