✒ Editor’s Note
Welcome back, Talestack Readers!
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It may be late summer, but fiction is always on time!
My oh my, August is whizzing by! Here at Talestack HQ we’ll be pivoting to the colors (and fresh logo!) and cooler-weather of Fall pretty soon, but that doesn’t mean Summer can’t have its last hurrah!
In this issue we’ve got some new serial projects for you to check out, finished work, a couple of novels to preorder, and even a fun way to connect with fellow writers. Who knows? You may find your next favorite read right here!
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 lovely week, and happy writing!
S.E. Reid Editor of Talestack News
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📣 Announcements!
Finished Projects:
- has just completed serializing her very first novel, a haunting tale called Things That Can’t Be Broken, here on Substack. Synopsis: “Nine-year-old Dani makes a fervent promise that there will always be horses in her life, so when she finds out her next-door neighbor won a scholarship to an exclusive horsemanship program, she vows to win one too. She never gets the chance—but her short life has a lasting effect on a community.” Get started with the Prologue here!
New Projects:
- has a new short sci-fi serial out, Katy Gone to Mars, being Unofficial Katy’s third great (mis)adventure, “in which our mischievous feline extraterrestrial disguised in human form gets abducted to Area 51 by a couple of Men in Black. But given that she has quite a penchant for X-Files conspiracies, her curiosity should overcome any lingering anxieties, especially when they show her one of their foo fighters. Then again, her curiosity might just be precisely what they are hoping to exploit. Of course she’d love to have a ride on a silver machine. Wouldn’t you? Just don’t call it pod racing. Call it pod racing and there’ll be intellectual property issues. Fans of intriguing NASA-related conspiracy theories and tongue-in-cheek, highly humorous sci-fi will adore this.” Each chapter is released on a Sci-Friday. Lift off here with Part One!
- has recently started a short historical romance serial called Neverland: An Old Flame, A Forbidden Love. Synopsis: “When Carl, a young Jamaican man, and Katie, a white English woman, meet at a 1968 London protest, their forbidden love ignites despite violent social opposition. Torn apart by family threats and racial prejudice, they make a heartbreaking pact to meet once a year, for just one hour, to honor what they've lost. Fifty-four years later, their annual ritual continues. But this time, Carl carries an envelope that could change everything. This four-part historical romance explores love's power to endure across decades, even when society tries to destroy it. Set between 1960s upheaval and present-day hope, ‘Neverland’ asks whether some loves are strong enough to overcome time itself.”
- has just launched her high fantasy serial, The Violent Sun. Blurb: “The Violent Sun explores the fragmented yet beautiful existence of Solikah, an intimately broken Daughter of the Sun. As we dive into a world filled to the brim with its own magical lore and epic Gods, our narrator, Solikah, takes us through the delicate and morally grey actions that ultimately led to her making an Earth shattering decision…” You can jump right into Chapter One here!
📚 The Bookshelf
(Titles listed in order of release date.)
- ’s debut fantasy novel, Company of Ghosts, is now available to preorder as an ebook through Amazon, with physical copies available upon release! From the author: “A political fantasy set in a secondary world, the story weaves through a rich tapestry of secret histories and forbidden magic as the narrator tries to uncover the secrets behind her mother's death. It's the perfect cozy read for autumn, but if you're still not convinced, have a read through the first chapter and decide for yourself!” Release Date: 9/16/25
- ’s coming-of-age literary novel originally serialized on Substack, Fallout, is now available for preorder through Empress Editions! Release Date: TBA
🫱🏻🫲🏾 Connection Corner
Speculative fiction writers! Are you looking for a place to share your work and connect with other writers? Check out the recent Prompt Quest Gathering hosted by The Lunar Awards! Take a peek at the prompt, see if it sparks an idea, and then share it with the community.
For extra credit: subscribe to the Lunar Awards newsletter for more speculative fiction fun!
Got something you want us to publish? Have any questions, comments, or feedback? Send it all to:
talestack.editor@gmail.com
Omg!!! I am beyond honored to be included amongst such talented artists!!! 🥹 thank you so much Talestack News for including me! The Violent Sun is my outcry of so many thoughts, feelings and emotions and to be recognized in this way… 🥰🥰🥰 ahhh! To anyone reading this comment, I’d love to have you along for the journey that’s unfolding within The Violent Sun. Come rage, come heal, and come explore the fragmented mind of Solikah, an intimately broken Daughter of the Sun (and maybe, just maybe, find some healing and/or understanding of your own ). 😌☀️🥀
Chapters 1 & 2 are out with Chapter 3 coming this Wednesday 🥰
Thank you again Talestack News and Friends! This recognition means the world to me 🥹
Thanks for including my serialized short story, Neverland, in this issue of Talestack News. I love the way you promote such a wide variety of writers. Reading their synopses sparked my interest in genres I don’t usually read. The Violent Sun by @Toi’ya particularly caught my interest. I’ll be checking it out. Thanks again!