Cover Reveal banner showing an obscured cover for Together is a Distant Star

It's #CoverReveal time!

Today on the blog I have the privilege to help share the cover for Together is a Distant Star, an SFF anthology about belonging, featuring stories from a bunch of great indie authors. It's stunning!

Release date: 19 May 2026
www.alankdell.co.uk/...
💙📚🪐 #SFF #IndieApril

Less than 24 hours folks!

I finished the proof copy of this upcoming anthology yesterday and it’s ✨ fabulous ✨

I can’t wait for you all to get amongst it!

#coverreveal #anthology #fantasy #scifi #newrelease

Image of a broken star with the following text below: “I belong” and “Delilah Waan”

Coming 19 May 2026.

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #comingsoon

💙📚🌎📚🪐

Banner for the Narratess Indie Book Sale. A chonky dragon reads a book at the bottom, a pile of skulls with a candle and ghost sit on the left of the text, and a space ship flies by a planet on the right of the text. Text: Indie Book Sale indiebook.sale Fantasy, Sci FI & Horror 11 - 13 April

The Narratess Indie Sale starts today!

For the next three days, 280+ books will be on sale, available for $1.99 or less.

Even if you're on a budget or book buying ban, you can still grab the free ebooks (those don't count for your buying ban, because you're spending money!)

indiebook.sale

A purple and yellow background with a broken white star above yellow text: "I BELONG", then name Karen Lykkebo underneath.

Coming 19 May 2026. 

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #comingsoon

Graphic with purple and orange flames and smoke. A white broken star above yellow text and white text below. Headline text in yellow: I belong. Smaller text below in white: Natalie Kelda

Coming 19 May 2026.

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #comingsoon #booksky 📚 💙

I Belong A.J. Calvin on purple/orange background with 1 white star

Coming 19 May 2026.

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #comingsoon

The image shows a background with purple-ish colors and an orange flame shape in the lower left corner. There is a broken star image in the middle with the words “I belong” and “Isabelle Wagner” beneath it.

Coming 19 May 2026.

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #comingsoon

Upcoming promo image with a broken white star and firey background. Text: I belong Nancy Foster

Coming 19 May 2026.

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #latinsky #comingsoon

Broken white star Text reads: I belong. Erika McCorkle Background is a fiery red/purple/black

Coming 19 May 2026 🌟

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #comingsoon

Coming 19 May 2026.

#Ibelong #anthology #fantasy #scifi #comingsoon

Photo of a stack of books, spines facing forward. Titles include (from top to bottom): Your Blood and Bones by J. Patricia Anderson The Awakening of Marcianna by Isabelle Markus The Darkest Memories by Alyse N. Steves Far Removed by CB Lansdell The Warriors of Bhrea: The Lost King by TM Kohl Sordaneon by LL Stephens These Violent Nights by Rebecca Crunden

Some indie SF/F books that I recommend to support the women authors on International Women's Day:

@jpatriciaanderson.bsky.social Isabelle Markus @alysesteves.bsky.social @cblansdell.bsky.social @szattwellauthor.bsky.social @tmkohl.bsky.social @triempery.bsky.social @bookspotlight.bsky.social

Thank you so much for the shoutout!

First butterfly emerged in the new nursery. My parents were really excited about it when I got home. I think I got another two hooked on the hobby. 🤣

Haven’t had much time to write the past two weeks, but The Fern and the Firefly is now over 2,000 words. I’ll take it.

a cartoon turtle is sitting on a rock and smiling ALT: a cartoon turtle is sitting on a rock and smiling

The Fern and the Firefly is 1,800 words. Making slow and steady progress.

Absolutely cracking up because I didn’t expect anyone to notice that my short story, Polaris, is *ever so slightly* fanfic. Not only did a reader pick up on which cartoon inspired it, he caught the line where a character mimics a telltale mannerism from the TV show character. 🤣

Thank you!

Got the second draft of my short story done this weekend. Didn’t get much time to work on The Fern and the Firefly, but it’s over 1,000 words and somehow … starting off humorously? 🤷‍♀️

a group of cartoon characters are standing next to each other with the caption is she allowed to do that ALT: a group of cartoon characters are standing next to each other with the caption is she allowed to do that

That awkward moment when you realize your witch MC is also … Appalachian?

Pretty sure The Fern & The Firefly is starting with the line “The dead woman in the corner was getting feisty.”

Because why not? 😂

The broad range of reactions to the same parts of this short story have me cackling. 🤣

It is! ☺️

Sent the first draft of my short story out for feedback. 🫣

Worked on my short story, Polaris (tentative), tonight. Edited 6 out of 30 pages. I’m quite happy with it still. 😊

Only in Florida can you plant a caterpillar nursery and a strawberry patch in January. (It’s currently 85 degrees.)

It’s DONE.

a close up of a woman 's face with red hair and a necklace on her neck . ALT: a close up of a woman 's face with red hair and a necklace on her neck .

Sitting down to finish this short story. 🤞

Absolutely dragging today, but I’m determined to finish this short story by Monday. Wish me luck!

The short story I’m working on for an anthology reached 7,900 words last night. The first draft is *almost* done. Moving took a lot of energy away from writing in 2024. Starting 2025 by completing the first draft of a writing project is a refreshing change.