“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”
Brian Solis
“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”
In The Together Tales Vol.1: While We Were Lost, ten visionary Black authors invite readers into worlds where survival, identity, and belonging collide with the extraordinary.
From ruined cities and sleeping worlds to galaxies scarred by colonization, each tale illuminates the resilience of community and the power of imagination:
- A young girl confronts harsh realities in Dry Cereal, navigating family and fractured identity in a city on the brink.
- In Emerince’s Journey, a warrior discovers that surviving after battle may be harder than dying in it.
- When the World Fell Asleep follows a lone preacher whose faith is tested against an apocalyptic phenomenon.
- All Light traces Jessica’s search for her estranged mother, uncovering grief, mystery, and the healing found in new bonds.
- In Hushed Magic, Zelma fights to preserve her family’s silenced heritage, proving that tradition is anything but ordinary.
- Binding Pacts explores the haunting aftermath of a journey, where endings become beginnings and shadows linger.
- Den of the Discarded reveals a college plagued by grief, betrayal, and paranormal forces, where one student must choose rebellion or conformity.
- Child of Ash follows Zellie, marked by forbidden magic, as she risks everything to save an outsider and confront the truth of her own power.
- In Rebirth, a ravenous being evolves from destruction into connection, discovering the spark of creation within hunger.
- The Lost Boomerangs and Butterflies journeys across galaxies with Tenoch, a blind wanderer seeking a cure for colonization’s plague, and perhaps, a glimmer of hope.
Together, these stories form a tapestry of resilience, imagination, discovery, and most importantly, community—where fantasy becomes a mirror for solidarity, and where being lost is just the beginning of finding where we belong.
Meet the Authors
M. Von Estili is an author based out of Ohio. Specializing in near future science fiction, M. Von tells stories that seem to come from weathered TRADITIONs.
M. VON CAN BE FOUND VIA HER LINK TREE M. VON ESTILI
Gabriel Gaiusbayode is an author based out of Columbus, Ohio. Specializing in fiction and fantasy, Gabriel tells Black stories that showcase vulnerability via poetry or novelit prose. Check out his #1 Best Selling eBook When You Get Older.
Gabriel can be found on Instagram @Gabrielspoetry
Raven Wilster is an author born and raised in Arkansas. Specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and the supernatural, Raven tells stories that showcase the unexpected lives of Black women. Stay tuned for her developing story that reimagines a classic kids film.
David Moore is an author based out of Jacksonville Florida. Specializing in the action and adventure, David tells stories that shows that service to others is the best way to find yourself. Stay tuned for his developing novel The Advent.
David can be found on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Bluesky @Lightskin_Koopa
Deana ZholLis is an author based out of Houston, Texas. Specializing in dark fantasy romance, Deana tells stories that craft worlds where “Happily Ever After” shimmers. Stay tuned for her developing Spōn World story Door Levels.
Deana can be found via her website Zhollis.com
Daniel Duhon is an author based out of Southwest Louisiana. Specializing in the spectrum of fantasy and cyberpunk, Daniel tells stories that showcase that everyone has a story to share.
Hope Eno is an author based out of Texas. Specializing IN fiction, Hope tells stories that reach the voices that have always felt silenced. Stay tuned for the her forthcoming romance novel centered around BIPOC nerds based in Dallas, Texas.
Hope can be found on Instagram @hopeful.eno
KeYanla Cleckley is an author based out of Texas and the founder of the TogetherWeVerse space. Specializing flash fiction, KeYanla tells stories that express creativity through exploring worlds and relationsHIPS between people. Check out her published works Stuck and A Drifter’s Manifesto.
KeYanla can be found on Instagram, Twitter, facebook, YouTube, Discord, and TikTok @keck1d
Kayla Thomas is an author based out of Houston, Texas. Specializing in the spectrum of fantasy and scifi, Kayla tells stories that prove there are no limits to fiction.
kAYLA CAN BE FOUND VIA INSTRAGM @kayaksbookshelf
