✒︎ Embrace Personal Projects
A Newsletter
Hello Readers,
A lot to cover this month.
My illustration work has been the dominant focus of my time. I have many projects to complete at the beginning of the year before we move apartments in the summer. As luck would have it, most of my client work is due around the same time. It has been a glorious period of creativity but I have also had to be cautious not to crash into epic burnout.
How to avoid burnout? make time for personal projects. A personal project doesn’t have to be art or writing, it can be eating bon bons on the couch; whatever makes you happy aka self care. One of my personal projects (yes it’s art) I made a retro 70’s book cover.
I drew inspiration from Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings cover and Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles, particularly the illustrations of Evaline Ness. Look at these! There is something charming about the blocky chaotic colors! I would like to see this style make a come back but alas book cover trends are a thing. It makes me happy to feel like I am picking up an old library book.
You never know where a personal project will end up leading.
top illustrations © Evaline Ness
Every bit of progress counts. This is the mantra that I repeat when it comes to writing. I am happy to report that I went through the outline of Tooth & Nail with my editor and was given some great feedback in how to clarify the story better—including adding a spoiler free glossary to the final book.
I am excited that I finally have the final picture of where the story is going. Now it’s simply doing the work of writing, writing, writing.
I will admit, I have not been keeping to my posting schedule so I really appreciate the old and new readers who have given the story love and support.
After finishing Season 1 (4 more episodes left) I will be taking time to write Season 2 in its entirety.
✧ WHISPERS OF DUST & DARKNESS ✧
SARAH ZIMM
I had the privilege of beta reading Sarah’s novel Every Dark Shadow.
In a saturated market of Fae fantasy, Every Dark Shadow is a breath of fresh air. It has shapeshifters, magicians and memorable characters that will whisk you away and not bring you back.
This year I was invited to the beta team for her second book Every Thread Of Light. The story blew me away with its expanded magic system, character arcs. For fans of Shadow & Bone and Game Of Thrones, I highly recommend. It releases on March 25th.
Sarah asked me to illustrate some scenes from the book. The first painting contains a huge spoiler but if you don’t mind spoilers it’s on my Instagram page. a.c.sanders
✧ WARRIORS AND MAGES ✧
V.K. DIXON
V.K. Dixon is running a kickstarter in July and my art MAY or may not be involved . You can read the first book here: Fire & Night
Warriors and Mages Kickstarter
✧ MOONWELL ARCHIVES ✧
SHIRSTEN SHIRTS
Congratulations to Shirsten! The Secrets Of Silver Edge is out in the world! I sent Shirsten’s books to my 16 year old niece and she absolutly loved them! It is so fulfilling to hold a printed copy in my hands!
Get Here: The Secrets Of Silver Edge
Note: The Futures Of Marianne Finch is going to Amazon in paperback as well!
I will be doing Stack Spotlights every other month, But I have been reading some great things here!