lochwood-court-klvs2

State of the Union

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 01:51:18 GMT

A little update about what we've been up to!

Hello there, dreamers.

It’s been awhile since we’ve checked in, and it’s my turn to write a blog post, so instead of my usual cozy tips I thought I’d catch you up on the goings-on here at LCB.

On February 25, 2025, K. D. Prince’s first novel, and the first book ever published by Lochwood Court Books was released into the world.

It was a very big day for all of us here and we are still reeling from the excitement of it all. We are so thankful to our friends and family for their support, and are giddy every time we get an order. We have even made some new friends in this process, and are currently working with a local graphic artist that we are obsessed with on some cover designs for upcoming projects. (Shoutout to you, Nikki! She also has an Etsy in collaboration with her partner where you can get some adorable crocheted creatures and beautiful wood-burned art! Click HERE to visit her store!)

Speaking of upcoming projects, we have an exciting roster to give you a sneak peak of.

In the next eighteen months we have four more books set to be released from two new authors, as well as the next two installments in the world of Tredecimor.

From author Brea Darling (me), we have a Christmas romance novel with a tentative release of October. You can expect hilarious banter, cozy Christmas vibes, strong female friendships, found family, and a sweet romance that will give you all the angst with none of the spice!

Our next new author is Scarlett Novak, and while I will let her tell you about her book, I am very excited to finish reading it! If she could just… finish writing it. I kid, but really- it’s so good.

We also have the highly anticipated sequel to The Last Dreamwalker on the docket. We will reveal the name and release date as it gets closer, but we are so excited to be back in the world of Tredecimor and are all having a great time writing and editing this book!

Finally, the first of many spin-off standalones for The Saga of Dreams is in the works! The book has been outlined, but is currently on the backburner while we focus on TLD book two!

I hope you’re as excited as we are for what the future holds for Lochwood Court Books. We feel so thankful to have this amazing opportunity, and the best part is that we get to do it with our dearest friends.

Yours in Coziness,

Brea

Reading Must-Haves (From a Shopaholic)

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 02:45:13 GMT

What products do you use regularly for reading?

Welcome back, friends.

In today’s episode of “Bullied Into Writing a Blog Post at the Last Minute” (although it should be noted that I absolutely was given multiple weeks’ notice and copious reminders, and it still took me like a month and a half to finish this), we will be once again exploring two of Ashley’s very favorite things-

Reading & Online Shopping.

Obviously the two go hand-in-hand, right? Okay, maybe not… but trust me when I say, I can make anything work in combination with online shopping (just ask Braden… or maybe don’t).

I’ll be the first to admit I may have the tiniest online shopping addiction. Amazon has not yet listed a product that I couldn’t imagine purchasing- couldn’t imagine a perfect use for in my home- and they have some truly outlandish sh*t (am I allowed to swear in blog posts??). With that being said, I also don’t actually do much of anything aside from spend time at home with my family, work two jobs, care for a myriad of animals I literally had to adopt, and sleep. Lots of sleep. In my spare time (it’s likely a myth, honestly), though, I am an avid reader.

I’ve been a reader™ since the first grade, when my super cool, elderly, Russian neighbor lady introduced me to Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone. I blew through this first real story at her house, armed with a dictionary and a notepad. Every time I ran across a word I didn’t understand- which was often-, she would make me find it in the dictionary. More often than not, I also struggled with the definitions because- let’s be real- I was six. When this happened, Sam would stop what she was doing (ie. watching daytime soaps and chain smoking those long, Cruella Deville cigarettes) to explain it to me in context. By the time I’d finished Book 1, I was hooked.

From that point on, I’ve always made time to read. Probably too much time at some points in my life, sacrificing sleep and a social life to escape into worlds nested between beaten covers. I’m a dog ear-ing, book in the bathtub kind of reader. One who's always felt that the more cracks on a book’s spine, the more loved it is. What I’ve never been though, is an aesthetic reader. All of us here at LCB leave the cozy and cutesy to Brea, obviously.

That’s not to say I’m not practical, though. While I’ve often made do- reading wherever and whenever I have a spare minute- as I’ve grown older (and my back and knees have dramatically declined with the rapid approach of thirty), I’ve come to appreciate comfort. Nearly two decades of friendship with Brea were bound to leave a mark and I’ve noticed a dramatic increase in my reading prep to maintain the proper vibe. When possible, I like to prepare myself and my space to ensure the max level of relaxation (only to have it quickly shattered by the pack of feral wolves I call my children or the cutting words of authors like KDP as they happily slice away at my favorite characters).

And that, my friends, is where this circles back to online shopping. How do I prep for a top-tier reading sesh? With things and stuff, DUH. And where do we find things and stuff? Online, in shops and sites that are just begging for me to overspend my allowance.

After an entire page of my half-asleep ramblings, we have arrived at the point of this post- my favorite online shopping finds, things I personally own and love and utilize regularly when reading.

