SoulSkin March '23

The first update of SoulSkin's Newsletter and Q&A

Blanche, leave the Carnival to the fools.

What is it?

SoulSkin (or Peau d’Âme in french) is my Work In Progress novel, a goth retelling of the Donkeyskin fairy tale, but with cannibalism, internalized misogyny, feminine rage, and a romance between a princess and a jester (you know, him 👀). To sum it up, it’s a journey of self-discovery through monstrosity and love.

Where can I find it?

I am still writing it! The book consists of Three Parts (His Daughter, The Beast, Blanche), and I'm roughly at the end of part 2 (as of today, 03/14). It is a stand alone.

Once published, where will I be able to read it?

My plan is to find a traditional publisher. I want this story as a physical copies, ebook and, if possible, audiobook. However, I cannot deny that the self-publishing route is very tempting too, especially since I plan to include illustrations and would rather have free rein for it. We shall see how that goes, I will update you as soon as I can!
In the meantime, I am planning a beta reading session this fall ‘23.
As I am writing the book in french, it will be in the original version and in english (I am working with a translator, to make sure it’s a professional translation). If you want in, there will be a Google Form to fill beforehand, simply to make sure the book is right for you, and that we are on the same page on how beta reading goes! The beta reading session will span over 3 months (1 part per month).
There will still be a lot of work to do after the beta, but it will also give me a clearer view of the calendar.

Is it spicy?

If you consider gore spice, yes. Otherwise, it’s a dark fantasy story, and while there is romance, it isn’t the main genre. So far, there are no sex scenes depicted, I doubt there will be.

Have you read Heartless by M. Meyer, Trick by N. Jaster, or Fool by C. Moore?

Those are the books I get the most comparison to on TikTok, but I haven’t read any of those yet! My main inspirations are Charles Perrault’s version of the fairy tale, Robin Hobb’s Farseer series, french medieval poems and songs (such as La Chanson de Roland), the Grimm’s fairy tales and my own Alsatian folklore. And I feel like reading Circe by M. Miller last year definitely paved the way.
As for movies: J. Demy’s Peau d'Âne (1970), P. Pasolini’s Medea (1969), P. Chéreau’s La reine Margot (1994), C. Gans’ Le Pacte des Loups (2001) and T. Gilliam’s The Brothers Grimm (2005).

Where can I follow you?

I am on TikTok — Instagram — Pinterest (the SoulSkin folder is still secret, it will go public with the release).
And you can find prints on RedBubble — INPRNT

I join the Beast and the Fool to wish you well, and I’ll see you soon,
Aude