Please enjoy this special sneak peek into the audiobook of Oak King Holly King - a gay Victorian fae romance by Sebastian Nothwell, read by Gary Furlong.

Shrike, the Butcher of Blackthorn, is a legendary warrior of the fae realms. When he wins a tournament in the Court of the Silver Wheel, its queen names him her Oak King - a figurehead destined to die in a ritual duel to invoke the change of seasons. Shrike is determined to survive. Even if it means he must put his heart as well as his life into a mere mortal’s hands.

Wren Lofthouse, a London clerk, has long ago resigned himself to a life of tedium and given up his fanciful dreams. When a medieval-looking brute arrives at his office to murmur of destiny, he’s inclined to think his old enemies are playing an elaborate prank. Still, he can’t help feeling intrigued by the bizarre-yet-handsome stranger and his fantastical ramblings, whose presence stirs up emotions Wren has tried to lock away in the withered husk of his heart.

As Shrike whisks Wren away to a world of Wild Hunts and arcane rites, Wren is freed from the repression of Victorian society. But both the fae and mortal realms prove treacherous to their growing bond. Wren and Shrike must fight side-by-side to see who will claim victory - Oak King or Holly King.

Oak King Holly King is a romantasy wherein a fearsome fae warrior destined for ritual sacrifice seeks a Victorian clerk fated to save him.

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of Oak King Holly King, its sequel Tales from Blackthorn Briar, and the fantasy-of-manners romance Fiorenzo, amongst other titles. You can connect with him at his website: sebastiannothwell.com

Indie authors Tess Carletta (she/her) and Alana Savchuk (she/her) discuss their personal writing journeys through the lens of fanfiction, including learning to write for yourself, giving yourself permission to be bad at writing, making the leap from fanfic to original fiction, fandom etiquette, The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi, Reylo, the Buck/Eddie ship on 911, Anne of Green Gables (and Anne with an E), and Once Upon A Time.

Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of the queer cozy fantasy Kit and Basie and its sequel collection Patchwork. You can connect with her at her website, tesscarletta.com

Alana Savchuk (she/her) is the author of the short story Soldier Boy(s) in the Patchwork collection, alongside sundry fanfictions. You can connect with her on instagram @alanarosewrites

This week we offer you a special sneak peek into the audiobook for the queernormative cozy fantasy Regency romance Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms! (Written by Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan, narrated by Matt Simpson.) Thanks so much for listening; we’ll join you again for more interviews and roundtables soon.

Roger Barnes is determined to solve issues plaguing magical humans — even if that means working alongside his fae nemesis, Wyndham Wrenwhistle, to make it happen. But when a gossip column starts a rumor that the two are engaged, they’re forced to keep up the act… as their fake feelings blossom into something more.

Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms is a fake-dating enemies-to-lovers cozy romantasy in a queernormative Regency setting, perfect for curling up with a hot cup of tea - available now wherever fine books are found!

Sarah Wallace (they/them) and S.O. Callahan (she/her) are coauthors of the Fae & Human Relations series, beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms.

Additionally, Sarah Wallace is the author of the queernormative cozy fantasy series Meddle & Mend, beginning with Letters to Half Moon Street. You can connect with them on instagram @sarah.wallace.writer

S.O. Callahan is also the author of the queer historical romantasy duology Fella Enchanted and Fella Ever After. You can connect with her on instagram @s.o.callahan

From Victorian penny dreadfuls to 21st century fanfiction and everything between and beyond, St John Starling chats with Sebastian Nothwell about serial fiction, Gothic romance, and bold strategies for telling stories.

St John Starling (he/him) is the author of the queer Gothic romances What Manner of Man and The Sacred Sins of Father Black. You can connect with him on tumblr @stjohnstarling and join his newsletter at stjohnstarling.substack.com

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of Oak King Holly King, Mr Warren's Profession, Fiorenzo, and other queer romance novels. You can connect with him at sebastiannothwell.com

Ring in the new year with this special first chapter sneak peek of the A Rival Most Vial audiobook! (Written by RK Ashwick, narrated by Brendan Robert Kane.) Stay tuned next year for more author interviews and panel discussions, and thank you so much for listening.

Any adventurer worth their sword knows about Ambrose Beake. The proud, quiet half-elf sells the best, and only, potions in the city—until a handsome new shopkeeper named Eli opens another potion shop across the street, throwing Ambrose’s peace and ledgers far off balance.

Within weeks, they’re locked in a war of price tags and products—Ambrose’s expertise against Eli’s effortless charm. Toil leads to trouble, the safety gloves come off, and right as their rivalry reaches a boiling point…

The mayor commissions them to brew a potion together.

The task is as complex as it is lucrative, pushing both men to the limits of their abilities and patience. Yet as the fires burn and cauldrons bubble…they find a different sort of chemistry brewing.

A Rival Most Vial is a queer cozy romantasy perfect for anyone who’s ever fallen head-over-heels for an NPC - available now wherever fine books are found!

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the cozy fantasy A Rival Most Vial and its sequel A Captured Cauldron, as well as the Lutesong trilogy beginning with The Stray Spirit. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

“Even back then, they wanted that twink obliterated.” Noah Hawthorne (he/they) interviews Trip Galey (he/him) about paying queer artists to make queer art, fae morality, identification with the alien, drawing inspiration from boredom, resonating with queer experiences outside of your own, writing the weirdest story of your heart, and the wildly entertaining I Want That Twink Obliterated anthology.

Trip Galey (he/him) is the author of the queer fantasy novel A Market of Dreams and Destiny and the cozy cosmic novella Apple Pies and Eldritch Skies as well as the co-founder of the small press Bona Books Ltd and co-creator of the I Want That Twink Obliterated anthology of queer spec fic. You can connect with him at linktr.ee/tripgaley and keep up with all the cool things Bona Books Ltd is up to at bona-books.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they) interviews Kara Jorgensen (they/them) about exploring queer history and themes of neurodivergence, disability, and grief through undead indie romance.

Kara Jorgensen (they/them) is the author of queer historical fantasy romances including the Reanimator Mysteries (beginning with The Reanimator’s Heart), the Ingenious Mechanical Devices series (beginning with The Earl of Brass), and the Paranormal Society series (beginning with Kinship and Kindness). You can connect with them at karajorgensen.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Writing from personal experience, Carolina Cruz (they/them) interviews Valerie Gomez (she/her) about mental health in the Latine community and portrayals in queer romance.

Valerie Gomez (she/her) is the author of the contemporary queer Latine romance Cover Story and its sequel novella Coming Home, as well as the cozy queer romance novella A Handyman for the Holidays. You can connect with her on instagram @valeriegomez_writes

Carolina Cruz (they/them) is the author of the vampire horror romance Blood in the Water and the queer fantasy series The Creed of Gethin (beginning with The Unwanted Prophet). You can connect with them on instagram @ninawolverina