Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 1d

In exactly one month The Cursed of Atharia becomes a real book. I’m beyond excited…and more than a little stressed. When this book releases I’m taking a three month writing break.

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social #WriteSky #BookSky #debut #2025debut

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 3d

It gives me immense pleasure to finally reveal the cover for Atharian Chronicles 1: The Cursed of Atharia.

Many tears went into making this book a reality, and I couldn’t be happier that Jack and the gang found a home with @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social.

#BookSky #WriteSky #debut #2025debut

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 7d

Sorry I haven’t been active. It’s been a crazy couple of months. But next week The Cursed of Atharia goes on pre-order. It’s my own fault for feeling unprepared, but hopefully I’ll know better for next time.

#BookSky #WriteSky #debut #2025debut @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 12d

Favourite all-time book character? That’s a tough one.

Someone else’s: Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Inspector Nick Myra (belonging to Helen C. Escott)

Of mine: Jack the Ripper

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · 12d

Happy Friday!! We made it!

Alright, this one is for readers and writers: Who’s your all-time favorite book character?

#shadowsparkpublishing #booksky #writesky 📚🪐💙

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 12d

Can’t wait to read your book!!! How much longer until launch? 👀

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 16d

The Cursed of Atharia has been sent in for the final time.

This is it. In a month or so, Jack Beckett and the gang will make their debut. They’ve come a long way. I’m so proud of them. 🥹

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social #debut #2025debut #TheCursedofAtharia #BookSky #WriteSky

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 17d

The Cursed of Atharia goes in for the final time tomorrow. After that, it becomes a real book. Hard to believe it’s that time already. 2025 seemed so far away in 2023, and now it’s here. Crazy!!

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social #BookSky #WriteSky #debut #2025debut #TheCursedofAtharia

A picture of a man and woman. The man is back on to the woman and she is resting her head against his back. A snippet reads:

You've become my everything, entwining yourself in my thoughts and dreams. Everything I am, everything I'm going to become, it's because of you." He pulled Snow into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I don't care what you think you are. You are Snow Winterglade, Crown Princess of Atharia, and this phoenix's spark."

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 18d

#FantasyIndiesSeptember

49 days until the Cursed are unleashed from @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social. It’s a fun little book that (hopefully) doesn’t take itself too seriously…not if Justin has anything to say about it.

#BookSky #WriteSky #debut #2025debut #indieauthor #writerslife

Justin shot out of the trees, a dark stain in his pants, and something attached to his shoulder. Sara screamed and dashed behind Jack, pressing herself against his back.
"KILL IT! KILL IT! KILL IT!" Justin howled, arms waving
in the air.
"What is it?" Brandon hollered.
The brightly coloured object clutched Justin's jacket for dear
life as he ran in circles.
"Professor, do something!" Jack yelled.
Fox sighed, his ears falling flat. "Children," he said, shaking
his head.

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 21d

51 days…and already I’m losing sleep. I keep finding errors in the manuscript, mostly the way things are worded. Will this get easier?

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social #2025debut #WriteSky #BookSky #AtharianChronicles #book1 #TheCursedofAtharia #debut #indieauthor #writerslife

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 21d

#FantasyIndiesSeptember

There’s a severe power-hungry character in my WIP, but since it’s part of the Atharian Chronicles, it’s a bit of a spoiler.

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 25d

Looking for a supernatural read for this spooky season? Consider picking up a copy of A Door In The Middle of Nowhere by Karen Lundy.

It’s such a fantastic read. You won’t be disappointed!!! @bookspotlight.bsky.social, I think this could be up your alley.

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 28d

59 days until launch…AND FINAL EDITS ARE DONE!!!

Kiss my ass, Imposter Syndrome!!! THIS BOOK ROCKS!!! The Cursed of Atharia is taking the world by a fire storm!!!

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social #BookSky #WriteSky #debut #2025debut #indie #indieauthor #AtharianChronicles #book1 #TheCursedofAtharia

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · 29d

#FantasyIndiesSeptember

It’s hard to tell with Jack. He covets both. He wants power, but also the knowledge behind that power. He’s a reborn phoenix, and a lot of Soul Firewing’s past has been rewritten by a dark force. Jack wants to know the truth behind his magical gifts.

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Sep 4

#FantasyIndiesSeptember

Catch-up day 3:

Though it’s not mentioned outright, there is an academy in the capital, kinda like a university.

