The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree
Written and Illustrated By Corlis C Fraga
Ages: 12-15 | 296 Pages
Publisher: Fraga Books LLC (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9926692-0-6
Thirteen-year-old Enelope Noe is a Chimera of legend. It makes no difference that she doesn’t resemble the three-headed monster most people expect. Enee is a Chimera—a Chimera on a mission to steal a priceless Grail Stone for a chance at a better life for her family. But as Enee approaches her goal, she gains a power unheard of among Chimeras. Or is it? Suddenly, the world is not what Enee has been led to believe. A history of forgotten horrors unravels the truth behind this newfound gift, casting doubt on everything Enee has been told about who she is. But if Enee accepts these abilities for her family’s sake, can she bear the cost of uncovering a destiny far greater than anyone thought possible?
PURCHASE LINKs
This post is sponsored by Corlis C Fraga. If reviews or opinions are expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
From Manuscript to Published Book: A Self-Publishing Timeline
By Corlis C Fraga
The end product may be the same, but a writer’s path to publication has a unique fingerprint. Some reach milestones quickly, while others take a lifetime, finding their own way to balance the dream of being an author with the bread-and-butter needs of life. That’s the beauty of self-publishing: you set the pace and define success in your own terms. All you have to do is decide to begin.
From Spark to Manuscript
Every story starts with a spark, often years before the thought of writing a book is even a dream. Mine come from the collisions between a sensation (whether it’s a visual trigger, a texture, or even a taste) and a question. These sparks gather in the pages of a notebook until they grow into something bigger, something my imagination can chase after.
Tip for writers:
- Keep a “compost pile.” Save your inspirational tchotchkes. These could be photos, sketches, quotes, or anything that triggered an idea for a future story.
- Trust your collection. You were called to these random musings for a reason. They will be helpful later!
The drafting stage usually begins when the compost reaches a threshold, and the pieces that have come together to form a single narrative outweigh the stray sparks that started the collection. My self-published debut novel, The Chronicles of Noe, required several years of gathering before it could be shaped into readable chapters.
Tips for drafting:
- Know your genre’s industry standards. As you begin to compile chapters, familiarize yourself with the various elements that comprise a manuscript. Chapter length, pacing, and tone matter. Knowing the rules is not meant to limit your creativity. This knowledge simply provides you with a gauge for understanding what it takes to make your book accessible to others.
- Use your past experiences. I had previously formatted manuscripts to catch the attention of a literary agent. Although my “failed” attempt at traditional publishing was a long journey to nowhere, understanding what was and wasn’t submittable helped me transition to self-publishing.
- Ask for help. If you haven’t, lean on your creative writing teachers, local librarians, critique groups, or online communities for guidance.
The Editing Process: 2024-2025
Understanding your editing habits early in a project is essential. I’ve found that I need to finish at least one full manuscript before I fully grasp the narrative direction of the final draft, which often turns out to be quite different from my original plan. If you’re new to editing, not knowing your approach to a manuscript can be very frustrating, especially if it leads to a lengthy drafting process. Once you understand how your creative mind operates, there’s a lot of wonder to be found in breaking apart your world and seeing what emerges.
Tips for editing:
- Discover your editing habits. Do you need to complete a manuscript before changing course? Do you edit better in the morning or in the evening? If you don’t know, now’s the perfect time to find out!
- Share your draft as soon as you deem it mildly presentable. Start with a small, trusted circle of family members, writing buddies, or beta readers.
- Expect multiple rounds. My manuscript went through seven versions before I was ready to hire professional help.
- When the time comes, hire editors who know your genre. Developmental editors can help with big-picture storytelling, while copy editors polish grammar, style, and consistency. I had one of each look over my manuscript before considering it ready for print.
For those already on the hunt for an editor, consider finding one through recommendations rather than platforms like Reedsy or Grubstreet. A fellow writer was key in pointing me to trusted professionals. If you don’t know someone, look to larger writing communities, like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), for recommendations.
Interior and Exterior Design: May-June 2025
Once you find your editors, the self-publishing timeline can get hectic if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way, having to handle questions about finalizing edits, interior formatting, effectively integrating my illustrations for the cover design, assigning ISBNs, and setting up print-on-demand services all at once. Do yourself a favor and make sure to allow enough time for delays when choosing your launch date.
Tips for planning your design needs:
- Seek help in advance. Contact professional designers recommended by verified sites, such as the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), or through personal connections, once you have an estimate of when you need their services. This helps fit you into their availability. Note: they won’t be able to begin working on your book cover until you have a final page count from your formatted manuscript, so be sure to account for this in your timeline.
