Summer Time Seasonal Reads 2026: Cross the Threshold into Adventure

The days are longer. The nights are warm. And somewhere between the pool float and the last slice of watermelon, there's a book waiting to pull you into another world.

Welcome to Summer Time Seasonal Reads — Undawnted's summer reading program, running June 1st through August 31st. If Spring Dreams was Act I of the Hero's Journey (the Beginning of the Adventure), Summer Time is Act II: Crossing the Threshold. This is the season where the ordinary world falls away, the mentor appears, and the real adventure begins.

Whether you're looking for werewolves, spellcasters, saints, or desert-soaked poetry, here's your guide to what's waiting for you this summer.

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Fiction

Novels

A Known Wolf — Book I of The FellNon potes effugere praeteritum. You cannot escape the past. Urban explorer Morgan Middleton lives an exciting, solitary life — until a chance encounter with a stranger sets her on a collision course with two estranged brothers, a security chief, and a ferocious wolf spirit that will not stop until it's appeased. Part of Undawnted's Exclusive Legacy Universe.

Immortal Spellcaster Kaitlin Rose Lane doesn't officially exist — at least not on paper. When a girl goes missing at a local campground, her mentor, Sheriff Robert Zilenski, calls in the best tracker he knows. Between a federal taskforce, department politics, and calls from the other side, Kaitlin has to figure out who she can trust before she can find out who — and what — she really is.

Saint (Extended Trilogy Edition) Eavanlee Lewis discovers she comes from a supernatural line of Saints — and nothing about her life will ever be ordinary again.

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Novelettes

Saint in the Big Easy What happens when you discover the only person who can save you is you?

Saint in Communion Communion is more than a destination — it's a Saint's only refuge.

Saint in the Devil You Know When clergy and demons work for the same team, it's always the devil you know.

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Short Stories

The Story of Excalibur Where did the sword come from? Discover the legend behind the legend.

The Initiation Eliza Chisum volunteers to reorient the space-time continuum and save her family — set in the world of The Reality Hackers.

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Lyrical Prose

The Jonah Collector Don't be the weakest link.

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Poetry

Chapbooks

Effloresce Escape into poetry with this dynamic chapbook exploring nature's volatility.

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Long Form Poetry

The Rain: Monsoon in the Desert Immerse yourself in the desert Southwest in this folk narrative — a perfect companion for a warm night on the porch.

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Special Editions

Legendary, Summer Time First chapters and other writings — a sampler for readers who want a taste of what's ahead before diving in.

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Why Summer Time?

Every Undawnted reading season maps onto a stage of the Hero's Journey. Summer Time is about crossing the threshold — that moment when a character (and a reader) leaves the world they know and steps into the unknown, guided by a mentor who shows them the way. It's fitting territory for stories about mentors, hidden lineages, and characters discovering they're capable of more than they ever realized.

Grab a cold drink, find some shade, and start your adventure. Full details on all Undawnted seasonal reading programs — Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter — can be found on the Summer Time Seasonal Reads page.

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Looking for more? Check out Autumn Cider Season Reads, Winter Frost Seasonal Reads, and Spring Dreams Seasonal Reads to plan your reading year around Undawnted.

Press Release: 12 Angry Dead Author Interviewed by Joseph Carrabis

12 Angry Dead is my short story for Tales from the Hanging Tree. Joseph Carrabis asked fellow "hangers," as he calls contributors, about my creative write for his website. 

 

Read more here.

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What is this story about? 

It is about: 

When the souls of the wronged rise to avenge their premature deaths, is there anyone who can stand against them? 

 

Marilla Gibbs, an heiress and a director of the historical museum, is a descendant of Aida Worthington, a victim of one of these unjust homicides. The mid-1800s was a tumultuous time, especially with figures like Josiah King, who took lives with impunity. 

 

In the afterlife, his victims came together to form a jury. On All Hallows Eve, when the veil separating the living from the dead is at its thinnest, Aida and eleven other spirits took control of their descendants to confront their killer, who is now a seven-year-old boy.

 

With the aid of her assistant, Shaun, and Justin, the child's father, Marilla seeks to outmaneuver the twelve angry dead. Yet, will their combined efforts be sufficient to redirect the course from vengeance to authentic justice? 

The trio soon realizes that no one can escape a past life. 

Go to 12 Angry Dead's page. 

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What is the interview about? 

You will learn:

• Why I chose to write this cryptid, horror, mystery tale. 
• What relevance the story has to my own journey. 
• How no one can escape their past lives.

Read more here. 

