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- January 2026 Newsletter
Hello everyone,
First and foremost, Happy New Year!
The day has finally come… Book 2, “The Ashes of Ignis,” is officially available!
As fire grows stronger, it inflicts more pain…
Sixteen years after the devastating war that drove the mages of Aardon to seek refuge on Earth, Marko Fember returns to his shattered home realm.
With threats looming on both sides of the portal and tensions rising within Aardon itself, the ruthless Ice warlock and his dark forces threaten to consume the elemental bureaus once more.
Marko’s resolve is tested again as he struggles to master a powerful new ability that could tip the scale in his favor. United with a coalition of mages, he is determined to protect his family, his friends, and the future of Aardon… even as the realm edges toward the brink of destruction.
Will his new power blossom in time — or wilt under the pressure?
I feel like I’ve been talking about this book since 2023 (because, spoiler, I have). There were a lot of up’s and down’s over the last 3 years as I left my previous publisher, started my own imprint, and basically learned everything about publishing from the ground up. What matters is we finally made it, and now readers can continue Marko’s journey into Aardon as he tries to take down Mortis for good.
It’s available for paperback and ebook (free on Kindle Unlimited) through Amazon. Here is the link if you’d like to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GDKKCMB5
Now that I am past this publishing hurdle, I want to spend 2026 not just working on Book 3, but trying to return to my reading roots. My TBR list has been piling up, and I’d love to give other authors reviews and spotlight other books besides my own. So look out for content like that from me in the future as I take a short break from writing and attempt to get back into reading more regularly.
Since it is a new year, I wanted to share another goal or “resolution” I have. The last author event I did was back in 2024 and that was a lot of fun, so I’d love to find some local events around me to participate in this year to meet other authors and readers and sell my books in person. Being able to talk directly to readers is what makes this lonely life of writing worth it.
And with that, please check out all my social media below if you’re not already following me there. I tend to provide updates on those platforms faster than through newsletter.
Thanks for your time, and I hope the year has started off well for you!
-Matthew J. Stott