Rebrand? Let's Call It Alignment Season

The Alignment Season

Things are about to get a little quieter. Welcome to the calm before what I hope will be an incredible storm in 2026.

I’m calling this my alignment season. Not a rebrand, not a pivot, just a pause—a deliberate space to breathe, reset, and figure out how to bring The Sanctioned Series to the readers who will connect with it most deeply.

The Honest Part

When I published Without Light, I did what every debut author does: I built the world, hit publish, and hoped the right readers would find it. The reviews have been glowing and the feedback incredibly kind, but the truth is—the numbers are too small. Book one hasn’t quite found its full audience yet.

And that’s okay.

Because finding readers who feel your story on a cellular level takes time, and rushing that part means missing the connection that makes storytelling matter in the first place.

Now, as I move toward book two, Without Refuge, I’m facing the very real puzzle of how to build excitement for a sequel when so many readers are still discovering the first book. It’s a challenge, yes, but it’s also an opportunity—to step back and rethink how to reach the readers who love what this series actually is: layered, emotional, morally gray, and hits a little too close to home.

The Plan for Now

So for the next couple of months, I’m slowing down the noise. No heavy marketing pushes. No forcing momentum. Just steady, intentional connection—continuing to share about Without Light while also building curiosity for Without Refuge.

Behind the scenes, I’ll be working on aligning my content to match the readers who crave stories about control, survival, resilience, and complicated humanity—the readers who want to think and feel at the same time.

You’ll start to see more book-facing posts, more thematic content around the world of Sandric, and the occasional recommendation for other books that explore similar power dynamics and emotional tension. Because one of the best ways to find your audience is to champion the stories they already love.

The Timing

Without Refuge (Book Two of The Sanctioned Series) is on track for a Spring 2026 release (likely May or June). The world-building is complete, the emotional stakes are even higher, and this time, I get to lean into the romantic and fantastical threads that were only hinted at in book one.

And yes—book three is coming too, planned for spring 2027, because stories this intricate deserve an ending with intention.

Looking Ahead

I'm stepping back from a few tasks over the holidays. If you’re already on my email list, you’ll start receiving my First Friday emails again in January. Those monthly updates will be my way of staying connected, sharing behind-the-scenes peeks, bookish thoughts, and honest reflections on the writing and publishing process.

If you’re not on that list yet—you’ll want to be. I have some exciting things planned for early next year as we build toward Without Refuge.

The Bottom Line

This season isn’t about stepping back—it’s about stepping right.

I’m still here, still promoting Without Light, still building toward Without Refuge, just with more intention and less noise. The goal isn’t to do more; it’s to do it better—to reach the readers who will see themselves in this series and fall in love with its world the way I have.

Here’s to slowing down, realigning, and setting the stage for something worth the wait.