Stephanie Cotta's Blog

Welcome to “Heart Sessions” Saturday!

The other day, I was driving to the gym when I had this strong nudge to begin a blog about Heart check-ins—drawing inspiration from the “Heart-healing Sessions” my character Aida (a Heartspirit) does with Aaren Lockett, my main character from Heartsmith. (Read the book to learn more about this!)

What also prompted this idea came from a recent writers’ meeting I attended where someone asked me what inspired the “heart sessions” between Aaren and Aida in Heartsmith. I was open and honest and replied, “They were inspired by my EMDR sessions with my counselor.” If you’re unfamiliar with EMDR, it means: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a psychotherapy technique used to treat PTSD and other mental health conditions. After I shared, several women came up to me asking for more information about EMDR and my counselor’s contact information. I realized in that moment how my honesty with my past trauma, and vulnerability with my writing process, could help others find their healing too.

That’s why I’m doing this. (And it’s one of the main reasons I wrote Heartsmith in the first place.)

Now, with that background covered, let’s begin today’s Heart Session!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed many authors posting about a certain problem. It can be summed up in one word: BURNOUT. Marketing, promoting, and being on social media can be taxing, mentally draining, a time sink, and demands much of our attention and energy. Without proper boundaries, I think many of us fall into a downward spiral of self-doubt, anxiousness, restlessness, neglecting priorities, the comparison trap, feeling “less than,” and obsessing over numbers—sales, likes, shares, etc. 

You are not alone. This is clearly a common struggle. All of these pressures only feed a “monster” that can never be satisfied.

So, today, give yourself grace and permission to step back. Recharge. Say “no.” (This goes for everyone–not just authors!)

Find a quiet spot and ask yourself these questions: 

How is your heart today? Do you feel at peace? Is your heart content and radiating joy? Or do you feel anxious? Stressed? Fearful of a situation that seems outside of your control? Do you feel a constant pressure to produce and perform to the point your creativity and motivation to write or enjoy the things you love has suffered?

I can attest that I have struggled with all those things for the past year and a half. It reached its max last summer when the anxiety was so bad, I couldn’t find joy in writing or reading—they both felt like chores. In a word, I had reached BURNOUT. I started seeing my counselor again to help with the anxiety and to learn better boundaries with my “author life” and the monster I call “performing on social media.”

Don’t get me wrong, I love all the connections with my readers and fellow writers. It brings me much joy! But I can’t be “ON” 24/7.  Know what I mean?

Last July, I shared my struggles with my good friend, writing buddy, and developmental editor about my struggles and she gave me some wonderful feedback. She told me, “We aren’t meant to be “ON” all the time.” It isn’t healthy. We lose focus on what truly matters, and our emotional and mental health suffers. She then advised me to turn off all my notifications on Apps, which I did for some. And then when I recently did the Digital Detox with my church this past January, I turned off the notifications on the rest. Do you know what I experienced an abundance of? 

Peace. Joy. Focus. 

My husband noticed a big difference right away. He remarked that I laughed more, joked more, and was more present. I wasn’t checking my phone constantly. (I use the Aro App daily to keep track of my hours OFF my phone.) I wasn’t hammered by thoughts of needing to post, engage; post, engage! I read more, wrote more, finished my WIP (Heartwrecked), and established a faithful morning, quiet-time routine before I do anything else.

So, for this next week, I want you to think about one or two things you can do to have more peace, less stress, and, of course, REST. 

Create a list of tasks and tackle one thing today. Then do another task tomorrow. 

Read that book you’ve been putting off for months/years. 

Relax. Breathe. Turn off screens/devices and go for a walk. 

Invite that friend for coffee you’ve been meaning to call. 

If the mere thought of creating a post about your book or hobby causes anxiety, don’t post! If I don’t feel joy or excitement about something to post, I don’t post. It’s a habit I’m developing and giving myself grace with. And that’s the word I want to leave you with—GRACE. Your heart needs it.

Until next time, “attune to your Heartspirit.”

-Stephanie Cotta LinkTreeHaven’t picked up  Heartsmith  yet?

Grab your copy today and discover where the inspiration for “Heart Sessions” Saturday originated. May you enjoy the fun, steampunk adventure and find some heart healing along the way.

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Welcome to another journey into the realm of make believe, where hope shines as a beacon for our beloved characters. Today, I delve into the role of hope in fantasy stories, exploring how it inspires characters and shapes their incredible journeys.

In the realm of fantasy, hope is often the silent companion that propels characters forward, even in the face of insurmountable odds. It’s the spark that ignites their will to fight, to overcome, and to believe in a brighter future. As an author, I find immense joy in crafting tales where hope is the guiding light, illuminating paths that seem dark and treacherous.

Take, for instance, Rowan from The Conjurer’s Curse. Despite being marked as an outsider, hope fuels his quest to uncover the truth about his curse and alter his fate. His journey is a testament to the power of belief and resilience in a world that seems determined to break him.

Similarly, in The Wraiths of Arjun, Rowan and Akaran’s rebellion against the oppressive Mestrian Empire is fueled by the hope of reclaiming their freedom and dignity. Their iron masks symbolize not just defiance, but the hope that their actions will inspire others to rise against tyranny.

Hope is not just a theme; it’s a lifeline for characters navigating the intricate worlds I create. It empowers them to confront their deepest fears and emerge victorious. In my upcoming release, The Ghost’s Gambit, hope once again plays a pivotal role as Rowan, Tahira, and Akaran face the ultimate question: What are they willing to sacrifice for freedom?

As you immerse yourself in these stories, I invite you to reflect on how hope influences your own journey. Let it be the force that drives you to explore new horizons and embrace the unknown.

Thank you for being a part of this adventure. Your support means the world to me. Stay tuned for more tales of hope and heroism.

Discover more about my books and purchase your copies today:

The Conjurer’s CurseThe Wraiths of ArjunHeartsmithThe Mountain of Gold

Until next time, may hope guide your path.

-Stephanie Cotta

Happy March, Book Friends!

I’m excited Spring is nearly here. The sun has been out the last several days, and my kids and I have taken walks with our corgis, Walter and Fred. I’m looking forward to the daffodils and tulips blooming, the blossom trees, and the lush green emerging on the hills. What’s your favorite part about Spring?

