January Newsletter: A Look Through the Rosebush
First Draft of Book 5 is done! Plus shop update!
Hello, Roses!
2025 is off to a busy start here in the Elizabeth Helen office! I’m a big fan of choosing a ‘word’ of the year. Last year, my word was ‘routine’ which, I think I did a pretty good job of maintaining in the first half of the year. Once August hit and we were traveling every month, it was harder to maintain that structure, but I have grace because we truly did the best we could while living out of a suitcase half of each month! This year, I’ve chosen the word ‘Intentional’. I am so grateful to say we have quite a few projects on the go, so I have to be very diligent about where I’m allocating my time. Basically, I want my work hours to really count, but I also want my rest hours to count too, so when I am resting, I don’t need to feel guilty or shameful! So far, I’ve felt really good about how January has shaped up work-wise. I’ll talk more about it below, but we finished the first draft of Book 5, which I’m very proud of! We also made good progress on some other projects that I can’t reveal yet but I hope will make your Briar-hearts very very happy!
Book 5 Update
Book 5 is done! We’ve spent the last three months in the Winter Realm, and it has been so much fun. I’ve had a truly great time writing this book; I think it may have been the one that came ‘easiest’ to me out of all five, so far. It’s been very satisfying as well. Since Book 1, Keldarion’s played more of a support role to the team, but Helen and I knew he was just biding his time. We truly get to see him shine here, and I have just loved spending time with our growly Winter boy. What’s next? We’ll spend a few days polishing up another Briar project, then dive into edits. Helen and I each will do a full read-through, and then it’s off to our editor! Sorry, no release date yet! Our publishing team is discussing it, but we will announce here as soon as we can!
Shop Update
We’re so excited to say our shop will be open again on Monday, February 3rd at 11:00am PST! We’ll have some new items—including signed copies of BROKEN, as well as damaged signed copies for a discounted price—and restocks of all favourites. Please see graphics for all details.
Due to agreements with our international publisher and international shipping regulations, we are only able to ship to addresses in the US and Canada. We recommend using a shipping forwarding service for international orders. We're sorry for the inconvenience 💕
🌟 Please note the website will remain locked until the relaunch on February 3rd!! 🌟
AND…..
Memes/Giffys
So, you might know that Helen and I are SUPER into Dungeons & Dragons. We have a longstanding, 9-year campaign, with Helen playing a half-elf ranger named Elias, myself playing an elven druid name Lyra, and my husband as the Dungeon Master. We play bi-monthly, and the morning after a session, we play this game we call ‘Giffys’. (Basically, we instant-message gifs to one another representing funny/dumb/emotional moments from the last session with reactions as various characters.) Last time we did this, I was thinking to myself… I bet this would be pretty funny with the Briar characters. So, here’s a couple I came up with from BONDED BY THORNS!
What We’re…
Helen:
Watching: We’ve re-entered our Balder’s Gate 3 era, so I’ve been watching tips and tricks on how to survive Honor Mode!
Listening To: I’ve been enjoying the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack to celebrate finishing Kel’s book!
Reading: We just received an arc of Roses in Chains by Julie Soto! Can’t wait to dive in!
Elizabeth:
Watching: Not to go TOO hard on my D&D fixation, but I just finished Season 3 of the Legend of Vox Machina, and it was everything and more! The animation is stunning, the voice acting is (of course) incredible, and I love the storylines and characters so much!
Listening To: Okay, I saw Mufasa recently and went in with ZERO expectations. But I LOVED IT. The soundtrack has been on repeat for me since.
Reading: I’m onto Catching Fire and just about done! I’ll start Mockingjay after, and hopefully be in perfect shape for Sunrise on the Reaping in March! Finnick Odair is absolutely perfect and no one can convince me otherwise.
Connect with us:
I cannot wait for book 5 & new merch 😻 Yall are amazing!!