Summer Fun
Jun 07, 2025 5:01 pm
It's June. Hello Summer!
Copyright A. F. Stewart
Can you believe summer's (almost) here? Where has the time gone?
But I'm rather glad spring is over, but because, oh, the mayhem. Along with the turmoil mentioned in the last newsletter, May brought a final kick of chaos when my laptop died—a week before an in-person presentation for my local writers' group. I had to scramble to find a replacement, finally borrowing one from my sister to do my slideshow, but happily, the presentation went smoothly in the end.
Updates for June
- Murder, Magic, and Maple Fudge is in the hands of the editor, so barring any more chaos, the July publication is a go!
- I'll be working on finishing the edits for Tales of the Norse Gods this month and moving that forward towards a November publication.
- Writing the fifth Heyward and Andersen story is taking longer than expected (some plot additions had to be worked out and there has been more research than I thought). So I'm pushing that back a bit, and while it is likely I'll have the first draft finished this year, publication may not happen until 2026.
- Also this month, I'll be preparing my Authortube Writing Conference video on using Canva for book graphics. That presentation will go live on my YouTube channel on Saturday, June 28th from 6:00 - 7:00 PM EDT.
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The Shadows and Ink Podcast
May's podcast episode is an interview with author Paula Cappa where we talk about dark gothic horror and fantasy. Check it out at the link below.
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Giveaways and Books To Browse
Horror Stories
Ends July 1st!
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HORROR
Rex's Diner by HorrorReaders List
A cop, some thugs, and two hungry vampires. What could go wrong?
Rex's Diner is a first-person account, a tale of horror, from a police officer as he tries to survive the night in his favourite greasy spoon when two vampires come to call.
Speak of the Devil by Antony J. Stanton
A young Romani girl in medieval Transylvania tries to warn her clan of the evils looming in her visions. Her father is too preoccupied with the dangers from the Ottomans and the Transylvanian soldiers, both. Too scared to speak of the Devil, for to speak too loudly encourages the most Satanic of visits.
The only one who believes her is a young Transylvanian knight she shouldn’t even be talking to. But to ignore the warnings has led to death before now. And may do again.
And all the while, the girl’s visions and nightmares are looming larger. But is death from the Ottomans or the soldiers the worst thing they should fear?
This free novella accompanies the epic Blood of the Dragon series. If you like Gothic thrillers, alternative history and vampire origins, you’ll love Antony J. Stanton’s brand new medieval race against time.
GKP Mystery Series 1: Illustrated Edition Volume 3
by Grant Kelly
With four more riveting tales brought to life through stunning illustrations, this volume delivers the perfect mix of historical intrigue and spine-chilling suspense.
Experience the icy horrors of The Dyatlov Pass Incident, as nine hikers meet an unexplainable and tragic fate in the remote Ural Mountains. Decode the cryptic Tamam Shud Case, a tale of espionage and unsolved puzzles that defies explanation. Unlock the secrets of The Voynich Manuscript, an ancient text shrouded in mystery and written in an uncrackable code. Finally, explore the sunken ruins of Thonis-Heracleion, the legendary Egyptian city lost beneath the waves for over a millennium.
Each story is accompanied by striking illustrations that pull you deeper into the enigmatic and sinister worlds of GKP Mysteries. Dare to uncover the final secrets of this haunting series.
Darkness Below by Barbara Cottrell
(This is a sample/preview copy)
Fall semester is always a challenging time at Miskatonic University.
All Ellen Logan wants to do is pass her classes while holding down a bad job at a New Age bookstore.
But when a former roommate jumps to her death from the university clocktower and another friend vanishes, leaving her with a mysterious book, she embarks on her own investigation. With the help of renowned professor Andrew Carter, she uncovers evidence of a murderous cult, a terrifying creature, and a ghost who knows far too much about her.
To survive, Ellen and Carter must descend into the Darkness Below to stop the forces that threaten to tear their world apart.
FANTASY
The Case of the Astral Projectionist by Tim Enoch
Of the many exciting real-life characters that inhabited the London of Queen Victoria's reign, few match Anne Horniman's unique imagination. Horniman was a spiritualist who professed skill and accomplishment in the art and science of astral projection, the ability to travel in spirit to other places and realms.
In The Case of the Astral Projectionist, Horniman is hired by the Prime Minister to use this skill to search for a new home for humanity, as London's coal smog portends an uninhabitable Earth.
Likewise, Mina Harker is hired to use her skills of telepathy, gained from her encounter with the dreadful Transylvanian Count, to spy on Horniman and verify what she claims to find in her explorations.
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My Merch Stores:
Vintage and artsy designs on a variety of products
Scifi, fantasy, and horror designs on a variety of products
Writer and reader-based designs on a variety of products
(with new Canadian designs)
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Find me on:
Website | Facebook Group | YouTube | BookBub
Instagram | BlueSky | TikTok| My Amazon page
Lemon Squeezy Store | My Books on StoryOrigin
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That's it for this edition. And I'll return next month with more updates.
