Category: Short Stories

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“The Fairy Garden” by Rhosyn Goodfellow

The theme we offered as inspiration to our authors for the month of March was “The Language of Flowers,” and this week’s release is the first of two stories we got written to that theme! Rhosyn Goodfellow offers up a story about a child in danger, the grandmother who loved her, and the fairies she hopes will assist her when she needs their help most…

Title: The Fairy Garden

Author: Rhosyn Goodfellow

Genre: Modern with Magic

Rating: General Audiences

Trigger Warnings: bad parenting, child abuse, death of a grandparent (off-screen), gore (non-graphic descriptions), violence (non-graphic descriptions)

Relationship: family

Character Features: child

Tags: attempted murder, child point of view, fae and fairyfolk, fraught family dynamics, the language of flowers, past tense, poisoning, pov third person limited, present tense, serious illness

Summary:

“It’s best to avoid fairies, but once they notice you, you’d best make friends right quick.”

Nana Iris warned Lily about the dangers of consorting with fairies, but with Nana Iris gone, there’s no one but Lily to make amends when Lily’s soon-to-be step-father disturbs Nana Iris’s fairy garden. If Lily’s lucky, maybe she’ll make a new friend; she could really use one right now.

Read Lily’s story now, and find out if Lily’s lucky enough to make a much-needed friend…

Love Rhosyn Goodfellow’s writing? They’re also a contributor to our just-released anthology She Wears the Midnight Crown. Check it out!

If stories told from a child’s point of view, about children in danger finding aid in unexpected places are your cup of tea, we’ve got a couple others for you to check out, too! Take a peek at The Offered Ones by A. L. Heard and Widow’s Black by Nina Waters.

Who we are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Love what we do? Want to make sure you don’t miss the announcement for future giveaways? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more!

Want to support the Press, read about us behind-the-scenes, learn about what’s coming down the pipeline, get exclusive teasers, claim free stories, and get backer-exclusive extras when you support our crowdfunding campaigns? Back us on Patreon or ko-fi monthly!

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Backer Reward Fluff Story: “Count the Number of Seeds” by Lyn Weaver

Every month, every single backer of our Patreon and ko-fi gets access to a brand new, six-month-exclusive free story! This month’s free story is Count the Number of Seeds by Lyn Weaver, the third story in the “Sunrise Over the Black Forest” universe; the first written (though third chronologically) is the erotica story We All Need to Get By (available in our webstore!) and the second, Things We Know, But Don’t Recall, is also erotica and is currently Patreon exclusive. Combined, the stories explore the meetings between Sevan, vampire and Lord of the Black Forest, and Kel, a less-than-innocent priest who takes over an abandoned church deep in the woods.

Title: Count the Number of Seeds

‘Verse: Sunrise Over the Black Forest

Author: Lyn Weaver

Genre: Fantasy with Technology, Gothic

Rating: General Audiences

Relationships: interspecies relationship, m/m, relationship of convenience

Character Features: amnesia, in a religious order, immortal, magic use, nature spirit, non-human, vampire

Tags: church setting, fluff, past tense, pov third person limited, unreliable narrator, vampiric feeding (mentions of)

Teaser:

Kel was bent over the stage, attacking various stains with the concentrated effort of a man taking out his frustrations on something that couldn’t fight back. His golden hair was up in a messy ponytail, and he’d taken off his outer vestments, presumably to keep them clean.

Sevan wanted to tug that tail. To materialize beside Kel instead of meters away. To sink his teeth into the nape peeking out of Kel’s untidy dress shirt.

He carefully set that train of thought aside and tossed one of the apples up. It made a satisfying thunk when he caught it. “Good evening.”

“Hello, neighbour,” Kel said. He glanced up briefly, then went back to scrubbing. “You’re later than usual. I was starting to think you weren’t coming.”

Length: 9 pages/2,407 words

Best of all? This is only one of the TWENTY-FOUR stories you could read RIGHT NOW if you backed our Patreon or ko-fi for at least $3/month! And, as if that’s not enough, if you backed at $10/month or $25/month, you could access forty-seven stories posted for our backers, AND claim free stories from our webstore!

Intrigued? Back us on Patreon or ko-fi now, and find out what awaits Kel in the depths of the Black Forest…

Who we are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Love what we do? Want to make sure you don’t miss the announcement for future giveaways? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more!

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“He Bears the Cape of Stars” and “She Wears the Midnight Crown” Books and Merchandise Now on Sale!

Duck Prints Press’s anthologies He Bears the Cape of Stars and She Wears the Midnight Crown, featuring 34 stories by 34 authors exploring the potential for mlm and wlw relationships growing and changing during unusual masquerades, are now available! From science fiction to fantasy to modern to historical, these anthologies take the reader to many different settings, with larger-than-life characters exploring the world around them, the people they meet, and themselves! The casts are as diverse as Pride itself, and whether they’re looking for love, a second chance, a companion, or a friend, these books have a little bit of everything!

