Mages & Mapmakers — December 2025
In which we hunker down for a cozy winter
Welcome, Explorers!
Welcome back, adventurers. December always feels like a doorway month, the kind where the world gets quiet enough to hear secrets in the walls. Whether you’re racing toward the finish line of the year or hiding under a blanket with a book and a snack stash, you’re welcome here.
This month’s newsletter is built for maximum cozy, minimum chaos: a quick activity, a winter reading stack, and a little real-life magic.
✒️ Behind the Quill ✒️
Charmless Update: I ran into a few snags the last month that have prevented me from releasing the book when I’d originally intended. Watching my self-set publishing date go by was a bit of a downer, but everything is back on track. Just awaiting final proofs and everything should be ready to go in early January. Stay tuned!
Otherwise, I’m trucking along on my draft for Powerless, with a planned writing retreat in January to finish that out. I’ve been immersed in the wintery setting and absolutely loving it!
🧭 Adventurer’s Guild 🧭
The longest nights are perfect for silly spells and unexpected stories. This month’s activity is The Midwinter Tale Generator. These fill-in-the-blanks winter tales let readers create their own snow-covered adventure, complete with questionable decisions, flying snowballs, and a narrator who may or may not be judging them. Perfect for a cozy afternoon, classroom laughter, or warming up reluctant writers.
I’d love to see what tales you’ve woven. Post them in the comments!
📚 Bookshelf of Wonders 📚
Snowy settings, winter festivals, cozy vibes incoming:
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
If you love puzzles hidden inside puzzles, this snowy mystery is pure delight. Set in a grand hotel full of secret passages, riddles, and locked doors, Winterhouse blends brain-teasing fun with a sense of wonder that never talks down to its readers. Perfect for kids who like their adventures clever and cozy, with just enough danger to keep the pages turning.Best for: puzzle lovers, mystery fans, readers who enjoy maps, codes, and hidden rooms.
The Midwinter Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag
Quiet, thoughtful, and emotionally rich, this story feels like a whispered spell. Set during a winter festival, it explores identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to become yourself, even when tradition pushes back. The magic here is subtle but powerful, wrapped in snow, community, and self-discovery.Best for: readers who like character-driven fantasy, gentle magic, and heartfelt moments.
The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
Snowbound in an isolated house with a mysterious mechanical crow? Yes, please. This is a wonderfully eerie winter tale that balances suspense with warmth, featuring a brave young heroine, old magic, and secrets ticking beneath the surface. Atmospheric without being too scary, it’s a great pick for readers who want a hint of danger with their cocoa.Best for: fans of spooky-but-not-too-spooky stories, folklore vibes, and clever, resourceful heroes.
BONUS Adult: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
A sharp, icy fairy tale reimagining that crackles with wit and danger. Spinning Silver weaves Slavic folklore, bargains, and winter magic into a story about power, resilience, and choosing your own fate. Three wonderfully complex and strong female main characters make this even more of a treat. Complex, satisfying, and beautifully written, it’s a perfect winter read for grown-up fantasy lovers—I re-read it every winter!
On My TBR: The Last of the Spirits by Chris Priestley
This one’s waiting on my nightstand full of promise of a twisty, spooky take on a Christmas Carol.
✨ Real-Life Magic ✨
This month, it wasn’t me that went on an epic adventure, but Gabby—my tiny, fearless cat. It’s been snowing almost non-stop for about two weeks. You’d think every half-way intelligent cat would be curled up by the fire or begging for snacks.
Okay, she does that too, but I have caught that cat on THREE separate attempts to escape the warmth of the house and bound in the snow! Which means I have to gear up and trudge back out to get her! So I guess there is adventure in it for me.
Chasing my rambunctious cat outside has given me the chance to really take in some of the wintery beauty out there, so that’s a small bit of magic I can be grateful for.
That and hot chocolate.
Farewell For Now
Thanks for adventuring with me this month!
Stay warm and cozy as the cold weather sets in. Next month, we’re heading out of this world for the New Year!
📣 Your Quest:
What’s your perfect cozy reading spot? A favorite chair? A comfy couch? A blanket fort? Comment below!
Until next time,
💌 KJ
tale generator, fan of all things cozy
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