One of my very favorite reading-adjacent items was actually an accidental discovery- Shokz OpenRun Pro 2s. I actually purchased these headphones to be used as intended, for running. They’re bone conduction headphones with a back band that hold them snugly in place while exercising. Oddly enough, that band also keeps them pretty secure as I turn slowly in my bed like a rotisserie chicken, always seeking the comfiest position.

It should be noted that I do still use them to run, but I use them far more often to read (because obviously, reading > running, every time). With these headphones in, you can still hear the world around you in case you need to referee a wrestling match between kids or listen to your dogs alerting to the sound of a squirrel sneezing four blocks away. They don’t actually sit inside your ear hole (is there a technical name for this?), but instead just in front, saving you from ear fatigue with long use. The battery life is also insanely good.

I can’t listen to lyrics while reading due to a truly alarming level of ADHD, but I have found a few alternatives that work perfectly for maintaining the vibe. This of course, leads me into my next must-have:

A good playlist.

I’m counting this as an online shopping purchase because either you’re old AF, still buying digital albums circa 2008, or you’re paying a subscription to access music. My personal favorite comes from an absolute godsend- Iris- on Spotify. Iris is clearly all about the vibe and has more than a dozen aptly named playlists (“Middle School Emo Phase”, “Hot Girl Shit”, and “Growing up is Scary and IDK What to do” to name a few). The real MVP of the page though, is “Studying in a Castle Library.”

This playlist is f*cking magic (there I go again with the potty mouth). It’s heavy on the piano instrumentals and not a single song has words to jumble in my head and tear my focus away from my book. If you don’t have Spotify (like me six months ago, who held onto my Apple Music subscription far too long with no regard to its clear inferiority), get it ASAP. Once you do, look up this magical, sublime, downright ethereal playlist and you’re set.

Next up, we have my favorite purchase of 2024 (and trust me, there have been a lot)-

THE J-shaped Pregnancy Pillow.

Am I currently pregnant? No. Did I buy this while pregnant? Also no. But I remembered how much I loved my old one when I was, and that led me back to Amazon.

This pillow is amazing. Truly, it does everything. It can be folded up and used behind your back to sit up, but obviously it’s intended purpose is the best option. Laying down, head supported on the curved top portion, and legs wrapped around the bottom. When laying in bed, flopping around like the aforementioned rotisserie chicken, this thing adds comfort in any position.

It’s fluffy, but still firm enough to give support. It’s also wide enough to help hold your book, phone, or Kindle and save your (read: my) weak little noodle arms when they get tired. Seriously, don’t sleep on this must-have (or do… ya know, cuz it’s a pillow).

Speaking of Kindles (see that totally casual segue there?)-

I bought my Kindle Scribe this year and LOVE IT. I’m a woman who loves lists and also reads late at night without my glasses, making this device two for two. It has a notebook feature where you can hold multiple notebooks in multiple folders to organize all your many to-do lists and vaguely-coherent ramblings. The pen writes like a dream, giving the real tactile feel of a pencil on notebook paper. It’s also large enough to easily read your books without having to squint yourself into a headache if you take your glasses off.

The negative to this is that it’s harder to hold than a phone would be. I purchased a case that can prop up and has a handle on the back (an elastic strap that your hand slides into), and this has helped immensely. If you’re more of a compact Kindle girly, one of my friends also recently introduced me to the newer, smaller Kindle (in the color Matcha which is honestly so cute). It’s essentially palm sized and if I wasn’t buying Christmas presents for four hooligans rn and didn’t already have another Kindle I love, I’d buy this one too. In fact, I probably will anyways.

The final thing I swear by is a good drinky. This of course, is whatever you want it to be, because we all have different tastes. For example, I’d rather die than drink coffee or tea. But I always have a water bottle nearby, and I can chug Lotus (plant-based energy drink concentrate that you mix with syrups, sort of like Italian soda’s tastier, energizing cousin) like nobody’s business.

For the purpose of introducing things I love and think you should also try, I’m going to focus on Lotus. We simply do not have time to fall down the “what water is the best water?” rabbit hole (hint: it’s Smart Water).

Lotus is a staple in the drive-thru coffee stands in my small town, but I’ve started making them at home to save time and money. You can buy the concentrated syrup, added flavors, and a pump, then mix whatever you’d like. Plus the big bottles last FOREVER (we’re talking like 6+ months). My very favorite is blue Lotus with sugar free blue raspberry & lime. It tastes so similar to a blue raspberry jolly rancher. Cue the drooling. Brea likes the skinny gold Lotus with blackberry & peach, and Kendall mixes it up. I would advise sticking to Torani syrups- they have the best flavors and are most concentrated in my experience.

