SOULGAZER SETS SAIL!

aka my first book comes out TODAY!

You began as a dream—a strange one, tasting of salt and struggle against waves until a wolfish smile tugged you free.

You were formless, and compelling, and mine.

Yet not mine. Because I was not the me I needed to be in order to dive deep and understand your bones, the curves of your flesh, the why behind your beating heart.

When I found her—that woman strong enough to withstand the wounds—I broke you open and thrust you in fire until the purest part of your soul nestled in my palm. And then I built you new, just like I had to build me new.

And I adore every inch of what you’ve become.

We’re not done yet. There is chiseling and sculpting, breaking and recreating, polishing and painting yet to be done. You will break many times over, passed hand to hand, but none—I vow to you now—may hold that purest part, that essence none can replicate.

You will be yourself. Many versions, many languages, many portraits. I hope you cast off a flurry of other strange visions to fellow dreamers.

I hope you become everything.

You already are to me.

-From my Instagram, October 6, 2021

Soulgazer is the work of four years of craft and two years of dreaming.

I guarded the idea zealously in those early days, only allowing my critique partner and best friend, Jaime Johnson, to read it chapter by chapter as I painstakingly poured it out—the pirate full of antics, the girl full of woes, and the prose a deep, rich plum.

But there was always something there.

Something I knew from the beginning was different. Something that would last.

In many ways, my story is not unique—not the book itself, but the getting here. The panic sweats and heartache and floor-cries and squealing into my pillow. The shelving my book and then ripping it off in a fury to try again. And again. And again.

It’s the trying, I think, that got me there in the end.

The stubborn, relentless hope echoed in Saoirse, and her journey across the sea.

An original artwork by Aurora Whittet Best of my main character, Saoirse, beside a copy of Soulgazer and the tattered, old journal I first wrote the story in.

Whispers on the Wind (aka the Audiobook)

Soulgazer has an audiobook, and it’s also out today!

I was meticulous in my selection of narrators, having listened to books on tape since I was ridiculously young, and I am beyond delighted to share with you the voice actors who will bring our magical girl and silver-tongued pirate to life!

Alana Kerr Collins was on my wish list from the very beginning for Saoirse. Her voice is vibrant, clear, lyrical, and has a soft stirring of emotion coiled at the back that fit her so beautifully. She has narrated countless books, most notably Samantha Shannon’s The Bone Season series, and I am DELIGHTED that she signed on to bring my soft, tragic girl to life.

Eric Nolan was a surprise—just like my pirate, Faolan, is in the books! I stumbled across his alter ego, @thedevilofdublin on reels one day, and did not hesitate to shoot my agent a message begging to get him for the epilogue (though there will be a LOT more from him to come in book 2)! Eric has recently worked on some powerhouse novels, including Ali Hazelwood’s Problematic Summer Romance, Brynne Weaver’s The Ruinous Love trilogy, as well as an ongoing presence on Quinn! His voice has a playfulness and grit that fits Faolan so well, and I hope you love it as much as I have.

You can find it on any audiobook apps/websites, or request it from your library!

An original illustration by Gaiatri Sud of Faolan and Saoirse in a steamy cove scene, crafted as a bookmark you will receive if you see me on tour (as long as supplies last)!

Sail Away With Me (ON TOUR!)

I’ve posted about the tour a few times here, but there are a couple more stops you might want to check out!

• July 8, Birmingham, AL | Thank You Books is hosting our launch party, where we’ll chat and sign books and have a grand old time! DETAILS

• July 9, Huntsville, AL | The Snail on the Wall Bookshop will host a book signing! DETAILS

• July 10, Nashville, TN | Parnassus Books will host a signing event, in conversation with Hannah Whitten! DETAILS

  New Events

• July 18, Savannah, GA | The Paris Market will host an author meet & greet from 3-6pm in their historic downtown store! More details to come.

• July 22, VIRTUAL Event | Underbrush Books will host a free, virtual event for the authors of their quarterly romantasy subscription box, including myself, Kalie Cassidy, and A.B. Daniels-Annachi! DETAILS

Thank You!

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

For buying my book, dropping a review, telling people about it, and encouraging me along the way.

I’m still relentlessly hopeful even when the world feels grim.

Let’s see what’s ahead.

-Magpie