Tag: fantasy

Ch. 10 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Ten of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a wretched dinner is endured.

~

“Caught you at last,” Emlyn declared with a grin.

Rat froze on the threshold to their dormitory, his fingertips still on the knob. His hand no longer had any putrefying fluids on it, as he’d undergone a hearty scrub up to the elbows before he’d left the dissection laboratory, but he felt as if he tarnished the knob nonetheless. Particularly beneath the gaze of his pristine prince. “What’s amiss?”

Which was really just a less overtly obsequious way of asking what his prince—his captain—required of him.

Emlyn blinked. “Nothing’s amiss. Just wanted to bring you down to dinner.”

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Cozy Capitalism – Trope Talk on Right Here Write Queer

There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you wherever you listen to your fave podcasts!

Authors RK Ashwick (she/her) and Noah Hawthorne (they/them) discuss why so many cozy fantasy stories feature coffeeshops and bookshops, how to break out of the mold, and where the genre’s economic models may go in the future.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the Lutesong trilogy beginning with The Stray Spirit, as well as the cozy fantasy series Sidequest Row beginning with A Rival Most Vial. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

Noah Hawthorne (they/them), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook, and the solarpunk novel The Rebel Foxes, amongst other titles. You can connect with them at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Ch. 9 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Nine of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein favoritism goes awry.

~

“You needn’t look so sour,” Alistair told Emlyn in a tone of gentle teasing. “It’s full marks.”

This did nothing to improve Emlyn’s opinion of the essay that the professor had just handed back to xir.

Xe had dashed it off a scant hour before it was due. Its core argument—if it had any, and if xe were questioned now xe knew xe couldn’t give its summary—was borne not of rigorous study and reflection but rather of a flailing hazard towards points xe’d heard fellow students make in the lecture. It was not xir best work, and xe knew it. Therefore the essay could not have received full marks on its own merit.

Which left Emlyn to wonder what other reasons might lead xir professor to grade it so highly.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 8 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow

Chapter Eight of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein friendships are forged.

~

The library wasn’t quite so bad as the dining hall, by Rat’s reckoning. For one thing, it proved quieter. For another, his nerves weren’t frayed by old instincts gnawing at the back of his mind, insisting everyone lurking over his hunched shoulders intended to steal his food. After all, the posted rules on the end-caps of shelves reminded students that no food or drink would be permitted on the premises.

Stares and whispers, however, continued.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 7 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Seven of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein we crank the yearning up to eleven.

~

“Oh!” Emlyn smiled. The whole room brightened. “There you are. We missed you at dinner.”

An unforgivably selfish part of Rat felt pleased to have been missed. However… “We?”

“Alistair,” Emlyn replied, hanging up xir coat and scarf. “And Cassilda, and Oriel, and Quince—y’know, everybody.”

Rat very much doubted any of them had noted his absence, much less missed it. Either Emlyn hadn’t noticed—which seemed doubtful, given the canny ease with which Emlyn navigated society—or Emlyn had told a polite lie to spare Rat’s feelings and perhaps foster goodwill between disparate circles.

Which made Rat wonder if Emlyn had lied about xirself as well. Had xe actually missed him at dinner, or, upon seeing him sitting alone in their dormitory, had xe remembered that xe ought to have missed him and bent the truth accordingly?

“Did you eat earlier?” Emlyn asked, jolting Rat out of his spiraling thoughts.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

The Spirit’s Curse with R.K. Ashwick on Right Here Write Queer!

There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you wherever you listen to your fave podcasts!

Cozy fantasy author R.K. Ashwick (she/her) speaks on the rewards and challenges of wrapping up a series with her latest novel The Spirit’s Curse, the conclusion to the Lutesong trilogy.

The spirits have awoken – and can never sleep again.

After being roused to defend against a magical disaster, the nature spirits of Thalis have begun to leave their groves and mingle with humans. Eager to welcome their verdant new friends, Emry, Cal, and Aspen take center stage once more: they throw the country’s first spirit festival.

