iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 03/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge 3 - What's his hobby? Besides the very obvious, I wonder what you'll think? #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

A sketch of Nohvan, main character of Curse of Nohvan. He is drawing his bow and aiming.

Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 01/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge 1 Hello! I'm Chloe and I write fantasy. Currently more on the adventure/dark side. First novel out next month so I'm super excited! Very nice to meet you all and thanks @pamelajeong.bsky.social for such a cute game! #writingcommunity

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 30/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 30 It's been a really eventful month here! I didn't really see the time tbh I did the cover reveal for my book ✨️ Decided on a release date 📆 And started an ARC campaign (with currently 0 sign-ups 🥲) #WritingCommunity #AuthorSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 29/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 29 I see myself as both. Sometimes I need other people to feel energised (difficult when you have introvert friends!). Sometimes it's the complete opposite. Nohvan is an introvert through and through. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 28/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 28 It happens & it's not the end of the world! I usually finish the books I start, but there are exceptions. My last DNF was from an author that I adored as a teenager. They changed, tried their hand in a new genre and it wasn't for me. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 27/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 27 I've done a lot of research around names & their meaning. I wanted each character to mean something, sometimes even forshadowing what will happen to said character 🫢 (only for minor characters). #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 26/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 26 How about the very first paragraph of Curse of Nohvan? #WritingCommunity #BookSky

An excerpt from Curse of Nohvan: Welcome to Variska

The rain poured heavily, turning the ground into mud. I adjusted my hood, making an extra effort to focus on my surroundings. It was slowly becoming impossible to see for more than ten feet, to hear anything other than the symphony of raindrops mixed with the sloshing of steps. Mine, and those of my companions.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 24/09/2026

#WIPSnips - Meddle Cinder & Nohvan's bumpy relationship. #WriteSky #BookSky

An extract from Curse of Nohvan: Welcome to Variska, highlighting the use of 'meddle'.

I turned around to see all my arrows on the ground and Cinder frowning at me, ready to scold me.
“Seriously?!” I exclaimed, frustrated. I was ready to do this, but she had to meddle!
“What are you doing, Nohvan?”
“What do you think I’m doing?” I dryly replied, crouching on the ground to pick up my arrows.
“So you were going to follow her wishes.” She sounded almost hurt. I didn’t want to, but what choice did I have?

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 23/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 23 I wonder if I'm the only one with this... Commas! I tend to write (too) long sentences with commas. It makes all perfect sense in my head but not for readers... So my second passes usually break down my sentences into more digestable bits. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 22/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 22 My list is very small, I don't have a lot of time to read these days. It turns out, publishing a book is a full time job and it's not even my day job 😂 For now: The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by @chiarab.bsky.social #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 21/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 21 Vi, the mage, doesn't start as power-hungry. But he is young - for an elf - and easily convinced by others, especially his peers. The curse land of Variska will try again and again to break his joyful spirit 🥲 #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 20/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 20 "Continued" or "stated" are ones I had to tone down. "Apparently" is another one, thankfully easiest to spot and correct! #WritingCommunity #BookSky @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 19/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 19 What does it feel like to land in Variska? Well, Nohvan can tell you all about it. #WritingCommunity #BookSky @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

An excerpt of upcoming Curse of Nohvan:

The silence was deafening; the surrounding darkness, thick.

Intangible.

I was alive; that much I knew.

My muscles felt tense, as if I had run for a very long time.

I breathed in the heavier, more humid air that still tasted better than the white smoke I choked on earlier.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 18/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 18 This is Fifi! 16 yo. My official supervisor & grounding friend. She's an absolute sweetie! Cuddles in her own time of course. #WritingCommunity #BookSky @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 17/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 17 Nohvan would write on different cultures: their myths, legends, customs. Either educational/documentary or folktales for children. #WritingCommunity #BookSky @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 16/09/2026

ARC readers wanted! If you're into epic/dark fantasy and want a story full of adventures, vampires, found family, grief & betrayals, then I would love to have you on my ARC team ✨️ Application link: forms.gle/Qq1GXD6tk7Tq... Join us in Variska if you dare 🎃 🦇 #BookSky #WritingCommunity #ARC

ARC Readers Wanted for Curse of Nohvan: Welcome to Variska.

