It's National Bird Day, let's talk birds!
An overview of Book Projects that are either hatching or ready to take flight in 2025
If you’ve been following me for some time and reading this newsletter blog, you’ve likely realized two things:
“This author is obsessed with birds.” Correct!
“This author must be a crazy bird lady.” Also correct!
I’m a proud mama of seven feathered companions (all happily cage-free) and have been for almost a decade. My first budgie, Tony — who came into my life back in 2014 — is still here, chirping away like the king of the house. And if you count the 50 or so doves, sparrows, lesser goldfinches, house finches, and hummingbirds that flock to my yard year-around, well, it’d make a pretty good resume for a bird conservationist.
So, it’s no surprise that I write stories and draw comics inspired by birds. These feathered creatures are my constant source of inspiration, livelihood, and happiness — and I’m not shy about showcasing them in my work. Through my stories, I hope readers come away with a deeper appreciation for these incredible creatures and become more aware of their importance by the time they turn the last page.
So here’s the part where I get serious for a minute.
Now, more than ever, I believe it’s our job to protect our wild bird populations, as many species have been in sharp decline over the last 100 years. One of the biggest contributors to this is predatory cats — household cats left to roam outdoors particularly during bird nesting seasons. These cats, often abandoned or unsupervised by uneducated pet owners, pose a significant threat to birdlife.
I don’t know about you, but imagining a world without birds — a world silent and Nature devoid of their melodies — is heartbreaking to think about. Birds are vital indicators of our planet's health, and many species are already endangered due to habitat loss. So, in honor of National Bird Day (yesterday for some) I’m sharing this video below to raise awareness and encourage all of us to take steps, big or small, to protect our feathered friends.
This video below really shows the passion of wildlife and birdwatchers. It was also included in Substack's weekend choice to watch in November.
On that note, I’ve been brainstorming a book project (surprise, I have many!) that has to do with “wild birds,” so very fitting for this day. It’s a story that’s set in the Witches & Wine universe.
But first, for those who are new,
Witches & Wine is my ongoing comic series that is free to read on Webtoons. It’s a “sort-of” retelling of The Wild Swans, one of my all-time favorite fairy tales. Naturally, my comic has a bird theme woven in, especially since the protagonist in Volume 1 is a one-winged warrior! If you’re into fluff, wholesome romance, with a bit of witch-lore, hold my wine, you’re about to gain your next binge-worthy read.
While Volume 1 is complete, Volume 2 of Witches & Wine is still ongoing, and the story’s tone shifts noticeably. While it’s less wholesome than previous arc, it involves more detailed magic lore and yes… more birdy goodness. NO spoilers though, but the characters are also different & new, yet they’re all connected in unexpected ways. My goal this year is to wrap up this second arc so I can focus on a new book project I mentioned earlier.
And that book is…
Yes, my very own reimagining of The Wild Swans tale, except it’s The Wild Birds.
And here’s a twist…
Instead of focusing solely on the human characters, this story is told in the perspective of their avian counterparts — how they navigate their world while trapped in their “cursed” bird forms, with all the struggles, quirks, and personalities that come with being, well… birds.
Originally, I wrote this as a bonus script to draw for my comic series, but as I kept reading it, I realized the story deserved a life of its own. Their personalities seemed to shine more through prose than illustrations. Plus, I already got plenty of drawing projects on my plate! As an aspiring writer, I’m eager to take on a more writing-focused challenges, and this will be one of the many.
Although there is another book I have to prioritize first: Book 2 of A Budgie’s Life, a children’s graphic novel about four budgies and their doting (and slightly chaotic) owner —obviously me. I think this next book will likely be a Patreon-exclusive reward and shared to my most dedicated communities.
2024-2025 Book Project Overview
Here’s to getting at least half these books done this year!
My final thoughts…
Anyone else guilty of stacking up project after project, even when you haven’t even started half of them? *raises hand sheepishly*
People often tell me not to push myself too hard —and I know they mean well—but here’s the thing: for creatives like us, whether you’re an artist or a writer, the act of creating never truly stops. In other words, we can’t stop. It’s like a muscle we have to keep exercising.
And you know what? Not every project has to make it to the finish line. Sometimes, the ones we set aside or leave incomplete find their way back to us, but in an entirely new form. I like to think of it as “marinating.” Some ideas just need time to soak, to sit and develop, until they’re ready to become something truly worth savoring.
