#hiraethsong

[authorkrysejay]

I'm excited to announce Phoenix Awakening is out now and available for purchase as an ebook, paperback and hardcover on Amazon, Barns & Noble and more!

Phoenix Awakening is an adult romantic fantasy and first book in the Hiraeth Song series.

Synopsis:

War cannot be ignored. It creeps into all aspects of life even when those in charge deem it best to disregard and keep their people in ignorance. The Kingdom of Ignis is no exception. As its princess, Moira's life centered around mundane worries such as picking what outfit to wear out of the hundreds gracing her closet, avoiding her lessons and hanging out with her Scarlets. But that all changes on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, when the walls surrounding the Five Kingdoms are breached and she pulls a wounded soldier up through her shadow. Swept up in the rippling consequences, Moira must mend burned bridges and awaken the latent Gift within in order to prove herself worthy of the knowledge and responsibilities befitting her title. Or risk losing all she had to begin with.

#creative writing #indie author #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writing #hiraethsong #phoenixawakening #fantasy #self publishing #writeblr #release day

[blindkarakul]

✪ shows up to your inbox 5 years late with starbucks (from Ninka'ir)

My muse would like to...

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  dance with your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  sing for your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  ask your muse out on a date.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  take a bath with your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  hold your muse tight.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  lean onto your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  kiss your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  sleep with your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✧ ✧  marry your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  watch your muse sleep.

”I do not mean that in a crrreepy way, like-- I mean it like... when I awake frrrom a terrrible nightmarrre, but he is therrre. His hearrrtbeat calms me, and I can listen to his brrreathing, and I am... safe, again. I love my Songbirrrd.”

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  cuddle your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  go to a party with your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✧  watch a movie with your muse✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  play video games with your muse✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  steal horses with your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  cook together with your muse.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  support your muse’s hobbies.✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦  get drunk with your muse.

“I mean-- Songbirrrd could ask me to do anything with him, and I would in a hearrrtbeat. He alone lights my day with the brrright starrrs. At this point, it just depends on how much trrrouble he is willing to let me stick my head into.”

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  watch your muse cry.✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  send your muse away.✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  make your muse trip.✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  deny your muse’s existence.✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  slap your muse.✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  crush your muse’s dreams✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  set your muse’s home on fire.✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧  kill your muse.

“I will shove him arrround durrring the Seven Seas Smackdown, but I would rrratherrr not fuck with or fuck up the man who can see wherrre all the knives arrre in the kitchen.”

Nin, u could arrive 50 years late with starbucks and I would drop kick the mountains for u

THANK YOU THOUGH I ALWAYS LOVE BEING GAY ON THIS FINE TUESDAY MORNING

#ILU HAVE A GREAT DAY U ARE PERF #karakuls tongue #songbird #hiraethsongs

[authorkrysejay]

Heads Up 7 Up

Thank you @avrablake for the tag.

This is a small snippet from Phoenix Awakening.

The faint trickle of music seeped into the air around her, growing louder and louder with each passing breath. The room began to spin. Her vision burning bright along the edges. Flashes of images raced across her mind. She was no longer seated in the vault but surrounded by a mob, angry and shouting. Fire and brimstone scorched her nose as the people marched ever forwards. Weapons drawn.

Gently tagging @alinacapellabooks, @amandacanwrite, and @dyrewrites

#tag game #7up #indie author #writerscommunity #writing #fantasy #phoenixawakening #hiraethsong #writeblr

[authorkrysejay]

Looking for a new romantic fantasy read with spring/summer vibes?

Look no further.

Phoenix Awakening is the first book in the Hiraeth Song series and features a slow burn enemies to lovers romance, an outspoken spoiled princess and a world on the brink of war.

Available now as an ebook, paperback or hardcover on Amazon, Indigo, Barns & Noble and more!