Lotus itself is a cool product. It’s got enough caffeine to replace a traditional energy drink, but it’s plant-based and supports gut health and immune defense. If you go to their website, you can see a ton of info about why it’s a much healthier alternative to the chemical caffeine you might be drinking right now. Their website also offers a 20% off code for first time buyers, too.

Okay, okay. It’s probably time to stop recommending random items to you (before your partners all blow up our admin email when they see the Amazon account this month). Honestly though, if you’re past the age of 25 and still not reading in comfort, make some changes. You deserve it. Hell, even if you’re younger, do your future self a favor and get cozy. I know my back would’ve appreciated less time spent reading on the floor of the bleachers in a high school auditorium.

Signing off sarcastically,

Ashley

Links to products:

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Headphones- https://amzn.to/4iUgdUb

J Shaped Pregnancy Pillow- https://amzn.to/3VYpm40

Kindle Scribe- https://amzn.to/3PiZMmU

Kindle Scribe Case- https://amzn.to/3Phz3Hi

New Kindle- https://amzn.to/4iTkA1D

Lotus- https://lotusenergydrinks.com/

5 Cozy Tips on Starting to Listen to Audiobooks

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 04:01:41 GMT

Do you listen to audiobooks?

I am an equal opportunity reader. I love to read physical books and ebooks, but the type of reading I do the most is audiobooks! (Don’t even start with me on the “listening to audiobooks isn’t reading” argument.) I am a busy girl, and as much as I would love to read for hours every day, it’s just not realistic most of the time. So, in order to still consume books and work my way through my EXTENSIVE TBR*, I listen to audiobooks!

I know that a lot of people have tried audiobooks before and just didn’t vibe with them. So if that’s you, or if you have been considering trying out audiobooks, but don’t know where to start… This is for you!

I truly love the cozy vibe that audiobooks can bring to different tasks or chores in my life. I listen while I drive, work, and clean my house. It is so nice to still get to “read” while I girl-boss my way through my to-do list.

Here are 5 cozy tips to get you started on your love of audiobooks!

Find free audiobooks!

There are a few ways to get free audiobooks. The safest, legal-est, and most recommended (by me) way to get them is through your local library! Libby is the app that my library uses, but if you’re not sure what your library offers check their website or reach out to them! A year or two into using audiobooks, I also discovered that my library has partner libraries that I can access on Libby as well, which significantly expanded the number of books I had access to. So, don’t be like me, ask your library if they have partner libraries too from the get-go!

Pay attention to the narrator.

The right narrator can make or break an audiobook listening experience. I have absolutely DNF’d (bookish speak for “did not finish”) an audiobook simply because I did not vibe with the narrator. If they’re someone you just listened to and didn’t like, maybe don’t try to listen to them again. Conversely, if you finish a book and think “Gods above, that narrator made me feel like I was dancing at Starfall in Velaris the whole time..” (ACOTAR reference, in case you didn’t know) then you should definitely look them up and listen to more of their work!

Adjust the speed!

Playing around with the speed can help with listening to an audiobook and staying engaged. If you find yourself zoning out, it could be because you’re not listening to the book fast enough. If you find yourself missing parts and feeling confused, maybe you need to slow it down!

Don’t force yourself to listen to a book if you’re hating it.

This might seem obvious, but I have definitely fallen victim to this in the past. Forcing yourself to keep listening to a book that is simply not doing it for you is not going to benefit you in the long run. All you’re going to do is send yourself into a reading slump** and nobody wants that. DNF the book, girl. It will be ok.

Tandem listen and read!

I don’t do this very often, but whenever I do, I really enjoy it! When I’m reading a book that I’m really enjoying, but can’t sit down and read the physical copy, I will listen to the audiobook version. Then, when I am able to sit down and cozy up, I will pick up where I left off on the audiobook, in the physical copy! Sometimes you can even follow along while listening to the book, which might help you get used to listening to audiobooks if you’re a newbie.

I hope that these tips help you!

Yours in coziness,

Brea

*A TBR is a “to be read” pile. It is a list/compilation of the books that you would like to read.You will often see folks in the bookish community joking about how they will simply never be able to read all of the books on their TBR.

**A reading slump is bookish speak for that overwhelming feeling of ick you get at the thought of picking up a book and trying to read it. This usually happens after you have read a very good book and are sad that you live in the human realm with the boring mortals.. OR can happen when you make yourself read a terrible book and have unintentionally convinced your brain that all books = bad.

7 Tips for Combating Writer's Block

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:16:44 GMT

Got writer's block? These tips can help!

7 Tips for Combating Writer’s Block

It is a well-known joke amongst the writing community that writers have a complicated relationship with the act of writing itself.

I have wheezed laughing over relatable videos expressing the sheer irony that sitting down and actually writing the dang book is the hardest part. Writers- at our core- are storytellers, and thinking about the story in our minds is infinitely more fun than sitting at a keyboard and physically punching the letters down onto the page.

