📰 M.I.D Newsletter | Issue #12 Special Edition
THE M.I.D NEWSLETTER
Issue #12: More To The Mind
A Special 12th Edition
Author Makitia Thompson
From the Desk of Minds In Design
Editor's Note
Twelve editions.
One year.
Hundreds of thoughts, announcements, stories, books, ideas, projects, questions, changes, and probably enough creative plans to keep me busy for several lifetimes.
Welcome to the 12th edition of The M.I.D Newsletter.
And more importantly, welcome to a special edition.
When I began this newsletter, I knew I wanted to create something that went beyond simply announcing a new book and disappearing until the next release. I wanted a space where readers could step behind the scenes of Minds In Design. A place where I could speak honestly about writing, publishing, creativity, the projects I'm building, and occasionally the chaos that comes with attempting to build an independent creative company from the ground up.
Twelve editions later, we're here.
One full year of The M.I.D Newsletter. And I want to begin this issue by saying something that I probably don't say enough:
Thank you.
Thank you to everyone who has read an issue.
Thank you to the people who have followed Minds In Design since the beginning.
Thank you to the readers who discovered one book and decided to explore another.
Thank you to those who have supported my work quietly.
Thank you to those who have shared it.
Thank you to the people who read my articles, visit my blog, listen to my audiobooks, purchase my books, follow my creative projects, or simply take a moment to see what I'm creating.
Minds In Design has grown into something that now has a small-to-medium-sized reading audience, and I don't take that lightly.
Every reader matters.
Especially as an independent author.
There is something incredibly personal about independent publishing. You're not simply watching a company market your work from somewhere far away. You're building relationships directly with readers. You're creating the books, making the decisions, finding ways to reach people, learning constantly, making mistakes constantly and hopefully learning from those mistakes before making entirely new ones.
That's the independent publishing experience.
You do a little bit of everything. And then, when you think you've finally figured everything out, the industry changes. So naturally, you figure it out again.
Independent publishing is not always easy.
Actually, let's be honest.
It can be exhausting. It can be frustrating. It can occasionally make you wonder why you decided that writing one book wasn't enough and somehow ended up creating an entire catalogue, multiple universes, companion projects, audiobooks, articles, artwork, and a newsletter.
But it is also incredibly rewarding. Because independence gives creators something powerful:
The ability to build the careers they imagine.
That's something I want to celebrate in this special edition.
Independent authors.
Independent artists.
Independent creators.
The people writing their stories without waiting for permission. The people creating books outside traditional expectations. The authors learning how to publish, market, design, promote, and connect with readers on their own. The people who may not have massive companies behind them but continue creating anyway.
There is room for us. There is room for independent publishing. And there is absolutely room for stories created outside the traditional system.
Minds In Design exists because I believed that.
And twelve newsletter editions later, I believe it even more.
This special edition is about looking at where Minds In Design is now, celebrating what has been built, and looking toward everything still coming.
And there is a lot coming.
The House Of Witnesses universe is expanding.
Four books are now published.
A fifth is on the way, companion content is growing. More audiobooks are becoming available.
My art continues expanding.
The blog is evolving.
My articles have found a new home. And throughout September, readers will have opportunities to explore my audiobook catalogue through a special giveaway. So, as always, I encourage you to stay until the end.
There are updates.
There are announcements.
There are books to discover.
There are projects to look forward to. And, of course, there are free audiobooks involved.
Which is always a good reason to keep reading.
Welcome to More To The Mind.
Welcome to the 12th edition.
And welcome to another chapter of Minds In Design.
About Minds In Design
For those joining The M.I.D Newsletter for the first time, welcome.
I'm Makitia Thompson, an independent author, artist, and the founder of Minds In Design.
Minds In Design was created as a space where imagination could be brought to life. That statement has remained at the center of everything I've built. Because creativity does not exist in only one form.
