Jamie Thornton's Blog

I took a short break from gardening…

…the garden did not take a break from me.

The grapevine is a magnificent tangle, and the morning glories are practically wallpapering the fence. My cherry tomatoes are on the cusp of ripeness, and my kaffir lime tree is absolutely bursting with fruit, the raspberry bush is a sweet, relentless producer, and I’m consistently behind on harvesting.

I confess, the heat meant a few weeks of garden neglect, but these plants don’t seem to care. I may never fully catch up, but the sheer beauty of it all is captivating.

Even amidst the heat, we had a brief couple of days with glorious clouds, thunder, and a quick summer storm.

Check out the lushness. Better with sound on!

Okay. So. I’m deep in the middle of drafting a four-book epic fantasy series. By “deep,” I mean tangled-up, yelling-at-characters, muttering-to-myself, please-just-be-a-story kind of deep.

And then. THEN. My brain decides: Hey, remember how stressed you are? Here’s a new idea. SIX BOOKS. Outlined. Major characters fleshed out. Sidekicks and villains too. All in under an hour. No big deal.

Excuse me? Now? Now?

I may have just been mugged by creativity. My current series is crying in the corner. My characters are throwing tantrums… and this shiny new idea is currently strutting around my brain like it owns the place.

Do I resist it? Haha, no. Do I want to resist it? Also no. Do I feel slightly guilty for even thinking about it while my poor first series is still half-done? Absolutely.

One does not simply ignore a shiny new idea.

I mean, I WILL get back to drafting my current epic fantasy series shortly… right after I jot down a few more notes.

Tell me I’m not alone. What’s the most inconvenient, irresistible idea your brain has ever thrown at you?

Why spend so much of my creative energy wandering worlds teetering on the edge of collapse?

(Like in my After The World Ends series and Zombies Are Human series)

It goes way back to childhood me—the kid clutching a library card like a passport, leaping into stories where zombies skulked in shadows, portals spilled open like ink, and ancient mysteries lurked in dusty corners.

Even now, when life’s too much…

(missing deadlines, anyone?)

…the lure of forging new worlds—dangerous, yes, but also resilient and strange—never gets old.

Writing apocalypse fiction is a chance to give myself the challenge of peeling back the layers—challenge what it means to survive, to hope, to love fiercely even when everything else unravels.

In After The World Ends, Dessa’s devotion to her brother Ivan anchors the entire story. Every risky choice, every wild gambit, is driven by that bone-deep urge to protect the people we love—even when the path is all brambles and heartbreak.

Let’s be honest—Dessa doesn’t have an easy time of it, but she discovers a strength she never knew she had. Writing some of those scenes felt like holding a mirror up to my own messiest emotions.

(while trying not to spill tea on the keyboard—again).

There’s something comforting in the process, like untangling a seemingly hopeless snarl in your favorite scarf and realizing, thread by thread, it can be made whole.

The infected in After The World Ends aren’t just monsters lurking for a cheap scare—they’re (slippery?) metaphors for what we’re all a little afraid to lose: our sense of self. Dessa’s fight to preserve her humanity, even as the world falls apart, is the fight we all have on bad days.

(And, hey, especially on deadline weeks).

If you ever laughed at someone cracking a joke in the middle of disaster, you’ll understand—humor is our last-ditch defense against despair. When the world feels bleak, sometimes all you can do is snark at the darkness and hope it snarks back.

Personally, I survive manuscript meltdown days (I’m finishing up a book draft) with a steady diet of memes and the occasional talking-to-my-cat therapy session.

But what I love most, and what keeps me coming back to these kind of stories, is the way ordinary places transform under extraordinary pressure: a familiar neighborhood reimagined as a battleground, a city street morphing into a crossroads between hope and ruin. I swear, every time I walk the greenbelt or pass the library, my brain’s rewriting reality into post-apocalyptic possibilities.

It’s a privilege to write stories that connect us across whatever end-of-the-world scenario life throws at us next.

I can’t wait to share what’s ahead.

The Socks and Sorcery Kickstarter wrapped up with such an amazing response—thank you again to everyone who supported that magical adventure.

All the authors and indie dyers are now working hard behind-the-scenes to put together the finishing touches and get those collector boxes ready to ship.

I loved being immersed in spells, maps, and mischief…

..but I have to admit that as soon as June hit, my brain flipped a switch.

For some reason, summer always feels like the season of the apocalypse to me.

Maybe it’s the dry heat.

Maybe it’s all the wildfires and weird news.

