The Indie Author Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror New Release List: May 2026
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Chai and Charmcraft by Lynn Strong: Available May 1, 2026
The Charmcraft Chronicles, Book 1
Subgenre(s): Cozy Fantasy, M/M Romance
What’s a prince to do when the man of his dreams doesn’t want a crown and his cat is banned from the palace?
His Imperial Highness Faraj al-Nadhir has never thought himself a charming sort of prince. He’s shy, round, middle-aged, and always dutiful. But he has also secretly spent years dreaming of a man tending jasmine in a sun-lit window — prophetic visions that led him at last to one blissful night with someone who sees his heart, not his crown.
He did not expect to wake up with a cat walking on his face.
Cat-familiars are forbidden in the Imperial fortress. They might be spies. They might be soul-charmers. They might even sharpen their claws on thousand-year-old tapestries. But Faraj cannot regret that sweet little Sahar chose him — just as he cannot regret Asharan bir Chameli, the enchanting owner of the House of Jasmines. Asharan wants nothing to do with Faraj’s title and power, only his kindness. And Faraj hadn’t expected either the delights or the dilemmas of Asharan’s magical, soft-pawed little gift.
The rules have always been different for the God-Emperor’s brother. Faraj never before realized how much.
Now he’s breakfasting from community cauldrons in back alleys full of children and kittens. His foresight shows him a thousand paths toward disaster, but not the way through. His devoted chamberlain fears that Faraj has been bewitched by a purring agent of chaos, and Faraj can’t exactly say he’s wrong.
When the choice comes down to betraying his lover’s name, his cat-familiar’s life, or his own use of forbidden magic, Faraj does the only thing he can: He gets himself put on trial for heresy, trying to change the laws of the Empire itself.
If his visions always lead him into trouble, he might as well make useful trouble.
In Pursuit of M. Lachance by J.W. Troemner: Available May 1, 2026
Subgenre(s): Vampire Romance
The case should be open and shut: a madman claiming to be a vampire hunter attacked a wealthy gentleman. Unfortunately, Inspector Etienne Durand knows the victim is no gentleman: he’s the burglar Marcel Lachance, Durand’s childhood crush, who broke his parole to live under a false name. Determined to send him back to prison, Durand goes undercover as Lachance’s lovestruck suitor, hoping to get close enough to find evidence against him. But the more he entangles himself with Lachance, the more he realizes that the accusation of vampirism might not be so far off the mark.
The Chimeric Maiden by Chris Mitchell: Available May 1, 2026
Heirs of Hyarch, Book Three
The kingdom of Hyarch has become divided by a bitter war over the dominion of the realm, tearing families and friends apart. Even after many years and countless lives lost, the battles continue with no signs of peace to be found.
The Spellking, following in the footsteps of his father, seeks to impose the reign of magic wielders across the kingdom. The House of Roderick, a new dynasty rising to take the place of the old, has banned most forms of magic in turn. Amid this conflict, a new generation comes of age.
A terrible spell has been cast over the border town of Lasfont, twisting many of its people into bestial horrors. These creatures now stalk the streets, while survivors gather and struggle to hold onto what they can, hoping for a rescue that many know may never come.
That hope arrives in unexpected form, as the travelers seeking the ancient magics of Hyarch follow the search there. The challenge they face is dire, as the divisions and secrets of Lasfont’s own past threaten to overwhelm them. The greatest of the threats, however, may be the enemies that have followed them here…
The Sin of Tantalus by Michael Spearwater: Available May 8, 2026
Subgenre(s): Dystopian, Zombie Apocalypse
Not so long ago in the recent past, a company developed an artificial pheromone that improved the taste of otherwise low-quality beef or pork: Tantalus. To improve results, and thus sales, they decided to find a way to vector it directly into meat animals as a metabolic product. In hindsight, this was a really bad idea, but that didn’t stop someone from spreading the vector as widely as possible.
In the present, the country is currently on its fifth wave of Tantalus-related infections in as many years. As a primary side effect, an unlucky handful of consumers with the wrong genetic predisposition develop a savory scent that proves too tempting for many of their uninfected peers. The government has had to step in to ensure that fewer cannibalistic murders occur after the disastrous first wave, but the treatments are palliative at best, and much of the related legislation seems to be written by people who don’t necessarily care about the victims of the situation.
The population at large doesn’t mind as long as there’s more savory bacon and steak to eat.
The story follows an infected teenager named Martin Gallegas as he tries to lead a normal life within the safety restrictions designed to help keep him alive, and so far he’s managed to stay ahead of the curve. At the suggestion of a friend, he takes up video-blogging, sharing some of his experiences in the hopes that someone somewhere might benefit from it.
