For those of you who haven’t heard yet, I’ve made some decisions regarding publishing my debut novel, Beyond the Aching Door. And I’ll be going the indie publishing route! Here’s an Instagram post outlining my reasoning if you’re interested, but the TLDR; is as follows.
I didn’t even query. The traditional publishing world doesn’t seem very interested in modern low fantasy romance these days, and I’m not trying to fight an uphill battle. Writing the goddamn book is hard enough, lol.
You can expect to see Beyond the Aching Door released sometime in 2024. Exact details TBA as I choose the perfect editor, cover artist and more!
And without further ado, here’s what you’re all likely here for: the as-promised sneak peek. Click here to read an excerpt of Beyond the Aching Door! Please feel free to let me know what you think <3
STUFF THAT HAS MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING {ANYTHING} LATELY
“THE FAERIE HOUNDS OF YORK” by ARDEN POWELL: a dark, lush ode to Susanna Clarke that’s perfectly capable of conjuring its own magic. Brooding queer characters, slow burn romance, eerie liminal spaces and no true happy endings. This story feels Fey-touched in the best way.
“A THINKING WOMAN’S GUIDE TO REAL MAGIC” by EMILY CROY BARKER: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell meets Pride & Prejudice in this contemporary fantasy that hits ALL the notes. The world building here is somehow intricate yet light-handed, and the characters are complex. A really underrated book, though I can see why some people don’t enjoy it. Personally, I would die for Nora and Aurendiel.
GREEN SPELL perfume by ERIS: If you were one of those kids who made “potions” in your backyard or the closest green space with plants, flowers, dirt, etc, then this scent is what you always wanted that potion to smell like. (It never did, at least for me.) Sharply, almost bitterly, green with a soft, spicy musk, “Green Spell” is one of the only perfumes in its class that manages to achieve both the invocation of lush meadows and the sense of something dark and sinister. I only have a sample of this, but if I suddenly become flush with cash, I am probably buying a bottle.
{That’s all for now. Until the dark moon returns & the next story blooms. Yours, V.}