#@aliiveswrites

[celebrate-diversity]

(woop imma go on a nostalgia rant)

How it started / How it’s going

Congrats to @aliiveswrites on WRITING A FREAKING BOOK! The Winding is a witty LGBTQ+ futuristic fantasy that, I can confidently say, has been nearly 15 years in the making. 

I count myself among the lucky ones to have witnessed the world Ali has built - from the sidelines - starting back in senior high school classes and lunch breaks, where doodles of an eyeless man with floating eyeballs and a pair of dice would make his way into Ali's ongoing sketchbook. 

To countless hours where we should have been doing homework, and instead making "zaney" (heh) characters of our friend group, lovingly called The Epitome of Science. To witnessing these fun little doodles evolve into independent characters, with their own thoughts and personalities. 

"To those we carry with us"  Ali held onto this idea over the years,  and it was always a joy to see new art she'd created, or hear about a new direction a character was going in, or a new thread on this story she was building and a mystery at the heart of it. 

I couldn't be prouder of the hard work and determination Ali has gone through to make this book a reality. Turns out, the publishing industry is hard AF. I love that she found a publisher in Literary Wanderlust that believed in her vision for the world she built. And now it exists and I still can't believe I can hold it in my hands (The cover is VERY SOFT 10/10 would recommend). 

To see "Book One in the Epitome of Science Trilogy" is something my brain can't fully comprehend. I'm so excited to reconnect with these characters - old and new. We are so lucky that these characters refused to leave and had a capable host to tell their story.

The Winding by Ali Ives 

"In a world of gods and monsters, the future rests on a toss of the dice"

Order through your local bookstore! Check it out at  https://www.literarywanderlust.com/product-page/the-winding

[cancan-jpg]

Sketchbook commission of the lovely @aliiveswrites 's characters Antimony, Gear and Zane, from her novel, The Ticking! If you like cool steampunk fantasy, check out her Epitome of Science series!

Interested in a Ko-fi commission?

[glassygaze]

Denken, my favourite character shark boy from @aliiveswrites amazing fantasy novel, The Winding, go check it out!!

[meevling]

characters from @aliiveswrites book The Winding. I love them all and am so excited for the sequel to come out in january!!!

[kirk-goes-to-gallifrey]

GUESS WHO’S GOING TO BE READING THE WINDING BY @aliiveswrites FOR THE NEXT MONTHS

[aliiveswrites]

Hi! I wrote a book! If you like fantasy, mysteries, snarky magicians and lots of queer characters, it might be one for you!!

It’s not out yet, but it’s well on its way and I’m very excited! The Winding is the first book in an urban fantasy series, set to be published by the lovely folks at Literary Wanderlust. For now you can keep an eye out here and on aliiveswrites on Instagram for updates.

But what is The Winding about?

Set in the city-state of Frettchen, one of the central powers of the Lower Lands, the story follows Mikalai Gloucester, a disgraced former bodyguard. For the past six months, Gloucester has been in prison for an unknown crime he can’t remember committing. A chance at freedom and finding out the truth arises, but it comes at the cost of working for the very man who locked him up in the first place. Desperate times call for desperate measures, however, and soon Gloucester finds himself on the hunt for a would-be assassin. The investigation quickly goes awry and Gloucester is tossed down a rabbit hole of magic, mayhem and mysterious immortal beings. Before long it’s more than just his freedom on the line, but the future of an entire city and everyone in it.

[meevling]

I have created a playlist on Spotify of songs that make me think of The Winding by @aliiveswrites

1. Blood On My Name - The Brothers Bright

2. God’s Gonna Cut You Down - Johnny Cash

3. Broken Bones - Kaleo

4. Brother Run Fast - Kaleo

5. Raise Hell - Brandi Carlile

6. Through The Valley - Shawn James

7. Human - Rag’n’Bone Man

8. Prisoner - Stumfol

9. My Own Monster - X Ambassadors

10. Fistfight - The Ballroom Thieves

11. Raise Hell - Dorothy

12. Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Cover by Lorde

13. Bang Bang - Nico Vega

14. That’s Life - Shawn James

15. Providence - Poor Man’s Poison

16. Glitter And Gold - Barnes Courtney

17. Supernatural - Barnes Courtney

18. Fire - Barnes Courtney

19. Hellfire - Barnes Courtney

20. I’m A Wanted Man - Royal Deluxe

21. This Is My World - Esterly, Austin Jenkes

22. Blood Runs Red - 78rpm

23. Killer Inside Of Me - Willyecho

24. Bartholomew - The Silent Comedy

25. Used To The Darkness - Des Rocs

26. Sinners - Barnes Courtney

27. Gun In My Hand - Dorothy

28. Me And Mine - The Brothers Bright

29. Rather Die - Barnes Courtney

30. Good Thing - Barnes Courtney

31. Survivin’ - Bastille

32. The Draw - Bastille

33. World Gone Mad - Bastille

34. Million Pieces - Bastille

35. Blame - Bastille

36. C’mon Down - Poor Man’s Poison

37. Allies Or Enemies - The Crane Wives

38. Tongues And Teeth - The Crane Wives

[meevling]

Did I drop my sketchbook facedown while working with ink? Yes. Is that going to stop me from posting this picture I drew of Gloucester, the main character from @aliiveswrites book The Winding that is coming out October first and is available for preorder through @literary__wanderlust ‘s website?? 😏 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg0di-3M0z5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=