kkolmakov

My darlings,
          
          I’ve been struggling with my mental health for a couple of years, starting around the time when my father unexpectedly passed away. Those of you who have been my readers for a while might remember when I had (what at the time they thought was) carpal tunnel and issues with my back. Recently I’ve also been having some sort of unexplained peripheral nerve pain all over my body. The combination of all these symptoms - plus the state the world is in, the rise of the AI nightmare, and work stress - finally broke me completely past Winter.
          
          Last month I decided to seek medical help. Not to bore you with descriptions of inadequacies of the Canadian health system, they of course blamed it on the classic gender+age combo and dismissed my concerns for as long as they could. In the end, they’ve excluded all the usual suspects (diabetes, B12 deficiency, etc.) and finally started listening. And with my maternal grandmother and my mother having Parkinson’s (which my symptoms fit perfectly), my chances of it being something else are pretty low. There’s no diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s, so it’s the case of ‘if it gets super bad, we’ll drug you and see if it gets better.’ As of right now I’m told to ‘exercise more’ (I bike to work and back every day) and ‘eat better’ (I eat a healthy diet of everything in moderation). I’ve got a feeling that they just needed to say something so they fell back on these platitudes.
          
          So, that’s me, reporting from the bottom of the Pit of Despair (here’s a Princess Bride reference for you to lighten the mood). I have to say that I am still inspired and write in my head, and even draw and paint (I just don’t want to post anything with all the AI blight going through social media). And I will be back, I’m sure. The net just doesn’t feel safe and welcoming these days. I miss the early days of writing my Holyoakes.
          I hope you’re all doing well (or at least better than me)! 
          
          See you soon… hopefully.
          
          Cheers!
          
          K. xx

Hello there hows your day going so far?

My darlings,
          
          To celebrate my 43rd birthday, I'm posting a story that is a throw-back to the good old days of my fanfiction glory. "Read Like a Book" is a story of shadows, secret intelligence, and the dangerous friction between a woman who sees too much and a man who has endured everything to keep her safe. If you’re into BBC Sherlock flavoured drama with high stakes, intense chemistry, and a "deadly" protective lead, this is for you.
          
          The story was written in 2016, so it's 15 chapters long, complete, and will be posted quite quickly.
          
          For more behind-the-scenes scoop on it, check my Buy Me a Coffee page (link in bio) for a free-for-all post. Have a peek at it if you've also wondered what's with all the Johns in my stories! 
          
          Love,
          K. xx

My darlings,
          
          As you know, I’ve had my Buy Me a Coffee page for a little while, but I’m finally ready to start using it the way I’ve always wanted to.
          
          I want it to be a more reliable space for all the sketches, character notes, and pieces of writing that don’t quite make it into the final books or the Wattpad chapters. This will also be the place where I share the more detailed research and lore that I'm currently gathering for the Fleckney Wiki.
          
          I’d love for you to come have a look and join the Fleckney verse.
          
          Have a look at the link in my bio!
          
          Love,
          K. xx

Hello, my darlings! 
          
          I’m finally back from my holiday and have even managed to clear a rather daunting mountain of work emails. Now, it’s time to settle in to write and draw, making good use of all the inspiration I gathered whilst away. I’ve just posted a new chapter for the Fox & Oakby series: https://www.wattpad.com/1622316226-a-woman-about-town-fox-oakby-murder-mysteries-book – and there will be a new update for Romance Test along shortly.
          
          Stay tuned!
          
          Love,
          K. xx

My darlings,
          
          ​I am away for a fortnight... visiting the UK! I am absolutely thrilled! Hopefully, London, Edinburgh, and—most importantly—the Cotswolds will rekindle my writing. It has been feeling quite difficult recently, what with everything happening in the world.
          
          ​I might post some photos on my Instagram: instagram.com/kkolmakov. Do have a look if you fancy it!
          
          ​Love you,
          ​K. xx

I'm rereading your books I think it's maybe the third time what am I going to do when you get a big fat publishing contract somewhere and you take them all off of what pad I'm going to go broke having to buy them all so I can reread them a 4th of 5th and a sixth time

My darlings,
          
          @Humor | Ambassadors page have featured my Nottoofar || Book 1: Leaf & Paw {Humour + Romance Fantasy} in their monthly shoutout, and posted my interview here: https://www.wattpad.com/1589316559-the-comic-corner-katya-kolmakov
          
          Have a peek if you feel like it!
          
          Love,
          K. xx

My darlings,
          
          I’ve been struggling a bit recently to write or do any of my art. Work has been impossibly busy, soulless, and draining; and with everything going on in the world — rising f*scism nearby, the war in Ukraine, and that general doomsday feeling — I’ve felt the need to go back to basics: hiding away in the green hills and valleys of my fictional county of Fleckney.
          
          That’s why I decided to go back to updating "A Woman About Town." I’ve missed Imogen and the lot so much! I’m also still writing "Romance Test" — Emilia and Daniel continue to make me very happy — though their story is nearing its end.
          
          I hope you enjoy this little return to Fleckney as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/1603873124-a-woman-about-town-fox-oakby-murder-mysteries-book
          
          I hope you enjoy!
          
          Love,
          K. xx

Happy holidays to all of you, my darling readers, if/whatever you celebrate! I'm wishing you joy and peace and all the love! 
          
          Love,
          K. xx