Or maybe it’s the fact that I kicked off my summer by rewatching Terminator 2, because nothing says “vacation vibes” like explosions, existential dread, and people on the run from the end of the world…

Which brings me back to my own zombie apocalypse books :)

After The World Ends

Zombies Are Human

12 books in total across the two series.

These characters. Their world. The way they fight to survive—even thrive—when everything falls apart.

It’s always pulled at something deep in me. Based on what’s happening in the world lately, I think it pulls at something deep in all of us.

So for the next few weeks, I’m diving back in—and I’m taking you with me.

I’ve decided this is Zombie Apocalypse Summer.

And some fun stuff is headed your way over the next few weeks:
•    Survival tips from my characters
•    Dark, moody quotes
•    Wild “what would YOU do” scenarios
•    And ways to (re)discover the series if you’ve been curious or want to binge

If you love stories about grit, found family, rebellion, government experiments, and hope in the face of total collapse—all set in my home state of California—this is going to be a fun ride. Even, and maybe especially, for those who’ve already read the books!

In case you aren’t yet following me on social media, choose your favorite platform to experience this world come alive over the summer. 

Jamie Thornton on YouTube

Jamie Thornton on Instagram

Jamie Thornton on TikTok

Jamie Thornton on Pinterest

Jamie Thornton on Facebook

And if you’re already itching to get started, you can dive into either series here 

Apocalypse Summer is here. Let’s survive it together.

TODAY. This is the very LAST day to become part of the Socks & Sorcery Kickstarter Campaign.

(Ramona is celebrating by methodically knocking every pen off my desk, one by one.)

The garden’s been teaching me about cycles lately – how things grow, bloom, and transform in their own time. As we near the end of this campaign, I’m so proud of the transformation my new epic fantasy series has taken from the first fever-dream chapter ten years ago to this epic release. I never would have imagined the release of my new series would be paired with custom yarn dyed to match the magic and intensity of what awaits you.

(And with all the unlocked stretch goals, lots of other goodies are going into the box at this point too!)

I’ve received so many wonderful messages about what drew you to this project. Your stories about connecting with animal and finding magic in everyday moments – they’ve all confirmed that this was exactly the right way to share this epic fantasy tale.

For those still deciding – yes, this is truly an exclusive release.

Like those perfect garden moments that can’t be replicated, the Socks & Sorcery Kickstarter represents a singular magical convergence of story, craft, and community.

The kickstarter campaign closes later TODAY. Just a few hours from now. 

While Ramona assures me that cats don’t experience FOMO, humans definitely do!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this moment.

Yours in darkness and stars,

Jamie Thornton

Your enthusiasm for the Socks and Sorcery Kickstarter project has been absolutely overwhelming (in the best possible way).

Watching the community come together around these magical boxes feels like witnessing a spell coming to life – except instead of wands, we’re wielding knitting needles and books!

(Throws magical confetti while Ramona attempts to catch it)

I’ve been especially touched by some of your messages about the theme of the Familiar Spirits collector’s box. Your stories about your own animal companions and their… let’s say “unique” personalities have had me laughing and nodding in recognition.

(Ramona just gave me a look that clearly says, “Of course they have stories – we animals are the ones really in charge.”)

There’s still a few days left to join the campaign, and we have even more stretch goals to unlock!

Haven’t checked it out yet? You can find the Kickstarter here.

(Ramona suggests acting fast – she’s seen the prototype and has already claimed a box as her new favorite napping spot.)

How to back a project on Kickstarter:

1. Click “Back this Project” and select your reward.

2. The Campaign ends at a set date, hopefully reaching its funding goal.

3. Kickstarter charges your payment method.

4. The project creator sends out a survey, collecting details needed for reward fulfillment.

5. The creator creates and/or buys reward items to send to backers.

6. You receive your rewards!

You can find the Socks & Sorcery Kickstarter here.

Magic has a way of rippling through our lives, sometimes (especially), through books. This week, I noticed some connections between the themes in my upcoming epic fantasy series, and a couple of transformative reads.

One of the books (One-Straw Revolution) discusses a permaculture approach to farming, focusing on how less can truly be more when we let nature take the lead. This philosophy resonates deeply with Magistra’s (one of my main characters) journey in Valley of Wonder and Blood, as she navigates her magical abilities. The haunting echoes of the Forgotten War more than a thousand years before the book starts cast a long shadow over her world, presenting a balancing act of risk and potential, much like coaxing fragile plants to grow.

Then, there’s a beautiful exploration of how nature nurtures not just our bodies but our spirits, too. As Magistra and Sabel both grapple with the painful legacies around them, they discover that healing isn’t solely about addressing their personal scars, but also about connecting and uniting with the landscapes they call home.