Martin is living out his own personal dystopia in a world where he’s the most delicious thing around, and there’s no shortage of folk who want him on the menu. All he’s got is a camera and an audience. The apocalypse will be livestreamed.
Recursed by N. T. Lator: Available May 10, 2026
Stalwart Companions, Book 1
Subgenre(s): Comedy, Superheroes
Ordan was recruited into The Society of Stalwart Companions at a young age. His mission? To look after his assigned Hero, the Wizard Bluebell, see to her needs, watch her back, and keep her from incinerating any thing she shouldn’t.
It’s a full-time job, that. The price of a Hero’s power is steep; Companions are all that stand between the Hero Contingent and the hapless innocents of the world.
Meanwhile, the Halflings of Kingsmount, have been living under a curse placed on them by their own god eleven-thousand years ago. Griselda Hammerheart, being quite sick of this state of affairs and determined to have it out with the Divine, has requested the aid of a Hero to help her on her Quest to lift the curse.
After all, she has something no other Halfling has had before: a vague idea of where to look.
After an incident involving the petty Lord Ulo, Bluebell and Ordan are strongly encouraged by their superiors to join Griselda on her journey. Ordan must leave his home city for the first time in his life to help Bluebell avoid collateral damage, and help this Halfling find her deity. And presumably cuss him out.
Dangers may include, but are not limited to: bandits, monsters, Ordan’s own inexperience, other gods, and Bluebell herself. Can Ordan keep the innocents of the wider world, the three Halflings in his care, and himself safe?
Is he ready?
Devourer by R.M. Sayan: Available May 14, 2026
Subgenre(s): Historical Fantasy/Horror
Somewhere off the coast of Peru, 1879.
Half a world away from home, Bo is rescued from a shipwreck by the crew of the Ayar, a ship manned by runaways and deserters with a mute captain and an enigmatic first mate. But mutiny festers in the bilge, and between luck spells and sea dragons, surviving on the high seas becomes a matter of ‘kill or be killed’ — eat or be eaten.
What is a captain to a god?
What is a god to a cook?
Countering the Hands of Crime by Elise Carlson: Available May 17, 2026
Sythe Series, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Mystery with themes of queer identity exploration and found family
Containing low level monsters for Monster Containment ought to be easy enough. But Rarkin’s doing it handicapped by the struggle to let down walls he’s had up with most people, for self preservation, for 17 years.
That would be hard enough with people he’s been studying with for two years. But a new classmate is joining his team. Ilara is surprisingly capable for a ‘new student,’ particularly with magic. Rarkin suspects Ilara has secrets of her own. But he’s barely begun to gauge her capacity when their team begins working under extraordinary conditions.
Not only is crime boss Mavon still at large, he’s as clever and capable as Rarkin suspects, and less than half as rational. Worse, a second crime boss is going rogue, as organised crime continues morphing into something far more dangerous.
In countering both crime bosses, Sythe’s resources are stretched thin. Rarkin finds his team on missions they’re barely experienced enough to handle, at the edge of their monster containing and fledgling magical capabilities. The survival of his team is about to depend on the trust Rarkin is struggling to develop.
A Black Dragon on Red by P.L. Stuart: Available May 18, 2026
The Drowned Kingdom Saga, Book 6
Subgenre(s): Epic Fantasy
Nightsoul.
A name striking terror into the hearts of Eltnia’s people for decades. A mysterious, sinister ruler, buoyed by the foreboding magic of the malevolent sorceress Barbis. A haunting spectre, appearing out of mist, razing kingdoms to the ground, then vanishing like a ghost, leaving behind destruction, ruined corpses, and paralyzing despair.
And Nightsoul has never been defeated in battle.
Lord Othrun has always known one day Nightsoul would come, seeking bloody vengeance. For Othrun killed Nightsoul’s mother, Nulthe, once leader of mages, at her own coven. Since that fateful night of murder, Othrun was surely marked for death by Borenia’s shadowy monarch.
Now it seems, Nightsoul has finally moved against the Lord of Eastrealm, by attacking Othrun’s father-in-law, harmless King Irly of Badonia.
With his wife, the mage Sila at his side, Othrun must make the dreaded journey west, into the gloom, to try and save Irly. Finally, Eltnia’s renowned Warlord will confront a foe far more petrifying than any of the daunting enemies he has defeated during his many military campaigns.
Coping with grief over the loss of those dear to him, and his desperate armies quivering at the thought of marching to certain doom, Othrun has never been so beleaguered.
Yet, despite the evil powers of Borenia bearing down upon him, Othrun has no plans to fall without a savage fight.
Nightsoul is indeed the most horrifying presence in all the land.
But even the maleficent Nightsoul should beware he who flies the ominous banner of the black dragon on red.
