Beck Michaels's Blog

Well, life has handed me a plot twist that feels more like a curse from a trickster god. Earlier this week I fell leaving a dentist office and I broke my ankle. Fortunately, I don’t need surgery, but unfortunately, I am on bed rest for six weeks.

This has really not been my year.

Dealing with a broken bone has really derailed my revision schedule, especially since I can’t walk for the next month and a half. So I’m moving the release of King’s Kiss ebook to December 16th. Print copies will be available after New Years.

I will still be in a medical boot by then and dealing with physical therapy, but I want to at least get the ebook out to you this year. With how crazy the post office gets during the holidays, icy roads that are a fall risk, and with only husband to help package a mountain of pre-orders, it's best for everyone that I wait to begin shipping until mid January.

I’m sorry, darlings. This was not the update I wanted to write, but when life gives you lemons…

We throw them at Rune. Jk lol sort of.

The whole ordeal has been really frustrating to say the least. The cherry on top of what 2025 has been for many. But I am holding onto hope that 2026 will bring good things. Spring is rebirth. Spring is when snow melts and bones mend and stories take shape.

This book deserves to arrive when I am strong enough to stand on both feet again… literally and metaphorically.

👑 Pre-orders: If you pre-ordered from my website (books, boxes, print packs, dust jackets, etc.), or pre-ordered the white exclusive edition from @BookishSigns, you don’t need to do anything. Your pre-order will automatically shift to December 16th.

Amazon will send out a notice of the new release date later today.

👑 Timeline: Orders will begin shipping the third week of January and will go out in waves throughout the month until February. Keep in mind things may move slower than usual as I don’t have any assistants other than my husband to help me pack orders.

The white exclusive edition will likely begin shipping in February. Please have patience with Amber (@BookishSigns). The book printer takes ten days minimum to process orders. The exclusives must arrive at my home first to be signed before they can go to Amber to be painted, then packaged to be shipped to you.

👑 Arc Team & Street Team: You’ll receive your ARC hopefully by early December.

🎁 My Gift: As my thank you for your patience

King and Queen of Shadows print is now added to all King’s Kiss pre-orders. It’s automatically included with orders placed through my website.

If you pre-ordered the ebook on Amazon, just fill out this FORM to claim your free swag.

Everyone who pre-ordered from my site will also receive a special 50% discount code off any one item in the shop. This code will arrive with your fulfillment notice.

King’s Kiss © Beck Michaels

A sly smile edged the prince’s mouth as he slid a ring onto her finger. Not the golden monstrosity she’d expected, but a dark, beautiful band. Onyx metal twisting like vines, with a ruby center that pulsed like a living thing.

“Do you choose to bind yourself to me by accepting this ring?” he asked.

The strange words weren’t loud. But they stilled Alora’s thoughts and the beat of her heart.

The prince gazed back at her, calm and unreadable.

The torches dimmed.

Shadows flickered unnaturally against the wall, and Alora swore Aldric’s shadow stretched behind him up the wall, forming like horns above his head. And for just a breath, his eyes caught the torchlights, flickering with flame.

Her breath hitched.

The throne room doors burst open with a thunderous crack.

Prince Aldric stormed in with his guards, expression contorted with fury. “Impostor!” he bellowed.

Gasps rang through the room. Alora and the wedding guests stared at the prince then at his twin standing beside her.

The impostor’s smile curved into something terribly familiar as his blue eyes bled red. She stumbled back when shadows burst from his body. They blotted torches one by one, ripping through the chamber. Cries rang out as wind wailed through the air and the church drowned in darkness.

A black cloud rippled on the altar. From it, emerged a figure of nightmare. A man she didn’t know but had met in her dreams.

Long black hair spilled around a pale face chiseled like marble, beautiful in its otherworldliness, garnet eyes glowing in the dark. He loomed above her in a black ceremonial coat, a cape streaming behind him like a veil of blood. His ears were tapered to points, and crimson markings pulsed across his skin with a life of their own.

Alora was rooted in place, blood going still in her veins. Her body knew him before her mind could name him.

Rune.

He grinned at the gawking crowd behind her, fangs gleaming. And his voice rumbled in the silence, dark amusement curling in every biting word. “Praise the Seven.”

The High Priestess’s face drained of all color as she pointed at him with a trembling finger. “The Shadow God!”

Panic erupted.

People fled in all directions, screaming. Calveron’s guards struggled to move forward as the frantic throng pushed against them.

“Stop him!” Prince Aldric shouted, drawing his sword. “Who closed the curtains? Tear them down, damn it! Let in the light—”

Rune raised a clawed hand.

The shadows surged out, spearing the guards. Swords and windows shattered. Men flew backward. The castle shook as fissures veined the walls.

And yet Rune never looked away from her. He stood before her, towering, terrible, crimson eyes unforgivably calm. Ancient and burning.

Prince Aldric and his men charged forward, but everything seemed to slow, as if they existed out of time itself.

A sly knowing smirk rose to Rune’s face. He took her chin in his fingers, black talons cool against her skin, and he asked once more. “Princess Alora of Argyle, do you choose to bind yourself to me?”

Her heartbeat slowed.

The unusual proposal felt mythic.

A ritual written in spirit and bone.

The room trembled and the shadows writhed on the wall, as if awaiting her answer. Perhaps he had always been her way out, or perhaps it was simply the fact that Rune still gave her a choice. Accepting his ring would spare her from Aldric’s clutches. And that in itself was reason enough.

May her mother and father forgive her.

“I do,” she breathed.

Her reply fell like stones into a still pond. The ring pulsed with a heartbeat not her own and the sensation sank into her being, as if weaving through her very soul. She gasped, the bouquet slipping from her grasp.

