Illustrator’s Series

Today, my daughter and I selected 7 pieces to present Across the Fence as an illustrator’s series. I am happy with our selections. There are character portraits, characters in scene, and landscapes. We also purchased frames and mat boards today. The mat boards were ordered online from Blick’s Art Materials, so I cannot put them together quite yet. I am very appreciatative of my child’s patience with me as I went and grabbed frame after frame for the headliner. We had to find the one with just the right amount of energy to match the subject matter, while keeping in line with the body of work’s framing. She got to learn about composition, contrast, balance, expectations, and economics. At least, I hope that’s what I taught her.

My ‘About the Illustrator’ description is stewing in my brain. My husband gave me the idea of putting my ‘About the Illustrator’ in one of the smaller, fun frames that I did not get to buy today. I think it’s a great idea. I love pieces of flair! I am still unfamiliar with the expo space, so I do not know what I am working with. I am toying with the idea of including some sketches and stuff. This would circle back to my readers. Perhaps showing sketches, pencil marks, and squiggly lines with framed pieces could be encouraging to budding artists. It’s all about the process.

Photo of my headliner illustration formatted into my manuscript.

Humboldt County Writers 2025 Anthology

The Humboldt County Writers 2025 Anthology: Earth is available in eBook format! Physical copies will be available soon.

I have a piece in this anthology titled I Left a Patch of Thistle. My prose is very dear to my heart, and I hope the readers enjoy. It has been great fun learning and writing alongside these fellow authors. Below is a link to the ebook:

https://books2read.com/u/b69YyJ

& Here is an end of 2025 update:

I severely tore a tendon in my right wrist leaving me unable to use it at all for 3 weeks. It is still not able to fully bend without pain and my strength has not fully returned either. Notwithstanding, I was able to wrap up the final edits on my novel. I have begun illustrating the chapter art. I am four chapters in and very excited. To cut down on cost for producing chapter books, the chapter art will be black and white. I am doing pen and ink. Back in my artsy days, I was more of a painter/ pastel gal. Prior to my wrist injury I was brushing the dust of my drawing skills while still editing, and the juggle caused me a lot of apprehension. I am pretty happy with how my illustrations have emerged.

Side Quest: Made a 2026 Riding Journal

I mentioned before that I was really enthralled by the free software program, Inkscape. Last month I decided to design my own Equestrian Journal. I designed all the pages using Inkscape, formatted it for a Print-on Demand website, and ordered a proof copy this morning! I made it an annual one so that it doesn’t feel like I am lugging around a textbook for my horse notes. Once I review it I may put it on an Etsy shop or list it for sale on this website. I dream of buying a saddle with its earnings.

I had a lot of fun designing it. I labeled all my layers nice and tidy so I can edit them as needed. It was nice to self publish something that was not my first novel to get the hang of things. It was a bit complicated dealing with the margins, bleed margins, space for binding, etc. I do plan on self publishing my book because I want to have full control and learn all the steps.

Allow me to introduce Speedy Pony Press. I designed the logo myself (no AI here). I don’t have a livestock brand, but I have a brand nonetheless. 🙂

Published! So Happy I’m Past the Moon and Now Over Saturn

Today is very exciting because AWG Shares Magazine has published their August 2025 issue with my creative nonfiction piece, A Girl Goes to Ecuador. AWG Shares Magazine contains writing, art, and more from the members of AWG.

A Girl Goes to Ecuador is the first story of my Ecuador Stories in my other blog. It does have content warnings, therefore it is more suitable for young adult and older readers.

I am officially published.

In other news, my developmental editor gave me encouraging feedback on my first novel, Across the Fence. I have entered the editing phase, and am moving along at a steady pace.

Soon to be Published

I am excited about a couple of things this week. I will have a Creative Nonfiction (CNF) piece published in the Humboldt County Writer’s Group 2025 Anthology. The theme for the anthology is Earth. The title of my piece is I Left a Patch of Thistle.

My first Ecuador Story, A Girl Goes to Ecuador, will be published in AWG Shares Magazine. That comes out August 15th. The editor is really amazing, and I am grateful for such a welcoming magazine.

I’ll be sure to post updates for those publications.

A bee on a thistle flower.

My First Manuscript!!!

It’s been a whirlwind of adventure. I went to a rodeo where I ran the most thrilling, yet slow barrel pattern. Then I came back home and finished the last chapter of my book. It will now go to my developmental editor (my daughter) for it’s first review. I am going to take the advice of other writers and step away from the book for about a month. This is so I can come back to it with fresh eyes.

I had it printed with my first draft for the cover. It seemed only fitting. During my time away, I will try to finish my second draft of the book cover. I also want to work on another piece of writing that I have a specific goal for.

My barrel pattern: A personal triumph after sustaining two concussions in two years (roller derby and car accident). Yes, I wore a helmet.

Enter the arena at a lope.. I think we got the correct lead.

Loping in the general direction of the first barrel . . .(No thoughts at all. Just overstimulation)

Stevie tries to slow her horse down for the barrel. Where are my hands? What are they doing? Why don’t I feel my horse’s face?

Stevie and her horse run past the first barrel to the fence. Oh my god! We went to the fence again!

Somehow they turn towards the second barrel Where are her feet? We are still loping? One-two- ask for a lead change and pray she doesn’t buck! Yes, we changed leads!

They approach the second barrel, the one closest to the crowd. The barrel is so sparkly! No don’t look at the sparkles on the barrel!

Stevie and her horse skid around the second barrel. Why is my left leg up on her back? Where are my hands? Should I grab the saddle horn to pull myself back in the saddle?

Stevie somehow finds her balance while she awkwardly made a motion to grab the saddle horn with her right hand but didn’t actually grab it. Her left hand is pointed towards the third barrel. My favorite barrel!

Stevie and her horse wrap around the third barrel lickity split. OK, let’s fly!

Stevie and her horse fly back in pure bliss reminding them of why they sign up for rodeos even though they are not fast. It’s just to feel this part.

Sooooo Close & Also so Far

I am on Chapter 19! I was keeping a pretty nice pace, and then I went to a fantastic writers group meeting. Someone gave a presentation about graphic design for book covers. He showed us a few really great and free software programs. Since then I have gone down a rabbit’s hole of designing a book cover in Inkscape. I fell in love with some fonts too. Chapter 19 still awaits.

I’ve also been working with my little mustang. I sat in the saddle on her for the first time recently. It was a moment of pride because I trimmed her hooves, modified the saddle to my liking, and got on her in a paddock surrounded by fencing I helped build and/or rebuilt myself.

Stevie Lou’s Author Updates

Website Launch

They say writers need to have a website. Here is mine.

This has been fun to work on in between writing. I am currently in the middle of Chapter 16 (of 20) of the first draft of my first book, Across the Fence. It is super exciting. An author on a podcast I was listening to said that while they are writing their first draft they feel envious of their future editing self and vice versa. I do feel that a bit. All I know is that I cannot wait to print out the first draft and be able to say, “Here is my manuscript.” Maybe I will walk around with it, and the wind will blow it away. And I’ll chase after the pages with glee. It’s 2025, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world to experience that classic moment.