After escaping a stalled elevator into a zombie apocalypse, Emily must learn how to trust people again or risk losing everything in this terrifying world. ***** For Emily, every day of the last two years have been a blur. She keeps her head down, takes her college courses online, and only goes out to work at her mandatory internship. But all that changes on the day the office elevator breaks down, leaving her trapped when the screams begin. And when the doors finally open, revealing a dystopian world ruined by bloody teeth and disease, Emily is launched into a terrifying run for her life, caught between the strangers she's not sure she can trust and the man-eating monsters that hunger for her flesh. Now she must learn not only how to survive in this new and dangerous world, but also how to overcome her own inner demons before they cost her something more precious than her life. [[Wattys' Shortlist]] [[Promoted by AMC]] Content and/or Trigger Warning: The story contains some gore, violence, strong language, and dark themes. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]

Aerith always believed she was an ordinary mortal-clumsy, geeky, and completely out of place in the world. But on the eve of her 18th birthday, she discovers a shocking truth: she's no ordinary girl, but the long-lost daughter of the Fates, destined to rule the Underworld as Hades' queen. Thrown into the realm of gods and monsters, Aerith must learn to navigate her new life among immortal beings, where loyalty and power shift like the winds. Tutored by gods, pursued by ancient rivalries, and bound to Hades-a brooding, powerful god who's been waiting for her for centuries-Aerith faces the daunting challenge of learning how to rule an entire realm while still figuring out how to be herself. Can she rise to the challenge of ruling alongside the enigmatic Hades, or will the forces that oppose her destiny tear their fated union apart? With humor, heart, and a touch of magic, Aerith must learn the ropes of royalty and love in a world where even the gods themselves play by their own rules. How to be a Queen is a fun and fresh take on Greek mythology, blending romance, adventure, and self-discovery into an unforgettable journey through the immortal world.