Wind ripped through the chamber and the ground vibrated beneath her feet. Screams and the clash of metal rang into focus as time resumed. Aldric leaped up in the air, raising his sword above her head with an angry roar.

The shadows swallowed her whole.

Alora opened her eyes to darkness and abrupt quiet. Her chest heaved with wild breathes, heart hammering at how close she came to death. She stumbled back, her heels clacking on the hard stone, struggling to adjust her sight. The scent of damp earth and dust made her cough. At last her vision cleared with the faint moonlight trickling from the small opening in the ceiling far above.

She knew this place.

But this time… no dragon lurked in the cavern.

Alora whipped around.

Shadows clung to Rune like a living mist. His crimson eyes glowed bright as they watched her intently. A predator who had been kept waiting.

“Welcome home.” The God of Shadows smiled, the edges of his fangs glinting. “Wife.”

Thank you for your grace as I navitagte through the chaos life has thrown my way. Sometimes I have to remind myself that all good things take time. I want this book to be breathtaking and that means giving it all the time it needs to shine.

I’m bummed that King’s Kiss couldn’t be a fall book, but that’s ok.

It will be my Christmas gift to you!

With all my love,
xoxo ❤

Beck

P.S. Rune says not to worry, he promises to make it up to you, too. 😏

Quick and honest update about King’s Kiss. It’s been a really tough year all around, and it’s taken a toll on my mental and physical health. Between commissions falling behind schedule, manufacturers hiking prices or exorbitant tariffs, customs issues, and killer migraines, I was already dealing with quite a lot. So when I fell ill at the end of September, it honestly felt like this book was cursed.

I ended up having emergency surgery the first week of October. I’m completely fine and healing, but it’s taken me a couple of weeks to recover. With constant doctor visits and trying to finish revisions from bed, it’s clear As much as it hurts to say, I won’t make the October 28th release. I wanted it to be a Halloween book so badly. I’m so sorry.

I’m such a people-pleaser and (annoying) perfectionist, so it really sends me into a spiral when I feel like I’m letting you down. I’m halfway through revisions now, and the stubborn part of me still thinks I can keep my original date, but rushing would mean typos, no sleep, crippling anxiety, and me crying into my tea. I’m learning how to prioritize my mental health lol.

My doctors have warned I may need a more invasive surgery with a six-month recovery time, but I’ll schedule that after you’ve got King’s Kiss in your hands. You won’t have to wait long, though!

👑 Pre-orders: If you pre-ordered from my website (books, boxes, print packs, dust jackets, etc.), or pre-ordered the white exclusive edition from @BookishSigns, you don’t need to do anything. Your pre-order will automatically shift to November 25th.

👑 Timeline: Orders will begin shipping the first week of December (after Thanksgiving) and will go out in waves throughout the month.

👑 Team & Street Team: You’ll receive your ARC by November 7th, if not sooner.

👑 Pre-orders: Amazon will send out a notice of the new release date later today.

👑 Gift: On October 31st, I’ll share a mini spoilery teaser + new art as a thank-you for your patience. Everyone who pre-ordered from my site will also receive a special 50% discount code off any item in the shop.

For any questions or pre-order adjustments, reply to this email or reach out to us through the Contact form. I will update the Shipping Updates page as we go along, so check it frequently for any changes.

Thank you for giving me the space to deliver the best version of this story. Your loving messages and encouragement mean more than you know. We appreciate your patience!

Counting down until the shadows fall,

xoxo ❤

Beck

P.S. If you’re super bummed, Rune has offered himself up as target practice, so feel free to throw a pomegranate at him.

Fall has officially arrived, and with it comes the turning of leaves, the lengthening of nights… and the countdown to King’s Kiss! On October 28, Rune and Alora’s story will finally step out of the shadows.

In just five short weeks, you’ll hold their dark fairytale in your hands. A dark fairytale of obsession, betrayal, and a love so relentless it refuses to die. The wait is nearly over, and I can hardly contain my excitement to share it with you. 🖤✨

So settle in with something warm (or perhaps something wicked), because I have some fun updates for you this month, including ARC opportunities and TWO brand-new art reveals you won’t want to miss!

Do you dare enter the shadows early? ARC applications are now open for King’s Kiss! If you love dark gothic fairytales with a shadow god whose devotion burns hotter than the sun, sign up for a chance to read Rune and Alora’s story early.

Applications close September 29th

eARCs will be distributed October 3–10 via BookFunnel

Please read the trigger warnings before applying. Every book on my website will have the triggers listed beneath the covers on their main page.

👉 [Apply for your ARC here]

Haven’t read King’s Bride yet? Or just want a refresher before King’s Kiss releases? Join our readalong! 📚

Sept 21 → We’ll discuss Chapters 1–24

Sept 28 → We’ll discuss Chapters 25–End

We’ll have a fun group chat via Instagram, plus a StoryGraph readalong so you can track progress.

To join, reach out to @behindthepages, @tessthebookworm4, or @bibliophilewritrix.

If you’re new here, King’s Bride is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with Viking vibes, a stabby queen, and the God of Death obsessed with her.

✨ New rainbow acrylic standees are here! Featuring:

Rune & Alora (King’s Kiss)

Jökull & Sunnëva (King’s Bride)

7 inches, double-sided, rainbow acrylic magic 🌈. Preorders are limited, but you can join the waitlist for any extras that remain after shipping.

Dust Jacket waitlist is also available!

There you’ll find:

Estimated shipping timelines for each item

A progress tracker showing the status of every preorder product

Please note: if your order includes King’s Bride or any in-stock shop item along with a preorder item, your full order will ship together once all items are available.

For any questions, reach out to my team using the Contact form.

