What's in a Week - Vol. 53

Welcome, August! The light begins to slant, even as the sun sears us in the Southland. I struggle to maintain my walks as the heatwave continues. But when I do go out, I'm rewarded by the late summer scents of drying lavender, sage, and rose petals, and by the sights of our many wild parrot species whirling and chattering above. The macadamia nut trees in our neighborhood have already been harvested via beaks and paws, and the acorns are fattening in the many oaks. I am no fan of summer, but as August wanes, it grows more beautiful, ahead of the vibrant parade of autumn. So I will not wish this time away, but instead find ways to take in its beauty safely.

Now, on to the weekly update...

New Podcast Interview: Inside the Rookery with Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell

The fab folks at Inside the Rookery had us on their podcast this weekend! This episode answers a lot of questions about our new imprint, Stars and Sabers, inspirations for it, plans, etc. And it was a fun talk besides! Head here to watch.

Anthology Update!

Speaking of our anthology, Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers, we are crowdfunding this anthology (tentatively publishing February 11, 2025). There are two resources to do so.

Via Indiegogo:

Currently we are 15% funded for this LIMITED campaign, with 16 days left. We appreciate any shares!

Anthology: Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers

A cross-genre anthology of stellar writers edited by authors Jendia Gammon and Gareth L. Powell. | Check out ‘Anthology: Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers’ on Indiegogo.

Indiegogo

Via Ko-Fi:

https://ko-fi.com/post/Publishing-Imprint-News-and-Opportunity-H2H2XH2SN

Ongoing campaign. Money donated goes directly to paying our authors and for expenses in the making of the book. It also ensures we can make more anthologies! Thank you for your support.

Author Features on the Stars and Sabers Site

This week we featured two more of our anthology authors!

Read about Eugen Bacon:

Anthology Contributor: Eugen Bacon – Stars and Sabers

Over the months ahead, we will introduce you to each author contributing to our cross-genre anthology, Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers. Meet Eugen Bacon.

Stars and Sabersstarsandsaberspress_za0tpf

Read about Antony Johnston:

Anthology Contributor: Antony Johnston – Stars and Sabers

Today we are honored to introduce our anthology contributor, New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter Antony Johnston , creator of ATOMIC BLONDE !

Stars and Sabersstarsandsaberspress_za0tpf

And stay tuned for more author features ahead!

On the Screen

I started watching Derry Girls on Netflix, which has made me laugh A LOT. It's about a group of Northern Ireland teens in the 90s, and every single one of them is hilarious. You may recognize Nicola Coughlan from Bridgerton (Penelope).

Watch Derry Girls | Netflix Official Site

Amidst the political conflict of Northern Ireland in the 1990s, five spirited students contend with the universal challenges of being a teenager.

Netflix

On the Page

Lucky me!! I got a physical advance review copy of The Last Raven, Helen Glynn Jones' smoldering traditional debut with One More Chapter (HarperCollins). Available for preorder.

I’ll be forced to take the crown, simply because of who my parents are. Never mind that my skin, my eyes, the way I move, everything will give me away for what I am.

Human.

In a world ruled by vampires.

***

As sole heir to the House of Raven, there is nothing Emelia can’t have. The only problem is, she doesn’t want it.

But when a new guard enters her closed-off existence, she sees a way out. As rebellion and dark forces swirl around her, Emelia has a choice to make – leave everyone she loves behind, or stay and accept her destiny…

Writing Update

This past week, I added more words on the sequel to The Inn at the Amethyst Lantern, titled The Secret of the Sapphire Sentinel. It was great to see this as part of the two-book deal for the sequel and prequel written up in August's issue of Locus Magazine:

You can read more about the deal on my blog:

Two-Book Deal Announcement - Jendia Gammon

The news is out: we’re headed back to the Lunarpunk future, as well as its past--aka our present! My Nebula & BSFA Award finalist book, THE INN AT THE AMETHYST LANTERN, gets a sequel AND a prequel!

Jendia Gammon - AuthorJendia Gammon

A New Novel

I also added a couple more chapters to my sci-fi/fantasy mystery novel this month. I'm likely going to query with that one sometime in early autumn.

Atacama Update

My 2025 thriller/horror/sci-fi book Atacama continues to get some great author blurbs. It's also being read by prominent Appalachian thriller writer at the moment, which thrills me! I'm obviously hoping they like it!

Cover art is underway and I'm super excited about the direction it's going.

Read more about Atacama:

Announcing ATACAMA, My New Novel - Jendia Gammon

I am delighted to report that I have a new novel, a thriller-horror called ATACAMA, out on May 13, 2025 via Sley House Publishing! What is ATACAMA About? When her best friend is murdered in the Atacama Desert, Appalachian academic researcher Fiona Hawthorne finds herself facing a sinister corporation and a monster hiding in plain sight. This novel Jendia Gammon announces her new thriller-horror novel, ATACAMA, arriving May, 2025.

Jendia Gammon - AuthorJendia Gammon

The Week Ahead

This will be a weird week of appointments, school-related stuff, work deadlines, and other oddments as we start to gear up for autumn schedules. I will NOT be traveling to Glasgow for WorldCon. But if anyone needs a meeting, reach out to me via social media or touch base with Gareth, who will be there, and I can be on a Zoom call at a moment's notice.

Wishing you all a lovely first full week of August!

Write on!
Jendia