The way you make me feel..

Hello magical friends,

It's taken me a moment to pen my thoughts this week. The news has been so dismal, cold and divided. And so hard to parse. 

Protecting Your Heart in Turbulent Times

Everything we read, see on social media, or watch on television is designed for maximum emotional impact. For those of us who are empaths or simply tenderhearted, it's a minefield. My entire feed is full of grenades disguised as rage bait.

I'm not just talking politics here, by the way. I'm talking videos of people doing stupid, pointless things with spaghetti. AI slop that makes it look like pets are in danger. Intentionally hideous crafts. Anything to get our goat.

That poor goat. She's a mess. Exhausted.

As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, I have strong feelings about the current atmosphere—one where everyone's emotions are running high and the real life stakes for many are as high as stakes get. Where we're being bombarded with tropes, stereotypes, and black-and-white thinking.

Here's what I want to remind you: while fiction is forced to conform to patterns and gel in molds, the truth is rarely that simple. Strong feelings sell stories and move mobs, but they often trample the truth in the process.

I really don't want to start talking politics here, but I do want to urge you to be wary of news that sells itself with emotion and sows division. Stay away from the internet eddies designed to keep you there, punching at shadows.  Arguing with unknown commenters who might not even be real humans isn't going to make the world a better place—or make you feel very good either.

Protect your emotions. Protect yourself. Save your energy for tangible actions, things that make a real difference in the real world around you. Small things count big. 

If you love my books, I know you have a good heart. So maybe use it to cook dinner for someone, write a birthday card, take a senior to an appointment, or do something creative that brings joy into the world. Show your face. Lead with kindness instead of anger.

The world needs your joy and kindness more than ever. I truly believe it's the only way to get around all the rage bait.

And when you can't take it anymore? By all means... escape into a book.

Carving Out Safe Spaces 

So many people tell me that my books, along with others in the cozy fantasy genre, are a welcome escape right now. This is not actually new, by the way. Cozy fantasy has always been popular in times of upheaval. Think about when The Chronicles of Narnia were written.

This genre, in particular, is a safe space for our emotions—one where we know the authors will take care of us. We can hand-pick the tropes and guarantee the happy endings.

I am so happy to be adding to the Natural Magic series this year because it is now my job to burrow along with you and create these safe spaces for us to gather, heal, and nurture our hope and humanity.

This is not just about vibes. For many of us, these fictional worlds are what give us the strength to face the chaos and cruelty the real world is dishing out in spades.

You Make Me Feel Seen & Sustained

There's a third part to this, and that's how your emails, comments, and direct messages make me feel as an author. They are what sustain me! I am in it with you all, dear readers. And I very much care about and want to hear from you.

When I'm with Rosie at the Mudpuddle baking up magical snickerdoodles, I am making them for you. And when I'm penning happy endings to all my characters' problems, I am wishing the same satisfying resolutions for you.

Please don't ever hesitate to reach out to me. I'm available via email at author@ciarablume.com (or just hit reply to this newsletter). I'm also on social media (links below) and Substack. I'm happy to Zoom into book clubs if you're reading one of my books, and I do lots of local events here in SoCal—I'd love to meet you.