“𝑹𝒖𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒃𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆. 𝑨𝒕 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏.” — 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈'𝒔 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔 👑💋

Feast your eyes on another beauty for King’s Kiss, my dark Sleeping Beauty retelling of a shadow god with a burn for her obsession for his bride. 🔥

The breathtaking details, the red glow of the Blood Moon, the delicate crown, the shadows curling like whispers, the those spider lilies, and the way Rune is looking at Alora while playing with her hair. 🫠

Huge thank you to the incredibly talented @lyyzis_artfor bringing this vision to life. Your art is pure enchantment! 🥹💖

This print will be featured in the King’s Kiss Print Pack!

“𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆.” — 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈’𝒔 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔

Another royal masterpiece has arrived, and I am absolutely feral over it. 😭🔥

Behold my God of Shadows and his stolen bride. This is not just art, it’s giving divine coronation meets hellfire romance.

Rune looks absolutely feral here with his horns, wings, that shredded chest, the way he’s half-shadow and half-god sitting like he owns the apocalypse. And Alora looks every bit the Queen of Shadows, draped in red like dusk, perfectly regal and tucked against him like she knows he’d burn the world if anyone touched her.

The red sky in the background, the sea of spider lilies… it’s just a vibe of together, we rule. Huge thank you to the insanely talented @xsifaaaa for this beauty.

Here is a sassy teaser for you, my dears. But if you want something a little more steamy, check out the snippets I shared in my Instagram stories today!

This season is full of shadows, artwork, and anticipation, and I couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting my stories. You make every step worth it.

Until next time, stay magical. 🖤

xoxo ❤

Beck

August feels like the breath before the plunge. You know, the still hush before the storm breaks. Outside, the world is sweltering, but in my writer’s cave, I am stepping into shadows, fields of glowing crimson blooms, and high stakes.

My writing sessions are fueled by far too much matcha and a gothic playlist for the vibes. It’s been fun writing a story not part of a long series, it gives me more freedom to explore Urn and new characters. I’m am especially loving all the pivotal Rune-and-Alora moments. The kind where love feels like war, and war feels like love.

Fun fact: Rune refuses to say “I love you”… but the way he acts? Obvious. Pathetic. Ferally devoted. (I can’t wait for you to witness it.)

This month, I have a treasure trove for you: new surprise art, preorder swag, mini box updates, and a snippet that may just leave you sleepless.

We have an official release date! If you missed the announcement, King’s Kiss is making its debut October 28th. Because you know Rune just needs the aura of a spooky fall season. The ebook is now available to pre-order on Amazon.

Hardbacks and paperbacks remain exclusive to my website at this time, but they’ll be available later through online retailers in October.

✨ Claim Your King’s Kiss Swag! ✨

To celebrate the upcoming release, I’m sending exclusive swag to readers who preorder the ebook or any physical edition. Simply upload your preorder receipt below to claim your gift.

🖤 How it works:

Preorder your copy of King’s Kiss.

Fill out this FORM and upload your receipt.

Receive exclusive swag in your mailbox as a thank-you!

This offer is open internationally. Please submit your receipts by October 28th. If you pre-ordered King’s Kiss from my shop, swag is already included so you can skip the form!

🎁 Chronicle Mini Box Preorder closes August 8th!
❤️‍🔥 Dust Jacket Only Preorder closes August 29th!

The preorder mini box is live and thriving! If you’ve been waiting to claim your box, now’s the time. These are limited, and once they vanish into the Netherworld, they won’t be seen again.

What’s inside the boxes (depending on which King you choose):

✨Dust Jacket with art by @mahsa.gallery , plus a brand-new exclusive map on the other side, designed by @marta.intotheforest

🌈 Rainbow Acrylic Standee with art by @samairu

⚔️ Enamel 7” Weapon Replica by @butchinelle

🖤 Velvet Art Prints by @lyyzis_art

🏰 Wooden Castle Bookmark by @alsacess_art

👚 T-shirt by @thedearwriterco

📦 If you submitted an international order and haven’t received your invoice, please Contact us asap.

👉🏻 For shipping updates on all preorders, find them HERE .

𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚. — 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈'𝒔 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔

I am SWOONING over the King’s Kiss and King’s Bride standee art by @samairu. The soft adoring way they are looking at their ladies. 🥹

🌈 These 6" rainbow acrylic standees are included in their Chronicle Mini Boxes!

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅. 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆. — 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈'𝒔 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔

I am undone by this blindingly gorgeous KING'S KISS art by the insanely talented @gabriellabujdoso. 😭🔥

Let’s talk about Rune’s hand placement. The possessiveness. The reverence. The way his claws dig into her like he’s holding the last star in a collapsing galaxy. And Alora? Soft but unyielding, tangled in shadows and silk, cradling a monster like she was born to because she was.

And yes, this scene is in the book. 😌

This gold foil print is featured in the King’s Kiss Print Pack

🌹 Shadow’s Darling 🌹

OH. MY. GAWD. The talented @amiranaval has captured Rune and Alora in a magestic new piece of art. And I can’t stop staring. The pose is iconic, the mood is decadent, and Rune’s protective arm draped over her says everything about his devotion. Alora shines here as his shadow darling, radiant in gold embroidery and the spider lily in her hand, while Rune looks every bit the dark god who would burn the world for her.

It’s dark, opulent, and everything I dreamed. And the best part? This exclusive print has now been added as a bonus print in the King’s Kiss Print Pack!

Just a taste of what is to come, my loves. The rest waits in the book’s black heart.

The tale of the Shadow God and his stolen bride has been so freeing to write. I can’t wait to share their story with you!

The shadows are only growing deeper, and I’ll be waiting for you in them. Don’t forget to grab your preorder before it’s gone, and maybe… leave a light on tonight. Just in case.