February Wrap-Up:

I spent some time last month devoted to rebranding my website: making all my banners look more uniform, adding my new author logo, and creating a color scheme that’s more geared toward fantasy.

I spent much of last weekend working on my cover for The Ghost’s Gambit. I showed a mock-up to my publisher, and she loved it so much that we felt it was time to update the covers on my first two books in the series, so this way everything matches. I’ve been working on that too, redesigning the title fonts, and I’m very pleased with how they look on The Conjurer’s Curse and The Wraiths of Arjun. Hopefully, I can finalize all the cover details soon and share them with you. They look so EPIC!

Early February, I finished drafting Heartwrecked, the sequel to Heartsmith. After setting it aside for a few days, I got an idea to adjust the ending slightly, so I went ahead and did it. And just last week, my mother and I completed reading the first draft out loud–this is a crucial step I’ve done with every book I’ve written. Now that the book has had its first pass with my mom (my trusty editor and alpha reader), I’ll soon be reading it through in preparation for beta readers, so stay tuned for that. I’ll have signups soon!

Blog & Giveaway

Heartsmith–A Dynamic Steampunk Fantasy, an Author Interview, and a Great Giveaway

Check out this blogspot for Heartsmith on Carol Baldwin‘s blog. Carol left a wonderful review for Heartsmith and interviewed me too! She’s kindly offering up her gently read copy of Heartsmith with book swag to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog to enter. So what are you waiting for? Go read the blog!

*See the bottom of this newsletter for my review for Carol Baldwin’s debut YA Historical Fiction, Half-Truths. Releasing April 2025.

The Iron Kingdom Series:

I’ve been making my way through the last revision draft before I hand the manuscript off to my editor. I’ve cut over 1k words so far, which is great! I’ve been eliminating unnecessary words and tightening the prose. I also created a page for The Ghost’s Gambit on my website, and it is now live. You can check it out below:

Discover More about The Ghost’s GambitGet the First 2 Books Today!Buy The Conjurer’s CurseBuy The Wraiths of ArjunBuy Signed CopyLeave a Review on AmazonFor Steampunk LoversBuy HeartsmithBuy Signed CopyLeave a Review on AmazonAdd on GoodreadsFor Little Readers & Fable LoversBuy The Mountain of GoldBuy Sign CopyLeave a Review on AmazonThe Ink Mages Podcast:

The Ink Mages have excited news to share with you. Watch our UPDATE EPISODE to learn all about our upcoming book releases, works in progress, and an exciting new publishing opportunity for authors.

Watch Episode hereListen on Spotify

Did you know we love to interview Fantasy Authors? Did you know we have Buddy Read Episodes, where we read and review indie books? 

If you are a clean reads Fantasy or Sci-fi author, be sure to reach out to us and submit your book for our Buddy Read or Apply For Our Show.

The Ink Mages is hosted by myself and my author friend, Angela R. Hughes  (Author of the Once & Future Chronicles).  Our podcast features Nerdy Banter about all things fantasy, world building, story craft, myths & legends, and of course, our own imaginative stories. 

You can find our first episode by CLICKING HERE:  The Ink Mages Podcast

Please help us by subscribing to our channel, sharing the episodes, and leaving comments. 

Let’s Dare to Make-Believe.

Thank you all for joining me on my author journey. Have a lovely March!

~Stephanie CottaLinkTreeBook Recommendation:

Half-Truths is a dynamic YA historical fiction that spotlights a young woman’s dream of becoming a journalist amidst the backdrop of racial tension in 1950s North Carolina. Baldwin’s opening pages plunges the reader right into the chaotic turmoil of a KKK rally, doing a fantastic job of immersing you in the time period. Her prose and storytelling is authentic and illuminates what it was like to live in the 1950s through the eyes of 15-year-old Kate Dinsmore. Kate dreams of attending college to become a journalist, but with her parents unable to afford it, her only hope lies with her wealthy grandparents. To secure their support, she must abide by her grandmother’s strict rules and act in a socially acceptable manner, putting her at odds with old friends and even the household staff. The story is rich with secrets, including concealed family ties. As Kate’s search for a compelling story leads her to uncover truths in her “own backyard,” she faces a pivotal decision: to do what’s right or remain silent, as her family has done for decades.

I love historical fiction, and this book is a true gem. Baldwin’s authentic storytelling captivated me, and the use of “real” newspaper headlines at the start of each chapter added an extra layer of realism that enhanced the narrative. I learned a great deal from this book and could easily see it being included in school curriculums as a historical exploration of racial tensions in the 1950s.

Half-Truths releases April 2, 2025 from Monarch Press.

Preorder here

Happy February, Book Friends!

I hope your February is going well. Here in Southern Oregon, we have had snow covering our valley for the past two weeks! This is not normal weather for us . . . its been below freezing, which hardens the snow and makes it very heavy. And so, we lost our entire back fence last week during the initial snowfall! So that’s going to be a project this Spring. Besides that, though, it has been lovely seeing the snow covering the mountains and rural areas in the Rogue Valley.

January Wrap-up:

Last month, I participated in a Digital Detox/Fast with my church. After the busyness of marketing, writing, editing, and promoting books all year long in 2024, I desperately needed time to reset and recover. This 28-day challenge was exactly what I needed. I developed some great habits to help me stay focused while writing too. (see the above slide for a list of my takeaways from the digital break.)

Even though January was slow in the sense I took a break from social media and bookish events, it was still a productive and exciting month. I was able to devote my sole attention on two writing projects, and that leads me to the next bit of news . . .

Writing Update:

The 1st draft of the HEARTSMITH sequel is complete!

To celebrate, I revealed the title for it on social media a few days ago. Swipe through the slides above and you’ll find it!

I was pretty giddy after I completed the manuscript. I’ve been working on this book since September 2023, so for the past year and half. It feels amazing to have the 2nd installment in this series complete. And if you check the above slide, you’ll see I went a bit over my word count goal—which I’m not surprised about!

I’m so pleased with this first draft. I’d planned to give it a break for a week or two before I began revisions, but an idea popped in my head to tweak the ending a bit. So, I jumped back in and made the adjustments. I’ll let you know when I’m ready for Beta Readers! In HEARTWRECKED, you can expect more of the same adventure vibes as book 1, with plenty of witty banter, heart healing, macabre moments, Frankenstein-horror, fun team-ups, and a skyship race! Plus, there’s 2 new POV’s!

