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I cannot believe it's already time to start celebrating the book that started it all: The Vow That Twisted Fate!

The Vow That Twisted Fate came out on July 21st, 2021 as my debut epic fantasy novel. While I'd dabbled in self-publishing with a couple other titles, TVTTF was different.

Under the guidance of an amazing mentor, this was the book I chose to pursue an actual author career with, not just a hobby. I made social media posts, finalized a pen name, built a website, connected with other...

A new month means there's new bookish finds to share, so here's the July 2026 bookish giveaways: fairy tales & sci-fi/fantasy featuring epic women!

1.) C.L. Cannon's Fairy Tale Fan Giveaway

It's a very special month when one of C.L. Cannon's giveaways makes it into my list, because she finds some of the coolest swag!

Check out her fairy tale fan giveaway here to enter for free.

Many of the sponsoring authors (including myself) send free books to...

Well, it's official: July 2026 is your last chance to get The Godmother for free!

The Godmother: A Starfire Express Prequel is the villain backstory for the reader-anticipated upcoming Starfire Express series.

For the past few months, in anticipation of the release of Starfire Express: A Fame of Fae and Fang, I've let new newsletter subscribers have a gift copy of this prequel (which is typically only available via a purchase on most online retailers here).

The time to take advantage of this...

Mired deep in the writing, editing, and publishing prep trenches, I can honestly say that hearing from you readers is the main highlight of Katherine D. Graham's June 2026 writing roundup. Here's the full recap from Katherine:

Whoo, what a month, friends! *Sinks down on a comfy couch with Sofi the cat.*

While on the outside June may have seemed quieter than most of this year for updates, on this side of the screen it has been pure chaos. YOU, though, made every second worth it.

-Readers around...

With Starfire Express: A Flame of Fae and Fang's release now coming closer and closer, I've been getting questions along the lines of "Is Starfire Express a fairytale?"

This question really made me stop and think, because while it's not a fairytale retelling, it definitely could qualify as a dark fairytale in its own right.

To be clear, Starfire Express was not written with children in mind. This piece is dark, there will be grit alongside the wonder of the magical worlds June visits. There is...

It's official: I'm planning a book tour for the release of Starfire Express: A Flame of Fae and Fang in 2027, and in-person book tour location suggestions are open!

If you'd like me to come to your area for a meet & greet or book signing on the tour, please go HERE to fill out a location suggestion form.

This tour is not US-exclusive; international readers are more than welcome to drop me a suggestion as well.

Once the responses are in, I'll look through all of them, finalize a tour...

Hey everyone, it's time to reveal the June 2026 fantasy book giveaway I'm honored to be taking part in alongside so many amazing mythological/fairy tale authors.

While I've personally entered The Godmother (the prequel novella to Starfire Express) in this giveaway, award-winning authors like Helen Garraway are also present, some personal five-star favorites I've read from writers including Aaron Hodges are participating, and loads more.

I picked up three new books to read in June from this...

Bookish surprises unveiled, new books in the works, and a bookish giveaway are some of the highlights in Katherine D. Graham's May 2026 writing roundup!

As you may have seen in my April writing roundup, Starfire Express: A Flame of Fae and Fang is continuing to pick up steam.

-As of May 2026, the first volume in my Starfire Express series is well on its way toward a much-anticipated release with an official release date announcement .

-Starfire Express: A Flame of Fae and Fang ebook pre-orders...

It's official, everyone! Starfire Express: A Flame of Fae and Fang is set for a March 2nd 2027 release!

Pre-orders for the eBook are already open at most major retailers (take a look HERE), and physical versions are slated to be added to the pre-order options later in 2026.

With the release date announcement comes the unveiling of what we authors call a 'blurb' (the book description) as well. Take a look:

Step Into A Sweeping Dark Mythological Fantasy Adventure In The First Volume Of USA Today...

If you liked the Assassin's Creed books, try these indie books!

Both of these amazing dark fantasy tales are five-star reads I've loved and recommend highly (and NO, this is NOT a sponsored post; I receive no kick-backs for clicks/orders on the links below).

They follow strong female main characters navigating worlds they're both comfortable in and uncomfortable in at once. The deep, character-driven nature of the stories come alongside unpredictable plots and endings that left me eager for the...

