An overdue note to my infinitely patient readers

11.17.25

It’s literally 4am and here I sit… thinking about so many things my head feels fat. A year ago yesterday, my mother passed away. It was sudden, but not shocking. To say she and I had a complicated relationship is an extreme understatement, and her departure derailed me in a way I wasn’t expecting.

I had published FALLS THE BREATH and was working on getting the second book in the series ready for release. I had ideas about what I’d write next, and I even had a title. I was also working on getting AFTER FOREVER ENDS back into print, and thinking about writing a second, far more expanded edition, of BURNING DOWN ROME. Mom’s death was like a lightning strike. It paralyzed me. I haven’t written a thing since that day. Every time I opened a manuscript it was like trying to read smeared ink. All I saw were jumbled words, and my original intentions no longer made sense. I felt lost. I even questioned whether I’d ever write again, or if I wanted to.

It’s only been the last week that I’ve decided I want to and I will. Truth be told, it’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at. I’m not sure what will pour out when I begin again, but I promise it will come from the bottom of my heart. There’s no other way I can do it, and if you’ve read my work, you know that’s true.

That said, I have managed to get all my ducks in a row and AFTER FOREVER ENDS will be back in print (ebook format) within the next week. It’s going to take a bit longer to get it into book form because that can get a bit complicated and I am, sadly, technically challenged, but I have a goal to have physical copies ready by the end of the year. So, for everyone whose written me and told me they want a copy, it’ll be there. Thank you for loving it and waiting for so long for it to reappear.

This weekend, I’m getting back to Book Two of THE BRIMFIELD GHOSTS, and I’ll be knuckling down to get that out into the world. I’ll be actively supporting Book One, FALLS THE BREATH, again. I left that poor little literary babe alone in the woods for far too long, and I love that book. I hope you’ll love it, too.

So, that’s it from a suddenly very sleepy chick. I can never say thank you enough for the love you’ve shown over the years. I hope I can return it with realistic, vivid characters, deep stories that are always a little weird, and a reading experience you’ll carry with you always.

Until next time, with everything crazy happening in our world, remember beauty still exists. Look for it in the little things. There is still music. There are still flowers. Be strong when you have to. Be brave when needed. Be smart, always. Most, hold your head high and occupy your space with dignity. You are bright and beautiful. Never forget that.

With much love,

Melodie