Shadow Awakening: Magic, Representation, and the Journey to Full-Time Writing

July 2025: New Book, New Adventures, Same Magic

Author

GLORIA SANDERS
July 15, 2025

📚 SHADOW AWAKENING IS ALMOST HERE!

Dear readers and fellow dreamers,

I'm thrilled to announce that Shadow Awakening - Book 1 of the Shadow and Shade series - is launching in the third week of July! This fantasy YA novel has been a labor of love, weaving together magic, adventure, and the powerful story of a young woman who refuses to wait for rescue.

After years of crafting this world, I can't wait for you to meet our heroine and discover the shadows that hold more light than anyone imagined.

🎁 EXCLUSIVE BOOK GIVEAWAY + BONUS!

Win Your Copy of Shadow Awakening!

To celebrate this milestone, I'm giving away 2 signed copies of Shadow Awakening, plus a BONUS PDF: "From Blank Page to Published: My Essential Writing Tips" - a 20-page guide filled with practical advice I've gathered throughout my writing journey.

How to Enter:

  1. Visit www.shadowandshade.com and subscribe to this newsletter

  2. Follow the link in your confirmation email

  3. Share what fantasy world you'd love to explore in 50 words or less

  4. Tag 2 friends who love fantasy books

Deadline: July 20th, 2025
Winners announced: July 25th 2025

Book to be shipped sometime in August, allowing for delivery, signing, and shipping.

✍️ MY WRITING JOURNEY: FROM CORPORATE TO CREATOR

This February 2025, I made the leap from corporate life to full-time writing after my retirement. People often ask if I miss the security of a traditional job. The answer? Not for a single day.

These past five months of leaving the corporate world to pursue my passion haven't just made me happier - they've made me whole. Every morning, I wake up knowing I'm building something meaningful, creating worlds where young people of color can see themselves as the heroes of their own stories.

The transition has taught me that success isn't just about financial stability; it's about aligning your daily actions with your deepest values. Writing full-time has allowed me to dive deeper into craft, connect with readers like you, and most importantly, contribute to changing the landscape of fantasy literature.

🌟 WHY REPRESENTATION MATTERS IN FANTASY

The Skin I’m In

  1. As a Black woman author, I write the books I wished I could have read growing up. Fantasy has long been dominated by European-inspired settings and characters, but magic doesn't have a color - and neither should our heroes.

    In Shadow Awakening and all my work, I intentionally center characters who look like me, who come from backgrounds that reflect the beautiful diversity of our world. My heroines don't wait to be saved; they do the saving. They're complex, flawed, powerful, and unapologetically themselves.

    Fantasy should be a mirror for every young person who picks up a book. When we see ourselves in stories, we begin to believe in our own capacity for magic, adventure, and heroism.

📝 WRITING TIPS: TURNING YOUR IDEA INTO REALITY

Starting Your Writing Journey

Have a story burning inside you? Here's how to begin:

  1. Start with "What if?" - Every great story begins with a question that intrigues you

  2. Create a simple outline - Even a rough roadmap helps prevent getting lost

  3. Set realistic goals - 250 words a day is better than 2,000 words once a month

  4. Find your writing time - Whether it's 5 AM or midnight, consistency matters more than duration

  5. Don't edit while you write - First drafts are meant to be messy.

The Writer's Health Regime

Since transitioning to full-time writing, I've learned that taking care of your body is crucial for creative longevity:

  • Every 45 minutes: Stand and stretch for 2 minutes

  • Daily: 20-minute walk to clear your mind

  • Weekly: One day completely away from the computer

  • Simple desk stretches: Neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, wrist circles

  • Eye care: Follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds)

🎭 WRITING EXERCISE: CHARACTER SPEED DATING

Ready for some fun? Try this 15-minute exercise:

Set a timer for 3 minutes. Write a conversation between two characters meeting for the first time. Here's the twist: One character can only speak in questions, the other can only speak in statements.

Example: "Are you new here?" "I arrived yesterday from the mountains." "What brought you so far from home?" "My village burned down last month."

This exercise forces you to reveal character through dialogue and builds tension naturally. Try it with different character types - you might discover your next protagonist!

💼 THE REALITY OF A WRITING CAREER

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Writing can absolutely be a fulfilling career, but let's talk about what happens behind the scenes:

The Magic: Creating worlds, connecting with readers, seeing your book in someone's hands The Reality: Marketing, social media, editing, rejection letters, irregular income The Balance: Remember that writing is both art and business

If you're considering this path, know that it requires the same dedication as any other profession. But for those called to it, there's nothing quite like the joy of storytelling.

📖 BEYOND FANTASY: MY OTHER WORLDS

While Shadow Awakening represents my YA fantasy work, I'm also passionate about:

  • Genealogy Research Books: Helping families discover their rich ancestral stories

  • Children's Interactive Books: Reading, coloring, and picture books for ages 4-9

  • Journals and Planners: Including prayer journals and writing idea notebooks

Each project allows me to connect with readers at different stages of life, from young children discovering the joy of reading to adults exploring their family history.

🔔 STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe to this newsletter: Visit www.shadowandshade.com and hit that subscribe button in your email confirmation!

Find all my books:

Learn about genealogy services: Check out my website for how I can help you create an ancestry-rich book filled with your family tree information.

📅 UPCOMING DATES

  • July 20: Giveaway entries close

  • July 22: Winners announced

  • Third week of July: Shadow Awakening official release

  • August: Virtual book launch event (details coming soon!)

🤖 SPECIAL TECH GIVEAWAY: FREE MESSENGER CHAT BOT!

Calling All Authors, Entrepreneurs & Creatives!

I'm excited to offer ONE lucky winner a completely FREE messenger chat bot for your website or app! This custom bot will include:

✅ Professional chatbot development

Don't Have a Website or App? No problem! We'll build one for you.

Want to Build Your Own Website? Download our FREE PDF: "How to Build a Website" - a step-by-step guide to creating your online presence:

How to Build a Website.pdf5.30 MB • PDF File

How to Enter the Chat Bot Giveaway:

  1. Be subscribed to this newsletter

  2. Comment below with your biggest challenge in connecting with your audience online

  3. Share this newsletter with someone who needs a digital upgrade

  4. Subscribe to the newsletter @ShadowAndShade.com

Need Help Getting Started? If you don't have a website but would like one, please reach out to us! We're here to help you build the perfect digital home for your brand.

Chat Bot Giveaway Deadline: July 25th, 2025

Winner announced: July 27th, 2025/

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your support means everything as I continue to create worlds where everyone can find their own magic.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember - you are the hero of your own story.

With love and literary magic,

Gloria Sanders-Williams

P.S. Don't forget to check your spam folder for newsletter confirmations, and hit "subscribe" in your email to ensure you never miss an update from Shadow & Shade!

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