Some keywords:
Vampire threat
Fierce protector
Trust nothing
Travel & Fight

This is a blurb for Curse of Nohvan: Welcome to Variska.

They came for coin and pies; now this cursed land may very well eat them alive.

Nohvan, a talented hunter, and his companions—a quiet paladin, a volatile mage, an earnest bard and a feathered wanderer—are trapped in Variska after a simple escort mission turns into a demon hunt. When Aurelia arrives like a mirror of someone Nohvan loves, he must protect her from the vampire ruling the valley and find a way out of this hell.

Between the hungry creatures lurking in the night and dangerous alliances, protection comes at a cost and not every bargain is worth taking... Nohvan must decide what he will give—their trust or the only kind of family he has left.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 16/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 16 Here's a 5 min haiku: Leaves falling onto wet ground Green and brown patchwork My window into autumn Terrible I know. #WritingCommunity @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 15/09/2026

I finally set a date! Curse of Nohvan will come out on November 2nd 🦇 Shortly after Halloween 🎃 So if you want to keep the dark & scary vibe, you can always jump into Variska o/ #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 13/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 13 For once Nohvan and I are the same: overall pretty organised. With his group... I'd say mixed. Kanagon is very organised, Vi... let's say relies on Kanagon. And Cinder... Cinder is Cinder 😂 #WritingCommunity #BookSky @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 12/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 12 I wanted to show that Variska isn't all sunshine & rainbows... Difficult decisions have to be made. #WritingCommunity #BookSky @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 11/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 11 Anything magical, cosy, witchy! Last year I read "Rewitched" by @lucyjanewood.bsky.social and if you're into the genre, I highly recommend it! #WritingCommunity @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 10/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 10 Power, more in the ability sense of it. As in, "I want the power to get the hell out of here" #WritingCommunity @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 09/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 9 Me! I've always dreamt of flying ever since I was a kid. Nohvan doesn't actually dream of superpowers, he isn't a fan of magic. #WritingCommunity @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 08/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 8 In another world, Nohvan would like uni because he'd be free to do his own research. He'd go into history or sociology. But this is pure speculation! #WritingCommunity @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 07/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 7 The choices I ended up making for other characters. When writing from your MC POV, their wants almost become your wants and there's 1 particular moment where I thought things would go his way... #WritingCommunity @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 06/09/2026

#WIPSnips - Sigh Riiight. I actually wonder who believes that. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

The conversation over, her steps led her back to Vi and Kanagon, while I hid a sigh, finishing my cup. I panned around the Charakis once more, easily finding Aurelia, still dancing with other party-goers.

She should be safe for tonight.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 06/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 6 I'm currently writing book 3 - well, whenever I get the time. As soon as book 1 is published, I'll put my efforts in publishing 2 and writing some more! #WritingCommunity @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 04/09/2026

#WIPSnips - Collapse I have no words to describe this except... Welcome to Variska! #WriteSky #BookSky

The little hope that I had of finding Miss Candice disappeared once we got closer to the house. Rats were coming out of ajar windows, and not just one or two.
I counted half a dozen before I shifted my attention to the general state of the house. It looked like a house that hadn’t been used for months, even years, instead of days.
I didn’t know what had happened there, but part of the roof had collapsed and the entire building gave the impression of being… rotten.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 04/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 4 For free Friday I would like to... do a cover reveal! Because yes! It's finally done! Many thanks to Nayla Novotny for the background illustration. Unsettling isn't it? I love it! #BookSky @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

