Joann Mazzella's Blog
October 7, 2025
One Week In: Still Pinching Myself
It has officially been a week since Child of the Forest hit the world, and I’m still wrapping my head around it. People I’ve never met are reading about Mara, Aria, and Celestine while I’m sitting here sipping coffee and trying to remember what sleep is.
The launch rush has settled into that calm stretch where I watch the little numbers on my dashboard and whisper, “please keep going up.” Some days they do, some days they don’t, but every single read still feels unreal.
I’ve spent most of this week working my day job and the evenings on Moonweaver (Book 2). That means more dwarves, more chaos, and yes, Mara is still as sassy as ever. Writing her feels like catching up with an old friend who keeps ignoring my outline.
Balancing work and writing isn’t easy, but it’s worth every late night. This story has my heart, and seeing readers connect with it makes all the tired mornings feel a little brighter.
If you’ve picked up Child of the Forest, thank you. If you’ve finished it, double thank you. And if you’re somewhere in the middle, just know I’m probably cheering you on from behind my mug.
What’s the part of a fantasy story that always hooks you first? The world, the characters, or the chaos? I’m curious what keeps you turning pages.
The launch rush has settled into that calm stretch where I watch the little numbers on my dashboard and whisper, “please keep going up.” Some days they do, some days they don’t, but every single read still feels unreal.
I’ve spent most of this week working my day job and the evenings on Moonweaver (Book 2). That means more dwarves, more chaos, and yes, Mara is still as sassy as ever. Writing her feels like catching up with an old friend who keeps ignoring my outline.
Balancing work and writing isn’t easy, but it’s worth every late night. This story has my heart, and seeing readers connect with it makes all the tired mornings feel a little brighter.
If you’ve picked up Child of the Forest, thank you. If you’ve finished it, double thank you. And if you’re somewhere in the middle, just know I’m probably cheering you on from behind my mug.
What’s the part of a fantasy story that always hooks you first? The world, the characters, or the chaos? I’m curious what keeps you turning pages.
October 3, 2025
Strangers Stayed Up Late With My Book
So… turns out strangers picked up Child of the Forest, stayed up late, and even left reviews on Goodreads. And they were nice ones. Like, really nice. Five-star nice.
I did not bribe them with cookies. I swear.
Honestly, I am kind of floored. When I hit publish, I half expected crickets. Instead, people are reading, finishing, and even sharing their thoughts. That is the kind of thing that makes this author grin like an idiot and dive right back into writing Book 2.
So thank you to every reader who has given this story a chance. You made my week, and you did it without even knowing me. That feels pretty magical.
I did not bribe them with cookies. I swear.
Honestly, I am kind of floored. When I hit publish, I half expected crickets. Instead, people are reading, finishing, and even sharing their thoughts. That is the kind of thing that makes this author grin like an idiot and dive right back into writing Book 2.
So thank you to every reader who has given this story a chance. You made my week, and you did it without even knowing me. That feels pretty magical.
September 25, 2025
Sneak Peek: Child of the Forest on Royal Road
What happens when the end of the world isn’t the end at all?
That’s where Mara lands: sarcastic, stubborn, and unprepared for a magical forest that thinks she belongs to it. Luckily, she isn’t alone. She has Celestine, a hulking shadow hound with a protective streak a mile wide, and Aria, her luminous wolf whose gentle heart is the reason Mara keeps moving when everything feels impossible.
The opening chapters of Child of the Forest are up on Royal Road now:
👉 Read the preview here
Inside you’ll find:
• A heroine who meets danger with sarcasm (because screaming doesn’t get you XP).
• A forest that’s equal parts enchanting and deadly.
• Celestine’s growls, Aria’s quiet light, and the bond that makes them a family.
Take a peek, meet the trio, and see why Mara will fight tooth and nail to protect them. The full book launches on Kindle & KU October 1st, but until then, Royal Road has your sneak preview.
That’s where Mara lands: sarcastic, stubborn, and unprepared for a magical forest that thinks she belongs to it. Luckily, she isn’t alone. She has Celestine, a hulking shadow hound with a protective streak a mile wide, and Aria, her luminous wolf whose gentle heart is the reason Mara keeps moving when everything feels impossible.
The opening chapters of Child of the Forest are up on Royal Road now:
👉 Read the preview here
Inside you’ll find:
• A heroine who meets danger with sarcasm (because screaming doesn’t get you XP).
• A forest that’s equal parts enchanting and deadly.
• Celestine’s growls, Aria’s quiet light, and the bond that makes them a family.
Take a peek, meet the trio, and see why Mara will fight tooth and nail to protect them. The full book launches on Kindle & KU October 1st, but until then, Royal Road has your sneak preview.
