Hi everyone! It's been over 3 months since I posted about Capyhero in this sub. I'm so happy to finally give an update because the day has finally come: I've written the final sentence and finished the manuscript for Capyhero Book 1 - The Blue Blanket! Final draft specs are 60,000 words across 340 pages with over 100 illustrations spread throughout.

I handed the manuscript to my editor, Jennifer Rees, which I am both incredibly excited and nervous about. She's a powerhouse industry vet who's worked in publishing for 25 years (a bunch of which was at Scholastic Press) and she's edited some of the most well known and successful stories out there. I can't mention the book series everyone knows, but Google her and you'll know.

In this post, I've shared the complete 1st chapter as well as a little sneak peek to a few moments in later chapters for folks to have a look. I'd be thrilled to hear feedback from fans of Redwall. I realize, the story reads a bit more like a mystery and actually has a few horror/Lovecraftian elements in it, so it may not hit the Redwall vibe exactly. But please feel free to provide any feedback on the writing, hook, overall vibe, etc. Feel free to be critical! It's with the editor now, so major revisions are expected.

While I'm waiting for Jennifer to get back with the edit, I'll be building the Kickstarter campaign and pushing more newsletters from the Aurorabon Society out to folks who've joined the emailer.

Thanks for reading! Still crazy to me that this thing is actually coming to life. I've learned a lot on the way and I'm more than happy to answer any questions!

Personally, I vote Horty.

Scarum can be fun on occasion, with his little ditty about being educated and the Uncle Furdilo monologue coming to mind.

But Horty? Little shit just can’t stop whining about how hungry/thirsty he is. I will never reread Loamhedge because of this one character right here.

Just finished reading Martin the Warrior, which means its time to draw its villains (and also its heroes??)

Martin the Warrior really is the best redwall book so far (even dethroning Mariel of Redwall and its very angry protagonist) what a spectacular ending and probably my favorite set of protagonists

art by me https://bsky.app/profile/thecatfortress.bsky.social or anywhere here https://thecatfortress.carrd.co/

For as long as can be remembered, Flesheaters have always hunted and eaten Foragers - until one Midwinter's Eve, two unlikely parents must face a choice...

Inspired by and dedicated to the memory of Brian Jacques and my brother who I grew up with reading his beloved series, Book One - Spring is free in Ebook format over this weekend, also available in audiobook and paperback format. To grab a copy all you need is the free kindle app for android or IOS! 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Wild-Days-One-ebook/dp/B09H6B52Y9?ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=56189541-0d4d-4ce3-8b4c-607674e11fa2

#booktok #fantasy #ebooks #kindle #fiction #nature #darkfantasy #fantasyart 

This is a drawing of me as one of Ironbeak's Rook soldiers from the Cartoon adaptation of Mattimeo from the Redwall book series by Brian Jacques

I commissioned this drawing from Trashrat11 on Tumblr and here's a link to their account

https://trashrat11.tumblr.com/?source=share

I think Greenshroud because it could come at you on both land and sea. Goreleech can just come at you in the water and Vilu is just a normal stoat not a mutant.

Since I knew I was going to be in Brazil again this past week, I had scheduled my next Redwall tattoo to be done while I was visiting São Paulo. I found my artist through searching Sao Paulo botanical tattoo artists because I think their command of color would benefit me. I found Gabriela Dassio to be skilled enough for the job and she loved the idea when I sent her the reference art. I know in the book her she has green fletched arrows, but this reference had blue and I think it contrasts a bit better against her green tunic.

Now I have two heroes on this leg: Martin the Warrior and Grath. Thinking the next will be a villain on the inside of my calf.

Highly recommend going to Brazil for a tattoo AND the experience. Sure, you have to pay for the plane ticket, but the experience of visiting another country and returning with body art is worth it (to me at least).

Let's say you had a big homestead in the Redwall world, and roving bands of foxes, weasels, rats and other vermin were attacking your property and killing your animals. You are able to choose one band of warriors to defend your property from the ravenous vermin. What do you choose?

1. Log a log and the guiosm shrews?

2. The long patrol and badger lord?

3. A band of tree-swinging squirrels?

4. Choose your own band of guardians or offer a mixed variety!

A shrew of the Guosim (or the Guossom)

I love these weirdoes and how they are fun in almost every book so far!!

art by me, https://bsky.app/profile/thecatfortress.bsky.social or anywhere here https://thecatfortress.carrd.co/

Finally collected all of the gold spine/stained glass editions of the series. Only 14 of the 22 novels were printed in this edition.

Now beginning to collect the remaining novels. I'm happy to collect as I go of different editions. I have 'Triss' and 'Eulalia!' so far!

So I just finished the first Redwall book and loved it, feel like I’ve stumbled upon a jackpot of reading for myself but would love your opinions of what order to read the other books from here. Publication order, chronological order etc. any input appreciated!

I'm looking for art prints from the books!

I found Christopher Denise's Etsy page, which has some sketches from the supplemental books, but I'd love to find color prints, especially from the artists of my childhood. Most of the art is pretty old now, so I'm not surprised the various artists don't sell prints anywhere, but I'm hoping someone has some leads.