February – Time for a Nap

Regular readers may recall that I work as a freelance illustrator (in the educational line). This month was the deadline for a contract I have been working on for several months. There were 400+ pictures in this series. I try to pace myself on these big jobs, breaking them into sections I can finish on a weekly basis, but there is always a build-up of pressure in the last month. Revisions come in and my shoulder starts freezing. All this activity just about wrecked my laptop, which is now being serviced.

Looking back, the experience has been very rewarding, and I am glad that clients are still coming to me for art when there is so much ay-eye content out there. There are many things beyond my control, so I can only give my best to the projects I get. I hope to spend a few days recovering and catching up on the chores I have been neglecting, before launching back into commissions, and my own writing and art.

Though short on time, I have read some great novellas this year.

Your Blood and Bones by J. Patricia Anderson: 

Genre: fantasy/horror. A poignant story about monsters and broken bodies that reads like literary fiction.

Dust and Lightning by Rebecca Crunden

Genre: sci-fi/political thriller. Memorable characters and timely observations about patterns of human behaviour that might repeat even if we escape Earth.

A. J. Calvin is a very active and supportive member of the indie writing community, reviewing books and sharing her experiences on her blog. She recently released a standalone novel, Serpentus. I am enjoying her series, the Caein Legacy, but haven’t read this one yet; consider giving it a try if you like grounded, gritty fantasy (featuring realistic warhammers).

The illustrated version of my novelette, The Tidelings of Dras Sayve comes out as an ebook on 21 March. The pre-order is discounted.

Edit: I forgot to add that I have entered BBNYA 2024. I am pleased to put Far Removed out there for new book bloggers to find!