This is a cover for the upcoming book Curse of Nohvan: Welcome to Variska. The illustration is of a blonde woman facing a dark valley, with roses at her feet. There is an ominous figure towering over everything - but we can only see its eyes.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 03/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 3 Easy one! Curse of Nohvan is very anchored in medieval fantasy so education is mostly through mentor-mentee relationships. I don't dive much into it in book 1, but it's something that I am exploring a lot in book 3. @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 02/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 2 85% of the time, recommendations 15% cover And it's mostly rec from friends or newsletter. I never fully believe Amazon recs for some reason 😅 @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 02/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 1 Hi! I'm Chloe, dark fantasy author on the process of releasing my first series, Curse of Nohvan. CoN is about a hunter and his companions getting trapped in a dark land and them navigating this dangerous unknown. @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social @lvrussell.bsky.social

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 23/08/2026

Something is about to emerge from the mists... We're finally done with the cover! ✨ I'll be revealing this baby to my subscribers first, if you're interested do join us 💌 chloemandel.com#newsletter 📚 #BookSky #FantasyBookSky #AuthorSky

This is a cover teaser for Curse of Nohvan. An upcoming first book in an epic, dark fantasy series. The picture has the book almost fully covered by mist, with trees eaten by moss in the background.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 30/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 30 - MC's comfort food You eat what you can get in Variska, so porridge becomes the most delicious food you've ever tasted. Just not pies. Absolutely not pies. #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 29/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 29 - 2026 goals They're going alright. I'm still aiming on publishing in October, cover art almost done ✨ I'm not doing so well with subscribers (they're all my ARC readers 😂) but I'm sure those will come, right? #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 28/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 28 - What I want to see more of Lately for all types of media, I wish to see characters make decisions based on their personalities, their own biases - not because it serves the plot. I want to see more human choices! #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 26/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 26 - Songs I actually don't write with music! The only one that reminds me of my book is Welcome to the internet - because friends of mine just kept talking and singing this when I was deep in writing youtu.be/k1BneeJTDcU?... #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 25/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 25 - Snippet Since I've been galking about Nohvan being a good friend, I thought I'd show a snippet into one of my fav conversations he has. It's one of the most difficult ones for him, he did a good job at the end of it! #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

A snippet from Curse of Nohvan:

We reached the cover of the trees, far enough that the others wouldn’t hear, close enough that they could still see us. Aurelia jerked her arm out of my grasp and crossed her arms.

“Nohvan,” she started, her tone barely withholding a warning, “This is my decision.”

“I know, and I respect it,” I said, unsure if I was trying to convince her or myself.

“Really?” she tapped her finger. “Because it doesn’t look like it.”

“It’s just—,” I hesitated. “That I want to make sure that this is right. That you will be able to come back.” And, unlike Hugo, I didn’t add the if.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 23/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 23 - A good friend? Nohvan would be a good friend. The kind that respect your choices, even as debatable as they can be. He'd argue that he has other priorities than making friends though. #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

A hand drawn sketch of Nohvan, main character of Curse of Nohvan, by Nayla Novotny.
It shows an archer drawing his bow.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 22/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 22 - Covers I'm not too difficult when it comes to covers. I do generally prefer original covers (looking at you Bridgerton) I appreciate covers that explain something about the book (genre or plot) like Belcroft's from B.L.Escobar #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

Cover of Belcroft: Cognitor Fracti by B. L. Escobar, illustrated by Mark Graham.
It's an urban sci-fi cover, showcasing a silhouette standing in a futuristic street, facing an imposing building.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 21/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 21 - Research A lot around names! Equally for places and people. I wanted them to have meaning, so I mixed and matched in different eastern European languages. Variska for example means 'of crow' 🐦‍⬛ #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 20/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 20 - Alliances Bargains, promises & deals are common in Curse of Nohvan. Most you wouldn't make in normal circumstances. All have consequences. One of the main one revolves around a ring and I've added a sneaky snippet for some context (?) #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

A dragon-scale ring. It appears to be made of dark steel, with one scale plated in gold in the middle.

