Kalani Shimizu's Monthly Newsletter: November 2024
Nov 15, 2024 6:25 pm
Hello everyone,
2024 is rapidly winding down-- there's only one more newsletter after this one before the new year starts! So with that said, let's jump into everything that's been going on since October's update.
In an ideal world, this is me right now
Updates
Riyati
Ream Updates
Since October's newsletter, I updated Riyati's Ream page to have a ton more benefits! There's now three paid tiers, each with additional benefits-- and some perks for followers too, of course. You can see the full list of perks on the Ream page, but I want to highlight the big additions: all paid tiers now get to vote on monthly bonus content! These will be either additional short stories or chapters from alternative perspectives than the mainline books. For instance, this month's poll winner was for Siani's perspective (instead of Rotanu's) for chapter 34 of Riyati Rebirth ("The First Test"); if you haven't made it that far in Riyati Rebirth, be careful as there will definitely be spoilers for many of the late chapters! These bonus chapters will be available for free to all followers on Ream, so make sure to follow now so you'll get the email for when the chapter goes live later this month.
That's not all releasing on Ream at the moment either! Digital copies of Riyati Rebirth's Companion Guide release every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for Opal Pines Residence tier, and a beta chapters for Riyati Rivals release every Tuesday and Thursday for Mage tier-- Riyati Rivals isn't scheduled to launch until mid-May, so if you'd like a more serialized release way ahead of the formal book launch, jump into that Mage tier. Along with beta access, Mage tier subscribers also will get early access to the final Riyati Rivals ebook (in epub/mobi format) by 1 - 2 months.
Finally, the Riyatian tier is limited at 5 spots, and has all the perks of prior tiers plus a signed physical copy of Riyati Rivals and option for inclusion in Riyati Rivals's Acknowledgment section.
While I currently have these benefits for Riyati Rebirth's Companion Guide and Riyati Rivals, I'm hoping to carry them forward with future books too-- this means once Riyati Rivals is out and about, the third book will be released where Riyati Rivals currently is scheduled...which makes this a great time to also announce I've started drafting for the third book, titled Riyati Ripple! I'm just over half way through the first draft now, and am planning on finishing the first draft by the end of November.
Sales & Stuffs
As holiday shopping season is nearly upon us (or directly upon us if you're like me and already bought most things, leaving them constantly staring at you while you need to wrap them), I'm giving newsletter subscribers both a heads up and exclusive coupon for my direct store.
First up is a newsletter exclusive promocode for 50% off for the physical edition of Riyati Rebirth's Companion Guide through the end of November. This is an exclusive book only available through my direct storefront, and I'm able to ship to most countries through my supplier, BookVault! Riyati Rebirth's Companion Guide is normally $19.99 USD, but only costs $9.99 with the code NOV2024.
Next, Riyati Rebirth's ebook will be on sale for $0.99 at most major retailers for a week, starting on November 29th and running through December 6th; if you haven't picked up Riyati Rebirth yet, now would be a great time! If you do pick it up (or already have-- in which case, thank you!), I'd really appreciate if you could leave a review on your platforms of choice; each review really makes a difference and helps other readers know if Riyati Rebirth might be something they would enjoy.
Finally, Riyati Rebirth was selected to join Booked and Hooked's indie fantasy collection, so especially if you're local to Ireland, make sure to check out their catalogue and see if they've got any new favorites!
Personal
I'm definitely in finals season right now, and am super looking forward to cuddling up on the couch with an electric blanket and some nice earl grey tea in just a few weeks here. For my downtime gaming, I've been replaying through Xenoblade 3 and its dlc prequel, Future Redeemed, and I gotta say, even if neither are perfect, they're still absolutely wonderful games. And of course, the day the Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition pre-order dropped, I bought it! This is the one Xeno meta-series game I've never played, and I'm very excited to finally get my hands on it, with the great new art assets no less. Its release is right around when I'll be having my comprehensive exam for my phd program, so while I'd like to say it'll be a little treat once I'm done, I also know there's no way I'm actually waiting that long. I finally get to meet Elma (30 years later)!
Upcoming Events
Group Promotions
Riyati Rebirth's part of two group promotions this month, both of which you should definitely check out!
Open a Portal to a New World
This promo runs from now through the end of the month (November 30), and it offers entirely free review copies of books! You'd be both helping out indie authors and getting some free books, so make sure to check out the amazing offering in this promotion.
Fantastic FREE Fantasy
Fantastic FREE Fantasy has dozens of free samples, all in the fantasy genre. This promotion lasts until December 1, so make sure to grab all the samples you want before it ends!
Books to Check Out
Review Copies/ARCs
Blood & Faith by Scott Wasilewski
Bound by Brotherhood. Torn by Addiction. A dark fantasy, hard-hitting tale about drugs, family and duty
Jacob has spent a lifetime rescuing his brother, Billy, from the devastation of addiction, but his patience is wearing thin. How many times can one man be saved before he is beyond redemption?
