Blood Dark as an Anime style Cover

Creative Control - October 9, 2026

Dear Reader,

One of the best aspects of self-publishing is the control I have over the dream. I have complete creative freedom because I own all the rights. Playing in the dream has never been more fun. This doesn't mean it's more lucrative, but the day job still covers the bills.

I have had people offer to create things for my world. A few times readers have surprised me and created some amazing art or music for the dream, and it humbled me that they loved the dream as much as I do.

Usually, people want me to commission their work based on my own. Often they are talented artists. But I find it hard to pull the trigger on commissions. Even when I had professional covers created, I chafed at waiting. The results never quite matched my original vision. The dithering back and forth over minor details was stressful.

If I create the art, the covers, the music, etc., I argue with the muse and lose. I need not consider other opinions. The creative vision remains entirely mine from start to finish, no matter how unprofessional. I built the dream to escape, not to create headaches for myself. I am proud of what I have accomplished, even if others would think it too wild, unpolished, and lacking in refinement.

Someone approached me recently to create a graphic novel version of my stories. I want my stories rendered in the graphic novel format. I've talked about it for years. They were spot on in asking me, and yet I declined. I don't have the money to commission the work, but that wasn't the reason.

I didn't want anyone messing with the dream. I didn't want to collaborate and allow an alternative vision to color my creative space. Sharing my work is not the issue. I publish serially and share tons of stories and chapters for free. I have over 50 titles published in multiple formats available to readers directly and through retailers and libraries. Anyone willing to post an honest review can email me and get a copy of any ebook for free.

Maybe I'm selfish and cutting off my nose to spite my face. Maybe the dream would have reached a broader audience and gained more financial success. But giving up creative control or allowing a collaborative effort feels wrong. Y'all know I'm AI-positive with all the extras because it allows me to bring my original stories to life in ways I once could not. But I retain control.

Maybe someday I'll discover a way to turn the stories into graphic novels. Perhaps AI will help me. When it happens, they will follow my creative vision. It's the only way.

Blood Dark book cover

Behind the Scenes

Blood Dark Ebook has been published! I'm still waiting on the audio files, but I should have the audiobook published this week. For now, they live only at OpheliaKee.com. Catch a few free chapters in the Mystic Dark Miniseries by checking out the Draoithe Saga subscription.

Blood Dark is the sixth volume in the Mystic Dark miniseries by Ophelia Kee. Set in and around an eerily similar dream version of Chicago, a hedgewitch claims a piece of immortality and joins the fight to right the balance of magic in the dream when she claims an immortal dragon for her own. If you love steamy paranormal romance, fated mates, sexy hedge witches, and fierce dragon shifters, grab your copy of Blood Dark by Ophelia Kee and escape into the dream today!

It’s more than a story; it’s an experience. Welcome to the dream…

5 ways to Help an Author poster

Thank you for stepping into the dream once more. Sorry so short, but rest assured it was because I was super busy expanding the dream. The formatting for Blood Dark is done. I have a manuscript. Publishing soon!

Leave your comments, and I promise to respond as soon as I can. If you found this post worthy, feel free to share it. I hope you have a lovely weekend and will discover a grand story. Please remember when you read, be kind and leave your reviews. Until my next post, welcome to the dream...

Be Careful!

Happy Reading,

Bye-Bye,

Ophelia Kee

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