One Week In: Still Pinching Myself

It has officially been a week since Child of the Forest hit the world, and I’m still wrapping my head around it. People I’ve never met are reading about Mara, Aria, and Celestine while I’m sitting here sipping coffee and trying to remember what sleep is.

The launch rush has settled into that calm stretch where I watch the little numbers on my dashboard and whisper, “please keep going up.” Some days they do, some days they don’t, but every single read still feels unreal.

I’ve spent most of this week working my day job and the evenings on Moonweaver (Book 2). That means more dwarves, more chaos, and yes, Mara is still as sassy as ever. Writing her feels like catching up with an old friend who keeps ignoring my outline.

Balancing work and writing isn’t easy, but it’s worth every late night. This story has my heart, and seeing readers connect with it makes all the tired mornings feel a little brighter.

If you’ve picked up Child of the Forest, thank you. If you’ve finished it, double thank you. And if you’re somewhere in the middle, just know I’m probably cheering you on from behind my mug.

What’s the part of a fantasy story that always hooks you first? The world, the characters, or the chaos? I’m curious what keeps you turning pages.