Woman at Work, January 2026

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What’s Happening?We have crossed over into 2026. All the potential lies before us. I resolve (in addition to my other goals, benchmarks and targets) that I will make it better than 2025.

What I’m Working On. I realized that I’m at the 3/4 mark on The Warlock’s Army. It’s time to start moving toward the finale. Although I’ve always had an idea where the story is going, now I need to get specific. Over the last week I’ve been laying out the potential twists and alternative endings. I’ll find the right ones pretty soon.

What’s Next? A few more chores, like checking over a few things, like my books on hand, to see if I need to order more.

Where I’ll be. RadCon in February of 2026. My application for the Artist Alley table is in. Although I haven’t heard back yet, I feel a lot more confident that I’ll get it all sorted out.

Fun and Games. Animal Crossing! The make-over of my village continues. I’m nearing the finale of Dragon Age: Inquisition and I’m not sure what I’ll play next. In my read-through of my older books, I’m about to start Faeries, with the wonderfully quirky Froud illustrations.

May we all have the new year we dream of and work to make it happen.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Resolutions, 2026

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Do you make resolutions for the new year? I do. I find they help me focus on which projects I want to complete and how I might get them into print. As an Indy writer, I don’t have contracts or editors waiting for my work. But I don’t want to just finish a WIP and set it aside.

For me, if I write a story and then don’t submit it or publish it, it would be like someone who avidly watched golf but never picked up a golf club themself. Or if someone had a wood working hobby and made a chair, but then put it in the garage without ever once sitting in it. Publication is the final phase of the work, and I can’t slack off from it.

The rule about my resolutions is that 1) they have to be specific, and 2) they have to be something I, myself, can control. So I can resolve to finish a WIP or submit my work to a certain magazine. But I cannot resolve to sell a story, because that is the editor’s decision, not mine.

So, what are my resolutions for 2026?

1) Finish the first draft of The Warlock’s Army. This has been my WIP for the past six months or so. I hope to complete the first draft before spring, and do revisions over the summer.

2) Publish a second Standing Stones. This will be a follow up to Standing Stones & Safety Zones, which was a two-in-one volume. I have enough work ready to produce a second volume in May.

3) Host Queen Titania’s Court in June of 2026. It’s an annual event I have a lot of fun with, it gets me a bit of publicity, and I plan to keep it going.

4) Make 3 or more public appearances. One of them will be a dealer’s or artist alley table. I do pretty well selling books when I can talk directly to the public.

5) Project X. This goal is again vague. I would like to have a publication in November of 2026, but I don’t know what it might be. Finishing all the revisions on The Warlock’s Army seems like pushing too much, too fast. Yet I don’t really have the two short works I would need for a third Standing Stones volume. I’ll just have to see what inspiration the new year has to offer.

I hope you have some specific, achievable goals of your own for 2026!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Turbulence

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It’s been a turbulent month here in the Inland Northwest. We had two “atmospheric rivers” that send rivers over their banks. Then we had a severe high wind event that knocked down fences, trees and power. My school start was delayed for two hours that day, our of concern for wind-driven debris. But at last, we all can crash into… Winter break!

I have been writing through all this, and the other turbulence and disasters of 2025. My WIP, The Warlock’s Army, is up to 290 pages and 80,000 words. The warlock boys have been sneaking around, trying to find their sisters who were sent away. Their warlock dad found out and started ranting about lies and conspiracies. Now they’re grounded. Since there are ten boys and they all have magic, this could turn into a comedy of errors. Meanwhile the girls, who were sent away, are starting to organize and assert their own viewpoint on this whole situation. There’s a lot going on, in other words! I’m kind of in a middle part, treading water until I figure out the end game. It should be fun to write my way through it all.

In addition to thinking and planning for the WIP, I have my usual year-end chores. Adding up my writing expenses and income. Setting up spreadsheets for 2026. And the usual holiday activities — parties, gifts, sending cards.

I hope you all have your ducks in a row more than I do, and can relax to enjoy your holidays!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Best Reads of 2025

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It’s coming to the end of the year, a time of reflection on all that’s happened and what is to come. Part of my “last month” is to look back on the books I read in 2025. I like to go through my challenge on Storygraph and remember where I was and what I was doing then. (It’s Storygraph because I swore off Goodreads in 2024, the same time I unpublished my books from Amazon.)

The first thing I realized was that I went easy with my challenge level. I set out to read 40 books and have read 47 so far. Next year I’ll push myself farther.

Of all those books, three really stand out for me. They are The Witch Roads and The Nameless Land, by Kate Elliott, and Queen Demon by Martha Wells. (Links connects to my previous reviews here.) In both cases, the books are listed as duologies, but it’s clear from the reading these will be continuing series. Elliott has two books, due to whatever vagaries of publishing led to releasing them within six months of each other. These are substantial books, and I won’t expect her to keep up that pace. (Although it would be great if she did!)

Honorable mention goes to Travis Baldree, with the cozy fantasy Brigands and Breadknives. This is the third in his Legends and Lattes series and it stretches the genre a bit. This is a good idea, I think. Authors shouldn’t be asked to produce the same book over and over. We have to keep ourselves interested before we try to interest readers.

By the way, don’t forget the Smashwords Year End Sale! All my e-books are 25% off until January 1, 2026. Take a look at my catalog if you’re interested.

Now I’m opening the floor to you. What were your favorite reads of 2025, and why?

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Woman at Work, December 2025

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What’s Happening? We’ve had our first snow of the year. Despite the traffic concerns, I do enjoy some of the wintery white. It just doesn’t feel like the holidays without snow.

