Two New Releases!
Hello everyone!
We hope you’re having a phenomenal Wednesday! Today is a big day for Riverfolk. We have two releases we’re excited to share with you.
First, for all the fans of Quill & Still by Aaron Sofaer, you’ll be pleased to know the audiobook is releasing today! It’s been narrated by Avalon Penrose, and we’re so excited to hear your thoughts. If you haven’t checked out this amazing story yet, now is the time!
Second, Eura Abrams’ debut novel, A Hero Returned is releasing today in all formats! Ebook, paperback, and the audiobook narrated by Tess Irondale are all available for purchase today! This book is the first installation of The Last Rae of Hope series, and we can’t wait for you all to dive into this fun new world!
To celebrate these two amazing authors we wanted to give you all a bit of insight into the creation of these books and the people who wrote them, so please enjoy our mini interviews below.
Eura “Euphridia” Abrams
I really should’ve taken the publisher’s employment contract more seriously…
Rachel and her best friend Nora never imagined their first job would catapult them into the heart of their favorite fantasy web novel. However, when they’re given the chance to help the enigmatic author complete the tale that captivated their hearts five years after the story's abrupt hiatus, they seize the opportunity.
But when they're whisked away without consent into the very story they long to save, the two must battle the destructive demon lord who betrayed and banished the heroine during the story's original cliffhanger. However, something seems amiss…
What if the card-carrying man isn’t quite the villain everyone else seems to think he is?
What inspired you to start writing?
I began writing fiction in the middle of the pandemic as a form of escape. By day, I’m a healthcare professional who spends a lot of time creating resources for others in the field. Writing an isekai gave me a way to step away from it, even if just for a little while.
How'd you come up with the idea for this series?
As a fantasy fan, I love heroes. I want them to grow stronger, be praised for their efforts, win, and get their happy ending. Of course, I don’t want it to be too easy—they have to work hard for that “hero” title! I need to be entertained, after all. But in real life, I struggle with the social construct of “heroes,” especially when it’s used to praise frontline workers for performing hazardous jobs. It creates an expectation that they’re tireless, invincible, and fully willing to self-sacrifice—even when the risks they’re taking could have and should have been prevented with proper systems in place. During the pandemic, I saw my colleagues treated like this kind of hero, and the worship placed unrealistic pressure on them to succeed without the proper resources or safeguards. It didn’t feel right. So, I wrote a story where “The Chosen One” realizes the Big Bad Evil Guy isn’t really the problem—it’s the system that allowed the BBEG to exist in the first place.
Who's your favorite character in this book? (And are they based on any characters you love in real life or works of fiction?)
I love Rae, Nora, and of course, Euphridia. Honestly, they (sometimes) represent the three sides of me. Most people say they have two wolves inside them—I went with the three stooges instead. Rae is a love letter to my younger self, telling her that “normal” doesn’t exist, that it’s okay to question things, and that making mistakes is part of learning. Nora is who I wish I could be when I need to act with confidence. Euphridia is probably who I’d become if I ever had significant power—absolutely irresponsible. There’s another character I adore, too, but he’s more than a little upset that he only gets mentioned every so often. He’ll be fine. Probably.
If there's one thing you want readers to take away from your story, what would it be?
When something terrible happens, it’s easy to blame people. But that doesn’t stop it from happening again. If you want real change, look beyond the individual. Look at the systems and tools that shape behavior and decision-making. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.
If you could do a crossover with any story, which would you choose?
Oh, I’d absolutely send my characters into other worlds to fix systems—once they’ve grown as a team themselves, of course. I can totally see a Charlie’s Angels setup where they’re sent on missions to other stories to help other characters break free of harmful tropes. Do you have a male lead whose red flags are even more crimson than the villain’s? Nora will take care of it.
Tell us something about yourself - anything at all.
I love it when a series hides little details, like offhand comments in the early pages that seem minor at first but, on a second read, turn out to be major plot points.
If you could tell teenage you one piece of advice, what would it be?
“It gets better. You will find someone—no, really—and while you can’t replace the ones you’ve lost, you’ll find others who are irreplaceable.”
Aaron “Pastafarian” Sofaer
Sophie Nadash once yearned to understand life and chemistry. Now a disillusioned scientist approaching middle age, she yearns to set aside pipettes and polymerase forever.
A chance encounter with the Goddess Artemis sets her on the path to becoming the Alchemist for the rural Shemmai village of Kibosh, where the rat race gives way to peace and the quiet life. Freed from the hustle of Earth, she can relax, make friends, and rediscover her love for chemistry through its mystical precursor... and come to grips with the Jewish faith she left behind as a child.