#indie author #creative writing #writers on tumblr #writing #hiraethsong #writerscommunity #phoenixawakening #fantasy #writeblr #self publishing #fantasy romance #enemies to lovers #royaltycore #spring vibes #summer vibes

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #17

Good news! I got accepted into my local university for Creative Writing and I'll be starting in September. I'm really excited to go back to school and explore classes that will help fine tune my craft.

Writing is a skill that consistently changes in the sense that you're constantly getting better at it.

Oh! And I also tried my hand at drawing my own reel with very basic animation. I'm really proud of how it turned out and now I'm contemplating if I should make more like it.

I am on chapter 24 of book three, still in Act One but I'm giving myself some leeway with the unexpected university prepping. Fingers crossed I actually finish it this week. I only have the climax of Act one to write, so it should go fast.

I really need to get book 3 completed before university begins as my plan is to release it early to mid 2025. But that is probably going to change as I get used to juggling classes as well as writing on the side. I haven't even made a cover yet but I do have ideas.

Thankfully Book 2 is all set up and ready to go for fall. Woot Woot.

#indie author #creative writing #writers on tumblr #writing #hiraethsong #writerscommunity #phoenixawakening #self publishing #writeblr #indieauthorupdate

[authorkrysejay]

Map of the Five Kingdoms

The Map of the Five Kingdoms showcases the world of Phoenix Awakening and Hiraeth Song. Created by me using Inkarnate.

Each of the Five Kingdoms are divided by walls centered around the Neutral Zone, an area for the Giftless and epicentre of trade, with the Outlands and the Alcross Ocean surrounding them. The extent of the Outlands and Alcross Ocean are not shown.

The Kingdoms are identified by their capital cities.

Ignis - Lyrely

Vexus - Kevishire

Diablus - Zephyr (Valron is another city of interest)

Azura - Kano

Terra - Ren Briar

Neutral Zone - Innverness

To learn more about the world and each individual kingdom, peruse my blog or check out Phoenix Awakening, an adult romantic fantasy novel and first book of Hiraeth Song.

#indie author #creative writing #writers on tumblr #writing #hiraethsong #phoenixawakening #fantasy #writeblr #self publishing #original map #fantasy map

[authorkrysejay]

Moira has many redeemable qualities as well as a few blaring flaws. As the head of the Scarlets, what she says goes. Including excluding whomever she wishes until she welcomes them back into the fold.

Follow Moira's journey in Phoenix Awakening, releasing Feb 2nd. Available for pre-order on Amazon, Barns & Noble and more.

#creative writing #indie author #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writing #hiraethsong #phoenixawakening #fantasy #debut novel #writeblr #original character

[authorkrysejay]

Phoenix Awakening Tropes

Phoenix Awakening is the first book in my Hiraeth Song series and a long time labor of blood, sweat and tears.

Synopsis:

War cannot be ignored. 

It creeps into all aspects of life even when those in charge deem it best to disregard and keep their people in ignorance. The Kingdom of Ignis is no exception. As its princess, Moira’s life centered around mundane worries such as picking what outfit to wear out of the hundreds gracing her closet, avoiding her lessons and hanging out with her Scarlets. 

But that all changes on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, when the walls surrounding the Five Kingdoms are breached and she pulls a wounded soldier up through her shadow.

Swept up in the rippling consequences, Moira must mend burned bridges and awaken the latent Gift within in order to prove herself worthy of the knowledge and responsibilities befitting her title. Or risk losing all she had to begin with. 

Author's Note:

Each book in the series gets progressively darker and deals in heavier themes. This one is rather light in comparison to book two and three.

Releasing February 2nd 2024. My book is available for preorder on Amazon, Barns n Noble, Kobo, Google and Apple Books and more.

Check out my Instagram for fun reels and character boards

#creative writing #indie author #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writing #fantasy #self publishing #hiraethsong #phoenixawakening #enemies to lovers #writeblr #fantasy writer #high fantasy #dark fantasy #royaltycore #writing tropes #synopsis #elemental magic #spoiled princess

[authorkrysejay]

Phoenix Awakening Worldbuilding pt4

Phoenix Awakening is a romantic fantasy novel releasing February 2nd 2024 and the first book of the Hiraeth Song series.

