State of the Library #12
One Year Anniversary Edition!
I cannot believe that October 13 will make it one year since I began posting on Substack. I wasn’t very sure what I was going to do on this platform. I had a vague idea, built around the “frame” of a Forgotten Library that sits in a nexus of worlds and from which came stories about God’s grace breaking into people’s lives—whether they wanted it or not.
I don’t know how faithful I have been to the idea of a frame. After all, Sardis the Librarian only makes rare appearances. However, in the Baxton County world, we’re accumulating enough stories to start having cameos. So, be on the lookout!
My readership has slowly gained traction. I’m so grateful for all of you. A big thank you to those who have been with me from the beginning and a huge welcome to those who are new. I wouldn’t be here without you!
The writing community on Substack has been a beautiful and welcoming place. After the drama and stupidities of Twitter and Instagram, Substack feels like a refuge. I mean, I do have an Instagram now, but I have a better idea of what I want my feed to look like thanks to Substack.
Podcast Available for Free Subscribers
To celebrate my one-year anniversary, I am making the October episode of my podcast available for everyone to hear. This is normally a perk for paid subscribers! In my podcast, I read my newsletter, but I also insert personal anecdotes and go off on tangents about books, authors, and other things. I never know where each episode is going to take me!
“The Door” Available for October
To celebrate my one-year anniversary, I have made my first story, “The Door”, free for all to read. This is the story that kicked off this mad adventure. I hope you enjoy it. On November 1, it will be shut away again in the Forbidden Section.
If you want to read “The Door” after November 1, as well as other stories sequestered away in there, then consider purchasing a membership!
About that Sardis Serial
I am still working on my serial around Sardis. The first draft is nearly complete. After completion, it will go through a round of beta readers. Though it’s not quite done, I am ready to reveal the title:
Sardis and the Battle for the Library
It’s been an interesting experience, diving into my second serial. (I still don’t count the one I never finished.) I’m trying something a little different this time. Instead of having each part critiqued before publication, I am going to have the whole thing beta read first. I may introduce it week by week into a critique group as a second round. We will have to see.
Reminder about Membership Perks
Right now, if you choose to upgrade your membership to paid, you can receive two perks:
A monthly podcast wherein I read and discuss the latest State of the Library. This podcast goes a little more in depth about my writing and life. I do ramble a bit at times.
Access to the Forbidden Section. Every three months or so, I add a story to the section. It will also contain my serials.
Chat Feature
I haven’t really used the chat feature, but that is going to change. Starting this month, I will begin posting discussion threads for my monthly stories. I also may do a monthly AMA (Ask Me Anything). We will have to see. As I so often do, I’m diving into this with only half a plan.
If anyone is interested in me using the Live Video feature on Substack, let me know! I’ve never had much success on Instagram with live videos, but I would be willing to try it here if enough people express interest.
Misshelved Magic
I think this is the first time I’ve promoted someone’s novel in this newsletter, which should tell you how excited I am! S.R. Crickard is a good friend of mine, and I helped to critique part of her new novel, Misshelved Magic. Even in the drafts, this was a great read, so I’m super excited to see the polished work.
Back of the book blurb:
Adelina is content to be a humble librarian with no magic, organizing ordinary books and leaving the magical section of the library to the management of the mysterious creature called a cervara…until she finds a misshelved spellbook that refuses to stay in its proper place. Despite warnings from the College of Magic and her superiors, she decides to return the book to the magical section, where she meets the mysterious creature. Contrary to what she’s been told, the cervara is trying to protect humanity from dangerous magic by hoarding it in the library. But is it also hiding an even greater danger?
Leon is a mage in his final year at the college who needs to write something impressive for his final thesis. But when he befriends the charming Adelina, and she confides her discovery to him, Leon’s world turns upside down. He’s forced to try to mediate between the mysterious creature and the power-hungry magi who surround him, all while trying to pursue his favorite librarian.
Can Adelina and Leon protect the cervara from the world—and the world from the dangers of the library? Or will both sides be destroyed by the secrets they hide and the greed that drives them to seek forbidden knowledge?
Misshelved Magic is set to be published in November 2024.
ICYMI: September 2024
October Story
“Trick or Treat” — Harriet hates Halloween. But when an unexpected knock comes to her door, Harriet is greeted by preternatural forces that demand her attention--and seek to break down the walls around her heart.
Excerpt:
With a groan, Harriet hauled herself off the couch, sending Milly to the floor. Grumbling, Milly stalked off to meld with the shadows in a way only black cats could. Harriet went to answer the door.
A bad feeling skittered down her spine just as she reached for the knob. She hesitated.
Darkness greeted her beyond the narrow window by the door. She swallowed and reached over to switch on the porch light. Slowly, she peeked through the window.
Three children in angel masks stood in front of the door. They wore matching white gowns and gaudy gold halos suspended by wires. Rather unimaginative, to be honest.
She opened the front door and then pushed open the storm door. Chilly night air spilled into her warm home. She leaned her head out around the storm door.
Before she could say anything, the trio cried, “Trick or treat!” They held up plastic jack o’ lantern buckets.
“Go away,” snapped Harriet. “And go home. It’s too late for you three to be out.” She stepped back inside, pulled the storm door closed, and then slammed the front door shut. A loud thunk resounded as she sent the deadbolt home.
Someone giggled behind her.
“Trick or Treat” premiers Friday, October 11 at 10 am Eastern.