What I’m Working On. The Warlock’s Army marches on. I’m at 270 manuscript pages and 75,000 words. Another major turning point is upon me. Revel Breed, the warlock in question, thinks all the witches and warlocks are conspiring against him. It’s going to get ugly.

What’s Next? I’m not planning any other stories just now.

Where I’ll be. RadCon in February of 2026. This is an annual event for me, and I’ve been trying to arrange for an Artist Alley table. I keep running into roadblocks. I still plan to go, but I’ll be really disappointed if my table doesn’t work out.

Fun and Games. Animal Crossing! I’m approaching the two-year mark with my current village. Although a new Switch is available, it sounds like I’d have to start over with a new village. Instead of that, I’m planning to give my village a complete make-over. I’m also doing another run of Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Wishing you a peaceful and healing holiday season.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Smashwords Sale

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Smashwords End of Year Sale

If you’re looking for a great read, the Smashwords End of Year Sale is perfect for you. The sale runs from December 8, 2025 to January 1, 2026.

During this time, all my e-books will be on sale for 25% off. My full catalog is included, both the titles in my own name and my pen name for juvenile work, Lucy D. Ford.

Great reads at a great price — what could be better?

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

The Tower in the Mist

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In a dark forest, a person faces a glowing doorway. Illustration by Tithi Luadthong. Book cover for The Tower in the Mist.

It’s that time of year! I’m shining a spotlight on some of my e-books for your consideration. Maybe you’re planning a trip and need an e-book to read at the airport. Maybe you have a fantasy reader on your gift list. The Tower in the Mist is first in my Minstrels of Skaythe series, where the whole saga began.

The Tower in the Mist

Mages vs. Amazons vs. Giant Badger vs. Tyranny!

Zathi’s job is to capture renegade mages, but Keilos isn’t like any other mage she’s dealt with. Her drive to bring him in only leads them deeper into a cursed forest. Together, warrior and mage will face deadly beasts and grapple with decisions that compromise every principle. Until they stumble upon a place of ancient, forgotten magic. Zathi must choose — allow Keilos to claim it, or kill him once and for all.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Going On With It

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Fall Folk Festival is in the rear view mirror for this year. I had a great time, as always. The audience was small for my reading, but very appreciative. No books sold this year; that’s usually how it is. I returned on Sunday to volunteer as stage manager, and I enjoyed the performances I did see.

My favorite act was the Raging Grannies, an group who dress up like old women and sing protest songs. I also got to see the PJAMERs, a community marching band that played — what else? — protest songs. It’s been that kind of year!

With all this handled, I’m back to focusing on The Warlock’s Army. It’s up to 235 pages (manuscript, not printed) and 65,000 words now. Jeniana has decided to become a spokesman for the witches who are dispersed around Revelary Lake. Meanwhile, Cassander is explaining to his father, Revel Breed, that Viola said no to his generous invitation. Revel is mad enough to let a few truths slip out.

This is a delicate passage, because it will connect to some things Jeniana already learned from Viola. Cassander won’t know all that and should be confused, but will actually connect to parts of Revel’s scheme that Jeniana doesn’t know about. I trust my readers to put the pieces together. It’s a fun scene to write, anyway.

Back to it, then!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Spirit of the Wolf

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At last, I have the purchase link for Spirit of the Wolf! You can pre-order through Wolfsinger Publications. Use the code NR2025 to receive a 15% discount until December 15, 2025.

The anthology is also available from Amazon or Smashwords, but I would prefer to send revenue directly to the publisher.

Spirit of the Wolf

Tucked deep in Colorado’s Wet Mountains, where pine forests whisper with the wind and the night sky twinkles with unfiltered stars, is Mission: Wolf; a place where the voices of wolves echo across the ridges.

Within these pages, authors from around the world honor that spirit in tales that span the mystical and the modern, the feral and the familiar. From legends of the first howls to stories of companionship, sacrifice, and survival, Spirit of the Wolf explores the timeless bond between wolves and humans. For wolves are the guardians of the wilderness and reflections of our own souls.

Each story sings with the essence of the pack: loyalty, freedom, courage, and the enduring hope that even in captivity, the wild heart endures.

Proceeds from this anthology will be donated to Mission: Wolf, a sanctuary built on compassion and dedicated to the care and preservation of wolves and wolf-dogs, and to teaching respect for the delicate balance between humans and nature.

So settle in. Listen closely. Within these pages, you may just hear the wolf’s call as it awakens the wild within your own soul.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.

Woman at Work, November 2025

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What’s Happening? It’s Hallowe’en as I write this. School was in a state of high excitement today! Presently, my husband is answering the door for occasional trick-or-treaters. Nothing like a bunch of kids in cute costumes to lift the spirits. (Ha ha)

What I’m Working On. The Warlock’s Army is still in progress. It’s at 60K words and coming to a major turning point. Cassander is trying to catch up with Viola, and Jeniana is confronting her Pop about hiding the implications from her.

What’s Next? I have no firm plans at this time.

Where I’ll be. Fall Folk Festival is this month. In fact, it’s next weekend! I guess I’d better decide what I’m going to read.

Fun and Games. New content was released for Terra Nil, which is a game where you restore ecosystems in a destroyed wasteland. The extra levels are challenging, and I’ve enjoyed them. I am not reading any books right now, but I do have an issue of Uncanny magazine in my e-reader. Kate Elliott has a new release out this month and I’m waiting eagerly for that.

Wishing you a spooky or spicy Hallowe’en, according to your own preference.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky, Facebook or Pinterest.