When I first outlined the Soulmark Saga, I envisioned a trilogy. Maybe four books if the story refused to fit neatly inside the lines.

Then Lumina began opening doors I had not anticipated walking through.

Side characters stepped forward with histories of their own. Quiet details became buried secrets. Answers led to new questions, old rebellions, hidden loyalties, and consequences that reached much farther than the original story I thought I was writing.

Before long, Marked had grown too large to contain everything without rushing the characters or cutting away pieces the story needed.

So the original Book One is becoming two books.

That was never the plan, but forcing everything into a single novel would mean telling a smaller version of the story. Important moments would have to be rushed, characters would lose room to breathe, and parts of Lumina that deserved to be explored would end up reduced to a few paragraphs.

I would rather give the story the space it needs.

Marked will remain Book One of the Soulmark Saga, but the story that originally followed it will now continue into a separate second book. The change also means the Saga itself is likely going to be longer than I first expected.

As a first-time author, it is exciting, intimidating, and a little surreal to watch this world outgrow the outline that created it.

Apparently Lumina had plans of its own.

More details about Marked, the next book, cover reveals, release information, and behind-the-scenes pieces from the Soulmark Saga will be coming here as the books move toward publication.

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