Who’s excited for the sequel?!

New Book Project

Also last month, I began working on The Clash of Kingdoms with my developmental editor, and we are almost done with it. I am so pleased with how much we’ve shaved off the word count and tightened up the prose. It is the first novel I ever wrote, and so, it holds deep meaning to me for many reasons. Everything I write now wouldn’t exist without me first stumbling through the writing process with this story, making blunders while developing my voice. But back then, I was just writing for me–there was no pressure to publish or share it with anyone. I was free to create and experiment.

It’s gone through so many drafts over the past 12 years, that I can’t even put a number on it. But I am looking forward to the day I can share this new Epic Fantasy series with you all. Like all my books, The Clash of Kingdoms is character-driven, and because it’s adult fantasy, it’s more of a slow-burn with court intrigue, kingdom politics and wars, and even a love triangle. There’s also shapeshifters too!

I haven’t begun the querying process yet or determined which publishing route I will take with this story. But I am not in a rush; its important to me to find the right home for it–especially since there’s 7 books that follow this one!

The Iron Kingdom Series:

I hope all you lovers of The Iron Kingdom series are excited for Book 3, The Ghost’s Gambit. I am eager to dive back into this world and begin editing rounds. I’ve even been playing with the idea of doing some of the character art illustrations for it in the interior. I’d love to make that happen, just like how I did in Heartsmith. So, hopefully, I find the time to do it!

I’m looking forward to sharing teaser snippets, character quotes, fun facts, and more with this book. The Ghost’s Gambit has all the nail-biting tension, high stakes, duels, action & adventure, and romantasy elements you’ve come to expect from the first 2 installments. There’s a few new surprises in book 3, such as 2 new POVs, which brings the total to 5 POVs for this book, including the villain’s!

Get the First 2 Books Today!Buy The Conjurer’s CurseBuy The Wraiths of ArjunBuy Signed CopiesLeave a Review on AmazonFor Steampunk LoversBuy HeartsmithBuy Signed CopyLeave a Review on AmazonFor Little Readers & Fable LoversBuy The Mountain of GoldBuy Signed CopyLeave a Review on AmazonThe Ink Mages Podcast:

The Ink Mages are back from our January break. We are already busy getting ready to launch a new UPDATE EPISODE this week, followed with another great BUDDY READ EPISODE later this month.

More interviews and tips episodes coming your way as well, so stay tuned. 

Did you know we love to interview Fantasy Authors? Did you know we have Buddy Read Episodes, where we read and review indie author books? 

If you are a clean reads Fantasy or Sci-fi author, be sure to reach out to us and  Apply For Our Show . 

Don’t hesitate to check us out on Spotify and YouTube and give yourself a leg up on your writing & publishing. 

The Ink Mages is hosted by myself and my author friend, Angela R. Hughes  (Author of the Once & Future Chronicles).  Our podcast features all the Nerdy Banter about all things fantasy, world building, story craft, myths & legends, and of course, our own imaginative stories. 

You can find our first episode by CLICKING HERE:  The Ink Mages Podcast

Please help us by subscribing to our channel, sharing the episodes, and leaving comments. 

Let’s Dare to Make-Believe.

Thank you all for joining me on my author journey. Have a lovely February!

~Stephanie CottaLinktr.eeBook Recommendation:

Monster Mountain is a thrilling, fast-paced portal fantasy that transports readers into an exciting adventure enriched with North Carolina folklore. Nicky, her younger brother Ben, and her best friend Winnie, are seasoned gamers who have navigated countless online adventures. But what happens when they venture into the North Carolina mountains and stumble upon a magical realm where their survival skills and teamwork are truly tested?

I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. The characters are delightfully relatable, and their gamer lingo had me laughing out loud. We’re all gamers in my household, so I could easily see my kids immersing themselves in this story. Monster Mountain is perfect for fans of portal adventures, middle-grade reads with plucky characters, friendship, survival challenges, folklore creatures, and witty banter.

This book releases March 25, 2025 and is available for preorder.

Check out book here

Happy New Year, Book Friends!

2025 is here! I’m excited for what this new year will bring. Do you have any goals you hope to accomplish in 2025? I have a few, including finish drafting the Heartsmith sequel. But I also have a BIG announcement, which I’ll share further down, so keep reading!

Over the past few days, I’ve reflected on the accomplishments I made in 2024. It truly was a full year! Scroll through the images below to see my 2024 author journey recap.

This month, I am taking part in a Digital Detox with my church that runs until January 28, which means I’ll be off social media during that time. I’ve been looking forward to doing this detox–I feel like January is the perfect month for it too. I’m ready to detach from my phone a bit and use this time to write, paint, read, work on other projects, and overall de-stress.

Speaking of “other projects,” I have just hired a development editor to help me polish the first book in a Fantasy series I started 11 years ago. This 7-book Epic Fantasy series (to date) has been on the back burner for the past 3 years, but now I feel a strong nudge to begin working on it again. I initially queried it back in 2021 for about 6 months, but didn’t get any bites. It’s why I switched gears and wrote The Conjurer’s Curse–that book got my foot through the publishing door. This “unpublished” series is set in the same “world” as The Iron Kingdom Series, and features some of the characters you meet in TCC. So, if you’re a fan of The Iron Kingdom series and were curious about the “larger world,” including who the Immortal King is, you’ll get a kick out of this epic series.

I haven’t decided what publishing route I’ll take with this Fantasy series yet, but I wanted to take this initial step with an editor, and polish it up in case I begin querying it again. I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

Writing Update:

I’ve reached 72k words in the sequel to Heartsmith! The Final Act for this book is well underway. I’ve been going at my own pace, not rushing the process. I’ve been consistently putting fingers to the keyboard, blocking in scenes, and brainstorming the action sequences. I’m excited to see it all come together.

Exciting News:

It’s time for my BIG announcement! Drumroll…

Book 3 in The Iron Kingdom Series, The Ghost’s Gambit, is releasing Fall 2025!!! That’s right, you heard it here first.

