About June and the Star

What is June and the Star?

June and the Star is a young adult fantasy novel I'm currently writing and illustrating. It follows June, a young girl who's accidentally transported to a magical world where she must navigate deception and manipulation to rescue three brothers she unintentionally betrayed. Think The Chronicles of Narnia meets Coraline — a story about developing moral discernment in a world filled with propaganda.

When will the book be published?

My goal is to complete writing, editing, and illustrating by the end of 2025. I'll share updates regularly on the blog and through my newsletter, including early chapter previews for subscribers.

Can I read chapters now?

Newsletter subscribers get early access to completed chapters before they're available anywhere else. Subscribe here to be first in line.

What age group is this book for?

June and the Star is aimed at readers ages 10-14 (middle grade/young adult), but like the best children's literature, it's written to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. If you loved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or Coraline, you'll probably enjoy this.

Will there be illustrations?

Yes! I'm creating illustrations throughout the book. You can see my illustration process and style development in blog posts like Developing an art style and How not to create a book cover.

Why are you writing this book?

I believe kids today are growing up in an unprecedented information landscape — surrounded by social media, algorithmic echo chambers, and monetized attention. I want to offer young readers a story that helps them think critically about the information they consume and develop their own moral compass. You can read more about my motivation in this blog post: Why write a book.

About the Blog

What kind of content do you share?

• Writing craft: Character development, story structure, discovery writing

• Illustration: Developing individual illustrations and creating a cohesive style

• Children's literature philosophy: Moral clarity, earnest heroes, appropriate fear in stories

• Creative process: Time management, overcoming perfectionism, and the personal side of creating

How often do you post?

I aim to publish one new post per month.

I'm not a writer. Is this blog still for me?

Absolutely! Parents, educators, and anyone interested in children's literature, storytelling, or creative process will find value here. Many posts explore themes like media literacy, moral development, and why sincere storytelling matters.

Can I share your posts?

Please do! I'd love for these ideas to reach more people. You can share directly from any blog post.

Newsletter & Updates

How often will you email me?

Once a month, typically at the beginning of the month. I respect your inbox — no spam, no daily emails, and you can unsubscribe anytime with one click.

Can I email you directly?

Yes! Hit reply to any newsletter, or use the contact form.

Writing Questions

Are you a "plotter" or "pantser"?

I'm firmly in the discovery writing (pantsing) camp. I don't outline, I follow my imagination and let the story unfold organically. You can read about my approach in this blog post: How to pull off a juggling act.

Do you use any writing software?

I actually write by hand in notebooks first, then type it up later. This helps me avoid perfectionism and keeps me from over-editing as I draft.

Using Resources from This Blog

Can I use your blog posts for teaching?

Yes! Teachers and educators are welcome to share my posts with students or use them in curriculum, as long as you credit the source and link back to the original post.

Can I quote your blog in my own writing?

Absolutely. Please credit me by name and link to the original post.

Can I license your illustrations?

The illustrations are created specifically for June and the Star and aren't available for licensing. However, if you have a specific project in mind, feel free to reach out via the contact form.

Illustration Questions

How did you learn to illustrate?

I did a one-year illustration certificate and have two industrial design degrees, but illustrating a fantasy novel is new for me! I've been experimenting and rediscovering my style through practice. I share the process in this blog post: Developing an Art Style.

What tools do you use for illustration?

Coloured pencils and gel pens on paper.

Still have questions?

Contact me here or hit reply to any newsletter email :)