Welcome to She Wears the Midnight Crown and He Bears the Cape of Stars, two brand-new anthologies that share a common theme – masquerades – but tell different types of stories – wlw in She Wears the Midnight Crown and mlm in He Bears the Cape of Stars. These collections are the latest titles from Duck Prints Press, the indie publisher founded by fans to publish original works by fan creators, and they’re crowdfunding NOW, only on Seed & Spark!
Curious about the collections? Well, here’s a sneak peek of the works of two of our creators!
He Bears the Cape of Stars Contributor Spotlight: A. L. Heard
Biography: Ashley, pen name A.L. Heard, fandom name jhoom, is a 35 year old teacher, writer, and mother of two little boys. She’s been writing fanworks since she discovered fanfiction.net back in her middle school days; the platform has changed and the writing’s improved, but Ashley ultimately still spends her free time writing about characters she adores in worlds she’d like to explore. Her first novel, Hockey Bois, was published in 2021. In between writing projects, she works as a language teacher in the Pittsburgh area, plays hockey, and plays trains with her sons.
Links: Archive of Our Own | Discord: jhoom#6351 | Tumblr | Twitter
Story Title: Masquerade on Melchor
Teaser:
Masquerade on Melchor!
You are invited to join the Royal Family in their celebration of the
upcoming nuptials of Lady Vensel, Crown Princess of Melchor,
to Lord A’velle of the Wanydean Nebula.
This invitation permits entry for one guest to the Royal Masquerade.
Formal attire and mask required; dancing shoes recommended.
Come experience a night you’ll never forget!
Andrean reads the invitation one more time, hoping to gleam something new from the familiar words now that he’s actually on Planet Melchor. Nothing. This is… not Andrean’s usual heist. On first glance, it’s straightforward enough: get into the palace, sneak past security, steal the crown jewels of Melchor. It’s everything else about this job that makes it challenging. The extreme lack of information about the palace and royal family. The masquerade ball and the hundreds of guests pose obvious issues. The fake identity he’s traveled here under. The unbelievable pressure of having to pay for the invitation and get the funds to continue his career…
It’s a lot.
She Wears the Midnight Crown Contributor Spotlight: Lex T. Lindsay
Biography: Lex T. Lindsay likes cats, tats, and cool hats. When she isn’t shaking words loose or yelling about Captain America, she can often be found lurking in the woods. Find other sapphic love stories in ADD MAGIC TO TASTE (also from Duck Prints Press); UPON A TWICE TIME (Air and Nothingness Press); and CLOCKWORK, CURSES AND COAL (World Weaver Press). Occasional Tweets @LexTLindsay.
Links: Goodreads | Linktree | Twitter
Story Title: Tidally Locked
Teaser:
The life of a god was a lonely one most days, lonelier still when—
“I would like the next dance if you’re not otherwise engaged.”
Ellie turned to face her would-be partner. She was a large woman—larger than Ellie who could rarely stand to manifest in a body that felt small. She wore a blue brocade corset and a matching gown of a deeper blue. On her face sat a mask of intricate silver filigree, a myriad of moving parts guided by so many gears twining together.
Something about her made the night feel new again, and Ellie became conscious of the constant hum of prayer singing through her soul.
Ellie’s head angled toward the floor, and she took the hand offered to her.