And as tradition goes, I’ve completed my annual ritual: another reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. There’s something about Washington Irving’s tale that never gets old—the creeping dread, the humor, and that perfect blend of folklore and atmosphere that makes it feel timeless. This year, I may have gone a little overboard… I watched six different versions of Sleepy Hollow. (Yes, six. Don’t judge. It’s research.) From classic adaptations to modern reimaginings, it’s fascinating to see how each one captures a slightly different flavor of the legend.

The changing of the seasons always makes me reflective. The air turns crisp, the daylight shrinks, and life seems to slow down—if only for a moment—before the year-end chaos kicks in. It’s that perfect time to sit down with a good story, a warm drink, and the kind of plot twist that keeps you turning pages long after you promised yourself, just one more chapter.

Speaking of page-turners, my latest novel, High Stakes, has been selling like hotcakes—and for that, I want to say thank you. I’ve been blown away by the response. It’s been amazing hearing from readers who’ve been caught up in the world of blackjack tables, casino intrigue, and moral gambles. If you haven’t snagged your copy yet, now’s the perfect time. And if you’ve already read it and enjoyed it, I’d love for you to leave a review—it helps more than you’d think and keeps me inspired to keep creating worlds worth getting lost in.

As we close in on the end of the year, I can’t help but think about what the future holds. The truth is, none of us really know. Maybe that’s what makes life so thrilling—the uncertainty, the gamble of it all. We can plan, prepare, and try to stack the odds in our favor, but in the end, life still deals the cards.

So as the seasons shift and the pumpkins give way to poinsettias, I’ll raise a mug of coffee (or maybe something stronger) to whatever’s next. Because the future’s coming whether we’re ready or not—and if you ask me, that’s what makes the game worth playing.

Until next time, keep reading, keep dreaming, and don’t forget to double down on the things that matter most.

Leif J. Erickson is a science fiction and fantasy author from a small farming community in west central Minnesota. Using his time wisely when he was a farmer, Leif developed many ideas, characters, and storylines to create over fifty unique first drafts and outlines for stories. From his start in a small town school, to college at North Dakota State University, back to his family farm, then to the bright lights of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and back to his small farming town, Leif has always had a love of writing.

When Leif isn’t writing he can be found with his wife hiking in state parks, canoeing local lakes and rivers, exploring local and regional ghost towns, experiencing museums, or simply reading or hanging out with friends and family. Leif draws on the local nature and ecology to find inspiration for his writing while he also asks what’s possible for technology and the human race, weaving them together for amazing stories that will stay with the reader for years to come. Leif looks forward to having many novel and story releases in the years to come.

You can see all of Leif’s Books here: Leif’s Amazon Author Page