Leila
@leilaammartin.bsky.social
Author: fantasy novels & dark fairy tales
free weekly shorts & monthly newsletter
leilaammartin.com/links
free weekly shorts & monthly newsletter
leilaammartin.com/links
New #TuesdayShort story, in which a witch makes a living banishing ogres from appreciative villages. Sort of.
The Witch and the Ogre
In which a witch makes a living banishing ogres from appreciative villages. Sort of.
leilaammartin.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:44 AM
New #TuesdayShort story, in which a witch makes a living banishing ogres from appreciative villages. Sort of.
Thanks, universe, I guess
On taking "write what you know" to a whole new level. Excerpted from my October newsletter.
On taking "write what you know" to a whole new level. Excerpted from my October newsletter.
Thanks, universe, I guess
On taking "write what you know" to a whole new level. Excerpted from my October newsletter.
leilaammartin.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Thanks, universe, I guess
On taking "write what you know" to a whole new level. Excerpted from my October newsletter.
On taking "write what you know" to a whole new level. Excerpted from my October newsletter.
New #TuesdayShort, in which a princess gets in over her head with a mermaid...in several ways. #ShortStory #AmWriting #FreeShort #FreeStory #ToxicLesbianMermaids #Fantasy #DarkFantasy
Haven
In which a princess gets in over her head with a mermaid...in several ways.
leilaammartin.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:31 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a princess gets in over her head with a mermaid...in several ways. #ShortStory #AmWriting #FreeShort #FreeStory #ToxicLesbianMermaids #Fantasy #DarkFantasy
New #TuesdayShort, in which a king sends his only child into isolation in a wizard's tower, and doesn't see what could go wrong. #AmWriting #ShortStory #Wizard #Princess #Fantasy Credit to @punkeydoodles8 for the inspiration ;)
Princess in the Tower
In which a king sends his only child into isolation in a wizard's tower, and doesn't see what could go wrong.
leilaammartin.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:06 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a king sends his only child into isolation in a wizard's tower, and doesn't see what could go wrong. #AmWriting #ShortStory #Wizard #Princess #Fantasy Credit to @punkeydoodles8 for the inspiration ;)
New #TuesdayShort, in which a farmer finds that kindness is much more rewarding—and safer—than dominion in a world where women and other supernatural creatures bite back. #ShortStory #FreeStory #QuickRead #SpookyRead #SpicyRead #ShortSpice #Romantasy #DarkRomance
Lord Sannas’s Regret
In which a farmer finds that kindness is much more rewarding—and safer—than dominion in a world where women and other supernatural creatures bite back.
leilaammartin.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a farmer finds that kindness is much more rewarding—and safer—than dominion in a world where women and other supernatural creatures bite back. #ShortStory #FreeStory #QuickRead #SpookyRead #SpicyRead #ShortSpice #Romantasy #DarkRomance
New #TuesdayShort, in which the son of a silent father learns the secret that has his whole bloodline by the throat. Read the beginning at leilaammartin.com/shorts, and subscribe (it's free!) to read the whole thing.
The Silent Kings of Keseviel
In which the son of a silent father learns the secret that has his whole bloodline by the throat.
leilaammartin.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:12 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which the son of a silent father learns the secret that has his whole bloodline by the throat. Read the beginning at leilaammartin.com/shorts, and subscribe (it's free!) to read the whole thing.
New blog post today: an exploration of product vs process and the rewards of refusing to outsource creativity and skill. This is a partial repost of content from my free email newsletter. Sign up so you don't miss out on the full post next month! #AI #Creativity #CreativeProcess
Is generative AI killing creativity?
