Report on my Writing and Art for 2023

 

In 2023, I published a SciFi novel, an epic fantasy story, and ran two Kickstarter campaigns for special illustrated hardback editions of two books. Also, I created and polished digital art images for print-on-demand.

 

NEW BOOKS

I published two novels in different genres and series.

In March, I published Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space, near-future Sci-Fi adventure and romance. 

The fates of six people are at stake. 

Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.

Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.

But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.

https://www.auroraspringer.org/p/karrik.html

 

Early in December, I published Bridget Bramble and the Dragon Ship. This book is the sequel to Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf and establishes my new epic fantasy series, Oakenwald Chronicles. 

 Step into the fabulous realm of Oakenwald with Bridget Bramble and the Dragon Ship!

Bridget Bramble hopes to make a home with the elf, Windswift, in the peaceful land of Oakenwald. But, her hopes for a peaceful life are crushed when news arrives of a fleet of enemy ships threatening the southern shores. The enemy’s pincers are closing about the enchanted land. Once a humble herbwife and button maker, Bridget and her elf partner are recruited into a perilous mission to scout the roads to the southern port. The perils increase as they travel farther from the elf queen’s domain. Will Bridget’s handful of spells and Windswift’s keen sword be sufficient to defeat the invaders and ensure the safety of the warded land?

https://www.auroraspringer.org/p/bridget-bramble-and-dragon-ship.html

     

KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGNS

This year, I ventured into Kickstarter and ran two low-key, yet successful campaigns for illustrated hardbacks of different books. My third campaign is at the pre-launch stage.   

1) In May, I ran a Kickstarter campaign to create a Special Illustrated Edition of Super Starrella. The campaign reached the funding goal, enabling me to make the special edition in eBook, Paperback and Hardback formats. Each format includes a special chapter image and 7 color illustrations of characters or scenes from the story. This Special Illustrated Edition of Super Starrella is only available in my WebStore at https://payhip.com/b/Bnh4g.

 

2)   In September and October, I ran a Kickstarter campaign to create a Special Illustrated Edition of the Oakenwald Duology. The Oakenwald Duology comprises the first two books in my new epic fantasy series, the Oakenwald Chronicles (Bridget Bramble and the Dragon Ship and Bridget Bramble and the Wandering Elf). The special edition includes custom chapter headers and 21 color illustrations of characters or scenes from the story. The Special Illustrated Oakenwald Duology is only available in my WebStore at https://payhip.com/b/cYhDJ.

 

3)   My next Kickstart campaign is in pre-launch. I propose to create an Art Book with 100 pictures of Whimsical Creatures. If you love dragons, unicorns, and fairies, follow my project at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/whimsical-creatures-an-art-book-of-fantastic-animals  

    To celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, I plan to launch the campaign in the middle of January and run through February.

ART

Find Aurora’s Whimsical Art at her Fine Art Store: https://www.playfulgallery.com/digital-art

Top-quality prints with or without frames, and selected merchandise.

Or at her RedBubble shop for a wider variety of merchandise:

https://www.redbubble.com/people/auroraspringer/shop

 

PRINT

All my books are available in paperback. Check individual titles on my Catalogue.

AUDIO

More than half of my stories are available as Audiobooks.

(See my Catalogue)

 

Direct Bookstore.

My books are available at a discount in my virtual store (https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels).

 

I invite you to join me on Facebook,  Twitter/X,  YouTube, and Instagram 

Mid-year Report on my Writing and Publishing Progress

 

In the past six months, I published one SciFi novel and ran a Kickstarter campaign for a special edition of my superhero story.

 

NEW BOOK

In March, I published Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space, near-future Sci-Fi adventure and romance.

 

The fates of six people are at stake.

Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.

Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.

But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers. 

Buy Links at https://www.auroraspringer.org/p/karrik.html

 

KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

In May, I ran a Kickstarter campaign to create a Special Illustrated Edition of Super Starrella. The campaign reached the funding goal, enabling me to make the special edition in eBook, Paperback and Hardback formats. Each format includes a special chapter image and 7 color illustrations of characters or scenes from the story. This Special Illustrated Edition of Super Starrella will only be available through my WebStore. 

Here is a photo of the full-cover hardback of the Special Edition. 

 

PRINT

All my books are available in paperback. Check individual titles on my Catalogue.

 

AUDIO

More than half of my stories are available as Audiobooks.

(See my Catalogue)

 

Direct Bookstore.

My books are available at a discount in my virtual store (https://payhip.com/AuroraSpringerNovels).

 

I invite you to join me on Facebook,  Twitter,  YouTube,  Instagram  or TikTok

 

Alarik's Story - Excerpt for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’m posting excerpts from Karrik, Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space.  