A story can become a novel. A feeling can become a poem, an idea can become a short story. A question can become an article. An image can become a painting. And sometimes one small creative thought can eventually become an entire universe.
That's what Minds In Design represents.
A creative space without unnecessary limits.
Over time, Minds In Design has expanded into novels, poetry collections, short story collections, quotation books, psychological horror, cosmic horror, thrillers, romance, companion content, behind-the-scenes projects, articles, audiobooks, and now visual art. And the company continues to grow.
The goal has never been to create one specific kind of story. The goal has been to create work that leaves something behind. Stories that stay with readers. Poetry that finds people in particular moments.
Characters that remain memorable. Worlds that continue existing in the imagination long after the final page.
At its heart, Minds In Design is about exploration.
Exploring creativity.
Exploring emotion.
Exploring fear.
Exploring imagination.
And occasionally exploring ideas that probably should have been left alone, but where would the fun be in that?
As an independent creative company, Minds In Design continues to be built project by project.
Book by book.
Story by story. And now, one year into The M.I.D Newsletter, I'm grateful that readers continue joining me along the way. Whether you've been here since the beginning or arrived yesterday:
Welcome.
There is always more to discover.
Series Spotlight
House Of Witnesses: The Universe Continues
The major focus of Minds In Design moving forward remains the House Of Witnesses series.
And if you've been following the recent newsletters, you already know something important:
This is no longer simply one series.
It's becoming a universe. Four books are now published. And Book Five is officially on the way. The series began with a question surrounding control.
What happens when a person grows up inside a system they have been taught never to question?
What happens when silence becomes normal?
When obedience becomes expected?
When identity becomes something another person can reshape?
And what happens when awareness itself becomes an act of rebellion?
Those questions became the foundation of House Of Witnesses. The story follows Clara Roberts as her understanding of the world around her slowly begins to fracture.
What she once believed was structure becomes something else. What she believed was safety becomes control. And what she believed was truth begins revealing itself as something carefully constructed. But the deeper Clara goes, the clearer one thing becomes:
This was never about one house.
It was never about one family.
And it was never about one girl.
The system is much larger and the history is much deeper.
And someone or something has been watching for far longer than Clara realizes.
The House Of Witnesses universe continues expanding with:
Four published main novels
Book Five currently in development
Companion stories
Behind-the-scenes content
Additional perspectives
Future interviews
Testimonies
Deleted material
Alternate viewpoints
Hidden records
And more projects still being developed
Companion content is currently available through makitiabooks.com, with additional content arriving throughout September and beyond. One of the most exciting things about building this universe is realizing how many stories exist outside the main novels.
There are characters readers haven't fully met.
Stories Clara never witnessed.
Events that occurred before the first book and experiences that happened simultaneously with the main narrative. Records that were never meant to be found. And testimonies from people who may or may not be telling the truth. That gives the Witness Universe an opportunity to become something interactive and layered.
The main books tell one part of the story.
The companion content reveals another.
And eventually, readers may discover that the world is much larger than they originally believed. If you haven't entered House Of Witnesses yet, this is a good time to begin.
Four books are already available.
And the universe is still expanding.
You can begin with House Of Witnesses and follow Clara Roberts into a world built on silence, obedience, control, and the dangerous consequences of becoming aware.
What's New In The M.I.D Universe
There has been a great deal happening across Minds In Design. And this special edition seemed like the perfect opportunity to gather some of the biggest developments together.
Four Books In The House Of Witnesses Series
The House Of Witnesses series now officially has four published books.
Readers can currently explore:
House Of Witnesses
The beginning.
The book that introduces Clara Roberts and the carefully controlled world she has always known.
A world where silence has meaning.
Where structure is everything. And where questioning what surrounds you can become incredibly dangerous.
Chambers Of The Witnessed
The story continues.
The world beneath the surface becomes increasingly important. And the truths Clara begins uncovering become impossible to ignore.
Testament Of The Witnessed
The system continues unraveling.