Who is Katherine D. Graham?

If you've stumbled across my page, welcome! I am Katherine D. Graham, a USA Today bestselling fantasy author, developmental editor, and author coach. While I write an array of dark fantasy sub-genres (from epic to mythological to steampunk), I am most known for the following books:

-The Vow That Twisted Fate

This novel has received Reader's Favorite 5-Star and IndieReader Approved 5-star reviews, and has placed as a fantasy finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book...

It is with much celebration and the grandest excitement that I finally get to invite you to sign up to receive a free physical Starfire Express ticket in May!

For those of you who are new here, warmest of welcomes! Starfire Express is a portal/adventure fantasy novel with mythological beings, a celebration train tour turned rebellion, and a dragon VS fae feud with universal implications. This series has been in the works for the past few years, and much to my current readers' anticipation, is...

Have you seen the May 2026 fantasy book giveaway yet? If not, take a look here!

I've teamed up with other fantasy authors to sponsor a prize pack of 25 ebooks and an eReader for a random winner after the giveaway ends on June 30th.

Many of us are also giving out free stories to everyone (whether you win or not) if you sign up for our newsletters during the giveaway, so take a look at all the cool books in the prize pack and check out their authors.

I've even added some to my reading list!

Happy...

With the month having flown by, it's time for Katherine D. Graham's April 2026 writing roundup!

This month has been a big month for Starfire Express!

-I unveiled the character art I commissioned of main characters June & Hunter

-I shared some exciting news about the cover illustration (which has now been commissioned for later in 2026)

-I announced that pre-orders will be opening soon

-And I've been ploughing through the edits that will help the story shine

In other more general news:

-My new...

It's time for a Starfire Express Update: the cover has been commissioned!

I am beyond excited to announce that I have signed with and secured the cover commission with my DREAM illustrator! I can't say much quite yet about the details, but the work is set to start in the summer of 2026 (so VERY soon!).

This means you can look for a pre-order announcement in the coming weeks with a temporary working cover and the release date.

Thank you all for your patience as this project came to life! I cannot...

It started out as sinuses, I thought. Maybe a sinus infection at the worst. It's spring where I live in the US right now, and I didn't think much of the sniffles.

Or the earaches.

Or the cough...

Until the cough sank into my chest, exhaustion crept in, and before I knew it, a case of bronchitis had turned into pneumonia.

Do writers take sick days? When you are technically a self-employed business, is there room for a day off to rest and recover?

The honest truth is yes, we writers are human, and...

If you liked The Fae King's Assassin, try these indie books!

These 5-sar fantasy reads bring all the dark romantasy, powerful FMCs trained well and self-sufficient, and men they're supposed to, well, you know, and delivers some spectacular storytelling along the way.

1.) Daindreth's Assassin by Elisabeth Wheatley (Blurb from the Book's Detail Page Below)

Born to be a sorceress. Cursed to be an assassin. Chosen to be his empress.

Magic has two immutable rules—every spell requires a sacrifice and...

With all the excitement on my socials lately about this duology, you may be wondering, "Who are the main characters in Starfire Express?"

I'm glad you asked!

Meet Hunter and June:

*Character Art Commissioned In 2021 From An Artist Who No Longer Illustrates & Wishes To Remain Anonymous*

June is an ordinary university student on holiday celebrating the end of her final year. When she boards the wrong train, she finds herself the lone human on a train full of...

It's time for a glimpse inside my characters' heads: the Starfire Express edition!

'The Godmother', Elisa Farrington III, is the villain in the Starfire Express Series universe. June Farrington is her daughter, and--as fate would have it--the unwitting heroine of the duology.

When I wrote The Godmother, the prequel novella for the Starfire Express Series, I chose to write it all in Elisa's head because I am obsessed with good villains. And the foundation to all good villains, in my opinion, is...

Hey there everybody!

Anybody who's read my books or my book reviews knows that I LOVE a good villain. And no, I'm not just talking about a villain who is evil for evil's sake. This love has paved the way for Heart of Darkness: the villain POV workshop I'm teaching for AutoCrit in March 2026.

I want to read (and write!) about villains who are so real, whose plights are so viscerally relatable and raw, that we (yes, even me as the author) wonder if we're cheering for the right side.

Because a...