Discovering Stories and Connections at Plus Ultra Coffee

Megan here and boy…there are some events that leave you tired by the end of the day, and then there are the ones that leave you full in the best possible way. Sunday at Plus Ultra Coffee in the Bradley Square Mall was very much both.

Thank you to everyone who came out, browsed the tables, picked up books, asked questions, shared stories, and stayed awhile to chat with us. One of my favorite parts of these events is getting to sit down with people who are just as eager to geek out over history, mythology, folklore, dragons, and strange old tales as we are. We always crave those connections and conversations!

And truly, that is always welcomed by all three of us — me, Megan, D.B. Hopson, and Roy, who somehow manages to turn imagination into something tangible with every drink and project he touches.

One of the most rewarding things to witness throughout the day was seeing people light up when they found their thing. Sometimes it was one of the dragons D.B. designed and Roy printed. Sometimes it was finally spotting the book they’d been searching for and realizing they could actually take it home with them that day. There’s a kind of quiet magic in that moment — when a story, an image, or even an idea suddenly clicks into place for someone. That is what makes all of this worthwhile.

The Wings of Wisdom series continues to grow, with one more slated to come out within the next year or so. But there are other children’s stories already in the works. Some are whimsical and some lean deeper into folklore and myth. All of them are being built with the same hope: that stories can still spark wonder, teach values, and bring families closer together.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the far back corner of my very eclectic mind, a handful of historical fiction and science fiction projects are continuing to percolate. Slowly. The hope is to have at least one of those finished before the end of the year slips away from me.

And for those who enjoy poetry, I’m also preparing to load my recent chapbook, Appalachian Roots, onto KDP and IngramSpark so it will be more widely available for readers interested in that corner of my work as well.

Thank you again to Plus Ultra Coffee for hosting us, and thank you to every person who stopped by the table. Independent storytelling survives because people still care enough to seek it out, talk about it, and carry it home with them.

We noticed. And we’re grateful.

Thank You for Supporting Independent Publishing in Cleveland

D.B. Hopson here and I wanted to say Sunday’s book signing in Cleveland was something special, and I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who stopped by, talked stories, and picked up copies of the writing prompt books. Seeing people flip through the pages, point out favorite prompts, and talk about the kinds of stories they want to tell reminded me exactly why I started putting these collections together in the first place.

There’s something satisfying about watching an idea spark behind somebody’s eyes.

For those who came out and supported the books — thank you. Independent publishing lives and dies on word of mouth, local support, and readers willing to take a chance on something handmade and heartfelt. It means more than you probably realize.

The good news is the work hasn’t slowed down.

There are several more prompt books currently in the works, each exploring different themes, aesthetics, and genres. Some lean into strange little corners of storytelling that don’t fit neatly on a shelf. I’ve been spending long evenings sketching concepts, refining prompts, and building collections designed to help writers break through creative walls and find stories they didn’t know they had in them.

If all goes according to plan, the next time we make our way back out to Cleveland in the coming months, there should be at least one or two brand-new prompt books sitting on the table alongside the current collection.

Until then, keep writing. Keep daydreaming. Keep chasing the odd ideas.

Most stories worth telling start small.

Join Us for the Launch of Roderick’s Perilous Journey

Stories are strange things. You spend months—sometimes years—building worlds in silence, arguing with outlines at two in the morning, chasing ideas that arrive at inconvenient times, and occasionally staring at dragons on your desk wondering why this became your life.

And then one day those stories exist in physical space, sitting on tables where actual people can pick them up and carry them home.

On May 17, starting at noon, Megan and I will be at Plus Ultra Coffee inside Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, Tennessee, and we’ll be there until closing.

Megan will have the complete (to this point at least since there’s one more coming) Wings of Wisdom series available in hardcover, including the newest installment, Roderick’s Perilous Journey. And honestly? It may be my favorite one yet.

We’ll also have:
🐉 3D-printed dragons from the series
📖 Bookmarks
☕ Coffee and whatever experiments Roy has unleashed in the test kitchen lately

As for me, I’ll have all five volumes of the Realms Unwritten prompt books available as well. Those books were built for people who love storytelling in all its forms—writers actively working on projects, people trying to get unstuck creatively, or readers who occasionally think, “You know… I kind of want to make something.”

Mostly, though, I’m looking forward to conversations. One of the best parts of these events is meeting fellow storytellers, fantasy readers, mythology nerds, aspiring writers, dragon enthusiasts, and wonderfully creative people who wander in because they saw a dragon on a table and got curious.

That’s usually how the best conversations start anyway.

Also worth noting: ⚔️ One Piece Day is coming to Plus Ultra Coffee on July 18, and if you know me at all, you already know I’m excited for that.

