Hello again, my friends!
I know it’s been a while. My bad, guys. But don’t worry. I’ve prepared a list of excuses I have a very good reason for it. But before we get to that, let me tell you all about my second year at Realm Makers, a Christian fantasy writers conference where the magic of storytelling comes to life.
Realm Makers 2025
I’ve most likely said this a dozen times to my friends and family already, but–this year was beyond incredible. My first time at Realm Makers was obviously amazing, since I came back this year. But…this time, Realm Makers became something more. It filled my soul.
I met so many people and connected with so many other authors. I think that’s what was different this time. Last time, I was hyper focused on attending each session on time, getting used to the flow of things, and surviving a jam-packed weekend. I never left my mom’s side except to sit in sessions. And go to the bathroom, of course.
This time, I dove in headfirst. I was nearly always on my own or wandering with my brother, bless his patient soul. I spoke with dozens of people, got a million books signed, and hopped on almost every event I could manage.
The People
Now, while the events were incredible and filled my head with knowledge, and the books filled my bag, it was the people who truly left an impact, filling my soul with memories that will last a lifetime.
A few of the people I met included…
Kate Leigh, also known as Connie Kendall from Adventures in Odyssey!
She was very sweet and chatty. I also got to see her in a Main Street Music Show performance, which was a super special opportunity. Unfortunately, I never got her signature because it was a whopping $20 dollars for each signature from her. 😵💫
But one voice actor I did get a signature from was Mike Nawrocki, also known as Larry the Cucumber! It was a dream come true. He was also a part of The Main Street Music Show. And he has a book series out, which my head is blocking in the picture, but it’s called Dead Sea Squirrels! I believe he has a TV series coming out to match the books.
Another author I met was Mariposa Aristeo, whose novel, Sons of Day and Night, will be releasing in November of 2025! I had the opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy at Realm Makers. To sum up the book review I’ll be releasing shortly, this is one of the most magnificent books I’ve read in a long time.
But wait–there’s more. I also met Gillian Bronte Adams, author of The Fireborn Epic. She was so sweet, and very patient with the fact that I kept coming to her stand over and over. (The first time I saw the magical horses and couldn’t help but be intrigued. The second time I brought a book by her that I’ve owned for a while and finally got signed. The third time was to take pictures with her.)
I also met an author/artist called Lauren Sohre, who writes a web comic called Sky Cowboys. I fell in love with her pegasi and beautiful art. She was friendly and fun to talk to as a fellow horse lover and fantasy writer. Also, her outfit was stellar.
I came back to talk to her so many times and had a lot of fun speaking with her. At the end of Realm Makers, I happened to compliment her bandana. She told me it was an exclusive goodie from one of her past Kickstarters.
And then she gave me one.
I’m not lying when I say that I teared up.
Another super special connection I made was with an author named Z.S. Diamanti, who wrote a cozy fantasy called Guard in the Garden that caught my eye. I worked my way over to his stand and started chatting. We couldn’t stop talking all weekend! On the last day, as I was saying goodbye, he gave me a pin from his book as a gift for chatting with him and keeping him company so long. Another tearing-up moment, I’m proud to say.
And if you can believe it, I also met…
S.D. Smith! The author of The Green Ember!
He was so incredible, so friendly, so kind. I was not disappointed! My brother got to play S.D. Smith’s upcoming video game, Helmer in the Dragon Tomb. He signed posters for us, and was just generally an awesome guy.
Then he asked to take a picture with my sisters and I. Not if we wanted a picture with him. He wanted one. With us. He had one of his friends take a picture with S.D. Smith’s phone, and I actually had to ask to get a picture on my phone too!
And last but not least, I met a writer called Lindsay A. Franklin, author of The Weaver Trilogy and The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine.
I’ve read all of her fiction works, attended every session she led at Realm Makers, saw her do the cover reveal for The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (the sequel to The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine), and finally, I got a mentor appointment with her. Fifteen minutes of one-on-one with her to talk about whatever I wanted. And get my books signed, of course.
Absolutely wonderful. I have no other words.
Some News…
I have so much to tell you, aside from my magical trip to Realm Makers. Firstly…
I finished editing Sons of Starborn!
Cramming the editing in for my manuscript was painful–and may or may not have caused a headache that still hasn’t gone away–but it taught me how to edit quickly and maximize writing time. I am so over editing right now. But why did I rush to edit SoS so quickly, you ask?
Well. If you’re curious, you’ll have to wait till tomorrow, when I release the big news.
Until then!
–Astor
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