We put aside time for writing, we tell ourselves we need to do it more, we have word count goals, etc. only to finally touch our fingertips to the keys and- nothing.

This isn’t always the case, of course. For discovery writers or “pantsers” like myself, we are completely at the mercy of our inspirational mojo. I often tell the team that I gotta “ride the inspo wave.” This simply means that when the wave is high, the words flow quickly and effortlessly (but definitely not error-free, as they will so kindly point out) from my fingers and I can write three chapters in a single night.

But when it's low tide, so to speak… Crickets. Nothing. Not a single thing exists between my ears, and writing when I’m in this state feels akin to forcing something unnatural, like trying to walk a tightrope in roller skates. It’s just freakin’ hard.

So, I have compiled some of my own personal strategies for combating inspirational low tide. Keep in mind, results may vary. These techniques work consistently for me, but that doesn’t mean they are universal or guaranteed. Additionally, nearly all of these are geared toward Fiction, more specifically Fantasy writers, but a couple of them could work for any genre. Without further ado- here we go.

1. Write Out of Order

Never feel like you have to sit down and write your whole story in perfect chronological order. Oftentimes the cause of my writer’s block was simply because I had reached a point in the story that I didn’t quite know how to form yet or that hadn’t come to me. When that happens, I jump around in the story. If there is a future scene that you’re excited about and is calling to be born, don’t put it off simply because it’s not in proper order. Write whatever part of the story is nudging you and then come back to the other parts later. This happened multiple times in The Last Dreamwalker, and inevitably- every time- those scenes that were the hardest to wrap my head around would come to me eventually after I took some time to write around them.

2. Worldbuild

This, of course, is great for Fantasy authors, especially Epic Fantasy authors, but could also still work for other Fiction genres as well. If writing isn’t coming to you, then switch to worldbuilding. Design fun parts of your universe. Pull up some character profile prompts and start filling them out for different people in your story. Think about the town they live in, slice of life memories they’ve had, and fluffy filler for the world around them. Even though not every worldbuilding aspect can or will be used in the story itself (a fact that the team has to ground me to on the daily), the act of thinking about your world and characters in a non-plot way can still reignite your passion for what you’ve created and may kickstart your writing inspiration.

3. Watch Writing or Worldbuilding Content

When in doubt, put the keyboard down and hop on the internet. Pick your poison: TikTok, Insta, Reddit- mine, personally, is YouTube. Start typing in things like “author tips,” or “how to overcome writer’s block,” or “worldbuilding advice.” Then start listening to what other people in the industry have to say. The fact you’re here reading this is already a good start. There’s a lot out there- of course- so take some and leave some. Regardless, I’ve found that consuming content relating to writing usually makes me excited to implement the new tips I’ve learned.

4. Re-Read What You’ve Already Written

In my experience, if you start re-reading your WIP, you’re absolutely going to start tweaking it. You’ll add a little here, subtract a little there, change a word, alter a setting, and suddenly, before you know it, you are continuing on with whole paragraphs and scenes. There is some debate out there on whether this counts as editing-as-you-go, which some people will say is totally fine while others will scream that it’s the worst possible idea on earth- but I stand by this tip. If you don’t know what to write next, read what you’ve already got and maybe whatever’s next will start building itself from there.

5. Share Your WIP With a Support Person

This one comes with the strong caveat that whoever is reading your WIP should be genuinely enthusiastic about it, and not coerced or feeling obligated to read. I’m hyper-aware of how egregious a sin this is, but I am actually not an avid reader. I rarely read for fun. I’ve taken editing classes and learned that reading incomplete or unpolished work actually drives me up-the-wall insane. For me, it is the mental equivalent of nails on a chalkboard, so I would not be a good person to ask for this. That is what my beautiful team is for. The key here is to show it to someone that will hype you up. Someone that will comment on the story and the characters, ask follow-up questions, and give positive, constructive feedback. Usually this is a sure-fire way to get you excited about your work and, in turn, eager to add to it.

6. Get In The “Zone”

Find whatever setting and activity combo puts you in a semi-meditative imaginative state, and do it! Everyone has different things that help with this. A classic example is taking a shower or a bath. For others, it could be taking a walk, fishing, crochet, whathaveyou. For me, it’s going for a drive. I love just driving around- looking at pretty scenery, listening to my favorite music, and just letting my thoughts go. I love it so much- in fact- that the term “inspo-drive” might as well be officially trademarked amongst the team. Something about jamming out to tunes on the open road, with the window down, just really lets my creativity thrive. I always come up with something for the story when I consciously take inspo-drives, so for me, it’s a go-to. I really can’t recommend this enough- find whatever your zone is and then consciously add time to your schedule to get in it.

