Hey Reader,

April's been a busy month! I've been getting my debut novel ready for publishing, which has been an adventure all on its own.

Most excitingly - I got my first proof copies!

While there are still tweaks to make and paperwork to fill out (self-publishing requires SO much paperwork), it's WILD to hold your own book in your hands for the first time! Release date to be announced very soon!

Alchemists of Dawn blurb reveal

So what's this book about, you say? Alchemists of Dawn is a gaslamp fantasy about a mother and daughter who work in a magic factory putting aside their differences to solve a mystery, perfect for fans of R.F. Kuang's Babel and M.L. Wang's Blood Over Bright Haven. More than that, though, it's a story about legacy, badass women righting old wrongs, and what happens when morally dubious capitalist institutions are threatened by new discoveries.

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Being a woman at Vyner Industries was hard enough. Then the murder happened.

Once a promising young researcher, Roxanne Young’s career at the renowned Vyner Alchemical Industries has stalled. Despite her brilliance and long hours in the lab, she just can’t seem to get that next promotion. When she witnesses a brutal murder, Roxanne stumbles on a shocking discovery that could break the Federation’s dangerous dependence on their dwindling reservoirs of magic, and secure her career in the bargain.

Determined to expose the discovery and bring the killers to justice, Roxanne turns to the one person who might be able to help: the indomitable Juliana Young, the first and only woman to ever become a department head at Vyner–and Roxanne’s mother. Two ambitious women whose approaches sometimes clash, mother and daughter must work together to protect the future of magic. But as they are drawn into a web of intrigue, shifting loyalties, and unlikely alliances, Roxanne and Juliana soon discover powerful forces at work–and they will stop at nothing to keep Vyner’s secrets hidden.

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Work In Progress

I'm currently working on structural edits to my WIP! For me personally, this is one of the hardest parts of writing but also one of the most satisfying. It reminds me of an archaeologist piecing a haphazard bunch of bones into a proper skeleton (or pottery fragments into a vessel, for a less morbid metaphor).

It'll be while before I can say what this project is about, but I'm hoping to get it into beta readers' hands later this year.

Recent Reads

For those unfamiliar, Brandon Sanderson is a giant in SFF, and his Writing SFF lectures are among my favorite writing resources (FREE on Youtube!). I listen to them whenever I'm plotting a new story.

Tress of the Emerald Sea is a whimsical fantasy novel about a very ordinary girl who takes to sea to save the boy she loves, and ends up discovering she's capable of more than she gives herself credit for. A lovely, cozy-ish, fun read.

And now for something completely different 😅The Starving Saints follows three women in a medieval castle under siege, days away from running out of food. When a group of mysterious saints suddenly appears in their midst, providing relief and salvation, things take a dark turn. A very queer, very intense cannibalistic fever dream.

Cool Non-Book Stuff

I visited Lisbon over the Easter long weekend earlier this month. Lisbon is home to some really cool bookshops, and a highlight of the trip was my visit to Livraria Bertrand Chiado, the oldest bookshop in the world.

I also visited Ler Devagar in the LX Factory district. This place has an industrial vibe, and also houses a record store and a print shop. Check out the sculpture hanging from the ceiling!

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Until next time!

G