The Kickstarter for The Voice of Wild Places has begun, it’s day four and we are about a third of the way funded! Adventure boxes are popular, and annotated books which blows me away. You’re telling me people willingly want to read all my historical nerd details, unfiltered thoughts and behind the scenes lore?
Check it out, and share the word if you can!
I’m part of a itch.io bundle! Over 40 authors and illustrators have come together to offer their work at a discounted price for the upcoming Trans Rights Readathon.
The bundle is available from March 17th to March 31st, and we’ve smashed through our first three goals!
This is my first time being part of an itch.io, and I’ve only recently started selling my ebooks on there. So far the experience is good, people seem to be loving the indie aspect of it and the ability to tip when making purchases. Purchases that are direct, meaning the files that you pay for are *yours.*
The current goal has been bumped up to $12,000, and right now we’re about to hit 8k. My monthly sales from itch.io are going to Advocates for Trans Equality.
The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual call to action, during which people read trans books and support their trans community in other ways.
Ta-da! I’m now offering free short excerpts on my website and Pareton. Today’s excerpt is from The Voice of Wild Places, a queer historical fiction. Enjoy a brief introduction to Cornelius’ nemesis, Andrea Carmine. You can read chapter excerpts on my Patreon, and all sorts of different things.
And so Cornelius began to tell the story of where they’d been. Only then did Watt realize the man had smoothly avoided the earlier question regarding their future. He listened as Cornelius spoke of the wondrous French architecture of Rio, the industrious São Paulo and the Butantan Institute, and the growing Cuiabá.
Their encounter with Senhor Galvão, and in this Cornelius modestly admitted his wrongdoings in regards to not trusting Severino. Cornelius was subdued but informative when telling them about their stay with the Bacairy, and by the time it was all said and done the group was fully enamored with him. All except Andrea, that was.
“And tell me dear Cornelius, were you able to broaden your horizons during your journey? Adopt a love for something new besides … oh, what was it you read all the time back at Ur? Oh yes, that children’s novel, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
“Oh, I love that story!” Nair exclaimed, which brought a hesitant smile to Cornelius’ lips.
Ana looked between Nair and Cornelius. “I’m afraid I haven’t. But a Wizard? That sounds interesting.”
Cornelius nodded. “I find there’s nothing wrong with old favorites, and adults can find much to learn from children’s stories. Some of us may have missed the lessons the first time.”
Cornelius slipped between the folds of the tent, and Watt’s hand fell to his side. Cornelius was fully dressed, sweat dampening his brow and gear upon his back. He gripped his cane in one hand and adjusted his glasses with the other. They stared at each other, steady gazes barely illuminated by the dim lantern beside Watt’s cot.
“I’m coming with you,” Cornelius whispered, barely there but firm all the same.
“You don’t have to,” Watt said, and tried very hard to mean it. “They’re doing good work here, real work. I can go on alone.”
Cornelius closed the distance between them, slow enough to give Watt time to back away. He did not.
✍️🏳️⚧️🧭
This week’s WIP Wednesday harkens back to the Tumblr post, and subsequently the book, that started it all. I was forwarded this post by a friend who thought it was right up my alley, and she was right.
It inspired thoughts of an adventure story with queer characters falling in love, and the story was originally set in a fantasy world. But as time went on, I realized I wanted it to be historical fiction, and eventually historical fabulism. And now the book is closer to done than not, and the cover is finished. In a little over six months, The Voice of Wild Places will be ready for the world.
Are you ready for it?
The book referenced by the Tumblr post is The Rivers Ran East by Leonard Clark.
Introducing the gorgeous cover to Mochizuki and Xlato, third book in the Adventures in Levena series. Cover art done by the fantastic Crossroad Art.
Archeon Mochizuki will force the silver moon to show its dark side, no matter the consequences.
The vampiric witch has been biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment. But now death has come to claim his father, the first person to propose life on the silver moon, and the first to be mocked perpetually for it. To restore his father’s honor before he dies, Archeon will do anything.
Until his machine backfires in the attempt, destroying university property and wiping out Levena’s entire power and communications grid. With his reputation in shreds, he takes a deal in order to secure his job, and freedom. A deal that will change his life forever, if he can handle working with someone as egotistical as he is.
Proteus Xlato has believed in true love since the day their soulmark burned like the birth of a star, an aspect that none of their other kin share.
They meticulously craft a persona to impress a certain astrophysicist, giving a lie for a name. But not only does Archeon have no interest in Proteus, he throws the ‘intern’ out of his laboratory after months of working together.
