If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that my next book (The Crimson Moth) has an official release date and a new title. It’s now called:
The original title was originally a shout-out to The Scarlet Pimpernel, which I loved, but if I’m being honest, it never felt totally right. It was pretty and literary, but it didn’t tell you very much about what to expect in the book. I much prefer Heartless Hunter in that respect. The book will hit shelves on February 20, 2024.
Also! There will be a map! Voilà:
How pretty is that? It was made by Cartographybird, whose other work you can check out here. I can’t decide what I love most—the colours, the side-border illustrations, or those cute little clouds!
What I’m working on this month:
Waiting on copy edits for Heartless Hunter
Drafting the sequel (currently 42,000 words)
I’ve been in drafting mode since Christmas, working on this sequel. I know a lot of writers hate the drafting stage, but I personally live for it. Everything is vivid and exciting and full of possibilities! Conversely, I hate when the book is done and out of my hands, because it means I have to say goodbye. But I know lots of writers—usually the same ones who dislike drafting—love when the book is done and on the shelf, and that is their favourite stage of writing. (To each their own!)
So: there I was, finding my groove, getting words down, when suddenly my toddler went back to preschool and BAM. Sickness hit in full force. I thought last fall was bad, but this winter was much worse. She was really, really sick for five weeks straight, and I was sick for three of those weeks. I had to switch to full-on survival mode, which meant setting aside writing so I could take care of us both. Because when she’s sick, she becomes a 25lb barnacle clinging to me 24-7. No one else will do; only me. I know that someday she will no longer need me and I will dearly miss these days. So I try to treasure them—snot, vomit, and sleepless nights included.
March was a rough month. But now I’m back on the drafting train, and remembering all the reasons why I love working on this series (fake dating! witches and witch hunters! loathe to love! will they betray each other!). And because I promised a snippet, here’s a teaser from Heartless Hunter:
Her forehead collided hard with a chest. The force of the soldier’s stride would have barrelled her over had he not grabbed her elbow, steadying them both.
“Forgive me…”
Rune looked up. Straight into eyes as black and cold as a bottomless sea.
Gideon Sharpe.
His penetrating gaze seemed to cut her open, peeling back the layers of the girl she pretended to be. Like a knife carving off the protective skin of an apple to get at the soft, vulnerable flesh beneath.
Rune’s stomach tumbled over itself. She yanked her elbow out of his grip and staggered back, her heart beating fast. The Blood Guard captain before her—responsible for sending more witches to their executions than any other soldier—straightened, his features shifting from startled surprise to something dark and unreadable.
Rune cursed herself. The Crimson Moth might have reason to cower from this monster. But Rune Winters—the silly, shallow heiress she pretended to be—wouldn’t think twice about it.
Before she could find her courage, Gideon’s gaze ran sharply down her. The force of his attention was like a rifle aimed at her heart. It made her pulse race and her breath stick in her throat. Rune was a deer, and he was a hunter. Taking her measure, noting every detail and flaw, trying to decide if she was worth the hunt.
That’s all for now. Hopefully my next missive will include a *cover* (which is pretty much done, I’m just waiting to be able to share it) and maybe also a peek inside my new writing shed (my husband finished building it this week!).
As usual, if you have any burning questions, let me know in the comments. I’m happy to answer them!
xo Kristen