2025, A Roadmap
Happy New Year, everyone! Let me start by, of course, wishing you all the best in 2025!! 2024 really flew by so fast, and was full of many blessings. I had my challenges, but I still managed to publish volume two, got in an Austin book store and made some great local connections. We’re only getting started: much more is coming in 2025!!
Book Three, Coming Soon!
Most importantly, I’m happy to announce you can expect book three late this fall! In this next installment, Isabel will be getting ready to make her magical debut at Walpurgisnacht, the Night of the Witches Festival. Master Wis has asked her to create something to present that will tell the magical world about the kind of witch she wants to be. But… what kind of witch is that? How does Isabel see herself, and what does that mean for her magical journey?
These questions will test the relationship between teacher and student as Isabel’s exciting misadventures continue, including with a legendary dragon and its rider, a ditsy Seer and a menacing Vampire Lord who returns to Aramore to take back someone very important to our dear apprentice.
We're only just getting started!!
Who Wants Merch?!
I would also really like to take a more serious approach towards growing my readership. As I began my author journey, it started with a simple Facebook page, but has now expanded to a website, a subreddit, and even a Discord server. But it’s hard to sustain and grow a series without an appropriately expanding audience base. There are many things I’d love to do, but it all depends on your support - for which I’ve always been deeply grateful.
To that end, in the coming months I’ll be working with my illustrator to bring many of the characters seen in volume two to life. By the spring, I hope to begin releasing merchandise: your favorite characters on bookmarks, pins and maybe even keychains. How about Wis’ Apothecary mugs and t-shirts?
As the merchandise launches, I plan on beginning contests and giveaways to help grow readership and get some of that sick merch in your hands! This includes the launch of an Instagram account to showcase the new art and make announcements - so be on the lookout! I also plan to heavily promote the Discord and subreddit as platforms for passionate discussions about the Apothecary universe.
Wouldn't this look so cute on a pin?!
Introducing Chronicles
In another approach to building readership, I'm going to slightly change the direction, or rather the focus, of my biweekly blog.
As much as I love musing about issues that are important to me like books remaining in schools, or experiences that inspire me, let's be frank... you first fell in love with Isabel and the world of Wis' Apothecary. Not me. And while I appreciate your support regarding all facets of my life, when I'm at book festivals selling myself and my website... at the end of the day what I'm really trying to promote is reading.
So let's lean into that! Please allow me to introduce Chronicles, which will be a majority of the content you see on my blog moving forward. Remember Cloud Chronicles? It'll be like that: small vignettes about the world or glimpses into the lives of the characters we don't get to see all the time.
Maybe one could chronicle the creation myth behind Tierre. Maybe one could chronicle another get-rich-quick scheme from the twins. Maybe I could chronicle a quiet afternoon at Heidi's bakery. Or give a history lesson about the Queen. You get the idea!
While I expect it to be a bit more challenging to juggle along with my regular writing, I hope it will further flesh out the world, attract new readers and build excitement from book-to-book.
Who or what would you like to see me feature?! I'll actively be taking requests, so please give me ideas!
Exploring New Ways to Read
My final goal is to get an audiobook going for volume one, but I also want to take my time and make sure I get this right… so no immediate promises! Finding the right voice actor could be tricky, and I want to do both Isabel and my readers justice.
With that said, I was given some promising leads by some of those Austin writing connections I mentioned, and I’d like to start actively pursuing the possibility.
I think if I can make an audiobook happen, it’ll only expand the reach of Wis’ Apothecary and open the door to a whole new slate of readers. Please wish me luck!
Photocredit: Joyce Busola
Looking Forward to 2025: New Goals and Exciting Stories Await!
Once again, please let me wish you a prosperous 2025! I have lots of big goals and I’m excited to see what this year will bring. Your encouragement through now has meant so much to me, and I only hope you’ll continue cheering me along!
I can’t wait to get book three in your hands, where I’d like to believe these stories will be some of the most thrilling yet!! I don’t want to give too much away, but Isabel will be faced with some very difficult choices! Please look forward to it.
What are some of your goals or resolutions? I’d love to hear them in the comments below! Until next time, thanks for reading!
