Dear readers and listeners,

January always feels like a long exhale, and this one especially. I’m currently not working, taking time to recover from chronic overwork, and giving myself permission to stop rushing. I’m job hunting (slowly, intentionally), and while I don’t know exactly where I’m headed next, I do know I’m focusing on my art in the meantime. That part feels right.

There are lots of exciting creative things simmering this month:

🎧 The audiobook for my novella Between the Living and the Dead is officially out! I’ve got a few free download codes if you’d like to listen. Just hit reply and let me know.

🎹 I released a 1-hour neoclassical playlist of melancholic instrumental pieces on Youtube: perfect for reading, writing, or just thinking. I will be uploading it on Spotify soon.

🎤 What Happened is coming to Spotify at the end of the month; it’s one of the most personal songs I’ve written and this month is the 1 year anniversary of its creation.

🎙️ I’ll be back in the studio soon to record “Hope in Each Other’s Hell”, a jazz piece with dark lounge undertones.

Outside the studio, I’m on the lookout for a real piano (finally!), and possibly some new bandmates to round out our jazz group as we prepare for upcoming performances.

And to the lovely soul who participated in last month’s “Gothmas” poll—your Option E was perfection. You made me laugh, and cringe and it nailed the seasonal chaos vibe.

I’m keeping things simpler in 2026. Shorter emails and freebies on request to those willing to reach out.
Thank you for being here: quietly, consistently, or just when the mood strikes. I’m grateful either way.

Until next time,
Sophie

When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have. ― E. W. Howe