It is a strange feeling to be about a week away from the world changing.

The end of August heralds a lot of changes for me as a writer and a family man. As I'll detail further in the State of the Inkdustries, the beta reading for The Shattered Wing will be done at the end of the month. The cover art is being worked on as we speak, and everyone right now is really working on such amazing art that I am sitting amazed every day, sending previews to the teams.

But even more worldview-shattering will happen in September. When all three of my daughters go to school. And I won't just be stay-at-home dad anymore.

For context, our eldest daughter is five years old. We had her in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Which means that for me, personally, I haven't really feel like I have left our family house since we bought it in January 2020 (yes, my wife and I started our thirties in a fascinating manner.)

Since about March of 2020, I've spent the majority of my time in this house, focused on three young girls as they grow from babies to...slightly more destructive young girls. It is the honor of a lifetime to be their father, and I really don't know what will happen to my life in just a few weeks.

It will certainly involve more writing, and hopefully more exercise and less Bluey. Amazing show, but I think I've seen it through 147 times at this point.

Is your life going to change soon? Or been through a life-change recently? Let us know about it. Thank you so much for always reading. I hope you enjoy how we all change together.

All the best.

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State of the Inkdustries

The Innkeeper's Dirge - As we mentioned, our cover artist has given us the first rough designs for The Shattered Wing! I managed to give some notes, but everyone connected with Arcane Inkdustries has been ecstatic about the initial designs!

As mentioned above, there's just over a week left for the beta readers to finish their readthrough and submit their response. The biggest first task for me as my girls start school will be editing in response to the read through, and sending it off to a proofreader!

Legends of the Realm and Short Comics - The pencils are done for our Shania comic, and the inked pages have started coming in! As we are scheduling the next year or so, we are really excited about what is coming next.

The Lore Corner

One of the Fiorae: Ismé Snowtea

The Sprite Tongue, the charmer. The strange rogue princess of the woods and great halls. Of the Fiorae, Ismé Snowtea’s story is the one most often told of. Either in gasping praise of her brilliance, or scowling at her manipulations.

Ismé, like Caitlin, grew up in the town of Fiora. Raised by a single father before he slowly abandoned her in favor of drink and long walks, Ismé learned to rely on herself. She was drawn to a strange mixture of deep woods and palace halls. The rogue of the Fiorae found herself comfortable either in luxurious silks and court intrigue, or soft leathers as she stalked through the woods of the world.

After Caitlin, Lysanne, and Ismé all left their hometown, Ismé was the one who decided to travel throughout the Thirty Kingdoms. Searching for a place she could call home. It needed to be filled with comforts, freedom, and no small amount of romantic company. She often left with stories to tell…and some coins and gems that may or may not have belonged to her former benefactors.

After several years on the road, Ismé is returning to Fiora. Harried by a reputation she swears is unfairly earned, and hiding secrets that she has managed to keep locked in her heart since she was born. What is Ismé’s next move? Only time can tell.

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Where to Find Us Next

If you want to read more of our short stories, poetry, see behind-the-scenes work, or support everything that Arcane Inkdustries is doing, click the link and sign up to be a Patreon supporter now.

Thank you for reading. I hope that this sparked a piece of magic for you this week.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Jack Holder

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