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Lucianus is one of the most destructive wizards of all time. For his crimes, he was executed.To his shock he awakens, in a body not his own, summoned by powerful magic with no clue as to why. He's soon discovered by Auran, a knife-wielding traveler suspicious of his strange and sudden presence. Displaced from his own era and at a loss for what to do, Lucianus begs Auran's help in finding his feet. Auran reluctantly agrees, and so together they strike out across the changed lands Lucianus once called home, looking for an explanation.The purpose of Lucianus' summoning soon becomes he's been tasked with murder, as befits his violent reputation as a battlewizard. Yet what should be a straightforward objective turns complicated, for the spell that binds him to life will end once the task is complete. His body is borrowed. His time is short. He must reach the appointed place and complete his task...but that means a return to death, and there's nothing he wants less. He'd rather enjoy this borrowed life for himself. And Auran, though he proves a competent guide, seems to have his own purposes, purposes that may go against what Lucianus' summoner wants.The scars of his past rise against him, a decades-old drama closes in, and still his fate is sealed. Lucianus will die a second time. What happens until then is up to him. Fantasy / Romance / LGBT / gay / Bisexual Find on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253791358

Debbie Bishop spent 30+ years as a CEO, producer, and creative director in the entertainment industry. She's built and run companies, launched home entertainment labels, and led key art campaigns and packaging for Disney, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Universal, and Paramount — along with retail campaigns for Target, Walmart, and Costco. She's also an award-winning author. Her fantasy duology PILLYWIGGIN AWAKENING earned a BookFest First Place Award for Epic Fantasy and a Literary Titan Gold Award. Her other works include Black Tide (Image Comics), War Eagles, Pillywiggin, The Fairies of Bladderwhack Pond, What Is The Meaning Of Life?You and The Pre-Fab Cookbook with Dish & Flo. ​Debbie hosts the By.Storytellers podcast, featuring creators, innovators, and the real stories behind their work. Find Debbie and her books here: https://www.debbiebishop.com/​

Simon Michael, often referred to as “the British John Grisham”, is a barrister (trial attorney) and the author of the best-selling Charles Holborne Legal Thrillers. The books are set primarily in London in the 1960s and 1970s, a period of huge social change, and they explore loyalty and prejudice and what happens when justice collides with a corrupt Establishment. They’re historical and legal crime novels, but they’re also about memory, moral compromise, and the long shadow history casts over the present. At their centre is barrister Charles Holborne, born Charlie Horowitz, a former East End boxer and occasional criminal who is drawn into cases shaped by gangs, organised crime, political interference and institutional corruption. Moving between London’s courtrooms and the criminal underworld, the novels explore the tension between professional ambition and personal integrity, and the fragile line between justice and expediency. The series does not shy away from the class tensions and prejudices embedded within the legal profession of the time, including the racist, antisemitic  and classist attitudes faced by those entering the Bar in the middle of the last century, echoes of which still resonate today. Combining legal authenticity with gritty urban realism, the series uses crime as a lens to examine how power operates within institutions, who the law ultimately serves, and what it costs to pursue truth when the system itself is under pressure. Find Simon and his books on his website here: https://simonmichaelauthor.com/

“To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.” — Robert Louis Stevenson I’ve been a writer since I was knee-high to Mad Magazine, so my early scripts were short and funny. I’ve also been interested in stuff like ESP and psychic phenomena since I was a youngster. I even gave a talk on the paranormal back in the sixth grade. I got an A++ on it! My career began in earnest at the famed Actors Theatre of Louisville where I had a boatload of 10-minute plays produced when I worked there in the Lit Dept. One of those plays was published by Sam French and is still produced to this day because it’s timeless and timely — Attack of the Moral Fuzzies. When I moved to L.A. two big things happened. I started working in sitcoms (and sold scripts to Roseanne and Blossom), and I took a class in trance channeling. After a few years, I wanted to work on meatier shows, so I switched to hour-long dramas. I was on such hits as Desperate Housewives and Ghost Whisperer as a producer’s assistant — and I got to pitch show ideas as well. I then decided I wanted to get my own work out there (see the quote from Robert Lewis Stevenson above) so I co-wrote and co-produced the web series The Calamities of Jane and Shelby’s Vacation, my 40-minute lesbian dramedy. Both have gotten into a bunch of film festivals and won awards to boot.. Right now I’m focused on selling my two TV pilots: The Cleaning Crew (about a small hazmat team in L.A.) and The View from Above (mysterious crop circles appear in my home state of Indiana!). My stage play career has continued concurrently with my TV work. I’ve had more than a dozen productions, including at such venues as the Hollywood Fringe Festival, the Rainbow Festival at Asbury Park, and Bloomington’s Blizzard of Short Plays. My favorite recent experience was with Denver’s Athena Project (which fosters women playwrights) where my play Handcrafted Healing had a production. I’ve been a Sierra Club member in Los Angeles for many years and have led over 350 hikes with the Gay and Lesbian Serrians, which has awarded me “Sierran of the Year” four times. I’ve made it all the way to the top Half Dome in Yosemite (seen here) and Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states. Find Nancy and her books here: https://www.nancybeverlywriter.com/

