Huckleberry Rahr's Blog

I am so excited about this week. Well, no, I’m not, but I am! I just survived a week of spring break. Survived because lifting a box of early release copies of Xenagogue, I lost my balance and then my back hurt. Though, my back hurting isn’t really out of the ordinary.

So, if spring break was last week, why am I excited about next week? Well, there’s a birthday in the house, so I have an excuse to bake. Please don’t ask about my diet, it isn’t great. While out getting groceries today, I ran into someone with rainbow hair!!! I know, it was trippy. Now, I dyed my hair black back in January to get me to summer, so that will be a shock to some of you, but as Laura, the lovely lady with rainbow hair mentioned, I’m still full of rainbows in the inside!

me and Laura of the rainbow hair! She took a bookmark. She had the cutest family with her!!

What I’ve baked! The first is African Malva Pudding Cake. A family favorite. That second one is a s’mores blondie. It looks weird but it was tasty. The last picture is the mid-step in making fudge… it’s a dangerous process!

Next weekend I’ll make a sandwich cookie chocolate layered cake. Who knows what else will pop up… macaron cookies, pound cake (because we all need to put on more pounds!), and probably hot chocolate… he likes to drink it early and often!

Now, as you saw above, I have physical copies of Xenagogue. You are welcome to go ahead and order signed copies of any of my books from the website, INCLUDING Xenagogue! I know, super duper exciting. If you’d rather use paypal or venmo, just send a message and we can figure something out.

So, what’s new in the world of writing?

Obviously, Xenagogue is ready to be out in the world! It even has a few reviews on goodreads!Veiled Phoenix will be at a sale price because of C.L. Cannon’s Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Fair. Not only are there Free & Discounted books, there are prizes! Check it out!! On April 11th, when Xenagogue releases, there will be an online release party on The Reading Lounge a facebook reader and author page. There will be a slew of authors playing games and giving away prizes. Come join in on the fun and see what you can win! I’ve been going through the Yugen critiques and soon I’ll be calling for an ARC team. Pebble’s story is so fun! All of this brings me joy!

Happy almost April, my friends!

Huckle

It took me way too long to think of a third word that had that hard ‘c’ sound for the subject of this newsletter! Last year we got a new kitten. We have too many cats, but, what can you do when the spouse is addicted?

Well, the new old kitten (full blown cat, age 4, almost 5) doesn’t not like that we have a new kitten, and attacks the new one. So the new one is a bundle of furry fear. The new kitten, one and a half years old, is coddled. She gets to be in our bedroom at night, hidden from the other cats. She’s very protected. Despite that, every now and again, she pees indiscriminately.

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Next week is spring break. Last week there were quizzes. This week exams. Lots of grading. Lots of things to do. But next week, nothing.

I had two students blatantly cheat. I’ve been teaching log enough that it wasn’t even a question. I hate doing the paperwork for this type of situation. Can’t they think of me and what they’re putting me through??

I think I’ve acclimated to the time change. I haven’t gotten used to driving into the sun. It had just passed the point of beaming into my eyes and BAM, it’s back!

But now, the good news.

Xenagogue is up on iheartsapphic! It has it’s own page and everything!! Xenagogue by Huckleberry Rahr – I Heart SapphFic | Find Your Next Sapphic Fiction ReadOn April 11th, when Xenagogue comes out, there will be a release part on The Reading Lounge, a facebook page. A bunch of authors are coming together, offering free books and prizes. Join the page, and have a fun day of it!All of the Ember Savita books are out on audio. I have free audio codes, I’m just trying to figure out the best way to generate readers or engagement with them. I tried on my author facebook page, it didn’t work. If anyone has an idea, let me know! I finished Aura Of The Chameleon, a new dystopian book I wanted to write. I released half of the first chapter on facebook. Should I put the first chapter in my next newsletter?

Well, hope you’re all doing amazingly well!

Huckle

I teach math when I’m not wrangling cats, directing my family, or trying to control what my characters do on page. Though I don’t teach trigonometry, one of the first things you learn in trig, is the sine wave:

What does this fun little graph, which isn’t negative cosine, thank you very much, have to do with anything? Well, that’s what the temperatures around here have been like week by week. Warm one week, cold, wet and snowy the next. Since I work a battery heated coat this week, I’m looking forward to all my students wearing shorts next week!

