Back From The Shadows(Pun Intended): Updates, Events, and Chaos Ahead

Hey friends,

It’s been way too long since my last blog post, and honestly… so much has happened that I hardly know where to start.

The last few months have been an absolute whirlwind. My dark romantasy debut, Shadows of A Withering Heart, released (!!) and I’ve been completely blown away by the response. Seeing Violet and Ryland out in the wild—being read, loved, sobbed over, maybe cursed at (in a loving way, of course)—has been one of the most surreal experiences of my life.

Thank you, truly, to everyone who has picked up Shadows, shared it with a friend, left a review, or just sent me a message saying how much these characters mean to you. Those little moments keep me going through the long nights of writing and planning.

But that’s not all that’s been happening in the land of smut, lore, and betrayal…

Upcoming Events – Come See Me In Person!

With Shadows out in the world, I’ve been hitting the ground running with local events to meet readers face-to-face (and to share my growing hoard of books and merch).

My next big event is happening September 20th, 2025 at GoArt in Batavia, NY. This one is especially close to my heart because it’s right here in my hometown, and it’s going to be so much fun. Think:

• Signed copies of Shadows of A Withering Heart, Of Fire, Flesh, and Fables, and From The Ashes

• Exclusive merch you won’t find anywhere else (stickers, magnets, and some brand-new designs 👀)

• A rebellion-worthy table setup complete with dark, magical vibes

• Lots of time to chat, laugh, and geek out over Stelladir lore

And then, looking ahead, I’ll be hosting a huge ticketed event on January 17th, 2026 at ArtisanWorks in Rochester. That one is going to be artsy, immersive, and… well, let’s just say it’s going to be unlike anything I’ve done before. More details on that coming soon.

If you’re local, come say hi at GoArt—I would love to meet you!

What I’ve Been Working On (aka Writing Chaos 101)

While all this event planning has been happening, I’ve also been juggling some serious writing projects behind the scenes. Right now, I’m deep into Veil of A Fractured Oath, the second main book in the Veil & Valor Chronicles. This one follows House Veythorne, bringing us into Draethen, the City of the Gilded Crown. Expect lavish masquerade balls, razor-sharp political games, deliciously slow-burn romance, and so many daggers hidden behind pretty smiles.

Meanwhile, I’m still plugging away at Cities of A Dying Sun, the massive companion lore book that will give you a deeper look at the five core cities of Stelladir. Think maps, myths, hidden locations, legends, and the messy histories that shaped the world Violet and Ryland are fighting in.

Oh, and because apparently I can’t sit still, I’ve also been brainstorming new fables for Of Fire, Flesh, and Fables, my darkly sensual fairytale collection. You’ve all been showing that book so much love since its release in June, and it’s been inspiring me to keep expanding it.

Reflections: From Idea to Reality

There are still moments where I stop and think about how far this journey has come. A few years ago, Stelladir was just a story in my head—a messy stack of notebooks and late-night what-ifs.

Now?

• Shadows of A Withering Heart is a physical book that readers are devouring.

• I’m prepping for events where I get to meet some of you in person (!!).

• And I’m laying the groundwork for the rest of the Veil & Valor series, which still blows my mind to think about.

It’s not always glamorous—there are plenty of nights full of ink-stained hands, vinyl scraps stuck to my desk, and way too much caffeine—but it’s mine, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

What’s Next

So, what’s next for me and the Veil & Valor Chronicles?

• September 20th – GoArt Event (Batavia, NY)

• September 23rd – Coffee & Chronicles Pop-Up at The Coffee Press @13 Jackson Street, Batavia NY

• October 8th — Coffee & Chronicles Pop-Up at Eden Cafe @242 Ellicott Street, Batavia, NY

• January 17th – Big ArtisanWorks Event (Rochester, NY)

• Continuing edits and expansions for Cities of A Dying Sun

• Writing Veil of A Fractured Oath like a madwoman because I refuse to leave you hanging after Shadows

• New merch drops, exclusive designs, and maybe a few secret projects I can’t talk about just yet…

If you’ve read Shadows, come find me at GoArt and tell me which character ruined you the most—or which one you’d like to stab in the face. (No judgment either way. 😘)

Thank you for sticking with me through all the chaos, the late-night updates, and the wild ride that is self-publishing. Whether you’ve been here since the early drafts or just picked up your first book, you are part of this journey, and I am endlessly grateful for you.

Stay magical, stay rebellious,

Marissa

P.S. If you haven’t left a review for Shadows yet, now’s the perfect time! Those reviews help more than you know. 💚