What inspired you to write?
I've been writing about as long as I've been forming memories, so this is hard to answer. The first coherent story I wrote was a book-length self-insert fanfiction into the Swallows & Amazons setting when I was around eight or nine, and that was just wish fulfillment. I guess that hasn't much changed!
How'd you come up with the idea for this series?
I've long wanted to write a crafting litRPG, in part because I think most of the people who write crafting stories just... aren't that interested in crafting? They just have their characters throw stuff into a pot and use System mechanics? Which is weird to me. I was re-reading some of the Recluce books by L. E. Modesitt Jr and also had just gotten nostalgic for Swords & Potions / Shop Titans (don't play them), and there were some cozy shop-keeping games coming on the market with sapphic flirting, so things sort of grow around that. It was originally going to be about woodworking and scribing, and I'm glad I changed my mind about that. As far as the civics goes... well, that's a lifelong obsession.
Who's your favorite character in this book? (And are they based on any characters you love in real life or works of fiction?)
Is it shitposting if I say it's the Kingdom of Shem itself? Eh. I grew up arguing public policy around the Shabbat table like we were all out to flense each other with net outcomes, meta-studies, and structural incentives. Clerk Administrator James Morei is as close to a self-insert as it gets into Quill & Still, and he's my favorite because he's just so toweringly dedicated to the egalitarian ideals of Shem as it dreams itself to be.
If there's one thing you want readers to take away from your story, what would it be?
We do not have to accept the bad along with the good. A better world, a kinder and more considered world, is right there for the taking if only we had the will and vision; it's there in every small way that we could change things for the better.
If you could do a crossover with any story, which would you choose?
This question is harder than all of the others put together, because there are so many stories I'd love to crossover with, because I love so many damn stories. Penelope from Thundamoo's "Vigor Mortis" showing up in Shem would be incredibly fun, she would become a cornerstone of the Discourse (the public debate of policy that is the Shemmai national sport), or Ketka going to the Crawl (Matt Dinniman). But it feels weird to think about. Fanfics are one thing, crossovers with my own characters feel a little too self-indulgent for some reason if I haven't been asked/offered one by the author, and I know this is completely just a weird me thing.
Tell us something about yourself - anything at all.
I am an absolute sponge for random trivia and facts, and I compulsively fact-check / research things I see in fiction and online. As a result I am capable of dropping utterly sincere, completely unhinged takes on literally any subject, because if you peel things apart you get a really fun mixture of nuance and madness. (Queueing theory as applied to supply chain logistics might serve as an example.) Whatever you might see me post on social media is me keeping it Normal, believe it or not!
If you could tell teenage you one piece of advice, what would it be?
You aren't struggling because you're a bad person. The executive dysfunction is ADHD (adderall!), the bursts of self-destructive mania followed by months-long depression are bipolar (lamotrigine!), and the yearning to fit into female-coded social spaces and be pretty is because you're trans, girl (estradiol!). These are solvable problems and questions of fault are not relevant.
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed learning more about these two wonderful people! Don’t forget to get your copies of both Quill & Still and A Hero Returned today!
Have a wonderful day! And subscribe to the newsletter if you liked this content as we’re currently in the middle of some fun artist highlights!
Artist Spotlight: Dino
There are so many amazing artists who have helped create covers, maps, and character art for the amazing books we’ve published. As such, we wanted to take this opportunity to give them some much deserved appreciation with this series of interviews, starting with…
Dino
This is the phenomenal artwork for J.P. Weaver’s upcoming book, Caravan of Blades, which will be released in June 2025.
Dino has done amazing work for us many times. He’s our first point of call for monsters, epic scenes and larger-than-life creature creation, and we wanted to know more about where his passion for art came from. We hope you enjoy his responses just as much as we did!
What made you want to draw/be an artist?
In 2015, before I became an illustrator, I was an ordinary person who dreamed of making comics and being famous for the work I made, but there was a lack of comic enthusiasts in my village. Slowly, I began to realise the artwork I made could be sold over social media, and when I started as an illustrator in 2019, I just wanted to make everyone like my work.
How did you become an artist?
Back when I was learning about comics and illustrators, I did other jobs like being a cashier in a store, or delivering food and other things to survive. In my village, artists are really not appreciated, so it was very difficult for me to find artist friends who were like me to collaborate with. Now, I can get to know many artists through social media and learn about everything related to illustration from my online friends.
