After a long creative drought, there is a lot going on in the mind and world of Robin L. Cole these days!
I’m (finally) hard at work on the third book of The Warding: The Last Dance. It took me much longer than I would have liked to get my footing in this one, but I have no one to blame but myself. Like Cat, I wasn’t prepared to be dropped into the middle of faery and needed to do some backtracking to figure out where I was headed. I’ve dug myself out of the weeds now and am hopeful for a late winter 2017 release. If I cannot get The Last Dance out before December, I will do my best to aim for January. So save up some of that holiday present $$$ and be prepared!
In addition to my next urban fantasy work (which I hope is eagerly anticipated), I am currently at work on three (yes, three!) non-fiction projects as well, all of which are near and dear to another passion of mine: Tarot.
The first book, co-authored by the amazing Valerie Colangelo, will be a workbook of sorts, featuring fun games and thought provoking exercises meant to help you learn to intuitively read your deck of choice. We’re working on balancing out the work and the play, and the first draft is looking good. No title has been settled upon as of yet. Expect to hear more about this fun venture in late 2017!
The other written project–which will not see the light of day until 2019, by my current best guess–is my personal take on a tarot-based spiritual practice, which I am calling The Path of the Modern Mystic. This book is largely based on the experiences I have had and the practices I hold close to my heart as a modern day pagan who relies heavily upon the use of tarot in her day to day practice.
The last project–which is likely going to be the most time consuming and is the biggest departure from my fiction writing–is the creation of my own “ritual deck,” a system along the lines of an oracle deck that can be used ritual work. This deck is something I started creating for myself, as my personal practice evolved and simplified, but I think it might appeal to a broader audience by the time it is done. I envision this deck being used in conjunction with The Path of the Modern Mystic, though it in no way replaces Tarot!
I have started the concept artwork for this deck, using watercolor markers as my format of choice. It will also be around deck. My reasoning for this was artistic at first. The first cards I was drawn to create were moon phases and cards pertaining to the pagan Wheel of the Year, as those were simple representations I wanted for my ritual altar that “normal” Tarot decks were missing. Then, the more I thought on it, the more a circular card made sense. The most important works of a witch happen within a circle. This shape was just meant to be for this deck.
Here’s a little sneak peak into my concept art sketchbook for the latest card I worked on: the New Moon:
So, this project is a loooooong way from final deck creation, but its speaking to my soul quite strongly and I can’t wait to share its progress with all of you. If you’d like to see images of this deck as it progresses, keep an eye on my Instagram. I hope to have this deck finished in 2019 as well, but as of now–no promises yet!
That’s it for now. There’s a lot going on these days and a lot of fun things coming in the days ahead! I’ve got more stories floating around in my noggin for Caitlin and Co. as well, so don’t think The Last Dance is the last you’ll see of them! If y’all want to keep reading her tales, I will certainly keep writing them.
I will try to post more frequent updates on Facebook as well as posting regularly on Instagram so you can all keep an eye on the progress of your favorite projects. I might even resurrect this sorely neglected blog. Who knows!
Much love to you all. Until next time…
I have to start this off by saying, to all The Warding’s fans, I’m sorry. I failed you last year. I really meant to have the The Last Dance, book three in the series, finished and published in 2017. Sadly, that did not happen. For whatever reason, this part of the story has taken me a lot more effort to write than the first two installments. This part of the tale is just super slow going for me, and I don’t have a good excuse for that. I’m really hoping this means its going to be a stellar installment when all is said and done (and worthy of the wait!) but, in the meantime–I’m sorry to make you wait. 
Robin L. Cole 