One part Regency fairytale, one part "Bloodborne-esque" horror, this novella follows a marriage of convenience between a survivor of abuse and a cursed beast 🐺🫀🌿
Get it through itch (EPUB & PDF) & Amazon (kindle & paperback)
✨ linktr.ee/emrynbird ✨
Full summary and content warnings below....
She yearned for freedom and solace from her familial home.
He wished for companionship after a life of isolation.
After a chance encounter at a masquerade ball, a deal is struck between the two to provide what the other desires. But as the horror behind unspoken truths becomes known, this marriage of convenience takes a dark and emotional turn that thrills her...and frightens him...
In the Jaws of an Oak is an illustrated erotic monster romance for fans of Beauty and the Beast retellings where the beast only becomes more monstrous instead of turning human. This novella is 34k words with 18 illustrations, includes aromantic, pan, and sapphic representation.
The story explores themes of abuse and grief through the framing of the FMC’s newly found kinks surrounding fear and the MMC testing the limits of his most monstrous qualities. While not seen on page, it is heavily implied the FMC is a survivor of sexual violence and incest. Birth control via herbal remedies is taken on page and there is a brief mention of pregnancy and childbirth. While a majority of this work is queernormative, there is a brief instance of homophobia (past).
There is one violent death that is described on page that involves dismemberment and being eaten, while all others are briefly mentioned along with attempted filicide.
The FMC and MMC have a significant size difference—that is made even greater via the MMC transforming—and engage in sexual acts akin to BDSM, which include: teeth play, biting, pinning/restraining, knotting, anal, fellatio, cunnilingus, deep penetration (oral, vaginal), choking, and vore-adjacent death ideation.
heeeeeyyyy so hiatus is still ongoing but uuuhh.....
wanna read something a bit Patrik-coded that is sorta very.....👀🌶️💦
(defo read the content warnings first)
HHHHHNNNNNGGG okay sooo here's the plan right now....
When I am up for it/have time, I am going draw what will be the last chapter for Book 2, then going to write out Book 3 as just prose with maaaaaybe some illustrations mixed throughout. And both will get printed via a kickstarter or backer campaign.
I don't have a timeline yet for any of this, but this is the current plan to wrap up the story and give it closure.
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My author copies of second graphic novel Garlic & the Witch, sequel to my debut Garlic & the Vampire, just arrived. Can’t for this book to come out next week on Sept 6th!!!
SDCC is one week away! I have a couple things going on Friday 7/22 including my first book signing!!! If you’re attending, I hope to see you there <3
[ image text: My SDCC schedule: I’ll be there Friday 7/22
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm PANEL: Retold, Reimagined, and Refreshed
Helen Price Reading Room, San Diego Central Library (across the pedestrian bridge from the Convention Center)
“Whether it’s adapting Shakespearean classics, creating spin-offs of popular titles from our childhood, or reimagining centuries-old fairy tales and myths, today’s graphic novels offer readers exciting new portals into familiar worlds.”
4:30PM - 5:30PM Book Signing: Table AA09
in the Autograph Area in the Sails Pavilion of the convention center, *not* in Artist Alley! ]
Finally! I can scream about this!!!! Soo so excited to continue working with the lovely folks at HarperCollins.
The Firelight Apprentice is a story I’ve had for a long, long time, based on a dream I had back in high school. I am very excited to finally bring this story and its characters to life! If you’ve been following me on twitter for a while, you know how flipping ecstatic I am to FINALLY adapt Dracula. I has been my dream to adapt this story to make it more accessible and give Mina and Lucy the justice they deserve!!!
[ image text: Rosemary Brosnan at Quill Tree has bought, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal, The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen (Garlic and the Vampire), a middle grade graphic novel about a girl whose older sister hesitantly allows her to take an apprenticeship with a duo of magicians to help her control her own magic, until rumors of a dangerous lich begin to run through the town. The second book, Dracula, is a YA retelling from the perspective of Mina Murray, Bram Stoker’s oft-overlooked heroine. Publication of the first book is set for 2024; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management did the deal for world rights. ]
Sorry this is the update y'all weren’t looking, but it has been really nice just focusing on this graphic novel and not stressing out over Patrik in my free time.
Hope y'all understand, if anything, use this time to reread the comic or check your fav booksellers for copies of Garlic & the Vampire…
Update 1/7/2022: Have you ever taken a break from something and when you try to start up again, you can't? Because there's nothing in the engine. You had been running on fumes for years and the tank is empty.
That's my current situation with Patrik...
I am trying to get a page done and I'm just pushing pixels around. And the guilt of not getting a page done isn't enough of a motivator. I feel stuck because I would like to continue, but in order to there'd either need to be a BIG CHANGE in format or I just....simply move on.
Sorry this is the update y'all weren't looking, but it has been really nice just focusing on this graphic novel and not stressing out over Patrik in my free time.
Hope y'all understand, if anything, use this time to reread the comic or check your fav booksellers for copies of Garlic & the Vampire...