For shop girl Evin, alchemy is an understood part of life. She learned how to brew superior potions at a young age and can't imagine her life without the use of Alertness, For General Pain, and Menstrual Cramp Cure. Though already apprenticed to a local master alchemist, she can't help feeling that there might be more for her to achieve. In a different part of the continent, Master Bricot teaches alchemy at the University of Craestor and is working feverishly at his residency project--translating the sacred document The Facerum--when a student of his approaches him seeking help on an unprecedented issue. And south of Craestor in Daitak Capital, the Seat of the World, Emperor Regent Bryn Beynon can't stand potions or those who make and sell them, believing their use, especially martially, to be barbaric and cruel. His first act when coming of age will be to begin imposing legal strictures on the use and sale of such items. Out in the Wilds of Tief, Craix, who travels alone, has never been safe. Not since she was born. Forever trying to evade her pursuers, she travels across the country, constantly intercepting important messages. And over all people in the realm of Heladrith, a pantheon of powerful gods sits in judgement and benevolence, silent for centuries--but not for much longer. Potent is an original, third-person omniscient, past-tense, low fantasy tale with an ensemble cast of approximately eight characters of different genders, orientations, colors, and classes. --Seeking beta readers for this manuscript! Please comment and leave feedback!--

Elly would give anything to have her life resemble a Hallmark movie. She longs for her happily-ever-after: a proposal by her boyfriend, a big raise at the perfect job, and a fat inheritance from her great-aunt. Instead, she finds herself alone, broke, and sorting through a storage unit filled with worthless junk. But life can change in an instant. When Elly opens a decade-old envelope addressed to her, she discovers it contains an astonishing monetary gift. Elly's prospects soar. Then she learns she can't cash the long-expired check. What's more, she's never heard of her benefactor: a woman who claims the money is honoring a long-ago favor by Elly's grandmother. Hoping to alleviate her financial straits and find a connection to her long-deceased family, Elly embarks on a search for the mystery woman. Trouble is, she doesn't know if chasing this particular rainbow will result in a pot of gold--or yet another crushing disappointment. This was my entry for the Open Novella Contest. I made it through the first two rounds, but didn't finish to qualify for the final round. It's also the prequel to "The Marvels of Prairie Creek." :D

Do you prefer your magic with one or two sugars? Or maybe with a nip of whisky? Days before their father's 70th Drunkening, brothers Artemis and Oleander Trevellian learn that the price of their usual gift -- two barrels of magic -- has skyrocketed, putting it well beyond their meager budget. Rather than find another present (what else do you get the pirate who has everything?), the two set off on a rollicking adventure across the whole of the Grunnic Isles to discover what's caused the shortage. Without their Da knowing about it, of course. From Sei'ne Heasley and 2017 Watty Award winner Leigh Heasley.