Hi, hello! I’m Courtney. I write contemporary fantasy and make haunted audio fiction. You’re probably here because you turned down an oddly-lit aisle at your local library and found the building transforming into text around you. Or maybe it’s because you heard about my debut fantasy novel​ or my ​cozy horror audio drama series​ and wanted to learn more. Whatever the case, welcome!

So, it turns out that being on con programming is much more enjoyable when your brain hasn’t convinced your body that you’re secretly fighting a bear.

This month, I took a page from my own protagonist and decided it would be good if I didn’t have to white knuckle my anxiety anymore. My PCP agreed. And it turns out, medication is kind of magic. Scientific magic that lets me enjoy myself while public speaking.

I had an absolute blast at WorldCon, moderated a fantastic panel called And I’m All Out of Spoons, met some of my fellow debuts, did my first public reading of Higher Magic, and had an early launch party to celebrate—at which attendees used my magic system to compose spells.

Now, we’re just over five weeks out from publication day, and I’ve got a lot of news. Some of it’s secret but here’s what I can share:

• My official launch party will be hosted by Yankee Bookshop and the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, VT on October 7th. Hope to see some of you there!

• If you preorder with Yankee Bookshop, you can get a signed copy of Higher Magic and two stickers I designed!

• If you preordered anywhere (including Yankee Bookshop!), fill out this form and I’ll email you a copy of Bartleby’s Spell Composition I syllabus and an audio dramatization of a cut scene after Higher Magic comes out!

  • I’ve brought together some of the amazing voice actors and the sound designer I got to work with for my audio drama to bring the scene to life, and I’m really very excited about it!

• We’re giving away 5 copies of Higher Magic on Goodreads. Enter by September 21!

• I’m also going to be giving away an annotated physical copy of Higher Magic and some moon-themed swag this month to mark the lunar eclipse. It occurs exactly one month before pub day, which I’m delighted by because moon phases and events are a core part of my magic system. Keep an eye on my Bluesky or Insta on the 7th for details!

Updates

That was a lot, so I’ll keep this section short and say that I’m getting the lichen horror novella I accidentally method wrote (looking at you, fungal infection I was convinced was just skin discoloration for an embarrassing amount of time) ready to go on sub very soon. It’s set in Vermont and it’s full of culty exvangelical-but-not home-schooled-kid grief and anger and deconstruction. And lichen, as you might expect. So much delightful lichen. 😈

August Recommendations

I tore through and adored The Keeper of Lonely Spirits by E. M. Anderson earlier this month. It’s cozy and creepy with heart-wrenching stakes and an elderly protagonist and siblings. I highly recommend it.

ALSO have you seen what Florence has in store for us??? Join me in anticipation.

Thanks for wallowing with me,

Courtney