With love (and just a little menace),

xoxo ❤

Beck Michaels

It’s time to snatch up a bargain! From August 7th–10th, King’s Bride will be just $0.99 on Amazon US, UK, CAN, and AUS. (Or the lowest possible price Amazon allows)

If you’ve been waiting to dive into this wintery, Beauty & the Beast–inspired standalone about a god of death who falls to his knees for the woman destined to kill him… this is your chance! Share with a friend, grab a cozy blanket, and get ready for feminine rage, arranged marriage, enemies-to-lovers deliciousness, and a hero who embodies “touch her and die.”

Summer is nearly here, lovelies, and the shadow mountain is rumbling because June is packed with goodness. Between drafting new chapters of King’s Kiss and prepping the Chronicle Minis, I’ve been living on caffeine, chaos, and plot twists.

This month’s newsletter comes bearing not one, but two gorgeous art reveals, including a surprise one dropping at the end of the month.

And yes, it’s finally time! The King’s Bride Chronicle Mini Box preorder opens June 20th!❄️🥀

So grab your crowns and shadow blades (or frosted scythes) and let’s dive in.

Have you ever seen the God of Death cradle his favorite chaos like this? Because I’m still recovering. 😭

I am absolutely obsessed with this new piece of Sunneva and Jökull, brought to life by the incredible @mahsa.gallerry. The details! Her crown, the GOWN, the reverence in his gaze. THE DAGGER THIGH GRAB! I’m in tears, besties. It’s giving "married in every realm, even the cursed ones."

I just love the rare softness captured here for two characters forged in frost and fury. Dare I say, this one is my favorite!

You can check out @mahsa.gallery’s page for a progress video. What do you think? Is this not the most gothic fairytale moment ever? 🥀

Sample of foil effect

Now that the veil has been lifted, the moment has come to reveal the next installment in the Chronicles Mini Box series. 💍❄️

Feast your eyes on the exclusive dust jacket for King’s Bride. And folks, we are getting silver holographic foil with this one! Look at how gorgeous it turned out. 😍

King’s Kiss will have gold holographic foil too!

🥀 Alternate dust jacket with gorgeous artwork and foil details by @mahsa.gallerry
⚔️ 7” Enamel replica of Jokull’s scythe by @butchinell
🖤 Velvet art print by @lyyzis_art plus bonus print by @izumittoart
🌈 Luxe acrylic standees of Jokull and Sunneva with a rainbow finish by @samairu
🏰 Wooden bookmark shaped like a gothic castle window glimpsing into the Everfrost by @alsaces_art
👚 Fairytale-inspired t-shirt themed around Sunneva by @dearwriter.co

❄️ King’s Bride Mini Box $125
*Shipping not included

👑 BONUS ADD-ON:
On preorder day, you’ll also have the chance to grab the King’s Bride Day and Night pin set at a special discount!

🌌 Nightfall – A darker aesthetic with a whimsical detail
🌹 Daylight – A ethereal version with a traditional fairytale feel

✨ 4" Gold-Plated Hard Enamel
✨ Intricate Pin-on-Pin 3D Layering
✨ Pearl Powder & Stained Glass Setting
✨ Delicate Screen Printing for Details
✨ Custom Back Stamp & Heart-Shaped Rubber Clutches

🔥 Pin Set – $75

👑 WHEN & WHERE:
📅 Pre-orders open June 20th at 10 AM EST on beckmichaels.com
🔐 VIPs get first access at 10:00 AM via email with a password to enter the shop.
📩 Newsletter subscribers at 10:30 AM with a second email and password.
🌐 Public access opens the following day.

Quantities are limited to just 100 boxes, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

📦 Estimated to ship in the Fall 2025

⚠️ Note:
Only one box per person is allowed to ensure everyone gets a chance!

Payments will be accepted through PayPal and CC.

🌎 International residents, we highly recommend a mail forwarding service if you’re located in the EU or the EEA. We are now taking international orders through PayPal only. There will be a Google form to fill out before check out.

Friendly Reminder: All items in your order ship together when they become available. We recommend separating your pre-orders from regular orders.

Reply to this email if you have any questions or reach us through the Contact page.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒖𝒏𝒆’𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍, 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒊𝒎. 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒋𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒑 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒂𝒓, “𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒎𝒆?”

Brace yourselves, besties... because @izumittoart has delivered. 😮‍💨

This new King’s Kiss art captures Rune and Alora under the ominous glow of the Blood Moon where fate twists, power awakens, and love becomes something far more dangerous.

Rune is barely restrained, all sharp lines and shadowed heat. Alora, bold and breathtaking, stands in front of him with a blade in her hand and fire in her veins. Together? They look like they could destroy the world... and maybe they will. 😈💔

This scene marks a turning point in King’s Kiss, where truths are revealed, powers are stolen, and desire burns hotter than ever.

Tell me you’re not obsessed. I dare you. 🖤

This print will be featured in the King’s Kiss print pack! Also, keep an eye out for a third art reveal coming at the end of June by the lovely @gabriella.bujdoso.

Just a little taste of what you can expect in King’s Kiss. Equal parts danger, devotion, and deeply feral shadow gods. 🖤

Want something spicier? 😏
Check out my Instagram for a teaser that brings the heat. (You're welcome.)

I’ll be back in your inbox next Friday with a password to enter the shop! Until next time, stay wicked, stay soft, and never trust a god in the dark.

With snow kissed love,✨

xoxo ❤
Beck

💖 P.S.

A few King’s Kiss Chronicle Mini Boxes are still available! 💋🖤
Snag one before they’re gone forever. Each box includes exclusive items like the alternate dust jacket, enamel scythe, art prints, and more.

The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and I am deep in the shadows… I mean, drafting King’s Kiss. While Rune and Alora continue to make me scream into the void (in the best way), I’ve also been busy preparing something truly magical:

The Chronicle Minis! 🔥

Now settle in as I share everything you need to know about the pre-order and our amazing line of artists.