HE BEARS THE CAPE OF STARS, featuring 17 mlm stories, is available for sale on:

The Duck Prints Press Website | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

SHE WEARS THE MIDNIGHT CROWN, featuring 17 wlw stories, is available for sale on:

The Duck Prints Press Website | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

…and many other major e-book sales platforms! And you can request your library purchase it through the e-book lending program of their choice!

AND THAT’S NOT ALL!

Extra merchandise from the masquerade anthologies crowdfunding campaign is now on sale too! Did you miss the campaign? Are you dying for an amazing tote bag, a gorgeous bookmark, an aromatic candle, a glossy sticker or two, a new patch, or some lovely queer art for your walls? You can get this merch, and lots of merch from our past campaigns, from our website NOW!

She Wears the Midnight Crown merchandise: art print | bookmark | dux sticker

He Bears the Cape of Stars merchandise: art print | bookmark | dux sticker

Other campaign merchandise: chibi masquerade patch | scented candle | tote bag

Was there campaign merch you wanted that’s not available on our store? We have very limited quantities left of our enamel pins, and we have a whole heck of a lot of seconds (as in, damaged copies) of the print books! If your interested, feel free to drop us a line on any of our social media platforms or at info at duckprintspress dot com – we’d be delighted to hook you up!

Come now to the Duck Prints Press website and GET YOUR BOOK ON! You’re not going to want to miss these amazing collections or any of the gorgeous merch!

(and if you can help us spread the word by sharing this post, we’d appreciate it a lot, too!)

Who we are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Love what we do? Want to make sure you don’t miss the announcement for future giveaways? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more!

Want to support the Press, read about us behind-the-scenes, learn about what’s coming down the pipeline, get exclusive teasers, claim free stories, and get backer-exclusive extras when you support our crowdfunding campaigns? Back us on Patreon or ko-fi monthly!

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Backer Reward Story: “Awkward and Oblivious” by R. L. Houck

Did you know? People who back us on Patreon and ko-fi get a minimum of one free story a month (backing levels start at $3/month)! Depending on your backer level, you may get way more than one! Curious about our most recent freebie? Well read on and learn all about it!

Title: Awkward and Oblivious

Author: R. L. Houck

Genre: Modern

Rating: General Audiences

Trigger Warnings: harm to animals

Relationship: employee/customer, idiots to lovers, w/w

Character Features: oblivious, trucker, veterinarian

Tags: everyone knows but them, fluff, getting together, humor, love at first sight, past tense, pets, pining, pov third person limited

Teaser:

Dr. Anna leaned forward and booped Mako on the nose, making the puppy’s tail wildly wag. Then Dr. Anna turned and took a step toward the door that led to the back of the clinic.

Say something. Ask her, you idiot! “Oh, uh! I was wondering—?”

Dr. Anna paused and turned back. “Yes?”

Alex clutched Mako to her chest, running her fingers through the beagle puppy’s soft coat for reassurance. “Um. I just—I’m so grateful for all you did for Mako when she was sick. Would you like to go out for coffee sometime? As a thank you?”

Length: 10 pages

Want to read on? OF COURSE YOU DO! Well, back us now on Patreon or ko-fi, and read your fill!

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New Release: “Warmer Lights” by Era J. M. Couts

Title: Warmer Lights

Author: Era J.M. Couts

Genre: Modern

Rating: General Audiences

Relationship: m/m

Tags: berlin, fluff, germany, present tense, reunions, second chances, second person, sports (dancing)

Teaser:

In the beginning, it feels like a game.

A playful game, where there’s laughter and giggling and energy to no end. A game where every move is fun, every day is fun, every breathing second is fun.

You’ve just met someone, and it’s exciting and pure and intense.

Length: 7 pages/1,430 words

This Saturday we bring you second chances, short and sweet! Check it out now!

Who we are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Love what we do? Want to make sure you don’t miss the announcement for future giveaways? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more!

Want to support the Press, read about us behind-the-scenes, learn about what’s coming down the pipeline, get exclusive teasers, and claim free stories? Back us on Patreon or ko-fi monthly!

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New Release: “Princess Antonia del Montari, aka The Accidental Barista” by A. L. Heard

Title: Princess Antonia del Montari, aka The Accidental Barista

Author: A.L. Heard

Genre: Modern with Magic

Rating: General

Relationship Type: commoner/noble, employee/customer, f/f

Character Features: royalty

Tags: attraction at first sight, coffee shop setting, first date, meet cute, mistaken identity, pov third person limited, present tense

Teaser:

“Excuse me?” someone asks from her right.

