In alchemy, putrefaction (or putrefactio) is the crucial stage of decomposition and rotting where old forms break down. Represented by the blackening or nigredo stage, this process reduces materials to a uniform black mass. It is the essential death of the old before spiritual or physical rebirth.

Fanart made with ballpoint pen

I had to come up with a new crest to use on the cover of my book because apparently it’s not a good idea to use the Royal Crest of British Arms without permission.

For some reason I thought it was a good idea to ask the folk over at r/heraldry for opinions. It wasn’t.

So here I am, cap in hand, asking my fellow horror heads instead: does this pass as the crest for a secret intelligence agency with a focus on the things that go bump in the night?

The symbols on the shield aren’t random they all tie into the story sooner or later and the beasts were picked for their fantasy Nate more than anything. The Latin translates to *We Keep Watch Against the Darkness.*

The story is called The Black Chateau and I’m also always looking for ARC readers…