Beth Swoboda

Hey, embers.
          
          I wish I could give you one of my usual triumphant updates. But I won’t fake it.
          
          I haven’t been writing. Not this week.
          
          I live with Borderline Personality Disorder, and this week has been brutal. Depression has been clawing at me. Survival has taken everything. Even breathing feels like a ritual of endurance.
          
          But I see you. I see the reads climbing. I see the votes. I check every day. And every single one of them helps me hold on. Your support, silent or loud; is a lifeline.
          
          Amid the Embers started as a whisper. I never expected it to go anywhere. But now? It’s my monster-child. And you, yes, even the ones who never comment or react, you’ve become part of its mythos. You keep me going.
          
          I’ll get through this. I always do. And when I do? I’m coming back with fire. The story is still here, waiting to be unleashed. When I rise, it rises with me.
          
          Until then, if you believe in Amid, share it. Tell your friends. Post it on your socials. Help me summon it into the world.
          
          Thank you for being here. Thank you for helping me survive.
          
          —Beth
          

✨ Poster Reveal ✨  
          After a year of dreaming and days of creating… I did it.  
          The official poster for Amid the Embers is finally here!  
          This replaces the old AI cover (thank you for your service, girl) until I finish the real one.  
          I’m so proud of this piece. It’s loud, layered, and everything I’ve been holding back.  
          Go check it out and let me know what you think 
          

          ✨ Quick update from the embers: I’m this close to finishing the new poster for Amid The Embers, and yes, the writing is on pause until it’s done. (Tomorrow. Probably. Definitely. Maybe.) Once it’s ready, it’ll replace the current AI cover and hold space until the official book cover is born. Think of it as a transitional sigil, one last visual spell before the real one arrives. 

You guys!!
          
          ✨ No surgery is needed, and there is no carpal tunnel either! ✨  
          Just got my nerve test results, and it turns out I only overdid it, no long-term damage, just rest and recovery ahead.  
          Once this hand heals, I’ll finally be able to start on the cover for Amid the Embers.  
          This comeback feels like a ritual of renewal, and I’m so ready to create again.

OKAY, HAHAHA, I CAN’T HOLD IT IN ANYMORE HAHAHA Amid The Embers is almost DONE!!! I’ve got 8 chapters left, I’m making the poster in class, the cover is coming, and as soon as it gets a final edit from me I will be removing it from Wattpad to be sold in physical copies. Like, actual physical copies. In a real book store. With a real book signing. Yes, it is local, so anyone will be able to come, support me, or buy a copy and get it signed while you do. I have been holding it in cause honestly I can't believe it, THEY messaged ME with the proposal! HAHAHA, WHAT IS THIS LIFE. I am probably going to even put it on Amazon as well while I send it in to agents. I have only hoped for this since I started writing. What author doesn't? So how is it actually happening to me?? I’ve got surgery coming up on my hand, so I’m waiting until I’m healed and can give it my all while signing your copies, but it’s happening. I’m so excited I could scream into the void, and it would scream back in all caps.
          
          So when I say read it for free while you can, haha, I am not joking. Soon, it will be sold on a bookshelf in an actual store!

is this a bot account?

✨ Amid the Embers Ranking Update: “Madness” is climbing again. ✨  
          576+ reads. Votes surging. The descent is accelerating. Here's where she stands:
           #54 in Madness—top 0.7% of 7.62K stories  
          ️ #485 in Dystopian—top 0.9% of 54.1K  
          ☣️ #583 in Apocalypse—top 0.9% of 61.7K  
           #45 in Pandemic—top 1.4% of 3.2K  
           #7 in Psychological Fiction—top 1.8% of 379  
           #72 in Dark Fiction—top 2.2% of 3.28K  
          ‍♀️ #9 in Survival Story—top 3.1% of 292  
           #45 in Character Driven—top 3.5% of 1.3K  
          ⚠️ #4 in Read With Caution—top 3.8% of 104  
           #3 in Strong Female Leads—top 0.2% of 1.3K  
           #46 in Emotional Damage—top 5.2% of 881  
           #2 in Virus Outbreak—top 6.3% of 32  
           #2 in Distorted Reality—top 6.1% of 33  
           #2 in Post-Apocalyptic Fiction—top 18.2% of 11  
           #2 in Realistic Characters—top 3.5% of 57  
           This chapter didn’t whisper, it howled. And the readers answered.  
          Thank you for every read, vote, and scream. The next descent is coming.

✨ Chapter 12 is written! ✨  
          …but editing will have to wait until morning because this author is officially out of spell slots. 
          
          Brace yourselves. Tomorrow’s drop is not for the faint of heart. Let’s just say things are about to get very bad for Lily, Caleb, Jesse, Max, Izzy, and ToTo. Like, “the stars have turned their faces away” bad.  
          
          If you scare easily… maybe skip this one. Or don’t. I dare you.   
           #Chapter12 #DarkTurns #NoOneIsSafe #WriterLife #MidnightMagic
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/399797810?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=story_info&wp_page=story_details_button&wp_uname=Lucid_Dreams29

****New Chapter Posted*** 
          PLEASE READ BELOW BEFORE READING ON IN Amid the Embers.
          
          Hey friends,
          This one needs a moment of honesty before you dive in.
          
          From this point forward, the story gets darker. More brutal. More honest. I'm not here to soften the truth or make horror palatable. I'm here to tell it as it is because real life doesn't flinch, and neither should fiction.
          
          This chapter contains graphic and emotionally intense material. If you've lived through trauma, or if certain topics hit close to home, please take care of yourself. Step away if you need to. Come back when you're ready. Your well-being matters more than any plot twist.
          
          Trigger warnings for this chapter (and the ones from here on out) include:
          
          Child abuse (emotional, physical, and implied sexual exploitation) Domestic violence and coercive control, Religious extremism and cult-like behavior, Graphic psychological horror, Substance abuse, Homophobia and internalized shame, Death and grief, Mentions of suicidal ideation, Gaslighting and manipulation.
          
          This story doesn't glorify these things—it exposes them. If it makes you uncomfortable, that's the point. If it makes you angry, good. Let it. Let it be a mirror, a warning, a reckoning.
          
          Thank you for trusting me with your time and your heart.
          —Beth
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/399797810?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=story_info&wp_page=story_details_button&wp_uname=Lucid_Dreams29
          

Hey sweet souls   
          As many of you know, I’m both an art student and a writer, and sometimes, the creative grind catches up with you. My carpal tunnel flared up and caused a nerve injury in my hand. It’s been painful, frustrating, and a little scary. Right now, I can still type (slowly), and I’ve made good progress on Chapter 11 today.
          
          There’s a strong chance I’ll need surgery, but I want you to know: I’m still writing. I’m still dreaming. I’m still here. Typing with one hand is slower, yes, but the stories will keep flowing. They may arrive at a gentler pace, but they’ll carry the same heart, same mythic weirdness, same emotional truth.
          
          And please don’t worry, I will make a full recovery. I’ll be drawing and writing again with both hands, stronger than ever. This is just a temporary detour in the cosmic adventure.
          
          Oh! I almost forgot, there’s something stirring behind the scenes. I’m working quietly in the background, and if all goes well, I’ll have a surprise to share with you soon about the book. Something special. Something worth the wait.
          
          Thank you for your patience, your kindness, and your belief in this journey. Every word I write now is a small act of healing, and I’m so grateful to share it with you.