One story at a time, one box at a time.
King’s Kiss pre-orders open April 25th 💋
King’s Bride pre-orders coming May 30th 🥀

We’re spacing them out so you can collect each one without feeling overwhelmed. These are two exclusive merch boxes inspired by my fairytale retellings King’s Bride and King’s Kiss. Each mini includes six dreamy collectibles wrapped in a custom collector’s box for Chronicles of Urn fans.✨

We have finished dust jacket art, folks! And I am SWOONING!

👑 KING’S KISS MINI BOX:

🌹 Alternate dust jacket with gorgeous artwork and foil details by @mahsa.gallerry
⚔️ 7” Enamel replica of Rune’s shadow sword by @butchinell
🖤 Velvet art print by @lyyzis_art
🌈 Luxe acrylic standees of Rune and Alora with a rainbow finish by @samairu
🏰 Wooden bookmark shaped like a gothic castle window glimpsing into the Netherworld by @alsaces_art
👚 Fairytale-inspired t-shirt themed around Alora by @dearwriter.co

💋 King’s Kiss Mini Box $125
*Shipping not included

👑 BONUS ADD-ON:
On preorder day, you’ll also have the chance to grab the King’s Kiss Print Pack —featuring 15 breathtaking prints by some of the most iconic artists in the bookish world:
@gabriella.bujdoso, @mahsa.gallerry, @lyyzis_art, @izumittoart, @samairu, and five stunning new page overlays by @kotikomori. (Soft NSFW)

This premium bundle includes 5 custom vellum overlays and 10+ full-color art prints that capture the heart of King’s Kiss in all its dark and dreamy glory. Whether you’re building a Rune fan ready to swoon, this bundle is a collector’s dream.

🔥 King’s Kiss Print Pack – $75

👑 WHEN & WHERE:
📅 Pre-orders open April 25th at 10 AM EST on beckmichaels.com
🔐 VIPs get first access at 10:00 AM via email with a password to enter the shop.
📩 Newsletter subscribers at 10:30 AM with a second email and password.
🌐 Public access opens the following day.

Quantities are limited to just 100 boxes, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

📦 Estimated to ship in the Fall 2025

⚠️ Note:
Only one box per person is allowed to ensure everyone gets a chance!
Some items like dust jackets and standees may return in future drops, but this full box and exclusive 3D dagger replica and t-shirts will not be restocked.

Payments will be accepted through PayPal and CC.

International residents, we highly recommend a mail forwarding service if you’re located in the EU or the EEA. We are able to ship to: Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and the UK. Reply to this email if you have any questions.

Let’s talk about where I’m at with King’s Kiss. I’m deep in the writing trenches of the second half of the book, and the drama is so real. Rune is unhinged, Alora is glowing (literally and emotionally), and secrets are unraveling fast. 🖤✨

FAQ I get a lot:
Will King’s Kiss be available for ebook preorder on Amazon?

The answer is yes, but closer to release. Right now, I’m holding off on announcing a firm release date (because missed deadlines = anxiety). Just know I’m aiming for late summer to fall, (cross your fingers for August) and I’ll keep you posted every step of the way.

Alora threatens to go stabby and Rune says “Yes, please”. He is so unserious, I love him. 😌

I’ll be back in your inbox soon with all the preorder links and final reveal. Until then, let the shadows stir...
And if you haven’t yet, make sure you’re following on Instagram for sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes reveals!

Until then, stay dangerous, darlings.✨

xoxo ❤

Beck

We are just two days away from spring break and I am so ready for vacation. I am in a good mood because today is my birthday! That means it’s time for my annual shop sale! 🥳 🎁🍀 (This newsletter was sent out on March 19th but I forgot to post it to my blog. Shop codes have already expired.)

Before I give you the shop codes, let’s do a really quick March newsletter to keep you up to date on what I have been up to.

Ahhhhh! I squealed when I saw this sketch for the special edition King’s Kiss dust jackets! THE HAND PLACEMENT. THE THIGH GRIP. THE SHOES. THE DRAPING FABRIC. THE WINGS. 🔥

Rune is holding onto her like he’ll never let go, like the entire world could crumble around them and he’d still keep her in his arms. The way his fingers press into her thigh. It’s possessive, it’s reverent, it’s like she’s his entire existence. If this is the sketch, what are we supposed to do when the full piece is finished? 🫠

@mahsa.gallerry did amazing work! Check out her page for an in progress video. And yes, she will also be doing the dust jacket art for King’s Bride. These will be featured in the Chronicle Mini boxes! Pre-order date to be announced in April.

I’ve got a King’s Kiss snippet for you below!

𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐘𝐞𝐭, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞.

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐭-𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞.

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞—

“𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬?”

𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞. 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐤.

𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲, 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞𝐭, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐤. 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐬.

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧, 𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐀 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐤 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡.

“𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲, “𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐤.”

Who else is ready for this book to drop? New teasers coming out next week! ✨️🔥

If you missed Rune’s bonus chapter last month, find it here: Rune - The Reign of Shadows

📢 Exciting News! Rising Dawn Revised Edition is Here!

When I first released Rising Dawn, it was under immense pressure and deadlines that forced me to publish before I felt the story was truly ready. While I did my best, I always knew this book deserved more.

💎 What’s New in the Revised Edition?

This version has been fully polished, expanded scenes, and updated with minor details to reflect my full vision for the original story. (Hardbacks and Paperbacks will be updated on all platforms by the end of the spring.)

✨ The ebook now includes Tavin’s Bonus Chapter of how he met Tarn!

Where to Get the Revised Edition:

📖 Ebook version is available now! You will know it’s the right one by the alternate dynalya cover seen above.

📲 If you previously purchased the ebook, try re-downloading from your library. Amazon does not always push automatic updates, so you may need to remove and re-download it from your device.

