If you've read Deer in Headlights, you'll already know that familiars are an important part of the world of The Emberward Familiars. They aren't simply magical companions. Each familiar has their own personality, instincts and relationship with their human, and the animal they take the form of often reflects something deeper about the person they're bonded to. In Deer in Headlights, we met familiars including Nyrae, Rose's secretive and fiercely protective deer, Kael, Maddy's

Writing for book two has officially started! I've been researching and developing characters since the amateur publication of Deer in Headlights, but I have finally started writing. I'm doing things that I think are a little different, and I'd love to have you on board to test my ideas, test things out and get a sneak preview of chapters. If this interests you, sign up!! Alternatively, go to my TikTok or Instagram using the handle @GiantTortoise7

Thank you to everyone on social media and emails who have sent me their beautiful babies. After sifting through many photos (which has been my favourite thing to do!), Let me introduce you to Rigg. Thank you to Jordan for their email, Rigg perfectly embodies what I was looking for. Look at this smile!! As a reward for all of your engagement, see below a sneak preview of what Rigg is going to be included in!!

Do you have a border collie, or know someone who does?? Please get in touch!! I need a picture of a border collie or something similar for my second book - I can't give any spoilers away right now, but they will turn up in a newspaper (OK, it'll be a fictional one....) If you have a beloved pet that you wouldn't mind sharing, please get in touch: Email: mshawthorn73@gmail.com Instagram: @GiantTortoise7 Tiktok: @GiantTortoise7

There’s a romantic idea of writing that floats around. Early mornings with perfect coffee, endless quiet, a mind that cooperates on command. That’s not my reality. I work 37 hours over 4 days. My energy isn’t limitless. And I live with cerebral palsy, which means my body and brain don’t always agree on what’s happening next. Fatigue, pain and then 100% unco-operation of limbs are an absolute thing, that I deal with 24/7. Some days are smooth. Others feel like wading through t

Welcome to my new cover!! If you can all remember, I published my first book back in the middle of March. Being a complete novice and not really planning to publish, I created a cover using AI and I was living to regret it, as it became a blocker to me getting my book out there! I took to Reddit to ask for advice as I was going to attempt to recreate it myself, but the universe decided to instead bring me in contact with an incredible human instead, and she made this!! She's

For as long as I can remember, the world has never felt entirely… ordinary to me. Even as a child, there was always something just beneath the surface. My first memory of being spooky was when I was about 11, and I had a dream about my grandma, and she kept telling me of the number 36... When I woke up, I told my mum and dad about it. I forgot about it, until the lottery came on the tv (it was back when the National Lottery was actual prime time Saturday night TV). It turned

For me, a real learning curve as a "New author" is realising that the work never stops. Alongside my full time job, health issues and trying to live a normal life, I decided to start writing. When I wrote my first book, I wasn't even sure I was going to publish it, but after speaking to some wonderful family members, friends and colleagues, I took the plunge. Cue absolute panic and a crash course in marketing learning on the job! However, around 5-6 weeks later, I've finally

As a recently Self-Published author, it's been an incredibly steep learning curve. One of the blocks I've come up against is using AI for my book cover. Whilst I did not use AI to create the story, I knew what I wanted from a cover, including my real crafts, and so I thought Chat GPT bringing it together would be fine. How wrong I was! What I have learnt is it puts into doubt the reality of my work, and having worked so hard on it, that's not what I want! So, after some amate

Writing a book is often seen as a solitary endeavor, but the journey is filled with inspiration, creativity, and a fair share of challenges. My latest project, a crystal-themed book, has been a fascinating exploration of both the mystical properties of crystals and the art of storytelling. In this post, I will take you behind the scenes of my writing process, sharing insights, challenges, and the joy of bringing this unique concept to life. The Inspiration Behind the Book Eve

In the realm of fantasy literature, familiars play a crucial role, often serving as companions, guides, or even protectors to their human counterparts. These magical beings not only enrich the narrative but also deepen the emotional connections between characters. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating world of familiars in my novel, delving into their unique traits, roles, and the inspiration behind their creation. What Are Familiars? Familiars are often depicted