Forthright .'s Blog

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the worried one.

139
Listen Good

Torloo helped prop Coop on pillows, a limp coyote draped across his chest. “So he can hear your heartbeat.”

“Listen good, then.” Pushing hair from a face pinched by worries, Coop added, “I’m right here, like I promised.”

“Keep talking. It will ca...

Boniface Smythe of the Stately House Smythes debuts today! You can read it over on my Patreon account. This story is available to ALL members, even free members. With this serial updating every day in October, it’s the perfect time to find & follow me there. forthrightly on Patreon >>

Boniface Smythe of the Stately House Smythes (Amaranthine Interludes, #6)
a Patreon exclusive serialization with 100-word chapters

He wants to figure this out on his own, only he really hates being alone. B...

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the ones who were rained on.

138
Honored

They hurried to the little shelter in the Elderbough encampment where Coop slept. “Will he mind that this isn’t a den?”

Mutt said, “If you’re with him, where you are doesn’t matter.”

Torloo plucked at Coop’s drenched T-shirt. “You are col...

Debut Day is Tomorrow. I have a new serialization ready for readers. Boniface’s story will be told in the same style as his brother’s, with 100-word chapters. And just like I did for Lord Mettlebright’s Man, I’ll be using Inktober prompts to get things started. Here is the list for 2025:

As I mentioned back on this post, I’m not posting Boniface here on the blog. Coop will remain here, but Boniface will be unfolding over on Patreon, where it’ll be available to ALL members, including ...

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one whose attitude shifts.

137
Sad

Coop had to push Mutt’s big muzzle out of the way before he could crawl free. “Hey, it’s all right. Give us a hand?”

Torloo followed, half-dragging the coyote. “He has been struggling against sleep. Coop will be his safety.”

Mutt shifted. “...

Well, okay. Year of the Snake. But if the hiss fits …!

Most years, I choose a new print for my wall to celebrate the year, especially if the animal holds significance to one of my stories. I was writing about Oxus (a race in the Galleries of Stone universe) during the Year of the Ox, and I found a lovely print in grays and corals that suits my office’s color scheme. And I have SO many rabbity-boys. Springheels & Pika. Last year, I chose a sunrise print with a sweet bunny hidden in th...

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s in so much trouble.

136
Safe Haven

“Is this your friend?” asked Torloo.

“Not sure. I thought Chumani was a girl.”

“You cannot tell…?” Torloo looked confused, like he couldn’t imagine it.

“Is he hurt? Sick?”

“Sleeping. He has gone deep.”

Coop adjusted his g...

Artsy Souvenir. While I was traipsing through art galleries in the nation’s capital, I visited plenty of museum shops. I collect enamel pins. I send my fair share of postcards. And I’m always on the lookout for a book-related souvenir. This is the treasure I brought home.

Yeah, it’s basically just a paperweight. But it’s a one-of-a-kind, splashed molten copper paperweight. For those of you who’ve already read Folk-Spelled, you’ll recognize these are the royal colors. But if you prefer...

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s in the dark.

135
Lofting Crystals

Coop angled his shoulders to get through, and the den widened—totally dark and smelling like earth and leaves and fur. “Chumani? Is that you?”

He reached blindly. Brushed fur.

Behind him, Torloo begged, “Wait, Lad. We don’t know–!”...

Boniface Smythe of the Stately House Smythes. Although he doesn’t really like the idea of following (even more) in his brother’s footsteps, dear Bon-Bon has been politely adamant with regards to a new serialization. It’s his turn.

Here are some things you should know:

In keeping with my usual style, Boniface’s story will unfold in small chapters of exactly 100 words. So it’ll be just like Lord Mettlebright’s Man. Boniface will be debuting on October 1, with new chapters posting ...