Dear ,

I dedicate this newsletter to boredom.

You read that right. There was a time when we didn't have social media. There was a time when we weren't constantly surrounded by a group of invisible people tweeting, liking and commenting on our posts, no matter where we found ourselves. There was a time when we weren't glued to our phones, or receiving truck-loads of emails that kept every second of our lives busy. There was a time when we couldn't watch movies from the back seat of the car, and when all we could do was stare out the window at the scenery.

There was a time when we were bored.

I grew up an only child (long before the internet, smart phones and social media). I had to find a way keep busy during long car trips (I couldn't read because I got car-sick). I had to find a way to fill my Sunday afternoons when friends weren't available. So, naturally, I spent a lot of time feeling bored.

But, guess what, it was during those periods of boredom that my mind began to wander, and I discovered a hidden world of fantasy and adventure within my own brain that kept me entertained for hours on end. I couldn't have written the stories I've written so far without having experienced those times of childhood boredom.

So, I will say this to you: embrace the boredom! Don't be afraid of it. Put away that iPad, put away that smart phone, shut down the social media chatter, and listen to the silence. Your mind will begin to talk to you, and you might be surprised as to what it has to say!

Whistler Independent Book Awards 2022 - shortlist

I have some exciting news! I just found out that Ben Archer and the World Beyond was shortlisted in the Whistler Independent Book Awards 2022. I'm thrilled because this book has always had a special place in my heart - not only because it takes place in a beautiful part of my region (Tofino, British Colombia), but because there's a kind of magic to the story that touched my soul. Maybe it's because the mysteries of the deep resonate with me. Or maybe it's because Ben Archer experiences a connection with the ocean that I could only dream of.

• Stay tuned, because the finalists will be announced on July 15, 2022.
• Winners will be announced during the 21st Whistler Writers Festival, 13–16 October, 2022.

Let's see what happens! :)

Writing news

In the coming months, I'll have exciting tidbits to share with you about my new series, The Lost Space Treasure.

Here's where I'm at:

• The Lost Space Treasure, Prequel: the first draft is finished.
• Exostar (The Lost Space Treasure Series, Book 1): the first draft is finished.
• Over the summer, I'll be taking a closer look at the plot for the following books, while I'll ask my editor to go over the first drafts.
• My book cover designer is working on the covers.
• I have an illustrator lined up to create a map of the galaxy that we will be exploring.

Thank you to those who voted for the name of a planet. Here are the results:

• 56.1% voted for Gemelo
• 43.9% voted for Dyphibus

Heads up:

• Ben Archer and the Cosmic Fall will be FREE on June 8-10, 2022.
• The Knowledge Seeker will be $0.99 on June 15-17, 2022.

What's up in the neighbourhood?

There isn't much to report. We have an extra special summer planned so, in the meantime, it's work, work, work. I look forward to sharing pictures of my birth country with you in the coming months, where I will finally experience all those family and friend hugs that I've been yearning for since the pandemic began. More on that soon!

What about you? Do you have any pans for the summer? Let me know at raeknightly@gmail.com.

June 2022 reading list

Flow (The Flow Series Book 1) by Clare Littlemore

A drowned planet. A terrible secret. A girl desperate for answers.

In a world where sea levels have risen to unimaginable levels, an isolated society exists. Life in The Beck is tough. Floodwaters constantly threaten existence, and rules must be followed to ensure the survival of the entire society.

Sixteen-year-old Quin knows the Governor is hiding something. When she receives a sudden promotion to the Patrol Sector, she hopes the extra freedom will help her expose his lies.

Life in Patrol is not what she expected, though. The new recruits train hard, and failure is not tolerated. When she attracts the attention of the handsome, mysterious Cam, he warns her that asking questions could get her killed.

But Quin can’t resist. She digs deeper and discovers that there's more to Cam than meets the eye. With her heart and her life on the line, Quin has to decide how far she is willing to go to protect the people she loves.

Packed with intriguing characters, thrilling action and slow-burn romance, this gripping story will keep you up all night. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Giver.

The Legend of Hobart by Heather Mullaly

A Kirkus Best Book of 2021

Tired of being teased about his name and his stutter, twelve-year-old Hobart sets out to do a few heroic deeds and earn a place in Knight School. But the local damsels he hopes to save assure him that the last thing they need is rescuing. The runaway bull he tries to catch wears him like a hat. And don't even ask about the ogre.

Finally, in desperation, Hobart sets out on the most daring quest he can think of--he will slay a dragon. Or that's his plan anyway.

The Legend of Hobart is a hilarious, heart-felt adventure, for the would-be hero in all of us.

The Day the Pirates Went Mad by Trevor Atkins

In 1701, orphanage runaway Emma Sharpe changed the direction of her life when she stowed away aboard the New Adventure. A year later, she’s rated an able seaman and is an important part of the crew. Just how important becomes clear during her next voyage to the West Indies when the crew recovers an abandoned pirate treasure. As tempers fray and unusual arguments become more frequent, Emma starts to believe there might really be a curse on the gold they took. With the help of cabin boy Jack Randall, Emma dares to confront the growing threat of violence amongst the formerly close-knit crew. Will they save everyone in time? Can they save themselves?

Anya of Ark by Kristian Joseph

The earth flooded, the old world drowned, and now the last humans fight against the elements, on a vast driftwood town.

Welcome to the Ark, humanity's last chance of survival.

Anya Fairheart knows only the cold harsh reality of the raft. On her sixteenth birthday, she must choose her role in the tribe; an Ark tradition she cannot escape. Deep down Anya knows what she wants to become, but a daring trial, and the old ways of her people, may keep her from her dream.

Little does she know that her wants and wishes may not matter, as everything is about to change. Below the Ark, in the deep dark endless ocean, monsters are lurking in the water, and the old ways will never be the same.

Prepare for an epic action-packed adventure filled with injustice, conflict, imaginative monsters and a wild underwater world.

Happy reading!

Rae Knightly

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