Karrik, an alien merman, lives in a small room in a hospice on his home world after being crippled in battle. Because their society is intolerant of physical weakness, his brothers, Alarik and Baswin, paid for his care by serving as spies on Earth. Alarik has just returned from Earth and is visiting Karrik for the first time in many months. Karrik cannot speak more than a stuttered word. You can read last week’s excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/03/gestures-instead-of-words-excerpt-from.html

Alarik gave a rueful laugh. “Our disguises worked well for half a year. We sent reports to the Triarch about the Earthers. He was especially interested in their sentiments about Warrish. They call us alien mermen.”

“Urg?” Karrik arched his eyebrows.

“One day, some of the Earthers detected the Triarch’s holographic transmission to me. Baswin and I had to flee. By good fortune, I had already hooked a flight to their red planet. I took passage on their space ferry to the outer planets and dove into cover in our Watcher outpost in the oceans of Europa.”

Ten sentences and a few more

Karrik spluttered a question, “B…Bas?”

“In our last conversation, he said he planned to swim to our embassy on Earth.” Alarik rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t know where he is. He did not reply to my last message. Perhaps he has no privacy to transmit a message safely.” 

Uttering a groan of distress, Karrik squeezed his brother’s hand in sympathy.

 Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space: The fates of six people are at stake.

Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.

Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.

But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.

Karrik’s story is available in ebook and audiobook: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD

If you haven’t read this series, the first book, Europa, is discounted to 99c for a limited time. 

 Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

NEW: I’m preparing to launch a kickstarter campaign to make a special illustrated edition of Super Starrella. Please support me by following the campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/exclusive-special-hardcover-edition-of-super-starrella (You do not have to pledge any money to boost my campaign's visibility).

All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore.

View my pictures and videos on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Pintrest.

Find high quality prints of my art at WhimsicalArt, and art on clothes, mugs, and other merchandise at my RedBubble Shop.

 

 

Gestures instead of words - Excerpt from Karrik for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’m continuing the scene from Karrik, Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space.  

Karrik, an alien merman, lives in a small room in a hospice on his home world after being crippled in battle. His brothers paid for his care by serving as spies on Earth. His older brother Alarik has just returned from Earth and is visiting Karrik for the first time in many months. Karrik cannot speak more than a stuttered word. You can read last week’s emotional excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-reunion-excerpt-from-karrik-for.html

“You seem to be alert,” Alarik said. “Can you understand me?”

Uttering an inarticulate grunt, Karrik pressed his brother’s fingers again.

“Urish. You can understand, but you cannot speak words clearly. Is that correct?”

Another squeeze and Karrik panted, “Uh…Uh…Urish.”

“You don’t need to speak. Press my fingers if you agree. If you wish, I’ll explain why Baswin and I were unable to visit you.”

Ten sentences and a few more

Karrik pressed for yes.

“After you were injured, we were desperate to secure proper care for you. You were unconscious for days. Even after you woke, you seemed befuddled, as helpless and incoherent as a baby. Triarch Webale offered to place you in the care of the Pearl Sisters as an inducement for Baswin and me to serve as his undercover spies on Earth. We had minor surgery to merge into Earther society.” He held up his hand and waggled the fingers. “Look at what we surrendered.”

Marveling at the sacrifice of a finger, Karrik touched his forefinger to each of the five fingers on his brother’s hand. The full implications filtered slowly into his fuzzy mind. His elder brothers were mutilated, and like him, they were dishonored and unfit for normal society.

 Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space

The fates of six people are at stake.

Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.

Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.

But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.

Karrik’s story is available in ebook and audiobook: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers. 

NEW - I'm preparing to launch a Kickstarter to fund a special illustrated edition of Super Starrella with a new superhero cover. See https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/auroraspringer/exclusive-special-hardcover-edition-of-super-starrella

New My RedBubble Shop is currently featuring crystal shamrocks and leprechauns to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore.

View my pictures and videos on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Pintrest.

Find prints, T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise at my site for WhimsicalArt.

 

A Reunion - excerpt from KARRIK for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday

 Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’m continuing the scene from Karrik, Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space.  

The title character, Karrik, lives in a smalle room in a hospice on the alien home world after being crippled in battle. His brothers paid for his care by serving as spies on Earth. Karrik has just been told that he has a visitor. You can read last week’s excerpt here: https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/02/a-visitor-excerpt-from-karrik-for.html

The last sentence was: Which type was this visitor?

He turned toward the door.

And froze in astonishment.

A man with a flaming wave of yellow-tipped orange hair stood behind the white-robed sister. His brother Alarik, First of their triad.

The sister glided aside.

Alarik stepped forward, saying hesitantly, “Calm seas, Karrik.”