As the danger escalates, and the line between brother and burden blurs, Jacob, a revered teacher of The Maker's word, faces an agonising choice: sacrifice his calling to save a brother, or condemn Billy to face his demons alone. With Billy's final fix looming, Jacob must grant one last act of mercy.
*** From the gritty, war-torn Diamond Isle as seen in Scott Wasilewski's debut novel, 'Shadows of Sacrifice', comes the emotional and hard-hitting short story, Blood & Faith. Experience the painful balance between family and duty, and witness the devastating cost of an impossible decision.
Zoe Calloway And The Temporal Tides by Axl Blaze
Time Travel, Genetic Warfare, and Humanity's Fate. Zoe Calloway is about to unravel the secrets of time travel and her father's mysterious disappearance
In the year 2075, New York City becomes the battleground for humanity's future as a team of scientists, led by the brilliant geneticist Dr. Zoe Calloway, embarks on a covert mission to investigate an unauthorized time jump. Little do they know, they face a far greater challenge than anticipated. Following the revolutionary research of Zoe's late father into time travel and genetic engineering, the team discovers a path that could alter the destiny of the human race and secure its survival. However, lurking in the shadows is Chrono Kinetics, a ruthless organization determined to ensure their catastrophic failure.
As the TGRI team delves deeper into the mystery, they uncover the existence of "Project Perseus," a clandestine operation with far-reaching consequences. They encounter genetically engineered children with extraordinary abilities, including the power to manipulate time itself. The team must race against time to prevent a catastrophic future, all while unraveling the secrets of Zoe's father and the true nature of their enemy.
Will Zoe and her team be able to stop them before it's too late? Will they uncover the secrets of time travel and prevent a dystopian future from becoming a reality?
Find out in this thrilling sci-fi adventure that blends time travel, genetic engineering, and a battle against a powerful enemy. The Time Navigator Series will keep you turning the pages as the team fights to protect the timeline and ensure a better future for humanity.
Samples
Dawn of the Red Tomorrow: The Timeline and Lore of Mars after the Silence by Joseph Cruz
The Earth is gone. Can the colonists of Mars forge a new society for humanity to survive? An alternate historical account of the resilience of mankind
Dawn of the Red Tomorrow chronicles the timeline and events of The Red Tomorrow series prior to the events of The Red Frontier (Book 1). This is told through the eyes of Jethrow Strauss, a historian living on Mars, about 200 years in the future. He explains humanity's rise and fall during the 21st century, and our eventual colonization of Mars to escape a war-torn Earth. Throughout this novella, we are introduced to the many historical heroes and controversial figures throughout the history of the developing Mars society.
After the Earth suddenly goes "silent", breaking off all communication with the colonists on Mars and stranding them on the planet, they are forced to build their own society. Over the next two centuries, they experience many triumphs and advancements, but also incessant bloodshed and wars. Despite their many trials and tribulations, the tenacity and resilience of the human spirit allows society to survive and thrive. This novella is the perfect prequel and companion piece to read prior to The Red Frontier, bringing readers up to speed with the world of The Red Tomorrow, without spoiling any plot points for the series moving forward. Join us for the adventure of our lifetimes. This is the Dawn of the Red Tomorrow.
The Witch and the Wish Demon by Sarina Langer
Would you face your fears to help your childhood's imaginary friend? A standalone short story set in the Veiled world of the Chaos of Esta Anderson series
Trigger Warnings: discrimination, swearing, a brief sex scene
***
I had an imaginary friend when I was around 5, as so many children do. I called him Mister Smiley Demon. He looked a little scary at first, but he was my best friend—my only friend—until one day, he just disappeared. That was 28 years ago; I never saw him again. I thought I’d moved on, but lately I’ve been dreaming about him, and he sounds... scared. Lost somewhere he can’t escape from.
As no one knows anything about imaginary friends, I’ve no idea how to find him. My parents are definitely hiding something, but they’re not going to tell me, and I can’t find anything helpful in my family’s Book of Shadows.
As I unravel the mystery of what happened to Mister Smiley Demon and where he is now—and what exactly we are to each other—everything I believed to be true turns out to be a horrible lie steeped in prejudice.
I won’t stop at anything to find him and bring him home, even when I need to face an old fear to even try...
But will I succeed, or will I end up lost in the same prison dimension he’s been banished to?
Direct Purchase Links
Glimmers in the Night by October K. Santerelli
Book of the Witch's Son, Book 1
Jeth knows only three things - his mother is dead, his home will be taken from him, and his best chance for survival is to find an apprenticeship as a witch.
His only mistake was stealing his mother's crystal ball when he wasn't supposed to take anything. Fleeing the only home he's ever known, Jeth evades his neighbors, struggles with his magical powers, and accidentally makes a bargain with a faerie.
Jeth knows he shouldn't trust the faerie Aneirin. But when all he has to do is travel with the creature to the next town over, what's the harm? A few days on the road and he would be free to start a new life, a different life.
Or was his future already decided for him?
Closing
With that, another newsletter comes to a close-- I'm hoping to have even more news to share for the final newsletter of the year, so please be on the lookout!
Until next time,
Kala