Stephanie Cotta

The Conjurer’s Curse is now Available!

The Conjurer’s Curse is now available! I am so excited that my book is out and getting in the hands of readers across the globe. I am truly amazed at the warm reception my book is receiving. It has been a joy receiving all the accolades from family, friends, and readers sending me pictures of receiving their copies. I love each one that comes in! I hope everyone enjoys reading Rowan’s adventure story.

The Book Birthday Launch Party for THE CONJURER’S CURSE was a blast! It was a costume fantasy party in honor of my YA Epic Fantasy debut, and it couldn’t have been more fun. Monarch Educational Services made it a very special event–one that I will treasure for years to come. If you missed the excitement from the Book Birthday Launch Party, you can watch it below.

Book Launch Party

My author interview with Ann Harrison from Inspirational Journeys just released today! I have posted it on my Facebook page, on Twitter, and Linked In, but I will include the link for your viewing ease. I hope you enjoy it and find something special to take away from it. Click below to watch.

Author Interview

Big News!

TCC won Literary Titan’s Gold Book Award! Literary Titan gave my book a glowing review and awarded it 5 stars along with giving it their Gold Book Award. I cannot fully describe how amazing it was to receive this news. But I can gladly proclaim that I am an award-winning author!

So, are you ready to dive into this adventure filled with action, fantasy fun, high stakes, and deadly curses? Then get your copy of THE CONJURER’S CURSE today. TCC isn’t just for fantasy lovers; it’s a story for everyone, of all ages to enjoy! Give a copy as a Christmas gift to a friend or family member! Here are two links to buy:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year!

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December News

November is over and December is here, which means THE CONJURER’S CURSE is mere days away from being out in the world! I can hardly believe it, and the excitement is beyond words! It honestly feels surreal. Since 2013, I have been writing books, and after nearly a decade, my eighth completed epic fantasy novel will be my published debut. I never would’ve predicted that happening, but I couldn’t be happier with where I’m at in my writing journey.

Throughout December be on the lookout for author interviews. During the month of November, I did three author interviews; one is out now on Instagram and can be watched. The other two will drop after December 6th, 2022, when TCC is out. Click the link below to watch my interview with Shelly Mack on her program “Meet the Author.”

Meet the Author

What else is new?

I have a merchandise store coming! It will be dropping any day now. I am just waiting on one of my samples to arrive so I can approve the design, and then I will go live with the store and share out the link. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it feels to wear attire with my book’s title on it. I am so excited to share the designs with everyone!

Also, as THE CONJURER’s CURSE is releasing during the holiday season, it would make the perfect Christmas gift for book lovers, fantasy fans, middle schoolers and highschoolers alike. If you wish to preorder or pick up a copy for someone, click the links below! It is available in Hardback, Paperback, and ebook. The ebook earned Amazon’s #1 Hot New Release label and was #1 in New Releases for Teen and Young Adult Coming of Age fiction, so don’t wait! Get your copy today and embark on Rowan’s gripping adventure.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

YouTube Channel

I have an official Author YouTube Channel now, and earlier this week, I released my first video. You can check that out on my website, below, or head to YouTube and give it a watch there. Give it a like/thumbs up and consider subscribing. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

My YouTube Channel

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year!

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16 Days Till Release Day!

16 days away! It’s almost two weeks until my debut YA Epic Fantasy, THE CONJURER’S CURSE is out in the world. It’s a perfect read for fantasy fans and readers looking for a character-driven story with adventure, multi POVs, a deadly curse, a doomed romance, and lots of tension and suspense!

As a little pre-release treat, I have a sneak peak of The Conjurer’s Curse available to everyone. So, if you’re hungry to start this epic adventure early, check out the Prologue for The Conjurer’s Curse. I am including the link below for your enjoyment!

Click to access the-conjurers-curse-print-4-1.pdf

Also, we are currently running a Goodreads Giveaway for the chance to win a free signed copy of The Conjurer’s Curse. The giveaway runs now up until release day (12/06/22). 10 free copies are available for U.S. residents. Click link below to enter:

Giveaway

Preorder your copy of TCC today! Or consider getting one for the book lover in your life as a Christmas gift! (After all, the holiday season is just around the corner!) The Conjurer’s Curse releases 12/06/22 from Monarch Educational Services LLC Boutique Press! Available for preorder where books are sold in hardback, paperback, and ebook. I can’t wait for all of you to embark on Rowan’s harrowing journey. The wait is almost over!