Thank you all for your incredible support. If you’ve already read Rising Dawn, thank you for being part of this journey. If you’re new—now is the perfect time to dive in! I can’t wait for you to experience Rising Dawn the way it was meant to be! ❤️

To give you a chance to save on these new King’s Bride Collector’s Pins, I have decided to open the pre-order today!✨

☀️🌹 Day & Night King’s Bride Pins! 🌙💙

✨ 4” Enamel Pin
✨ Glittery pearl accents
✨ 3D layered pin-on-pin design
✨ Stained glass effect
✨ Back stamped with the quote: "Not all stories have good endings, but you were mine."

📍 Preorder Pricing:
✨ 1 Pin (Day or Night): $69
✨ 2-Pin Set: $119

Save 30% currently available items in the shop with code CAKE30

Save 10% on pre-orders with code PARTY10

Now is the perfect time to snag up everything you have had your eye on from books, pins, and limited edition merch. This sale only comes once a year and it ends today at midnight!

Until next time, keep dreaming & scheming! ✨

xoxo ❤

Beck

Valentine’s Day is here! Whether you're spending it with loved ones, indulging in some well-deserved self-care, or curling up with a good book (the superior choice, obviously), I hope you find a little magic in the day. Got any fun plans? 💖

Now, settle in! I have a brand-new shop item to share, more writing tips for my fellow storytellers, Guardians timeline, and a surprise—Rune’s bonus chapter! 👀

Last month, we talked about the magic of beginnings; how stories start, world-building, and crafting the Story Bones. This month, I want to dive into something just as essential: drafting!

I’ll share some of my favorite methods for organizing story details and how I go about outlining my books.

If you're writing a series (or even a standalone with deep lore), a Story Bible is a game-changer. This is where I keep track of everything—character traits, world rules, magic systems, timelines—you name it. (Fun fact: I have a World Guide for the Land of Urn on my website! 👀)

Your Outline (or what I like to call the Story Spine) is the framework of your book. I usually brainstorm multiple possibilities before organizing them into three acts (sometimes four!). Outlines can be as detailed or as loose as you like—from full chapter breakdowns to simple bullet points mapping out the flow of your story.

Story Premise:

What is the central conflict driving your story?

Character Arc:

Who are your main protagonist and antagonist? Even the side characters. What are their motivations, internal conflicts, and goals? How do they evolve by the end?

Setting:

Where does your story take place, and how does it impact the characters and plot?

ACT 1: Once Upon a Time

📌 Inciting Incident: The event that kicks off the main conflict.

This is where we introduce:

The main character and setting

Their problem and things that have to change

The antagonist or obstacle

The event that forces the protagonist to act

A series of events follows, leading to…

ACT 2: The Climax

📌 Turning Point: The conflict reaches its peak.

The stakes rise

The protagonist is fully committed to completing their goal

They fight or attempt to fix the problem (which either fails or gives a false sense of success)

They realize there is another goal they actually have to do

This all builds toward…

ACT 3: The Resolution

📌 The Full Circle Moment: The conflict is resolved.

The characters face the consequences of their choices

They grow, change, or fall (for better or worse)

The story ends with a resolution, whether it’s a happily ever after or a twist that sets up the next book (like a mean cliffhanger 😈)

Oh, my sweet darling, that means you’re a Pantser, like me. 😌

Plotter’s thrive on staying organized, especially with Outlines. While they are a great tool, I love writing by the seat of my pants. There’s something thrilling about letting my brain take the wheel, typing at full speed without knowing exactly what happens next.

“But you just told me to outline…”

Yes, yes, I did. Because while pantsing is fun, it also creates a LOT of work later when it comes time to structuring your story and keeping track of everything. Trust me. (Pantsing is all fun and games until you hit book four and realize you forgot what happened to a character’s horse. 😂 Poor Onyx kept jumping all over the place.)

So even if you prefer to wing it, having some structure in place will save your future self a world of pain.

Once your outline is ready (or your rebellious, pantsing heart has at least a rough idea), it’s time to draft.

For some, drafting is a quick process. For others, it takes months or longer. Both are okay. Go at your own pace—but try to write consistently, even if it’s just a few sentences a day (even if you delete them later!).

One crucial tip: Do NOT stop to edit.

I know, it’s so tempting. You want to reread that last chapter and fix things, tweak sentences, perfect dialogue… but this can trap you in an endless cycle of polishing a book that isn’t even finished yet.

If you’re unsure about a detail (a name, a location, or even a research fact), leave yourself a note, highlight it, and move on. The goal is to get the draft written from start to finish without losing momentum while using your Outline as your map.

Seriously. Do. Not. Edit.

Once your draft is done—celebrate! 🎉 Take a break, step away from the manuscript for a few days (or weeks), and then return with fresh eyes. It will be messy. It will barely make sense. The writing will probably be terrible. That’s okay! Why?

Because now… the grueling work of editing begins. 🤩

That’s it for this month’s writing series! I hope this was helpful. Shall I share more on my personal drafting method and editing tips next? Let me know! 💖

I wanted to take a moment to clear up any confusion about the Guardians of the Maiden series and share more about the journey ahead. You know I always strive to be transparent with you, so I thought outlining my publishing plans might help set expectations!

From the very beginning, I knew this would be a seven-book series. (Fun fact: The original story was handwritten into ten thick spiral notebooks! 😱 That’s a lot of content—and an entire world still left to explore!)

Dyna’s journey is an epic quest spanning a full year (*as mentioned in Divine Blood) until she must return to North Star in time to confront the Shadow. As Dyna and her Guardians travel across the continent of Urn, each book highlights a different Guardian’s arc while still driving the main plot toward the final confrontation on Mount Ida.