It’s been quiet on the Iron Kingdom Series front, but I promise you, it hasn’t been neglected. I know many of you are VERY eager to continue Rowan, Tahira, and Akaran’s story, especially after the cliffhanger at the end of The Wraiths of Arjun. This story has all the nail-biting tension, high stakes, duels, action & adventure, and romantasy elements you’ve come to expect from the first 2 installments. There’s a few new surprises in book 3, such as 2 new POVs, which brings the total to 5 POVs for this book, including the villain’s!

This book took me little over a year to draft; I finished it at the end of last February, so I’m eager to dive back into this world and get it ready for publishing. I can’t wait to share this book with all of you. I’ll let you all know when editing rounds begin. I’m excited to start sharing out teasers, moodboards, and book quotes from the characters, plus more Quotes out of Contexts.

The Ink Mages Podcast

One full year of The Ink Mages podcast is in the bag! We had an amazing year hosting our Nerdy Fantasy podcast. Check out our highlights in the slides below:

Join us for new episodes coming in 2025! We’ll be back in February–we’re taking January off to work on individual projects. In the meantime, share our episodes and podcast with your friends. We have also started our new Buddy Read Episodes, where we read and review indie author books. If you have a “clean” Fantasy or Sci-fi novel, be sure to reach out to us to get on our Buddy Read List.

The Ink Mages is hosted by myself and my author friend, Angela R. Hughes (Author of the Once & Future Chronicles).  Our podcast features Nerdy Banter about all things fantasy, world building, story craft, myths & legends, and of course, our own imaginative stories. 

You can find our first episode by CLICKING HERE: The Ink Mages Podcast

What’s on your January TBR?Buy The Conjurer’s CurseBuy The Wraiths of ArjunBuy HeartsmithBuy The Mountain of Gold

Thank you all for joining me on my author journey. I’m looking forward to sharing all the exciting bookish news that’s in store for 2025!

Have a restful January and a Happy New Year!

Let’s Dare to Make-Believe.~Stephanie CottaLinkTreeBook Recommedation:Screenshot

More Than Life is a sweeping tale of romance, fated soulmates, family curses, and dealing with loss and grief. The story opens with quite the gut-punch for the main character, which immediately invested me in the story. I enjoyed the dual-POV for Cordelia and Jaspar, and loved watching their romance blossom. The adventure vibes pick up in the third act, and I’ll admit that I want more. I’m excited to see where the story goes next!

Check out book here

Happy December, Book Friends!

I am so thrilled the Christmas season is here! My kids and I wasted little time putting the Fall decorations away the day after Thanksgiving and pulling out the Christmas decor. We put up their small artificial trees up in their rooms first, then got the big tree up two days later. ( I had a book signing last Saturday, and afterwards I didn’t have the energy to do any decorating.) But it’s up now and all decorated!

Winter weather is already here in Southern Oregon too. Every morning this week, I’ve woken up to fog and frost, but it usually burns off by early afternoon. My walking and hiking has slumped a bit, but not my reading. I finished reading 5 books last month! I’m hoping to match the same amount during December. Is there any book you’re excited to read this month?

November Wrap-Up

I had 2 book signings that were both a huge success: one at the Local Author Fair at the Jacksonville Public Library and one at Oregon Books & Games. The author fair was a blast, and it was even more fun since I got to share a table with my good author friend, Leah Ann Brown. We claimed the title as “The Fantasy Table.” And at Oregon Books & Games, it was so funny someone came by dressed in a Grinch costume. So glad I snagged a pic with him. Thank you to everyone who came to my book signings and bought my books! Here’s pictures from the events below:

Writing Update

I’ve reached 61k words in the sequel to Heartsmith! I’ll admit that the last 15k words have been a slog to write, and it has nothing to do with the story itself, but due to being overly exhausted and burnt out from promoting Heatsmith, bookish events, and editing jobs. I’ve lacked the energy and focus to find my writing rhythm, but even with that said, I’ve slowly been plugging away where I can. Scenes and dialogue pop in my head at random intervals, and I do my best to jot them in my notes app on my phone so I can add them to my manuscript at a later time. I hoped to finish the first draft by the end of the year, and I’d still like to try. I don’t have any events planned this month, so I’m hoping to free up time and energy to getting this story finished. There’s some exciting moments still to write–like an airship race! Plus, what’s most exciting is that I’ve finally reached a pivotal scene (end of Act 2) that I first wrote years ago, having no clue how the events would lead to this moment. I’m looking forward to writing the Final Act. Wish me luck!

Exciting News

My picture book, The Mountain of Gold, received a wonderful 5 Star review from Readers’ Favorite! It’s so nice seeing this book I illustrated for Fred Fisher, a dear family friend, has received Readers’ Favorite 5 Star Seal! I know Fred, if he were still here, would be so thrilled.

Read Full Review

If you have littles in your life that enjoy fables and adventure stories, consider adding The Mountain of Gold to your picture book library. It’s sure to be a favorite for years to come.

The Ink Mages Podcast

We had an amazing time interviewing Justin O. Rose, author of The Fall of Ingway. His new story is an audio drama script that was funded on Kickstarter and will be releasing January 2025, so go check it out! The trailer sample of the audio is FANTASTIC!

The Fall of Ingway Audio DramaWatch Interview

The Ink Mages have more great interviews headed your way, including Bethanie Finger and Havelah McLat. We have also started our new Buddy Read Episodes, where we read and review indie author books. If you have a “clean” Fantasy or Sci-fi novel be sure to reach out to us to get on our Buddy Read List.

The Ink Mages is hosted by myself and my author friend, Angela R. Hughes (Author of the Once & Future Chronicles).  Our podcast features Nerdy Banter about all things fantasy, world building, story craft, myths & legends, and of course, our own imaginative stories. 

You can find our first episode by CLICKING HERE: The Ink Mages Podcast

Please help us by subscribing to our channel, sharing the episodes, and leaving comments. 

Choose Your Adventure This ChristmasBuy The Conjurer’s CurseBuy The Wraiths of ArjunBuy Signed CopiesBuy HeartsmithBuy Signed CopyBuy The Mountain of GoldBuy Signed Copy

Give the gift of reading to the book lover in your family. Books also make great stocking stuffers! All of my books are “clean reads” and suitable for middle schoolers and up. (The Mountain of Gold is great for 8 years and under.)