The mysteries become deeper. And the consequences of everything Clara has discovered begin expanding beyond what she originally imagined.
Witnessed Through Fire
The fourth installment.
A continuation of the expanding conflict, growing resistance, and the larger forces operating throughout the Witness Universe.
Each book brings readers further into the world.
And Book Five, A Last Witnessing, is currently in development.
All four published books are available through a variety of retailers and formats, including:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple Books
Google Play Books
Kobo
Everand
Lulu
Audible
And additional retailers
The books are available in multiple formats, including:
Print
Ebook
Audiobook
My goal has always been to make my work accessible in as many ways as possible.
Some readers love holding physical books. Others prefer reading digitally. Others want to listen while traveling, working, relaxing, or simply escaping into another world without turning a page.
Stories should be available in the format readers enjoy most. And Minds In Design continues expanding across all of them.
Read The Beginning For Free
If you're curious about House Of Witnesses but aren't quite ready to commit to the entire series, the first two chapters of House Of Witnesses are currently available for free on my blog.
This gives readers an opportunity to step into Clara's world before deciding whether they're ready to go deeper.
And trust me:
Once the questions begin, they tend to multiply.
A New Home For My Articles
Another major change is happening with my written content.
My articles now have a new home on Medium.
While I may occasionally publish articles on my blog, the majority of my more reflective and industry-focused writing will now be found through Medium.
This gives my blog a new purpose. The Minds In Design blog is becoming a place for something slightly different.
Fun.
Creative.
Interactive.
Free content connected to my book universes.
Readers can expect more material designed specifically to make the worlds of my books feel larger.
- Additional stories.
- Creative companion material.
- Character content.
- Mysteries.
- Free excerpts.
- Universe-related projects.
And other things designed to let readers explore without immediately needing to purchase something. I want the blog to feel like a place readers can visit and discover something unexpected.
Because sometimes the best way to introduce someone to a fictional universe is simply to leave the door open.
Fall Book Sales
The fall season is also bringing special sales across select Minds In Design publications.
Readers should keep an eye on:
Select publications will be available at reduced prices throughout seasonal promotions.
Fall is one of my favorite times for reading.
The weather changes. The nights become longer. And suddenly everyone has another excuse to stay inside with a book.
As if we needed one.
If you've been waiting to explore something from my catalogue, this may be the perfect time.
The Mind's Keepsake
In a world that constantly asks us to move faster, I continue returning to something simple:
Words.
Sometimes just a sentence.
A passage.
A thought.
A few words that somehow arrive at exactly the right moment.
That is the foundation of The Mind's Keepsake.
For those unfamiliar with the series, The Mind's Keepsake is a growing collection of quotations and passages designed to be carried with readers. These are not books that need to be rushed.
They're books meant to be revisited, opened randomly. Returned to during different seasons of life.
Read once. Then read again years later and understood differently. The collection explores themes including:
- Love.
- Loss.
- Identity.
- Healing.
- Purpose.
- Dreams.
- Fear.
- Hope.
- Memory.
- The unknown.
And the many emotions that make up the human experience.
One of my favorite things about quotation books is their ability to become personal. Two people can read the exact same passage and carry away entirely different meanings. That's the beauty of language.
The words remain the same.
The reader changes.
And suddenly the meaning changes with them. The Mind's Keepsake was created for people who enjoy beautiful words but also for people searching for something they can return to.
Something to sit with, something to remember and something to carry. The collection continues expanding and is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, select libraries, and other retailers.
For anyone who believes that a few words can sometimes stay with you longer than an entire conversation:
The Mind's Keepsake was created for you.
Makitiadesigns On Redbubble
My return to visual art continues.
For two years, I focused primarily on writing and publishing. That decision helped me build the catalogue I have today. It allowed me to establish Minds In Design.
To create books and to expand into multiple genres, to develop series.
To build worlds. But visual art never truly disappeared from my creative life.