This semester, wanting to get a class I teach to have a better pass rate, I’ve implemented a few new policies. One of them is points for coming to class every day. Now, I know we’re in the midst of a lot of different illnesses, and teaching at a university, when one student is sick, they’re all sick. I do have ways students can earn points back if they miss.

That said, my policy for making up points for missing is not a way to turn my class into an online class. I’ll discuss online class in another newsletter. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a student email me when she hasn’t attended, not with her reason for not being there, but just with the words like, what pages do I need to do? There hasn’t even been a subject, greeting, or salutation to the emails.

They continued like this. Nothing explaining her reason for missing class, just her obvious absence and this type of message. Ironically, the other thing I added to class was a warm-up that focused everyone for the weekly quizzes.

I’ll be honest, both these changes do seem to be helping.

Anyway, I did email the student explaining that the playlists, copies of the lessons with links to my youtube videos that mimic what I do in class, were for the few times students missed, not to replace class. She replied she had no idea that had been my plan.

Though I am skeptical, I still await her return to class.

And wait…

And wait…

As I wait, I write!

My new book is just over 30k. I would love to say that is the halfway point. I may be beyond the halfway point. I may post bits of chapter one to my facebook author page. Also, until pi-day, March 14th, if you join that page, or get a friend to join and name you as their inspiration on a post, you or they could win all three of the Ember Savita eBooks or audiobooks free! If you want to check it out, here is a link to the post!

The ARCs for Xenagogue have gone out, and three people have left reviews on goodreads. Though I’d LOVE to say everyone has given the book 5-star reviews, I know that isn’t ever going to happen. Despite two 4-star reviews, I’m not unhappy with them.

Xenagogue comes out on April 11th, pre-orders for the eBooks are up now.

If you’re looking for other books, don’t forget iheartsapphic always has deals available, as well as weekly giveaways and challenges. Check out their website and reader page on facebook. You could always nominate any of my books as your favorite for the year! I would not be completely unhappy with that.

If you’re worried about all the talk on boycotting Amazon, I’m with you. However, KU supports authors more than Amazon. And, honestly, there isn’t many other places for indie authors to sell out books. You can wait a week to pre-order or read my books, but for many authors, not buying books on amazon means they won’t be able to make ends meet.

That’s just my two-cents, for all it’s worth…

Happy March, y’all!

Huckle

Well, we did it, it’s March! As the date says in a few days, March forth and buy books!

At the university where I work, students are, mostly, in the swing of things. Exams, homework, excuses, the works. I have my pattern of getting things done as well. I’m trying to stay on top of my work so I can write my new series. No one said any of this was easy, but it is fun!

Anyway, I sent the ARCs out for Xenagogue. If you signed up, please check your email. It will have come from bookfunnel, not me. That’s the site I can send eBooks out from. So far, the few people who’ve read it have given the story good reviews!

Veiled Phoenix is part of an online book fair. This event goes on for over a month, and you can win prizes. You should go and check it out! Get discount and free books! What a deal.

check it out here: https://clcannon.net/bookfair/

Speaking of Veiled Phoenix, I’m pretty sure Battle Phoenix will be out in audio hopefully this week!

Let me know if you want me to email out the first chapter of the new book. It won’t be edited, but it could be fun!

Huckle

Hi my friends! I wanted to send this out last night, but it was Monday.

Let’s start at the beginning and work through all the fun and exciting news. First of all, I am about half way through editing Xenagogue! Yep, that means the editor got the manuscript back to me and I’m slogging through all their notes. Book 1 of Pebble is a reality!

Xenagogue – Available April 11, 2025

Now, if you wanted to be an ARC reader, and just never signed up, here is your last chance. I’ll take applicants through February 27th. My goal is to send out the eBooks on March 1st, or maybe the 28th if I’m really on top of the ball! Sign up here.

Now, why might I NOT be on the ball, you ask? Teaching? Grading? Classes? Nope. I started a whole new series. A dystopian fantasy. Maybe I’ll send out the first chapter, what d’ya think?