Every bond they forge reveals a deeper magic—one that may be able to repair the fractures left in the wake of greedy empires….

(Definite emphasis on – maybe)

Finally, this week I read an essay on peak oil and rare earth minerals………..

……So that reminded me of the dire consequences of overexploiting resources, of taking without giving back. I mean, this is probably a core theme in all my books? But definitely this idea threads it’s way through Valley of Wonder and Blood more directly than ever.

As clashing empires stretch their greedy fingers across the land, our heroes confront a reality where both their magical gifts and physical resources are dwindling. And yet, they rise to the challenges, doing what must be done to protect those they love.

I can’t wait for you to see how all of these ideas unfold in my upcoming epic fantasy series, The Numinous. Stay tuned.

That’s exactly what happened today when the Socks & Sorcery Kickstarter surpassed TRIPLE its funding goal!

I was in the garden when I got the news, attempting to convince my plants that yes, they really do need those support cages.

(Much like Ramona needs her cat tree, despite her insistence that my precariously stacked books are the superior perch.)

Speaking of support – wow. Just… wow.

Your enthusiasm for these collector’s book boxes…

(where you can find my very own upcoming epic fantasy release inside the Familiar Spirits collector’s box)

…has left me speechless.

Well, almost speechless.

I’m still capable of typing, obviously ;)

It seems fitting that we reached this milestone just as the garden is bursting with new life. The hollyhocks that volunteered themselves into existence are now towering overhead with blooms…

(Much like how this project has grown beyond our initial dreams!)

For those still deciding whether to join us on this magical journey – the Socks & Sorcery Kickstarter has now unlocked multiple stretch goals, adding even more enchantment to each package that will be delivered to your doorstep.

Think of it like those volunteer plants in my garden – sometimes the unplanned additions create the most beautiful moments of all.

You know that feeling when you’re bursting to share something exciting but have to wait?

That’s me right now, watching the calendar like an anxious cat watching a bird through the window.

(Speaking of cats, Ramona just knocked my tea mug dangerously close to my laptop while demonstrating her newfound talent for desktop parkour.)

The recent California rains have turned my garden into what I’m calling a “vibrant chaos.”

Translation…

The weeds are staging a hostile takeover while the actual plants I meant to grow are, um, struggling.

Yesterday, while attempting to reclaim a corner of the yard, I found myself pondering the remarkable resilience of unwanted plants – how they adapt and thrive despite our best efforts to control them.

It reminded me of something I’ve been researching lately for The Numinous, the new epic fantasy series I’m working on. There will be a lot of adaptation and survival in the books, but with a mystical twist.

(Be the first to hear more about that when you join my newsletter!)

But first, I have to tell you that something very magical is brewing for April 8th.

Think books, cozy accessories, and…

Well, I’m not able to share details juuuust yet, so I’ll have to leave you in suspense for a bit longer.

Today, I stumbled upon a revelation about myself…

(of course it was in the form of a meme)

…that feels brand new but has clearly been part of me all along. It’s like discovering that you’ve had a superpower your whole life and just didn’t know it.

So, here’s the discovery: Ominous positivity.

I am absolutely in love with this idea.

(You will be fine you have no choice)

(Everything will turn out okay you cannot stop it)

(Better days are already coming it’s too late now)

(Happy travels or else)

Ominous positivity pretty much sums up what I write. Zombies? Check. Portals to mysterious realms? You bet. Dystopian sci-fi and fantasy adventures? All of the above.

My stories are all about mixing a dash of hope with a sprinkle of dread—a cocktail that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Let’s break it down with some examples, shall we?

**Zombies** A world overrun by the not-quite-undead. It’s grim, right? But my characters? They’re holding onto hope like it’s the last Twinkie on Earth (if you’ve read After The World Ends you know exactly who I’m talking about here ), which makes their struggles all the more thrilling.

**Portals** Discovering portals to other realms sounds awesome until you realize it might be a one-way ticket (Anyone who’s read my Doormaker fantasy series knows this well). But you’ll be fine because you have no other choice–the excitement of the unknown is balanced with a hefty dose of danger. Happy travels, or else…

**Dystopian Sci-Fi** Picture societies on the brink of collapse. Dark times indeed, but my heroes find sparks of resistance and hope, like finding an oasis in a desert (or a red boxcar in an abandoned field). Everything will turn out okay because, well, it’s too late to stop it now.

**Epic Fantasy** Epic quests are fraught with peril, but my heroes believe they’ll make it, even when the odds are outrageously not in their favor (Looking at you, The Numinous fantasy book series). Better days are already coming – you cannot stop them.

Even when life throws a curveball the size of a meteor, there’s still a chance to knock it out of the park .