Epic Animal Fantasy Stories

Reader and writer of works centered around animals, preferably their believable POV.

[tawise-books]

SURPRISE! I'm doing a giveaway!

Here's what you could win:

☀︎ Two winners will receive a free copy of the paperback and a 12x18in canvas poster of the cover!

☀︎ One winner will receive a free copy of the hardback and an 18x12in canvas poster of the cover!

☀︎ ALL winners will receive lovely handmade stickers from the wonderful shop Animalia Designs Store (@animalia_designs )! I have my laptop decorated with some of their big cat stickers, and I love them! Please consider checking out their Etsy shop for anything else you might be interested in, as they donate 20% of their sales to a wildlife conservation charity! All winners will also receive a convenient reading light. :)

This giveaway will be presented on my other platforms to give all of my followers a fair chance.

(Instagram, Tumblr, TikTok, and Facebook - platforms are not affiliated with the giveaway)

USE THE GOOGLE FORM LINKED HERE TO ENTER!

There will be 3 winners, and each will be notified via email a week before the official release (August 3rd). Only the specifically marked questions are required. The rest of the survey is just for fun and will not influence who is picked or what prize they win.

Giveaway results will be announced on release day (August 10th).

Winners will be picked at random. If winners do not respond to the congratulatory email within three days of receipt, the win will be forfeited, and another will be chosen.

Rules:

* Must be 18 years or older to enter - No purchase necessary.

* Must be following me (on any platform for tawisebooks).

* Must share, repost, and tag a friend, or share any existing post to story (scouts honor)

Thank you for understanding!

GIVEAWAY ENDS - AUGUST 2ND - 11:59 PM PST

Please let me know if you run into any trouble with the form!

Someone cares about you out there!

Best, Teah

(we're gonna pretend the pictures aren't blurry)

[ellaurashoop]

And here I thought I couldn't be more excited for the release of A Lioness's Promise! c:

[tawise-books]

A LIONESS'S PROMISE - Novel by Teah Wise

On the merciless African savanna, where morals are fortuitous, a small lion pride persists under their young Matriarch, Nyathera. She and her three sisters live on after the tragic loss of their mother and father, navigating a new reality without their precious guidance. Nyathera’s unwavering desire to protect her Pride is constantly challenged by her brute sister, Mkali’s short temper. But when the Pride is suddenly overthrown by the crazed lion Mandla and his coalition, they suffer the most devastating tragedy yet: the deaths of their cubs. Conquered again by new Protectors, the lionesses’ resilience is shattered under the claws of Pride Law.

While Nyathera struggles to find her destiny as the Matriarch, an old promise and treasonous secrets threaten to tear away all she’s ever known. Mkali, grief-stricken and haunted by the shadows within her mind, exiles herself onto a vulnerable and unpredictable path of independence. As the sun sets on the savanna, both sisters must confront the unforgiving laws of survival or risk losing everything to darkness, including themselves.

Available August 10th, 2026

ART BY ANNA OBRECKA

Sign up and subscribe to the latest news here!

[ellaurashoop]

How am I supposed to wait until August 10th for this 😭

[ellaurashoop]

Welcome! I'm grateful you're here 🙏 There's a baby kitty in need of your help. If you're new to this page then please read.

Good morning friends 🌞 I'm here to ask for your help with a rescued animal yet again. Yesterday morning we discovered a little kitten crying desperately, hiding on top of the tyre of our van. For now we're calling him Monty and we've added him to our vet account. Already we love him to death but we aren't in the financial position to be able to afford another furbaby right now (we've already got 4 dogs and 4 cats and a guinea pig). The dogs love him too and I hate the thought of having to part with him.

We just rescued a puppy in March and Kaz is thriving but we had to use most of our savings to take care of him. Also it's about time for our other cats yearly check ups and updated shots which will cost around $130 a piece. We're completely strapped right now and I have nowhere else to turn but to ask for your generosity.

Monty is a sweet adorable perfect baby boy. He loves being petted and giving kisses. He's so gentle and energetic. I estimate that he's only about six weeks old. He definitely has worms and fleas and needs to go to the vet pronto. I did call the local Humane Society to see if they had the room and recourses to take care of him right now I'm still waiting to hear back. From the research I've done it seems that most places around here are filled and have no room for more kittens. I added food and treats and flea treatments to my chewy cart and it's already over $100. Without help I don't know what to do. Monty deserves the absolute world and I just want him to be healthy and safe.