Karrik rolled over, rocking the hammock, and stretched out his one hand. He forced a croak out of his stubborn mouth, “A…Al…Alarik.”

His brother rushed to kneel by the hammock and embrace him.

Ten sentences and a few more

Feeling his brother’s strong arms around him, Karrik burst into gasping sobs.

“Oh, Karrik, it’s been too long since we were together. I’m sorry.” Alarik also wept, silent tears trailing down his cheeks. 

After the first rush of emotion subsided, Alarik leaned back and sighed, “By the Great Mother’s blessing, I’ve been recalled home. Our supreme Tol-Jadel summoned me and my companions. While I’m in Pucklerakt, I’ll visit you as often as I can.”

Karrik smiled through his tears. Catching hold of his brother’s hand, he squeezed the fingers and dipped his head in a nod. Gestures were easier than speech.

 Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space

The fates of six people are at stake.

Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.

Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.

But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.

Available NOW at my Direct store (and discounted) - https://payhip.com/b/5g7lt

OR Pre-order for release on March 8^th at other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD

 

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

NEW: I have set up a RedBubble Shop for my whimsical art.

All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore.

View my pictures and videos on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Pintrest.

Find prints, T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise at my site for WhimsicalArt.

 

A visitor - excerpt from Karrik for #WeWriWa and #SnippetSunday

 

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday. Sample the work of a new author. Read snippets of stories in different genres.

I’m posting from Karrik, Book 6 of SciFi series, Taxyon Space.  I skipped last week since I was visiting family in North Carolina. The previous week, somehow my post didn’t register at the WeWriWa site. You can read it at https://auroraspringer.blogspot.com/2023/02/an-alien-water-world-excerpt-from.html

Brief recap: due to crippling battle injuries, Karrik is in a hospice on the aliens’ home world of Rishalt. My earlier posts introduced Karrik’s older brother Alarik and his human lover, Phoebe. Their story began in Book 4, Alarik. Alarik and Phoebe have arrived on Rishalt.

I’m jumping to the next scene with Karrik.  

Karrik turned his head to gaze at the window. The upper section of the window was open to air the room and a gentle breeze caressed his face. The breeze carried the scents of herbs and flowers overlaid with salt and an occasional whiff of fish. It cooled his fevered brain and evoked his memories of the sea.

The window overlooked a courtyard enclosed by white walls. From his prone position in the hammock, he glimpsed wispy clouds in the cyan sky. The wind ruffled the leaves in the upper branches of shrubs, but metal bars in the lower pane obscured the flower beds. The swish of water hinted at the pond in the middle of the courtyard.

Nine sentences and a few more

Sometimes people visited the courtyard garden. He heard laughter and splashes. He wished he could join the happy people. But, they would despise him for his missing limbs and lack of speech. They would ignore him and whisper behind his back.

The door hissed open.

The cheery voice of one of the Pearl Sisters called, “Calm seas, Karrik. Wake up. You have a visitor today.” She walked to his hammock, raised his head onto the pillow and pulled the blanket up to his chest.

Some visitors were good. Others were not. They poked at his body and asked too many questions despite his inability to speak the answers. Which type was this visitor? 

Karrik, Book 6 in Taxyon Space: The fates of six people are at stake.

Karrik Kenton Tallis, Third of the Flaming Comets, endures a miserable existence in a hospice on his home planet. Unable to walk or speak more than a single word, he misses his older brothers and is unaware of their sacrifice to ensure his care. He cherishes a faint hope of recovering his health.

Karrik’s life improves when his brothers return to Rishalt with their human companions. Alarik, First of the Triad, is escorting Phoebe Wong with her brother and a mysterious alien object for an audience with Prime Jadel. The middle brother, Baswin, is traveling home with Holly and Rosie Moon. The Moon sisters are enrolled in an experimental program to train human psychics to navigate in hyperspace and relieve Earth’s governments of their onerous reliance on Warrish tripilots. Rosie, a psychic healer, desires to help Karrik despite the conflict with her duty to humanity.

But the water world of Rishalt holds many hazards, both above and beneath the waves. Can the alien treasure help the three brothers to conquer the challenges and unite with their chosen partners? Read the scintillating story of the Flaming Comet brothers to learn the answers.

Available NOW at my Direct store (and discounted) - https://payhip.com/b/5g7lt

OR Pre-order with release on March 8^th at other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/3LNnVD

Here’s a picture of Karrik and Rosie, the main romantic couple in this story. You can read about the tools I used to produce the image in my previous Blog Post. 

Please return to http://wewriwa.blogspot.com/ to sample the works of the other writers.

NEW: I have set up a RedBubble Shop for my whimsical art.

All my stories are discounted at my direct BookStore.

View my pictures and videos on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Pintrest.

Find prints, T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise at my site for WhimsicalArt.