Adult dark fantasy writer. !!!!!. Hype. Kitschy grunge. They/them. Cetacean needed. Reads more books than you (probably) || ICE UPON A PIER out now || THE FEALTY OF MONSTERS (March 2024)
My name is Jo, publishing as Ladz, and my pronouns are they/them. I write genre fiction, whether it's dark fantasy, horror, fantasy, or some mélange of all three. They're all intended for adult audiences, and I recommend checking out the content warnings for each before diving in.
While I do try to share updates on my writing, this tumblr is mostly a space for me to find inspiration and quotes I relate to, get excited about the media I love, and boost work from my friends.
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Learn more about my work below!
Work Available Now
Ice Upon a Pier (April 11, 2023)
A novella that's a retelling of the life and crimes of Richard Kuklinski. A lesbian contract killer indulges in an interview about the ways she's used ice magic to freeze time and get away with literal murder.
The Fealty of Monsters Volume 1 (March 12, 2024)
Art by @t-hornapple. A gothic horror political fantasy retelling of the Russian Revolution with queers and vampires. Sasza Czarnolaski serves a human court, but no one knows he's a vampire. Sasza quickly learns that he will do anything to preserve peace in the Empire–including giving in to the monstrosity he spent so many years concealing from even himself.
The Cradle of Eternal Night (October 22, 2024)
Art by @pompoison. A standalone sapphic horror romantasy in which a bard and a witch fall in love on a quest to bring the light back to their dark world. Sapphic, magical, and tense, perfect for fans of Dark Souls and grumpy x sunshine romance.
Upcoming
The Institute of Manners (The Fealty of Monsters Volume 2 (20??)
Art by @t-hornapple. The revolution is paused for now as our main cast goes to graduate school. Lessons include avoiding assassination attempts, uncovering the secrets of a despot, and staying on top of the rumors of a horror-worshipping cult and anti-imperial activities alike.
I also have a whole bevy of short stories on my itch account, which is the best place to get my work if you want to leave a tip.
My author newsletter update twice a month - on the 1st and sometime between the 13th and 18th. The first is all updates, the second usually talks about insight from writing, sales, new work, and both include a picture of my cat.
Feel free to ask me anything regarding my books, my short fiction, my self-publishing journey and anything else you'd care to know about!
all right mutuals and followers, if you want to see OUR CRIMSON CAGE's cover and eARC request form before anyone else, I'll be sending out the newsletter around midnight CT tonight
I was looking up facts about Cormorants to find a title for this and found out about the liver bird a mythological creature from liverpool that is literally just a cormorant which I find kinda funny
❣️ Folk horror ❣️ Polish history ❣️ Toxic lesbian vampires
OUR CRIMSON CAGE is an F/F/F retelling of CARMILLA in which the lady of the house must reckon with a new maid and the beast dwelling in the basement in 1850s Poland
Cover reveal June 11th, subscribe to my newsletter
some hyper famous artists like Van Gogh transcend overratedness and become underrated because they're so normalized. Like I'll look at a van Gogh and I'm like wait this really is amazing you guys don't get it
@jonphaedrus tagged me to share the latest bit I wrote, so enjoy this quote from THE GREAT AND THE GILDED, my dark fantasy that I'm writing for the Golden Spring Showers Dash
Her stream stops, but she gives one last squeeze in her groin. The final drops plop into the rest of the collection. The offering swirls in a darker yellow. She could do better with hydration. Though blessings are crafted from all worship, the most potent come from the purest of prayers. She hopes it will suffice, a small part of the blessing to be crafted has touched her as well.
