Due to a slight inventory mix-up, the signing has been rescheduled to Friday, October 24th, from 6pm onward. It will still be at Barnes & Noble in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts – just evening instead of afternoon, and pushed back far enough to allow for the books to arrive.
Apologies to those of you who had already intended to swing by. I only hope the plans made may be easily amended.
I’ve met so many wonderful readers at events like these, and I look forward to meeting you at the book signing on the new date and time – so please do come over and say hello!
There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you in your favorite podcast app!
Tess Carletta reveals her tarot-inspired cozy fantasy story, The Star, wherein a lighthouse keeper who influences the fate of her people by wrangling misbehaving stars back into place must remedy her own constellation.
An Outstretched Hand releases November 11th—preorder wherever you find your fave books! And stay tuned for more sneak peeks into the anthology on Right Here Write Queer.
Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of Kit & Basie, a queer cozy fantasy romance, its sequel collection Patchwork, and the fantasy novel Goldheart. You can connect with her at her website: tesscarletta.com
The secret is out at last—save the date for something exciting and new coming on November 11th!
A hand reaching to you from the shadows. Six cards over-turned. Six enchanting queer tales inspired by the magic of tarot. Explore the forest, meet the fae, pray to the gods, shepherd stars, or fight creatures of myth. An offering for you, if you accept the Outstretched Hand.
This fantasy anthology includes…
The Star by Tess Carletta
A lighthouse keeper who influences the fate of her people by wrangling misbehaving stars back into place must remedy her own constellation.
The Hierophant by Carolina Cruz
A knight who was disabled in battle gives up on asking the gods for healing and turns to something dark in the woods for help instead.
The Chariot by RK Ashwick
Two witches vie desperately for a goddess’s blessing—but the fortune they seek might be right in front of them.
Strength by Luna Daye
A warrior is sent to investigate the rumors of a raided village and is forced to face the trauma of his past, and has to battle more than his grief after a terrifying discovery.
Temperance by Noah Hawthorne
A grieving mercenery searches for the tallest mountain to throw himself from, but a mystery and curious folk keep him grounded for a little while longer.
The Devil by Sebastian Nothwell
Wherein a repressed Victorian finds fleeting release in a fae courtesan’s arms—until iron chains threaten their growing bond.
This is the most local-to-me signing I’ve ever done, so if you’re able to attend I have plenty of recommendations for tasty treats and cool sites to visit just a hop, skip, and jump over in scenic New Bedford!
Consider…
Izzy’s Restaurant – Incredible Cape Verdean fare; the cachupa rafugado is divine.
BesTeas – Delicious boba with actual brewed tea; my personal faves are the Salty Girl (salted caramel oolong), the Early bird (earl grey), and the Ride-or-Thai (precisely what it says on the tin).
The Baker – A wonderful bakery and cafe that has thrived despite throwing everyone who tries to verbally recommend it into a Who’s-On-First skit, and creator of the only yeasted cinnamon roll I will accept into my heart.
Aviary Books – Why visit just one bookshop in a day when you can visit two? Aviary Books has a skillfully-curated selection of fine pre-loved books, stationery, and a charming shop cat. The shop’s first anniversary will be the same day as my signing, so what better excuse to celebrate?
Acushnet River Antiques – Chock-a-block with vintage treasures and conveniently located right next door to Kyler’s Catch for the freshest seafood in town. (And given that New Bedford is one of the biggest fishing ports in the whole country? That’s saying something.)
The New Bedford Whaling Museum – I’m biased for Hold Fast reasons but the jewel of New Bedford is jam packed with exhibits of ecological, historical, and artistic interest. Wonder at the suspended whale skeletons, climb aboard the half-scale whaleship model, and stare at scrimshaw both shocking and sublime.
Regardless of how much of my hometown you take in, I’d be thrilled to meet you at the book signing – so come over and say hello!
There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you in your favorite podcast app!
RK Ashwick (she/her) chats with me about her upcoming cozy fantasy novel, A Draught for a Dragon—featuring every Dungeons & Dragons player’s dream of dragging your favorite NPCs along for the quest.
RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the Lutesong trilogy beginning with TheStray Spirit, as well as the cozy fantasy series Sidequest Row beginning with A Rival Most Vial. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com
Chapter Twenty-Seven of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a grand gala is anticipated.
~
“Will you attend the ball with me?”
If tasked to conjure the seven most unlikely words to emerge in sequence from his prince’s lips, Rat thought he could do no better. And yet Emlyn had said them nonetheless. The cogs in Rat’s brain whirred wildly to make sense of them until, several seconds too late for a reasonable reply, the answer struck him. His shoulders released a tension he hadn’t realised they’d acquired. In a tolerably casual tone, he replied, “Join your friends, y’mean?”
A bashful smile flitted across Emlyn’s lips, accompanied by a softly-fluttering laugh. “No, I meant… may I escort you to the ball? As your partner.”
The most cursory medical education would tell its poorest student that the human heart did not wander throughout the ribcage or beyond. It certainly did not fly. Yet Rat, with a full semester of medical college under his belt, nonetheless felt his own heart take wing and flutter all the way up to his throat. Joy and panic alike kept it aloft.
~
Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!
A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]
Currently posting… ♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)
Completed works… ♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm) ♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm) ♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff) ♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm) ♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm) ♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+) ♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)
Chapter Twenty-Six of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a tentative acquaintanceship is attempted.
~
Emlyn didn’t oft feel intimidated.
Part of it was xir natural disposition. Xe was always eager to make fresh acquaintances. As Alistair had so aptly put it once upon a time, “Every stranger is just a friend Aemilianus hasn’t met yet.”
As optimistic as xe felt in this regard, xe remained well aware of the other factor ever looming in the equation; xir rank. Few would dare to cross a mortal prince. Fewer still would dare to cross a dragon. A draconic prince in xir own realm was rarely challenged—for better or for worse. Which left very little room for intimidation.
Griswold, however…
~
Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!
A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]
Currently posting… ♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)
Completed works… ♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm) ♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm) ♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff) ♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm) ♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm) ♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+) ♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)
He’d found nothing in all the world in all his years to equal the relief of seeing Chastity after a month of holding himself to an exacting standard. The promise of release saw him through day after day of drudgery in the account-books of the bank where he clerked. He had no family to support beyond his mother and doubted he ever would. He did not gamble, nor was he a drunkard.
He had no vice, save Chastity.
~
Joining me on Patreon will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!
A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]
Currently posting… ♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)
Completed works… ♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm) ♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm) ♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff) ♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm) ♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm) ♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+) ♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)
There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you in your favorite podcast app!
Ever wonder about the overlap between gaming and writing in cozy fantasy? RK Ashwick (she/her) chats with Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about her new video game, Potion Shop Designer.
RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the Lutesong trilogy beginning with TheStray Spirit, as well as the cozy fantasy series Sidequest Row beginning with A Rival Most Vial. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com
Happy Autumnal Equinox! Three years ago today, Shrike and Wren embarked on their second voyage out into the world – alongside Mr Grigsby, Daniel Durst, and all their other friends from Oak King Holly King, with new friends gathered along the way.
Shrike and Wren hold a special place in my memory for getting me through some rough moments, and I am so beyond grateful for every single reader who has taken their story to heart.
If you enjoy happily-ever-afters, hurt/comfort, and catching up with old friends, I wrote this book for you.
Tales from Blackthorn Briar is a collection of sequels to the fae romance Oak King Holly King – including…
Mabon
Wherein Shrike and Wren repay their debt to the Court of Hidden Folk.
Mr Grigsby’s Clerk
Wherein Mr Grigsby finds a replacement for Wren – and perhaps more than he bargained for.
Jack in the Green
Wherein a certain Horse Guard wanders into Blackthorn Briar.
Winter Solstice
Wherein the Holly King surrenders to the Oak King.
The Holly King’s Peril
Wherein Wren and Shrike discover danger in the wilds of the Fae Realms.
The Ballad of Daniel Durst
Wherein Daniel embarks on his authentic life in a bold new land.
Sebastian Nothwell 