While his mom finalized the divorce using a gas station payphone in the middle of nowhere Texas, Keaton met a girl. At least, that's how she appeared at first. Every year since then, she'd return as someone new, someone exciting, something that would disappear as quickly as she arrived. Now, on the cusp of his eighteenth birthday, Keaton has developed an obsession that rivals that of the mad captain Ahab. Despite his friends, family, and future on the line, Keaton will stop at nothing until he's answered the question that's grown like a wild weed in his mind; is it possible to catch a unicorn? (Paragraphs 1 and 20 were written and provided by Owl Canyon Press as a prompt to their 2019 short story contest.)

A phone call of apology turns out to be much more.

Meyer Brant has lived in the Outlands his entire life. Sometimes Traders bring magical artifacts from the Great Realms and other far off lands, but otherwise he is removed from the kings, sorcerers and magical creatures of the world. Instead, Meyer's biggest concern is enduring his daily Martial Training--a necessity in Vanroc, a town which lives in constant fear of Raiders. Yet one day during a sparring session, Meyer experiences a moment of supernatural strength, and his life is changed forever...

This is an older draft of THE STEPHANIE GLITCH for those who want a deeper look into my writing process. To read the whole novel, follow the new version on my profile. Thanks for all the support :)

In an old building, on the outskirts of a small town, three friends find comfort in the company of each other.