Thank you all for joining me on my author journey. Knowing you love my stories and characters keeps me in the writing trenches so I can bring you new adventures to get lost in. Please share my books with friends, your kids, and anyone who loves adventure stories. And if you love them, please leave a review on Amazon. It’s the biggest thank you I can receive.

Have a joyous December and a Merry Christmas!

Let’s Dare to Make-Believe.~Stephanie CottaBook Recommendation:

Flight is a beautiful, heartfelt story of a 15-year-old girl’s walk through grief told in a “verse” narrative style. I’m new to reading novels-in-verse and found this one quite easy to follow. I especially enjoyed the haikus woven throughout the story. Whiting’s deep, lovely, and thought-provoking prose kept me immersed in the story, and I found myself rather amazed how she could say/convey so much in very few words. The chapters flew by as I was reading, and I ended up finishing this book in 2 sittings. This story tackles difficult topics: grief, loss, substance abuse, but handles them with care and and presents them in a way all readers can find some positive takeaway.

Check out book here

Happy November, Book Friends!

I hope you all have been enjoying Fall wherever you are and made the most of spooky season. I read more books last month than I have in awhile, and I even made a point to watch quite a few horror flicks I’d never seen before. Out of the ten films I watched, The Thing (original) was my favorite. On Halloween, I stayed in, and me and my daughter watched the classic Dracula movie with Bela Lugosi, which neither of us had seen before!

Last month, my family and I spent a week on vacation in Kauai and had a most marvelous time. I woke up early every morning and watched the sunrise, while reading and enjoying a cup of coffee. These quiet times were so peaceful and did wonders for helping my mind rest. As a family, we had our share of adventures: We took a catamaran of the Napali Coast Tour and saw lots of spinner dolphins, and got to go snorkeling. We also attended a Luau and visited Waimea Canyon. Here’s a few pics of our amazing time in Kauai!

October Wrap-up

October was an exciting month! Heartsmith released on October 1st, and it was #1 on Amazon in YA Steampunk New Releases. I can’t even begin to tell you how blessed and grateful I am to all of you who made this book launch successful!

I had 2 book signings for Heartsmith that were both a huge success: one at Village Books and one at Barnes & Noble. I had a blast meeting new readers and nerding out discussing Steampunk and Fantasy books. Thanks to everyone who came to my book signings and bought my books! Here’s pictures from the events below:

Exciting News

Heartsmith received Literary Titan’s Gold Book Award!

The Literary Titan Gold Book Award is bestowed upon books that exemplify exceptional standards in the presentation of original content. The award also honors the craft of elegant prose, showcasing a talent for transforming simple words into compelling, beautifully constructed text.

Are you ready to delve into this award-winning Steampunk Gothic Horror that’s filled with mystery, banter, adventure, and a whole lot of heart? Then grab your copy of Heartsmith today; available where books are sold.

Buy on AmazonBuy on Barnes & NobleSigned CopySpecial Giveaway

I have officially reached 100 newsletter subscribers! To celebrate, I want to do a special giveaway just for subscribers. I’ll be giving away a free signed paperback copy of Heartsmith, an art print, a bookmark, and bookish stickers. If you are already a newsletter subscriber, then you are automatically entered into this giveaway! If you’re not a subscriber yet, click the link below to become one, and I’ll enter you into the giveaway. It’s that simple!

Subscribe to my Newsletter

I will pick 1 winner next Sunday, November 17th, 2024, so be sure to subscribe by then if you don’t want to miss out on this giveaway! Details of what you win below:

The Ink Mages Podcast

We ended last month interviewing our friend, X Zombie. She is a Middle Grade fantasy author launching her third book in the Wizards of the Apocalypse Series. Be sure to listen to the episode and check out her books on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. 

Wizards of the Apocalypse: The Dragons’ CrusadeWatch Interview

The Ink Mages have more great interviews headed your way. We have also started our new Buddy Read Episodes, where we read and review indie author books. If you have a clean read Fantasy or Sci-fi novel be sure to reach out to us to get on our Buddy Read List.

The Ink Mages is hosted by myself and my author friend, Angela R. Hughes (Author of the Once & Future Chronicles).  Our podcast features Nerdy Banter about all things fantasy, world building, story craft, myths & legends, and of course, our own imaginative stories. 

You can find our first episode by CLICKING HERE:  The Ink Mages Podcast

Please help us by subscribing to our channel, sharing the episodes, and leaving comments. 

Upcoming Events

For those local to my area in Southern Oregon, I have two events coming up: one at the Jacksonville Public Library for a Local Author Fair hosted by Rebel Heart Books on November 16th. The 2nd event will be a book signing at Oregon Books in Grants Pass, OR on November 30th. Check out the details below:

Check out my YA Fantasy Series & Picture Book

Need a new series to add to your fall TBR? Look no further than The Iron Kingdom Series! It has everything you could want in a story: action & adventure, mystery, buried secrets, a hero you can’t help but love, clean swoon-worthy romance, multi-POVs, antihero POV, friends/enemies to lovers, deadly curses and monsters, found family, high stakes, and the importance of community and friendship.

The Conjurer’s CurseThe Wraiths of Arjun

Journey back to old Japan in The Mountain of Gold. Follow Kaeri on an adventure through scenic Japanese landscapes as he discovers where true treasures are found. Consider it as a gift for the budding readers in your life or anyone who loves a fable with a positive message.

The Mountain of Gold

Thank you all for joining me on my author journey. Your support means the world. I hope you all enjoy my new book. Please share it with friends, your kids, and anyone who loves adventure stories. And if you love it, please leave a review on Amazon. It’s the biggest thank you I can receive.

Have a wonderful November and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Stephanie Cotta

LinkTr.ee/StephanieCottaBook Recommendation:

The series is complete, and I enjoyed every bit of it from start to finish! Book 2 ended on such an exhilarating note, that I was on pins and needles waiting for book 3’s release. I couldn’t wait to see how it all ended. Book 3 picked up right where book 2 left off, with Sebastian and Kyra needing to work together to stop Tallus once and for all. I loved seeing the two main characters deepening their bond, but also trusting and relying on each other’s strengths, especially when it came to dealing with Tallus as a major threat. The ending clash did not disappoint; there was plenty of twists and turns to keep me enthralled.

