Hey Reader.

July arrived the way it always did, warm and unhurried, with the hedgerows heavy and the evenings stretching long past supper. This was the month of Ceridwen's cauldron, when the old stories about transformation and quiet endurance felt closest to the surface. It's a good month for slow magic and for finishing what had been started in spring.

Anyway, what else has happened since last we spoke, and what's coming up? Let me tell you... 💙

I am, once again, a monogamous writer. Only in Fairy Tales refused to share, so I gave in and gave it my full attention. I'm pleased to say I'm nearly halfway through the first draft, and while that's only the first step, getting it down and out of my head is always a good start. It's a later in life contemporary romance set in Monmouth, Wales, and it's been a joy to write.

July never arrived without its own small calendar of dates worth marking, some rooted deep in Welsh tradition and others simply good reasons to celebrate along the way. Here was what stood out this month, each one worth its own little pause

🌙 3rd July — Festival of Ceridwen

💋 6th July, International Kissing Day

🍫 7th July, World Chocolate Day

🕯️ 8th July — Celtic tree month of Holly (Celyn) and Cat (Cath) begins

🎻 11th to 20th July, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

🪕 16th to 20th July, Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau (Welsh folk festival)

🏔️ 18th July — Râs Yr Wyddfa

🐑 20th to 23rd July, Royal Welsh Show

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I hope July brings long evenings, good books, and a little of that quiet stubbornness that got first drafts finished

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for caring about the stories. It means more than I can say.

Come and Join the Conversation — The Story Hearth

If you're not already in The Story Hearth on Discord, I'd love to see you there. It's a warm little space for readers and story lovers, where we talk books, folklore, writing, and whatever else the month decides to bring. I'm working on building it into something really lovely, and every new voice makes a difference.

Come and pull up a chair: https://discord.gg/gQfzqBRNns​

Find More on Payhip

If you're looking for more to read while the evenings stretch out, my Payhip store has you covered. From novellas to short stories, it's the best place to find the corners of my worlds that don't always make it onto the main shelves.

Buy Direct: https://payhip.com/MorganSheppard​

Come and Say Hello — Morgan's Musings

You're always warmly welcome in Morgan's Musings, my Facebook community, where readers and writers come together for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes updates, story conversations, and all things bookish. It's a cosy, friendly space, and there's always plenty of room for anyone who fancies joining in.

Join in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/morgansmusings​

Until August, take care of yourselves. Take care and happy reading! 💙