Preorder

Also, if you have not done so already, please consider subscribing to my newsletter. I don’t send out a bunch–one a month or so–so I won’t be flooding your inbox! Feel free to contact me through email or on my socials. I would love to connect with readers and fellow writers.

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New Book Review for TCC

There’s a new book review in for THE CONJURER’S CURSE, and it’s from Literary Titan! They gave TCC 5 stars! I absolutely love this glowing review. It is an incredible feeling knowing Rowan’s story is being loved by readers and literary publications.

Here’s a snippet from Literary Titan’s review:

“This story opens an impressive fantasy world where the magic takes its toll, and people fall prey to the conniving Conjurers who wield it.”

“Full of dynamic characters and nail-biting conflict, this story is an exciting ride from start to finish.”

To read the full review click the link below:

Literary Titan Review

We’re less than a month out until my debut YA Epic Fantasy releases on December 6, 2022 from Monarch Press. Preorder today and embark on Rowan’s fantastical journey to discover where he belongs and to break his deadly curse.

Preorder

One Month Away!

We are ONE MONTH away from the release of my debut YA Fantasy, THE CONJURER’S CURSE! I can’t believe I can say that now, and that my book comes out next month. It has been an amazing journey to this point. So many people have been supportive throughout this whole process: other writers, readers, family, friends, and everyone at Monarch Press!

More big news! To celebrate the countdown to release, we are offering a Goodreads Giveaway for autographed copies of THE CONJURER’S CURSE! Please go to:

https:??bit.ly/TCCGIVEAWAY

Also, if you have not preordered TCC yet, click the link below:

Preorder

Follow my socials for all the latest author news and more news on THE CONJURER’S CURSE.

Kirkus Review for TCC

The Kirkus Review just came back for The Conjurer’s Curse! I am thrilled beyond words and super excited to share tid-bits and NO SPOILERS … so you’ll get three sneak peek lines of the amazing review! Stay tuned as I’ll post more later as we get closer to the release date.

“In this YA fantasy, a 17-year-old outcast seeks a new life in his native land.” – Kirkus Reviews
“…reinforces the tale’s ultimately thoughtful take on how the curse placed on the siblings’ mother has affected their lives in different ways…” – Kirkus Reviews
“A rewarding fantasy about a family’s curse with strong characters.” – Kirkus Reviews

THE CONJURER’S CURSE has also received the 5 seal from Readers Favorite! So, if you’re itching for a fun story with twists and turns, action and adventure, or love epic fantasy, preorder TCC today! Available where books are sold. I can’t wait until release day! My YA Epic Fantasy debut releases on December 6, 2022!

Preorder

Bookworm for Kids TCC Review

THE CONJURER’S CURSE has a new book review!! I love what readers have been saying about my debut novel. I woke up this morning to find a glowing review from Tonja Drecker on her blog bookworms for kids! bookwormforkids.com. Here’s a snippet from the post:

“I can’t remember the last time I hit a true, epic fantasy. So, today’s read is exactly this type of adventure. The tag line on this one caught my attention: ‘To know him is to love him. To love him is to die.’ Doesn’t that sound ominous? While this read doesn’t promise dragons, it does hold magic, journeys, and adventure, it appears.

So, grab those swords because off we go!”

Read the full review here: http://www.bookwormforkids.com/2022/07/review-conjurers-curse-by-stephanie.html?fbclid=IwAR1NQk2dwu_RZbh_6Oj-hJcFZlKCJA7CTTxwNYithW4wKnQhUpxwoeTubUg

The Conjurer’s Curse is a YA novel but is also accessible to younger readers in the middle grade range! The rich world building, strong character development, and charming storytelling will take any reader, young to adult on an adventure you’ll not forget.

#TeamRowan #epicfantasy #yabooks #booksthatmatter #yafantasy

Reader’s Favorite Review for TCC

I got my first book trade review for THE CONJURER’S CURSE, and it’s 5 stars! I am blown away and at a loss for words. I swept all categories with glowing five stars!!!!!!! I can’t wait for readers to meet Rowan!