Day 4:

Jack, Brandon, and Sara all love to read. Justin’s hobby is getting on his friends’ nerves, especially Brandon’s.

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Sep 3

Line from page 16 of The Cursed of Atharia:

He knelt and moved Sterling’s tunic away from his chest. Raven moved to get a better look. The mark of a Cursed had been etched into the prince’s chest. From his history lessons, Raven knew the mark was that of the Bloodied Prince.

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · Sep 3

It's Hump Day, folks, and our friend demands a sacrifice. Let's get a page from your wip. Maybe it's the middle for you? Give us a line from PAGE 516

Haven't gotten to page 516 yet? How about just 16, then?

#Wednesday #HumpDay #indieauthors #WritingCommunity #booksky #writesky #writingq 🪐📚💙

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Sep 2

Typically, I’m not one for this trope. However, I have been partially swayed by @valeriestorm.bsky.social’s Ari and Kari. Those two—I don’t know—touch a deeper part of my soul I thought I had locked away.

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · Sep 2

Happy #tuesday! Today's #writingq and #trope for discussion is: Grumpy x Sunshine characters!

Do you enjoy this type of character dynamic? Have you written it? When was it done well vs bad?

#writesky #booksky #writingcommunity #readingcommunity 📚🪐💙

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Sep 2

#FantasyIndiesSeptember

Catch-up: Day 1

My name is Amy, but I also go by Amelia as my pen name. I’m currently working through final edits of my debut novel.

Day 2:

As for my next read, I usually pick something in the genre I’m writing.

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Sep 1

Before and after edits from The Cursed of Atharia of the same conversation.

What do you think?

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social #BookSky #WriteSky #2025debut #debut #indie #indieauthor #amediting #AtharianChronicles #book1 #TheCursedofAtharia

Before picture, a conversation between Sara and Brandon:

“Have you talked to Fox about it?” Sara asked.
Brandon shook his head. “No. It never seemed like a good time.”
“I would mention it to Fox, it could mean something,” Sara told him.
Brandon looked at her. “Like what?”
Sara shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re reacting to Atharia’s magic or something.”
Brandon glanced away. “The voices told me I was the Soul’s chosen one,” he muttered.
Sara frowned in confusion. “What does that mean?”

Sara frowned and she looked up at him. “What kind of voices?”
            Brandon shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s hard to describe. I hear them, but they don’t belong to anything with a physical form. And when I try to place where the voices are coming from, it’s like trying to catch the wind.”
            He gazed across the fields of golden wheat; the stalks swaying in the breeze. Farmers tended the crop, half hidden among the tall shafts, scythes in hand. The forest stretched around them in a bowl, cabins and barns dotted the landscape. Off in the distance stood the ruins of an ancient temple.
“Have you talked to Fox about it?” Sara asked.
            Brandon blinked out of his reverie, taking a deep breath. The call of birds filled the air, followed by the fluttering of wings as their hiding place was disturbed. Up ahead, Justin cried out, ducking behind Jack.
“It never seems like a good time,” Brandon finally answered.
Sara hummed, watching the ruined temple as they walked past. A circular platform and statue were all that remained. From this distance, Sara could pick out the form of a large, winged woman in the statue; her sword raised above her head, shield held beside her. A crown sat on her head as her stone armour shimmered in the sunlight.
            “I would mention it to Fox, it could mean something,” Sara told him.
            A horse-drawn carriage rumbled along the road. A weary driver sat up front as his companions tended to the wares in the back. Fox motioned for the group to move to the side, allowing the merchants to pass. The driver nodded at Fox, who bowed his head in response. Brandon caught the eye of a young man, who smiled and waved. Brandon raised a hand to acknowledge him, catching a brief conversation the young man had with the other man, and the word, “Makar.”
            Brandon made a mental note to ask Fox what Makar meant in Atharian. He turned back to Sara. “What could it mean?”
            Sara shrugged. “I don’t k…

