Heh–I know, the title suggests I was gonna give you an update first and then reveal the cover, but we all know it’s all about the cover!

So there it is. In all it’s glory. I’m happy with it. I hope you like it, too.

Natalia Junqueira, over on Reedsy.com, again delivered the goods. She does an excellent job of integrating the cover art I chose, picking the right font, and assembling it all into something I hope will entice adult readers.

I know, the art suggests a young adult or even middle grade genre, but I’m hoping the blurb will keep it firmly in the adult category. It’s not that a kid couldn’t read the story. They could. It’s just not geared for them. But there is a kid in the story that features large so this cover art seemed especially fitting.

By the way, the image is created using paper cuts, arranged just so, and then back lit. Cool, huh? I discovered the image on DeviantArt (yes, real, non-AI artists still hang out there). Here’s the artist’s link: https://www.deviantart.com/gs-papercut

Do consider supporting his art on Twitch! Also, just so you all know, here’s the original image.

So… if I’m revealing the cover for The Legend of Damndrake, I must be finished, right?

Well, sort of.

In January of this year, I had hoped to have the first book of the Draghi Chronicles wrapped up and in your eBook readers by now, but I had to rewrite the darn thing. So, everything is a bit behind.

However, I can confidently assure you all that The Legend of Damndrake is finished! Yay! It is currently going through a final round of critique, and is due to my editor by September 15th, 2025. If everything goes to plan, I’m anticipating a mid-November release date.

That may seem like a long time from now, but it’s not! There are so many tasks, big and small, that go into creating a book, particularly one that is part of a series. But I’m very proud of what I have created with my team of writing partners (you know who you are), artists, and editor. And I sincerely hope you enjoy The Legend of Damndrake.

Without further ado…

After twenty four years surviving the brutal White Wastes, Damndrake has stopped searching for her parents. She has Blaze now—her fierce, fire-breathing adopted sister—and trying to build a stable life in human-dragon society is challenge enough.

When Damndrake loses a coveted Drakengard job, even that fragile stability begins to crack, until she’s unexpectedly recruited to the Draghi Firegard in the city of Qar. Things finally fall into place—new purpose, new home, maybe even the spark of something more—until Smoke returns. The same dragon who tried to steal Blaze a decade ago is back, and this time, he’s not leaving empty-clawed.

To protect Blaze, Damndrake must confront not only Smoke, but the darker parts of herself she’s tried to bury. Because if she doesn’t, Blaze won’t survive.

Soon to be published at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and many other venues (large-print, too!).

Humble bow,

Nila

By the way, if you’re looking for a cozy, late-summer read, the entire Mapmaker Trilogy is available for under twelve three dollars. It’s a steal! Get it on Amazon here or Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and other venues here.