Tag: indie authors

Huge Bookish Raffle to Help McKenzie! (Over a Dozen Prizes!)

Published on by Hannah GreentreeLeave a comment

Whimsies, we need your help!

For those of you who may not know, Whimsical’s beloved McKenzie Catron (author of The Numina Parables) is chronically ill – which in and of itself is enough of a struggle – but recently she has been enduring significant, unexpected problems with the home she and her husband purchased (including structural damage and mold).

On top of that, McKenize and her service dog Grimm were victims of a terrible dog attack that has caused severe trauma and injury, resulting in additional expenses for vet and medical bills.

For more details about their ongoing hardships, you can read about their hardships on a GoFundMe set up by her husband, Kyle.

We are beyond blessed and in more than a little awe to have had so many amazing small bookish businesses and indie authors want to help out by donating prizes, allowing Whimsical to host a raffle to support McKenzie and Kyle in raising some of the money needed to recover and heal.

All the details, including a list of prizes and how to enter, can be found here.

The book community, at its core, is a group of people who love reading, and it touches our hearts to see so many members of this community coming together to help one of its own.

If you’re unable to donate or the prizes don’t interest you, we completely understand. We simply ask that every person who sees this shares it – you never know who it may reach. Whether it’s by forwarding this email or sharing our Instagram post, we will be so grateful for your help!

Everyone who donates, whether they are the winners of a prize or not, will receive a coupon code to use in Whimsical’s shop. And please do follow our prize donors – we couldn’t have done this without them!

Are You Ready for A Churn in the (Virtual) Society?

Published on by Hannah GreentreeLeave a comment

You thought we were done!?

 Not quite yet! Grab your goggs, Belroy Boys and Babes, because we’re back to fill you in on what Micah was up to during Ezren and Foster’s adventures!

Virtual Society is blowing up. (Figuratively.)

When Micah Belanger saw the word “disputed” pop up after her beloved Belethea Race Royale team won the biggest race in ’verse, all of VSoc heard her shriek. Add in four attempted murders, and she’s on a (virtual) warpath to set the record straight—as any true fangirl would.

Lowell Coppen, of The Royaler Review, is also concerned with the murderous rumors behind the latest BRR, especially with warnings of a system-wide war rippling through VSoc. Determined to shed light on the truth, Lowell, a self-proclaimed objective voice, forges a begrudging alliance with Belethea’s most manic fangirl. If their secret arrangement comes to light, it’ll ruin them both, but if they don’t get the story right, the lies could bring Belethea to its knees.

And falling in love isn’t helping at all.

This Into the Churn novella will be released on September 16, 2025.

The first 40 pre-orders from our website will come with a complimentary art print postcard and signed bookplate from the author. (Kindle ebook version is available via Amazon)

This will be the last story planned from our beloved Casolla system… but we never say never. Hayley could always get a spark of an idea for another story someday. But for now, look at how amazing the full spread looks together!

Mark your Calendars for…

June 13th – Numina Parable Book 3 title reveal
July 10th – Christmas in July SALE!

Happy (Belated) Birthday Megan!

Published on by Hannah GreentreeLeave a comment

For some reason (we’re blaming ANTE), this message wasn’t sent out yesterday (March 15th) as intended! FOILED AGAIN! No matter, we still wanted to make sure you all got the news that it’s our Megan McCullough’s birthday!!

If you love superhero stories with enemies-to-lovers and an adorable sidekick (who gets one heck of a glow up!), you’ll definitely want to check out Megan’s urban fantasy series: The Vigil & Ante Files!

To celebrate her birthday, we’re putting her books and all artwork inspired by them on sale, but only for this week! So don’t miss the opportunity to snag copies of We Could Be Villains and We Will Be Heroes, along with some awesome postcards, bookmarks, and art prints at 20% off.

Sale ends March 22nd, 2025, at 11:59 pm PST

Make sure you enter code MEGAN at checkout! (Not case sensitive)

While you’re here…

Be sure to check out the audiobook of A Churn in the Dark: An Into the Churn Novella! If you’re willing to read and post a review on Audible, we do have some free copies available. Please fill out this form to request your copy.

Note: You will need to have read Into the Churn and Into the Fire in order for the events of this novella to make sense.

 

And before you go!

Don’t forget to Preorder!

The thrilling conclusion to the Instanolde Chronicles, King of Star-Cast Skies, is still available for preorder! Preordering is the only way to get the incentives pictured here. (Two stickers, two art print postcards, and a signed bookplate).

King of Star-Cast Skies, sequel to Queen of Shifting Sands by Kaitlyn Carter Brown, publishes on April 8, 2025.

Mark your Calendars for…

March 17th – King of Star-Cast Skies ARCs (NetGalley)
March 18th – Into the Abyss publication date
April 8th – King of Star-Cast Skies publication date
April 15th – A secret title reveal!

Celebrate Micheline’s Birthday with Big Savings!

Published on by Hannah Greentree1 Comment

Happy Birthday Micheline!

Join us in celebrating Micheline a very happy birthday (tomorrow)! Whimsical wouldn’t exist without her. She is much more than the owner and founder – she is the heart and soul of this company. She pours her whole self into everything she does… from drawing and painting to editing the beautiful books Whimsical publishes.

And she would LOVE to hear from you. Reply to this email or send her a message on Instagram! We hope her birthday is as special as she is.