The world is separated into five kingdoms and two territories separated by walls and the Alcross Ocean. Magic is represented through gifts and centered around elements.

The people of Diablus (Die-abb-less) are gifted in weaponry, combat and strategy.. A military focused kingdom, structure and discipline is everything. Training begins at a young age. Hand to hand combat and fighting with wooden weapons begins around the time toddlers began to walk. A vigorous and strict schedule (including but not limited to obstacle courses, archery, and battlefield strategies) follows throughout adolescence until a gift is awakened, in which case specialized training follows. 

The Onyx Dragon hanging on their banners is more than a creature of myth. The capital, Zephyr (Zef-fear), is said to be built on the back of an ancient sleeping one. The city is separated into three tiers, making it nearly impregnable with Ox Point as its only entry point. The Ironkeep Fortress sits at the very top tier. 

Wyverns and other winged scaled creatures can sometimes be seen far off on the mountain tops of the Wyvern Mountain Range that makes up most of the eastern border. Iron and other cherished ores, crystals and minerals are mined at the base of them. All of it is essential for weapon production. Blacksmithing is considered an honoured craft. 

Valron is the second largest city in Diablus, located just off of the Wyvern Mountain border where all mined goods are collected and a majority of those gifted in smiting are located. 

The higher elevation of the kingdom results in colder temperatures. Harsh cold winds cut through the warmer months. Winter brings with it mounds of ice and snow, stretching nearly six months of the entire year. Thick furred cattle as well as imported goods are essential in keeping the kingdom fed when the land freezes. 

Ice skating on the Endless River and other creeks and ravines, snow fights, building snowmen and snow forts are all activities enjoyed by the people of Diablus. 

Rankings in society are achieved by hard work, experience and training. Gladiator style fights as well as other competitions are an exception. The Rise is one such tournament, occurring every two years. Novice squadrons tour Diablus’s countryside while more experienced ones are placed to watch the border wall battlements. The Warlord is the highest possible ranking. It is only available after the previous Warlord dies or if they abdicate the position. The Trials of Succession commences shortly after. Anyone may participate to showcase their honorary leadership values. A successor is chosen either by the previous Warlord or a council of elders. The Shadowfall Arena is Zephyr’s coliseum.

Diablus offers protection for all Five Kingdoms. Its people protect their borders and waters against attacks made from Outlanders. After death, the deceased is decorated in any honors awarded during their service. After a few sunsets and night breaks its way across the horizon, the physical form of the dead dissolve away into shadow to join again with the Unending Void. 

Citizens of Diablus have the palest completions of all Five Kingdoms. Dark brown and black hair is most common as well as hazel and brown eyes. Silver hair and pale pastel colored eyes are seen in some family lines. 

Main exports are precious metals, crystals, gems, weaponry and armor. 

#creative writing #indie author #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writing #hiraethsong #phoenixawakening #self publishing #fantasy #shadow magic #elemental magic #fantasy worldbuilding #worldbuilding #writeblr

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Progress #6

The paperback and hardcover versions of Phoenix Awakening are finally on their way to me! I ordered my proofs and they should be arriving around/ during the holidays. I do have a few paperback proofs from Amazon when I was still deciding on which cover, from those I created, to use as well as paper color and book sizes. But those are completely outdated.

All that being said, the physical copies of my book should be available for pre-order in January.

Writing wise, I've been slowly making progress on book 3's 3rd edit. I've been removing and moving scenes around to make more sense with how Moira had evolved as a character in books one and two. As well as changes to the pacing. My last draft had 62 chapters and about 120k words. So far I'm on chapter 9. My goal is to complete this draft sometime next year before book 2's release. I'd like to release book 3 in 2025 but I don't want to rush it's quality.

#creative writing #indie author #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writing #hiraethsong #fantasy #self publishing #phoenixawakening #indieauthorupdate

[authorkrysejay]

Book Cover Update

The cover for my debut novel Phoenix Awakening will be revealed in two weeks!