Tatiana Vixen Reyes is the pen name of a transgender woman whose work blends sensuality, imagination, and cultural texture into richly layered storytelling. Through this voice, she explores themes of identity, desire, transformation, and connection. After an early retirement from federal civil service, Tatiana embraced her lifelong passion for storytelling, channeling decades of lived experience into bold, unapologetic creative work. Her writing explores themes of identity, desire,transformation, and connection—often centering voices and perspectives that exist at the intersections of gender, sexuality, and culture.  She is the creator of the romantic novella series She Came to the Glass Heel, a character-driven exploration of intimacy, longing, and fleeting moments of connection set against the backdrop of a vibrant Chicago nightclub. In addition, she is the architect behind the Érōsikúsō Campaign Setting, an ambitious and immersive world for tabletop roleplaying games that merges fantasy, sensuality, and intricateworldbuilding.  Now based in Chicago, Tatiana lives with her ever-“helpful” cat, who frequently supervises her writing process with questionable effectiveness. Her creative influences span a wide spectrum—from comic books and romance novels to fantasyepics, science fiction cinema, and years spent around the gaming table. These influences converge in her work, resulting in stories that are both escapist and deeply personal.  At the heart of Tatiana’s writing is a commitment to authenticity: telling stories that celebrate desire without shame, honor transformation as a form of power, and invite readers into worlds where identity is not only accepted, but exalted.  Find Tatiana and her books on her website here: https://tatianavixenreyes.com/

Elliot is the executive producer of the Apple TV animated kids’ series The Sisters Grimm, the EP and director of flagship Audible Original series Moriarty, and the author of the forthcoming science fiction novella Into the Great. Some of his past work includes the Emmy-winning animated web series Tomb Raider: ReVisioned, the cocktails and comedy podcast Daydrinking with Gary & Elliot, and the crime comic The Package. He’s also a creative consultant, with past clients including preschool entertainment giant Moonbug Entertainment and video game developer Player Unknown Productions. His new sci fi novel, Into the Great. follows two characters with opposite goals. More about the book: Katalogtext / Kort beskrivning Sparks fly when Lilah, a thief from a struggling freespacer colony outside the borders of the Federated Solar Republic, meets Bax, an FSR security officer stationed at an official colony within those borders, during a time of heightened tensions for humanity as the silent, staring, seemingly invulnerable aliens. A story about choosing the life you want to live. This is book #4 from indie publisher Li'l Factory. 500 numbered copies, limited edition. Find Elliot and Into the Great here: https://elliotblake.com/2026/07/16/into-the-great/

Is it fantasy reading season yet? I say yes all year! Dive into Alison's short spooky stories and all her works. Learn more about her and her stories in this latest episode. Diversity is one of Alison McBain's passions. With dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship, a Japanese-American mother and a B.A. in African history and classical literature, she has an eclectic background and a wide range of experience. She grew up in California and moved to the East Coast in her mid-twenties. Recently, she moved back to Alberta, where she is raising her three daughters.She started her writing career at age four with a "self-published" horror story about the monster in the closet. The story was highly lauded by her closest family members. Since then, she's received a number of writing awards and accolades from people not even vaguely related to her, but she still has a soft spot for that first short story.Her interest in diversity also extends to fiction. With over seventy publications to her name, her stories and poems range in tone from serious to silly. They cover nearly every genre, including literary, romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy, history and adventure.When not writing fiction, she follows her own personal mantra of, "Do something creative every day." She serves as the Associate Editor for the literary magazine ScribesMICRO. She also blogs about local events, showcases her art and conducts author interviews on her website, http://www.alisonmcbain.com/. When life gets a little too hectic, she does origami meditation or draws all over the walls of her house with the enthusiastic help of her kids. Find Alison and all her books here: https://www.alisonmcbain.com/

