Still working away on the New Year – New Everything. Some days are an exquisite disaster, and others…well, others are just exquisite. The last couple of them have been a mishmash as I’m trying to get work done on several fronts and gather all my little ducks to get the annual, early year pain called taxes accomplished and into the rear-view. One day at a time…but soon it will be over and the ‘ounce’ of pain will be assessed and done.
Today has been erratic at best. As many of you may have heard, the reader-writer community lost a bright light. Kelly Langford was the embodiment of everything that makes writers want to keep writing. As a reader, she was quick with a smile, and always laughing, even when things looked bleak. I remember meeting her years ago in New Orleans at a signing and being confused when she asked me for my favorite color. I did not know then that she was a wiz with a crochet hook. I learned fast.
Over the years since, she’s gifted me with several items that I look at now, and debate if I can bring myself to use them again. My fingerless gloves so I could type in my basement office and keep my hands warm, an adorable matching scarf so I could step out in style, and most recently an expandable produce bag for the market so I could see where the squishables were. All practical, and all in my favorite lime green. All now staring at me from the shelf, a vivid reminder that they are the last physical pieces that will arrive from her. Sad is a word that doesn’t have near enough letters or depth of meaning to convey how deeply the community will feel this loss for ages to come.
To Whitney her daughter (my bracelet is by the things mom made me) I cannot convey how treasured the memories of the two of you at events and online will become…and stay. I look forward to hearing about how you soar and become all that you’ve dreamt of. This isn’t for today, it’s for always. To Kelly’s son…make mama proud. She’s still watching.
I could go on at length, but as we all grieve, it’s too raw, too soon, and I don’t want it to be too much. I only ask for a moment of silence if you please for a soul I hope is now at peace. Fly high sweets.
On other fronts, because today’s low can’t hold the train, What’s Up and coming? There are still lots of things to reveal, and this Monday is no different. I have yet another cover for you to oooo and ahhhh over. 🙂
Coming in March will be a small, short run set called Magic Rising. In it will be the counterpoint story to Rogue, titled Black Guard. It is Ciannait’s story for the same window we walked with Asa. Once that’s out…and Rogue will be out for an additional stint in Dark Rising, coming May 1st…I’ll be releasing the continuation of the tales.
Excited? I know several of you are…you haven’t let me hear the end of it. 🙂
So, without further ado…here is the set cover for Magic Rising.

(I might be a bit partial…but how could I not? Uhhhhm Hello?? Dragon.)