What’s your favorite thing to draw?
Maybe this sounds silly, but I wish I was someone from a dragon race. Lol. So my process of learning how to draw began with dragons. I really like fantasy creatures like dragons and any creatures like griffin, unicorn, etc. But from all of those, the one I like the most is drawing dragons.
What’s your favorite artwork that you’ve made?
I know this is not the best, but I like it the most.
Please check out more of Dino’s phenomenal artwork at his ArtStation, and make sure to stick around for more interviews with our artists coming soon!
New Authors!
We hope you’ve had a great start to the year! Today, we have some exciting announcements for you, so without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to two of our newest authors:
Etgoma
Etgoma is a warrior writer, creator, and illustrator from Ukraine. A psychologist by education, they dedicate their life to writing and illustrating stories that make a difference, raising fundamental questions without answers.
Their first novel, Until Death Taps You on the Shoulder, crafted during the full-scale war in their country during air raids and city shelling, came as their own battle cry. When they’re not writing or drawing, they are either fighting inner demons or having tea with Baba Yaga in the hut with chicken legs on the other side of any logic.
Until Death Taps You on the Shoulder is a partially epistolary fantasy, based on Slavic folklore and featuring illustrations by Etgoma. It will be released later this year, so stay tuned for more details and the cover reveal!
Curtis A. Deeter
Curtis is an author of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. When he is not writing, he enjoys spending time with his family, discovering new music, and taste-testing craft beer at local breweries.
You may recognize his name from our horror anthology, Error Code, published under the Rabid Otter imprint. Curtis wrote the chilling and fantastic Nhesi, Unlock the Door, and we’re so excited for you to read his latest young adult novel, Ronald, the Ronin.
If you’re a fan of secret societies, Samurai culture and emotional character journeys set against a contemporary backdrop, you’re going to love Ronald, the Ronin.
And finally, we’d like to reaffirm our stance on AI. We’re aware that the use of AI is becoming more prevalent in the publishing industry, but at Riverfolk Books, we stand by our decision not to publish any books created using Generative AI, nor will we commission any artwork that utilizes AI-generated images for our covers.
We understand that there are programs that assist both authors and artists in their process, such as editing applications that have an AI-assisted element, and we do not wish to discourage this use. However, we wish to retain the human element of our creative endeavors above all else rather than promoting AI-generated work.
If you’re interested in learning more about the incredible artists we’ve worked with and how they create such beautiful covers, stay tuned for our upcoming newsletter series!
Happy New Year!
Hello, and happy New Year!
We hope you’ve had a great start to the year and that your 2025 is phenomenal!
This year is going to be an exciting one for Riverfolk Books. We have a new series coming from our very own J P Weaver. Caravan of Blades is a LitRPG deckbuilder, with heroes, zombies, elves (may or may not be an elf), and goats.
Intrigued? Take a look at the special edition hardback and physical goodies (such as cards, artwork, bookmarks, stickers and more) offered exclusively through the Kickstarter campaign.
Follow the campaign now to be notified when it goes live! Otherwise, you can get a copy when it’s published on Amazon later in the year.
On top of that, we have sequels on the way!
Readers of the Reborn as a Dragon, Quill & Still, and Inescapable Escapism series will be thrilled to know that the next books will be released this year!
Our authors and editors have been busy perfecting each sequel, and we can’t wait for you to read them!
The excitement doesn’t stop there! This year, we also have three entirely new series on the way!
When the President said to immerse ourselves in the project, this was NOT what I had in mind!
I really should’ve taken the publisher’s employment contract more seriously…
A Hero Returned by Eura Abrams will be released on 30th April (pre-order now!), and stay tuned for the next newsletter, where we’ll be introducing our two newest authors, Etgoma and Curtis Deeter.
We’re so excited for you to read their books. We know you’ll love them just as much as we do!
The Passing of a Legend
Art by Tsuu
It is with a heavy heart that we announce Avitue’s passing. Avitue was a pillar in this community and a dear friend. We hate to be the ones to share such devastating news with you–his fans, friends and colleagues.
As some of you may have noticed, Avitue has been absent for a few months. This caused alarm because Avi was one of the most reliable and consistent authors in our community. Over the last few months, we exhausted every option at our disposal to find him, and unfortunately, we have now discovered that Avitue has passed.
We’ve been searching for his next of kin to no avail. Avi was unmarried and had no children, but we’ve yet to find any other family members.