When the volleyball hits the floor mere inches from Reese’s hands, her dreams of playing college ball shatter.After consecutive failures on the court, in the classroom, and in her relationships, she’s done playing the part of perfect daughter, perfect student, and perfect athlete. It’s time for a new life. Enter Cassie Brentwood.Bold. Reckless. Free. Cassie is everything Reese isn’t yet longs to be. They quickly become friends and Cassie introduces her to Liam, a mysterious guy from Snapchat. Blinded by his love bombing and the desperation to shed her perfect image, Reese plunges head first into their world. It feels instantly thrilling… until it’s not. Girls are disappearing from nearby towns, however no one in their quiet small town seems concerned.But when Liam’s behaviour grows darker, Reese’s new life begins to unravel. She ignores the warnings. The red flags. The little voice screaming to her that something’s not right. Until she’s far from home, trapped in a nightmare she can’t escape. With no one left to trust, Reese has to fight to reclaim the life she was so eager to leave behind. She wanted freedom. Now, she just wants to go home. At least she has to try. Told with searing honesty and lyrical depth, At Least I’m Tryingis a poignant novel about mental health, girlhood, and what happens when the version of yourself you’ve worked so hard to become starts to fall apart. Tara Hodgson is the YA contemporary author of Chasing Through Time and At Least I’m Trying. As a long-time teacher, she is passionate about communicating the potential implications of a technology-centred world and spark necessary conversations about these impacts on teens, using her fiction to do so. She lives on an acreage in Sturgeon County, Alberta with her husband, two children, and a crew of cats and dogs. When she isn't teaching or writing, she is reading. She loves all genres of books, but especially YA Contemporary, Fantasy, and Dystopian (but she’ll read anything, really!) She spends her down time walking, camping, boating, and relaxing at home with her family and animals. Find Tara and her books at: http://www.tarahodgson.ca/

The “SOUL TWINS” Dawn and Charm Spirit set theirsmall town abuzz as they create their world through their imaginary adventures!What will they do next? Set in the Northern Ontario town, Espanola has apopulation of 5,000. Mixed with farms and a small-town center with old stone architecture. The families have been living in the area for generations and don’t adjust to change easily. The setting creates a wonderful learning environment for the diverse Soul Sista’s and their super Sista’s team! A setting for great adventures and some challenges along the way. The Team learns that it's ok to be different. Their story is truly what is needed in these polarizing challenging times. The world needs the “Soul Sista’s.” Find Newton and the "Soul Sista's" here:  https://www.instagram.com/newtongary_advocate_author/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2963424147283685  (6)newtonvanriel author (@newtonvanrielauthor)| TikTok  https://www.soulsistasbook.ca/

Urmi Hossain is a self-published author, speaker, podcast host, and finance professional based in Canada. She holds the CFA and CAIA designations and works in the financial services industry while actively advocating for women’s empowerment, identity, and self-leadership.  Her book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, explores her journey as a third-culture woman navigating her sense of belonging, culture, and self-worth. Urmi also hosts “Stories Beyond Borders,” a podcast that amplifies diverse voices on identity, migration, language, and the meaning of home.  She serves as Co-Chair of Women in Leadership’s Montreal Chapter and is passionate about public speaking, mentorship, and continuous growth.  Find Urmi here: https://www.instagram.com/urmamio

Seasoned content executive and award-winning journalist, EVP Media Strategy Track Star League, and member of the National Sports Media Association and International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Joe Battaglia talks about his first adult novel, Beneath the Rings, a suspense/thriller about the Doha 2040 Olympics. The Doha 2040 Summer Olympics are supposed to be about gold medals and global unity. Instead, they kick off a descent into terror when 12 Israeli and Lebanese athletes vanish, leaving behind only the chilling threat of The Obsidian Hand and an impossible $500 billion ransom. Veteran journalist Nova Mendelsohn finds herself entangled with a cryptic Ancient Arabic note and a mysterious local merchant, forced to race the clock. Her pursuit of the truth will take her from the glittering Olympic Village into the city’s darkest corners and onto the blood-soaked sands of the desert, where a centuries-old vengeance threatens to ignite a catastrophic final act. What secrets lie beneath the surface of the Games, and what will it cost Nova to uncover them? Find Joe and his book on his website here: https://booksbybattaglia.com/

