Advent Calendar Day 1

 Happy Holidays! 

In case you're new here, the point of my annual "Advent Calendar" is simple. It's my THANK YOU to you, my readers. To share a moment or two of holiday cheer with you. To start our days (or end our evenings) with a wee bit of comfy-coziness.

Because I no longer interact much on social media, I don't often get the opportunity to say thank you, but I do sincerely appreciate that so many of you continue to buy and read (and re-read and re-re-read) my work. Thank you for allowing me to earn my living doing the thing I love best. Thank you to those readers all over the world who consume my stories in languages I can't speak. Thank you to my wonderful patrons whose kindness and generosity help me through those leanish months where life gets in the way of spinning stories. (Which, frankly, was most of 2025).

I appreciate you all very much. Full stop. Writers write for themselves, but we publish for others. I publish for YOU. I want to give you the best books I can because I want you to see the world the way I do: a place where kindness, the willingness to communicate, and the courage to love can change lives. And yes, despite these last very trying years, that is how I continue to see the world.

I've said this many times. I will continue to say it because it's true. I want my books to make you feel the way the holidays (ideally) make us feel. That love will find a way. That there is magic in the every day moments. That you are not alone. That everything is going to be okay. Because everything is going to be okay. 😉Although it's probably going to take a bit longer than most of us hoped.

So what's ahead this month? As in previous years, I'll probably share a couple of favorite holiday songs or a poem or a some inspirational pics or a vintage animated cartoon or a cocktail recipe (or three). There will perhaps (I cannot promise) codas from me toward the end of the month. There might be a giveaway or two from one of my two author merch stores: Cloak and Dagger for book-inspired art and blankets and pillows and suchlike. And Fourthwall for books (including some exclusive content) and audio and T-shirts.

As in years past, at least a couple of our talented and generous friends will contribute some fiction or art.. 

In other words, every day will be as much of a surprise to me as to you. But good surprises. The best kind of surprises!   

Happy Holidays, my dear reader-friends. May all your days be merry and bright!