📌 Book 1: Divine Blood → The Beginning
📌 Book 2: Bonded Fate → Dyna & the Bond
📌 Book 3: Shattered Souls → Cassiel & the Realms
📌 Book 4: Rising Dawn → Rawn & the Key
📌 Book 5: Wicked Storm → Lucenna & the Lunar Medallion
📌 Book 6: Title TBA → Zev & the Other
📌 Book 7: Title TBA → Von & Mount Ida

The journey is far from over, but the endgame is in sight!

✨ When does the next book release?
I don’t have an official date yet, and honestly, I’m avoiding giving one from now on until we’re closer to release and I have a completed draft. I never want a repeat of the Rising Dawn fiasco again 😭. For now, I can say Wicked Storm is estimated for 2026.

✨ Will the rest of the books be long?
I would love to write shorter books for the sake of my sanity (🙃), but realistically? Yes, they’ll probably continue to be long. This is a high fantasy quest series with many characters, interwoven plots, and major stakes. While I don’t anticipate writing another tome like Shattered Souls, the journey ahead will span many pages.

Alright, Guardians, I have something gorgeous to share! My newest shop item is officially on its way, and I couldn’t be more excited! Inspired by the legendary love of Jokull and Sunneva, these two exclusive enamel pins are nestled within a rose dome to represent their Beauty and the Beast fairytale.

☀️🌹 Day & Night King’s Bride Pins! 🌙💙

✨ 4” Enamel Pin
✨ Glittery pearl accents
✨ 3D layered pin-on-pin design
✨ Stained glass effect
✨ Back stamped with the quote: "Not all stories have good endings, but you were mine."

🛍 Preorders open April 18th on my website! Sign up to be notified.

📍 Preorder Pricing:
✨ 1 Pin (Day or Night): $69
✨ 2-Pin Set: $119

Which pin is your favorite?

We’re still finalizing what will be included in the mini boxes, but I promised you a sneak peek—so here’s what we’re considering! Each box will be filled with collector’s items inspired by the worlds of King’s Kiss and King’s Bride.

🖤 Alternate King’s Kiss dust jacket with foil
🖤 Enamel replica of Rune’s shadow sword
🖤 Overlays with new art
🖤 Stained glass window bookmark
🖤 New shop item (wearable!)
🖤 Standies of Rune & Alora

🥀 Alternate King’s Bride dust jacket with foil
🥀 Enamel replica of Jokull’s scythe
🥀 Velvet print with new art
🥀 Stained glass window bookmark
🥀 New shop item
🥀 Standies of Jokull & Suneva

I may swap out an item or two before finalizing, but what do you think so far? 🤔 Anything you'd love to see included? Let me know before I lock in the final list!

🛍 Preorders open April 18th on my website!

I couldn’t let you go without a little something extra! In honor of Valentine’s Day (A.K.A. Rune’s Day 😌), I’m sharing Shadow Daddy’s bonus chapter, which was originally featured in Cover-to-Cover’s King’s Bride special edition last year—because who doesn’t want more of our dark, brooding God of Shadows?

📖 Read It Here: Rune - The Reign of Shadows

Well, that’s it for February’s newsletter. Stay tuned for new art reveals coming next month!

As always, thank you for being here. Whether you’re reading, writing, or just along for the journey, I appreciate you more than words can say. Wishing you a magical month ahead!

Until next time, keep dreaming & scheming! ✨

xoxo ❤

Beck Michaels

P.S. Don’t forget—you can also preorder a signed copy of King’s Kiss now on my website! Includes extra goodies like an art print, bookmark, and sticker. 💖

King’s Kiss and King’s Bride Exclusive Edition by Bookish Signs

GOTM White Special Editions

Happy 2025! I hope your new year has been off to a wonderful start and that you’re staying warm in this weather. I’m snowed in at the moment, which is fine by me since I am typing away in my cave working on my next book baby. January is a bit of a quieter month, so I thought I’d share a little about my writing process.

✨Behind the Scenes: How does a book begin?✨

Let me add in a little disclaimer first. All authors write differently and use different methods during their writing process. There is no right or wrong way. I simply know what works for me as my method was developed and adjusted with each book I published.

So before I start writing a first draft, I have to go through what I call the “brewing stage”. This is when I let the story “cook” in my mind for at least a year if not more. When I have released a new book, I am already cooking the next one. In this stage I am brainstorming, gathering inspiration, jotting down scenes, quotes, and important plot details. My ideas come to me at random times throughout the day, and I’ll add them to an ongoing file in my phone’s Notes app.

When it’s time to begin drafting, I put together three important files:

Scene Notes: Those notes I mentioned above? They become the compilation of scenes I must sort through when piecing together the story. Not everything will make it into the book though. I recently put all of my notes for King’s Kiss together into one Word document, and it came out to…174,000 words! That’s an entire book! 😆 (Yes, I have a notes file for all three remaining books in the Guardians series, and I opened them when I started writing Divine Blood, so you can imagine how long those are.)

This helps me build the…

Story Spine: In other words, an Outline. Mine are a couple pages with a general summary about the story. For my longer books, I will extend it to a couple paragraphs per chapter. Outlines serve to guide me through my writing, but most of the time the story completely evolves from the original outline as it takes a life of its own. And that’s completely ok!

Next comes…

Story Bones: The bones refer to the characters and their world. I write down everything from who each character is, what do they look like, how do they behave, what are their names, beliefs. Most importantly, what is their arc through the story? What is their lie and how do they grow/change from that, either in a good or bad way. Then I move on to describing the world, the land, the magical laws, the governments, religion, ect. (If writing a series, I highly recommend a Series Bible; a reference document with all the important details of your world to help establish continuity.)

Once I have those three files ready, it’s time to write my first draft! That’s a whole another process.

