Book Two - Available 21 August 2025
2 August 2025
Book Two Announcement
Announcing
THE UMBRAFORGED:
Book Two of The Forge’s Requiem Trilogy
by S. M. Grey - August 2025
I’m excited to announce both the series name, and the launch date for Book Two!
THE UMBRAFORGED: Book Two of The Forge’s Requiem Trilogy will be available Thursday, 21 August 2025 in both e-book and paperback formats.
A strange signal from across the sea prompts Altrameda and company to sail further than humanity has ventured in centuries.
Link to the novel’s page here!
… AND NOW THE SENTIMENTAL BIT
The huge, blue folder in my craft room.
A significant amount of planning for The Stormforged happened on the tram, in my phone’s note app, and on the back of kitchen order dockets. A lot of that is in this folder.
When I finally took the plunge and published The Stormforged after eight years of work, I didn’t expect to see much interest, let alone success. Then I sold 100 copies. Then 1000. Then 5000, and I was getting messages from fans expressing how much they loved Altrameda’s story.
I’m still beside myself - from the bottom of my non-mechanical heart, thank you. The characters, their struggles, and their journeys are close to me, and it’s so heartwarming to know they resonate with readers. I began work on a sequel in 2024 and have planned a third book in conjunction.
The Umbraforged is dedicated to the teachers who make time for their students who need it most.
Future Plans
When I got tired of editing Book Two, I worked on Book Three - The Dreadforged. While the first major draft is yet unfinished, I’ve made solid headway and fully intend to release The Dreadforged early next year (2026). I intend to write books beyond that, within the same universe / setting.
Also, the monthly newsletter thing didn’t work out. Deep down, I’m a bit of a recluse. Whoops.
As far as events go, I haven’t booked anything - but that may change.
Until next time!
Adelaide’s AVCon 2023 - That’s a wrap!
4 August 2023
Writer’s Newsletter - 1st edition
Adelaide’s AVCon 2023 - That’s a wrap!
by S. M. Grey - August 2023
AVCon 2023 is finished, and what an event it was! Thank you to each and every one of you who stopped by to say hello. Everything turned out better than I could have asked for.
Below, you’ll find this month’s recommendation. It’s a good one!
THIS MONTH’S TOP STORY
Still image from “Children’s Toys”
Autodale: The Animated Series
created by David James Armsby
I stumbled upon the Autodale series late one evening just a few weeks ago. The first episode that caught my attention was “Friendly Shadow” but, as keen as I thought I was to sleep, I watched the whole collection in one sitting.
Each episode stands well on its own, and when viewed as a whole, the series is marvellous. With each iteration of the series, it feels like there are more and more mysteries just below the surface that the characters intentionally turn a blind eye to - barring the Exceptional Girl, and her ilk. Ignorance is bliss… for a while, anyway.
The series touches upon subjects like a desire for same-ness, empathy/lack thereof, whether or not to question the status quo, and where the line should be drawn when it comes to desperate measures. When your sunk cost fallacy is so sunken, what do you do?
David’s commentary and illustrations in his “Making Of” videos go on to highlight the amount of care, detail, and passion he’s put into this project. He’s done the Autodale series almost entirely on his own, and has an incredible talent.
Highly recommend the series for fans of post-apocalyptic, dystopian sci-fi with a touch of Fallout.
Future Plans
Current plan is to roll out one of these newsletters on the first Friday of every month. I’ll scribble in sci-fi/fantasy recommendations, along with some tips & tricks for writing.
In between, I’ll be working on the sequel to the Stormforged (and maybe some smaller stories along the way). You’ll get sneak peeks right here, so stay tuned.
As far as events go, I’ll be at Adelaide’s Supanova Comic Con this year, on November 4-5.
Until next time!