Haylee Swinford

Chapter Eight is Up!

The eighth chapter of my current Web Comic, Chosen Ones Anonymous, was just posted. You can read it, or binge the series so-far here. I intend to give each “episode” ten chapters, this current episode is “Amid the Roar.” This is, of course, my structure plan going in and might be tweaked here and thereContinue reading “Chapter Eight is Up!”

Amid the Roar

If you haven’t caught up on my webcomic, Chosen Ones Anonymous, now’s the time! The main cast has been introduced, the main conflicts have all been–at the very least–hinted at, and the ball is really starting to roll! I love the tensions that are already present, the mysteries around the histories between these characters. I’mContinue reading “Amid the Roar”

Tale as Old as Time

In this week’s episode of Chosen Ones Anonymous, paths begin to cross! In the original version of this story, when Kaeli and Baeou first met up, things got equally fiery. But for…different reasons. Part of helping this series to grow up with me is leaving behind silly misogyny jokes and give some of the slapstickContinue reading “Tale as Old as Time”

Ep 1: Enter: Kaeli!

The first full episodes of Chosen Ones Anonymous is up! Click here to read it! Introducing the first main character and a couple of dear side characters, as well. This sweet girl has been dear to my heart for many years. I hope she endears you to her and her over-achiever plight.

Chosen Ones Anonymous

Baeou needs a job, like, yesterday. Kaeli needs her school acceptance letter. Nathaniel needs direction in life. Eliot needs a therapist. The world needs literally anyone to get their crap together long enough to save it from the chaos and ruin of generations of war. A vague, ages-old prophecy has opened the door for someone—anyone—toContinue reading “Chosen Ones Anonymous”

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang review

I’m going to try to be posting more of my book reviews since I generally write them anyway…might as well share! And DUDE. This book was incredible. I devoured it and I have never been so happy to be left unsatisfied. “Yellowface is, in large part, a horror story about loneliness in a fiercely competitiveContinue reading “Yellowface by R.F. Kuang review”

ARC review: To Shape a Dragon’s Breath

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars Indigenous MC, magic school, dragon riding, Viking-meets-Regency era society, poly romance….WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG!?! Not a lot, is the answer. Anequs is a breath of fresh air as a female YA protagonist. She had aContinue reading “ARC review: To Shape a Dragon’s Breath”

ARC review: Beau is Non-Binary of Everything

My Overall Thoughts – 3/5 “But if my life was shorter…perhaps angels might start picking a hammer and chisel to build something eternal. Perhaps there might have been a David with broad wings spreading wide at his back.” The writing in this book was poetic and beautiful, and that was its biggest draw. I enjoyedContinue reading “ARC review: Beau is Non-Binary of Everything”

what’s on my shelf

I am a polygamist when it comes to my books. I read several books at once, usually three or four. And when I’m participating in buddy reads in my Discord book club, it can easily be more than that. The Vampire Lestat (Vampire Chronicles #2) by Anne RiceI really enjoyed Interview with the Vampire andContinue reading “what’s on my shelf”

using prophecies in fantasy without making eyes roll

Good ol’ stand-bys, ubiquitous fantasy tropes, are difficult to avoid. And sometimes we don’t want to avoid them. Goddammit, sometimes you just need a good, solid prophecy to write the story your want to write. “It’s not my fault all these other people before me have written prophecies, too!” you say. And you’d be right. Unfortunately, theyContinue reading “using prophecies in fantasy without making eyes roll”