If anyone has any information (or media inquiries) that they would like to share, please reach out to weaver@riverfolkbooks.com
We’d like to see the closing of one chapter as an opportunity to start a new one in Avitue’s memory:
Based on Avitue’s love of art, a friend of Avitue’s has already reached out to some of his frequently commissioned artists to create an Art Memorial in his honor. With support, Riverfolk is in the process of organizing something special for the community to get involved with, should they want to.
We’re also currently looking into the logistics of funding an artist fellowship in Avitue’s name in his home country of Indonesia.
We will update with more information as it becomes more concrete, and we thank you for your patience in this difficult time.
We encourage you to share any positive interactions you’ve had with Avitue or any of his jokes that stand out in your memory. Please send them to queries@riverfolkbooks.com, and we’ll compile them to share in a future post. If you’d prefer not to have your message shared, please let us know in your message.
Some messages from the Riverfolk team:
Avitue was a building block of Riverfolk Books. He was a man who wrote for thousands of his fans. More importantly, he wrote the stories he wanted to, caring more about telling the stories that spoke to him rather than trying to make money, something we as a company align with.
Avitue took a strong stance on showing asexual characters in his work. He never shied away from controversial topics, fighting for representation.
He lived life on his own terms, writing books that might have landed him in jail in his home country. He wrote bravely, with no regrets, and with passion for each of his tales.
Avitue wrote for the joy of it and to share—to bring life to—a massive, sprawling fantasy setting over many centuries of history. As a fellow writer, I don’t know how he managed the pace and output that he did, or how he juggled all the stories, characters and histories. And when he hit his stride—the climaxes of story arcs, the tender moments, and choice snippets of the past—he proved just how incredibly talented of a writer he was.
From an editing perspective, he was a joy to work with. Self-assured, decisive, but more than willing to listen to feedback and criticism. Beyond all that, before I’d joined up with Riverfolk as an editor, he was someone who helped me to promote my own work through word of mouth and shout trades.
He was a friend. He was someone who gave voice and presence to queer characters in his works, as living, breathing parts of the world, as normalcy.
Avitue was a founding force behind Riverfolk; the first author to take a chance on a new, unproven indie publisher. I’ll miss him, I’ll never forget him, and the writing communities of which he was a part lost a legend with his passing.
Avitue and I had playful debates occasionally when we first met. He had an opinion on everything and was unafraid to share it. Together, we could go back and forth forever. Yet, he was still supportive, and I to him. All Avitue wanted was to live comfortably and have his books in print. It's why he was willing to give Riverfolk a shot.
It's not an exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for Avitue, there wouldn't be Riverfolk as it is now.
A hell of a man and a hell of a writer.
Istirahatlah dengan baik, temanku
Thank you for supporting Avitue. We know it meant the world to him.
Art by Fuyu Dust
New release: Error Code!
We are ecstatic to celebrate Rabid Otter’s debut publication! Error Code, an anthology edited by Zaq Cass, is now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!
In its debut publication, Rabid Otter Horror brings together ten talented authors to form Error Code, an anthology examining humanity’s dependence on technology. Within these pages, explore why the terms and conditions should be carefully read, what happens when your home assistant refuses to be shut off, and discover the result of a virus taking over the next step in human evolutions, culminating with the question: has reliance on technology made us stronger? Or is humanity opening itself to its own destruction?
This anthology includes work from the following brilliant authors:
Alexa Lee
Asa Callan
Bernard McGhee
Curtis A. Deeter
Elizabeth Devecchi
Jude DeLuca
Jyl Glenn
Lindsey Goddard
Phrique
Tamika Thompson
If you find that you love a specific author, please support them by following their socials or seeking out more of their books!
What our ARCs are saying about Error Code!
"A great anthology of short stories centered around technology. Well worth reading, got through fast and look forward to more from the publisher."
"A solid collection of some very horror-filled horror stories. While any anthology has strengths and weaknesses, this volume's weaknesses are not very weak. Each story is unique, different from the others, and the strong stories are - great! Admittedly, I am a horror story fanatic and so perhaps a bit prejudiced, but I would not recommend this book unless I felt it was a seriously good addition to the genre."
"Wow! This was a great collection of stories. I absolutely love Black Mirror and these stories would make for a great season of episodes.
Some stories were scary, some gruesome and some hit a bit too close to the potential real world. Honestly one of the best collections I have read for a while!!"
"I really enjoyed this book. The stories were unique and interesting with something for everyone. Unnerving at times and fun to read."
Thank you for your support! If you enjoy Error Code, please be sure to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads or anywhere else you can leave reviews. They really help the us and they mean the world!
