Heartless.

Surprise, it’s a brand new fantasy tale!

What is this?

This is a short story (6k words) about what happens when a wastrel prince takes drastic measures to preserve his wayward love.

It is not a romance. While the story revolves on the axis of a romantic relationship, it does not end in a happily-ever-after. If you are wildly optimistic, it ends in a happy-for-now.

It’s gory, it’s toxic, it’s harrowing. Perfect for the season of All Hallow’s Eve.

Why is this?

Halcyon and Noll have lived in my heart for over a decade. Now they are out in the world for you to read. Enjoy!

Any relation to the Halcyon in Fiorenzo?

Absolutely none, I just like the name.

Where can I read this story?

You can download the epub from my Payhip as well as from my Patreon store.

And as always, thank you for reading.

Your Nothwell Newsletter – Happy Book Birthday to Fiorenzo!

This September marks the third anniversary of Fiore and Enzo’s sword-crossed romance. How shall we celebrate?

For those who are just now joining us, a few words of elucidation may prove prudent. Fiorenzo is a queer fantasy-of-manners romance featuring swordplay, hurt/comfort, and a happily-ever-after. It tells the story of Fiore, a courtesan with a plan, and Enzo, a masked aristocrat whose arrival in Fiore’s life absolutely annihilates that plan, to both their benefit. Both Fiore and Enzo are near and dear to my heart, and I’m delighted to celebrate the third year since their story first reached readers like yourself.

And as for celebrations… first, I’m officially releasing the Enzo face-reveal postcard print, illustrated beautifully by Katabay (@katabay on tumblr). Long-time loyal subscribers may have seen it before, but if you’ve just recently joined us, here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming. Spoilers for Fiorenzo below!

This illustration will be available as both a postcard print and as a sticker from my Etsy shop starting this September.

To further celebrate…
♡ all annotated books will be 30% off for the whole month with the coupon code FIORENZOANNIVERSARY,
♡ and for September only, the postcard print will also be included as a freebie with every Etsy order of a Fiorenzo paperback, signed and annotated alike!

That’s all for this Nothwell newsletter, and as always, thank you for reading.

—Sebastian

Your Nothwell Newsletter – English Folkloric Liminality in Queer Paranormal Historical Popular Romance

Pride Month is a whirlwind of activity for queer romance authors, and my experience this past June was no exception. Even so, it came with an enormous and wonderful surprise that I could never have anticipated.

As a big research nerd into history, medicine, botany, and increasingly more obscure fields with every book I write, I cannot begin to express the elation I felt when Dr. Markéta Šmídová tagged me on bsky alongside the illustrious names of KJ Charles, Arden Powell, Freya Marske, Lee Welch, Emily Tesh, and Harper Fox, to announce that they had just successfully defended their doctoral dissertation, promisingly titled, “Kissing for Dear Life in a Dead Land: English Folkloric Liminality in Queer Paranormal Historical Popular Romance.”

In a further extremely generous gesture, their post also links to a free download of said dissertation.

Not since “The Philomena of John Bradmore and its Middle English derivative: a perspective on surgery in late Medieval England” by S.J. Lang have I so swiftly, feverishly, and delightedly read an academic work. It is a fascinating read for anyone interested in queer romantasy, and an incredible honour to be included. Highly recommend checking it out if you’ve enjoyed the oeuvre of any of the authors cited within.

That’s all for this Nothwell newsletter, but keep a weather eye on the horizon for September! And as always, thank you for reading.

—Sebastian

Surprise! It’s books!

When life gives you lemons (massive $700 return from Ingram), you make lemonade (put the books up on Etsy to recoup the loss).

Anyway for the first time ever I’m offering signed books shipped straight to you – limited quantity; once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Annotated books are also available and 25% off!

Check ’em out on my etsy shop.

And as always, thank you for reading.