On Curiosity at First Sight and... 💖⚙️📚
🎁 Open for convention news + Indie Bookstore Day details!
Hello!
DemiCon is just ten days away! I’m so excited to be back at the convention!! I’ve been reading over my lines for the radio play and working on notes for my panels. When I haven’t been prepping for the convention, I’ve been alternating between revisions and working a little bit on my game writing. The latter is slowing down the closer I get to the convention, but it’s fun to come back to since it ties in with the same world as my upcoming Gothic fairy tale, The Clockwork Coffin!
Curiosity at First Sight
I have been quieter on most social media channels lately as I’ve been working on revisions, except for BlueSky since it’s easier for me to pop in for a few minutes and get back to work. Earlier this week, I saw a post that really resonated with how I like to write my romances, especially for The Clockwork Coffin.
I love it when characters don’t experience instalove, but instead are immediately fascinated with each other. I do this in Forsaken Beauty and the Etherbeast, but I think the idea of “curiosity at first sight” is even more prevalent when Oliver meets Sabeline. Their first meeting is very nearly a disaster, but both of them are inexplicably drawn together, despite their valid fears and mistrust.
I’ll likely have more thoughts about this another time, but for now, you can check out the blurb for The Clockwork Coffin below:
Happily ever after has never been so deadly…
After her father broke a deal with a vengeful fae, Sabeline Vale is cursed to spend her days locked in a mechanical coffin, rising as a monster every midnight. Gifted with intelligence and magic, Sabeline does everything in her power to break free during her limited hours of humanity. But after thirteen long years with only a loyal automaton for company, hope is fading fast.
Once a contender to be a world-renowned pianist, Oliver’s dreams were shattered when tragedy struck his family. When the Vales hire him as a tutor and distraction for their adult daughter, he’s desperate for a fresh start. He didn’t count on falling for his feral and strangely charming student.
Drawn to Oliver’s tender words and romantic music, Sabeline dreads that her darkness will be his downfall. Oliver and Sabeline must find their courage to let their hearts show them how to live again.
Indie Bookstore Day
Indie Bookstore Day is on Saturday, April 26th! I’m planning on visiting a few of my local bookstores this weekend and adding to my ever-growing TBR stack.
In Central Iowa, many of the bookstores offer passports to have stamped at different shops for giveaways. Looking for a copy of Forsaken Beauty and the Etherbeast? Both Dog-Eared Books and Beaverdale Books keep it in stock!
DemiCon Schedule
DemiCon is May 2nd through May 4th at the Holiday Inn & Suites Des Moines-Northwest. I’m on multiple panels this year and I get to be in a radio play with the BrassGears Adventurers Society! I’ll be reading from Monsters and Machines (and maybe talking a little bit about Alchemy and Automatons.) Find out more about DemiCon here.
Here is my current schedule for the convention:
Writing for Radio, Saturday 10 am-10:50 am
Kelsey Josephson Reading, Saturday 12 pm-12:50 pm
Monstrous Women, Saturday 2 pm-2:50 pm
Science Fiction from Ancient Greece Until 1890, Saturday 5 pm-5:50 pm
BrassGears Adventurers Society Radio Play, Sunday Morning (time TBA)
Fusion Worlds: Blending Fantasy and Science Fiction for Unique Narratives, Sunday 2 pm-2:50 pm
When I’m not on a panel, you can find me in the Dealer Room with my books and book marks. (I’ll have help running my table, so if you miss me, you can still get books and we can catch up later.)
Dealer Room Hours:
Friday — 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Saturday — 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday — 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
For my panel descriptions, check out this post.
Chicago Steampunk Expo Schedule
The Chicago Steampunk Expo takes place from May 30th to June 1st. I’ll have a table in the Palace of Fine Arts (the vending room with artists and authors) and also presenting a few panels:
Inventions of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Friday 8 pm-8:50 pm
Reading of The Clockwork Coffin, Saturday 12 pm-12:50 pm
What if? Exploring Alternate History in Media, Sunday 12 pm-12:50 pm
When I’m not at a panel, you can find me in the Palace of Fine arts at my table. (And on Saturday night at the masquerade! 💖)
Palace of Fine Arts Hours:
Friday — 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday — 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday — 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
You can find the full convention schedule here, along with ticket information.
I’m happy that I get to panel about so many things that are tied to my new book releases! I love getting to share the research that went into both The Clockwork Coffin and Alchemy and Automatons.
60th Annual Nebula Awards Conference
I’m not paneling at the Nebulas, but I might be volunteering if I’m not too tired after Chicago. Last year, I had so much fun filling book bags and helping with registration. I really enjoy going to this conference! Spending time with other authors and learning from the panels helps me recharge. After a busy month in May, it’ll be nice to get away for a few days.
Registration just opened! If you’re an author (or an aspiring one) you can find out more here.
As always, you can find my full convention list on the Events page of my website here.
Happy reading!
