Shadow Spark Publishing is releasing Cozyish, an anthology of stories with cozy elements. I’ve never really written cozy before. The closest I’ve come is my alternate Beatles story “Liverpool Band Battle 1982” which was published in the excellent anthology Across the Universe way back in 2019. I’m not cozy. Far from it. I’m all trauma and angst and bitter black coffee.
But I had a story for Shadow Spark, one set in a fantasy world I created when I was a teenager. Behold the Kingdom of Zaerol, a place where magic is technology, chivalry is not dead, and weirdness reigns. In this world, a little satyr named Kosmo barely ekes out a living at his father’s gyro stand. Kosmo’s got big dreams, and they involve Bethany, a human woman he fancies. When the family business is in trouble, Kosmo must enter a dancing contest and win the five dollar prize. There are two problems: 1. He’s a satyr in a place where satyrs are shunned, and 2. He can’t dance. Our goat boy has two left hooves when it comes to human dances.
But with Bethany’s help, even miracles are possible, and Kosmo can use all the miracles he can get.
“Satyrday Night Fiver” is a whimsical story about finding your passion while battling prejudice and discrimination. And executing sick dance moves. And it appears in Cozyish alongside stories by Ashley Anglin, Erika McCorkle, M.A. Phillips, Salem Wolf, Kori Valley, Jade Black, Valerie Storm, Kaitlin Corvus, Mariah Norris, Azshure Raine, and Kassidy Coursey!
And the best part? It’s coming out on June 21! I’ll post more details and a link where you can order the ebook and paperback next month.
Before I go, here’s an illustration by the super talented Claire Lesley I commissioned for the story. Enjoy!
Eric Avedissian 