Shelly Campbell

Seventeen-year-old David is fading from his world, like a Polaroid picture in reverse. He longs to feel connected to something bigger. When his brothers discover the new extension at the rental cottage comes with a locked door, David finds the key first. Expecting to claim a bedroom, he opens a dimensional gateway instead, exploring abandoned versions of his world in different timelines, 1960s muscle cars alternating with crumbling cottages. Except now the dimensional bridge won't close, and something hungry claws the door at night. David scours for clues to break the bridge, but each trip to the other side makes him fade more on his. Even if he succeeds, he risks severing his connection to his own world, and dying on the wrong side, forgotten.

Gulf

Allison Alexander

So you want to write speculative fiction? It's time to get that fantastic world that's been stuck inside your head for years, complete with dragons and androids, onto paper! Whether you're starting your first or tenth novel, Making Myths and Magic was written for you. Fantasy author Shelly Campbell and executive editor Allison Alexander have teamed up to provide a comprehensive resource, distilling the information they've learned from years in the publishing industry. To keep you inspired and engaged as you grow in your craft, they take a deep dive through science fiction and fantasy novels, movies, and TV shows. Within these pages, you'll learn how to tackle structure, hooks, dialogue, tropes, character arcs, diversity, creation stories, mythology, poetry, riddles, prophecies, fantastic creatures, weapons, technology, magic systems, languages, and more!

Making Myths and Magic: A Field Guide to Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels

I am a creature of war. A centaurine, to be precise. Before my colt died, I was all gnashing teeth and nerves of ice. Even now, my chest burns for air thick with bravado, my ears long for clanging iron amidst hoof beats, and my nostrils quiver for bitter fear oozing from a thousand stupid men. But with Cadeyrn gone, I'm not sure what manner of creature I am anymore. One who trembles more than she ought, banished from battle, and ashamed. Yes, I'm mortified by the fear that licks down my withers and loosens my knees on the quietest of nights.

A Short Story

A Warrior Still

"Dragons once led our people across the wastelands, away from storms, and toward hunting grounds." That's what the elders say, but Akrist has squinted at empty skies his whole life. The dragons have abandoned them, and it's Akrist's fault. He's cursed. Like every other firstborn son, he has inherited the sins of his ancestors. In his camp, he's the only eldest boy left. Something happened to the others. Something terrible. When Akrist befriends Tanar, an eldest boy from another tribe, he discovers the awful truth: they're being raised as sacrifices to appease the Goddess and win back her dragons. The ritual happens when the dual moons eclipse. Escape is the only option, but Akrist was never taught to hunt or survive the wastelands alone. Time is running out, and he has to do something before the moons touch.

Under the Lesser Moon

Megan King

"With visceral prose, heart-aching emotion, and positive neurodiverse rep, Campbell and King paint an immersive post-apocalyptic world with characters you'll want to root for." - Al Hess author of World Running Down After solar flares wipe out electrical grids worldwide, a small community survives by selling data recovered from decrepit hard drives and rare books. Nostalgic for the days of big business, the commune's founding members call themselves Corporate and micromanage everyone. Raised into the hustle, Iris Ecosia's ADHD brain rebels at Corporate's strict structure. It's not all bad though. She attracts the attention of Robert Lycos, the son of one of the Shareholders, but their relationship comes to a crashing end when she loses focus at a critical moment and a vital piece of equipment is destroyed. The mistake plunges her into debt. Corporate demotes her to an indentured gardener. Her romance with Robert dissolves. Worse, there are no paid sick days in the post apocalypse. So when Iris's whole family falls ill, starvation is soon knocking on their door. Meanwhile, the Shareholders live like tycoons. Iris and her family are not alone in their poverty or their impotent rage at the corporation who keeps them poor, hungry, and dependent. An underground revolution intent on toppling Corporate wants to recruit her. She can still do big things if she joins them, but if she's caught, the Shareholders won't stop at destroying her. They'll go after her family too.

Knowledge Itself

Akrist has done the impossible-bonded with a dragon-and word is spreading. Betrayed, broken, and banished, Akrist is left to wander the wilderness in search of his lost love, Yara. But he's not alone. Against all odds, he has bonded with Nardiri, one of the world's last dragons. In this stunning sequel to Under the Lesser Moon, author Shelly Campbell brings us the heart-wrenching conclusion to Akrist's journey. In a cruel, unforgiving world, Akrist must navigate what it means to be marked as both a Speaker-a leader chosen by Nasheira herself-and an outcast. Haunted by the sacrifices of first-born sons, he fears the world cannot be changed, even with a dragon's help. But if he does nothing, the cycle of sacrifice will begin again when the moons touch.

Shelly Campbell

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