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PUBLISHING NEWS
Mickey Mikkelson | |
| | The Ascension
Book One of the Callum Walker series
The critically acclaimed supernatural series by J.M. Shaw relaunches in an all-new edition with new content and a new cover!
The book is available worldwide in print and digital formats by Maverick First Press
A hidden war is spilling into our world.
Two realms. One veil. A conflict that won’t stay buried. |
| Callum Walker never asked for power—and he certainly never asked for destiny.
Born with arcane abilities he barely understands, Callum is drawn into a secret magical world of monsters, ancient factions, and uneasy alliances. As his uncontrolled power grows, it attracts the attention of two ruthless brothers locked in a centuries-old war—one a sorcerer, the other a necromancer.
When an ancient prophecy names Callum as the one destined to end the bloodshed, he becomes both weapon and target. Hunted by enemies who want him dead and allies who want to use him, Callum must decide whether he can master his gifts—or be consumed by them.
The Ascension is a dark fantasy novel featuring reluctant heroes, deadly prophecy, moral tension, and a war that refuses to stay buried.
https://bit.ly/ascensionrelaunch |  |
|  | About J.M. Shaw:
J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a passion. It’s a compass. A sanctuary. A way to make sense of the chaos.
In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “too different.” Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.
When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.
For more information: www.jmshawauthor.com |
| A Short Story That Refused to Stay Short:
Mark Leslie Releases Origin Story in Popular Canadian Werewolf Series
Once Bitten marks the eighth instalment in the humorous urban fantasy series, delivering the long-awaited backstory of how Michael Andrews first became a werewolf
WATERLOO, ON (January 2026)—Canadian author Mark Leslie will release Once Bitten, the eighth book in his Canadian Werewolf series, on February 24, 2026. The novella provides readers with the origin story they have been anticipating since the series debuted—yet its own origin mirrors the unpredictable nature of its protagonist.
Leslie initially conceived Once Bitten as a brief tale of perhaps five to ten thousand words. The finished manuscript runs just under forty thousand—a pattern that has become characteristic of Michael Andrews's adventures.
"I should have known better," Leslie writes in the book's Author Notes. "That pattern seems par for the course with the stories about Michael Andrews." He points to the series' own genesis: a short story called "This Time Around" that expanded into the novel A Canadian Werewolf in New York and spawned an entire series. Similarly, what began as a concept about Michael trapped on a train during a full moon became the novella Stowe Away.
Where It Fits in the Series
Once Bitten occupies a unique position in the Canadian Werewolf timeline. While it serves as Book Eight in publication order, the main narrative takes place in 2003—chronologically the earliest events in Michael's werewolf journey. The story follows twenty-two-year-old Michael Andrews as he hitchhikes from Ontario to New York City, pursuing his dream of becoming a writer. A wolf attack on a lonely highway transforms both his body and his destiny.
The novella employs a framing device set in 2017, immediately following the events of Only Monsters in the Building. In the prologue and epilogue, Michael recounts his origin story to his faerie companion Ellie, processing a revelation from his therapist that has shaken his understanding of his own nature. This structure came at the suggestion of Leslie's frequent collaborator Julie Strauss, with whom he co-authored Lover's Moon and Hex and the City.
A Story That Found Its Moment
Leslie began writing the origin story several years ago before setting it aside, uncertain how to release it. He considered various approaches: including it in a digital box set, offering it as a perma-free entry point for new readers, or positioning it as a prequel. The breakthrough came when he recognized how Michael's emotional arc in Only Monsters in the Building—particularly the character's decision to return to Canada and investigate his past—created the perfect frame for this long-gestating story.