An exploration of product vs process and the rewards of refusing to outsource creativity and skill.
leilaammartin.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:31 AM
New blog post today: an exploration of product vs process and the rewards of refusing to outsource creativity and skill. This is a partial repost of content from my free email newsletter. Sign up so you don't miss out on the full post next month! #AI #Creativity #CreativeProcess
New #TuesdayShort, in which travelers learn about the tucked-away village of Wizard's Cove, where one magician's mishap is only the beginning of an unlikely love story and the town that grew up around it. #AmWriting #ShortStory #FictionalTravelGuide
Waves and Roots
In which travelers learn about the tucked-away village of Wizard's Cove, where one magician's mishap is only the beginning of an unlikely love story and the town that grew up around it.
leilaammartin.com
October 7, 2025 at 9:40 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which travelers learn about the tucked-away village of Wizard's Cove, where one magician's mishap is only the beginning of an unlikely love story and the town that grew up around it. #AmWriting #ShortStory #FictionalTravelGuide
Planning to pick up CALDERWOOD? Here's a list of mood music for every chapter. Happy reading! #CalderwoodNovel #NewReleaseashtag/NewRelease" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#NewRelease #IndieBook #IndieAuthor #IndiePublishing #Gothic="/hashtag/GothicFantasy" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#GothicFantasy #GothicRomance #Gothic #SpookyRead #SpookySeason #FallBooks #NewRelease
Calderwood: a curated playlist
A list of mood-setting songs for every chapter of CALDERWOOD, available now in e-book and paperback!
leilaammartin.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Planning to pick up CALDERWOOD? Here's a list of mood music for every chapter. Happy reading! #CalderwoodNovel #NewReleaseashtag/NewRelease" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#NewRelease #IndieBook #IndieAuthor #IndiePublishing #Gothic="/hashtag/GothicFantasy" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#GothicFantasy #GothicRomance #Gothic #SpookyRead #SpookySeason #FallBooks #NewRelease
New #TuesdayShort this week, in which a girl is taken from an orphanage only to find that her benefactor is...not as advertised. #AmWriting #ShortStory #GothicHorror #DarkFairyTale #FreeStory
Guest
In which a girl is taken from an orphanage only to find that her benefactor is...not as advertised.
leilaammartin.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:50 AM
New #TuesdayShort this week, in which a girl is taken from an orphanage only to find that her benefactor is...not as advertised. #AmWriting #ShortStory #GothicHorror #DarkFairyTale #FreeStory
New #TuesdayShort, in which which Penny follows her gut, meets her final fortune, and digs up more than she bargained for. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory
Under the Spreading Willow (part 2)
In which Penny follows her gut, meets her final fortune, and digs up more than she bargained for.
leilaammartin.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:18 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which which Penny follows her gut, meets her final fortune, and digs up more than she bargained for. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory
New #TuesdayShort, in which high school senior Penny goes on a date, gets three predictions, and starts to wonder if fortune tellers really do know something we don't. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory
Under the Spreading Willow (part 1)
In which high school senior Penny goes on a date, gets three predictions, and starts to wonder if fortune tellers really do know something we don't.
leilaammartin.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:04 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which high school senior Penny goes on a date, gets three predictions, and starts to wonder if fortune tellers really do know something we don't. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory
New #TuesdayShort today, in which a new kid moves to town and makes friends with someone unexpected. CW for dismemberment, disfigured/monster anatomy, and flesh-eating. Also emo boys with guitars playing Zeppelin. #AmWriting #ShortStory #WritingCommunity #FreeShort #Readef="/hashtag/ReadStories" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#ReadStories #Read #Horror
New Blood
In which a new kid moves to town and makes friends with someone unexpected. CW for dismemberment, disfigured/monster anatomy, and flesh-eating. Also emo boys with guitars playing Zeppelin.
leilaammartin.com
September 9, 2025 at 9:27 AM
New #TuesdayShort today, in which a new kid moves to town and makes friends with someone unexpected. CW for dismemberment, disfigured/monster anatomy, and flesh-eating. Also emo boys with guitars playing Zeppelin. #AmWriting #ShortStory #WritingCommunity #FreeShort #Readef="/hashtag/ReadStories" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#ReadStories #Read #Horror
New #TuesdayShort, in which a con man fools around and finds out. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory #QuickRead
Resurrectionist
In which a con man fools around and finds out.
