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An Acorn

by Loring Slivinski, August 2026

As even the mighty oak has to start somewhere, I, too, must write a first newsletter.

I won't lie - it's not my favorite type of writing, as there tend to be few elves and fewer dragons. But if I wish to share my elves and dragons with the world, I’ll have to let people know they exist.

Welcome to my new newsletter & website!

After a long break from both my art and writing, I'm finally heeding my muse’s sweet siren song. She's been super pissed the last few years, and it's just not smart to mess with a muse. To appease both muse and soul, I'm diving back into the creative world. 

If you are receiving this first newsletter, you have either followed my projects in the past, are friends and family, or have expressed an interest in staying abreast of what I'm up to.

While I hope everyone continues to follow my newsletters, I don't want to be anyone's spam. I won't cry if you leave (probably), but I do hope you'll stay. And since I still have one of those dreaded "day jobs" and more projects than time, I doubt you'll receive more than one or two newsletters a month. 

Writing Update

It’s funny how life gets in the way of world-building. Life, and trying to figure out the best way to proceed when one hopes to publish a five-book trilogy (yes, I know, but it sounds better than pentalogy).

Some people advise authors to write the first book and publish it, reasoning that it makes little sense to put all that work into a series if it’s not publishable. Others suggest it’s best to write the whole stinkin’ thing–not only for continuity’s sake throughout the series, but also to show publishers you’re not a one-book pony. (Sorry, can’t help it.)

I spent several years trying to get my first book honed and published, only to realize it needed a lot more work before an agent would do something other than file it in the round file on the floor. I also realized I want to avoid the “Whoops, too late” of working on book three and realizing that I needed to set up some concept in the first book.

I’m currently writing what I call my “Encyclopaedia Iliena”–a compendium of people, critters, magic, and countries on the Planet Atum, where my stories take place. Working out these details has given me some really fun ideas for the subsequent books in the series. Book one is begging me for a major revision, and once that's done, I'll create a SOLID outline for the remaining books in the series. At that point, I'll have a good idea where everything is going. I'll be able to fine-tune book one, then toss out a line to see who bites.

Art

Art has also taken a bit of a backseat to life for a while. I was ramping up again this past fall and winter, then I tore my rotator cuff in January. The injury and subsequent surgery left me unable to do any art for over five months, and killed my hopes for getting my art into a fall festival for 2026.

I’m happy to say I’ve mended enough to burn again. I’m working on a fun new line I call “Critters and Cryptids”, which will feature various beings in their natural environments — from frogs and faeries to sea lions and sea dragons. 

I’m also scheduled to teach some woodburning classes at Wheaton Arts in Millville, NJ. Click on the following link to take a peek at the class descriptions, if you’re interested! 

Woodburning Classes

Festivals and Appearances

I hope to be accepted into the 2027 Wheaton Arts’ Fall Festival, which takes place in October. With plenty of time to finish some fun pieces by then, I’m really excited about this festival! I also enjoyed the Sea Glass Festival at Cold Spring Village this past spring, so I may apply for their Spring 2027 festival. 

As for the rest of life, dogs, cats, birds, husband, squirrels, deer, and all the other beasties in my life are well. I hope you are too!

I also hope you’ll all follow along on my journey to discover lost islands and make pretty pictures of them.

Until later, stay out of trouble. If you can’t stay out of trouble, just don’t get caught. 

Critter of the month: Prapartro (also called the Guardians of the Veil) protect the Isle of Ilien so intruders may not enter. They are the “souls” of the original Elves who came to Ilien millennia ago from the far-away continent of Rónemun. Upon their death, the Elves join the hive-mind that surrounds the sacred Isle. The hive maintains the Veil, a barrier that sucks the air out of the lungs of anyone without Iliena blood.

(In the sections below, click on the underlined text to visit the relevant websites)

Book of the Month: The Black Witch, by Laurie Forest. I listen to audiobooks on my to and from work, and this damn book made me late for both work and dinner on more than one occasion. 

Art of the Month:  I’m currently obsessed with the Wyeth Family, especially the poignant works of Andrew Wyeth

Loring Slivinski

wordsandwood26@gmail.com

Check out my website