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A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Playlist

By Yolandie Horak / 2nd July 2020

I was a bit disorganised with this, I have to admit. I have this general playlist in which I just...

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A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Playlist

Have a Free Colouring Book

By Yolandie Horak / 25th June 2020

A Trial of Sparks & Kindling is set to land in July! The first ARC's have gone out and are...

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Have a Free Colouring Book

I’ve Been Busy

By Yolandie Horak / 9th June 2020

Friends, I think a great many of us vote to have 2020 struck from the record. It's only June, and...

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Giveaway Winner!

By Yolandie Horak / 28th May 2020

Last week, A Study of Ash & Smoke turned one. I still can't believe it's been a year, but here...

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Giveaway Winner!

Birthday Giveaway

By Yolandie Horak / 20th May 2020

A Study of Ash & Smoke is one today! One year ago, this debut of mine first entered the world....

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Birthday Giveaway

A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Trailer

By Yolandie Horak / 15th May 2020

Folks of the world, I'm super excited to share the book trailer for A Trial of Sparks & Kindling with...

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A Trial of Sparks & Kindling Trailer

Yolandie’s Favourites

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I’m Yolandie – Revisited

I’m Yolandie – Revisited

A few years ago, I had an epiphany–I’m not done… Read More »I’m Yolandie – Revisited

Calgary

Toronto is a city of skyscrapers. Steel and glass. Grey.… Read More »Calgary

A Tribute

This morning, my grandmother passed away. It was a long… Read More »A Tribute

Still want more? Have a random post

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Tales from Self-Isolation

Honestly, as someone who spends the greater part of her… Read More »Tales from Self-Isolation

The June Report

My… month in pictures? The monthly recap? As far as… Read More »The June Report

Excitement And Nerves 2

Let’s Write Excitement and Nerves

Welcome to part three of the Writing Emotions series! You… Read More »Let’s Write Excitement and Nerves

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Rocket Girl

My apologies for ending another week with a doll repaint,… Read More »Rocket Girl

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This Mothering Thing

I often wonder when the exact point is when a… Read More »This Mothering Thing

Late!

Hello there, folks. I’m honestly just popping in to say… Read More »Late!

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NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER⁠ ⁠ I'm so incredib

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER⁠
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I'm so incredibly excited to let you know A Trial of Sparks & Kindling is officially available to pre-order! For now, you can only pre-order the eBook from Amazon, but I'm planning to release the paperback sometime within the next month or two too. The link to order is in my linktree.⁠
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If you haven't read the first book in the series, A Study of Ash & Smoke, check out the store links or find more information on my website, which is also linked in my linktree. FInally, I have a book trailer for ATOSAK on my IGTV (two posts back).⁠
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Want even more? Here's the blurb!⁠
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*** Who can be trusted in a kingdom built on lies?⁠
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Against all odds, Cara has been reunited with her brother, Frank.⁠
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But at what cost to her companions? At what cost to herself? Collinefort is a place of intrigue and lies, where menace lurks in the shadows.⁠
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In greater Mordoux, the Salamander’s forces attack the resistance without end. Under the Mantle is civil war. Noble against slummer against commoner, and the rot plague against all.⁠
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Death stalks beyond the trenches. Who will rise to stop it? ***⁠
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#atrialofsparksandkindling #atrialofsparks&kindling #atosak #fallofthemantle #book2 #writersofig #indiewriters #indieauthor #independentauthor #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram #southafricanauthor #southafricanwriter #speculativefiction #newadult #na #sequel #comingsoon #debutauthor #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #booksandblooms #writerslife #preorder #newbook

STAND A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF A STUDY OF ASH & S

STAND A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF A STUDY OF ASH & SMOKE⁠
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My book baby is one today! Can you believe it? To celebrate, I'm running a giveaway. You can check out all of the details on the giveaway landing page (the link is in my linktree).⁠
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The giveaway is open internationally (where allowed by law) and entrants must be over 18. All you have to do is subscribe to my newsletter and answer an easy question: What is the title of the book you can win in this giveaway?⁠
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Again, the whole thing is on the giveaway landing page, along with the prize details and terms and conditions. The link to the page is in my linktree.⁠
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#giveaway #astudyofashandsmoke #fallofthemantle #indieauthor #bookbirthday #ya #na #booklover #bibliophile #bookish #booksandblooms #gaslampfantasy #steampunk #bookone #booksbooksbooks #fantasy #epicfantasy #booknerd