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Quote from the Interview

Real or not, there are tales from centuries hence and into the recent past that illustrate the horrors that humans can inflict on one another. 12 Angry Dead pursues the idea that karma follows us from lifetime to lifetime. Some karma is about balancing one experience with another. Not all karma is about revenge, as is espoused by the spiritual community. Karma ties an individual to energies that also restores them to their soul’s purpose.

Read more here. 

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Support Great Artists 

Read my story, 12 Angry Dead, at your next Halloween party!  

Buy your copy of the Tales from the Hanging Tree on Amazon and other fine retailers: 

DL's Author Central page

Books2Read

Not all stories have a happy ending... and you can't outrun a past life.

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About DL Mullan:
 

A writer at heart, Undawnted’s own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter. Find DL on Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

 

 

 

Kurst Accepted into the Midnight Garden Anthology

Great news! 

Undawnted received word that DL Mullan's short story, Kurst, has been accepted into WordCrafter's Midnight Garden anthology. Due out this October 2024, this publication will be another installment in the dark fiction trilogy. 

Imagine if you inherited an age-old curse...

Kurst explores an insane, evil cryptid monster: 

Karen Kurst comes into the legal possession of her deceased grandmother's cabin in Salt Pines, Arizona. As she delves into the secrets of the quaint mountain village, she discovers that there is more than meets the eye. A mysterious creature roams the woods, a blended cryptid: Elemental, Sasquatch, and Skinwalker. The only way to contain this entity is through a magical spell passed down by her ancestor, Ralph Wallen. Teaming up with the local indigenous sheriff, Karen is determined to break the family curse. 

However, the question remains - will she have to sacrifice her own life to protect her newfound community?

Join this collection of writers in sharing their nightmares with you... 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. 

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter.

 

Novelette Review: The Town Santa Forgot from Writing to Be Read

Writing to Be Read's Kaye Lynne Booth published her review of The Town Santa Forgot. 

"Not to give too much away, but The Town [Santa Forgot] : A tale that will tickle the whole family’s fancies. The perfect holiday gift, but would be fun to read year round. As with most Christmas stories, this one is filled with love and hope." 

This Yuletide Carol is a history-mystery tale with added supernatural occurrences and a love-lost romance. Move over holiday romcoms, The Town Santa Forgot has arrived!

For the rest of the review and quill rating, visit Writing to Be Read. 

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The Town Santa Forgot is available as an eBook at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, AppleBooks, Smashwords, and other fine retailers.   

Grab your copy today! 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter. 

Cover Reveal for The Town Santa Forgot

It is with glad tidings that Undawnted's DL Mullan reveals the cover art for The Town Santa Forgot: 

I had a fun time creating this book cover, and I had even more fun teasing my readers about it. I create my own covers. Digital art is one of my passions. I began producing my own line of digital art called: Spacescapes, circa 2000, and winning awards at Science Fiction Conventions as well as the Arizona State Fair.  

Over time, this art form went from art shows to the cover of many publications, not just my own. One of my first pieces of art won the best Western cover during an online book event. That was thrilling.

Today, I want to reveal to the general audience my creation for The Town Santa Forgot. I hope you find the art compelling, intriguing, and purchase-able! 

The Town Santa Forgot has its publication release party on my Undawntable Newsletter on December 18th. Please join us! It's free. It's fun. You could win your own copy of the novelette, The Town Santa Forgot. 

Cheers!

Have a great rest of your holiday season.

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Ms. Mullan showcases her literary talents by publishing her creative writing. She has short stories and poems published in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. In addition, she writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan produces her own book cover designs for herself and others. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

Join her Undawntable Newsletter for news and updates.

Undawnted Presents: WordCrafter Blog Tour for Midnight Roost: Christa Planko and MJ Mallon are Spooky Fun Authors

Video Reading from The Cull by MJ Mallon

 

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MJ's writing credits include YA, paranormal, best-selling horror, supernatural short stories, flash fiction, poetry, pandemic inspired poetry and best-selling anthologies. 

Poetry/flash fiction collections include Lockdown Innit, Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose, The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet and Do What You Love. 

Her eclectic blog shares her love of reading, reviewing, writing, poetry, photography, and travel: https://mjmallon.com.

Visit MJ's Social Media Sites: 

https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor/

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Giveaway

A chance to win a free digital copy of Midnight Roost at every stop. Just leave a comment at Writing to Be Read to show your support for the tour, the anthology, and all of the fantastic authors.

To buy the Midnight Roost anthology 

with both author's stories,

 visit: Books2Read.

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Interview with Christa Planko about her short story: The Easterville Glass Ghost


What inspired you to write “The Easterville Glass Ghost?”

