A Churn in the Dark

Love and murder stir between the stars.

Four months after the Belethea Race Royale team’s narrow escape from Otho and Casolla’s dark syndicates, Sylvia Long, Grady/Guns, and Belethea’s newest doubles team arrive on Crion for its inaugural New Year Race. But with Sterling/Hart enjoying their own holiday back home, Sylvia struggles to balance her ever-growing duties as both team coach and manager.

Meanwhile, Agent Shiro Tanaka—Sylvia’s boyfriend and the Belethea royalers’ one-man security team—is determined to use this working holiday to propose to Sylvia under Crion’s aurora-bathed skies. But when the race takes a dark turn, all their plans go out the airlock as Shiro and Sylvia rush to save their royalers.

The bad blood is still thick in Casolla, and someone isn’t about to let Belethea forget it.

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This Into the Churn novella will be released on November 19th, 2024.

The first 40 preorders from our website will come with a complimentary art print postcard and signed bookplate from the author. (Kindle ebook version is available via Amazon)

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Indie Author Feature

It’s also time for our next indie author feature! We’re honored to introduce you to:

Kristen J. Dawson, author of The Unchosen trilogy!

Kristin loves chocolate, researching (rabbit holes), English movies, and reading science fiction and fantasy novels (like Raye Wagner, Jeff Wheeler, Melissa Caruso, Brandon Sanderson, Suzanne Collins, and … a thousand other great stories with fun characters and lots of tension!).

Kristin was born in L.A., grew up in Utah, spent a short stint in Bristol, England, and ended up in the Pacific Northwest. She loves the forest and has learned that when Oregonians say, “I live in the country,” they’re not talking about living near barns or cows. They’re talking about the woods. The woods! (Right? It’s not like the farmer stories she grew up with, either.)

We asked Kristin a few questions and here’s what she had to say!

Whimsical: What is the best advice you have received as a writer?
Kristin: Some of the best advice I received was to read strategically. We often hear the advice to “read, read, read,” which is true . . . to a point. Here is an example of where writers run into trouble: if you read traditionally published women’s literature while writing your sci-fi novel that you plan to indie publish, you’re missing out on research opportunities. Don’t clip your wings; read and study your genre and know it inside and out!

Whimsical: What is the most meaningful feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?
Kristin: The most meaningful response I receive from readers is when they dress up as my characters for events. That’s so much effort, so it’s a huge honor! Most of the readers who dress up as my characters are kids who loved my epic fantasy “Unchosen” trilogy, and they generally choose the protagonist. But my cute niece dressed up as the protagonist’s direwolf for Halloween, and I loved it!

Whimsical: How do you hope your work will impact your readers?
Kristin: Of course, I hope the story will settle in their hearts forever. haha!

With “impact” we can relate that to “theme.” I generally let my books choose their own theme as I am writing the first or second draft. They’re feral. ha! However, I’ve purposefully pivoted the themes and tones since The Global Shutdown That Shall Not Be Named. My debut series, the “Unchosen” trilogy, started publishing in 2019. This series has a lot of depth and an overarching commentary on “power.”  In more recent years, I have focused on lighter stories that readers can fall into. We have enough struggle IRL, so with Elven House of Ivy, I’ve worked hard to bring lighter, more humorous tales to readers.

Whimsical: What book(s) inspired you the most?
Kristin: I’ve read and enjoyed so many stories over the years. Most of the books I’ve read have soaked into my blood and sinews and come out a little bit here and a little bit there in all my writing.

However, some books have inspired my writing more directly. For “Unchosen,” I wanted a studious…character to be the protagonist + I loved the Russian vibes of Shadow and Bone [Bardugo]. I ended up with a great “coming of age” story inspired by ancient Dacian history. More recently with Elven House of Ivy, I was inspired by the exciting fae political intrigue stories coming out of late (like Kay L. Moody’s “Bitterthorn” series) + classic fantasy (with rotating POV’s and lots of action) + elves from Lord of the Rings (my orcs couldn’t be more different!).

Whimsical: Can you share any upcoming projects or plans for future books?
Kristin: I plan to be in the Alysatraee world for the next two years. Book 1, Elven House of Ivy, will be published on August 20, 2024, and the second book in the duology will be published in early 2025. I hope to have two duologies set in Alysatraee, though the magic system and world are deep… I could expand to a third trilogy if readers want more 😉

I’ve also been asked to write a short story for an anthology, which I’m very excited about. I love the short story form. The anthology will be announced soon!

Whimsical: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Kristin: While my upcoming novels have a lot of slow-burn romance, I don’t write spice. It’s not my thing! Some of my writing doesn’t even include romance (specifically in my short stories). I love writing adventure quests, puzzles, fight scenes, complicated familial relationships, and romance… I just don’t include all of these elements in every story.

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A misfit band of allies
A threat of twisted magic
Their secrets could destroy them… if their enemies don’t get them first.

Dive into the world of Trinth if you love rotating POVs, portals through realms, elven councils, fae courts, wounded love interests, and enemies to swe

et romance!

Be sure to follow Kristin on Instagram and Facebook for updates!

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Reminders

Indie Author Database

Don’t forget we have a page on our website dedicated to supporting indie authors! Find your next great read or if you are an indie author, fill out the form to be added to the site! We’d love to have you!

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Each month, we will also feature an artist from our database in our newsletter. We support human artists who do not use AI. Feel free to browse the list or if you are an artist that doesn’t use AI and would like to join the list, you’re welcome to submit your information to be added!

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Is there an indie author you’d like us to interview next? Let us know here! We are so grateful to you all for your continued support and love! We couldn’t do what we do without you, our wonderful whimsies!

XOXO,
Micheline