As for our favorite phoenix, Ember, well her final story, Battle Phoenix, is out. You all knew this. The audiobook is in review. It’s been there since Friday. It takes up to ten days, so I expect, if you love audiobooks as much as I do, you’ll be able to listen to the story, soon!

Battle Phoenix – book 3 of the Ember Savita Chronicles.

Last, but very much not least, Year of Queer Lit has a free and $0.99 book event TOMORROW, the 26th of February. Wolf Healer is part of the event. She’ll be on sale for $0.99. If you want to go grab some amazing books, check out this website.

Year of Queer Lit – Stuff Your Kindle Day!

I am so happy to be part of this event!

Huckle

To anyone who has read Wolf Healer, you know my opinion of February. On the 14th, V-day itself, the roads were so bad, the spouse ended up not getting me anything because it was safer to just drive home. My son called me on his drive home from work, not to talk, but in case the car left the road, someone would know right away.

As for me, I was home Friday. My teaching schedule this semester is Monday through Thursday. I cooked macaron cookies and a nice dinner in (don’t ask about the diet!)

(By the way, the image above is my cat with the same opinion of February as I have!)

A friend of mine started listening to the full Jade series. On Sunday she started Battlefield and something distracted her after she finished chapter 5. I sent her this short story, linked on my website. It occurred to me that not everyone here may know about all the short stories I’ve written.

When I first wrote Wolf Healer, I had a flashback to when Jade was six, out running with Owen and her cousins. It’s the story she and Owen elude to when they discuss her knowing her future path to become the next wolf healer. The writing group I was with at the time thought it was too much for the first chapter so I took it out and added it to the website as a short story.

There are four short stories. The fist is the one about Jade when she was six. the next is when Bevin is young, coming out to the kiddos about his name. The third one is Bevin during spring break when Jade and Sarah are in Florida, and the last is the first chapter of Battlefield in Pebble’s point of view. You can find them all under the ‘mini’ menu tab on my website.

If there are any other questions you want seen fleshed out in a short story, let me know, though I may wait until after Pebble’s trilogy is out. Unless the questions are about Ember’s world.

Xenagogue is scheduled to drop on April 11th. There haven’t been many pre-orders, though I guess I don’t get many for this series in general, so I’m not too surprised. I’ve been told by my most amazing editor that it should be back to me in the next 7 to 10 days. If you want to be part of the ARC team, receive an early copy of the eBook and review it on the day it comes out, please fill out THIS FORM. (You can review it on goodreads as soon as you’re done, the only review that has to wait until April 11th is amazon)

Xenagogue – Book 1 Pebble Stone Chronicles

I hope you are all doing well, and surviving this February!

Huckle

Hi friends! Battle Phoenix is available! It published today. That means the full Ember Savita Chronicles is out in the world, risen from the ashes, and available for you to enjoy.

Battle Phoenix – book 3 of the Ember Savita Chronicles.

If, for whatever reason, you don’t love Amazon, you can request the paperback at your local bookstore. They should be able to order it. I also have the books available for ordering on my website, signed and delivered!

As for me, it is Friday, January 24th, the last day of my winter break. Monday I go back to teaching. It is also my birthday. I’m going to be heading out to lunch with my good friend, author A.R. Grimes. Did you know she had THREE books out in the Wyldling Dreams series? They are all FANTASTIC!! You know, if you’ve read my books and need something else to tide you over until April…

April? Why April you ask? Well, that’s when Xenagogue will come out! The first of the Pebble Stone Chronicles! Woot!!! I’ll have a sign up for anyone interested in being part of the ARC team in my next newsletter. OR, you can pre-order today!

Xenagogue – Available April 11, 2025

Now, I’m off to enjoy my day. I know for many of us, times are stressful. Just remember, be nice to those around you. Spread your love to friends and family. And books are an amazing escape!

Huckle

It’s the last week of winter break. I’ve been putting off setting up my classes for next week, but it’s getting to be critical! By Wednesday, Thursday?, I’ll be set for Monday. That’s my birthday gift for myself.

My birthday is Friday. This is the first year … ever? Well in a long time that I’m not teaching or working in some way the week of my birthday. The spouse’s bday is next week, so this weekend is the big celebration for both of us. We’re going to a Dinner Detective … dinner and a murder mystery all in one! I’m pretty excited.