As this is a YA Romantasy, I appreciated the closed door romance in this book. I’ve been rooting for Sebastian and Kyra in each installment, and love their relationship so much, that I was thoroughly content they got to share a much-deserved intimate time to themselves, which the author handles tastefully well, and keeps it spice-free. Kyra and Sebastian are a dynamic couple, and one of the most rewarding parts of the story was seeing them stay true to themselves, but also growing in their identity–together.

The final 75 pages had me glued to the pages; I honestly wasn’t sure how it was all going to go down, but I am immensely satisfied with the ending. The theme of second chances resonates strongly at the end–it is a beautiful message for all of us. That no matter how broken and destructive our pasts, there is always a chance for redemption or a course correct.

And I can’t forget about Batty, Sebastian’s Cypher. He’s been my favorite character since book 1; and that remains the same now with the series complete. I’d love to have him around so I can keep him supplied with endless stashes of sweets!

This is wonderful completion to an amazing YA fantasy series. I will be recommending The Felserpent Chronicles as often as I can! Can’t wait to see what Keridan writes next!

Available on Amazon

Check out book here

Happy October, Book Friends!

Fall has arrived here in Southern Oregon, the leaves are changing, and the air is so crisp and clean. This is my favorite season of all: I love the colors, the lovely weather, the Autumn aesthetics, and, of course, all things pumpkin spice. I’ve been enjoying my nature hikes and taking walks with my corgis, Walter and Fred. I’m so glad October is here for two reasons: the first is… we’ll get to that below! The second is my family will be going to Kauai on vacation! This will be a much-needed R&R for me. I am looking forward to the tropical climate, swimming in the ocean, reading at the resort, eating the delicious food, and having fun with the family. My kids have never been, so this will be a whole new experience for them.

September Wrap-up:

I’ll make this short, as there’s BIG news that awaits. Several seeks ago, I had the honor of being a featured author at the Forever Twilight Festival in Forks, WA. I got to roadtrip up there with my author friend and podcast co-host Angela R. Hughes. We had an amazing time and got to meet so many wonderful people, including new readers and fellow authors. Here are some pics from the event:

Now for the big, exciting news I want to share with you all. Let’s dive in!

Heartsmith is here!

My new YA Steampunk Gothic Horror is officially out in the world today! I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled I am to release this book. It’s been an eight-year journey to publication that all started with a simple writing prompt. It’s amazing how a five page exercise could one day turn into an entire book and the start of a new series.

Booklovers, if you ever wanted to read a wild genre-mashup where Oliver Twist meets Frankenstein with all the adventure thrills of Treasure Planet, then this book is for you. Heartsmith is a perfect read for steampunk fans, and the dash of gothic horror will keep you enthralled and on the edge of your seat throughout all the twists and turns.

Grab your copy today from your favorite book retailer!

Buy on AmazonBuy on Barnes & NobleOrder a Signed CopyWatch the Trailer

And there’s more exciting news!

Heartsmith hit #1 New Release on Amazon!

I’ve had my eye on my book’s ranking for the past week leading up to release day, and finally, at about 11pm on September 29th, Heartsmith claimed the top spot on Amazon’s chart for Teen and Young Adult Steampunk. It’s also on Amazon’s Bestseller’s list in the same category! It’s all so amazing and such a dream come true.

I am immensely grateful to everyone who has supported me and preordered Heartsmith. You made this possible! I have an amazing Street Team who has been sharing my posts and graphics, and their contribution is a huge reason for my book’s success. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Heartsmith Fan Art/Art Commission

I commissioned author/artist X Zombie to illustrate my villain from Heartsmith and she did a fabulous job! He looks awesome, and all the details on his mechanical mask and limbs, as well as his blunderbuss, are so neat! She also illustrated Aida (pictured on the right) for the book’s release. I love how classy and sophisticated Aida looks!

I also received a lovely piece of fan art from author/artist Havelah McClat of Aida as well. She turned out so lovely and ethereal! I think she’s a character many people will love, and some will wish to draw! Honestly, seeing others wanting to draw my characters with their own style is one of the biggest highlights as an author.

Heartsmith Merchandise

Merchandise is here for Heartsmith! Check out all the stylish merch I designed for my YA Steampunk Gothic Horror, Heartsmith! There’s an assortment of sweaters, hoodies, shirts, tank tops, drink ware, and accessories.

SHOP NOWBook Release & Launch Episode

Tune in to The Ink Mages for a special episode highlighting my book’s release. I had such a fun time chatting with Angela, my podcast co-host, about all the behind-the-scenes tidbits that inspired the story and my characters. It aired today on YouTube and Spotify. Give it a watch and leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

Watch on YouTubeListen on SpotifyUpcoming Events

For those local to my area in Southern Oregon, I have two events coming up: one at Village Books on October 5th to celebrate the release of Heartsmith, and the 2nd event at Barnes & Noble on October 27th. Check out the details below:

Check out my YA Fantasy Series & Picture Book

Need a new series to add to your fall TBR? Look no further than The Iron Kingdom Series! It has everything you could want in a story: action & adventure, mystery, buried secrets, a hero you can’t help but love, clean swoon-worthy romance, multi-POVs, antihero POV, friends/enemies to lovers, deadly curses and monsters, found family, high stakes, and the importance of community and friendship.

The Conjurer’s CurseThe Wraiths of Arjun

Journey back to old Japan in The Mountain of Gold. Follow Kaeri on an adventure through scenic Japanese landscapes as he discovers where true treasures are found. Consider it as a gift for the budding readers in your life or anyone who loves a fable with a positive message.

The Mountain of Gold

Thank you all for joining me on my author journey. Your support means the world. I hope you all enjoy my new book. Please share it with friends, your kids, and anyone who loves adventure stories. And if you love it, please leave a review on Amazon. It’s the biggest thank you I can receive.

Have a wonderful October!