The novella sets the stage for the forthcoming A Canadian Werewolf in London, Ontario, in which Michael and Ellie travel to his old stomping grounds to unravel the mystery of his werewolf roots. That book will be released later this year in November 2026. | |
| | About the Book
Once Bitten will be available February 24, 2026, in hardcover, trade paperback, large print, ebook, and audiobook formats from Stark Publishing. The Canadian Werewolf series, which began with A Canadian Werewolf in New York, follows ex-pat Canadian Michael Andrews as he navigates life in Manhattan while managing the side effects of lycanthropy—transforming into a wolf whenever the moon reaches eighty percent illumination.
Book Details
Title: Once Bitten (Canadian Werewolf Book 8)
Author: Mark Leslie
Publisher: Stark Publishing
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-998331-35-2
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-998331-34-5
Large Print ISBN: 979-8-231631-23-0
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-998331-33-8
Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-998331-36-9 |
| About Mark Leslie
Mark Leslie is a writer, editor, and bookseller who grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, and currently resides in Waterloo, Ontario. His fiction includes the Canadian Werewolf series, horror titles I, Death and One Hand Screaming, and the thriller Evasion. His non-fiction explores paranormal locations across Canada in titles such as Haunted Hospitals, Tomes of Terror, Spooky Sudbury, and Macabre Montreal. When not writing, Mark can be found haunting libraries, bookstores, and craft beer establishments. He can be found online at www.markleslie.ca
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Review copies, interviews, and high-resolution images available upon request.
For more information, visit www.markleslie.ca |  |
| | DeathCon
A Zombie Story
In affiliation with Stark Publishing, Bram Stoker Award Winner Nzondi is back with a new twist on surviving the apocalypse
The book is available worldwide in print and digital format by Stark Publishing
Now on Pre-order for a February Release
Love survived death-now it has to survive the apocalypse. |
| On the second anniversary of her boyfriend's death, Cozy Coleman, a rising star in a world where necromancy is mainstream, boards DeathCon, a horror-themed convention cruise where she and her two best friends-the Scream Teens-are hired as headline necro-tainment.
When a brutal she-wolf attack kills Cozy, she awakens reanimated, caught between life and something far darker. Her resurrection reveals an extinction-level virus beneath the Pacific-one that could turn the Hawaiian Islands into ground zero for an undead apocalypse.
As the ship locks down, a covert military unit arrives to contain the outbreak, led by a hardened operative Cozy recognizes instantly: the boyfriend she's been mourning isn't dead, but deep undercover. Furious at the lie yet still madly in love, Cozy is forced to fight alongside him as the ship descends into chaos.
With ravenous creatures overrunning DeathCon and time running out, Cozy must confront what she's becoming-and decide whether love, trust, and her dangerous power are enough to stop the end of everything.
Hardcover: 978-1-998331-29-1
Trade Paperback: 978-1-998331-30-7
Large Print: 978-1-998331-32-1
eBook: 978-1-998331-31-4
Universal book link: https://books2read.com/deathcon |  |
| | Praise for Nzondi
“He is a brilliant writer, one readers and critics should be watching.” —Pete Nowalk, creathor of ABC’s hit show How To Get Away With Murder
“If you’re looking for a story that’s daringly imaginative, Oware Mosaic will scratch that itch.” —Alma Katsu, New York Times bestselling author of Red London
“I loved, loved, loved this novel by Nzondi! Breath-taking SF adventure!!” —Linda Addison, author of How To Recognize A Demon Has Become Your Friend
“Nzondi’s Oware Mosaic is real Afrofuturism, speculative fiction actually set on the continent itself. This is the future of SF, and the future is looking good.” —Steven Barnes, author of Lion’s Blood |
| About Nzondi:
Nzondi is an award-winning science fiction/horror author, a music producer and songwriter. Named after King Acemandese from Kemet, Africa, Nzondi (a.k.a. Ace Antonio-Hall) was born Acemandese Nzondi Hall in Queens, New York on July 4th.
