Talestack News - ISSUE 31
[August 19th - September 2nd]
✒ Editor’s Note
Welcome back, Talestack Readers!
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New projects, new publications…and a NEW LOOK!
It’s September, y’all! Here at Talestack HQ, September always feels like a season for new things, for a fresh start. So, in the spirit of September, TALESTACK NEWS is sporting a new autumnal logo (gone are the random stock photos!) and a whole slew of new projects, publications, tales, and more from the intrepid writers in the Substack fiction community!
As always, please hype each other up in the comments. Go visit, explore, give virtual high-fives, and let your colleagues know that you’re with them.
Have a fantastic week, and happy writing!
S.E. Reid Editor of Talestack News
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📣 Announcements!
Finished Projects:
- has just concluded her dark fantasy Dark as Dawn, Bright as Night, her first serialized novel on Substack. From Garen: “Dark as Dawn has a little bit of everything: ghosts, goddesses, demons, shades, and fae. It's a tale that draws on myths, legends, and some of my other favorite things, including dodgy nightclubs, ruined castles, northwest landscapes, love, and friendship. It's a fast, character-driven read that's a little bit action, a little bit literary, and a little bit horror with a touch of romance. I'd love to share with you!” Jump in with Episode One here!
New Projects:
- has just launched a new military science fiction/romance serial called Love Your Enemy, part of his UEC Stories series of tales. Synopsis: “The United Earth Coalition had just finished their brutal suppression of the Altair Prime Revolt when the Alliance of Planets came out of nowhere to invade Earth Space. Thus began the Lambda War. Once again, the Cisalpine Legion - the UEC’s 13th Independent Military Group - found themselves in a fight on Altair Prime. Their enemy: the Alliance Task Force under Prince Alexios Spektre of Lakamodis. This clash of civilization would take on a whole new meaning when Sergeant Major Marco Icardi of the Cisalpine Legion completed a successful counter-offensive. The result: a prisoner of war. And not just any prisoner, as the UEC had captured an Alliance medic named Arlena, the sister to Prince Alexios.” Jump into Part One here!
- is launching Part Two of his historical fantasy tale, The Shield of Locksley. This second part is called Tournament of Youth. Synopsis: “Having arrived in Camelot for the TOURNAMENT OF YOUTH, young Locksley finds himself at odds with the Orkney Clan of Knights once again. With Sir Grummer freed from Tarquin’s Keep through the efforts of Locksley and his trusted Squire, Brennis, (as well as Lancelot and Lamorak de Gales), they are confronted once again in a more peaceful setting. The Orkney Clan suspect Locksley’s involvement with their father’s death to be more than he claims. Join us, as young Locksley sets about to collect a new suit of armour, as well as a sword and a new horse, as he sets out to become the hero of the Tournament and win the Garter of Pearls as well as the heart of the Lady Gwenellyn…Will he succeed? Will he once again thwart the anger of Agravain? A rollicking adventure unlike any King Arthur story you’ve seen before, with sex, and violence, and heroes, and villains…this is NOT your father’s King Arthur!” Get started here!
- is launching a new Substack newsletter featuring her fiction, called KimBoo’s Bibliotheca. This is meant as a companion to her non-fiction blog, KimBoo’s Scriptorium. From KimBoo: “Not much there yet but I'll be launching it at the start of September with both of my ongoing serials, ‘Dragon’s Grail’ and ‘Transmigrated Teri.’ As an aside, I originally was expecting the Scriptorium to be for both fiction and non-fiction, but I've realized that it clouds the waters for readers. So, here we gooooooo!” Subscribe now to be there when the goodness gets started!
- has taken some time off this summer, but EJ says: “…after a long and restorative August off, Age of Aquarius is back with brand new horror fiction on September 8. Spooky Season beckons!”
- has two projects she would like to highlight:
A River Trembles, the second book of epic romantasy The Môrdreigiau Chronicles, released on August 31st with the first two chapters. Synopsis: “In this new book, a dreigiau môr (sea dragon) monarch fights to claim their power and form the first Chosen Court in centuries.”
Previously started elsewhere, Leanne’s serial Hiraeth will move and continue over at The Môrdreigiau Chronicles on a monthly basis. Synopsis: “Hiraeth (heer-eye-th) charts the story of a Chosen Court who are called to uncover a new homeland for the sea dragons, the dreigiau môr. Disaster strikes and they are swept far off course. Will they discover a new homeland? Will they find their way back home? Will these new challenges fracture or strengthen this Chosen Court?” The first episode will be reposted on September 16th and will continue monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month (2nd episode posts on the 23rd).
- recently started a three-part short story event called Mirrors of the Snow Queen, part of the Red Riding Saga. Synopsis: “The knight Lady Red Riding Hood continues on her quest to find a cure for her beloved Princess Snow White, who has been cursed by a magical poison. However, Lady Red finds her quest halted by the Snow Queen, who threatens to expand her domain of ice and snow...” Part One and Part Two are already available to read, and Part Three will drop on September 5th, so stay tuned!
Milestones & Wins:
- has completed a total revamping of his Substack, Germanicus Publishing. From Michael: “I've put some of my older stuff behind paywall and put out new stuff for paid subscribers with the goal of making paid subscription worth it.” You can find the list of paid perks here, and gain even deeper context for the changes and the future of Germanicus Publishing from Michael’s recent podcast episode here.
- would like to share a recent poem with the community called Timeless Rivers, accompanied by beautiful music.
- has just published a new “light steampunk” short story, along with a dramatic audio production, called The Free Society of Hephaestus.
📚 The Bookshelf
(Titles listed in order of release date.)
- has announced the impending publication of his first collection of 100-word stories (along with prompts) called Microdosing Fiction. Read this recent post for details! Release Date: TBD
- ‘s collection of science fiction short stories, Voices from the Deep, is now available to purchase through various sellers! Release Date: 8/21/24
- ’s science fiction novel inspired by The Tempest, called Oceanus, is currently available for ebook preorder through Amazon (with an impending paperback and hardcover release)! Release Date: 9/6/24
❤ Shout-Outs
- would like to shout out . From Hanna: “[Michele] is just a wonderful mentor and an incredibly talented author. I cannot thank her enough for being so helpful to a newbie like me.”
- would like to shout out . From Leanne: “Shout out to Keyon Hejazi for being a great editor, leader at Stardust Press and friend. The best perk about agreeing to join this project has not been the uptick in subscribers (although I gained quite a few) but in the making of new writer friends in Keyon, Remus and Maximilian. I have loved the support and cameraderie we’ve shared over the past couple of months and look forward to continuing the friendships!”
Got something you want us to publish? Have any questions, comments, or feedback? Send it all to:
talestack.editor@gmail.com
You're the best, Sally! I didn't know if it would be ready in time for Talestack News, so I didn't end up submitting, but you added it last minute and I'm so appreciative. Thank you!
What?! Thank you, Hanna!!! It's my pleasure to help. I'm here for you! S.E. Reid thanks so much for having such a great publication. I feel all the warm fuzzies. :-)