If you’re nearby, come spend part of the afternoon with us. Bring questions, favorite stories, writing ideas, or just your curiosity.

Explore the Wings of Wisdom Series: Book Release Event

There’s something very surreal about realizing the little dragon stories that started in my imagination are now five books deep… and on May 17, I get to spend an entire afternoon surrounded by people who love stories as much as I do. ❤️

Starting at noon, we’ll be at Plus Ultra Coffee inside Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, Tennessee, and we’ll be there all the way until closing!

I’ll have the full Wings of Wisdom series available in hardcover, including the newest release, Roderick’s Perilous Journey — a story inspired by Welsh mythology, Russian folklore, and one dragon’s determination to save someone he refuses to leave behind.

We’ll also have:
🐉 3D printed dragons from each story
📚 Bookmarks
✨ Plenty of time to talk books, dragons, folklore, and storytelling

And one of the things I’m most excited about is getting to share the space with my husband and my best friend, D.B. Hopson, who will also have all five of his Realms Unwritten writing prompt books available throughout the event.

Honestly, one of my favorite parts of events like these is meeting people who are passionate about stories—whether you grew up loving dragons, write stories yourself, or just enjoy wandering into strange new worlds for a while.

Plus Ultra Coffee is also working on some new drinks behind the scenes, so there may be a few surprises waiting there too. ☕️

And if you’re already planning ahead: ⚔️ One Piece Day is coming to Plus Ultra on July 18!

We’d love to meet new readers, writers, fellow nerds, fantasy lovers, and future friends. Come spend the afternoon with us.

Behind the Scenes at Ford Mountain Publishing

A Quiet Season Isn’t an Idle One

If I’ve seemed a little quiet lately, I promise it isn’t because things have slowed down at Ford Mountain Publishing. Quite the opposite, in fact. There’s been a great deal happening behind the scenes—much of it the steady, unglamorous, exciting work of building something grassroots and stubbornly in-house (because apparently, we like the challenge of learning new skills).

A Virtual Summit for Romance Authors

One exciting update: I just finished recording my presentation for an upcoming virtual summit for romance authors that will be broadcast in May. I’m truly looking forward to sharing more details soon. It’s always a privilege to speak into the craft and business of storytelling—especially within a genre that continues to evolve and expand in beautiful ways. Keep an eye out for more information as we get closer to the broadcast date.

New Resources for Writers

Behind the curtain, I’ve also been hard at work writing a series of articles and companion workbooks that will be published here on the website. My heart has always been to encourage and equip authors—whether you’re just beginning or you’ve been honing your craft for years. These resources are designed to help you sharpen specific aspects of storytelling, structure, voice, and sustainability in the creative life.

There have also been updates to the website itself. If you notice small changes here and there, that’s because we’re continuously learning, adjusting, and improving. Running an independent publishing company means wearing a lot of hats—and we’re determined to learn the skills rather than outsource them whenever possible. It’s a learning curve, but it’s one we embrace.

Wings of Wisdom Update

For those waiting on the next book in the Wings of Wisdom series: thank you for your patience. The incredibly talented artist commissioned for the cover recently reported that he is just about finished. Real life presented some unexpected challenges on his end, which delayed publication—but the book should be available within the next few months. I’m so excited to finally bring this installment into your hands.

We also now have hardcover copies of the second editions of the first four books in the series, and I can’t wait for readers to see them in person.

Celebrating D.B. Hopson’s New Releases

On the home front, I’m delighted to celebrate the recent publication of the first three writing prompt books in The Realms Unwritten series by my husband, D.B. Hopson. Watching these projects move from concept to finished books has been such a joy. His passion for helping writers generate ideas and step boldly into new worlds shines through every page.

He’ll be joining me with his books at the Pokémon Day Mini Con outside Plus Ultra Coffee on March 1st at Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, TN. I always love working with Roy, the owner of Plus Ultra Coffee—he’s been such a wonderful supporter of local creatives. We’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces and making new friends at the event.

We’ll have:

New Ford Mountain Publishing merchandise
Hardcover editions of the Wings of Wisdom second editions
D.B. Hopson’s Realms Unwritten books
And possibly… a surprise book release (still debating whether that launch will happen at the event!)

If you’re local, I would absolutely love for you to come out and say hello.

Stay Connected

If you’d like more behind-the-scenes updates, early announcements, and exclusive content, I encourage you to subscribe to the Ford Mountain Publishing newsletter. That’s where I tend to share the details I don’t always post publicly.

And as always—keep your eyes open for opportunities to tell stories. They’re everywhere. Sometimes they’re hidden in the quiet seasons, growing roots before they bloom.

Thank you for being part of this journey. There is so much more to come.

200 NW Paul Huff Pkwy, Cleveland, TN, United States