Stephanie Cotta

LinkTr.ee/Stephanie CottaBook Recommendation

I am such a fan of Claire Kohler’s books, so I was very excited when I learned she was writing a prequel novella to her Betwixt the Sea and Shore series. The Angel of Torin Woods is a quick, immersive read that revolves around Vincent (The Mad Fisherman from the series) and young Bethany (who is a selkie). It was a fun treat getting to meet these characters in their youth, and the budding romance between them was sweet and had me leaning into the story. I loved the Fae Realm aspect, and the two creatures Vincent and Bethany meet there. I would have liked to see things slow down a bit during that sequence, as the story jumps forward 2 weeks at that part, and I really wanted to “see” their romantic feelings grow during that window of time more.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and a wonderful prequel to the series. I highly recommend this book, and every book in this series, to anyone who loves Scottish historical settings, selkie folklore, fae, magic, and cozy fantasy romance. Excited to read the next book from this author!

Available on Amazon.

Check out book here

Happy September, Book Friends!

I hope everyone had a restful Labor Day weekend and a nice end of summer. Here in Southern Oregon, we had a little cold spurt at the end of August, so the leaves have already started changing. I’ve enjoyed watching the subtle shifts in colors on my hikes nearby my house. What I am most excited about this month, though, is my upcoming trip to Forks, WA for the Forever Twilight Festival. (More details on that further down in the newsletter.) It’s going to be an amazing trip and surely the highlight of the month. Plus, I’m gearing up for Heartsmith‘s release, which is only a few weeks away!

August Wrap-Up:

I did not schedule any events in August, and honestly, I needed the break to recoup from Comic Con and was ready for things to slow down. I wanted to have a month dedicated to resting and writing. I spent a lot more time outside, taking walks with the dogs, hiking, hitting the gym, and spending time with my family. I was able to finish reading four books too, one of which I feature at the end of the newsletter, so be sure to check it out.

What’s new?Heartsmith is now available for Preorder!

It’s amazing I can finally announce this exciting news. Preorder my upcoming book today at your favorite book retailer! Here’s just a few where you can secure your copy of Heartsmith, which is currently available for preorder in Paperback and Ebook. I can’t wait for you all to read this thrilling genre mashup!

Preorder on AmazonPreorder at Barnes & Noble

And, guess what? I’m running a Preorder Promo for Heartsmith!

Check out the special preorder promo I’m running now till release day. (Oct 1st) For those who preorder my new book, HEARTSMITH, I’ll send you a free bookmark and stickers. Just email a screenshot of your order of a physical book, along with your address, and I’ll get your book swag sent to you. (US only) Email me at: s.daniellacotta@gmail.com

And if you’re wondering if Heartsmith is a book that’s up your alley or someone you know who loves reading, check out the tropes in the graphic below. Heartsmith is a YA Steampunk Gothic Horror that is under a “cleanreads” label, which means there is no swearing, no spice, or graphic violence or gore. It is light on the “horror,” with the spooky elements stemming from reanimated corpses that appear in the story. Think Oliver Twist meets Frankenstein, with the adventure aspects of Treasure Planet.

And check out this glowing 5 Star Review I received from Reader’s Favorite for Heartsmith! It’s so wonderful seeing that 5 Star seal next to my book. Read the full review here: https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/heartsmith

Writing Update:

I made great progress on the Heartsmith sequel during August. In my last newsletter, the sequel to Heartsmith was sitting at 24k words. Now it’s at 44k! Which means, I’ve passed the 50% mark with the first draft. I’m aiming for 75-80k words, and I don’t foresee I’ll go over that. I’ve been staying close to my loose outline (how I imagine the plot in my head) and already have my ending scene written too! I’d love to finish the first draft in November, or possibly even sooner. Here’s to hoping the second half of the story flows smoothly.

New Merchandise:

Merchandise is here for Heartsmith! Check out all the stylish merch I designed for my YA Steampunk Gothic Horror, Heartsmith! There’s an assortment of sweaters, hoodies, shirts, tank tops, drinkware, and accessories.

Shop NowUpcoming Events:

My next event is the Forever Twilight Festival in Forks, WA, on Friday September 13th. I will be road tripping up to this event with my friend and podcast co-host, Angela R. Hughes. We are so excited, and can’t wait to meet the other featured authors, along with all the attendees at the Festival. I am looking forward to sharing The Conjurer’s Curse and The Wraiths of Arjun with new readers and enjoying all the fun festivities at the event. If you’re near Forks, WA, come visit me at my table and pick up a signed copy!

And for those local to my area in Southern Oregon, I have an event coming up at Village Books in October to celebrate the release of Heartsmith. Check out the details below:

Podcast:

Check out The Ink Mages Podcast! Our latest episode was an interview with A.M. Daylin, author of Where Darkness Cannot Follow. Her book is fantastic, and one you don’t want to miss! Give the interview a watch and leave a comment–we’d love to hear from you! And if you haven’t watched our episodes, give us a listen and subscribe to our YouTube Channel or listen on Spotify. Check out our latest episodes using the links below:

Watch on YouTubeListen on SpotifyThe Iron Kingdom Series:

If you haven’t read The Iron Kingdom Series and are looking to start something new and exciting this fall, check out my YA Fantasy series. It has everything you could want in a story: action & adventure, mystery, buried secrets, a hero you can’t help but love, clean swoon-worthy romance, multi-POVs, antihero POV, friends/enemies to lovers, deadly curses and monsters, found family, high stakes, and the importance of community and friendship.

And if you have read The Conjurer’s Curse and The Wraiths of Arjun, please do me a huge favor and leave a review. I need just 11 more reviews for The Conjurer’s Curse to hit 50, which is a big milestone. Reviews help encourage other people to read my books, and increase my ranking on Amazon, which is huge!

Buy The Conjurer’s CurseBuy The Wraiths of ArjunSigned CopiesLeave a Review on AmazonLeave a Review on GoodreadsShop the Merchandise StoreThe Mountain of Gold:

My debut picture book, The Mountain of Gold, has been out for nearly four months now. I have been so blessed by its warm reception. Thank you all to those who’ve already purchased a copy; I appreciate it so much. I hope you and your families enjoy it for many years to come. Consider it as a gift for the budding readers in your life or anyone who loves a fable with a positive message.

Buy on AmazonSigned CopyLeave a Review on AmazonLeave a Review on Goodreads

Thank you, book friends, for supporting me, encouraging me, and for reading my books. You mean the world to me. I hope you all have a fantastic September!