7. Take A Break

If you’ve tried multiple techniques to cure your block, if you’ve stared at your WIP for hours on end and you’re now officially banging your head against the keyboard- there is something to be said for just taking a few days and doing anything else. Sometimes we are too close to the project to gain any clarity. If all else fails, put it down for a while and I promise you, if the story is meant to be born, it will come back to you. During the 2.5 year process of writing The Last Dreamwalker, I went through large swaths of time not working on it at all. By large, I mean multiple month long breaks on occasion. For the record, I don’t recommend putting your project down for that long. I did always come back, but on the longer stretches of time, it was just harder to transition, as if I had to re-introduce myself to the story and where I was within it. I would say a handful of days, maybe a couple of weeks, would be a good length of time before trying to come back to it.

There you have it! KD Prince’s patented fool-proof (not) cure for inspirational low tide and writer’s block. What do you think of these tips? What has worked for you in the past? Let us know!

May your dreams guide you,

KD Prince

The Last Dreamwalker Characters as Taylor Swift Songs

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 21:03:32 GMT

Which character would you most like to meet based off of our descriptions?

Hey all,

I have been tasked with writing a blog post by the benevolent dictators (Brea & KDP, obviously). Something about “contributing to the team”? So anyways, my task here is to find a topic that’s both pertinent to Lochwood Court and that I’m interested enough in to wax poetic about for a full length blog post.

Enter two of my great passions - The Last Dreamwalker & our queen, Miss Taylor Alison Swift.

Buckle up fans & friends (one and the same right?), we’re going to do what every well-intentioned Swiftie does on the regular- relate TS songs to our (and by our, I obviously mean, TLD dream team’s) lives.

I will, regrettably, have to make this somewhat vague in terms of explanations because if I merely hint at the teensiest, tiniest of spoilers, my beloved co-owners at LCB will be out for blood (think “No Body, No Crime”). With that in mind, I’m going to share one song that fits the *vibe* for each member our beloved TLD fam.

Valsyntheatrix - “Innocent”

Oh Val, our sweet, naive lead. Throughout TLD, Val struggles with the breakdown of a childlike naïveté while walking through the complicated and often traumatic dreams of friends. Has Val ever met these mortals? No, absolutely not. Still reasonable to consider them friends when you stand silently alongside the dream team through both triumphs and devastation. “Innocent” embodies Val’s struggle to live up to lofty expectations and the bittersweet nostalgia of growing up. “Wasn’t it beautiful runnin’ wild ‘til you fell asleep / Before the monsters caught up to you?” Just UGH.

Cairo - “You’re on Your Own, Kid”

Cairo is just a freaking gem- a literal, royal gem. He struggles early on through some highly relatable qualms of adolescence (parental-approval seeking kids, raise your hands). “You’re on Your Own, Kid” is a growing up tale about learning to rely on yourself and who gets this better than Cairo, with his unexpected crash course in independence? “‘Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned / Everything you lose is a step you take / So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it / You’ve got no reasons to be afraid.” Cairo loses what he felt was “everything,” only to discover that there was so much out there waiting for him.

Miriam - “A Place in This World”

Miri is the quintessential young scholar- eager to learn and alive with curiosity. She’s simultaneously wise for her age and a typical teenager trying to navigate her way through a life without regrets (good luck there, girl). The “I don’t know what I want, so don’t ask me / ‘Cause I’m still trying to figure it out” Miri grows swiftly into “I’m just a girl on a mission / But I’m ready to fly” Miri within TLD as she spreads her wings to take on new challenges and adventures.

MingLi - “Eyes Open”

This was the song that inspired this post really, because I’m not sure any of them can fit a character as well as this song fits Ming. We meet MingLi starting as a child, playing war games with low stakes and an optimistic outlook. Life happens (understatement of the year) and suddenly both “every lesson forms a new scar” and “nobody comes to save you now” hit harder than entirely necessary, tbh.

Kenrick - “Castles Crumbling”

Oh, Kenrick. Stupid, lovable, generally well-intentioned (but with terrible execution), Kenrick. He could probably learn a thing or two from this song - “I pushed it too far / I held that grudge / til it tore me apart.” This song is all about having high hopes (for yourself & your life) and watching that castle come crumbling down as a result of your own actions. If that doesn’t scream Kenrick to you by the time you finish this book, we need to talk (read: fight about it).

Seiyo - “Safe & Sound”

Well, I’m not sure how to write this explanation without tears, dramatics, or spoilers. Suffice it to say, I’m a hardcore Seiyo-stan and the whole song reflects her pure, nurturing spirit with only the slightest nod to how dirty our good pal KDP does her throughout this entire book.

Phew. Okay, folks- there you have it. No one can say Ashley doesn’t contribute to the team- although this may very well be the last y’all hear from me as I wasn’t quite as spoiler-free as I’m sure they’d prefer.

Happy Reading!

Signing off sarcastically,

Ashley

5 Cozy Tips to Bring Your Evening Reading Sesh to the Next Level

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 21:52:41 GMT

Which one is your favorite?