It simply waited.
Now, I'm bringing that part of myself back.
Through Makitiadesigns on Redbubble, my artwork is available across a variety of products.
These include:
Stickers
T-shirts
Blankets
Curtains
Puzzles
Framed artwork
Prints
Phone cases
Pillows
Home décor
And much more
New designs continue arriving regularly. My goal is to keep expanding the creative catalogue and give people opportunities to experience my work outside of books. Because creativity doesn't have to stay inside one medium.
A story can become words.
An emotion can become poetry. And an idea can become an image. I'm excited to see where this return to visual art takes me. And I'm even more excited to continue sharing it with all of you.
Makitia Thompson On Saatchiart
And now, there's another home for my artwork.
My work is also becoming available through Saatchi Art under my name:
Makitia Thompson
This is another exciting step in my return to visual art.
Through Saatchiart, readers and art lovers will be able to purchase my artwork in a variety of print sizes.
More artwork will be arriving in the coming days.
This is something I'm particularly excited about because art has always existed alongside writing in my creative life. The two forms of creativity may appear different, but to me, they come from the same place.
Observation.
Emotion.
Imagination.
The desire to communicate something that may be difficult to explain directly. Sometimes I write what I'm feeling. Sometimes I paint it. And now Minds In Design is allowing space for both.
For those who have known me primarily as an author, I hope you'll enjoy seeing another side of my creativity.
And for those discovering my work through art first:
Welcome to the stories.
Makitia's Corner
Don't Feel Pressured To Use Every Idea You Have
If you're creative, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about.
The ideas don't stop.
You're working on one project when another idea arrives. You're outlining a novel when a short story appears. You're writing poetry when suddenly you have an idea for a screenplay. You're halfway through a book and somehow convinced yourself that you should also begin planning three additional projects.
Creative minds are wonderful.
They are also occasionally inconvenient. Because one of the biggest mistakes writers and creators make is believing that every idea must be used immediately.
It doesn't.
Some ideas need time. Some ideas are not ready yet. Some ideas belong to a different stage of your life. And some ideas will become better precisely because you didn't rush them.
You do not need to turn every thought into a project.
You do not need to write every story the moment you imagine it.
You do not need to publish every concept you create.
Keep some ideas, write them down and save them. Return to them later. I've learned that sometimes an idea I didn't understand two years ago suddenly makes perfect sense later.
Why?
Because I've changed.
I've learned.
I've written more.
I've experienced more.
And now I have the creative tools necessary to tell that story properly. An idea isn't going to disappear simply because you don't use it immediately. If it's meaningful, write it down.
Protect it and let it wait.
Your creativity is not a race. You do not need to prove how productive you are by turning every idea into something finished. Sometimes the most creative thing you can do is say:
Not yet.
And that's enough.
A Giveaway In Celebration Of Twelve Editions
Now for one of the biggest parts of this special edition.
To celebrate:
Twelve editions of The M.I.D Newsletter
One full year of the newsletter
The continued growth of Minds In Design
My expanding audiobook catalogue
And, most importantly, the readers who have continued supporting my work
I'm giving away free audiobook copies through Audible throughout the entire month of September.
Yes.
Free.
No complicated contest.
No requirement to purchase something first.
No dramatic obstacle course.
Just an opportunity for readers to receive audiobook codes and discover something new.
How The Giveaway Works
There are ten audiobooks included in the September giveaway.
Each person may request up to three audiobooks.
The three-copy limit exists for one important reason:
I want as many people as possible to have an opportunity to receive something.
There will be 50 codes available for each audiobook:
25 United States codes
25 United Kingdom codes
Please note that the giveaway is currently available only for listeners in the United States and United Kingdom.
The Audiobooks Available
The following audiobooks are included in the giveaway:
What Removes Us
A slow-burn cosmic horror story centered around a town caught inside something ancient, patient, and impossible to fully understand.
