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