Boxes, Books, and Blonde
A rough week turned around at the end...
The back-to-back weekends of Scream Diego and Shamelessly Bad Poetry Night were great fun. But last Saturday, I developed a migraine, and that laid me low for days. I think the trouble had been set up by increasing stress and the travel to and from San Diego. I never sleep well before, during, or immediately after travel anywhere. My routines are off, the food is off, I'm not as hydrated, and then there's the stress of the drive. But eventually, I got through the unpleasant curve a full migraine cycle (which is not a headache so much as a days-long neurological event, with a headache in the mix briefly) and started to feel normal in time for some fun packages to arrive.
As you can see from the header image, I now have author copies of THE SECRET OF THE SAPPHIRE SENTINEL! And so, finally, The Amethyst Lantern Series is taking shape. I talk more about my two existing book series here, for Patreon members: https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-second-book-141017422
I also got the coolest thing from Rapture Publishing: Chris Panatier's DAYTIDE, out March 2026. This is an advance copy, so I'll be reading and reviewing the book. But just look at this packaging! The book was tucked inside the canister.
Chris is not only a horror and fantasy author, he's also a tremendous illustrator. He did the cover for ATACAMA, and has done many covers for books and albums, coloring books, and other commissioned art. I'm also commissioning him for book covers for GUTTERSPACE and OF TERRORS AND TOMBSTONES for Stars and Sabers Publishing. As such, it's a thrill to learn that there is a deluxe hardcover edition of DAYTIDE that includes his illustrations:
I assume regular paperbacks at a lower price point will also be available for preorder soon. (The review copy is paperback, by the way, and nicely made.)
I also got a box of restock for some of the 2025 Stars and Sabers titles (both anthologies and standalone author works) that I was running low on. I may do some online sales for the holidays for some of these, so stay tuned for that. Might also do a giveaway? Hmm...
Random
In other news, I'm back to being blonde! It feels good to be back. I'm having fun getting back to basics on a lot of levels, and so I'm experimenting with different styles for different occasions. I do not foresee another return to wearing a giant pink gown, however... (my Barbie spokesmodel - yes, I'm serious - pic https://www.instagram.com/p/C7gcpeyuEpm/)
Upcoming Podcast Appearance
The lovely folks at On Wednesday We Read had me on their podcast for an episode that drops in time with THE SECRET OF THE SAPPHIRE SENTINEL. In this episode, we talk about the first book of The Amethyst Lantern Series, THE INN AT THE AMETHYST LANTERN. This was the most in-depth discussion I've ever had of that book, and it was terrific to talk about the series universe with Hannah and Laura, both of whom read the first book. They've not yet read the sequel, so I got creative without being too spoiler-ish, hopefully! Keep an eye out for this episode on their website:
Open Mic
This Friday night, I did another reading at Underdog Bookstore. This time, it was for a spooky season open mic. I read from my two short story collections, THE SHADOW GALAXY and TO WONDER AND STARSHINE. I was in awe of other open mic participants, including a fun comedy improv session, two wonderful and soulful songs with acoustic guitar, poetry readings, and general good vibes. I'm getting back out onto the planet's surface and finally making friends and new connections in Los Angeles, as well as reconnecting with the San Diego folks. During a terribly sad year, and with the keen loss of my relative resonating through everything, it's nice to branch out while I "bloom where I'm planted," as the saying goes.
Writing News
The only thing I have been able to write since my loved one's passing has been really terrible poetry for Shameless Bad Poetry Night. That was something, at least. I really do not have the heart for fiction, but a deadline looms.
This week, THE SECRET OF THE SAPPHIRE SENTINEL publishes on October 21. You can find purchasing links here:
Jendia Gammon
If you're in the LA area, I have an early afternoon book signing on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Underdog Bookstore. Details:
The deadline I spoke of is for the prequel book in The Amethyst Lantern Series, called THE DAWN OF DUSK AND TWILIGHT. This begins in essentially our near-future/present day, and skips along the centuries to tell the story of the future Ancients, and how the end of the world as we know it led to the Night Living future utopia (again threatened by our era's villains) in the books. Read about the prequel, which is out in one year from now, and which I'm getting back to writing as it's due to the publisher at year's end:
Jendia Gammon
I think this book has suddenly become eerily topical and cathartic, as the main character deals with several life changes in an unstable time (ours!) and tries to figure out a path forward for the future.