They set off again, gravel crunching underfoot. The wheat fields gave way to sprawling grasslands, a mountain range loomed in the distance. The peaks were jagged, as if added as an after-thought by an absent-minded painter.
            Brandon relished the serenity of the realm’s beauty. The calmness, the stillness. The road branched out, hand-painted signs stood at the crossroads, marking where towns and villages were located. Fox stopped the group to point at one such sign. He read it in Atharian first, sounding out each syllable.
            “It translates to Redwater, in your tongue,” Fox said.
            “How much further?” Jack asked.
            Fox turned towards the setting sun, scratching behind his right ear. “Too far for one day. We’ll soon make camp and rest.” He motioned for them to start off again. “Don’t worry, I won’t make you hike all night.”
            Brandon and Sara lagged behind but kept Fox in their sights. “The voices told me I was the Soul’s chosen one,” Brandon whispered.
            Sara frowned. “What does that mean?”
            “Damned if I know.”
            The sun sank beyond the horizon, painting the sky in red, yellow, and orange, reminding Brandon of flames. The sun seemed to double in size as it descended behind the mountains, its surface blazing.
            “Well, I’d still mention it to Fox. He would definitely know what’s going on,” Sara said.
            Brandon sighed. “Maybe.”
            Sara patted his arm. “Don’t worry, Brandon, we’ll get you ironed out. Who knows? Maybe you and Beckett are destined to lead the charge against the dark fae and Zalera.”
            Brandon wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “And how would we lead the charge, huh?”
            “With you being the tank and Jack being the fire mage, duh,” Sara answered.
            “Yeah? And what kind of tank would I be?”
            Sara smiled at him. “What else? A paladin, of course.”

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Sep 1

I have nowhere to be today in reality, so I’m taking a trip through the faery ring and going to Atharia. I even have a shiny new coffee mug to take with me. In the words of @valeriestorm.bsky.social, “Ready to tackle this bitch.”

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social
#BookSky #2025debut #AtharianChronicles

A picture of a writing desk with books, a handmadeTARDIS statue, a Lucky Bamboo, a panda statue, a laptop, and a white mug filled with coffee. On the mug reads, “Tall, dark, & fictional”. On the laptop a title page states:
The Cursed of Atharia
Atharian Chronicles book 1
Amelia Grimes

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Aug 31

Welcome to the fire.

Rewrites for Atharian Chronicles book 3: Ashes of Atharia are in full swing. The first chapter and the opening scene of chapter two are complete.

Dedicated to the Queens of @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social. Thank you. 🥹

#BookSky #WriteSky #rewrites #book3 #AtharianChronicles

A white background with the title Ashes of Atharia

A white background with the dedication:

For the Shadow and the Spark
Thank you for giving me a chance

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Aug 31

Go, Storm Mother!!! Go!!! 🥳🥳🥳

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Aug 31

A beta reader I truly admire is @darkxfer.bsky.social. He’s helped me a lot with my writing (giving me pointers, answering my grammar questions, etc.) He’s also the inspiration for Matthew Fox from Atharian Chronicles, and has been with this story ever since it was The Winter Court.

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · Aug 31

It's #sunday shout out time!!

Tag someone or introduce us to someone you admire in the writing, reading, or art community!

#booksky #writesky #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #artists #reviews #shoutout #shadowsparkpublishing 📚🪐💙

Sunday Shout-out

Shout out an author, reviewer, or artist you admire!

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Aug 30

Thank you 🥰. My bestie keeps telling me that this second draft is a lot better than the first. And I agree. It feels so good to have kept at it. I feel like I’ve done Jack and the gang justice. 🥹

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Aug 30

It’s done? It’s done! Second draft of The Soul of Atharia has been completed! Thank the elementals!

The passion is back, the fire is burning, THE PHOENIX HAS RISEN FROM ITS ASHES!

Now to let it rest and move on to book 3 rewrites.

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social
#BookSky
#WriteSky
#rewrites

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Amy Grimes @amygrimes.bsky.social · Aug 30

#FantasyIndiesAugust

Snippet from The Soul of Atharia rewrites. It’s a bit different to what I write. I tend to fade to black, but I was trying to write a little bit out of my comfort zone.

@shadowsparkpub.bsky.social
#TheSoulofAtharia
#BookSky
#WriteSky

Pulling away, she slipped the tunic over her head, letting it fall to the floor before slipping out of her slacks. Jack drank in her glorious form. “Princess, I didn’t know I had that affect on you.”
Snow pressed her body against him, her hand dipping below his belt. Jack gasped and she grinned. “I didn’t know I had that affect on you, either.” She leaned to whisper in his ear, “Shall we dance?”
Jack grabbed her, her legs around his waist. The mattress bounced as they dropped on top. Jack shed his garments, tossing everything to the floor before capturing Snow’s lips in a heated, passionate kiss.

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