To extend the celebration to our Whimsie family, we’re putting the ENTIRE shop on sale! The code MICHELINE will take 20% off all orders over $10 CAD. But only until September 9th so hurry hurry! And remember CAD converts to less money in USD and GBP.

Indie Author Feature

Meet Michelle M. Bruhn, author of The Dragon Singer Chronicles.

From her website: “Throughout my life, I’ve learned the importance of relationship and empathy, of nurturing others and allowing them to do the same for me. I endeavor to apply these lessons in my writing, providing my readers not only with thrilling adventures and quests to make the world a better place, but also with characters who struggle, fall, and rise. I hope through my work you will be reminded that you are not alone on this journey, and that if you press forward you will become who you’re made to be.”

 

 

We asked Michelle a few questions. Check out her answers below!

Whimsical: What is the best advice you have received as a writer?
Michelle: That “write what you know” isn’t as limiting as it sounds. I love fantasy, both as a reader and as a writer, and I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve never ridden a dragon before (shocking, I know), and I’m pretty sure my favorite authors haven’t either (if you know otherwise, please tell me—I need to get in on that!). But I’ve been on a roller coaster before, been in the car with the windows down and the wind in my hair, felt my stomach drop as a plane takes flight, touched scaly critters. Write what you know means to take from one’s own experiences, to research as needed (especially when it comes to life experiences one doesn’t have, such as for disability representation), and then combine them into a livable experience for the reader.

Whimsical: How do you hope your work will impact your readers?
Michelle: I hope that readers will come away having learned how to better see the people in their own lives. Empathy is a huge theme in my stories. I also want readers to come away with hope—a head- and heart-knowledge that no matter how deep the darkness, there is always light to be found.

Whimsical: What is the most meaningful feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?
Michelle: That reading my books made them feel seen. Whether they have a similar personality, live with the same disability/differing-ability, or resonate with a character’s inner struggles, hearing this feedback is so encouraging. I’ve felt unseen many times in my life, so helping someone else to know they are seen and valuable is very important to me.

Whimsical: What book(s) inspired you the most?
Michelle: Dragons In Our Midst and Oracles of Fire, both by Bryan Davis. The former ignited my love of dragons, and the latter (which expands on the former) gave me a love of sweeping stories that span multiple realms (probably the reason I enjoy Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere so much…).

Whimsical: Can you share any upcoming projects or plans for future books?
Michelle: The final book in my Dragon Singer Chronicles is with the editor now and will likely release summer 2025! If you like dragons, introverted MCs, music magic, disability/differing-ability representation, and cute dragon-like fairy creatures who are both fantastic friends and terrifying enemies, you’ll love this series. The first book in the series is Songflight, and the second is Stormdance.

Whimsical: Where can readers buy your books?
Michelle: I have a storefront where you can purchase the books directly from me (meaning that Amazon/insert-big-company-here doesn’t take a cut from it)  in paperback, ebook, and audio versions. You can also get a free short story there in either ebook or audiobook, so you can sample my work without spending any money. Store link: https://payhip.com/SongweaverMedia Otherwise, my books Songflight and Stormdance are also available at most online book retailers. 🙂

Be sure to follow Michelle on social media for updates!

Songflight is a heart-filled adventure for fans of McCaffrey’s Harper Hall trilogy, Ciccarelli’s The Last Namsara, and the How To Train Your Dragon movies. Check it out if you like:

  • Introverted Main Characters
  • Dragons With Personality
  • Unlikely Friendships
  • Sweet Romantic Subplot
  • Music As Magic
  • Disability Representation
  • Telepaths & Empaths
  • Tiny Fairy Dragons
  • YA Fantasy Dipping Its Toes Into Epic

Michelle’s books feature fairy-dragons (called dreki). Jessie Barber illustrated the one pictured here!

 

Reminders & Announcements

The Whimsy Intern

We are delighted to announce that Lauren D. Fulter, better known to some of you as The Whimsy Intern, accepted a permanent position on Whimsical’s staff!

We are so blessed to have Lauren working with us. She helps so much behind the scenes with social media post creation and planning. Her cartoons have the perfect amount of whimsy and fit our brand perfectly! Please join us in giving her the warmest Whimsie welcome!

Check out her website if you want to get to know her better!

This month's feature is E.K. Belsher. EK is a freelance illustrator and writer from Vancouver, BC. She primarily illustrates fantasy & fairytale art. She is not currently open for commissions.

Each month, we will also feature an artist from our database in our newsletter. We support human artists who do not use AI. Feel free to browse the list or if you are an artist that doesn’t use AI and would like to join the list, you’re welcome to submit your information to be added!

Current Preorders

Sense & Sensibility – Sept 10th

Sense & Sensibility, the next novel in our Jane Austen collection, releases on Tuesday! There’s still time to pre-order, which is the only way to get the bookmark seen above. Once the book is officially released on September 10th, the bookmark will not be offered any longer.

A Churn in the Dark – Nov 19th

This Into the Churn novella takes place AFTER Into the Fire but before book 3. Do you absolutely HAVE to read it before book 3? No, but it will improve your enjoyment of book 3 significantly. And it’s phenomenal so we think you should definitely read it!

Is there an indie author you’d like us to interview next? Let us know here! And don’t forget to send Micheline some birthday love!

Great warmth,
Christina
Admin Assistant & Shop Manager