STILL HERE⁠ ⁠ It's just been so hard to mainta

STILL HERE⁠
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It's just been so hard to maintain a social presence with everything going on behind the scenes, you know? But I'm still alive.⁠
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Have you ever reread books only to find you didn't love them as much the second time? This kind of happened for me when I reread the Court series. I really want to read Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom again, but I'm afraid it'll ruin it for me.⁠
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Anyway, what have you all been up to?⁠
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I've been working hard on Book 3, but have thrown out 230k words to date. I couldn't find my stride. A Study of Ash & Smoke has been nominated for a Nommo award, so that's given me the needed kick under the arse. 😛 Also, I got back my final round of edits on A Trial of Sparks & Kindling, and have applied those. So hopefully I'll have ARC's ready soon.⁠
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#acourtofthornsandroses #acourtofmistandfury #acourtofwingsandruin #acourtoffrostandstarlight #sarahjmaas #newadult #na #fae #bookstagram #southafricanbookstagram #booksandblooms #booklover #bookphotography #bibliophile #booksbooksbooks #bookish #stack #bookstack #feyreandrhysand #thenightcourt ⁠
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AND JUST LIKE THAT, HARRY POTTER WEEK IS DONE It'

AND JUST LIKE THAT, HARRY POTTER WEEK IS DONE

It's been a blast, folks. I might even do this again.

Meanwhile, it seems we've landed a day of spring in Calgary, and I'm planning to sit on the porch and read. I'm on to book 2 of The Raven Cycle, and WOW, is this one good so far. Better than the first, and I enjoyed that one too.

Do you have a friend who recommends books you'll love each time?

#harrypotter #jkrowling #thedeathlyhallows #youreawizardharry #potterhead #horcruxes #mouldyvoldy #harrypotterweek #youngadult #ya #yalovers #yaloves #yabooks #bookphotography #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #booksandblooms #bibliophile

ADAM IS A CINNAMON ROLL I've put Strange the Drea

ADAM IS A CINNAMON ROLL

I've put Strange the Dreamer on hold while I'm in this terrible mood, and am reading The Raven Boys. And folks, I love this book.

I'm glad I made the switch, because I know Strange will be a book I adore under normal circumstances and I don't want to hate it because of my mood. I don't want it to become the Covid19 book, you know?

And The Raven Boys is just what I needed. Thanks @tallulahlucy for always recommending the books I love most.

What are you reading?

#harrypotter #jkrowling #halfbloodprince #potterhead #youreawizardharry #youngadult #ya #yalovers #yaloves #yabooks #bookstagram #bookphotography #booklover #booksandblooms #bookie #bibliophile

WHY DOES FANDOM FORGET RON WEASLEY? This is the t

WHY DOES FANDOM FORGET RON WEASLEY?

This is the topic in my blog today, if you're interested. Link in the linktree!

Anyway, I have nothing to say here. I was up basically all night, so I'm just not feeling this Friday so far. I hope your day is going better!

#harrypotter #jkrowling #theorderofthephoenix #youreawizardharry #harrypotterweek #potterhead #booksbooksbooks #booksandblooms #bookphotography #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookgrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #bookaholic

DAY FOUR OF HP WEEK Honestly, I wouldn't have kno

DAY FOUR OF HP WEEK

Honestly, I wouldn't have known what day it is if these posts hadn't been scheduled. I've been so out of it.

Isolation has me in a state of low-key depression, and no matter what I do, I can't get out of it. So bear with me in this weirdness.

Let's talk about Harry Potter. This book, IMO, is the turning point. Up to here, Harry's journey was hard, but still okay. Hogwarts changed his life for the better, despite all the drama. But GOF is when shit gets REAL. It's much darker than the other books, and I sincerely love that the series grew with its readers.

What do you think?

#harrypotter #jkrowling #thegobletoffire #youreawizardharry #youngadult #bookish #instabook #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #booknerd #bookaddict #read #booksandblooms #southafricanbookstagrammer #youngadultfantasy #hogwarts #potterhead #harrypotterweek

MY FAVOURITE COVER Of the HP books in this set, t

MY FAVOURITE COVER

Of the HP books in this set, this one has my favourite cover. POA is incidentally also my favourite book in the series.

But this patronus scene was just so beautiful. I loved it. I also loved the echo of this scene in DH.

Anyway, writing update time. I'm at 52k words, and going strong. It helps that I don't even want to see outside while it's snowing again. So ready for spring, people.

#harrypotter #jkrowling #theprisonerofazkaban #patronus #expectopatronum #bookphotography #bibliophile #booksandblooms #bookie #youngadult #potterhead #youreawizardharry #youngadultfantasy #hogwarts

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yolandie_horak_art

FINALLY FINISHED ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I sta

FINALLY FINISHED
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I started this baby about 8 months ago, but was unable to finish it because of a busted wrist. I'm so happy that my wrist is okay for art-making again, and I was finally able to complete my skull diagram last week.
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So, here you are. The original artwork is in a variety of pens (Bic ballpoint, Postca paint, Uniball fine, and Sakura Jellyroll--which is now my favourite), but the text, lines and vintage effects were all added afterwards with Photoshop.
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This print is available as a variety of prints in my Society6 store. You'll find the link to that in my bio.
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Working on kidneys next, but shoot me requests for other medical diagrams in the comments. 🙂 #art #artist #southafricanartist #medicaldiagram #medical #medicalart #vintage #antique #oldtimey #vintageart #digitalart #ink #ballpointpen #fineliners #poscapaintpens #posca #uniball #jellyroller #inkdrawing #inkart #skull #skullart #humanskull #skulldiagram

