This isn't related to the main storyline, so if you're just here for Cain and Gabriel, please feel free to skip ahead to the next episode :) 

Which I will hopefully upload a little later today once I've gone through the final editing stages, hehe.

I wanted to take a moment to pause, and firstly thank you all for your support on this story so far! 

Ashes & Bloom was sitting in my Google Drive for around 6 months before I actually worked up the courage to do something with it. Mostly, I was just nervous that people wouldn't want to read my work, but now I'm waking up to a couple of new subscribers each day, and it honestly warms my heart! x

Knowing that my target audience exists in this space is really beautiful and has sparked something within me that I'd like to share with you all.

With the opportunity here on Tapas to unlock ad revenue, I'd really like to aim for the '100 subscribers goal' so that I can do something meaningful with any profits I make from this novel. 

Firstly, I'd like to commission an artist to create a cover that would replace the slap-happy one I made on Canva. I know this sounds silly, but it's important to me because I'd really like to highlight actual creative talent in the work that I produce.

Secondly, and most importantly to me, I'd like to donate money to a local LGBTQIA+ Organisation. 

This is especially important to me, given that my novel is full of angst and touches on horrific themes we all lowkey enjoy reading about in a fantasy-type setting. While I enjoy writing about awful things and will continue to do so, I'd like to also give back to those who are directly affected by hardship. 

The Organisation I've chosen is called Pride Foundation Australia.

Here are a few of the key areas they raise funds for: 

- LGBTQIA+ Forcibly Displaced People Living in Australia

- Safe Use of Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD) 

- LGBTQIA+ Arts & Culture

- Transgender, Non-Binary & Gender Diverse Advocacy 
- Regional & Rural LGBTQIA+ Communities

- LGBTQIA+ Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander People

- LGBTQIA+ People Living With Disability
- Healthy Ageing 
- LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Support Services
- LGBTQIA+ Housing & Homelessness 

You can find out more information on their website, and also download their 2023-2024 Impact Report, which provides full transparency around their initiatives and where their funds go, etc. 

https://pridefoundation.org.au/

Moving forward, I will also be more than happy to answer any questions about this, provide updates, and even statements (because trusting strangers on the internet can be a scary thing to do, but I'd like to try and make it as unscary as I can!!) 

How you can help...

- Honestly, the biggest thing I'd love at this stage is continued engagement! View my episodes, enjoy them, like them, leave cute little comments. All of these things support algorithms that will allow me to be seen by more people :) 

- If someone's asking for recs and you think they'd like my novel? Send it their way! 

- I've also included my Ko-fi button at the end of each episode, so if you're feeling extra cute and generous, you can always make a little donation :'-)

If you'd like to reach out to me to discuss any of this in further detail, please feel free to do so!! I'm active in the Tapas Discord. 

My username is: MourningxAir 

I think that's all I have to say???

Thank you all so much again for your support! 

I hope you continue to enjoy Ashes & Bloom 

x