– Stephanie Cotta

LinkTr.eeBook Recommendation:

Reign Returned by Katie Keridan had so much to love and keep me intrigued. From the immersive worldbuilding, love that transcends time and realms, dragons, fascinating character dynamics, animal familiars with whimsical personalities, and a unique magic system, this story will appeal to lovers of fantasy and slow burn romance. I appreciated that the slow burn romance took its time to strengthen and build. So often the insta-love trope gets cliche and boring, so Keridan’s slow burn was the right level of pacing for me to get to know the two POV characters and their strengths and flaws without the romance muddying the character dynamics. The ending was satisfying and has me eager to read the next installment! 

Available on Amazon and where books are sold.

Check out book here

Happy August, Book Friends!

I hope you all have been enjoying your summer. Last month, my family went on vacation to Sunriver, OR, which is several hours away from our home. It’s a high desert region with lots of woods, trails, waterfalls, soaring mountains, and overall, just a very laid-back area. It’s become one of our favorite places to go on vacation. I really needed this break, and the time away to recuperate from the hustle and bustle; I even started reading a new fantasy series on this trip too! While nearby in Bend, we attended a Coheed & Cambria concert–my husband is a big fan. The event was such a blast, and certainly the highlight of our vacation. Here’s some pics from our trip:

July Wrap-Up:

Last weekend, I attended my first Comic-Con as an artist/creator. It was such a blast meeting so many nice people at the event, and seeing so many awesome costumes. I made some wonderful connections with fellow artists, authors, readers, and, of course, fellow nerds! Thank you to all who bought copies of my books and art prints! Here are several pics from the event:

New Artwork

Mid-July, I finished my painting of Aida from Heartsmith! And just in time to add it to the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). That’s right, my oil paintings that I’ve done for four of the characters will be in the book! I’m quite pleased with how this oil painting turned out. Aida looks exactly like I imagine her: ethereal and mysterious. She’s an integral character in the story, and I just adore the relationship she has with Aaren (my main character). All the wisdom she shares are truths and lessons I had to learn when walking through the stages of grief. I can’t wait for you all to meet her this October.

Writing Update:

Just as I’d hoped, I was able to spend more time writing last month. It was slow going for a bit, but I think I’ve finally found my rhythm again. In my last newsletter, the sequel to Heartsmith was sitting at 11k words. Now it’s at 24k! Which means, I’m about 32% done with the first draft. I’ve been feeling more excitement and enthusiasm with writing again. Much of that stemmed from stepping away from social media more. To get my head in writing mode, I need less distractions, which is why I’ve turned off my phone notifications for all my social media platforms. This has helped tremendously. I’m sure I’ll be gearing up more, though, as we get closer to October when Heartsmith releases.

The ARC is ready for Heartsmith! If you’d like to join my ARC Team and read a free copy of Heartsmith in exchange for an honest review, sign up using the link below! Scroll down till you find my book, Heartsmith, click the icon, fill out the rest of the form, and you’re good to go. There are still a few spots left!

ARC Sign Up FormWatch the Official Book TrailerNew Merchandise

Merchandise is here for Heartsmith! Check out all the stylish merch I designed for my YA Steampunk Gothic Horror, Heartsmith! There’s an assortment of sweaters, hoodies, shirts, tank tops, drinkware, and accessories.

Shop NowUpcoming Event:

My next event is the Forever Twilight Festival in Forks, WA, on Friday September 13th. I will be road tripping up to this event with my friend and podcast co-host, Angela R. Hughes. We are so excited, and can’t wait to meet the other featured authors, along with all the attendees at the Festival. I am looking forward to sharing my YA Fantasy series with new readers and enjoying all the fun festivities at the event. If you’re near Forks, WA, come visit me at my table and pick up a signed copy!

Podcast

Check out The Ink Mages Podcast! Our latest episode was an interview with Tricia Copeland, author of To Be A Fae Queen. Give it a watch and leave a comment–we’d love to hear from you! And if you haven’t watched our episodes, give us a listen and subscribe to our YouTube Channel or listen on Spotify. Check out our latest episodes using the links below:

Watch on YouTubeListen on SpotifyThe Iron Kingdom Series

If you haven’t read The Iron Kingdom Series and are looking to start something new and exciting this summer, check out my YA Fantasy series. It has everything you could want in a story: action & adventure, mystery, buried secrets, a hero you can’t help but love, clean swoon-worthy romance, multi-POVs, antihero POV, friends/enemies to lovers, deadly curses and monsters, found family, high stakes, and the importance of community and friendship.

And if you have read The Conjurer’s Curse and The Wraiths of Arjun, please do me a huge favor and leave a review. They help encourage other people to read the books, and increase my ranking on Amazon, which is huge!

Buy The Conjurer’s CurseBuy The Wraiths of ArjunSigned CopiesLeave a Review on AmazonLeave a Review on Goodreads Shop the Merchandise StoreThe Mountain of Gold

My debut picture book, The Mountain of Gold, has been out for nearly three months now. I have been so blessed by its warm reception. Thank you all to those who’ve already purchased a copy; I appreciate it so much. I hope you and your families enjoy it for many years to come. Consider it as a gift for the budding readers in your life or anyone who loves a fable with a positive message.

Buy on AmazonSigned CopyLeave a Review on AmazonLeave a Review on Goodreads

Thank you, book friends, for supporting me, encouraging me, and for reading my books. You mean the world to me. I hope you all have a fantastic rest of your summer!

– Stephanie Cotta

LinkTr.eeBook Recommendation:

Dust and Crown by Havelah McClat is an enchanting story filled with magic, friendship, and adventure. This story held my interest and was an enjoyable read for me. I particularly loved the Anastasia-retelling vibes set against the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia that occurred a century ago. As a history lover, I enjoyed all the little nods to the historical time period where the story of Anastasia took place. But Havelah puts a lovely twist on that familiar tale by having this be a magical world with fairies that involves a dust tree that grants them the ability to fly. But when an invasion occurs by a rogue fairy named Lenin, who takes control of the dust tree, the fairy realm is plunged into dark times. Nastia, the main protagonist, who has a special connection to the dust tree, will have to regain her memories and choose to help her fellow fairies, or they will continue to suffer under the false King Lenin’s control.

This is a lovely, clean read for youngsters, and adults, who love a story with magic, fairies, found family, friendship, standing up to tyranny, and choosing to do what’s right. I’m excited to see what Havelah McClat puts out next!

Available now on Amazon

Check it out here