- Buy ISBNs early. Trust me, you’ll need your ISBNs for many reasons, including if you want a barcode integrated into your cover design.
- Know which platforms you’re using. Have your print-on-demand platforms selected before reaching out to a cover designer (I used KDP and Draft2Digital).
- Pick a formatting software. This is for those who wish to do the interior files themselves (I chose Vellum).
- Finalize your book’s metadata. Metadata includes the title, subtitle, pricing, KDP categories & keywords, BISAC codes, etc.
- Perfect your book blurb. Aim for under 200 words (mine sits at 125).
Proofs and Print-on-Demand: July 2025
Uploading your files and ordering proof copies can feel like the finish line, but as the saying goes, the best laid plans often go awry. I faced an additional obstacle when Draft2Digital’s screening process rejected my book’s interior file, forcing me to explore the world of CMYK printing thresholds to ensure my illustrations were suitable for print.
To keep your sanity:
- Do your research. Find out how and where your book will be printed by reviewing your chosen printer’s file creation documentation.
- Ask a professional. If you’ve hired a cover designer, consider requesting a consultation if you’re unsure about the next steps.
- Understand the limitations of POD. Print-on-demand is a revolutionary achievement for writers, but it has its limits. Knowing what to expect will help you prepare for the final stages of sending your project to print.
- Don’t give up. Cry if you need to. Yes, seriously, cry and take a moment to feel the enormity of what you’re doing. Look at your beautiful, roaring tenacity, and keep going.
I ended up with six proofs before I finally achieved what I wanted. Painful? Yes. Worth it? Definitely. The moment I held my first author copy in my hands, I jumped. Literally.
Marketing While You Wait: August-September 2025
Once your files are uploaded and your release date is set, the countdown begins. But this is not downtime. It’s marketing time.
Simple strategies for new authors:
- Share sneak peeks on social media. This includes quotes, artwork, or behind-the-scenes photos.
- Build an ARC team. Your team can include anyone interested in receiving an advance review copy of your book with the intention of leaving a review. Decide how you want to set up your team based on your project’s goals and if you wish to send out digital or physical copies.
- Use free tools! Paid services have their place, but for those on a tight budget, free methods to promote your work are essential. Consider starting a Substack for newsletters or creating your Goodreads author profile ahead of time.
I understand that it can feel like shouting into the void when it comes to networking, but sharing matters. If social media is too overwhelming, choose a method that fits your comfort level. Promoting your upcoming launch can be as simple as visiting local bookstores and leaving homemade flyers behind.
Ready, Set, Launch: October 2025
Your day has arrived. You’ve updated all your ISBNs from “Forthcoming” to “Active,” your book is now live, and you’ve ordered author copies, not only for upcoming events but also to send to the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office (if you chose to include these in your publishing plan). Hold your head high with the honor that you want to inspire in your readers. Self-publishing is hard, but incredibly rewarding, as it proves to yourself that you have the grit to follow a path with no obligation for it to look like anyone else’s.
If you want to see how my own journey turned out, you can check out updates on Instagram, @fragabooks, where I share behind-the-scenes looks at The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera & The Grail Tree and other projects in progress.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Corlis C Fraga lives amid the old magic of Connecticut’s wetlands. Even as her eclectic resume has evolved—whether earning a master’s degree in the Rare Book and Digital Humanities, preserving Tibetan sacred texts as a bindery operator, or nurturing plants in a heritage greenhouse—her mission remains the same as the child raised to run where the wild things are: to be a storyteller who inspires others to believe in the power of limitless wonder.
For more information, check out www.fragabooks.com.
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win your own copy of The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree! Five lucky readers will each receive a paperback edition of this thrilling fantasy adventure. One grand-prize winner will also receive a signed paperback, plus two surprise stickers and a bookmark created by author Corlis C. Fraga herself.
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Monday, October 20, 2025 The Children’s Book Review Book Tour Kick-Off |
| Tuesday, October 21, 2025 The Starlit Path Book Review of The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree |
| Thursday, October 23, 2025 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree |
| Friday, October 24, 2025 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Corlis C Fraga |
| Monday, October 27, 2025 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree |
| Tuesday, October 28, 2025 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree |
| Thursday, October 30, 2025 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree |
| Friday, October 31, 2025 Sybrina’s Book Blog Guest Post about The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree |
| Thursday, November 13, 2025 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post about The Chronicles of Noe: The Chimera and The Grail Tree |
| Friday, November 14, 2025 The Children’s Book Review Author Interview with Corlis C Fraga |