I am a vibes girl™ to my core. Life is sad and scary and annoying and unfun so much of the time. So, if there is anything I can do to escape that reality, even for a short time, your girl is going to do it.

This makes me uniquely qualified to give you advice on how to say "duces" to reality yourself.

Follow along for an upcoming series of how-to posts for all things bookish. First up: escapism.

Lets go!

Make yourself a fancy drink.

My go-to for this one is something warm and sweet, but I have done a fun iced number a time or two as well. The best way to take a normal drink up a notch is to add things to it. You don't just want a hot chocolate. You want a hot chocolate with whipped cream and caramel drizzle and sprinkles in a pretty cup (bonus escapism tip, get said cup at the thrift store). You don't just want an iced soda. You want an iced soda with a lime wedge in a fancy glass with a straw (reusable, obviously, we're not savages). Honorable mention to ice water, in a glass, with a straw. Simple works here too, folks, and we love a hydrated girly.

Comfort is key, but make it extra.

Put on those fuzzy socks, but make sure they match your 'fit. Wear your jams, but the cute ones with the matching top. Crank up the heating pad and snuggle into your favorite seasonal fleece blanket. Bonus points awarded for copious amounts of throw pillows. Be comfy, but I promise if you also look cute it will take it to the next level.

Snackies

Do I need to elaborate? You can't be escaping reality while your stomach is growling. Get yourself a snack, but make it slightly more substantial than potato chips or cookies. We want to see some color variety in there, ladies (I'm not saying that sour candies don't count, but I'm also not saying that they do)!

Choose the right book

The right book for the vibe we're trying to elicit is so important. If we are going for a Pirates of the Caribbean aesthetic with your flowy white nightgown and "ale" (cream soda in a beer stein, obvs, because actual beer is gross), then maybe a sports romance is not the right move, ya know?

AMBIANCE

My favorite thing to do when I am needing a lil escape from my life: YouTube. Ambiance.

I don't remember when I discovered these, but I can tell you that they have become a daily part of my life. They make them for every occasion. They have ones with crackling fires, storms, library noises (literally- pages turning, people walking around, hushed chatter- it's the best thing ever). I am here to swear to you.. this absolutely makes or breaks your reading to escape reality vibes.

Also, light a candle.

That's all I've got for you today. Comment below your favorite thing to do to take your reading sesh to the next level. Also, if you try any youtube ambiances, please comment your favorite one below! I'm always adding more to my saved playlist.

Yours in coziness,

Brea

I Wrote a Book

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 01:58:10 GMT

I wrote a book?

A little late on the uptake on this one- but, we've been celebrating and processing.

On the night of October 12th, I penned the final few words of my debut epic fantasy novel: The Last Dreamwalker. Although we have been editing extensively as we go, this is the first final draft, and we still have a long road ahead but ultimately - I can say, for the first time the very simple words-

I wrote a book.

I can't explain what this moment means to me. It's a personal monumental milestone. I have been dreaming of being an author my whole life, but it always seemed like such an intangible goal. In the past I have started so many story ideas, but finishing any of them just felt so daunting that a part of me truly never believed I would, or even could.

To prove myself wrong feels so damn good.

The first seedlings of the concept for The Last Dreamwalker were planted in my imagination in 2012 when I was seventeen.

A full seven years later I developed an anxiety disorder from my service in the military. I stayed up all night long with panic attacks, crying in fear, unable to sleep or distract myself. On one particularly bad night, my mind snapped to that one story idea I'd been chewing on for years. I opened my laptop and just started free-writing different parts of the story to get my mind off of my panic attacks.

I learned coping mechanisms, got some counseling, and improved on my symptoms (though I 100% still have death/apocalypse anxiety and that sucks, but my coping is much better now). Life went on and the story went dormant again.

Enter June of 2022. The spring of that year was easily the worst period of my life. So many terrible and traumatic things happened in such a short period of time. It was the lowest of the low. Once again I found myself in the depths of anxiety and depression, once again I turned to writing for comfort. This time though - I took it seriously, and genuinely broke ground on the real work involved in making The Last Dreamwalker real.

I spent hours at home or in Barnes and Noble worldbuilding, creating the universe, and writing the chapters. I mark June of 2022 as the month I truly started the labor of love that was writing this book. A few months later, I showed one of my longest and dearest best friends Brea what I had been working on, and she dove head-first into the project with me. Her support and encouragement, her belief in me and my story, really fueled my heart and creative fire.

Soon after we showed the third in our little triad of bestie love, Ashley, what we had accomplished and she then also dove right in- adding even more support, assistance, feedback, passion, hilarity, and life to the dream.