Toni startles slightly. She frowns in dismay as the coffee sloshes over the edge of one of the mugs.

Once everything’s balanced again, Toni looks over to the nearest table.

Black leather jacket, knee-high boots over dark skinny jeans, a too-loose T-shirt for a band Toni’s never heard of, and a myriad of piercings all conspire to make Toni’s heart pound in her chest and her mouth go dry. It’s only worse when she meets the woman’s eye and gets lost in caramel. She stands there, marveling at the beautiful woman so long that even Toni’s aware it’s become awkward.

Length: 10 pages/2,553

You know your Saturday would be better with some wlw meet-cute fluff, so get some RIGHT NOW!

Who we are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Love what we do? Want to make sure you don’t miss the announcement for future giveaways? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more!

Want to support the Press, read about us behind-the-scenes, learn about what’s coming down the pipeline, get exclusive teasers, and claim free stories? Back us on Patreon or ko-fi monthly!

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Coming Soon: Duck Prints Press February Release Schedule

Wondering what we’ve got coming out in February? Well, wonder no more! Learn all about it, and read some teasers!

The theme for February is Storm’s Coming. Themes are selected by our monthly backers on Patreon and ko-fi, and we invite all our authors to interpret the theme loosely and draw inspiration from it. In February, three of the six stories we’re releasing are theme stories.

Duck Prints Press Titles (General Imprint)

February 11th: In Good Company by Nicola Kapron (theme story). Genre: Modern. Relationship: m/m. Primary Tags: horror, murder-husbands-to-be. Length: novelette.
Teaser: The first time Haruki Aoyama had gotten close to someone rotten, he’d been heartbroken. Now he was so used to being disappointed that he’d begun to seek it out. The signs were easy to spot once he’d learned to see them: a household with a too-quiet child and a too-loud adult. Kids who were never dressed right for the weather sitting in parks and under overhangs, waiting for someone to finally let them in. People who bought kids’ toys and clothes at the counter Haruki worked and said contradicting things when he commented on how the kid never seemed to join them at the store. Yes, once you had your eyes open, it was easy to see how many children were being failed by the monsters of this world.

February 18th: Princes Antonia del Montari, aka The Accidental Barista by A. L. Heard. Genre: Modern. Relationship: f/f. Primary Tags: meet cute, fluff. Length: short story (under 3k words).
Teaser: Toni slumps in her chair and stairs forlornly out the cafe windows. It’s a beautiful day, complete with a cloudless sky, birds singing cheerfully, and that perfect spring temperature appropriate for wearing anything from tank tops to sweatshirts. Really, it’s perfect.

And Toni’s stuck inside, working on an essay and about to get her third cup of coffee

February 25th: Moonweaver by Willa Blythe (theme story). Genre: Fantasy with Science Fiction. Relationship: f/f. Primary tags: trauma, climate change, friends to lovers. Length: short story.
Teaser: “The Universe has spoken,” Grandmother Flame said quietly, tossing a bit of powder on the fire and turning the flames a brilliant indigo. “Pomegranate and Honeycomb will beseech the Moon on our behalf to bring back the night and restore the balance of the world. I trust you will all send them both off with honor.”

Duxxx Prints Press Titles (Erotica Imprint)

February 4th: Lightbringer by boneturtle (theme story). Genre: Fantasy. Relationship: m/m. Primary Tags: amnesia, martyrdom, reunion, second chances. Length: novelette.
Teaser: There is a village at the far edge of the world where the people return to the same life each time they die. Endlessly, they forget, and live each of their lives as though it was their first. They climb the mountains, and fish in the frozen lakes, and eat what the forest provides. They are improbably happy, and they pray to no one.

Except for once, each year, when the light begins to fade.

February 18th: The Fated Prince by Mikki Madison. Genre: Historical with Magic. Relationship: m/m. Primary tags: arranged marriage, human/fae relationship, as slow a burn as you can get in 5,000 words. Length: short story.
Teaser: “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today—” 

To watch His Royal Highness, Prince Richard, sacrifice himself on the altar of his father’s hubris.

February 25th: We All Need to Get By by Lyn Weaver. Genre: Gothic/Fantasy with Technology. Relationship: m/m. Primary tags: relationship of convenience, human/vampire relationship, vampiric feeding kink. Length: short story.
Teaser: Kel hadn’t set out to become a vampire’s snack. Like most things in his life, it had just sort of happened. He’d done something stupid because it had looked like fun, realized exactly where that path would lead him if he continued down it, and then somehow been surprised when he ended up exactly where he’d thought he would. The very first time Sevan had showed up in the old church, looking to thank the new neighbour for banishing that dreadful aura of zealotry that had been clinging on for centuries, Kel had looked at him and thought, I’m gonna end up being sucked dry, aren’t I?

