Celebrating Independence Day in Beldemar


2024 New Year's Letter

Coming Up in 2024

Hi, Reader!

Though she hasn’t always participated, Aryam’s favorite holiday has always been Dragon’s Fall, the annual carnival that marks the day when humanity rose up against their dragon oppressors and won. The day is celebrated with music, costumes, parades, and the grand finale—a towering dragon puppet that winds its way through the crowd as actors reenact the legendary uprising. The people eat, sing, and dance as they remember what it means to be free.

But, as Aryam is starting to learn, history is often sung by the victors. What really happened on that fateful day nearly a thousand years ago? And whose names were omitted from the songs Beldemarians sing about it?

Just like in our world, not everyone in Beldemar has the same relationship to independence day. For many in the U.S., the 4th represents liberty—although not everyone was free in 1776. In the Songs of Aryam series, the magical beings known as akbarrin are still living with that legacy. As Aryam continues to uncover long-buried truths in the sequel, she’ll be forced to confront the reality that the stories she grew up with were only half true.

Her people’s freedom came at a cost to others.

New here?
Check out Book 1 in the Songs of Aryam Series: A Chord of Silver Moons! Ebooks purchased directly through my site are discounted by $1. Paperbacks are signed, wrapped, and delivered with a book mark and stickers.

Book 2 Updates

  • Rewrite in progress! After a lot of soul-searching (and a brilliant developmental edit by author and freelance editor Tatiana Obey), I’ve restarted writing Book 2 from scratch. Its 3rd draft is finally giving what it needs to give, and I’m on track for a late fall or early winter release. Between reading reviews of my first book and working with a developmental editor on the second, I feel so confident in the direction this book is headed.
  • Hardcovers, anyone? I’m exploring hardback editions for Book 2—and maybe for a reprint of Book 1, too—one with just Aryam on the cover since this book is more of an epic fantasy than a romantic one. If you’d be into that, hit reply and let me know! Also on the docket—audiobooks!
  • Beta readers wanted! I’ll be looking for beta readers starting next month. If you’d like to read an early version and share your feedback, keep an eye out for sign-ups in the next newsletter.


A Celebration ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Chord of Silver Moons averaged 4 stars on NetGalley—and is sitting between 4 and 5 stars across most review platforms! As a first-time indie/self-published author, I knew the book wouldn’t be perfect, but I poured everything I had into it. So to see readers resonating with Aryam’s journey like this honestly blew me away. This is a huge win for me. Thank you to everyone who’s read, reviewed, or recommended it—you’re helping this story find its wings. If you’ve read or plan to read ACoSM, please consider leaving an honest review on your favorite platform as those help more readers discover my books.

As always, thanks again for being part of my writing journey. Your support means everything.

Stay cool 😎

Tylisha Washington

Author of A Chord of Silver Moons

What I've been Into Lately

I, Medusa by Ayana Gray. I read this as an ARC, courtesy of NetGalley and loved it. It's a fresh perspective on Medusa and just what I needed after my obsession with Epic the Musical.

So Let Them Burn, by Kamilah Cole. I read this one because of the cover. I enjoyed the worldbuilding. So many elements were uncannily similar to my own, and still it was a completely different story. I love how that happens and would love to meet this author one day.

Countess, by Suzan Palumbo. A novella I read with the B2Weird book club (they're awesome). I liked it. I just kept picture a female Pedro Pascal for some reason, running around overthrowing empires. Worth the read.

I'll Find You Where the Timeline Ends, by Kylie Lee Baker. So fun and cute. Another ARC read courtesy of NetGalley. A teenage timeline custodian searches for her sister who has been erased from the timeline.

Currently reading: That Self-Same Metal, The Fifth Season (rereading).

Up Next: Return of the Sistah Samurai (I can't wait 😁)

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Mahogany Griot

YA Fantasy and Science Fiction writer. Founder of Mahogany Griot LLC. I connect readers with diverse books and share my Indie Publishing experiences with aspiring writers. Proud member of the Independent Book Publishing Association.

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