The good news is that you can help.

The yearly kitten plan with neuter at the Front Porch Veterinary Clinic in Lumberton NC costs around $700 I believe with taxes. This would include his neuter (once he's old enough), all his shots, deworm treatment/testing, and all his office visits for the year. It might even include a microchip, I'm not sure. It's a great value for a whole year of treatment to make sure this baby boy is healthy and happy. If just 70 people donate $10 in the next few days then that treatment plan would be covered.

All you have to do is call the Front Porch Veterinary Clinic and ask to put money on Ellaura Shoop's account for the kitten Monty. You can donate any amount you choose and every donation is appreciated ❤️

Below you'll find the phone number and website of the Front Porch Veterinary Clinic. And if you don't have time to call or would rather handle everything simply/digitally you can always donate money directly to my PayPal which I'll also include the link to. Should any extra funds be generated via PayPal then I'll use them to purchase food, medicine not included in the veterinary health plan, and a bed for this little sweetheart.

Front Porch Veterinary Clinic:

[phone]

5791 Fayetteville Road Lumberton, NC 28360

https://frontporchvet.com/wellness-care-for-pets/

PayPal:

https://www.paypal.me/EllauraShoop

[email protected]

While Monty seems healthy and energetic he could have underlying health issues that we don't know about yet. Your donation could make the difference in saving of this innocence, heaven-sent miracle 🫶

Please, please, please donate if you can. I wouldn't ask if we genuinely didn't need the support. I'm not sure whether Monty was a stray or dumped but he deserves so much happiness in his little life. I can't even explain how much I love him. I was thinking of recording a video to ask for help but I don't trust myself to be able to talk through my tears. He's an angel and we're blessed to have him.

I know we can do this if we work together. All it should take is 70 people being generous enough to give $10. The clinic is aware of my fundraising attempts and are ready for your call. They're lovely people and it's a wonderful clinic. The clinic closes at 5:30 pm today. If we can raise the money before then then I can schedule Monty an appointment for tomorrow 🎉

Either way I'll keep you all updated and feel free to drop you name if you want tagged in the next Monty post.

Even if you're unable to donate at this time please share. Thank you all so much and I wish you and your furfamilies well 💛

If you have any other recommendations on how to raise money, or help and support Monty please let me know 🐾

You can now also help to save/nurture baby Monty by donating an item from this list. Please and thank you 🙏

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3NADROF6URCFA?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ggr-subnav-share_8XWNW8FCNAHCXAX7H5D7&language=en-US

[ellaurashoop]

Guess I'm back in my Warrior cats obsession era. Recorded this a few months back and edited it today, made me hunger for the books. Anyway decided to post this review of Warriors: Dawn of The Clans Book One- The Sun Trail. If you like cats, rambling, warriors, or Erin Hunter (the author of aforementioned book) check out this podcast. It's free on Substack 🤷🏼‍♀️

https://open.substack.com/pub/themeerseries/p/warriors-the-sun-trail

[ellaurashoop]

Patroclus: “If only it had been me who died.”

Achilles: “You did.”

[ellaurashoop]

My flower did not grow for you to pluck.

"Persephone Will Never Apologize" a short poem by Ellaura Shoop

[ellaurashoop]

"Tribute" free novella on Ko-fi by Ellaura Shoop

Tribute: A YA Retelling of Ikarus Novella - Ellaura Shoop's Ko-fi Shop

A high stakes reimagining of the Icarus myth, combined and layered with that of Theseus and The Minotaur. Join Ikarus as he enters the dread

[ellaurashoop]

Do you enjoy my poetry or writing? Please consider donating ❤️

Looking for a way to support an indie author? Donate to my Ko-fi goal! Anything, no matter whether it's big or small, is appreciated and helps more than you know ❤️

Thank you all for your support and make sure you follow me for updates

Don't forget to check out the free novella and lineart I have on ko-fi as well!

https://ko-fi.com/ellaurashoop/goal?g=0

Buy Ellaura Shoop a Coffee

Become a supporter of Ellaura Shoop today!

[smokey07]

Tell me more about Achilles and Diomedes being foils 🧎‍♀️‍➡️

Ohohoho

You’re in for a ride my friend. Buckle up.

Let’s start at the beginning.