“I enjoyed The Conjurer’s Curse wholeheartedly! What I found remarkable about Stephanie Cotta’s story is that it could stand on its own without the fantasy elements, even without the magic, lore, and the alluring world that Stephanie had created. The fantasy elements served to complement a well-written and gratifying story. The plot was polished and the consistency between the events was present throughout the book. I liked Rowan. He was the type of character that you simply can’t dislike. He had his hilarious moments and was, overall, a kind but also flexible character. He wasn’t a cardboard cutout or one-dimensional at all. The other characters had depth to them as well. The fight scenes were incredible. Their choreography didn’t come off as half-hearted and Stephanie described the various battles clearly. Overall, this book was well worth my time, and I recommend it to readers who long for a fantasy with a memorable plot. I believe such readers will love this book as well.” Readers’ Favorite

Read the full review here: https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-conjurers-curse

Book Cover Reveal

COVER REVEAL! The day has finally come that I can share the cover for my debut YA Epic Fantasy, THE CONJURER’S CURSE! Out 12/06/22! I’m so excited for everyone to meet Rowan!

I must give a HUGE thank you to my publisher Jennifer Lowry at Monarch Press for conceiving this amazing cover. It truly captures the mood and adventure aspect of my story. The first time I saw it, even in its inception stage, I was blown away! I couldn’t be happier with how fantastic it looks. Thank you to Saii Book Covers for taking what we had and adding in magical touches, a more dramatic atmosphere, and that epic font! I love every aspect!

About the book:

Seventeen-year-old Rowan is a walking, breathing curse. He just hasn’t realized it yet.

Since birth Rowan has been the object of scorn in his village. The reason? He’s a dikyli—an outsider with albino skin and an ominous mark blazoned on his neck. So when his fourth guardian-mother is found dead, all blame falls on him, and he is banished before his life-draining curse can strike again. The only path left to Rowan is clear: He must discover who cursed him and alter his horrible fate, or forever lose everyone he loves.

From facing treacherous seas, soul-devouring Moonshades, and desert terrors, Rowan battles for his very survival to reach his homeland—the far off kingdom of Shandria, a land rife with hostilities. Dark surprises and back-stabbing betrayals emerge as two devious Iron Barons—who know the scandalous origin of his curse—plot to imprison him in the Mountain of the Damned with the rest of the accursed.

To make matters worse, his curse threatens to claim another life when he meets Tahira, a spunky, pertly persistent Shandrian who vows to aid him in his quest despite the overwhelming odds. Their alliance of trust and necessity develops into love—a love doomed to end in death if Rowan remains cursed. With the hope of a future hanging in the balance, he must overcome the greatest challenge of his life. For the only way to end his curse is to slay the Conjurer who cast the life-draining spell.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Stephanie Cotta / http://www.sdaniellacotta.wordpress.com

Hope – A Guiding Light

Hope is a common theme in my writing, especially my fantasy stories. This snippet from one of my unpublished works is a statement I truly believe. Hope carried me through the darkest, most agonizing chapter of my life. I fought a two-year battle through grief–grappling with the loss of my marriage–and the death of a dream.

Through it all, God was there, with me, cradling me within His love. Hope for a better future was birthed–a positive one–where I was living and thriving instead of existing in a cage of hopeless despair. It was no easy journey; I had good days where I felt strong, making good strides through my past trauma, and then I had days where I was utterly wrecked. On those emotionally hard days, I listened to worship songs and wrote poetry to battle through my grief.

I know hope, at times, can feel elusive, especially when you’ve lived under the weight of oppression for years. I lived in a toxic environment for ten years–had my identity, self worth, and self belief stripped away–and only realized the extent of its damaging effects on my mind, heart, and soul in that final year before my marriage eventually ended in the most unthinkable and horrible way imaginable.

If you’re struggling with hopelessness, despair, depression, or feel like nothing is ever going to improve or change, don’t let yourself drown in that dark void. Don’t isolate. Find those around you who can speak life into your clouded world. Get out and do something meaningful for someone else. Listen to uplifting music–worship songs did wonders for me. Speak to a wise counselor.

As hard as it may be to face the pain or a past traumatic event, working through it will reshape you and strengthen your spirit. I underwent three years of counseling because I was determined to not let my shattered world or my PTSD keep me down. I chose to fight and overcome. I wanted to be well. And so, that level-headed determination steered my course, keeping me sailing forward until I eventually felt whole.

My mother has a saying, “Don’t stay sick.” Recognize the sadness, the depression–give it a name, understand it, and work your way toward breakthrough. I do believe there is hope in any situation. You may not be able to see it, but its shining, even in the darkness. A guiding light to steer your course to victory.

-Stephanie Cotta. Author of YA and Adult Fantasy