Hello Bookish Friends,
I hope you’re thawing from the long winter months. The weather here in North Carolina is finally warming up. I can finally feel the winter fog lifting. I’m feeling more creative, ideas are churning, and I’m really focused on my project. There are so many options, though; I frequently don’t know where to begin. And as much as I love to plan, I rarely stick to it (thank you, ADHD). I’ve found it’s best for me to follow the energy, no matter where it might take me.
Speaking of chaos brain, I’ve been playing around with Obsidian. I love the concept of it and seeing all my ideas interconnected. But I haven’t found an efficient way to incorporate it into my workflow. I’m a traditional notebook and pen type of person. It has its downsides, though, such as not being easily organizable or searchable.
If anyone has any tips on how to make notebooking + Obsidian work together, it would be genuinely appreciated.
"Burdened by a childhood promise, an eldest sister returns home to help her sister survive the deadly rituals of their family's magical cult."
I’m finishing up the fourth round of edits on The Horrors of Us. This is my first full-length novel. It will release later this year on October 27, 2026. It features:
🗡️ Dark Contemporary Fantasy
🍄 Mind-altering Rituals
💀 Deadly Trials
🖤 Sibling Bonds
I’ve gone ahead and opened up the sign-up for ARC readers. If you’re interested, you can sign-up here. I’m intending to send out ARC copies in late August or the beginning of September.
In the evenings, I’m working on various art such as stickers, prints, and internal art for the physical book. Below is a piece I’m working on; keep in mind it’s still a work in progress and still missing a lot of details. The origin of the piece stems from a desire to explain the realms and gods in a visual format to readers—think of it like a pantheon family tree. It will all make sense when it’s done, I promise (or after you read the book).
TV/Movies
If you’re looking for a show full of dread that makes you question your sanity the whole way through, I highly encourage you to check out Something Very Bad is Going to Happen. The lead, Rachel (played by Camila Morrone), is captivating. It’s clear something is not quite right with her, and her choices are oftentimes questionable. The ending left me reeling… in a good way. I couldn’t stop thinking about this show for several days after finishing.
Books
Last night, I finished reading Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher. It was a good read but, perhaps, a little slow at the beginning. The ending had me by a chokehold. This book left me feeling like bugs were crawling all over me. It’s full of creepy-crawlies if that is your sort of thing.
Immediately after finishing Wolf Worm, I started listening to Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram. I’m moving quickly through this one. It’s a really interesting concept and the writing is lush. This one is keeping me on my toes—I have no idea what to expect next.
Games
I don’t talk about it much, but my favorite thing to do to relax is play video games. When I’m in between stories or when creative energy is low, video games are the thing I reach for most often. I love a game with a satisfying story and beautiful graphics. If you’re into games and haven’t checked it out yet, pick up No Rest For the Wicked. It’s still in early release, but the gameplay is satisfying, the story is gripping, and the visuals are stunning.
What media have you loved lately?
Cheers,
Charlie