The Starving Author

J.E. Brand

Thank you all so much for subscribing to my newsletter. I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season and new year! Yes, this post is rather late for this, but in my defense... I blinked, and weeks went by! The saying "time flies when you're having fun" is unfortunately true, when really it should be the opposite.

Asian Lights Festival

My family started the holiday season by going to the local Asian lights festival. There were so many amazing creations, including but not limited to dragons, giant spiders, and the entire Chinese zodiac. (Any other fellow pigs in the house?) All in all it was stunning. The only thing better than the lights was my nephew/niece reaction TO the lights. I think the oldest said it best when we were leaving & my sister asked what was his favorite.

"All of it!"

So far this new year I've kept my New Year's resolutions to work out and read more. I have to confess that I started reading my sister's series, The White Knight & Black Valentine, and it's got my brain going. I always tend to have a background fanfiction swirling around my brain when reading books, but this time the author is my sister. How would you feel about a quick deviation from fantasy after The Witch's March to read a book about a villain set in that world?

​

The Renaissance Fair

One of the favorite things about my family is that we're all geeks. What we geek out for sometimes overlaps and sometimes differs, but it leads to wonderful experiences like going to a renaissance fair. I only knew a week or two beforehand that we were going, so unfortunately that means I didn't have time to prepare a costume. Nothing makes you feel like a hobo more than standing next to princesses, elves, and fairies... while dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. But I absolutely loved seeing everyone's costumes & all of the BEAUTIFUL artwork and other knickknacks. I personally bought a flower crown (pictured below), a candle, tea, and jam.

I also have to shout out the two men above. I asked to take a picture with them. (I assume no explanation needed since... I mean... look at them!) And one of hem responded. "Of course. Would you like to sit on the throne?"

​

The Witch's March Updates

I am happy to announce that the sequel was officially in the hands of my wonderful beta readers as of last month! I cannot stress how thankful I am for all of their hard work and comments. They are great at catching typos to clarity issues to overarching plot issues. I'd be lost without them... and I've already heard back from two of them! So far I haven't resurrected anyone like the last book (Hammie will forever owe my mother); however, there are definitely some major changes happening. I can definitely feel myself getting more confident with every drat & so look forward to sharing it. I sometimes joke that cliffhangers are a writer's best friend and a reader's worst nightmare, but... at a certain point I still feel mean for making you all wait.

Stay subscribed to get the title and cover reveals early!