Tag: charting stars

RELEASE DAY IS HERE!

Published on by Micheline RyckmanLeave a comment

It’s here!!! SO EXCITED!!!

Hello my Whimsies, Micheline here!

Charting Stars is officially out and about in the world!!! So excited for you to read this tale. I had one of my ARC readers say that I had created a new genre with this book–FEEL-GOOD FANTASY–I love that! It’s exactly what I wanted to create!

Charting Stars began as a graphic novel series years ago, but due to unforeseen circumstances, an injury, and serious chronic health problems, I was unable to continue. It was devastating; I loved the story and the characters so much, but I just couldn’t draw while I was so injured and ill. Hence, during that time, I turned to writing as my primary creative outlet, it was something I could actually do from my bed, and it wasn’t until after I wrote my debut novel, The Maiden Ship, that I started to imagine continuing the Charting Stars tales in a full novel versions instead. So, as my health recovered to more functional levels, I began plucking away at this story again, and over the course of 2019 and 2020, I wrote this book. What I want people to know the most about this story is that, like me, it got a second chance at life, and I poured every single ounce of gratitude I had for being alive and functioning into this tale. I filled it with my joy, imbued it with my humour, and I’m desperately hoping—honestly it’s all I care about—that it makes you smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Yep, that’s my only goal with this one, to bring you JOY!

If you haven’t already, you can order the book through my website here or on Amazon around the world.

Charting Stars is the first book in a spirited, heartfelt young adult fantasy series by Micheline Ryckman that will appeal to the minds of those who’ve always felt, well, ordinary. Talia’s adventures prove that even an average everyday girl can have skills enough to be a hero. And she’s joined on her journey by a lovable cast of characters—some human, some furry, some covered in ivy vines—who will steal your heart away.

 

Charting Stars Trailer

Published on by Micheline RyckmanLeave a comment

ONLY ONE MORE WEEK until release day!!!
So excited to share this Charting Stars trailer with you!

Talia Benson would consider herself fairly ordinary. Anyone would. Diligent student, only child to a single mother, protector of three cats—nothing crazy has ever happened to her. And Talia wants it to stay that way: stable. Her knack for making friends, along with her obsession with the stars and her love for skirt pockets, coffee, and art, is more than enough to keep Talia happy for the rest of her days—that is, until a single evening in front of a blank canvas becomes the adventure she never dreamed she wanted.

Now, Talia finds herself lost in a world completely unlike her own, a land where monsters roam and magic thrives, where wars are born then die at the wave of a hand, and where strange entities decide the fate of those who live among the Nine Realms. The guardians of these foreign lands have seen a great shift in the heavens. Something has changed, a prophecy has been spoken—a darkness is coming. But maybe, just maybe, an ordinary girl thrown between worlds could be the key to saving it all.

Charting Stars is the first book in a spirited, heartfelt young adult fantasy series by Micheline Ryckman that will appeal to the minds of those who’ve always felt, well, ordinary. Talia’s adventures prove that even an average everyday girl can have skills enough to be a hero. And she’s joined on her journey by a lovable cast of characters—some human, some furry, some covered in ivy vines—who will steal your heart away.

 

Charting Stars COVER REVEAL!!!

Published on by Micheline RyckmanLeave a comment

Charting Stars is the first book in a spirited, heartfelt young adult fantasy series by Micheline Ryckman that will appeal to the minds of those who’ve always felt, well, ordinary. Talia’s adventures prove that even an average everyday girl can have skills enough to be a hero. And she’s joined on her journey by a lovable cast of characters—some human, some furry, some covered in ivy vines—who will steal your heart away. Book releases May 21, 2021.

Talia Benson would consider herself fairly ordinary. Anyone would. Diligent student, only child to a single mother, protector of three cats—nothing crazy has ever happened to her. And Talia wants it to stay that way: stable. Her knack for making friends, along with her obsession with the stars and her love for skirt pockets, coffee, and art, is more than enough to keep Talia happy for the rest of her days—that is, until a single evening in front of a blank canvas becomes the adventure she never dreamed she wanted.

