A First Page Look of The Ignited Moon

 

Chapter One

“I beg you, Non, goddess of oceans. Grant my one request. Dissolve my marriage to the Storm King.”

Yatzil took a deep breath and opened her eyes. The reflective sheen on the polished tile floor muddied the reflection of her slender figure and ice blue skin. She rose to a kneeling position, closing her eyes in a last desperate plea to Non. The goddess remained silent, following the lead of those in her pantheon. Did they believe her marriage would keep the city of Niev and her father’s kingdom safe? Yatzil shook her head and opened her eyes to the dozens of columns supporting the pyramid above. Her crown’s weight made the praying position she had taken difficult.

She groaned from the soreness in her neck and craned it to look upon Non’s likeness. The statue was crafted from onyx and towered at the far end of a grand pool. It was eye level to the dais she had been positioned beside for hours. The pool’s salty aroma relaxed her, but to meet the ocean goddess’s immense eyes and jade beak boiled her blood. A great hook rested between the goddess’s eyes, sharp like the frequent cramping in her calves. Yatzil focused her frustration upon her hands and ground her teeth.

She flared her nostrils, ice ran over her skin, crackling over her cheeks. Her eyes ignited yellow, but then she remembered her brother was present. His calm meditative state on display brought her patience. Yatzil thawed her features to flesh and decided perhaps Non required more time. Her brother opened one eye to the smooth white tile steps leading out of the multileveled room they were in. A faint grumbling emanated from his belly. Yatzil drew back her curiosity at how he was hungry once again, focusing on her time with him.

A Review of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

 A

Review

of

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

By

Stephen Graham Jones

5 Stars

This is my favorite book of 2025. The story is emotional and original. I love learning about indigenous culture and Jones delivers it in a fun way. I've already bought another book of his called The Only Good Indians.

A Review of Dark Avengers, by Brian Michael Bendis

 A

Review

of

Dark Avengers

By Brian Michael Bendis

4 Stars

I originally collected this series in single issues, but never end up reading them. I just finished a trade paperback edition and loved it. Especially Bullseye! I recommend this book to anyone wanting to what happens when the villains play at being heroes.

My 1st Bookstore Book Signing

My

1st

Bookstore

Book Signing

The journey of an author is no short trip. You have to show you're serious in more than just your craft. You need patience, timing, and a positive attitude. It took a year to happen, but I finally had a book signing at Barnes and Noble.

The signing took place on May 10, 2025. I dressed my best and prepared. The event was two hours in length and in that time I sold twelve books. It would have been thirteen but someone walked out with a book. I was able to connect with a local book club as well. Once the event was over I went out to celebrate. My celebration ended with two books sold and another book club connection.

I honestly feel the experience was a dream. The memories made say differently.

Don't Write Like a Bully

 Don't

Write

Like

a

Bully

By

Andrew Johnston

Books serve one huge and important purpose above all else. To evoke emotion. Most authors can do this with ease, as if making the reader feel something were a superpower. But every once in a while an author comes around who not only evokes emotion, but also bullies the reader. Their scenes and characters are a complete reflection of themselves. You see it in their social media posts. Some are so obvious about it that their books are barely readable.

I read a book once where one character shamed another for not believing a certain way. I saw something similarly done by the author online. It was basically a carbon copy of the scene. This makes the practice of separating the art from the artist tricky.

Now! I won't disagree the contents of a book are pulled from experiences of the author. However when you're reading a book (especially a fiction book) that is so obvious... It just makes a book feel like a venting session for the author.

Doubling Down!

An author can really show they are bully by saying they'll include something in a story to anger others. This realistically is a display of immaturity. Even more so if you the author say you don't care what others think. I would think if the opinions of others don't matter, then writing a scene or character to spite someone is hypocritical. This leads to themes and characters that feel out of place. A character no matter how important should serve a purpose to the story.

This leads to the argument of staying in your lane. I would never include a character just to tick someone off. Especially, one that comes from a different background than my own. Doing this! And not doing it well can lead to an unnatural feel. It can also look like your kissing up to someone. No one likes a kiss up.

In conclusion, write the story that speaks to you and appeals to who you think might read it. Avoid forcing people to feel or think the way you do. Your characters, themes, story, and setting should flow smoothly.