Forthright .'s Blog, page 12

Behind the Scenes

Do you like extras? While I’ll make announcements & post final art here on the blog, there’s a whole lot more going on behind the scenes. I’ve been posting artist thumbnails and sketch peeks and insights into the people and places in my new series. The thing is, they’re posting on Patreon. For instance, here are some of my main character Varti’s expressions, which will be part of his character sheet. Mart Lett, my illustrator, will be creating them for several of the folks (and Folk) in Folk-Spe...

Coop 079: More of That

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one giving out free samples.

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More of That

The Elderboughs had been hunting, and given the swing of every tail, they were pleased with themselves. Smoke curled through tall pines into the cloudy sky beyond.

Uncle Moon straightened from his fireside crouch and beckoned Coop ov...

“A Day for Blessings”

Amaranthine Outtake. I’m playing with a new feature on Patreon. I’ve taken a 2-year-old story snippet from a previous Patreon-exclusive mailing … and included it, the accompanying art, and Travis Baldree’s narration in a for-sale post. It’s an experiment, really. But it could lead to future outtakes. I’m open to suggestions of “missing scenes” you’d like to see. ::twinkle::

“A Day for Blessings,” story by forthright
narrated by Travis Baldree
“Warm Enough?” art by FoxOfTwilight
copyright 2023, ...

Coop 078: Shelter

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one who can be lazy. Briefly.

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Shelter

Coop woke to the tantalizing aromas of woodsmoke and grilling meat. Hungry as he was, he stayed put, a little sore and a lot lazy. The air had a chilly, drippy quality, and he was cozy.

He’d been tucked between furs in a straw-filled she...

Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons

Chapter 11, “Under Escort” is live over on Patreon! Subscription to this story is one of the perks that starts at the Twinkle tier ($4/month). Thanks to those who’ve chosen to read along! I’m grateful.

forthrightly on Patreon >>

Russian Language Editions

Tamiko and the Two Janitors. I’ve had word from the publisher that the next book in the Amaranthine Saga will be releasing in December. I’ve previously shared the covers for Book 1, featuring Argent Mettlebright and Book 2, featuring Eloquence Starmark. Here is their depiction of Ash:

To celebrate these international editions, I have permission from the publisher to create art cards with @artovbros illustration. They’ll be my Patreon mailing for December!

Open Offer

Any Tier. I do at least one mailing every month for my patrons, and for November, I’m sending out promo cards featuring the cover illustration for Folk-Spelled. Glossy 5×7″ art cards give you an up-close look at Mart Lett’s artistry, and the reverse includes the full book summary & assorted taglines. Normally, you would need to be on the Sparkle tier (or higher) to receive this mailing. But from time to time, I do an Open Offer, which means patrons at the Glimmer & Twinkle tiers can comment (or ...

Behind the Scenes

And Fun Mail. If you want to catch ALL the behind-the-scenes gossip about my upcoming series, the best thing to do is become a patron. While I will be posting official stuff here on the blog, early peeks at thumbnails and sketches are a perk of patronage. Also, there’s a new thing. You can become a FREE member, which gives you access to any public posts. Think on it!

Patrons starting at the Sparkle tier received Mart Lett’s “Varti & Hound” portrait for the monthly mailing in October. If y...

The Latest

Immortal Holmes. A new series will debut next year. It’s a paranormal mystery set in an alternate history. Steampunk and gaslight leanings. Fantasy elements. Cozy suspense is a thing, right? And hey! Hopepunk also fits the bill. Releasing in January 2025.

OTHER STUFF:

The Amaranthine Saga is complete in seven volumes, though it’s fair to say the story isn’t quite finished unfolding, thanks to various serials underway (see Amaranthine Interludes).Songs of the Amaranthine is a collec...

Cover Reveal

What if Sherlock Holmes never truly defeated the Baskerville Hound?
What if they’re still embroiled, still vying, still wrestling for control?

Varti Weller’s promising career as a badge ended the day he was cursed by an Olde Childe to only speak in lies. While others from his cohort protect the city, Varti’s consigned to the evidence lockers in the Bastion’s several basements. Until a string of grisly murders bring him face-to-face with a monster and a legend and a job offer. Because Sherl...