The Adventures of Somebody!

Things are popping at Silver Finch Press. Very soon I’ll have a stand-alone YA novel to celebrate, however, right now, I’d love to introduce you to the humorous, middle grade, fantasy novel, The Adventures of Somebody, by debut author, Emily Kay Griebenow.

Fairy tales have Prince Charming.

This story has Somebody.

And Everybody.

Setting off on their sort-of-noble quest, the two heroes encounter dangers beyond all belief and perils beyond all probability. Plus, they confront some really disgusting stuff, including slimy gunk, the Great Glob of Pride, and even—gasp—true love! Laugh-out-loud moments will keep readers turning pages long past bedtime.

Fast-paced and bursting with clever wordplay, this fantasy adventure is perfect for readers ages 9–13 (and adults looking to giggle). If Abbott and Costello wrote Monty Python and the Holy Grail for kids, it might look something like this.

Who is the author, Emily Kay Griebenow?

As a field specialist, Emily Kay Griebenow led groups of struggling 18-28 year olds through backcountry adventure activities. Now as a WEMT and Wilderness Medical Instructor, she teaches fast paced courses in wilderness first aid to adult learners, empowering them to get outside while keeping their friends and family members safe.

Emily is a passionate creator of resources and communities to connect people through story. She also hikes, reads, writes, gardens, and DMs some excellent D&D adventures, (acclaimed critically).

I’ve had my eye on this manuscript for years, and it recently came available for publication. Get ready to snicker, whether you are an adult or middle grade reader. Griebenow’s debut will delight!

After you finish the novel, you can join me in eagerly waiting for her next release. Only Dude, The Prophet, has an inkling of when that might be, so for now: relish, laugh outright, reread, and share The Adventures of Somebody with everybody! Then rate and review. It really helps!

Thirdborn Debuts!

 Well, I hoped to be able to release Thirdborn just months after Secondborn, and I made it! After about 22 years of working on this series, Tia’s story is complete. It’s deeply satisfying. I’m grateful for the years I’ve had to live and grow to be able to accompany Tia on this specific journey.

Thirdborn

After arriving home, one can still be lost.

Following her terrifying vision, Tia races to return with Vinti and Mirko to their R’tanian village. What has become of the ruling Madronians and their oppressed people? Has anyone survived the fires? Why do the rapion circle in silent mourning overhead? Will any aid be accepted from Tia’s hand...if they are not completely too late?

Tia is no longer the girl who fled, but neither is she fully the woman she fought to become. In the place that denied her, can she stand in her own name, without the armor of exile or the illusion of divinity? Can she become: not a symbol, not a savior, but fully herself?

In the final chapter of The Firstborn Cycle, some reckonings cannot be escaped—only lived.

The Firstborn Cycle
Firstborn, Secondborn, Thirdborn

The Firstborn Cycle is a powerful, fantasy trilogy exploring gender, belonging, and self-determination through the journey of one woman determined to claim her own name in a world built to deny it.

The Origin and Evolution

Firstborn originally sprang from a news article I read concerning gendercide, back in say, 2004. I was horrified to learn that at the time, over 37 million girls were missing in China alone, due to the One Child Policy enacted in 1980, ending in 2016. The earlier work of All Girls Allowed and the Global Gendercide Advocacy and Alliance Group provided further chilling information regarding the killing of females at birth. My anger brought Firstborn to form. I wanted to write a fictional work to bring light to gendercide while declaring the value of our daughters. The novel received a Kirkus Starred Review.

Now, finally in 2026, I can offer the conclusion of Tia’s story. Thanks for celebrating my release from Silver Finch Press. If you’d like to support my work, here are a few things you might do:

1. Purchase a copy of Firstborn, Secondborn, or Thirdborn (Note: with 2 publishers for the series, all books are not listed in The Firstborn Cycle page. All 3 books are available, however.)

2. Rate and review

3. Share on social media and tag me

4. Leave comments

It sounds trite, but this is what matters today in the industry, which is another story for another post. I wish everyone well, whether you are being born a first, second, or third time. Keep nurturing those dreams and seeding solutions, no matter if it takes decades. Fly! Lorie Ann