Yes, I Cry
A deeply intimate poetry collection exploring grief, heartbreak, loss, longing, emotional exhaustion, and the pain that remains after the world believes healing should already be complete.
Criminal Plague
For readers interested in darker stories and unsettling characters.
It Ended By Beginning
A collection of short stories exploring the emotions people often bury and the truths they frequently avoid.
House Of Witnesses
The beginning of the Witness Universe.
Enter Clara Roberts' carefully controlled world and discover what happens when awareness begins replacing obedience.
When Love Remembers
A collection exploring the many forms of love, longing, heartbreak, connection, and the ways human relationships remain with us.
The Killer Across The Street
A story for readers interested in suspense, darkness, and the unsettling possibility that danger can exist closer than anyone realizes.
The Cannister Trials
Another opportunity to enter one of the darker corners of the Minds In Design catalogue.
Until Time Remembers
The beginning of the Where Time Can't Exist universe.
A journey into Burrington and the mysteries surrounding a place where time, history, and reality refuse to behave as they should.
Why Hearts Remember
A poetic exploration of love, survival, loss, and the emotional experiences that refuse to disappear.
And There's More
The second book in the House Of Witnesses series:
Chambers Of The Witnessed
is expected to become available for the giveaway beginning September 14th at the latest.
Updates will be provided as soon as the audiobook codes are available.
How To Request Your Audiobooks
To receive codes, simply send me a direct message on Instagram.
When messaging, let me know which one to three audiobooks you'd like.
Please make sure to mention whether you need:
United States codes
United Kingdom codes
A follow is appreciated.
But it is not required.
You do not need to follow me to receive an audiobook.
This giveaway is about celebrating the readers who are already here and welcoming new readers into the Minds In Design catalogue.
The giveaway will run throughout the entire month of September, while codes remain available. Once a particular set of codes is gone, I'll provide updates whenever possible.
And honestly, I hope this gives some of you an opportunity to discover a story you might never have picked up otherwise.
Maybe you'll find your next favorite horror novel. Maybe a poetry collection will arrive at the right moment. Maybe you'll enter Burrington. Maybe you'll become part of the Witness Universe, or maybe you'll simply find something unexpected.
That's the fun of books.
You never completely know where one might take you.
Upcoming Projects
The remainder of 2026 and the beginning of 2027 will continue to be a major period of development for Minds In Design.
There are several projects currently moving forward.
Some are closer than others. And some still need the time they deserve.
A Last Witnessing
The fifth book in the House Of Witnesses series:
A Last Witnessing
is currently in development.
At this time, there is no official earliest or latest publication date.
And that is intentional.
I want to give this book the time it needs.
The Witness Universe is continuing to expand, and every installment has the responsibility of carrying the larger story forward. I don't want to rush the creative process simply to meet an arbitrary deadline.
The book will arrive when it is ready.
And when there is more information to share, readers will be among the first to know.
More House Of Witnesses Companion Content
September will also bring additional companion content for the House Of Witnesses series.
This universe is still growing.
Readers can expect additional opportunities to explore:
Alternate perspectives
Hidden information
Characters outside the main narrative
Additional mysteries
Documents
Interviews
Testimonies
Deleted scenes
And more
The main novels are only part of the experience. There is still an enormous amount of the Witness Universe left unexplored.
Where Time Can't Exist Companion Content
More companion content for Where Time Can't Exist is also coming.
However, that material will begin arriving after September.
Readers will learn more about those plans in the next edition of The M.I.D Newsletter.
Burrington has been quiet.
But if you've read the series, you already know that quiet is rarely a good sign.
More Audiobooks
The Minds In Design audiobook catalogue will continue expanding throughout September.
And additional audiobooks are planned as 2026 comes to an end.
Accessibility remains important to me.
Some readers prefer physical books.
Some prefer ebooks.
Others connect with stories through audio.
I want Minds In Design to continue expanding across all of those formats.
The more ways readers can enter a story, the better.
