Novel: Of Voyages and Virtues

For fans of Tress of the Emerald Sea, Peter and the Starcatchers, and other high-flying fantasy adventure books, Of Voyages and Virtues combines exploration, humanity, and political tension in an adventure that promises to be anything but smooth sailing. Still early in the writing process, Of Voyages and Virtues is guaranteed to join the shelves of anyone a fan of colonial critiques, historical fiction, and romantasy. 

The Empire of Toltes has recently discovered a new unclaimed continent across the sea east of their land. Although they have a strong desire to claim the land and send their forces, political tensions are high, and a wrong move could spell disaster for the public’s opinion. As a compromise, the Emperor agrees to a small expedition that would start a settlement and begin the colonization. Should the expedition fail, the bulk of settlers would be individuals drafted due to their lack of connections and family. They are seen in the eyes of the Empire as a resource—expendable—and are being treated as such. However, the Empire forgets that hope can still be found even in the bleakest of circumstances, and that humanity is present wherever you look. Follow Sirene, a physician removed from her status quo after she is drafted, and Eithan, a runaway who joins the expedition to gain freedom, on their adventure to find what is really waiting for them in the new land before them. 

As a fan of both history and the fantasy genre since I learned to read, I have always enjoyed exploring both new worlds, and taking a closer glimpse at our own. I often fantasized about what it would be like to be an earlier colonist in America, possibly as an indentured servant, or the child of a wealthy merchant. Knowing now that 17^th century America wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, I’ve enjoyed playing with the concepts of early settlements and what could have happened under different leadership.

Novel: Fae Marked

Joining the swell of magical romance novels like The Spellshop, The Honey Witch, and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, another adventure is ready for fans of faeries and romance. Fae Marked tells the tale of two girls who find themselves towing the line from childhoods friends, to a fond memory, and now, potentially, something more. Nearing the completion of its first draft, Fae Marked is a queer slow-burn adventure that promises to please those looking for something magical.

Vissi and Avmara swore as children that they would always be together, using powerful fae magic to bind their hearts together. As adults, they have grown accustomed to spending time apart, the length between visits increasing until a year has passed since they last were together. Vissi remains in their hometown, trying to rebuild connections between humans and Fae two hundred years after the deadly Fae Wars. Avmara has spent the last few years on expeditions to the edges of society, where the veil between the human and Fae realms grows thin, seeking adventure. But when the promise they made as kids begins to shatter, threatening both of their lives, the two will need to come together to either fix their oath or break it themselves.

A life-long fan of faeries and adventures, Fae Marked is my love letter to the unseen, as well as my exploration of the way our relationships change. From innocent connections to true friendship, the shift of platonic love to romantic, and the ways people can come and go from our lives without us realizing, our bonds are always changing.

Novel: The Changeling Prince

Playing with the ideas of fae children and changelings, this novel explores the potential origins of the changeling mythos, asking what happens to the fae child who is left behind.

Poetry Collection: Internal Salvation

College is a time of discovery and transformation for many, with personal beliefs, identities, and relationships playing a big part. My own time in college was no different, and I emerged from university a different person than I was when I started.

A poetry chapbook nearing completion, exploring the juxtaposition between a Mormon upbringing, an undefinable queer identity, and the romantic struggles of a young adult. Currently sitting at roughly 35 poems, Internal Salvation tells the story of one adrift in possibilities and potentials, trying to make the right decisions while still trying to figure out who you are and what you really want.

This collection is for anyone with similar struggles; those seeking to put to words those feelings which cannot be captured. Utilizing hyper-specific examples and stories to bridge the gap between speaker and reader, Internal Salvation is for anyone who has experienced religious doubt, has grappled with a queer identity, or has maybe had one too many situationships.

Chapbook currently in production! Stay tuned.

Title: The Silverwing

Genre: Fantasy

Word Count: 127,000

In a fictional Empire where maritime trade and warfare reign, young sailor-savant Salas Riggs receives a commission that could be the tipping point in a generations-long war of conquest, but as Riggs experiences the depraved actions of the Empire while porting in its far-flung cities, he finds that he must make the hardest decision of his life: continue to be a puppet for an evil Empire, or become its bloody enemy in the name of what’s right.

Project Name: Father Cruz

Genre: Horror/Romance

Word Count: 57,000

A Catholic priest is host to a demon that torments him by not only taking over his body and dispensing misleading spiritual guidance to his parishioners, but also torturing him with visions of his past traumas, which, combined with an intense relationship with a sensitive new resident in town, will either prove to be his downfall or his triumph, dependent on whether he can conquer both the demon in his body and the demon that is his deepest inner secret.