Achilles, a demigod, was born with the prophecy that he would be greater than his father ever be.

Diomedes was born with the responsibility to finish whatever his father left behind and his father was sometimes considered greater than him. There is no guarantee for greatness like Achilles.

Both of their fathers were both great and established heroes.

They both had deities watching over and actively protecting them since they were small: Thetis and Athena. Thetis was however Achilles’ mother. Her involvement was out of love, Athena was a bit more conditional like a football coach.

During the recruitment of the war, Diomedes was a willing participant as he was often listed as a suitor. Achilles had nothing to do with it. His participation was for his own kleos rather than an oath bound and/or honor.

Both of them joined the war with their close brother in arms/companions. (For Achilles it was more complicated with Patroclus but whatever it’s not important here)

In the Iliad Diomedes was the main attack force for half of the book as the stand in and Achilles/Patroclus occupied the other half after Diomedes was injured. He also showed he acted differently from Achilles: a bit more reserved and goal oriented. He would spare people if they served a greater purpose (Odysseus during the Palladium heist), he would not rebuke Agamemnon but let him do what he wanted as long was it did not affect anything major, he volunteered in various missions other than those in the battlefield. Notably in book 9, when they failed to convince Achilles he was the one who was aware of this outcome, which was to me very telling. They didn’t seem to be close but i guess there could be some level of understanding.

Achilles did not outlive the war but Diomedes fucking did. He got shot by Paris and dropped dead while Diomedes trashed talk Paris and walked away (albeit injured).

In the end in some versions Diomedes made peace with his enemy (Aeneas) and later deified. A mortal became a god and the god died as a mortal.

Their story just imo run opposite directions.

[ellaurashoop]

𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘰𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘱. “𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤. 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.”

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘦𝘵.” 𝘖𝘳𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘶𝘴’ 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱.

"The Music of Bees" a short story by Ellaura Shoop

ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕨!

https://www.patreon.com/posts/music-of-bees-126522244

[ellaurashoop]

You cannibalized our flesh

Now our footprints eat the world.

"Prophecy of Kronos' Children Fulfilled" poem by Ellaura Shoop

[ellaurashoop]

You show your love with fear and I

Swallow it.

Poem "Kronos to Rhea" by Ellaura Shoop

[ellaurashoop]

I am used to knowing you through absence

And the scent of foam you leave behind.

Poem "Psyche to Eros" by Ellaura Shoop

[thehopefulquotes]

“It’s a frightening thought, that in one fraction of a moment you can fall in the kind of love that takes a lifetime to get over.”

— Beau Taplin

[ellaurashoop]

Excerpt from We Can't All Be Kings: A novel of The Trojan War

[madtzi]

Top reasons the Odyssey is a comedy, a sequel to my previous tirade

- Telemachus telling his mother to shut up in the most savage ways, many, many times

- Everybody, and I mean everybody, crying 24/7, at the slightest inconvenience, every other page

- Odysseus rolling around on the ground and crying after Circe tells him he has to go to the underworld while she sits awkwardly and watches. I am not kidding. Why.

- Odysseus making up ludicrous, stupid fake life stories to everyone he encounters on the way. This is a choice. There was absolutely no reason for those stories to be so detailed. He just really enjoys identity fraud, I guess.

- Calypso crashing out when Hermes gets to her island and going on an extremely dramatic and tearful rant about the unfair double standards of the pantheon while Hermes watches with a bucket of popcorn

- Telemachus’ fragile masculinity shattering into a million pieces every 2 pages

- Nestor. Everything about this guy. At this point the guy is like 300 years old. He’s the Heimerdinger of the Trojan cycle. Nestor x Heimerdinger fanfiction when?

- Odysseus’ crew actively ruining every chance they have at getting home because of their consistent stupidity

- Aeolus having twelve kids and marrying them off to each other. Which is lowkey kind of genius, because all dowries from the marriage would go to himself. But he would also have to provide the dowries… which he then would give to himself. So I guess, not genius?

- Aeolus then refusing to help Odysseus again when he comes back to the island after his men opened the wind bag because Aeolus realizes that the only way someone can be this unlucky is if they were cursed but the gods. In other words he turned Odysseus down because he thought he was jinxed. Odysseus x Jinx fanfiction when? (JKJK)

- Ajax’s ghost refusing to talk to Odysseus in the underworld because he’s still sore about losing the funeral games.