The Final Main Novel Of Where Time Can't Exist
And now, the question many readers continue asking:
When is the final main novel coming?
The honest answer is:
There is not yet an official publication date.
The third novel and final main installment of the Where Time Can't Exist series is currently being worked on. Because this is the conclusion to the modern story, I want to make sure it receives the attention and time it deserves.
At this point, my estimated earliest arrival would be:
Early February 2027
The latest estimated arrival would be approximately:
Mid-April 2027
These are estimates, not promises.
Creative work can change and stories can become larger. Characters occasionally refuse to cooperate. And endings are particularly difficult because they carry the weight of everything that came before them.
But the book is coming.
The story is continuing.
And Burrington's final main chapter is being built carefully.
Until then, companion content will continue giving readers opportunities to remain connected to the world.
Connect With Me
One of the greatest parts of building Minds In Design has been connecting directly with readers and other creatives.
Whether you want to follow new releases, see artwork, explore behind-the-scenes content, participate in future Q&As, or simply see what I'm currently working on, you can find me across social media.
https://ca.pinterest.com/Mindsindesign/
https://www.instagram.com/mindsndesign
https://www.facebook.com/share/16s3hUHuLB/?mibextid=qi2Omg
YouTube
TikTok
And don't forget to keep an eye on the expanding Minds In Design universe through my websites, blog, book platforms, and creative spaces. I'm also increasingly interested in hearing directly from readers.
Questions.
Theories.
Thoughts about House Of Witnesses.
Ideas for companion content.
Characters you'd like to know more about.
Stories you want to explore.
The future of Minds In Design will continue being built creatively, but reader curiosity is always welcome.
After all, sometimes the best ideas begin with a question.
Parting Words
Twelve editions.
One year.
When I think about everything that has happened since the first issue of The M.I.D Newsletter, I'm reminded of something important: Creative growth is rarely visible while you're living inside it.
When you're working every day, it can feel like nothing is changing.
You're writing.
- Editing.
- Publishing.
- Planning.
- Promoting.
- Creating.
Then repeating the process again. But eventually, you look back.
And suddenly you see it.
The books, the catalogue, the worlds, the readers, the projects and the things that once existed only as ideas.
That's what this special edition represents for me.
A moment to stop.
To look around and to appreciate what has been built. Minds In Design is now a little over two years old. The M.I.D Newsletter has officially completed its first year. My books continue expanding into print, ebook, and audiobook formats. My creative worlds are becoming larger.
House Of Witnesses is now four books deep.
The Witness Universe is continuing to grow.
Where Time Can't Exist is moving toward its final main installment.
My articles have found a new home.
My blog is evolving.
And after stepping away from visual art for two years, I'm creating paintings again. There is more happening now than there was when I started. And that's something I'm incredibly grateful for. But the most important part of this journey remains the people who choose to experience the work.
The readers and the listeners.
The people who give a new author a chance. The people who take a chance on an independent book, the people who open a story without knowing whether they'll like it.
That trust matters.
Independent publishing can sometimes feel like creating in a very large room and hoping someone notices the light you've turned on. But every reader who enters makes the room feel less empty.
So thank you.
Thank you for supporting my work.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for listening.
Thank you for following.
Thank you for giving these stories a place outside my imagination. And thank you for helping Minds In Design reach twelve editions of this newsletter.
This isn't the end of anything. If anything, it feels like another beginning.
There are more stories coming.
More books.
More art.
More audiobooks.
More mysteries.
More companion content.
More worlds.
And, as the title of this special edition suggests:
There is always more to the mind.
Until next time,
Makitia Thompson
Founder & Creative Director
Minds In Design
Where imagination is brought to life and where every story is only the beginning.
#Makitia #TheMidUniverse #HouseOfWitnesses #WhereTimeCantExist #MidStories #MID #MindsInDesign #MakitiaThompson #UntilTimeRemembers #MakitiaBooks
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