Preparing to Fly

New character cards and FYREBIRDS preorder swag 🔥

Hello, friends! It’s been a minute. Since last I wrote, I put the very final finishing touches on FYREBIRDS. It’s now out of my hands, and in less than two months it’ll be in yours. On August 27th, it’ll be out in the world at last. I can’t wait for you to read this series’s epic conclusion, and I hope it delights you when you do.

Remember that preordering a book before it comes out, or buying it the week it first hits shelves, means an IMMENSE deal to us authors. It helps boost hype, makes it more likely our books will get on bestseller lists, and signals to our publishers that there’s enthusiasm for our stories. So if you’re excited for this sequel, consider snagging your future self a copy early. And make sure that you claim the excellent preorder swag on offer (scroll for more) when you do! (Psst: I’m not supposed to talk about it early, but Barnes & Noble will be having a 25% preorder sale next week. You didn’t hear it from me).

I’ve also been brewing some new and exciting projects. The bookish one is something I won’t be able to tell you about for a little while, but I CAN tell you that it features the following: a warrior princess, a very broody knight, and perhaps my all-time favorite animal companion. And the other project…well, it’s been a long time in the making. I’ll tell you about it in our next instalment!

Oh, and have I introduced you to our new greyhound, Gatsby? Probably, but why not do it again…he’s such a good boy. Except when he’s stealing my snacks.

The more stuffed, squeaky toys, Gatsby says, the better.

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FYREBIRDS Sneak Peek + Preorder Campaign

Do you remember the first set of character cards I commissioned for NIGHTBIRDS? The double-sided ones featuring our three magical girls? For FYREBIRDS, I couldn’t resist getting three more done of some of the book’s most beloved characters. Behold these renditions of Alec, Willan, and Fen … aren’t they gorgeous? Once again, Paulina Tłoczek did SUCH a good job.

I hope you love them, because they’re all part of the FYREBIRDS preorder campaign! If you preorder a copy (hardback, ebook, or audiobook: pick your poison) by August 27th - or buy one the week it hits shelves, up until September 4th - I’ll send you two character cards (Matilde + Alec, Sayer + Fen, or Aesa + Willan), an exclusive flamemoths art print by the amazing Jessica Roux, and a signed bookplate.

To claim your prize, all you have to do is go to this form, upload your receipt, and gimme a few details. I haven’t shared this campaign with the wider world yet, so you’re all the first to hear about it. Which is nice, as it’s only while my supplies last.

PS: you can ALSO get one of these beautiful flamemoth art prints if you buy a USA paperback between now and August 27th. Just click the button above to get yours.

If you’re read Nightbirds, you’ll know that this image is filled with deep meaning. Jessica Roux did such a great job designing my made-up bugs and flowers (pictured here: estaflower, wing lily, and jewelflower). I’ve hung a blown-up copy in my writing shed, and I love it very much.

PPS: this campaign is open internationally, and you can preorder FYREBIRDS from any retailer you like.

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Meanwhile, on Pub Dates…

Amie and I have been busy! During the months of May and June, we did weekly readalongs - four for THE ISLES OF THE GODS and four for NIGHTBIRDS. These hour-ish long episodes are part recap for those refreshing themselves before the sequels drop, part behind-the-scenes glimpse into what we were thinking as we wrote them. First-time readers will have a great time following along with us as we move through the stories, and those recapping will be delighted by all the fun little details.

And if you listen in soon, you’ll still have time to get yourself in the running for my heavily annotated copy of NIGHTBIRDS! We drop a code word in each episode, which you can email to pubdates@gmail.com to enter the contest. Everything you need to know is in the audio.

And on The Exploress…

I’ve been busy over on my women’s history podcast, too. This year I’m taking a more eclectic approach to how I build a season, doing limited series that hop around the globe instead of focusing solely on one time and place. So far we’ve met a heap of fascinating queens who ruled around Jerusalem when it was still a Crusader State, and a four-part series on what life was like for the ladies in Tokugawa-era Japan. It’s our first Lady’s Life series set in an Asian country, and it’s been great to time travel back to somewhere that’s totally new to me.

This year, I’ve also committed to doing not one, but TWO bonus episodes a month over on my Patreon. Some of my favorites so far have been about a powerful Muslim queen named Al-Kayzuran and crossdressing, swashbuckling French opera singer Julie D’Aubigny. You can now become a patron for a week free of charge, so there’s never been a better time to go and binge them.

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What I’m Reading/Watching/Listening to

I’m ashamed to say I haven’t been reading much lately, for reasons. Are there any books you think I should pick up ASAP?

I did read and enjoy Lili Wilkinson’s newest, Deep Is The Fen. It’s got monstrous toads, a creepy swamp, frustrating men, and a heroine who isn’t taking any of their nonsense.

I just finished watching Dark Matter: have you seen it? It’s such a twisty turny, thought-provoking exploration of all the paths our lives MIGHT have taken. I’m going to be thinking about it for quite some time. I also just finished watching Bridgerton Season 3, because obviously, and I loved it. The costumery was more beautiful than ever. And did you know there were real-life Lady Whistledowns out there during the Regency period?

I’m also very excited for LADY JANE, which I will be binging shortly.

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Until next time!

xo Kate