With my passion for writing, combined with their love, support and genuine WORK (websites, social media plans, marketing - all the stuff I have no idea about and is so freaking critical I LITERALLY couldn't do it without them), I can now call myself an author. I've finished a book, and what started as a simple idea that had been growing it's roots over a decade ago, that then started truly sprouting into a reality two and a half years ago, is finally blossoming with a tentative release date of February 2025.

I can't believe it. Whether we sell one copy or one million copies, I feel like I am on top of the world, because I can tell the little girl in my soul that we did it. We really did it.

We wrote a book.

And now that we've done it once, we know we can do it again.

When I look into the future of The Last Dreamwalker, and of Lochwood Court Books, I see that with determination, hard work, love, and support - the dream can come true, and I can't wait to see what comes next for us.

Here's to The Last Dreamwalker, which has the distinguished title of being the first, but I promise you, not the last.

Thank you, and welcome to the beginning. <3

Welcome to the Court!

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 23:52:12 GMT

Welcome to Lochwood Court!

For our inaugural blog post I figured it would be appropriate to explore one of the many inspirations of the company, and how we find ourselves here today!

I don’t think any of the three of us- that is Ashley, Brea and I- ever figured we would be starting a book editing and publishing company, but life has a funny way of showing us its callings.

I will likely coerce them into writing their own posts about their history of book-loving, but I know all of us have a lifelong love of consuming good stories.

Admittedly I am not much of a reader. I read an average of one full book every three years. Where my love of stories shines is in video games, movies, tv shows and writing.

I have always been in love with writing, and as cliche as it is to say - I’ve been writing since the day I could pick up a pencil. I remember in early elementary school getting in trouble with the teacher for filling my notebooks with stories instead of paying attention in class. Soon I graduated to computers, and would spend hours typing away at short stories and poems.

Middle school for me was the age of poetry. I wrote so many poems during this time, I remember always bringing my new poems to class and having my teachers read them. (Something I now know as an adult probably annoyed them more often than not, but they were always gracious enough to fuel my creativity.)

One day I wrote a poem about war and brought it into school. During music / band class, the teacher had us watching a movie for the period. Before the movie started I handed the poem off to him. He said he would read it in his office, and told me to go sit with the other students to watch the movie.

About twenty minutes later, he opened the door to his office, flipped the lights on and said “Kendall, come in here I want to talk to you.”

My immediate instinct whenever a teacher called me to their desk was that I was in trouble, so dread filled my stomach. I walked in, he closed the door, I sat down.

He held up my poem, written on a torn-out notebook page with the ripped border still attached, folded into fourths. He waved it in the air and said;

“Kendall, you have talent. Real talent. This is better than most adults would write, it’s deep and meaningful. You’re going to do great things one day.”

Then he handed the poem back to me and I rejoined the others. My soul glowed. That was the first time anyone really made me feel like my dreams were valid, that they were worth pursuing, that they could come true. That it wasn’t just some whimsical hobby at best, a waste of time at worst. There is nothing like being genuinely supported and given hope like that.

It’s that feeling, that glow, that I want to give other aspiring authors. The three of us dream to be a pro-author business that supports writers and shows them their true potential. Where we can all, writer and reader alike, mutually revel in our adoration of great stories.

No one should have to do it alone, and you don’t have to. You have a whole Kingdom behind you. So, I say again esteemed Noble;

Welcome to Lochwood Court, where creativity thrives, imagination is hailed and stories are born. Whether you pen them, get lost in them, or both - the Court is curious to know;

lochwood-court-klvs2

State of the Union

A little update about what we've been up to!

Reading Must-Haves (From a Shopaholic)

What products do you use regularly for reading?

Welcome back, friends.

Reading & Online Shopping.

Obviously the two go hand-in-hand, right? Okay, maybe not… but trust me when I say, I can make anything work in combination with online shopping (just ask Braden… or maybe don’t).

And that, my friends, is where this circles back to online shopping. How do I prep for a top-tier reading sesh? With things and stuff, DUH. And where do we find things and stuff? Online, in shops and sites that are just begging for me to overspend my allowance.

After an entire page of my half-asleep ramblings, we have arrived at the point of this post- my favorite online shopping finds, things I personally own and love and utilize regularly when reading.

I can’t listen to lyrics while reading due to a truly alarming level of ADHD, but I have found a few alternatives that work perfectly for maintaining the vibe. This of course, leads me into my next must-have:

A good playlist.

Next up, we have my favorite purchase of 2024 (and trust me, there have been a lot)-

THE J-shaped Pregnancy Pillow.

Am I currently pregnant? No. Did I buy this while pregnant? Also no. But I remembered how much I loved my old one when I was, and that led me back to Amazon.

It’s fluffy, but still firm enough to give support. It’s also wide enough to help hold your book, phone, or Kindle and save your (read: my) weak little noodle arms when they get tired. Seriously, don’t sleep on this must-have (or do… ya know, cuz it’s a pillow).

