Help Me Choose My Official Author Photo!
Announcing my debut's release date
I might be getting a new laundry room.
I didn’t want a new laundry room. But due to a dastardly pipe that has been secretly leaking in a wall in our basement—that upon further investigation has led to the discovery of every homeowners dreaded m-word—I might be getting one.
Currently, we can’t use the water in upper two floors of our house and are tearing the walls down to the studs in part of the basement. Suffice it to say, it’s been a little stressful on the home front. So, in the evenings, I have been fleeing to the escapism of fantasy novels and I don’t feel a bit bad about it. I’m currently reading Charting Stars by Micheline Rychman and Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawgett and I’m loving both for different reasons.
Three Announcements:
1. I can now share my official release date with you for my 1917-inspired fantasy novel.
February 10, 2026
Almost exactly a year from today!
2. I commissioned my first character art! My publisher has commissioned some too, but theirs won’t be ready until June, so I thought I’d get some going.
I hired two artists. And will do art reveals and share about the characters in my newsletter before anywhere else.
3. I got professional author photos done and I want you to help me choose the one that should be my official author photo (it will end up on the back of my books)!
Vote below!
Book Highlight
I just finished Illuminare by Bryn Shutt and just loved it’s Venetian-inspired fantasy setting, its characters, themes, and the concept of shadows having consciousness and putting on performances.
Send me all the book recommendations as I plan to escape into other realms until my laundry room is back together!
Love and Light,
Bethany
You can't go wrong with any of the photos!
You look lovely in all these photos. #1) I like this quite a bit, but you don’t look as comfortable from your folded arms down. #2) This feels more social than creative and intellectual. Because it is a standing portrait, it will likely have to be a tall vertical on the back cover, unless there’s a good crop. Or to keep the full portrait but use less space on the cover, your readers might not get a good sense of you based on your face. If you’re working with a designer, you might get good advice from him or her on scale. #4 is lovely! You look warm and welcoming and I love the typewriter. I am, however, distracted by the notebook, which seems to show a blank page — could come across as a mixed message from a writer. You might try a crop from the bottom up to eliminate the notebook and the books. See if you like that. I voted for #3 and as I looked at it again just now, it struck me as a good match for a fantasy novel. And that may be why I chose it. I think it’s great that you’re seeking feedback. Great idea. Congratulations on your book deal! Sheila