So ... why am I republishing Heavy is the Head?

I want to re-publish this story because for so long I've struggled to slow down. Remaining still long enough to see the path I had walked was something I didn't know how to do. I kept moving the goalposts, never giving myself time to look back at how far I’d come, what I had learned, or who helped me cross the finish line. So, early in 2025, I had decided to revise both books of the Heavy is the Head duology for republishing, but I didn’t want to stop there. I wanted new cover art and a two-page map spread (that I’m still hoping turns out well—keep your fingers crossed for me!). Stickers—I wanted stickers this time too. So, get ready to be sicka me! 

I'm republishing these books to brush the dust off a story I moved on so quickly from—had looked away from when I thought I wasn't doing “enough” to be considered an author. Thanks, but no thanks, to social media. I thought I had to hurry and publish the next shiny new thing ASAP. Yesterday. By midnight, it's already too late! Social media trends move at lightning speed. Book trends move almost as fast. But it's easy to forget that social media is only a snapshot of the good. A polished window, not the whole house. We don’t get to see the hard work, tears, or doubts. It’s easy to feel you’re not doing enough, not writing fast enough, not publishing enough. The “not enough” list is endless.  

But one day, that fateful day early last year, I snapped out of the trance. I asked myself,

Katrina, do you know how inspired 13-year-old you would be by you? She believes she’s beautiful because of you. 

Katrina, do you know 8-year-old you would look at you with endless hope in her eyes? She knows dreams come true. 

Katrina, remember your baby photo? That baby girl is amazed that you accomplished what you did at such a vulnerable time in your life. She knows she’s destined for greatness and freedom.  

I'm republishing the duology to honor the version of me who began her writing journey in 2019, during a time when anxiety made everything feel almost impossible. I grew closer to God, and He gave me what I needed to be vulnerable enough to share a part of myself with the world. None of it was easy. Most of it I hid behind a smile. I prayed, wrote, and was scared, and couldn’t sleep, prayed some more and gained a community of friends I now can’t see my life without. Y’all, I published A Crimson City on March 25, 2020, and I didn’t think I would get the response I did for a short story. The absolute warmth and love I experienced helped me climb my way back to the surface—along with my well-prescribed SSRI (thank you very much, Doc!).

I'm republishing these books to celebrate the reader who has believed in me from the first page. 

I'm republishing these books to celebrate the first time I've gotten character art by a reader. 

I’m republishing these books to thank the people who never left my side—the ones who checked on me, encouraged me, held space for my dreams, and reminded me to love my own sauce (I hope I just made my bestie smile with that one).   

This relaunch is my love letter to the story, to the readers, to my community, and to every version of myself who kept going. 

And to my son, Kyrin—I hope you are proud of your mommy. You have shown me I am more magnificent than I ever believed I was. You inspire me the most every day and I love you forevermore.