If I have any writers or aspiring authors following this newsletter, I hope you found this little behind the scenes helpful. If there is interest, I can share more on how to create a quick and easy Story Spine and how to draft a book.

Giveaway

I am so excited to be partnering with 7 other authors for this wonderful adult fantasy book giveaway on Instagram! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of all 8 of these books. The giveaway is open from January 13-17. Good luck, Guardians!!

✨Available Now: 👑💋King’s Kiss Exclusive Edition 👑💋available for preorder from Bookish Signs (as well as a second drop of the King’s Bride Exclusive Edition!) Regular edition can be pre-ordered from my website. For those who asked, I have 1 exclusive edition of Rising Dawn and 1 Twilight and Secrets box left!

✨March 19: Annual 30% off birthday shop sale

✨April 18: Chronicles Mini Box pre-order

✨Summer 2025: King’s Kiss estimated release date

✨October 14: Rising Dawn audiobook release date

I am sure you are in suspense about what will be included in the minis! At the moment, we are making plans and contacting artists. Next month I will share a sneak peek and list the goodies that will be featured in this enchanting box.

What I can say now is that there will be TWO minis, one for King’s Bride and one for King’s Kiss. We are deviating away from adding another special edition since there are so many for the Chronicles series all ready. Each box will be curated with premium merch based on the main characters and their fairytales. Some of the merch will also be new items we haven’t carried in the shop!

How is that for a prologue? 👀

With February and Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’m over here dreaming about the newest book boyfriend to join the land of Urn–our morally grey, burn the world for her, shadow daddy Rune. He’s deliciously wicked and I hope you are ready for him to utterly devour the bride once stolen from him.

As always, stay safe and read good books.

xoxo ❤

With the temperatures dropping, I find all I want to do is spend my days reading with a cozy blanket by the fire. I should be catching up on rest, but the holiday season is always busy for me. It’s hard to relax because I am always thinking about what I need to work on next. While making Christmas lists and decorating the tree, I am drafting King’s Kiss and all the shenanigans the Shadow God gets into with his bride, as well as planning for what is to come in 2025. Plus I have an ebook deal for you!

We’ll be kicking off the New Year on January 1st with the King’s Bride and King’s Kiss exclusive edition pre-order with Bookish Signs! Yes, you read that right–there will be a second drop of the King’s Bride edition alongside the brand new King’s Kiss edition.

👑Special details about the King’s Kiss exclusive:👑

💋 Hardcover art by @allexandracurte 

💋Stenciled edges by @bookish_signs

💋Interior artwork by @kotimori

💋Alternate white dust jacket

💋Special inverted chapter headers

💋Signed by the author

✨Special details about the King’s Bride exclusive:✨

🥀Hardcover art by @allexandracurte

🥀Stenciled edges by @bookish_signs

🥀 Interior artwork by @sallteas

🥀Alternate white dust jacket

🥀Special inverted chapter headers

🥀Author signed!
🥀This edition will include Rune’s bonus chapter!

If you can believe it, I released my first book, Divine Blood, in 2020. With the end of 2024 approaching, it marks 5 books in barely 4 years.  It has been such a joy to bring you these stories in such a short period of time, but this kind of accelerated publishing schedule is not without its stresses. In 2025, I’ll be focusing on bringing you two exciting releases, and also finding ways to prioritize my family, my health, and my creativity. 

Here’s what you can look forward to in the new year!

✨Summer 2025: King’s Kiss estimated release date

✨October 14: Rising Dawn audiobook release date

Don’t forget, you can preorder King’s Kiss on my website, and the Rising Dawn audiobook will be on Audible. I’ll be sure to share when the audiobook is posted for preorder along with some fun swag.

One of my favorite creative outlets is finding new and fun items for the shop to share with you all–and I have an amazing lineup of items coming to the shop in 2025! Here’s a few things you can look forward to:

💚Apparel (squeal!!!)

✨King’s Bride enamel pins

💚New art (to be revealed soon)

✨Chronicles mini book boxes

I am over the moon excited about the Chronicles mini book boxes. Lots to plan and new things to add to your collections. I will share more with you in the spring. The shop is currently closed for the holidays, but we will be back on January 3rd!

🖤Important Shipping Update🖤

As of December 13th, 2024, we will no longer ship to countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) due to the new GPSR law. This change was not taken lightly, and we want to thank all of our wonderful customers for understanding. As an alternate option, we recommend using a mail forwarding service like Stackry. If you live in these areas and have placed a pre-order for King’s Kiss, please contact us so we may sort it out. 

What is a girl to do when she is forced to marry the God of Death? Unalive him of course. You won't want to miss this Beauty and the Beast retelling.

If you were the FMC, would you prefer to live in an ice castle in the tundra or in a dark castle beneath the mountain? Both are full of monsters BTW. But don't worry, both castles come with a sexy king who will dote on you and kill anything that tries to touch you. 🙂‍↕️

For those who are new here, King's Bride is a spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling with viking vibes and all the delicious tropes like enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, one horse, touch her die to name a few. And the icy castle is ruled by the winter king, the God of Death. Out now on Kindle Unlimited, or get it for .99 cents until next Friday!

King's Kiss is my new book baby! A super spicy Sleeping Beauty retelling with a yummy helping of tropes like stolen bride, one throne, touch her die, burn the world for her and more. The dark creepy castle is ruled by the dark king, the God of Shadows. Coming 2025! Preorder on my website to get all the swag.

This Shadow God constantly makes me laugh with his witty lines. Most of them are innuendos. 🫠 For an even spicier teaser, check out my stories!

Well, that’s a wrap on 2024! Thank you all again for being part of my author journey and for supporting my books. I hope you have a happy holiday season.

As always, stay safe and read good books.

xoxo ❤

Beck