Intrigued? Want to make sure you don’t miss any of these? Your best bet is to sign up for our monthly newsletters and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more! Alternatively, pick any of our social media platforms to follow us on – we always cross-post about new releases!

Interested in reading more, and maybe claiming some of these stories for free? Backers on our Patreon and ko-fi get lots of extra content, sneak peeks, and a minimum of one free story each month!

Who we are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

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New Release: “A Mutual Interest” by Alec J. Marsh

Do you know about our theme months? Well, every month we give our authors a prompt, and they can choose to write a short story to that prompt! The theme for January is “Snowed In,” and Alec J. Marsh has written our second snowed-in together story. Learn all about A Mutual Interest…

Title: A Mutual Interest

Author: Alec J. Marsh

Genre: Fantasy with Technology

Rating: General Audiences

Trigger Warnings: death of a parent (past), harm to animals

Relationship: f/m, f/m (past), friends to lovers, friends with benefits (past), m/m (past)

Character Features: bisexual, criminal, magic use, member of a resistance movement, veteran

Tags: break-up (past), dystopia, first kiss, getting together, love declaration, love triangle, past tense, pov third person limited

Teaser:

Tirsa stopped arguing with Jeromy after they reached the outskirts of the city, and by the time they’d made it to open countryside she had fallen asleep, snuggled against the window of the jeep under his coat. He didn’t mind her arguing, not exactly, but she was arguing against her own best interests. She deserved a weekend off.

The traffic grew thicker as they neared the army checkpoint into Kestilav Province, and Jeromy pulled to a stop. Tirsa didn’t stir, and her breathing whistled a little bit. Jeromy’s heart squeezed with fondness.

Length: 20 pages/7,282 words

Price: $1.99 US

Can’t wait to see how Jeromy and Tirsa’s relationship will develop during their journey? Check out Alec’s newest release now!

Did you know? This is Alec’s fourth publication with Duck Prints Press! Check out his other works here (though watch out, some of them are spicy!).

Who We Are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Love what we do? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more.

Through the month of January, 2023, all new monthly backers on our Patreon and ko-fi can claim a merchandise freebie in addition to all their backer rewards – which, depending on your backer level, could include a free copy of this story! Why not take a peek at what we have to offer?

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Downhill into Unfamiliar Territory by MusicFren

The author MusicFren decided to post a fic they originally wrote for the Duck Prints Press Patreon to AO3, so now anyone can read it! This is a super cute story about two runaway pets becoming friends. You should check it out, and shower MusicFren in kudos.

Title: Downhill into Unfamiliar Territory

Author: MusicFren

Summary: A cat and a snake meet while on the run from their owners, and despite their differences, help each other come to terms with their upbringing.

Teaser:

“And get your dirty paws off of my tail!”

The small gray cat mews apologetically as she clambers off of the snake’s tail, slipping like a newborn taking her first steps in the world. She lands heavy in the tall grass, fur shimmering as it becomes damp with morning dew. With a shake, she sends droplets flying in all directions, a cascade of rainbows against the morning mist. Tongue flickering irritably, Sylvian shuts his eyes against the unwelcome barrage.

Give it a read!

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New Release: “Bubble, Bubble” by Sage Mooreland

Title: Bubble, Bubble

Author: Sage Mooreland

Genre: Modern

Rating: General Audience

Relationship: established relationship, f/f/m, family, parenthood, polyamory

Character Features: bipoc, bisexual, child, engineer Tags: fluff (domestic), halloween, kidfic, past tense, pov third person limited, pregnancy, slice of life

Teaser:

“Punk, if you don’t get your rear end down here, we’re not going to be able to go!” Charlotte called up the stairs. “I thought you wanted to do three blocks tonight?”

There was a muffled thump, some child-friendly cursing, and then running feet. “Mama, gimme a minute! Dad’s fixing my costume!”

Length: 9 pages/2,370 words

Price: 99 cents US

This story is too cute to pass by – check it out now!

Love fluffy queer stories? Why not take a peek at some of our other offerings, such as Got You Covered by D. V. Morse and The Problem with Wishes by Annabeth Lynch?

Who We Are: Duck Prints Press LLC is an independent publisher based in New York State. Our founding vision is to help fanfiction authors navigate the complex process of bringing their original works from first draft to print, culminating in publishing their work under our imprint. We are particularly dedicated to working with queer authors and publishing stories featuring characters from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Love what we do? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get previews, behind-the-scenes information, coupons, and more.

Through the month of January, 2023, all new monthly backers on our Patreon and ko-fi can claim a merchandise freebie in addition to all their backer rewards – which, depending on your backer level, could include a free copy of this story! Why not take a peek at what we have to offer?