Hey Reader.
There's a particular quality to September light that I've always loved — the way it slants golden through the trees earlier each afternoon, catching the first hints of amber in the leaves before they've fully committed to changing. The air holds that undecided feeling of a season mid-turn, warm enough to sit outside with a cup of tea but cool enough to want a cardigan close to hand. The hedgerows are heavy with it all right now, blackberries darkening, rose hips blushing red, and somewhere in the back of the mind, that ancient pull towards hearthside and story.
We're walking the threshold between Gŵyl Awst and Gŵyl Canol Hydref now, that in-between stretch where summer hasn't quite released its hold but autumn is already breathing down its neck. It feels like exactly the right time to be writing folklore and romance, and I hope wherever you're reading this, you've got something warm in your hands and something good waiting on your to-read pile.
Anyway, what else has happened since last we spoke, and what's coming up? Let me tell you... 💙
September is a month of waiting and beginning in equal measure, which feels rather appropriate.
Only in Fairy Tales is currently with my critique partner, and my editor's notes are on their way — the kind of anticipation that has me refreshing my inbox at unreasonable hours, as I'm sure any writer reading this will understand. The big news is that the cover will be revealed on 15th September, and I cannot wait to share it with you. It's been one of my favourite covers yet, and I've been sitting on it for what feels like forever. Keep an eye on your inbox and on the community spaces, because it's going to be a proper celebration.
Alongside that, the ARC list for Only in Fairy Tales will be opening — a separate email will find its way to those of you interested in reading early, so watch for that one too.
In the meantime, because waiting without writing is not something I'm built for, I've started work on the next book. Among Whispering Flames is the second standalone novel in the Between Hill and Sea series, and it's already pulling me somewhere interesting and a little smoky. Early days, but the bones of it are there, and I'm rather fond of them already.
🎂 1st September — Marella 2nd Edition (2023)
🎂 21st September — Sealed with a Curse (2023)
September arrives with a calendar that mirrors the season perfectly, poised between the last warmth of summer and the first real breath of autumn, with ancient observances, Welsh traditions, and a handful of very good reasons to celebrate scattered throughout. Here's what's worth marking this month, each one deserving its own moment.
- 1st — Marella 2nd Edition Book Birthday (2023) 🎂
- 3rd — Welsh Rarebit Day 🧀
- 8th — International Literacy Day 📚
- 15th — Cover Reveal for Only in Fairy Tales 🎨
- 16th — Owain Glyndŵr Day 🏴
- 19th–20th — Abergavenny Food Festival 🍽️
- 21st — Gŵyl Canol Hydref (Autumn Equinox) 🍂
- 21st — Sealed with a Curse Book Birthday (2023) 🎂
- 26th — Lleuad Fedi (Harvest Moon) 🌕
FREE BOOKS
September sits at the hinge of the year — the harvest is in, the evenings are drawing close, and there's never been a better excuse to pile up your reading list. Whether you're in the mood for something otherworldly, something cosy, something rooted in myth, or something sweetly romantic, there's a giveaway here with your name on it. All of these are free to browse and download, so fill your shelves and settle in.
Grab yours before they are gone!
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If you love your romance with a little magic, a little strangeness, or a universe or two to get lost in, this one's for you. Perfect for the season when the veil feels thinner and anything seems possible.
Cosy mysteries and clean romance in one place — the reading equivalent of a warm kitchen and a pot of tea. Ideal if you want your pages full of charm and just a touch of intrigue.
This one's close to my heart, as you can probably imagine. Stories rooted in the old places, the deep traditions, the tales that have been told and retold until they're worn smooth with love. Just right for the equinox season.
A big, generous armful of sweet romance — the kind of reading that leaves you smiling. Autumn evenings were made for exactly this.
As the mist begins to gather and the Lleuad Fedi rises heavy and golden over the hills at the end of the month, I hope September is kind to you — full of good food, good books, and that particular autumn magic that makes everything feel a little more like a story worth telling.
Tan y tro nesaf (until next time), take care, and happy reading! 💙
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
