We managed to avoid the worst of Hurricane Isaias. Earlier in the week it had been aimed almost directly at my town, and I’d planned accordingly. Spent three days in prep work to make sure everything was ready to go, while dealing with the side effects of medicine I needed for an ear infection (Joy!). Thankfully, those preparations were not needed, as the storm drifted far to the east of us at the last minute. We were blessed, but my prayers go out to those who were in the affected areas.
While writing anything substantial was largely out of the question for me, I did manage to return to brainstorming an idea that’s been on the backburner. As I’ve been drafting Shield of Souls (and other short stories in the Necrolopolis universe), I keep making references to the protagonist’s time at an academy for the continental elite, a place he was consigned to by a family that wanted as little to do with him as possible due to the nature of his magic (magic he did not choose, I should add) being anathema to their own philosophies and reputation. As I worked on the background information and some additional characters of this, I had some artwork generated to serve as concept pieces for me.
Meet Adelvell Brightmere, already weary of the world at the age of 15-16.
If any of this ever becomes official artwork inside a published piece or something that would be available for sale, I fully intend to hire a human artist. But, for concept art, it’s serving its purpose for me. It helps me to better visualize the characters and the world, particularly any undead characters I come up with. Here’s another, of Uluran, the one whom Adelvell forms his first necromantic bond. He’d intended to summon a powerful spirit to serve as both a guard and a research partner, but instead this sixteen-year old girl appears, someone he’s never met. Or has he?
All is not as it seems in the city of Gardengate, and necromantic summonings are no exception:
“Good morning, Addy. Did you get much sleep? We could go to the Bitter Grace for some coffee. If you like, I mean.”
I hid a yawn behind my hand. A cup would be good about now. “Are you sure you won’t be bored? You can’t exactly consume anything.”
“True, but I can smell just fine.” She touched the tip of her nose. “Sort of. Strong smells, anyway. And he’s roasting today.” Her olive-green eyes shimmered. “It’s going to smell heavenly.”
“There’s coffee on the other side?”
Her smile broadened. “It wouldn’t be heaven without it, would it?”
“I… suppose not.”
I fully expect all kinds of shenanigans for these two and the greater student body as the story unfolds in what I’m tentatively titling Shovel Shepherd: Academy of Light and Ash. I still have Shield of Souls to finish before this really takes off, but I’m going to be leaning more into this once Shield reaches the revision stage. It’s going to be a busy fall!
Now, on to Three Ravens news!
Murder Wrapped in Mink is Live! (Dead? Well, someone’s dead in it, anyway)
When an African American man discovers a stolen mink coat discarded in the trash, he thinks he’s stumbled onto an unexpected windfall. But when he tries to pawn it, he’s arrested and charged with the murder of a fur shop’s night watchman.
Convinced his client has been framed, private investigator James Wolf takes the case. His search for the truth quickly leads him into the heart of an elaborate nationwide fencing operation dealing in stolen furs, orchestrated by a ruthless West Coast mob boss.
As Wolf digs deeper, witnesses begin turning up dead and the list of suspects grows more dangerous by the day. With every new clue, the line between ally and enemy blurs.
Most troubling of all is a captivating lounge chanteuse—the former girlfriend of Wolf’s prime suspect. She may hold the key to the case… or she may be leading him straight into a deadly trap.
In a world where greed, deception, and murder are woven together, James Wolf must unravel the truth before he becomes the next victim.
Depth of Injustice – The plot thickens in the far future!
A deadly poison. A secret faction. A race against time.
For three years, Violetta Addelia has led K’lais’ covert operations, but her skills are tested when a lieutenant is murdered at the 32nd District’s dueling arena.
With her husband, Malik, by her side, they uncover a plot involving a deadly poison from kyitis flowers—plants lethal to those of mixed heritage. As the investigation deepens, a faction emerges, willing to kill to keep their ties with Earth’s military hidden.
When Malik is left on the brink of death, Violetta’s determination intensifies, straining her alliance with a rule-bending admiral. Racing to locate the poison’s source, she faces hidden agendas that could shatter their world.
Can they expose the IMD’s plans and prevent war—or will chaos reign?
It Came From the Trailer Park Volume 6 – Releases 10/31/26!
GALACTIC EXILE SERVICES
Got criminals? Monsters? Political dissidents? Unstoppable killing machines?
Drop them on Earth.
Located far beyond the major trade routes, this remote backwater world offers everything an interstellar government could want: no advanced technology, no space travel, no way off the planet, and a native population that is soft, squishy, harmless, and surprisingly tasty.
Best of all, once they’re here, your problems become somebody else’s.
Packed with creature-feature horror, cryptid chaos, alien mayhem, and redneck heroes armed with chainsaws, duct tape, and questionable judgment, It Came From the Trailer Park Volume 6 proves that exile to Earth was never the punishment.
The trailer park was.
