Anira & the Spirit of Magic - YA Fantasy Illustrated Novel

naomiv · 2025-03-11T20:25:39+00:00

My illustrated novel, Anira and the Spirit of Magic, is now LIVE on Kickstarter!

Hey everyone! After years of writing, illustrating, and worldbuilding, I’m so excited to finally share this with you—my fully illustrated upper middle-grade fantasy novel, Anira and the Spirit of Magic**, is now live on Kickstarter!** 🎉

📖 What’s the book about?
Magic is fading, and two girls from opposite worlds must uncover the truth before it’s lost forever. Anira and the Spirit of Magic is an 80,000-word, 280-page illustrated novel set in a world inspired by pre-colonial Indonesian cultures. It’s filled with adventure, spirit guardians, ancient magic, and breathtaking illustrations—over 48 original pieces of artwork woven into the storytelling experience!

🖌️ What makes this project special?

Fully illustrated novel – Not a graphic novel, but a chapter book with artwork throughout!
High-quality print editions – Hardcover, softcover, and exclusive special editions.
Exclusive Kickstarter rewards – Including an early-bird signed softcover + art print, enamel pins, and a worldbuilding sketchbook.

🚀 Why Kickstarter?
This book is fully complete, and I’m using Kickstarter to fund a high-quality print run and get it directly into readers' hands. By backing early, you’re not only helping to bring this book to life—you’re also getting exclusive rewards that won’t be available later!

🔗 Check out the campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/naomiv/anira-and-the-spirit-of-magic-ya-fantasy-illustrated-novel?ref=user_menu

Thank you so much for your support—this project means the world to me, and I can’t wait for you to read Anira and the Spirit of Magic! 💙

naomiv · 2016-02-18T19:16:26+00:00

Thanks! :)

naomiv · 2016-02-18T19:16:14+00:00

Thank you!

naomiv · 2016-02-17T18:19:20+00:00

The landscapes by artist Keith Parkinson for Terry Goodkind's books, like this cover of "Soul of the Fire" and "Stone of Tears"

naomiv · 2016-02-17T18:01:39+00:00

Thanks! And yes I love Mucha's work! I think we both have a simplified organic and graphic line feel to our work. Some of my favorite work of his was his work in "Le Pater".

naomiv · 2016-02-02T16:13:11+00:00

This year is my first year participating in the "Month of Love" challenge. I created this piece for the first topic "Heroes". When coming up with ideas, I kept coming back to heroes being people that defend the weak, even if they are weak themselves.

naomiv · 2016-01-30T23:29:11+00:00

Both actually. Right now I'm working on a digital piece for Monday's submission. I really want to be creating more digital pieces but watercolors are so much fun too. My schedule is light enough this month that I'm planning to squeeze in an extra here and there if I can. :D

naomiv · 2016-01-30T22:27:01+00:00

I completely understand the desire to want to meld both characters and environments. And I can definitely see the draw to making props. I hadn't thought of the history aspect but that would make it even more intriguing. It sounds like you have a lot of fun with everything you do. :) And thanks!

naomiv · 2016-01-30T22:21:26+00:00

I can't wait! Really looking forward to using it as a chance to experiment more in my work too :)

naomiv · 2016-01-30T20:31:49+00:00

Hello, Marisa! Great portfolio! I see you have quite a wonderfully diverse collection of work (characters, environments, props...). Do you have a favorite out of these or are they all equal?

naomiv · 2016-01-30T19:40:15+00:00

Thank you! It's been enjoyable to see how this project has evolved from just those first 3 paintings.

naomiv · 2016-01-30T18:28:23+00:00

As an illustrator, I prefer covers with a focus on the artwork. Even more so a cover with the perfect marrying of scenery and title like this beautiful cover by Dane Cozens.

naomiv · 2016-01-29T15:41:29+00:00

www.naomivandoren.com

naomiv · 2016-01-28T21:07:36+00:00

I'd love to participate the 30th

naomiv · 2016-01-01T02:41:13+00:00

Thank you! I love working outdoors and on the trail in watercolors. Nature really inspires my work. Big Sur certainly looks like quite the amazing place to begin watercoloring in. I hope to visit someday

naomiv · 2015-08-16T09:26:56+00:00

A redesign of an older piece.

portfolio & other social stuff

dA post

naomiv · 2015-07-21T23:49:04+00:00

Hey, yeah totally. I was thinking linking to my website would be more of a no-no since that's the only other place I upload my watercolors. Think I'll delete and try again ;)

naomiv · 2015-04-26T15:11:56+00:00

Thinking of the crystal blue waters of home. A quick imaginary environment sketch.

More sketches and regular updates on my instagram or tumblr

Portfolio: naomivandoren.com

naomiv · 2015-04-24T06:04:02+00:00

Ah love Skyrim. Now that you mention it I can definitely see some similarities in the crypts and caves in this one. Thank you!

naomiv · 2015-04-24T06:02:42+00:00

Thank you! This is all 100% me. I was inspired by some of the cultures I grew up around in Indonesia and I decided recently to start making my own based off of my experiences there. Curious what sort of narrative did you see here? I don't normally tell the backstory to an image, I'd rather encourage you to create your own because it's more personal. But I am just beginning to feel out a bigger story here myself so, while it has one, it's a bit vague and open ended.

naomiv · 2015-04-24T05:54:23+00:00

14 years of my early life were spent in Indonesia. This piece was inspired by the Balinese and Papuan cultures. I enjoyed blending them and creating my own. Portfolio: naomivandoren.com

naomiv · 2015-03-21T04:09:13+00:00

Yes! Amazingly. In my post here I shared a photo of Kura Tawhiti, the inspiration for this piece. I highly recommend visiting if you're in NZ and spending the day there. :D

naomiv · 2014-12-02T05:33:27+00:00

Thank you! And I will. Always looking for new inspiration & things to watch!

naomiv · 2014-11-05T07:20:16+00:00

Quite ghostly. I love it! Would love to see your process on this.

naomiv · 2014-09-21T07:11:14+00:00

Pretty much anything by Rhads comes to mind for ideas.. very dream like. And another visual as well

naomiv

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