REPOST ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I sketched this

REPOST
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I sketched this brain last year for Inktober, then added the text in Photoshop to create a diagram. I promptly lost that file. Don't ask me how, but here we are.
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So, I redid the diagram and made it look a bit vintage. This diagram is available in my Society6 store (link in my bio). I'm quite happy with how it turned out!
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#art #artist #southafricanartist #medicaldiagram #medical #medicalart #vintage #antique #oldtimey #vintageart #digitalart #ink #ballpointpen #fineliners #poscapaintpens #posca #inkdrawing #inkart #brain #humanbrain #thebrain #diagram

A CHANGE IS GOOD ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hello

WATERCOLOUR WEDNESDAY ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

WATERCOLOUR WEDNESDAY
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Have I made any new art? No, friend, not by a long shot. I've been up to my eyeballs in editing my manuscript, A Trial of Sparks & Kindling. Now that I'm done, though... Oh, who am I kidding? I'm going to work on Book 3. 😛
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Meanwhile, though, here's an oldie but goodie. I LOVE painting birds. Their shapes are so easy to master, and there's something so totally relaxing in painting them.
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Do you have a favourite thing to paint?
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#watercolourwed #watercolorwed #watercolourwednesday #watercolorwednesday #watercolour #watercolor #artist #indieartist #artistsofig #instaart #painter #watercolourpainting #artlover #southafricanartist #artstagram #artsy #chikadee #littlebird #watercolourbird #birdie

THROWBACK ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I've been MI

THROWBACK
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I've been MIA from social media, especially on this page, for ages. I had a wrist injury that kept me from making art, which sincerely sucked.
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The good news is I've been able to ease back into art-making, and I hope to keep making stuff to share with you here.
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These are old paintings I made of my main character, Cara. I write novels, if you didn't know. Check out my main page @yolandie_horak if you're interested! Anyway, I hope to do fragments like these of all my characters in the near future.
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Anyway, what have you been up to in self-isolation/lockdown?
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#watercolour #watercolor #artist #indieartist #artistsofig #instaart #painter #watercolourpainting #artlover #southafricanartist #artstagram #artsy #blueeyes #oc #originalcharacter #bookishart #bookart #cara #fallofthemantle #bookone #astudyofashandsmoke #asoaas#tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday #oldiebutgoodie

STARRY SKIES ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This litt

STARRY SKIES
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This little watercolour is one of my personal favourites (and is actually available for purchase too). I just love how vibrant the colours came out.
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I think this is around the time I finally figured out how to paint pretty skyskapes, and I became stuck in painting them.
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What do you think?
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#watercolourwed #watercolorwed #watercolourwednesday #watercolorwednesday #watercolour #watercolor #artist #indieartist #artistsofig #instaart #painter #watercolourpainting #artlover #southafricanartist #artstagram #artsy #skyscape #starryskies #nebula #pinkandblue #sparkly #landscape

WATERCOLOUR WEDNESDAY ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

WATERCOLOUR WEDNESDAY
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This is an old watercolour, part of a series inspired by Inktober a few years back. I tried to catch an emotion in each of the paintings in the series, and this one is my take on anxiety. It's called Sometimes Growth Hurts.
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As someone who struggles with intense anxiety, this was the painting in the series that most resounded with me. Sometimes, in order to grow, you must face changes. For me, change is incredibly scary and often sends me into inescapable thought spirals.
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I painted this right in the belly of that change, when we were looking for ways to leave Germany. Immigrating for the second time, after we were so sure we would stay in Germany forever, was scary as hell.
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Looking back now, it was an important part of my personal growth journey, but at the time, I pretty much felt like this painting.
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#watercolourwednesday #watercolourwed #watercolourpainting #watercolour #throwback #greenhair #greenhairdontcare #anxiety #anxietyjourney #painting #artist #immigrant #southafricanartist #southafricanlivingabroad #artistsoninsta #artistsofinsta #instaart #artistsofig

DAY 15 Better late than never, right? Ive been ha

DAY 15

Better late than never, right? Ive been having trouble with my wrist, which means lower art productivity than usual.

I'm glad to be back at it with my skull chart. Once this one is done, I'm moving on to the kidney. Please send me requests for after that!

#inktober #inktober2019 #inktoberday15 #day15 #skull #humanskull #medicalchart #medicalsketches #medicalsketch #medical #artnerd #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artist #art #ink #uniballpen #blackandwhite #bicpen #ballpointpen

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