Music and merriment abound—but when an angry lynx attacks Aspen onstage, demanding to know how to go back to sleep in his grove, Emry realizes that not every spirit wants this new life… and he has no idea how to return them to their old one.

The trio and their allies venture into an old-growth forest, seeking answers from Yarrow, the country’s oldest spirit. But Yarrow has grown treacherous—instead of helping them, it traps them in Raven’s Rest, a stubborn little village fighting for its place in the forest.

As Yarrow’s malice grows and the spirits question their place in the world, Emry, Cal, and Aspen must join forces with the village to subdue Yarrow—even if it means destroying the very answers they seek.

R.K. Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the Lutesong trilogy beginning with The Stray Spirit, as well as the cozy fantasy series Sidequest Row beginning with A Rival Most Vial. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

Ch. 6 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Six of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patreon! Wherein a tentative friendship is forged.

~

She struck out her hand to him. “Griswold. Pre-med track. Aiming for general surgery.”

Rat accepted her firm handclasp with his first genuine smile of the day tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Ratcliffe. Likewise.”

She took this in with a brisk nod. “Do you ride?”

His first neutral-to-positive university acquaintance, and already he must disappoint her.

~

Joining me on Patreon will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patreon!

Ch. 5 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Five of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein a puppy is protected.

~

Breath burst from Emlyn’s lungs in a plume of bubbles swept away by the current. Xe resisted the instinct to draw water in its place. Instead xe flailed towards the faint hazy light that marked out the surface. The current dragged xir down. Panic seized xir heart. Xe kicked out against it. Darkness pulsed at the corners of xir eyes. Xir ribs burned for want of breath. None-too-distant memories flashed through xir mind—

Then xir face broke the surface. Cold air stung xir cheeks and brow as xe gulped down acrid fog.

Xe was stupid for even trying—beyond foolish. Xir limbs plunged into fathomless depths. Xe would never find the sack in the dark—the current must’ve dragged it far off by now—forever out of reach. Still xe struck out xir arms, fingers grasping through the roaring waters, desperate to touch even a fleeting hint of canvas. The city lights blurred through the fog and glistened off the river’s torrent—

Save for a shadow that did not reflect the gas-lamps.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!

Ch. 4 – A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – m x nb romantasy on Patreon

Chapter Four of A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow – a historical m x nb romantasy featuring dark academia, hurt/comfort, and dragon royalty – is now on Patre♡n! Wherein an acquaintanceship is attempted.

~

“Rat, everyone,” Emlyn declared when Rat drew up to the table, casting xir wrist out in the vague direction of the coterie at large. “Everyone, Rat.”

Hardly an introduction. Rat supposed Emlyn didn’t think xir friends required anything more.

The devil of it was that Rat did know them all. To a point. Every letter from Emlyn at the academy and university alike regaled Rat with minute descriptions of xir friends’ physicality, behaviour, opinions, and every adventure and misadventure they’d all enjoyed together. Rat wondered if Emlyn had spoken as oft of him.

Given the five blank looks regaling him in a chorus of stony silence now, he doubted it.

~

Joining me on Patre♡n will give you access to “drawer fic” – aka the 500k+ words worth of manuscripts that have been shelved until I figure out how to fix or finish them. You’ll also be invited to join an exclusive Discord server just for patrons!

A new chapter will go up every week. Missing (unwritten) scenes will be indicated by brackets describing what would probably happen if the scene were written. Example: [in this scene Aubrey and Lindsey ride a carousel]

Currently posting…
♡ A Mirror for the Prince’s Shadow (historical m x nb romantasy)

Completed works…
♡ the Aubrey & Lindsey solar fantasy project (mm)
♡ A Willing Canvas – John Halloway x Lord Cyril Graves (mm)
♡ The Train Job – Rowena Althorp x Rebekah (ff)
♡ Hold Fast 2 – Hold Faster (mm)
♡ Vampires Vampires Vampires (mmm)
♡ The Sebastian Nothwell Contemporary Expanded Universe (mmm+)
♡ Theo. (transmasc historical mm romance)

See you on Patre♡n!