Happy New Year, book friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have fun plans to ring in the new year. Today, I have plans to work on a portrait painting I started back in October, and I really hope to finish it soon. Then later today, I’ll be celebrating New Year’s with my family.

2023 was a wild and exciting year for me, especially with the new release of my second book, The Wraiths of Arjun. What I am most looking forward to in 2024 is launching my new YA Steampunk Gothic Horror series, HEARTSMITH.

December Wrap-up:

Last month, I wasn’t able to finish the first draft of The Ghost’s Gambit, book 3 in The Iron Kingdom Series. So that is now my goal for the beginning of the year. Life was really hectic during November and December, leading up to TWOA’s release, plus all the disarray in my household with not having heat or hot water, which we still don’t have. But I’m hoping things slow down in January so I can devote more time to book 3’s manuscript. I’m nearly there, so I just need to sit down and hammer out my ending.

I also took part in an author party with the Facebook group The Queen’s Library and got to feature The Wraiths of Arjun. It was a blast sharing all the insider details for the story, my inspiration for it, character moodboards, and games themed to my story. Hopefully, I can participate in one in the fall when Heartsmith releases.

Exciting News!

A picture book I illustrated for a dear friend of mine, Fred J. Fisher, is getting published by Caterpillar Books (A division of Monarch Press). The days leading up to this announcement for The Mountain of Gold were bittersweet as I recalled the time I spent working on this project with Fred. This will be my picture book debut, and it’s slated for an early 2025 release. I can’t wait to share it with you all in the future!

Upcoming Events:

Join me at Barnes & Noble in Medford, OR for a book signing for my new YA Epic Fantasy, THE WRAITHS OF ARJUN. Hardback and paperback copies will be available for purchase at the signing table. I will have free goodies to share out as well. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and signing your copies! Mark your calendar so you don’t miss it!

Live Podcast Episode:

The Ink Mages are going LIVE! Joining us will be returning authors Nathan Keys, X Zombie & Mikel Melwasul. There will be GIVEAWAYS & a chance to ask us your burning questions. IT’S GOING TO BE EPIC!

Event date: Jan 5, 2024 at 7PM EST on The Ink Mages YouTube Channel. Check out our latest episode to keep your holiday spirit bright, here: YouTube: https://youtu.be/EL09trP0xCo?si=ZQ5g1Vliy06aInpM

It’s wild that I can say I have two published books out in the world! If you haven’t read The Iron Kingdom Series and are looking to start something new and exciting this year, then check out my YA Fantasy series. It has everything you could want in a story: action & adventure, mystery, buried secrets, a hero you can’t help but love, a bit of romance, multi-POVs, antihero POV, friends/enemies to lovers, deadly curses and monsters, found family, high stakes, and the importance of community and friendship.

And if you have read The Conjurer’s Curse and The Wraiths of Arjun, please do me a huge favor and leave a review. They help encourage other people to read the books, and increase my ranking on Amazon, which is huge!

And if you’d like a chance to win a FREE ebook of The Conjurer’s Curse, check out this book review for TCC on Carol’s Baldwin’s Blog and leave a comment. Click link below to enter!

Signed Copies:

Also, if you’re interested in getting signed copies of my books, I’ve now made that available through Paypal. Just click on my linktree, and you’ll find the link at the top. I’ll include a bookmark and sticker too (while supplies last!)

Thank you, book friends, for supporting me, encouraging me, and for reading my novels. You mean the world to me. I hope you all have a wonderful January and a Happy New Year!

-Stephanie Cotta