I first came across the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off in early 2018. One month postpartum, I was stuck on the couch with a baby who wouldn’t breastfeed and the worst injuries of my life refusing to heal. I needed an escape, and SPFBO offered just that. I devoured the semi-finalists’ books from that round and followed the next contest like other people follow March Madness.
In September of that same year, I sat down to write.
The book that came of that, a Middle Ages Germany-inspired fantasy romance, may never see the light of day, but that project not only opened a door, it kicked the whole thing in.
FOURTEEN novels later, I finally felt confident enough in my skills to publish Shady Depths and learn how all this worked.
Today, I submitted Ritual Income to SPFBO X.
The goal has always been to enter Milla and the team into this contest. SPFBO celebrates the best in self-published fantasy and the authors and stories pushing the genre.
Do I believe RITUAL INCOME is the absolute best? Maybe no, that would be absurd, but I believe in that cranky witch and the story of recovery and self-love she has to tell.
I believe in Darkly and his journey to find himself in a world that would erase him. I believe in Diego and his desire to live freely and unjudged. I believe in Julie and her boundless capacity for love.
I believe in my book, and by submitting, I came to the end of a trail I started hiking over six years ago.
The spots for SPFBOX are limited, and you know what? Even if I don’t snag one of the 300, that trail lead me to an intersection, not the parking lot. Now, I just have to decide which way to go.
And if she does get a spot, may the odds be ever in your favor, Milla. I believe in you, and today I’ve done what I set out to do six years ago.
To all the entrants, GOOD LUCK! I can’t wait to obsess over your books 🫶🏻
UPDATE: I got in!!!!