Future Books
I should soon have the cover reveal for THE VALE OF SEVEN DRAGONS (out April 2026), my epic fantasy adventure. Chris Panatier, mentioned above, also did this cover. It's GORGEOUS, and I can't wait to share it!
Also, my Appalachian weird horror novella, GODFESTATION (out August 2026), has already garnered some truly incredible early book blurbs, including from Adrian Tchaikovsky, Paulette Kennedy, Andrew K. Clark, J.L. Worrad, and Patrick Barb! This book seems to be resonating with readers in a very interesting way.
Meanwhile, my actual Choose Your Own Adventure book, DUNGEON CRAWL AT THE HAUNTED MALL, is already available for preorder! This is my first middle grade book, and is distributed by Penguin Random House, so it should actually be on shelves of most bookstores...a first for me. Read about this completely zany book and find preorder links:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804064/dungeon-crawl-at-the-haunted-mall-by-gammon-jendia/
Awards Consideration Post
This year has been significant for me: my first horror and thriller novels (DOOMFLOWER and ATACAMA, the latter which I also illustrated the interior for), a new short story collection (TO WONDER AND STARSHINE), and the sequel to my Nebula & BSFA finalist, THE INN AT THE AMETHYST LANTERN (THE SECRET OF THE SAPPHIRE SENTINEL). I also have a fantasy prequel short story in TALES OF SLEY HOUSE 2025.
Read all about these books in my 2025 Awards Eligibility Post:
Jendia Gammon
All Together Now: My 2025 Books!
At last, they're all together: my 2025 standlaone books. Read all about them:
DOOMFLOWER: https://jendiagammon.com/doomflower/
ATACAMA: https://jendiagammon.com/atacama/
TO WONDER AND STARSHINE: https://jendiagammon.com/to-wonder-and-starshine/
THE SECRET OF THE SAPPHIRE SENTINEL (writing as J. Dianne Dotson): https://jendiagammon.com/the-secret-of-the-sapphire-sentinel/
Stars and Sabers 2025 Books
My imprint, Stars and Sabers, is galloping ahead with many new titles in the next few years. But 2025 has been the debut for this cross-genre press, and there are 5 titles which are just terrific out now. Take a look at what's available now, and what's ahead so far (more announcements soon!):
https://www.starsandsabers.com/books/
I've also added new staff! So the roster goes: myself, Editor-in-Chief and CEO; three Associate Editors: Gareth L. Powell, Scarlett R. Algee, and KC Griftant; two Editorial Assistants: Dennis K. Crosby and Helen Glynn Jones; and our Design Team, Dash Creative, LLC. See our full staff roster here: https://www.starsandsabers.com/about/
This is such an exciting time! I can't wait to share all our upcoming news. I'm partnering with Ernie Chiara, Helen Glynn Jones, J.L. Worrad, KC Grifant, and more authors as co-editors for our future anthologies based on their genre specialities. Meanwhile, standalone author works range from fantasy, to science fiction, to horror, to mysteries and thrillers, and blends of all of these.
If you'd like to help us reach our funding goal for the crowd-funded anthology, OF DREAD, DECAY, AND DOOM, here's more info on that:
Featuring masters of horror fiction, OF DREAD, DECAY, AND DOOM is our horror anthology publishing June 2026. Every donation helps make this book terrific, with funds going directly to authors and book production!
Busy Week Ahead
Whew! That was a lot. I'll likely be scrambling between book launch day and book launch event, with art making and brownie baking and getting out into the glorious October light whenever I can. I wish you all a lovely week ahead. I'll chime back in on Tuesday for book release day.
Ad astra,
Jendia
