Dearest Lore Keepers,
The hot summer breeze blows in, bringing with it the return to normalcy. Though my life is no longer dictated by school schedules, August does feel like the end of upheaval. But I suspect more change is on the horizon, because I should have a live book in the world by the end of the year! Read on for more.
Book Spotlight
The full layout is complete, and I just have to take a moment to share a brief snippet. Don’t worry, no spoilers are ahead. But things are starting to feel so real!
While I love many things about the layout, I get a little nostalgic for all the fantasy books I read growing up when I look at this page. Call me a nerd (it’s okay, I get that a lot) but there’s something about serif fonts that resonates.
Reading
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine Making Guide by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne
A riveting title, to be sure… All joking aside, I’ve been diving into a topic that has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. It will come as no surprise then that herbal medicine makes a large appearance in Lily’s Passage. Though I’m just scratching the surface of my practical knowledge, I can say I’m quite enjoying the learning process.
Quote to Ponder
“Never sequester the Spirit for the sake of a schedule.” —Xeian Frusti
I’m reminded with these words that if my days are too full to listen to the Spirit, then my days are simply too full. Which begs the question, am I too busy for God?
Updates
✨ Proofreads are officially DONE! This might be the last time I touch my book before it’s in print. 😮 I’m freaking out a little, but in a good way. Back-end things are also in place, like selecting BISAC codes for the back cover, setting retail prices, and deciding the type of paper and cover material.
✨ Things are on track for an October launch, which means Lily’s Passage will be out in the wild before Christmas! 🎉🎉🎉 If you’re interested in being part of my launch team, keep an eye on your inbox for my signup form. And if you know someone who’s passionate about fantasy books, send them my way.
✨ Here’s a sneak peek at a nonfiction project I’ve been working on → Its (working) title is “A Walk in the Garden: 7 Days of Botanical Inspiration.” If devotionals are more your speed than novels, reach out to me! I’m looking for a few people to give beta feedback on this project once it’s finished.
Lore
My love language is Quality Time, followed closely by Acts of Service. (Look up Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages if you have no idea what I’m talking about.) So when my husband and I returned from youth camp mid-July to find my mother-in-law had undertaken the HUGE project of organizing and beautifying two bedrooms in our house, I was floored. A week later, my mom came over and knocked out a few more home-improvement tasks I thought would wait until next decade to get done at the rate I’m going. These are the sort of projects I’ve desperately wanted to complete before our baby boy arrives in September, but due to vacations and more immediate household tasks, they’ve been on the back burner. That is, until those who know and love me stepped in.
Most people would be grateful for such sacrificial service. I don’t even have words to express my feelings other than—set free. Having an organized space lends to less cluttered days. Days where I can pursue the things I love (spending time with my kids, hobbies, work) instead of trudging through the overwhelm of incomplete projects. And I already notice the difference. Along with settling into a daily routine again, my inner landscape is freed up to dream, plan, and focus on the next big things—baby and book launch.
The next time you have an opportunity to serve someone, do. Don’t assume your help is unwanted or insufficient. Because though the task itself may not appear to be much, you never know what kind of impact just showing up can cause in another’s life.
As the wind blows,
Sydney Frusti
P.S. Check out this lovely space I was finally able to put together thanks to the extra help! It’s not done yet, but miles better than the overflow toy storage it’s been since we moved in. Someday I’ll complete the dark-mysterious fairy nook vibe I’m going for. One step at a time.