This is a snippet from Curse of Nohvan:

“You were terribly interested in the ring, the same way you were terribly interested in the bones. I had to put you to sleep so you wouldn’t go on your own in the middle of the night!”

I frowned. That sleep spell had me worried I wouldn’t be able to sneak out whenever I wanted to. Not that I’d admit it, at this point I didn’t want to give her more arguments.

“We all do stupid things, I took that… beastly ring!” She huffed, pursing her lips.

“But you didn’t have a choice!”

“There’s always a choice,” she said, glancing down.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 19/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 19 - Writing buddies I have 2 really good friends who I can go to get feedback & are very supportive of my debut ☺️ But really my day-to-day buddy is my cat, Fifi! Here you can see she's stolen my chair X) #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

A picture of a 16 year old cat called Fifi. She is sleeping on top of a red blanket, with her head on the arm of the chair

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 18/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 18 - Snippet The start of a scene in chapter 11 🦇 #DarkFantasy #AmWriting

A snippet from Curse of Nohvan - Welcome to Variska

The scene we got to when we arrived was from one of our worst nightmares. Vi was on his knees, tears running down his cheeks. His eyes were riveted to a window on the first floor of the house and there was a fight inside. Figures, highlighted with purple auras, were moving.

Cinder helped him up to his feet and a flow of information escaped his lips. The keywords that made sense were “vampire”, “Valeria”, “Kanagon”. She ran to get help from the guards nearby while I readied my bow to shoot. Vi was faster and cast his magic. Missiles shot up to the window and hit a figure inside.

A woman soon appeared at the window, hissing and baring her fangs at us. Blood was dripping down her chin and her neck.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 17/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 17 - Stage of writing Curse of Nohvan - Welcome to Variska is officially finished ✨ And now I'm doing all the little bits that will turn it into a proper book! Few bits of editing left, I'm at V4 of the blurb - let me know what you think! #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

Blurb of Curse of Nohvan - Welcome to Variska.

They came for coin and pies; now this cursed land may very well eat them alive.

Nohvan, a talented hunter, and his companions—a quiet paladin, a volatile mage, an earnest bard and a feathered wanderer—are trapped in Variska after a simple escort mission turns into a demon hunt. When Aurelia arrives like a mirror of someone Nohvan loves, he must protect her from the vampire ruling the valley and find a way out of this hell.

Between the hungry creatures lurking in the night and dangerous alliances, protection comes at a cost and not every bargain is worth taking... Nohvan must decide what he will give—their trust or the only kind of family he has left.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 16/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 16 - Animal companions There aren't a lot of them (I'm not trying to sell plushies/toys after all), but early on they'll meet a raven called Timmy 🐦‍⬛ Apparently ravens are good omens in Variska... The moose is a little spoiler 🫢 #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

A raven called Timmy. Timmy is a character from Curse of Nohvan, friendly with the main cast

A moose in a forest. This is used to represent a character from Curse of Nohvan, his role is still unknown.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 15/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 15 - Recent success It's going to be cheesy but my little personal happiness recently is that the BlueSky community is active and interactive! Happy to say here my followers number is non zero 🥹 Thank you very much for welcoming me! #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 15/07/2026

Excellent question! It's going to be inspired by the style of Clair Obscur Exp 33, so sort of like a semi-realistic painting. It's still a bit early for a cover reveal, I hope to have some good news soon!

Cover art of Clair Obscur Expedition 33, featuring the main characters and the Paintress. It's shared as inspiration for the cover art of the upcoming novel, Curse of Nohvan.

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Chloe Mandel @chloemandel.com · 14/07/2026

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 14 - Lessons An overarching theme for Curse of Nohvan 1 is teamwork and trust. Nohvan is naturally reluctant to give his trust - where do you draw the line? Can you always trust your companions? What about those who are trying to help you? #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

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