Speaking of Kindles (see that totally casual segue there?)-

For the purpose of introducing things I love and think you should also try, I’m going to focus on Lotus. We simply do not have time to fall down the “what water is the best water?” rabbit hole (hint: it’s Smart Water).

Signing off sarcastically,

Ashley

Links to products:

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Headphones- https://amzn.to/4iUgdUb

J Shaped Pregnancy Pillow- https://amzn.to/3VYpm40

Kindle Scribe- https://amzn.to/3PiZMmU

Kindle Scribe Case- https://amzn.to/3Phz3Hi

New Kindle- https://amzn.to/4iTkA1D

Lotus- https://lotusenergydrinks.com/

5 Cozy Tips on Starting to Listen to Audiobooks

Do you listen to audiobooks?

7 Tips for Combating Writer's Block

Got writer's block? These tips can help!

The Last Dreamwalker Characters as Taylor Swift Songs

Which character would you most like to meet based off of our descriptions?

5 Cozy Tips to Bring Your Evening Reading Sesh to the Next Level

Which one is your favorite?

I am a vibes girl™ to my core. Life is sad and scary and annoying and unfun so much of the time. So, if there is anything I can do to escape that reality, even for a short time, your girl is going to do it.

This makes me uniquely qualified to give you advice on how to say "duces" to reality yourself.

Follow along for an upcoming series of how-to posts for all things bookish. First up: escapism.

Lets go!

Make yourself a fancy drink.

Comfort is key, but make it extra.

Snackies

Choose the right book

The right book for the vibe we're trying to elicit is so important. If we are going for a Pirates of the Caribbean aesthetic with your flowy white nightgown and "ale" (cream soda in a beer stein, obvs, because actual beer is gross), then maybe a sports romance is not the right move, ya know?

AMBIANCE

My favorite thing to do when I am needing a lil escape from my life: YouTube. Ambiance.

Also, light a candle.

That's all I've got for you today. Comment below your favorite thing to do to take your reading sesh to the next level. Also, if you try any youtube ambiances, please comment your favorite one below! I'm always adding more to my saved playlist.

Yours in coziness,

Brea

I Wrote a Book

I wrote a book?

A little late on the uptake on this one- but, we've been celebrating and processing.

I wrote a book.

To prove myself wrong feels so damn good.

The first seedlings of the concept for The Last Dreamwalker were planted in my imagination in 2012 when I was seventeen.

I learned coping mechanisms, got some counseling, and improved on my symptoms (though I 100% still have death/apocalypse anxiety and that sucks, but my coping is much better now). Life went on and the story went dormant again.

Soon after we showed the third in our little triad of bestie love, Ashley, what we had accomplished and she then also dove right in- adding even more support, assistance, feedback, passion, hilarity, and life to the dream.

I can't believe it. Whether we sell one copy or one million copies, I feel like I am on top of the world, because I can tell the little girl in my soul that we did it. We really did it.

We wrote a book.

And now that we've done it once, we know we can do it again.

When I look into the future of The Last Dreamwalker, and of Lochwood Court Books, I see that with determination, hard work, love, and support - the dream can come true, and I can't wait to see what comes next for us.

Here's to The Last Dreamwalker, which has the distinguished title of being the first, but I promise you, not the last.

Thank you, and welcome to the beginning. <3

Welcome to the Court!

Welcome to Lochwood Court!

For our inaugural blog post I figured it would be appropriate to explore one of the many inspirations of the company, and how we find ourselves here today!

I don’t think any of the three of us- that is Ashley, Brea and I- ever figured we would be starting a book editing and publishing company, but life has a funny way of showing us its callings.

I will likely coerce them into writing their own posts about their history of book-loving, but I know all of us have a lifelong love of consuming good stories.

Admittedly I am not much of a reader. I read an average of one full book every three years. Where my love of stories shines is in video games, movies, tv shows and writing.

About twenty minutes later, he opened the door to his office, flipped the lights on and said “Kendall, come in here I want to talk to you.”

My immediate instinct whenever a teacher called me to their desk was that I was in trouble, so dread filled my stomach. I walked in, he closed the door, I sat down.

He held up my poem, written on a torn-out notebook page with the ripped border still attached, folded into fourths. He waved it in the air and said;

“Kendall, you have talent. Real talent. This is better than most adults would write, it’s deep and meaningful. You’re going to do great things one day.”

It’s that feeling, that glow, that I want to give other aspiring authors. The three of us dream to be a pro-author business that supports writers and shows them their true potential. Where we can all, writer and reader alike, mutually revel in our adoration of great stories.

No one should have to do it alone, and you don’t have to. You have a whole Kingdom behind you. So, I say again esteemed Noble;

Welcome to Lochwood Court, where creativity thrives, imagination is hailed and stories are born. Whether you pen them, get lost in them, or both - the Court is curious to know;

What’s your story?

KD Prince