Stories behind the books

Meet the stories behind indie books

Author-led features exploring why these books exist, the experiences that shaped them and the kind of reading journey they offer.

Browse books by genre

15 stories

Literary Fiction · nostalgic coming-of-age

August

by Fanni Senkise

Fanni Senkise’s literary coming-of-age novel pairs a 17-year-old’s summer abroad with a decades-old romance waiting in a box of postcards.

Read the story →

Thriller & Suspense with psychological and socially aware undercurrents

An Abrupt Departure

by P.D. Workman

This Bleeding Hearts Valley thriller begins with an abandoned apartment and follows the unsettling clues of a vanished life, drawing readers int…

Read the story →

Horror with body horror and folklore undertones

Prickle

by E.K. Larson-Burnett

E.K. Larson-Burnett shares the personal roots behind Prickle: a story shaped by body horror, a late grandmother's presence, and the strain of be…

Read the story →

Mystery with humor and later-life reinvention

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

by Kris Bock

This series opener pairs a former war correspondent with a deeply personal case, blending wit, danger, and the uneasy realities of growing older…

Read the story →

Mystery with courtroom suspense and faith-centered themes

Whisper County

by Teresa E. Nelson

Set in 1970s Souls River, this mystery invites readers into a close-knit town where rumor moves fast, evidence feels uncertain, and hope has to…

Read the story →

Historical narrative nonfiction

Unauthorized Practice

by Gina A. Christy

This is a history of medicine told from the margins inward: the women healers, doctors, nurses, and scientists whose work shaped modern care whi…

Read the story →

Non-Fiction · reflective personal growth

Still Climbing

by Olivia Cross

This is a reflective nonfiction read for people wondering what comes next, and whether growing older might still hold room for adventure, learni…

Read the story →

Fantasy with dark mythic and cozy elements

The Sundering

by Razi Garenbeli

For readers drawn to mythic fantasy with flawed angels, stubborn heroines, and a quiet thread of hope, The Sundering offers an origin story shap…

Read the story →

Mystery with small-town suspense and a touch of the uncanny

Scraps of Paper

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

For readers who like mystery with atmosphere, human loss, and a steadily unfolding investigation, this story opens a long-running series rooted…

Read the story →

Romance with redemption, grit, and found-family warmth

Faith

by Mimi Barbour

This romance begins in damage, grief, and survival, then follows a woman called Sunshine as she finds a reason to live, love, and begin again.

Read the story →

Romance with nostalgic and gentle paranormal touches

My Corfu Love Story

by Effrosyni Moschoudi

This is a nostalgic, bittersweet short-story romance set in a vividly remembered corner of Corfu, where old feelings return and family presence…

Read the story →

Romance with holiday whimsy and spicy ensemble dynamics

Fixin' Vixen

by Cat Collins

Cat Collins brings a light, whimsical holiday world to life here, pairing steam and comedy with a Christmas mood the author hopes leaves readers…

Read the story →