Artist Access Grant

My goal for this project is twofold. First, I want to create a devoted community of readers who are invested in a fictional series and world that I hope to create in for the rest of my life. This first novel is integral to this goal, because it will serve as the launching point for readers to discover the story and become immersed in this new world. Secondly, on a more personal level, I want individual readers to be touched by a story that encourages them to bring out the magic within them. Although magic in the novel is literal, it serves as a metaphor for those parts of ourselves?be it our personalities, talents, creativity, or identities?that make us who we are but can feel hard to accept or can even be discouraged by society. I want my readers to feel empowered to accept their whole selves, and by accepting their true selves to help make a better world. I will consider this project a success if I share this work with the world and attract a devoted group of readers who want to become further immersed in this world and other things I might create, be that sequels, spinoffs, games, or multimedia experiences based on the book. While not everything is about numbers, I am hoping to impact tens of thousands of people with this story. Additionally, I'll consider this project a success if it helps readers feel less alone in their identities and more able to embrace who they are and have the courage to share that with the world.