Now, Talia finds herself lost in a world completely unlike her own, a land where monsters roam and magic thrives, where wars are born then die at the wave of a hand, and where strange entities decide the fate of those who live among the Nine Realms. The guardians of these foreign lands have seen a great shift in the heavens. Something has changed, a prophecy has been spoken—a darkness is coming. But maybe, just maybe, an ordinary girl thrown between worlds could be the key to saving it all.

This book is now available for preorder via Whimsicalpublishing.ca or Amazon.com.

Embracing Uncertainty

Published on by Micheline Ryckman4 Comments

At this point I just might be able to write a novel based upon the real events of my own life. If I carefully plotted out my forty-seven year old history, I’d end up with a story full of flawed characters, twisted turns, and insurmountable odds. Seriously, if you knew my tale, in all it’s strange and colourful glory, you’d probably agree that it’s near novel worthy. I am laughing inwardly now because, while I love fiction, I never really wanted my life to mimic it.

I’ve heard them, (you know them), say that the we are the authors of our own destiny. As a middle aged woman, with a fair amount of road now behind me, I know this isn’t 100% true. We do have a say in a large portion via our personal choices, but we have only to look at relationships, health struggles, accidents, and the larger world view to see that life is full of uncertainty. I’m going to quote scripture now, bear with, ’Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.’ (Proverbs 27:1)

Uncertainty is a universal truth, and if I’ve learned anything, rallying against it doesn’t work, but embracing it does.

Yesterday I learned that because of unforeseen circumstances Charting Stars will have to be put on hold for an indefinite period. (It was set to release October 1st.) I am obviously heartbroken by this, but I am trying to embrace the uncertainty (the fact that this is just life), so that I can carry on. Though I may feel like my life story could be novel material, I’m pretty sure it will not have that kind of cataclysmic finish that ends up on the bestseller list, but my prayerful hope is that, despite the uncertainty of every day yet to come, I will be able to live out whatever is left of my own story here moving forward in a positive, cheerful and worthy manner.

If you’ve read all of that, you are appreciated beyond words. Thanks for sticking with me.

Charting Stars Now Available as an EBOOK!

Published on by Micheline RyckmanLeave a comment

Good morning from Canada my friends! Just wanted to let you know that Charting Stars Book 1 is now available in an ebook version! We are hopeful that this option will finally give those who live really far away from us the opportunity to enjoy this story. Please take a peek in OUR SHOP!

Charting Stars Release Party

Published on by Micheline Ryckman5 Comments

Our Charting Stars release party was a beautiful success. Sunshine, friends and food! We truly just had so much fun, great thanks to all those who made it out to the party – it was an honour to have you here! Also we really want to thank all of you for the incredible support you have shown to the book since the release date, we are overwhelmed with gratitude! <3

 

Only Twelve Days Left!

Published on by Micheline RyckmanLeave a comment

Charting Stars Book 1 releases on May 12! We can’t believe it’s finally almost here! Attached below are a couple quotes we have already released on Instagram. Be sure to follow along there or on Facebook for more daily posts! 

Charting Stars Book Trailer and Final Cover Reveal!

Published on by Micheline RyckmanLeave a comment

We are so CLOSE to having the first novel in our Charting Stars series complete! Just a few pages of drawing left and then it can be wrapped up and packed off to the printer. This has been a long journey (a whole year in fact) but it will be worth it all in the end! Attached here is the final cover reveal for the book and the NEW BOOK TRAILER! I hope you enjoy! Remember is you’d like to follow along with us on a more daily basis you can do so on Instagram and on Facebook!

Music: A Cool Rainy Night – Mike Durek (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

 

Charting Stars in Inktober

Published on by Micheline RyckmanLeave a comment

On Instagram there is an event called Inktober in which you follow a list of prompts for the month of October and do one ink drawing with each prompt per day. Well of course our Charting Stars character have made it into my Inktober series and I though it would be fun to share some of those here with you. Please keep in mind that you can follow along with our progress on a more regular basis via Facebook and Instagram!