Happy April, readers! In Missouri, the flowers are blooming and the trees are green again. It makes me want to turn on my copy of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and sing, “June Bride” and “Spring, Spring, Spring.”
What’s in this Edition:
Research – What’s Next in Writing
Brave Authors Interview and Giveaway
Catholic Artists Network – Find new-to-you artists
Upcoming Events – Spring Boutique Book Signing
Releasing in April – Other authors’ new releases I’m most excited about.
Research
Well, we’ve reached that time again, when the librarians at my local branch know that I’ve started researching a new book. It feels like I’m there every other day to pick up my holds. (Definitely not a complaint. The library is my jam. Do people say that anymore? Probably not. They probably say something full of Gen-Z slang that I don’t even understand the meaning of. Seriously, I’m still trying to figure out what skibidi means. No one can give me a good answer.)
Anyway, the past few months I’ve been brainstorming/outlining/researching my next novel. Instead of outlining an entire series at once, like I did with Larksong Legacy, I’ve gone back to my model from my first four books. Basically, I’m planning this one as a standalone novel and if it organically spawns a sequel or a series, I’ll embrace it as it happens. By taking this method to heart, I’ve been enjoying the process and finding myself able to relax and also read more novels just for fun.
That said, I want to share some of my research books to give you a taste of what my next project involves. Take a look and let me know what you think some of the themes might be. Who are the characters? What year are we in? What’s the setting? I’m curious to hear your guesses.
Brave Authors Interview and Giveaway
Today, I’m being featured on the Brave Authors blog to talk about my books and especially some of the tough topics within Sparks Fly Upward. The Brave Authors are a collaboration of Christian fiction authors who dare to go to hard places in their writing in order to bring the healing and hope-filled message of the gospel. Their group includes several authors I’ve designed covers for including Sarah Hanks, Jennifer Q. Hunt, and Hannah Hood Lucero and I’m excited to announce that I’m designing the covers for their anthology series to be published this fall. Head over to the link below to learn more and enter for a chance to win one signed copy of any of my books.
Catholic Artists Network
I am honored to be listed on the Catholic Artist Network for the St. Louis, Missouri area which highlights the work of Catholic artists throughout the area and hosts the St. Louis Catholic Art Festival in September. Their website describes the goals of the network really well:
“Our goal is to connect Catholic artists and art enthusiasts. The network is open to all area Catholic artists, from the fair-weather hobbiest to the full-time virtuoso. We value orthodoxy in faith and diversity in artistic forms, expressions and audiences. We support Catholic artists creating sacred liturgical art, devotional art, and secular art infused with a Christian-worldview.
The network is also open to all Catholic art appreciators and supporters. Supporters have always had an important role in the formation of great art. We want this network to be the place to connect Catholic art appreciators with local Catholic artists.
We believe beauty can shape souls, build up disciples, and serve the New Evangelization and the mission ad gentes. Our vision is inspired by St. John Paul II, especially his Letter to Artists. It is our hope that the Catholic Artist Network radiates the light of the Risen Christ.”
For more information about all of the artists in the network, visit the link below. Many of these artists sell their work nationally as well. https://catholicartistnetwork-firebase.web.app/artists.html
Upcoming Events
Do you live in the St. Louis area and want to support a good cause? Come out to Incarnate Word Academy’s annual Spring Boutique event on Thursday, April 24 from 5-9 p.m. Fellow author, Susan Laspe, and I will have a table alongside many other alumnae vendors. Registration is required with registration fees going toward student scholarship funds.
Get your Spring Boutique tickets.
Releasing in April
Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:
- Delirious by Susan Laspe – the final book in this medieval meets Roman mythology fantasy adventure series with a splash of romance. I was a beta reader and it was so good!
- A Rose in West Egg by Storm Shultz – a librarian falls into a copy of The Great Gatsby…literally…and into a unexpected murder mystery
- Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright – a 19th century ghostly legend follows this dual-timeline story of “torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love and a vengeance that should have drowned a century before.”
- Splinters and Seams by Courtney Rivera – living in the shadow of her family, a young woman struggles to uncover the secrets of her past
- The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano – historical gothic romance of a young woman who must unravel the mysteries of her deceased uncle and earn her inheritance
Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.
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Until next month, happy reading!
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Kelsey
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