Lastly, if you want to learn more about Rabid Otter, please visit their site or subscribe to our newsletter for the most up to date information!
New release: Our Comeback Tour is Slaying Monsters!
We are absolutely thrilled to introduce Kim Smuga-Otto’s debut series, Boy Bands and Dragons! The first of the five books, Our Comeback Tour is Slaying Monsters is available now on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
“We're getting the band back together, you want in?”
Against his better judgment, Kyle Moretti — the least notable member of the once-world famous boy band, Never Boy Land — says yes.
He’s prepared for the drama and clashing egos that drove the band apart four years ago. What he isn’t expecting is for a VR publicity stunt to teleport the band to the magical land of Mythreal.
The good news? They're greeted by Souffy, an attractive young mage, a true fangirl in the making. The bad? She's in trouble with the law, and Kyle's bandmates have no clue how to cope with a real magical world — they don't play "nerd games"...
Can this team of has-been teen idols save the world?
“This was a comfort read… it is fun, sweet (but not too much), it has action, it has some drama, it has everything it should have.”
"A fresh and fun addition to the genre. I look forward to reading the next book!"
“I read this book hoping for a fun read, snappy dialog with a bit of snark, a magical world, and interesting characters. That’s exactly what I got.”
About the author
Life takes strange turns. Trained as a scientist and journalist, Kim Smuga-Otto somehow ended up writing a story about a boy band who saves fantasyland. In addition to being the author of the Boy Bands & Dragons series, she writes short science fiction and fantasy and co-hosts a writing advice podcast, Words to Write by. She lives with her husband and two children in Santa Cruz, California.
If you want to support Kim, consider following her on Instagram or Patreon!
If you enjoy Our Comeback Tour is Slaying Monsters, make sure to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or anywhere else you can review books! They really help and mean the world to us!
New Authors!
We are so excited to announce that Kim Smuga-Otto and Eura Abrams have joined the Riverfolk team!
Kim Smuga-Otto
Life takes strange turns. Trained as a scientist and journalist, Kim Smuga-Otto somehow ended up writing a story about a boy band who saves fantasyland. In addition to being the author of the Boy Bands & Dragons series, she writes short science fiction and fantasy and co-hosts a writing advice podcast, Words to Write by. She lives with her husband and two children in Santa Cruz, California.
Our Comeback Tour is Slaying Monsters will be released on the 25th of October, and it is the first book in the Boy Bands and Dragons series!
Eura “Euphridia” Abrams
A self-proclaimed adult who loves delving into fantasy worlds and writing about the characters she meets along the way. Her books, like The Last Rae of Hope: A Reluctant Return, blend fantasy, comedy, and satire, often turning familiar tropes upside down. Eura enjoys crafting stories where fate and free will collide, leaving readers questioning everything. When she’s not writing, she’s either daydreaming or pretending to be responsible—sometimes both.
Eura is currently in the early stages of publishing the first book in the series, The Last Rae of Hope. More updates will be coming soon, so if you don’t want to miss out, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Our first imprint!
Well, it’s been a while since our last update, but boy, do we have some news for you…
We are delighted to announce our first imprint! Rabid Otter - a horror-centered imprint!
Along with welcoming them to the team, we’re excited to announce Rabid Otter’s first project! Error Code: An anthology of ten technology-based shorts.
The tentative release date is December 13th, but we’ll share more news as it comes!
If you’ve got a horror project in the works or perhaps want to give the genre a go, keep an eye on this page or subscribe to our newsletter because Rabid Otter will be opening their submissions for long-form works and other anthologies in the near future!
We hope you enjoy this project as much as we have!
More news will be coming soon, including newly signed authors and upcoming releases, but for now, welcome to the team, Rabid Otter!
The Blood Demon is still retired!
Following the launch of The Blood Demons Retirement, Riverfolk books is pleased to announce the second book in the series, Family Lost and Found.
Cals adventures continue as she meets old and new friends.
Family. That was something Cal, the Blood Demon of Al-Shan, had mostly forgotten about since she was orphaned after her parents passed away. Meeting with a half-brother she had not known she had during her travels was a pleasant occasion, to be sure.
What she had not expected was to find even more family, other siblings her late father had left behind. Nieces and Nephews, even someone she could consider a stepmother. Others that she never even imagined were still around. Slowly, she started to recall the feeling of warmth and belonging that a family gave out. A feeling she had thought was lost with her parents.
A feeling that had been rekindled by her newly found family.