In 2013, his debut novel, Confessions of Sylvia Slasher, was published by Montag Press. His science fiction/horror work, Oware Mosaic is the 2019 Bram Stoker Awards® Winner for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel, making him the first African American to win the prestigious award in a novel category. His zombie novel, Lipstick Asylum, was published by Omnium Gatherum Media, 2021. Crossroad Press reprinted his novel Oware Mosaic in 2023.
Beyond the written page, Nzondi has become one of indie rock’s rising artists, known for weaving alternative rock, nu-metal, and country rock influences into his music. His catalog includes collaborations with Fredro Starr of the legendary hip-hop group Onyx and Dave Moreno, drummer of Puddle of Mudd on “Teenage RockStarr”, showcasing his dynamic range as a songwriter. His debut album, Eclectic Euphoria, features standout covers including Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita”, Local H’s alt-rock classic “Bound for the Floor” and a country rock track “Eaton Canyon Falls, Come Back Home”, merging emotional storytelling with the gritty authenticity of American rock, Americana, and folk-inspired songwriting.
A former Director of Education for NYC Schools and Sylvan Learning Centre, Nzondi is earned a BFA from Long Island University. He currently resides in Los Angeles. https://nzondiauthor.com/ |  |
|  | About Stark Publishing:
Founded in 2004, Stark Publishing was initially created as an imprint for a single book by Mark Leslie, and then slowly grew.
Stark Publishing isn’t just a publishing imprint, it’s a methodology about realistically understanding the publishing and bookselling landscape and forging a bold and unique path for each book. It embraces a DIY ethic and traditional publishing, with an understanding that there is no clear and single publishing path.
All Stark Publishing titles are available online through most major retailers and through library wholesalers in eBook and Print edition. Several are also available in Audiobook format.
Bookstores can order Stark Publishing print titles through Ingram. Libraries can get print titles via Ingram, and source eBooks and Audiobooks through major library wholesales like OverDrive, Baker & Taylor, Bibliotheca, hoopla, BorrowBox, Odilo, and Palace Marketplace. |
| Our Lady of Blades
A Court of Shadows Novel
Two sisters: divided by tragedy, united by steel. The incredible new novel in the Court of Shadows series by the bestselling author of TRAITOR'S BLADE and THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN, Sebastien de Castell
The book is available worldwide in print and digital format by Hachette
Now on Pre-order for a May Release | |
|  | Blood Week may have been banned in Rijou, but the streets still run red—and now murder is being sanctioned by the courts. Only a reckless fool would believe they can beat the system. But then, the Greatcoats have always been more than a little reckless. . .
Rijou's notorious Court of Blades is as corrupt as it is cutthroat, destroying lives with impunity. Now the city's all-powerful Ascendant Houses have started buying and selling verdicts to enslave and even execute those who oppose them.
Into this depraved world of licensed death comes a mysterious duellist who dares to foil the intrigues of the city's elite. They call her Lady Consequence, but years ago she had a different name, until her family was slaughtered and she was consigned to the hellish prison known as the House of Tears.
Lady Consequence means to rescue her idealistic younger brother, restore their House and wreak vengeance upon those who betrayed them. But a far more dangerous game is unfolding in the shadows, one which threatens the freedom of the entire nation.
https://bit.ly/ourladyofblades |
| Praise for Sebastien de Castell and his acclaimed GREATCOATS quartet:
'I love the Greatcoats novels . . . rare examples of books that are fantastic from the first sentence to the last. Combining old-school swashbuckling action with contemporary character and a good dose of grit, these books are the rarest of things, great rollicking fun combined with an emotional punch. I cared about the characters, I laughed out loud at the banter and camaraderie, I HATED the bad guys and girls! Sebastien, write faster!’ JOHN GWYNNE, award-winning author of THE FAITHFUL AND THE FALLEN series
‘These books are just joyous. This is first-rate fiction, first rate adventure, first rate full stop’
CONN IGGULDEN, bestselling author of THE GOLDEN AGE series
‘Guaranteed to increase household swashbuckling by 100%’
LIBRARY JOURNAL on TRAITOR’S BLADE
‘Sebastien de Castell is a rare talent, one of the most gifted storytellers to emerge in recent years . . . The Greatcoats now sits in a place of honour on my bookshelf as one of my favourite fantasy series of all time’ BIBLIOSANCTUM on THE GREATCOATS
‘If I could recommend one series from the last five years that I hold up as the most action-packed and emotionally riveting, I would be hard-pressed to look past Sebastien de Castell's The Greatcoats’
FANTASY BOOK REVIEW on THE GREATCOATS
‘Excellent, page-turnery reading’
BLUE BOOK BALLOON on SPELLSLINGER | |
|  | About Sebastien
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realised how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. |
| Of Witches and Vampires
The Prequel to the Kingdom Journals Series
A new direction of darkness by Award-Winning author and podcaster, Tricia Copeland | |
|  | Sentenced to a life of solitude, she relishes fleeting periods of happiness unaware of the consequences of her joy.
Lilith enjoyed many comforts in her life with Adam, but contentment evaded her. Desperate for companionship, she flees Eden betraying her covenant with God. Faced with being stripped of her powers, she accepts a sentence of never knowing the beauty of a marriage.
One handsome stranger, then another weave into her life bringing her love and contentedness for a time. Each leaves Lilith with very different children. Her first, like their father are fast and strong, with superior senses. The next set take after Lilith and her second love that, like her, possesses ethereal abilities.
Can she raise these two lines in harmony? Or are they destined to destroy one another?
Of Witches and Vampires is a short paranormal prequel to the Kingdom Journals Series. If you like fresh takes on vampire and witch lore, you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s short story.
Buy Of Witches and Vampires to witness the genesis today
https://bit.ly/ofwitchesandvampires |
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The now complete, multi-award winning paranormal urban fantasy Kingdom Journals Series includes 2020 Readers’ Choice Gold Award and 2019 Colorado Independent Publishers Association Award winning Kingdom of Embers, Best Book Award Finalist Kingdom of Darkness, and the final book of the series Kingdom of Honor, Kingdom of War, and the prequel, Kingdom of the Damned, which completes the series.
In the first two journals, you read a first-person account of two modern-day witches, and their path to finding out who they are and why they are special. The third in the series, Kingdom of Honor, features Jude, a protector of the trinity of witches prophesied to free the witches from an age-old curse. Kingdom of War highlights the third witch of the trinity, Hunter, a leader destined to line up on the opposite side of a war with his father and brother. You can find many of these titles in audiobook format as well.
In 2020 Kingdom of Embers won the Gold Medal Readers’ Choice & 5* Review Awards. Kingdom of Embers also earned a Young Adult award from the Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc. in 2019. In 2017, Kingdom of Darkness was a finalist in the Best Novels awards.
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|  | About Tricia:
Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance, fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com. |
| L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers Of the Future Volume 42 Celebrating over 1,000
Writers and Illustrators Published
Year 42 of Writers and Illustrators of the Future marks yet another milestone in the storied legacy of the international writing and illustrating Contests created by L. Ron Hubbard in 1983. With entrants from over 175 countries and winners from 52 countries, Volume 42 will mark the Contests’ having published over 1,000 writers and illustrators in the series. This is an achievement never before attained by any science fiction and fantasy competition.
The event begins streaming live at 7:00 PM PST on www.WritersoftheFuture.com. Winners will be recognized and awarded with a handsome trophy. However, only two winners, one writer and one illustrator, will take home the grand prize trophy and checks for $5,000.
L. Ron Hubbard created the Contest in 1983, writing in the Introduction to Writers of the Future Volume 1, “A culture is as rich and as capable of surviving as it has imaginative artists. The artist is looked upon to start things. The artist injects the spirit of life into a culture. And through his creative endeavours, the writer works continually to give tomorrow a new form.”
Based on the Writing Contest’s success, its sister Contest, Illustrators of the Future, was created five years later to provide aspiring artists with the same opportunity.
The awards gala culminates a week-long workshop taught by several of the biggest names in science fiction and fantasy writing and illustration. The writers’ workshop will be led by coordinating judge, Jody Lynn Nye (“Mythology” series), and Tim Powers (“On Stranger Tides”), with guest instructors Kevin J. Anderson (“Dune” prequels), Orson Scott Card (“Ender’s Game”), Nina Kiriki Hoffman (“The Thread That Binds the Bones”), Nancy Kress (“Beggars in Spain”), Katherine Kurtz (“Deryni” Series), Rebecca Moesta (“Crystal Doors”), Larry Niven (“Ringworld”), and S.M. Stirling (“Draka” Series).
Illustrators will be taught by Echo and Lazarus Chernik, with guest instructors Ciruelo, Craig Elliott,
Brian C. Hailes, Brittany Jackson, Rob Prior, and Irvin Rodriguez. | |
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"The series successfully showcases future voices representing the vast spectrum of the speculative fiction genre." -Library Journal
"The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest has quietly been shaping the next wave of genre storytellers-with a legacy that's as cosmic as the stories themselves." -SciFiNow.co.uk
"The gangbuster of science fiction short story collections. Outstanding." -Midwest Book Review
Discover the next generation of science fiction and fantasy with twelve emerging authors and three powerhouse storytellers. These unforgettable short stories deliver everything readers love-time travel, first contact, magical realism, monsters, fairy-tale twists, and pulse-pounding science fiction and fantasy-crafted to surprise, thrill, and keep you turning pages.
Featuring original stories by Orson Scott Card and Nina Kiriki Hoffman.
Perfect for fans of:
Orson Scott Card, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Blake Crouch, Brandon Sanderson, V. E. Schwab, Naomi Novik, Michael Crichton, Ted Chiang, Ken Liu, and Black Mirror.
Includes:
- 12 illustrated stories from emerging stars of speculative fiction
- 3 bonus stories by bestselling authors.
- 3 articles on the craft and business of writing and illustrating from top creators
Selected from thousands of entries worldwide, Writers of the Future Volume 42 brings together a new generation of emerging authors and illustrators-your launchpad into the future of science fiction and fantasy.
Dive into a time-rescue gone wrong, a beauty treatment with a terrifying side effect, a detective battling a body-hopping killer, and a homesteader uncovering a truth that rewrites Earth itself. Explore whimsical, high-stakes fantasy as a baker braves the fairy underworld; confront supernatural horror in "Ghost Dog"; and experience the emotional and ethical tension of love trapped in virtual reality in "As Long as You Both Shall Live." Whether you're seeking the genre-bending innovation of "Bloom Decay," the emotional epic of "A Girl and Her Dragon," the humour and chaos of "The Triceratops Effect," or the visionary mystery of "Skinny-Shins," this volume delivers standout stories readers will recommend, review, and remember.
Featuring original stories by Orson Scott Card and Nina Kiriki Hoffman.
Perfect for fans of:
Orson Scott Card, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Blake Crouch, Brandon Sanderson, V. E. Schwab, Naomi Novik, Michael Crichton, Ted Chiang, Ken Liu, and Black Mirror.
Includes:
- 12 illustrated stories from emerging stars of speculative fiction
- 3 bonus stories by bestselling authors.
- 3 articles on the craft and business of writing and illustrating from top creators
About The Winners!
Illustrators of the Future Contest
 
The success of the Contest is measured by the success of its winning authors and illustrators. The 583 winners and published finalists of the Writing Contest have published over 8,000 novels and short stories, and their works have sold over 60 million copies.
The 430 past winners of the Illustrating Contest have created art for over 700 books, 500 comics, and 130 major motion pictures, gaming feature films, TV shows, and documentaries.
For more information about Writers and Illustrators of the Future, visit www.writersofthefuture.com. |
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