Alison McKenzie (she/her) joins Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) to discuss her new sapphic medieval romance The Tailor's Treasure, including women's rights under medieval English law, historical romance from a working class perspective, and a brief detour through BBC's Robin Hood and The Last Kingdom.

Alison Mckenzie (she/her) is a history nerd born and bred, with a special love for all things revolutionary. She left undergrad with a minor in history, and went on to library school so that she could indulge her other passion: connecting people with books. You can find her online on Bluesky, Instagram, and Substack at @amckenziewrites

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of the historical romantasy Oak King Holly King, the Victorian romance Mr Warren's Profession, and the fantasy-of-manners romance Fiorenzo, amongst other titles. You can connect with him at his website: sebastiannothwell.com

Jamie Lynn Lano (they/she) and Andy Lynn, Dr. (they/xe) of Rainbow Crate join indie author Noah Hawthorne (they/them) to tell us all what really goes on behind-the-scenes of a queer book box.

Rainbow Crate is the largest queer book box in the world. Their monthly box features two gorgeous exclusive hardcover editions of queer books with new designs, signed editions, and bonus content. Learn more at their website: rainbowcratebookbox.com

Noah Hawthorne (they/them), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook, and the solarpunk novel The Rebel Foxes, amongst other titles. You can connect with them at their website: neshamapublishing.com

O F Cieri (she/her) chats with Carolina Cruz (they/them) about Joe Meek, the origins of ska, and how Nine Inch Nails would destroy a midcentury pop music producer in her queer pulp horror novel Backmask.

Nicholas Hush, 1960s record producer, has a vision for the future of pop music. After a series of prophetic dreams, he wants to combine occult imagery with upcoming trends to create a new, groundbreaking look. His secretary, Valerie Chill, is tasked with finding consultants and funding while he crafts the perfect album. Quickly their project becomes entangled in other, larger machinations, and two teenage pop acts become responsible for international intrigue, brainwashing, and an occult massacre. Inspired by pop music history and written in the style of 60s horror pulp, Backmask is the fake history of a conspiracy theory surrounding the Satanic agenda to control children's minds.

O F Cieri (she/her) is the author of the queer urban fantasy novel Lord of Thundertown, the pulp horror novel Backmask, and the collection Lockdown Laureate. You can connect with her and her work at her website: ofcieri.com

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

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) chats with Tess Carletta (she/her) about writing a quiet and reflective moment of queer joy to rejuvenate those who are fighting to survive.

The Kings of Oak and Holly have woven their fates together in an unbreakable bond. The further adventures of Wren Lofthouse, Shrike the Butcher of Blackthorn, and their friends continue in this collection of short stories, including…

Bruises Bloom in Blackthorn Briar
…wherein a moment's comfort is sought between Cemetery Gate and the Solstice Duel.

Sentiment
…wherein the Oak and Holly Kings return to Wren's ancestral home to retrieve certain articles of a sensitive magical nature.

Bookseller & Bone-Setter
…wherein an unfortunate accident forces Hullvardr to reveal certain fae truths to his mortal beloved, Mr Ephraim Grigsby.

The Unveiling of Daniel Durst
…wherein Daniel shows his true self to his guardian for the first time.

A Quiet Solstice
…wherein the Oak King yields to the Holly King.

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

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

JP Rindfleisch IX (he/they) chats with Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about the appeal of cozy fantasy, from spiteful inspiration to the hidden sharp edges beneath slice-of-life stories and the eternal question of who a character is if not a hero.

JP Rindfleisch IX (he/they) writes cozy fantasy about grief, transformation, and queer joy wrapped in found families, botanical magic, and the occasional raccoon familiar. His works include the novels Mosswood Apothecary and Mandrake Manor, amongst other titles. You can learn more about them at their website: jprindfleischix.com

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

From Game of Thrones to Baldur's Gate to The Church of the Mountain of Flesh, a roundtable of indie authors discuss how fantastical religions can enhance the verisimilitude of imaginary worlds.

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

Luna Daye (she/her) is the author of the Fated Fae romantasy series as well as the epic fantasy series the Thoraius Saga. You can connect with her at her website: lunadaye.com

Noah Hawthorne (they/them), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook, and the solarpunk novel The Rebel Foxes, amongst other titles. You can connect with them at their website: neshamapublishing.com

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

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 gay romantasy wherein a fearsome fae warrior destined for ritual sacrifice seeks a mortal 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

It's like they always say: "Marry your best friend." Three indie authors discuss one of their fave romance tropes, Friends to Lovers.

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

Luna Daye (she/her) is the author of the Fated Fae romantasy series as well as the epic fantasy series the Thoraius Saga. You can connect with her at her website: lunadaye.com

Noah Hawthorne (they/them), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook, and the solarpunk novel The Rebel Foxes, amongst other titles. You can connect with them at their website: neshamapublishing.com