I have a friend who loves to get me goose themed gifts … I have no idea where she got that ideas. (Do you hear the droll sarcasm dripping from me?) It amuses my family to no end. Today in the mail I received this!

Because of her, and my editor, I can go out multiple days wearing goose themed shirts, goose themed socks, and now I have a bookmark. It is sharp, it could double as a weapon! I’ll admit, it’s all amazing!

As you know, Battle Phoenix comes out on Friday. Kassandra Novell, the narrator, was sick at the end of December. Because of this, the audiobook will be a bit delayed. I don’t mind. For the most part, all my audiobooks have come out after the rest. As I write this, I’m listening to chapter 7, 8, and 9. As always, Kassie is doing an amazing job!

Battle Phoenix – book 3 of the Ember Savita Chronicles.

From where I’m sitting, Ember’s story is done. I don’t plan on going back into this world again. A few people have asked that I poke around more. Right now, I’m going to let the world be.

Before you all clamor to say you want more. I have a new idea I want to explore. My son, the original inspiration for my writing, loves the idea. The concepts are still in their infancy, but I do like where the story could go.

As for our favorite baby sister, Pebble’s first book, Xenagoge, is being edited. I’ll send out a sign up for the ARC soon!

Xenagogue – Book 1 Pebble Stone Chronicles

I hope you’ve been surviving this cool January. As always, you can order paperbacks from the website.

Cheers!

Huckle

Hi friends!!

I know, it’s been too long. I’ve been meaning to say hi since last year, literally! I don’t have much of an excuse. So … what have I been doing?

Battle Phoenix is with the advance readers. If you really want an advanced copy and will get a review up by end of January, send me a note. I can get you a copy right away!The book itself will be published on January 24 (fun fact, that would be my birthday )The audiobook will come out some time in June, for pride month. If anything changes with that, I’ll let you know. Xenagogue is heading to the editor!! I know, so very exciting. It is scheduled to publish April 11th.Yugen, Pebble’s second book is coming in June, if everything goes as planned!Zepher, the end of Pebble’s trilogy, comes out in August.As always, you can pre-order all of these books

If you want to know things faster, join my facebook page or instagram, I post things there first and mostly daily. I know emails fill fast so I try not to put too much here.

Cheers!

Huckle

It is almost December. I know that I just sent out a newsletter, but there are a few important things I need to tell you.

First of all, I’ve updated my website. There were a few items that needed a bit of help, but I believe I have it mostly in working order. As always, websites are a work in progress.

Speaking of progress …

Battle Phoenix – I am hoping to get this out in December, ahead of Christmas. I don’t know if I can. I also don’t know if it happens, if the audio will be available at the same time. The Pebble trilogy – It is set for 2025! I hope all of you are as excited as I am. I believe after Pebble, I will be stepping away from these characters and this world. Then again, I have thought that before, so I may be convinced otherwise. Events – I never really know where or how to find events. I seems to fall into them by accident. I do have a few coming up, but again, it seems more random than planned. I had one at a mall, not my best plan. I have one coming up in a few weeks in Madison, Wisconsin – super excited about that. December 1st – I’m joining a group of authors for a day of give aways on the Reading Lounge of facebook. Find the link on my author page on facebook.December 2nd – 7th – I’m joining a group of authors who are doing a December Dash, promoting indie authors books to be bought from their websites as holiday gifts. You can get mine from here. I’ve updated the page to include the phoenix series, and is updateable for when Pebble’s series is done. The full list of participating authors can be found here, but it doesn’t officially start until December second!The Big Gay Holiday Market – December 20th – 21st. The 20th is 18+ with fun adult themed eventsThe 21st, in the morning is mask only, and the rest of the day is for everyone. Come get gifts for the whole family!!

I have a friend who has started a website to review books! I’d love for you to check it out here!

I have another friend who has been making crochet art to make ends meet. Their work is amazing! They are disabled and this has helped them to maintain independence. If you want to check out their online store for more Christmas Gift ideas, you’ll be nothing but happy with their work. Check it out here!

We got this for one cat, a second decided it was hers. What can you do? But, it kind of fits my mood the day after Thanksgiving! I SHOULD be getting stuff done, but, alas, the cat reflects my wants!

Cheers, everyone! An happy holiday season!!

Huckle