- Achilles’ ghost telling Odysseus that being dead sucks. Yah no shite Achilles.

- Menelaus recognizing Telemachus because his feet looked like Odysseus’ feet. This is an actual thing that happens. I am not making this up. Why. How do you even make that connection.

-Helen drugging all of her guests by spiking their wine, including Telemachus and Peistratus.

- The guests being lowkey chill with getting drugged.

- Menelaus takes 8 years to get back home from the Trojan war, but nobody cares because Odysseus took longer. Seriously, we need a Menelassey.

- Odysseus, upon reuniting with Penelope in disguise, makes up a fake identity and tells a story of how he met himself, then proceeds to describe himself in great detail. Ody. Dude. That’s egotistical asf.

- Eurymachus, one of Penelope’s suitors, throws a stool at beggar Odysseus. He catches it, like an absolute chad.

- At Phaeaicia, Odysseus asks the bard to tell the story of the Trojan horse. Which he came up with. Again, egotistical much?

- Constant shade being thrown at Clytemnestra and Aegisthus throughout the entire book, by everyone. And I mean everyone.

- Odysseus immediately passing out on the ship from Phaeacia to Ithaca. Honestly would have done the same.

- Naussica being an absolute girlboss and not giving a f*ck about the scraggly homeless man who just washed up on her shores.

- Penelope having a 20 year long self care day

- Roughly 20% of the book is Odysseus’ journey. The rest is hilarious filler and npc interactions.

At this point I’m convinced that Homer wrote his epics to troll everyone.

[madtzi]

Top moments that prove the Iliad is a comedy

- ‘Ares slapped both his sturdy thighs in grief’. This is an actual quote in the book. I am not making this up. I now cannot get this mental image out of my mind. Ares does this when he finds out his son died. Why. Why.

- Everyone except for Diomedes consistently, constantly, and mercilessly hating on Thersites. Fair enough, I hate him too. (Who doesn’t?)

-Menelaus gets slightly grazed in the leg by a Trojan soldier. Agamemnon freaks out and prematurely prepares a dramatic eulogy for his brother, who is alive and literally standing next to him

(Agamemnon: I can’t believe my brother is dead.

Menelaus: Dude, I’m fine. I’m right here.

Agamemnon: Sometimes it’s like I can still hear his voice)

- Odysseus telling Achilles to shut the hell up and sit his ass down because Odysseus is older and smarter and Achilles is being a little bitch.

- This works

- Athena rigging the funeral games to make Odysseus win

- Greater Ajax gets salty that Odysseus is winning and says that Athena is hovering over him like his mother (Great Ajax pulls the ‘ur mom’ card)

- Agamemnon getting a dream telling him he should attack Troy and waking up every Greek general at 3 am because he had a dream. The other generals are, naturally, pissed at Agamemnon for waking them.

- Nestor. Everything about this guy. His sass, his stupid long rants, everything. Why is he even here? The dude’s like 80 years old. And he has like 300 sons. AND he’s still alive in the odyssey, is this guy indestructible ? Nestor deserves to retire.

- Odysseus and Diomedes going on a completely random and unnecessary metal gear solid mission in the middle of the night. Did nothing to advance the plot, but it was fun so I’m here for it.

- Odysseus (on said mission) promises Dolon that they’re not going to kill him if Dolon gives him information about the Trojan camp. Diomedes then immediately decapitates Dolon.

- Achilles mourning for Patroclus by covering himself in dust. I appreciate the homoeroticism, but can we be a little more aware of our personal hygiene?

- Incredibly long, convoluted, unnecessary descriptions of background ncps - their heritage, their armour, what their father did ten years before they were born - only for them to die in on the second page.

- Helen being incredibly passive aggressive the entire book

- Diomedes being an absolute UNIT on the battlefield. This man is cooking the Trojans harder than Gordon Ramsey cooks people who mess up a crème brûlée.

- Diomedes meeting a Trojan man in the middle of his rampage and realizing that their grandfathers met each other once. They immediately become best buddies and trade armour, except the Trojan man gets totally scammed.

- Goddam bucket lists

- Hera seducing Zeus into sleeping with her so that the Greeks will start winning

- Athena giving Diomedes a power-up during battle and telling him not to mess with any gods, except Aphrodite, because she’s a wimp.

There’s more, trust, one day I’ll make a part two

[ellaurashoop]

Absolutely dying this is so true