My inspiration for “The Easterville Glass Ghost” began with a trip to the Estellville Glassworks, a historic site near me. I first visited the site when I moved to the area in 2008. It has haunted me ever since!

Today, the glassworks is more of a graveyard for the 19th -century factory that bustled with activity from 1825 to 1877. Most of its structures have nothing left beyond their foundations. But the most prominent structure, the melting furnace, has three stone walls remaining. The front of the building features four large arches. Beyond these walls lies brick and stone rubble and the deep pits where glassblowers would form molten glass into cylinders.

Imagine how eerie it is to walk through the woods and happen upon Estellville’s imposing arched structure! As many times as I’ve returned to hike in the surrounding woods, I always get chills when the ruins first come into sight. It has prompted many imaginative musings about the people that lived and worked there. What was it like to work among fiery furnaces, handling molten glass? Was it competitive work? Was it dangerous? So dangerous that anyone ever died?

These musings led to the creation of “The Easterville Glass Ghost.” The story came together based on my own research about the factory and 19th -century glassblowing, coupled with imagination and fictional characters.

Have you ever had a ghostly encounter?

I did have an unexplained experience once. It involved the sensation of a hand sliding down my shoulder to my back. And it so happened that it was at the site of the Estellville Glassworks. This experience is what I fictionalized in my story.

While I’m not sure I had an actual “ghostly” encounter, if a spirit was present that day, it was a protective one. Nobody else was around at the time. I was technically trespassing at the site, climbing on top of a brick pile for a better view. The hand I felt on my shoulder coincided with me losing my footing—kind of like a steadying hand, ensuring my safety.

So, do I believe in spirits? I’m not sure about ghosts, but I do believe in spirit. By that, I mean the spirit that comprises character and lives on after a person expires. Elements of the human spirit—such as love, joy, kindness, gentleness—transcend time and space. These are things that we remember about loved ones and others who have passed. They are the traits written about heroes in history books. They imprint on us, encourage us, and inspire us to be the same—to make a difference in others’ lives. This is also a theme I aim to capture in my story.

Thank you for your questions and the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for Midnight Roost!

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Christa Planko, MA, is a professional writer with a passion for creative expression. She has had her poetry and short stories featured in several publications, including Tanka and Haiku Journal, Poetry Quarterly, New Jersey Bards, and Every Day Fiction. Her story, “The Olde-Tyme Village,” won the 2021 WordCrafter Short Fiction Contest. Christa resides in South Jersey with her feline muses. 

Christa graduated from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) with a BA in English Literature and from Drew University (Madison, NJ) with an MA in English Literature.  

Website: https://christascorner.godaddysites.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristasCorner2023

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Purchase

To buy the Midnight Roost anthology 

with both author's stories,

 visit: Books2Read. 

 

 

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Undawnted's DL Mullan can be booked for your online Blog Tour, Book Event, Book Review (w/ARC), Interview, Writing Conference, or Genre Convention. Ms. Mullan has years of experience in public speaking, readings, presentations, events, and tours.

Book a quality author and presenter with Undawnted: Bookings online form. 

 

The Descent: a darker breed of poetry's Cover Reveal

This cover reveal introduces The Descent to a wider audience. The updated version of the popular chapbook will leave readers salivating for more gruesome stories of the unknown. As the veil lowers, and we catch glimpses of another world beyond our own, the poems in The Descent will guide readers around the mystical, magical realm of the paranormal; scare them with the supernatural; as well as, entertain them with the fantastical.

Join Undawnted's DL Mullan for her wide release party this Friday, October 13th on A Novelist Idea newsletter. 

You could win a copy for your very own...

 

The Descent Playlist

 

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This chapbook houses "a darker breed of poetry," from paranormal research topics to metaphysical literary iterations. There is a poem for everyone who is curious. Readers love to stalk the poems within:

"As if Poe came right off the page. This homage is literally perfect." 

"The poem [Breathe] is as scrumptious and sensual as it is dark and deep."

"This is a first for me. I have never read genre poetry before. I love it. Hugely imaginative and utterly unique..." 

 

"One of your best works. Beautiful 3 part movement. Flowed very nicely." 

 

"A lot of thought has gone into this very interesting poem, which made me think, which is what poetry should be all about, 5-star poem[.]"  

*****

Read what the buzz is about in Critical Acclaim at the bottom of each publication's page. 

To see the full cover, visit The Descent's dedicated page on Undawnted.

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. 

 DL Mullan is sharing her knowledge via A Novelist Idea Newsletter. If you too want to become a Fearless Phile, then subscribe to her newsletter on Substack.

Her innovative style teaches writers how to reach their creative potential, and write more effectively.

Learn. Grow. Master… with Undawnted.