For all who dare challenge Othrun, shall witness his wrath.
And it is terrible to behold.
The Color of Time by Millie Abecassis: Available May 19, 2026
Subgenre(s): Science Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling, Sapphic Romance
Princess Cyrelle has always been faithful and true to her family, country, and Goddess. But now her brother, King Elias of Cicia, has asked for—no, commanded—her hand in marriage.
Desperate to avoid this incestuous union, Cyrelle requests a series of increasingly impossible gifts and petitions the Goddess for a sign to sway her resolute brother’s proposal. As Elias persists undeterred, Cyrelle must risk everything to escape the only life she’s ever known.
Soon, she becomes Green Scales, hiding and struggling to survive on her own, far across the galaxy. But Phau isn’t the peaceful refuge Cyrelle had hoped for, and when the leader of its burgeoning rebel faction recognizes the runaway princess, she is forced to choose between safety and freedom. With the fate of two kingdoms on the line and nowhere left to run, Cyrelle must decide what it means to be true to herself, to her people, and to her heart.
Together is a Distant Star: An Anthology of Belonging: Available May 19, 2026
Contributing Authors: A.J. Calvin, V. Carvajal Leiva, Nancy Foster, Andrea Marie Johnson, Natalie Kelda, C.B. Lansdell, Karen Lykkebo, Erika McCorkle, Branwen OShea, Alyse Steves, Delilah Waan, Isabelle Wagner
A short story collection
How far would you go to find where you belong?
A shapeshifting alien changeling raised by humans. The “wicked” child selected as the village sacrifice. People trapped in rigid belief systems, oppressive regimes, well-intentioned families, complicated relationships, and their very own bodies.
Is it better to succumb and survive, or escape by staking everything on a slender hope?
What triumphs in the end, love or vengeance?
And if all that remains is ashes, is it still worth it?
Grapple with these questions by diving into twelve new science fiction and fantasy stories. Together is a Distant Star is a collaborative anthology that encompasses authors hailing from Europe to Australia, South Africa to South America, and celebrates a kaleidoscope of perspectives—female, nonbinary, BIPOC, queer, and more.
AfterDark: Lavender and Lies by Miriam Yvette: Available May 26, 2026
AfterDark, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Paranormal Romance
Not everything that happens in San Francisco stays in San Francisco.
There’s a new budding romance snagging Vina’s attention, and it’s not the wolf shifter. Her unsought desire for Dante has complicated their journey and sown mistrust. When blurred visions and blackouts begin to overcome Vina’s daily life, she soon discovers her scarf may have the answer to stopping the witch’s haunting. But first, she must confront the lies.
Death Show Colossus by Bill Adams: Available May 26, 2026
Subgenre(s): Cyberpunk
20 Climbers. 20 Watchers. 5 Hunters. 1 Colossus.
After both their parents die during the live broadcast of the Tournament of the Colossus, Quinne promises to always keep Benn safe. Even from the deadly Hunters who scour the slums for those who can wield magic. But when Benn’s rare ability manifests during a public confrontation, the Hunters see them for what they truly are: riveting contestants.
Quinne will be a Climber, where she’ll be chased by Hunters and mechanized monstrosities through a trapped forest before attempting to climb a thousand-foot-tall destructive god. And Benn will be her Watcher, as his consciousness will be transferred into nothing more than a glorified camera in the form of a metal bird.
The odds of survival are low, the likelihood of death and blood great. Tune in today, for this Tournament will be a ratings juggernaut!
Black Hole Guns For Hire by Friday Strout: Available May 28, 2026
Subgenre(s): Military & Queer Romance
The empire made them soldiers. The void made them rebels.
Lina Bho captains a beat-up transport at the galaxy’s ragged edge, running aid missions with veterans who’d rather fight than follow orders. She left the United Earth Marines behind, with its politics, its prejudice, and the boot she wore too long. Her Chief, Zuri Josmith, keeps the platoon sharp and the Captain honest. She’s also the only woman who’s ever made Lina want to take orders.
A black hole is swallowing their star system. No one is coming.
When Lina discovers the United Earth deliberately stranded nine billion people to wipe out a rebel stronghold, she turns her crew against the government that raised them. Pirates stalk her vessel; alien predators nest in her cargo hold; and her hired guns look to her for a plan she hasn’t finished writing.
They’ll fight their way out or die as the Black Hole Guns.
A jump-capable freighter at the sector’s edge is their only ride out. Between Lina and escape sits a pirate captain with a personal vendetta, alien cyborg predators, and her own unraveling mind. Zuri can hold her together or hold the crew together. She can’t do both.
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Chai and Charmcraft looks outstanding! (And congrats on the anthology)