Maria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning real estate agent, a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and a lifelong advocate for inclusive communication. Growing up as one of six hearing children raised by Deaf parents, Maria learned American Sign Language before English and acted as an unofficial interpreter, helping her parents buy a home when she was 12 years old. Her childhood shaped her passion for helping people feel seen and respected, especially those who are often overlooked or misunderstood. For more than 30 years, Maria has supported homebuyers from all walks of life with a special focus on serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities. She's the founder of Uptown Realty Group and Gallucci Homes, a top-producing agent at Compass Real Estate, and among the top 1.5% of agents nationwide. She also founded ASL @ Compass Affinity group and ASL Realty, a national platform connecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients with agents who communicate in American Sign Language. Outside of real estate, Maria serves on the boards of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School, DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment), and CAD (Colorado Association of the Deaf). She's passionate about language access, cultural inclusion, and creating spaces where everyone truly belongs. Maria's motto-just try-is a reminder that meaningful connection can start with one small step. You don't have to be perfect to communicate with someone who's different from you. You don't even have to speak their language. You just need to be willing to try. Raised in Silence is Maria's first book, a love letter to the community that brought her up and a guide for anyone seeking to bridge communication gaps in their own life. Find Maria and her book on her website here: https://raisedinsilence.com/

S.D. Miller is the author of the Nekonikon Punk trilogy, a cyberpunk series exploring rebellion, identity, and survival in a near‑future world shaped by technology. The first novel, Nekonikon Punk: Ctrl+Break, won Indies Today’s 2024 Sci‑Fi Action/Adventure Book of the Year and earned five‑star acclaim on Readers’ Favorite. Its sequel, Ctrl+Alt, also received five‑stars from Indies Today. The final installment, Nekonikon Punk: Ctrl+Esc, was released in April of 2026. When not writing about hackers, megacorps, and the ghosts in our machines, Miller is an educator and vice‑principal in Nova Scotia. His international career has carried him from Oman and the UAE to China and the United States, teaching History, English Literature, and the International Baccalaureate’s Theory of Knowledge. Those experiences—spanning cultures, philosophies, and technologies—shape the heart of his fiction: exploring how humanity adapts and resists in an increasingly wired world. Equal parts teacher, storyteller, and futurist, S.D. Miller brings a grounded humanity to the chaos of cyberpunk. His work has been praised for its cinematic action, philosophical depth, and sharp‑edged humor. At heart, he writes for readers who love a good rebellion, a clever glitch, and a story that questions what it means to stay human—no matter who’s holding the controller. Find S.D. Miller and his books here: https://www.sdmiller.ca/

Peter Gribble is a writer and a lifelong student of history whose work explores the intersections of knowledge, power, and the human condition. His fantasy series, “The City of the Magicians,” is set in a civilization that rejects traditional warfare. The series examines how intellect, psychological strategy, and telepathic abilities can be both a society’s greatest strength and its mostdangerous vulnerability. Influenced by his childhood in postwar France—where silence about the war was as pervasive as its lingering shadows—Gribble crafts stories that explore the dangers of complacency and the consequences of pacifism and brutality colliding. Gribble studied art at Sheridan College School of Design, experimental psychology at the University of Toronto, and education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He has written for NUVO and various British Columbia publications, including gardening columns for two journals over a decade. His time working in bookstores reinforced his belief in the power of books to inspire, challenge and transform. Learn more at PeterGribble.com.

Stacy writes mysteries, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Stacy’s mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. She donates a portion of the proceeds from Charleston Conundrum to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). For Carmel Conundrum, she is donating to causes that help homeless pets.She and her husband live in Houston, Texas, with a totally spoiled Labrador retriever, Eve.Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/stacy.w...Facebook: https://ww.facebook.com/wilderstacy/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorstacy