The General Worldbuilding Guide
by JM Paquette
September 1, 2023
As a writer, I like to think I know everything about my characters and the world they inhabit.
But do I? I certainly don’t always recall those details—and definitely not when I need them most. Cue the dive down an internet rabbit hole for the next hour instead of continuing to write my draft. There’s a time for writing, and there’s a time for worldbuilding—and they aren’t the same!
Use this book to build your world in all its glory, so that the next time those townsfolk are suspicious of strangers, you know what happened the last time they trusted someone who walked into town from the world beyond. Just imagine, when you sit down to write, already knowing the answers to questions like:
What is that song on the radio at the bar?
How long does it take to drive from Town A to Town B?
Who established that law about bathtubs in the street?
Where is the best place to get a burger in this town?
When did that family take over the monarchy?
Tackling everything from creation myths and cultural practices to building relationships and measuring time, this worldbuilding guide has the questions and activities you need to help you craft a believable world for your story.
Witch of the White Serpent
by Maria DeVivo
September 4, 2023
Long Live the Blood Witch.
Helpless, 17-year-old witch Blodwyn watches as her mother, the Blodheska, dies in childbirth. Unwilling to inherit the mantle and incredible power of the Blodheska, Blodwyn is intent on resurrecting her. After all, only her mother could possibly bring back the Old Gods, as was written in the prophecy.
Blodwyn does not think she can carry such a heavy burden. Her grief is heavy enough. She finds herself at odds with her own coven, all of whom insist she follow the rules and caution against the arcane ritual. Inspired by true events, Witch of the White Serpent is a study on loss, longing, and letting the dead rest in peace.
Dawn
by Rick Heinz
September 16, 2023
For centuries, a global conspiracy of secret societies have hoarded magic, keeping it hidden from the rest of the world.
Before the age of reason and science, magic ruled the world. Now, it’s coming back. If most of humanity gets wiped out in the process … well, sometimes you have to break a few eggs. A group of anarchs and heretics in Chicago work to tear down the barrier that has kept humanity ignorant of demons, forgotten myths, and ancient legends. Obsessed with discovering evidence of the afterlife, Mike Auburn’s death-defying stunts have brought him closer than ever to lifting the veil of reality.
However, his ventures to the edge have not gone unnoticed. The boss of a tenebrous organization recruits Mike to their cause. Nothing can possibly go wrong. Right? Before long, a world ruled by the scientific method and rational thinking is challenged by the supernatural. Drawn out by the long-awaited return of magic, the dead, the damned, and the demonic will stop at nothing to bring it back for good. Suddenly, Mike is stuck at the center of a battle between the forces of reason, of good, of evil and everything in between.Dawn is a clash of American Gods, Constantine, and The Dresden Files.
The Turkish Connection
by D. A. Spruzen
September 16, 2023
“I don’t think anyone can forget their own war—the loss, the pain—however hard they try.”
Lin Thoren, a minor Norse goddess, is both beautiful and terrifying. While her powers have diminished over time, she can still move faster than light, shapeshift for short periods of time, and throw a grown man across the room. All of these skills make her a particularly adept Private Investigator.
Mary Lambert has just earned her Master’s degree in creative writing and aspires to be an author. Lin hires her to be a live-in ghostwriter and record her memoirs, which cover many eras, cultures, historical events, and criminal cases. As Lin recounts a tale about trafficked women hidden in a D.C. suburb, Mary begins to realize just how powerful her host is. Soon, Mary finds herself becoming an integral member of the Thoren household—in more ways than one.
Potarium
by Kyle Sorrell
September 17, 2023
Potarium, the city of heaven, has finally revealed itself.
After reaching the bottom of Munderworld and speaking to the enigmatic and all-powerful Munder King, Cynkz is granted passage to the heavenly city. Once washed upon its shore, he reunites with an old friend, and the two seek assistance in finding the long lost Sister of Elm.
Cynkz gets more than he bargained for when a dark secret from his past comes back in the worst way imaginable. New allies lead him down a dangerous path, and the jester must come to terms with his mistakes to save the last bastion of peace. Old grudges and new dangers put the fate of every living soul on the line, and Cynkz finds himself at the dark center of it all.
The Witch of the Whirlwind
by R.J. Young
September 19, 2023
Even the Wind can kill when the Gods are angry.
It’s been two decades since the Sky Elders returned to the mortal realm, entrusting the Itiwana tribe with protecting the Tree of Life. Tawa, chieftain of the Itiwana, is now an experienced warrior, beloved by his people. After the village is attacked by the Witch of the Whirlwind, Tawa learns he must fulfill an old promise and go on a quest. Tawa’s quest takes him far from home, where he must fight his foes alone.
Meanwhile, Tawa’s children must honor their own promises. Young Pahana is appointed as interim ruler while his father is away, and he struggles with the burden of defending his people and protecting the sacred tree. The disruptive influence of the newcomer Hayoka blurs the line between friendship and duty. Tawa’s daughter Kia is one of the most powerful Shamans in the world. She finds herself tempted by outside forces who want to use the young prodigy’s formidable abilities for their own agenda.
Unbeknownst to them all, the Witch of the Whirlwind is preparing to unleash the greatest threat that the Itiwana have ever faced.
Traitor
by D. Lambert
September 17, 2023
History is written by the victors.
Victory has been bought with a bracelet; Tohmas Galanth is to be married. With Arnika Trulin’s hand comes the Princedom of Trulin, freeing Tohmas to continue his conquest of Espar. But even magical love is real, and Tohmas is blind to any betrayal from within his ranks. As he marches, his enemies from this word and beyond plan a unified strike meant to stop him and free the conquered princedoms. Arnika is not the only target.
The closer he comes to success, the further Tohmas feels he is from what he wants for himself and for Espar. Chief Tamv of the Rydans is expecting homage and obedience. How can a son, even a pretend son, not honor his father?
He was born Esparan but raised Rydan. Now Tohmas must choose which to serve.
Over the Falls with Gabby and Maddox
by Steve Altier
September 23, 2023
The siblings go to great heights!
Gabby and Maddox visit the historic Niagara Falls and make new friends traveling from Canada. They learn about the rich history of the area and the people who have tried to conquer the powerful falls.
Seeking adventure themselves, the kids brave the Cave of Winds and explore the Hurricane Deck at the base of the American Falls. They take a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat tour all the way to the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls. Of course, a trip to Niagara wouldn’t be complete without an exciting helicopter ride!
Midnight Cumbia
by Lyra R. Saenz
September 27, 2023
Some people fall in love like feathers dancing in the breeze. Others plummet.
I’ve known my husband’s name since I was twelve years old: Chike Nagi, Crown Prince of Ebele. On our wedding day, as he led me in a dance throughout the untamed wilds, I wondered, “Is this what falling in love feels like?” Or was it just the savannah heat?
As a diplomat, I am accustomed to navigating different social spheres, but love is another beast altogether. I have been taught that love isn’t as important as power. But when his hand touches mine, I feel strong.
We couldn’t have known how rapidly our whole world was about to change.
Aestrangel the Fallen
by Maria DeVivo
September 29, 2023
Hell hath no fury like an angel scorned!
Aestra, favorite teenaged angel of The Lord, has been sent to Earth to ensure that high school senior, Jake Parker, pursues the correct path. He is teetering between two options that may seem innocuous, but only one will lead him to positively impact the lives of millions of humans.
But what happens when the heart chooses love over responsibility? For Aestra, one fateful night will set into motion a chain of events unforeseen by even her infallible Creator.
Orchestrated Love
by A.J. Buchanan
September 30, 2023
Love hurts—is a second chance worth the risk?
Over a decade after breaking up with the love of his life, 42-year-old Jackson Knox has given up on finding anyone new. Breaking things off had been for the best for both of them, and Jackson has learned to live with the heartache. As he prepares to start a new job at a well-respected music school far from the place where he and Noah Santiago fell in love, he unexpectedly bumps into him again. Is it fate?
Musical genius Noah Santiago is hiding in his family’s home in a lakeside town in upstate New York, trying to figure out how to go on without being part of the world-renowned Barrington String Quartet. The pain of losing his career has left him gutted. The last person he expects to bump into is the man who still owns his heart after all these years.
Noah is wary of opening himself to more pain, and Jax fears Noah will never forgive him. Can their withered love bloom again? And how will they find their place together after so long apart?