I wouldn't consider myself a fantastic artist but I'm proud of how it turned out. It took me a month and a half to learn clip paint studio basics and create a cover in the dimensions needed for self-publishing.

I also decided to create a hardcover version, which has special back cover art inspired by stained glass and mosaics.

#creative writing #indie author #writing #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #book cover #book cover reveal #romanticfantasybook #phoenixawakening #fantasy #royaltycore #hiraethsong #bookcoverart #bookcoverrevealannouncement

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #21

I got my hardcover proof copy of book 2 in the mail last week and decided to do one more read through. Thank goodness I did because I found so many issues. I don't know how I missed them. But its much easier to spot them when reading an actual book than staring at a bright screen.

Some of the issues were Mantle vs Mantel, Gray vs Grey, and sentences that had missing words that my mind filled in but weren't actually on the page. So all the files have been updated and uploaded for pre-orders. But I'll only begin that at the end of this month after the cover reveal.

Needless to say, I did not write much on book 3. I've been so busy editing and making small changes to the covers that I haven't had the time or mental energy. I also planned out all of my classes for my first year for uni, which I'm really excited about.

Today I'm going to take a break day and tomorrow, begin rereading book 3 from act one to make some changes with things I'd forgotten about in book 2 when I wrote it. Then continue on where I left off.

#writers on tumblr #creative writing #indie author #writing #hiraethsong #writerscommunity #fantasy #writeblr #indieauthorupdate #self publishing

[authorkrysejay]

Cover Reveal for Phoenix Awakening!

Phoenix Awakening is an adult fantasy romance novel and the first book of the Hiraeth Song series. It will be available for pre-order on December 1st and releasing February 2nd 2024 on Amazon, Barns and Noble, Google Books, Kobo and more!

Synopsis:

War cannot be ignored...

It creeps into all aspects of life even when those in charge deem it best to disregard its existence and keep their people in ignorance. The Kingdom of Ignis is no exception. As its Princess, Moira's life centered around mundane worries; such as picking what outfit to wear out of the hundreds, avoiding her lessons, and hanging out with her Scarlets.

But that all changes on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, when the walls surrounding the Five Kingdoms are breached and she pulls a wounded soldier up through her shadow.

Swept up in the rippling consequence, Moira must mend burned bridges and awakening the latent gift within in order to prove herself worthy of the knowledge and responsibilities worthy of her title.

Tropes:

*Enemies to lovers

*Spoiled Princess

*Elemental based magic

*Irredeemable Villain

#creative writing #indie author #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #hiraethsong #enemies to lovers #fantasy books #bookcoverart #book cover reveal #fantasy writing #phoenixawakening #royaltycore #creativewriters #fantasy romance books #writing fantasy #book series #corruption arc #self publishing

[authorkrysejay]

A Little Self-Indulgence

Book 3 has been kicking my butt so I decided to write a something that is writing book 3 adjacent and a little empowering.

They said it was impossible to enter my own story. But here I was, in my puffy maroon winter jacket and red beanie, standing before the final tier of Zyphyr. My city. It was breath taking...quite literally with the elevation and finer air. But I wasn't here for the sights. I was here for her.

"Halt!" The guards along the top of the battlements called down as I turned to face the Ironkeep Fortress gates. I didn't know their names and I could barely make out their faces behind their helmets. But they were unimportant. Fodder for my cannons, extras in this war.

"Would you kindly open the gates?" I shouted, motioning towards the reinforced wooden doors.

The men looked at each other confused, then spoke quietly amongst themselves drawing unwanted attention. I must have looked out of place with my fashion. It wasn't as if they had pink sneakers. Or perhaps it was that I was a woman, standing before the gates and issuing orders as if I was their general. I had made them exceedingly misogynistic.

"Your creator asked you kindly. Do not make me come up there." I warned. With a flourish of my hand, purple glittering shadow swept upwards as if caught by the gentle wind. They stiffened as my gift spurred them into action.

This was my story. I could have whatever gift I wanted.