Determined to show Archeon what he’s missing out on, Proteus abandons all future disguises and plans. This time they will be petulant, meticulous, and brash. Like their soulmate, Proteus will be unabashedly themself. Or as much as they can without revealing their true origins; the world isn’t ready for that much of a shake up.
Or is it?
Mochizuki and Xlato releases on October 28th, 2025.
✨ And here’s the whole Levena family all together. ✨
Adventures in Levena is a cozy urban fantasy series following a group of friends as they figure out life, fall in love, and heal from their past. Each book follows a different couple, and I like to think of the first book as an introductory stepping stone.
Phantom and Rook is available in ebook, print, and audio.
Matsdotter and Adrastus is available in ebook and print.
Mochizuki and Xlato releases October 28, 2025.
The novellas are available in ebook and print, and newsletter members get them for free.
Phantom and Rook, Mochizuki and Xlato covers done by Crossroad Art.
Matsdotter and Adrastus cover done by Foxglove Faun.
Elochian Adrastus is the pinnacle of demon nobility, and he hates it.
When he’s not leading an aristocracy, in therapy, or rebelling against his birthright by running the most famous bar in Levena, he’s solving a millennia old mystery with his newfound friends. He’s particularly fond of the man he’s only known as an author, learning that there’s much more to the human than meets the eye.
For the first time in over a century, Elochian feels tempted by the prospect of finding his own happy ending. He’s also terrified that any future endeavors will end in death, like they did not so long ago.
Quentin Matsdotter has one goal in life, and that’s to blend in. Unfortunately for him, that’s impossible when you’re a certifiable genius, an author, and are friends with some of the most unique people in the town. He’s got everything a man could want, except for someone to call his own.
Quentin hasn’t been able to trust his heart to anyone again after experiencing an abusive relationship years ago, but there’s no mistaking how he feels for the enigmatic archdemon. As the snow builds, so does their friendship, and it’s only a matter of time before they open their hearts to each other.
If only the past didn’t come back to haunt them.
Be prepared to stand up for what you believe in, reveal the truth, and protect those you love, no matter the cost.
Matsdotter and Adrastus is the second book in the Adventures in Levena series and you can find it here.
Cornelius Sawyer is a man of many talents, but forgiveness is not one of them.
Watt Johnson is a man of his word, but not once in his life has he spoken up for himself.
Once connected by the bonds of childhood, threads now severed by the demands of life, the pair are brought together for a once in a lifetime opportunity: an all expenses paid expedition to Brazil, searching for a man the world believes to be long dead, Percy Fawcett. And perhaps, even the Lost City that he was looking for.
Under the guise of doing research work for their respective universities, a reluctant Cornelius and an exhilarated Watt accept the offer and delve into the unknown, trusting no one but themselves. Looking at a map, the route and its dangers seem to be known obstacles which can be easily conquered, a fact that Watt leans on heavily.
But Cornelius is intimately aware that the river has teeth, that the land renders a siren song to those who are desperate to become lost in its mountains and basins. To survive the journey they’ll have to face the enemies within, and trust the other to have their best interests in mind. After all, the Voice of Wild Places is calling, beckoning the adrift homeward.
—
Presenting the next Noah Hawthorne book, The Voice of Wild Places. I’ve commissioned a fantastic cover artist already, Jan Falk of Thistle Arts. Jan has done covers for authors like Sebastian Nothwell and Rita Rubin, along with art for Sarah Wallace’s Dear Bartleby. Based on the cover schedule, release will be in late August or early September.
I am a sucker for historical fiction, especially ones that are queer and with a touch of magic. Taking place in 1930, Watt and Cornelius will be searching for historical figure Percy Fawcett, who disappeared in 1925 while searching for the Lost City of Z with his son Jack Fawcett and Jack’s best friend, Raleigh Rimmel. There are several theories regarding their disappearance, and this will be my take on it.
Are you ready for adventure?
Welcome to Noah’s Place, where I share resources for indie authors and content for readers. You can find writing resources like character and worldbuilding sheets, indie publishing talk, and how-to posts. For the readers, you can find short stories, excerpts of upcoming work, art, NSFW art and writing, and many other things. Book recommendations and the art museum are free!
I’ve been wanting to open a Patreon for awhile now, but I didn’t feel like I was in the right space to do it. But with a few more books under my belt and a bigger community than ever, I feel that now is the perfect time. This year I plan to expand on the ways I support indie authors, and this is a step in the right direction. Also, it’s a good way for readers to become involved in new projects.
Explore Noah’s Place here!
Neshama Publishing 