I think a lot of creative people have, at one point in their life, made up characters. Whether for DnD or some other kind of roleplay, childhood fun or for-your-eyes only writings, creating entire people is an exciting endeavor. There is a moment where this being you have sculpted from nothing but mind-matter and scraps of inspiration is so breathtakingly real that they could be standing in front of you. And in that moment, it is easy to imagine how gods must feel, molding creatures from clay or dust or starlight.
Okay, I’ll tone it down from here—no, I certainly don’t think I’m a god or anything close. I call myself “just a little worm” on a regular basis. But, I am a little worm who made up two characters for my adult fantasy romance book, and I’d like you to officially meet them.
RAEGAN MAEVE OVERHILL by Ashley Simeone (@artbysmashley)
AGE: 30 years old
OCCUPATION: Journalist (award-winning, thanks for asking)
HEIGHT: 5’2”
DISPOSITION: hot-tempered spitfire with a cunning streak
SPECIES: mortal, mostly
SPECIAL SKILLS: pure, unadulterated rage; has been ready for a quest since she was about nine years old; quick thinker; can get just about anyone to spill their secrets; bisexual audacity; sowing chaos
THE KING by Ashley Simeone (@artbysmashley)
AGE: 1,200, regrettably
OCCUPATION: High King of the Unseelie Court (exiled, tho)
HEIGHT: 6’4”
DISPOSITION: cold, aloof enigma, but deeply passionate about his people
SPECIES: Fair Folk
SPECIAL SKILLS: shadow daddy; dresses to kill; knows everyone and will use that against you; deadly charm; the kind of strategic mind that would make Sun Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli weep with jealousy
If you’d like to spend more time with these two people who test my sanity in every writing session, you can follow me on Instagram—and of course, don’t forget to pre-order Beyond the Aching Door! PS - ebook pre-order coming soon. BTAD releases on March 26, 2024.
WHAT I’M READING
Welsh Witchcraft by Mhara Starling — I’ve had this on my TBR for just about forever as I’m an American of Welsh descent, and when I visited Wales nearly a decade ago, it was a magical experience. I read this book purely for my own enjoyment, but Starling’s writings have actually helped so much with drafting BTAD’s sequel, which is exciting. Mhara makes great content on her Instagram, too! I’m planning on checking out her YouTube soon as well.
WHAT I’M ENJOYING
Reading the ARCs on my e-reader and the books in my TBR pile instead of staring at my goddamn phone.
A new boutique that opened close to my home; the front window makes my spirits lift whenever I walk or drive by.
Attempting to bake; I’ve been only doing cookies because my skills are limited (I am a good cook, but baking is so different and harder??) I like these matcha marble cookies a lot, though I have not yet managed to make them come out like the photos, lol.
That’s all for now! Enjoy gazing into Raegan and the King’s eyes. I hope you enjoyed really *seeing* them for the first time as much as I did! I can’t recommend Ashley enough and look forward to working with her again in the future. If you need any character art commissions, look no further!
When we speak next, it’ll be March—aka, the month my debut book is coming out. I can hardly believe it. But until then, stay well, stare at the night sky, fuck the white supremacist patriarchy, and free Palestine.
‘TIL THE NEXT DARK MOON,
Victoria