Happy July, book friends!

Summer is here, and it’s starting to heat up in Southern Oregon. I’m looking forward to spending more time outside enjoying the sun, taking hikes, going to the lake, and reading at our neighborhood park. It’s something I did last summer with my kids to get us outside and gave them a change of scene while they enjoyed reading their books. I’ve got a few books and ARCs I hope to read and finish this month, along with making time for painting. I’m excited to hang out with family and barbeque for the Fourth of July. My husband and I just got a Traeger last month, which my husband has dubbed “Eren Traeger” (fans of Attack on Titan will get this!), so I’m sure we’ll be smoking some meat and burgers this holiday.

June Wrap-up:

June was a busy month! I had several book signings, both at local bookstores: one at Oregon Books & Games, and the other at Village Books. It’s such a treat for me to chat with new readers and discuss our love of books together. I met some wonderful people at both book signings and can’t wait for my next event. Check out the pics below:

Artwork Commission:

Last month, I hired talented author/illustrator X Zombie to create illustrations for my main characters from The Iron Kingdom Series. I am so pleased with her unique portrayal of my characters; they all look amazing! Check out her books Wizards of the Apocalypse series for a fun, high fantasy story filled magic and zombies.

Cover Reveal

Last week I shared the Cover Reveal for Heartsmith, my upcoming YA Steampunk Gothic Horror and was blown away by its warm reception. So many people expressed their interest in the story simply because of the cover’s steampunk vibe. I collaborated on the cover with my good friend Melissa Ghiglieri, who is an amazing artist, and couldn’t be happier with how stunning it looks. I love seeing my main character, Aaren Lockett, on the cover in his tinkering shop. I can’t wait for you to meet him!

Also, check out this wonderful illustration X Zombie did of my main character, Aaren Lockett, for the cover reveal. She captured him perfectly; I love it so much!

Heartsmith Book Trailer

Just days ago, I released the Official Book Trailer for Heartsmith. I initially started working on this trailer last fall and fiddled with it here and there to get all the text and videos just right. I received SO much interest for my story with this book trailer, which is awesome! Already people are asking to be ARC readers for it. Give it a watch and leave a comment on YouTube. I hope you find it intriguing!

Writing Update:

The line edits for Heartsmith are finished and it is currently being formatted for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). Be sure to follow my social media accounts so you don’t miss the sign-ups for it, which will probably be in the next week or two. As of today, Heartsmith is 3 months away from its release day–so wild!

With the line edits complete, I was able to devote time back to my WIPs. Over the last week, I bounced back and forth from working on the sequel to Heartsmith and Book 4 in The Iron Kingdom Series. At this stage, I’m not setting weekly wordcount goals, as I’m trying to just enjoy creative writing again without putting pressure on myself.

Upcoming Events:

My next event is the Meadowlark Comic Con that will be at the new Rogue X Sports Complex in Medford, OR, during the last weekend of July. This will be my first time selling my books at a Comic Con venue! I may even sell prints of my artwork there too. I am looking forward to sharing my books with new readers and enjoying all the fun costumes and festivities at the event. If you’re in Southern Oregon at the end of July, come visit me at my table!

Podcast

Check out The Ink Mages Podcast! Our latest episode was the book launch for Arthur and the Golden Dragon. It was a blast interviewing my co-host Angela R. Hughes and learning all the thrilling details about the final book in her trilogy, The Once and Future Chronicles. 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 GoodreadsLeave a Review on AmazonShop the Merchandise StoreThe Mountain of Gold

My debut picture book, The Mountain of Gold, has been out for nearly two months now. I have been so blessed by its warm reception by readers young and old. 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 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 Fourth of July!

– Stephanie Cotta

LinkTr.eeBook Recommendation:

Angela R. Hughes has done it once again! The 3rd chapter in The Once and Future Chronicles is an outstanding triumph, masterfully weaving together the themes of hope, perseverance, and good vanquishing evil in a stellar finale that will have you on the edge of your seat. Book 3 begins with Arthur back on the throne after his return from the future time, but even with this miraculous feat, Osian’s evil is on the move. Merlin, Elanor, and Arthur must unite, set aside their differences, and find strength in each other and the promise of the future if they are to have any hope of stopping Osian before the lands of Prydain fall to darkness.

It was such a thrill returning to this Arthurian tale once more. I adore Hughes’s characters, especially Merlin. Some of my favorite moments in this story revolved around him and Arthur in flashbacks–particularly with the “Sword in the Stone” moment. The way Angela Hughes weaves in folklore, ballads, and myths into her narrative is a treat for any lover of Arthurian legend, and book 3 in this trilogy does not disappoint. Even though the trilogy has come to an end, I’m eagerly looking forward to the planned “tales” set in this author’s crafted world. I can’t wait to read more! 

Available now where books are sold.

Check it out here