leilaammartin.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:11 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a con man fools around and finds out. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory #QuickRead
New #TuesdayShort, in which a captive princess becomes something more. Read it at leilaammartin.com/shorts #AmWriting #ShortStory #FreeStory #QuickRead #WritingCommunity
Pirate Queen
In which a captive princess becomes something more.
leilaammartin.com
August 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a captive princess becomes something more. Read it at leilaammartin.com/shorts #AmWriting #ShortStory #FreeStory #QuickRead #WritingCommunity
New #TuesdayShort, in which a prince learns the value of leaving well enough alone. Content warnings for weapons, bones, ritual self-sacrifice, excruciating terminal illness. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FreeShort #ShortStory
Sacred Flame
In which a prince learns the value of leaving well enough alone. Content warnings for weapons, bones, ritual self-sacrifice, excruciating terminal illness.
leilaammartin.com
August 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a prince learns the value of leaving well enough alone. Content warnings for weapons, bones, ritual self-sacrifice, excruciating terminal illness. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FreeShort #ShortStory
New #TuesdayShort, in which a man chases a fairy and learns his lesson. #ShortStory #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FreeStory
Besenschieber
In which a man chases a fairy and learns his lesson.
leilaammartin.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a man chases a fairy and learns his lesson. #ShortStory #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FreeStory
New blog post up, on being a writer with debilitating anxiety, and how it's affected my creative process. Read it at leilaammartin.com/shorts #anxiety #AmWriting #WritingLife #WritingProcess #MentalHealth #Creativity
Writing with anxiety…and sometimes, not
On being a writer with debilitating anxiety, and how it's affected my creative process.
leilaammartin.com
August 9, 2025 at 7:44 PM
New blog post up, on being a writer with debilitating anxiety, and how it's affected my creative process. Read it at leilaammartin.com/shorts #anxiety #AmWriting #WritingLife #WritingProcess #MentalHealth #Creativity
New #TuesdayShort, in which a young man hates his sister...until he follows her into the woods and finds out the truth. Read it at leilaammartin.com/shorts. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory #Horror
Into the Woods
In which a young man hates his sister...until he follows her into the woods and finds out the truth. Content warnings inside.
leilaammartin.com
August 5, 2025 at 9:32 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a young man hates his sister...until he follows her into the woods and finds out the truth. Read it at leilaammartin.com/shorts. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory #Horror
New #TuesdayShort, in which a young woman is selected to play a part and finds out what happens when myths have their roots in reality. #AmWriting #ShortStory #WritingCommunity
Summer Queen
In which a young woman is selected to play a part and finds out what happens when myths have their roots in reality.
leilaammartin.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:21 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a young woman is selected to play a part and finds out what happens when myths have their roots in reality. #AmWriting #ShortStory #WritingCommunity
New #TuesdayShort, in which a boy opens a magic door to the world he's always dreamed of. #ShortStory #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FreeStory
Wind-riders
In which a boy opens a magic door to the world he's always dreamed of.
leilaammartin.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:53 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a boy opens a magic door to the world he's always dreamed of. #ShortStory #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #FreeStory
New #TuesdayShort, in which a prince who always gets what he wants eventually gets more than he bargained for, and faces the justice of a pack of angry women. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory
Alaric and the Faceless Man
In which a prince who always gets what he wants eventually gets more than he bargained for, and faces the justice of a pack of angry women.
leilaammartin.com
July 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a prince who always gets what he wants eventually gets more than he bargained for, and faces the justice of a pack of angry women. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #ShortStory
New #TuesdayShort, in which a student chases the legend of a saint to find the darkness at the heart of her school...or does it find her?
Saint Azret’s Mirror
In which a student chases the legend of a saint to find the darkness at the heart of her school...or does it find her?
leilaammartin.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
New #TuesdayShort, in which a student chases the legend of a saint to find the darkness at the heart of her school...or does it find her?
I used to think I hated unreliable narrators, until I realized what I need from them.
Writing an unreliable narrator? Do this one thing.
I used to think I hated unreliable narrators, until I realized what I need from them.
leilaammartin.com
July 5, 2025 at 9:59 AM
I used to think I hated unreliable narrators, until I realized what I need from them.