Buckle up everyone. This year is going to be epic in so many ways.

I’m going to be the first to admit that last year didn’t go exactly according to plan. I was supposed to be done with the Comstock Chronicles and moving on to the next big project. However, I wasn’t counting on my husband and I purchasing a farm last year and how much time that would involve when I made my goals public.

So this year, given I’m not thrown a curveball again, I wanted to give you a preview of what you can expect from Vanessa Thurgood Books.

Let’s dive into more detail about these deadlines.

First, I am releasing my first ever anthology along with six other authors centered on genetically altered and magical fire abilities titled Caught in the Flames. 

This anthology will release on March 4, 2025 and help support the World Wildlife Fund. My story will focus on the backstory of the dragon in the Comstock Chronicles, Darius Vermu.

This story is all about dragon gladiators and where Darius’s hatred for humans began. This is also the first short story that ties into my next series, The Dragons of Hadrian (working title).

Second, I will finally release the fourth book in The Comstock Chronicles, The Siren’s Call, on April 29, 2025. We will travel the seas of the western region and meeting new creatures and new threats. Will they survive their journey to the “Singers of the Sea?”

The cover reveal and pre-order information are coming in February, so stay tuned for updates.

Third, since I missed releasing book 4 last year, I am also going to release book five, The Phoenix and the Wolf, on September 23, 2025.

***update***

This release has been postponed until February 2026.

Finally, I am part of a second anthology called Enchanted Caves. I feel honored to have been invited to be part of this charity anthology series. It will also feature amazing authors like Astrid V.J., Elena Shelest, and nine others. 

This story will also come from Series two, The Dragons of Hadrian.

Some things to note: After I finish the Comstock Chronicles this year, I’m changing up how I release my books. Starting in 2026, I will release an entire series in a year. This doesn’t mean I’m going to skimp on the writing. The opposite, in fact.

By taking this approach, I can catch plot holes better and what pieces of information are needed to tie everything together. 

So I will write the entire series, then going back and edit. This could mean there will be greater gaps between series releases, but the good news is that once you start a series, you won’t have to wait an entire year for the next book to be ready.

It should be a win for you as a reader.

While we are waiting for these two novels and two anthologies to release, be sure you have read the first four novels in the Comstock Chronicles so you can remember what’s happening in the latter ones. 

And yes, I recommend you read the prequel novella, The Fire Drake, because it contains key pieces of information that you need for books 4 and 5.

Have a Happy New Year, my friend and I’ll see you back here next week. 

P.S. If you love to get free books, consider joining my ARC team for the year. You’ll get to read the books first and lucky members who are quick to review will go into a prize pool and win some swag or printed copies of the books.

Use the ARC Reader form to join.