The gates slowly opened, peeling away to reveal the fortress courtyard. There was the stables off to the right and the barracks to the left. And the Ironkeep Fortress was dead center, towering above them both. A gothic architects dream with black stone, flying buttresses and bared windows, eight stories tall with several towers.

I added a skip to my step as I made my way across the courtyard. Horses neighed from the stables, the smell of hay flooding my nostrils.

A boy no older than thirteen with ruffled brown hair paused in the opened doorway, wide eyed at my strange appearance.

Jaime.

I gave him a large smile and a wink before making my way up the front fortress steps. His fate wasn't sealed yet but I had ideas.

I pulled open the front doors with ease. A red runner covered gray stone. I took a deep breath, taking in the crisp air tinged with lemon cleaner. Arches crossed across the ceiling and right across the way was the main staircase.

But the maids quarters were near the kitchens along the east wing. I had little need to explore the upper floors. At least not yet. I was here to experience everything.

I strode down the familiar halls with my ear buds in and music softly playing. It wouldn't take long before I was noticed. The guards on the battlements would spread word or perhaps someone else would spot me. I turned down the east wing corridor, the inner courtyard visible through the windows.

The oak tree shimmered, its multicolored leaves drifting onto swept piles. I made a mental note to add that to the list of maid chores.

Then I felt a sudden chill race down my spine, shadows darkening around my feet as if they tried to consume my body. A hand crushed my cushioned arm in a tight grip and pulled.

I followed the offending hand glittering with blocky studded rings up an embroidered sleeve and muscled shoulder to pitch black voids for eyes. My nose wrinkled at the overwhelming stench of smoke. But there was no way I would make my villain smell like roses.

My lips curled into a knowing smile, my teeth sharpening into points. He recoiled as if I'd slapped him, his pale features blanching.

"Mother..." His proud voice shook.

"Hello darling."

#writing #writers on tumblr #creative writing #hiraethsong #writerscommunity #writeblr #fantasy #self insert #self indulgent #writing blurb #nonsensical imaginings #villian oc #villian au

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #20

Writing a novel is a marathon not a sprint. Even after finishing two books, I constantly have to remind myself that it takes time to write, more time than it takes to read. I've been feeling a bit burnt out with writing everyday and trying to create posts for Instagram but such is the life of an indie author.

I was able to approve and order my first proof copies of book 2, so I'll be able to look them over and show them off by the end of April. Fingers crossed book two will be available for pre-order by May.

The weather has also been giving me whiplash. Spring has been teasing at warmer weather with sunnier and longer days but the snow fall and cold winds are clinging remnants of winter. Oh, and sleep. I haven't been getting much of that.

For the upcoming week, I need to sleep a solid 8 hrs per night and continue writing Act 2 of Book 3 regardless of how much I don't want to. Honestly if I miraculously got a genie to grant me wishes, I'd ask for my stories to write themselves.

#musings #indie author #writers on tumblr #writing #hiraethsong #writerscommunity #writeblr #indieauthorupdate #self publishing

[authorkrysejay]

Character Showcase: The Princelings

The Princelings are the direct counterparts of the Scarlets.

Prince Larkin, Moira's older brother, is their leader and where they got their name from. Weighed down by the responsibility place on him by his father and forever changed by his mother's death, Larkin does his best to keep up appearances. With red hair and emerald green eyes, he's also gifted in music; able to play instruments without laying a finger on them.

Kieran has a more androgynous appearance, with long brown hair and lime green eyes. He's one of Larkin's closest confidants and gifted in craft, specifically painting. Crushing on Larkin's sister would have been taboo if Moira hadn't accepted his advances.

Zevan is the last of the Princelings. With dyed black hair with white stripes and a gift in acrobatics, he stands out with his more reserved, mysterious demeanour. And many may not know that his relationship with Larkin runs deeper than it first appears.

#indie author #creative writing #writing #hiraethsong #phoenixawakening #writeblr #fantasy #writers on tumblr #original characters #self publishing #princelings