I’m taking a short break from regular Substack posts while I focus on some behind-the-scenes projects and work commitments.

I’ll be back when the timing is right, but in the meantime, you can find me:

• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donawatson/

• At my website: https://donawatson.com

• For editorial services inquiries, email: contact1@donawatson.com

Thank you for your support and understanding. The story will continue—just not on this week’s schedule.

Grace and peace,

Dona

I am thrilled to announce that my fantasy novel, Lightstone of Power, is launching here on Substack—one chapter at a time.

If you’ve been following me for some time, you would recognize this as the fantasy novel that I launched on Kindle Vella in October 2024. Unfortunately, Amazon decided to cancel the Vella program at the end of the year, leaving me stranded before the book could be finished.

But you can’t keep a determined writer down forever! I have decided to release the novel in serialized form here on Substack and then bundle everything up into a bound volume for my loyal supporters (more on that below).

When does all this start? Tomorrow, May 30, 2025.

What’s the Book About?

Lightstone of Power is the story of Idenia.

She never wanted to be chosen.

When the high priest’s trembling finger points directly at her heart, everything changes. Branded as the reluctant prophetess, she’s thrust into a deadly quest that will either save her dying people—or destroy them all.

The Lightstone calls to her from across shadow-haunted lands, its ancient power the only thing standing between her world and oblivion. But between her and salvation lies a gauntlet of horrors: creatures that hunt in the spaces between heartbeats, and a dark king whose whispered promises could shatter her resolve with a single word.

Every step forward could be her last. Every choice could damn those she’s sworn to protect.

Some prophecies are meant to be fulfilled. Others are meant to be survived.

Perfect for readers who love chosen one prophecies, magical artifacts, and the timeless struggle between good and evil in richly imagined fantasy worlds.

What to Expect

• At least one new chapter every week, posted on Friday, maybe an additional chapter earlier in the week, if time allows.

• All chapters will be free to all readers—no paywall to read Lightstone of Power online.

• Bonus content will be available to those who want to support my work financially. This will include author notes, behind-the-scenes content like world building notes, character sketches and the like, as well as deleted or re-imagined scenes.

Want to Support the Journey?

Subscribing is free, and you'll get access to all Lightstone of Power chapters plus weekly devotional and fantasy content. But if you'd like to support my work and get exclusive insider access to my upcoming 6-book series, here are the ways to join my inner circle:

❤️ Empire Insider: $5/month or $50/year

• Early Access: Fiction Friday chapters one week early

• Fantasy Wednesday BONUS Content: Extended worldbuilding notes, character backstories, writing process insights

• Series Development Updates: First look at my upcoming 6-book fantasy series development

• World Codex Access: Maps, magic system details, character sheets, timelines

• ARC Team Priority: First opportunity to become a beta reader and advance review team member

• Author Commentary: Chapter-by-chapter insights, Easter eggs, and writing decisions

• Bonus Content: Deleted scenes, side character POVs, character journal entries

• Annual Reward: Signed paperback of completed Lightstone of Power (shipping 2026)

⚔️ Founder’s Circle: $150/year

• Everything in Empire Insider tier

• Exclusive Signed Hardcover of Lightstone of Power (shipping 2026)

• Custom Swag Box with fantasy-themed merchandise

• Founding Member Recognition in book acknowledgments

• Direct Input Opportunities: Character naming contests, plot input polls, Q&A sessions

• VIP Launch Access: First to know about new series announcements and pre-orders

My mission is to bring God's light into the world while building epic fantasy realms that inspire and transport readers. Whether you're here for faith-strengthening devotionals or immersive fantasy content, I'm grateful you've joined this journey.

Every subscription helps me devote more time to creating content that matters. And if you simply choose to subscribe for free and read along? Welcome aboard! I'm glad you're here.

Next Steps:

• Subscribe for free and follow the story as it unfolds.

• Upgrade anytime to get the extra goodies and help fund the journey.

• Share with a friend who loves a good, noblebright fantasy story.

Thank you for being part of my journey and helping to support my work.

— Dona Watson

I’ve been working for a couple of years to build a business under the Silver Fox Productions name. The issue has been finding a way to incorporate all the myriad parts of me into a single platform. You see, it can tend to get a little complicated.

So Who is Dona Watson?

I am primarily an author. As a writer of both fiction and nonfiction, it has been difficult to marry the two together into a single platform. I also love to talk about my Christian journey with the goal of encouraging others along the way.

It shouldn’t be that hard to put all that together, right? After all, we can look back in history at some of my favorites, like C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton. Both of these greats were fiction authors and theologians.

While I would not be so bold as to put myself in the same class as either one of them, the fact that we know that each of these men wrote both fiction and nonfiction (primarily related to Christian living) shows that this is possible.

So it has been my quest for some time to accomplish just that—find a platform that will allow me to share all sides of me without having to compromise one for the other.

Enter Realms & Reflections

I believe that Substack will be a great platform to showcase all the aspects of my writing while staying true to my personality. I’m looking forward to connecting more with my ride-or-die friends who love God, science fiction, fantasy, and, well, books in general.

So what can you expect to find on my “Realms & Reflections” Substack? I chose this name because I love how the word “Realms” can refer to my love of fantasy and science fiction. “Reflections” is a great way to describe my devotional thoughts. You can expect to find both in my future posts.

I also had the misfortune of jumping into Kindle Vella with a serialized fantasy novel—just before Amazon pulled the plug on the program and closed it down. I have decided to restart that project and finish it off here on Substack! Woo!

You might even find, from time to time, little bits and pieces about the critters God has entrusted me with—my rescue dog Gracie, my four laying hens, and my Silver Fox rabbits. (Fun fact: the rabbits were the inspiration behind my company name—Silver Fox Productions—which covers all my publications and business activities.)

So, yeah, that’s pretty much me—God, critters, and books. I look forward to growing this community and getting to know you all a little better as we grow together.

If you want more info on my published books, you can find them pretty much anywhere books are sold online or at https://www.donawatson.com.

Until next time,

Dona