talli l. morgan
fantasy author
Talli L. Morgan is an indie author of fantasy novels for adults and young adults.
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The Windermere Tales Series
This epic fantasy duology (and companion novella) is ideal for readers aged 16+.
Enter a world of magic, adventure, and mythology alongside a diverse cast of messy yet endearing characters.
Book One: The Oracle Stone
SOME LEGENDS NEVER DIE.Jekku Aj’ere can see everything from the start of time to the end, and it’s an agonizing curse. His only chance to bargain for freedom is to find the Oracle Stone, a magic artifact that was split into four pieces and hidden centuries ago.Lilya Noor wants to forget her past and be immortal, so she agrees to a blood oath that will grant her eternal life if she delivers the Oracle Stone to her Master of Magic. Failure is not an option, but what if the stone offers a better deal than simple immortality?Vaeltaja Ievisin has one chance for redemption: the Second Savior. Presenting the Savior and the lost Oracle Stone to his gods will end his banishment, but the Savior isn’t at all what Taja expected, and neither is the stone. And how much is forgiveness worth, anyway, when the gods are never satisfied?There are higher powers at play, and Jekku, Lilya, and Taja must pull themselves together or risk losing their magic and their lives to the vengeful spirits trapped in the stone. But it’s hard to prevent a magical catastrophe when you can’t trust anyone, including yourself, and certainly not the gods.
Book Two: The Savior's Rise
WHEN GODS FALL, LEGENDS RISE.Taja Ievisin thought the Oracle Stone would fix all his problems, but all it’s left him with are a city in shambles, shocking truths about his gods, and a role he can’t possibly fill. He is Sawwia Setukkda, the Second Savior of his people, but without a drop of magic in his blood and no idea how to get his people to trust him, how is he supposed to save anyone?Jekku Aj’ere is finally free –– from his maddening curse, from the Royal Sorcerer who wished to control him, and from the influence of the Oracle Stone. But now what? Grappling with ghosts from his past and torn between two paths, Jekku has to figure out where to turn, even if it means leaving someone behind.But before either of them can move ahead, they’ve got a mess to clean up. Båthälla is divided –– and most Elshalans remain stubbornly loyal to the gods. If Taja can’t win over his people, it’s only a matter of time before the gods strengthen their hold and snuff out Båthälla’s magic for good.
Companion Novella: The Master of Time
DON’T WE ALL WISH WE COULD CHANGE THE PAST?Lilya Noor has more than she’s ever dreamed:
The honored title of Master of Magic.
The prestigious academy at Gallien’s Peak, hers to direct and reform.
A gaggle of young mages who look up to her as a mentor and role model.
And a chance to rewrite the world’s perception of fire mages.It has been two years since Lilya teamed up with Jekku, Taja, and Saevel to defeat the resurrected Royal Sorcerers, and in that time, Lilya has fought her way to fame. Now recognized as one of the greatest mages of her time, she has the world at her fingertips.There’s just one problem: She’s miserable.Because Gallien’s Peak is still a prison, and no amount of fame can give her what she has always longed for: Her sister.
But the right amount of power could be the key to making that dream come true, too.Prompted by a recurring nightmare that suggests Lilya might have a chance to see her sister again, she embarks on a risky journey out of the mortal world. Lilya believes she can bargain to bring her sister back, but the dead aren’t so easily awakened, and the price of a soul is never cheap.
Praise for The Windermere Tales
The Oracle Stone is a fun, fast-paced fantasy adventure with lush, descriptive writing and fun characters. -- RITA A. RUBIN, author of Amulet of WishesA fantastic debut! This page-turner is well worth your time. -- A.E. BENNETT, author of The Serrulata Saga, on The Oracle StoneThe Savior's Rise is captivating from start to finish and the beautiful conclusion to an epic tale of love, acceptance, justice, and finding your place. Morgan has outdone themself. -- JUNIPER LAKE FITZGERALD, author of The Fifth Yanai seriesAn excellent follow-up to The Oracle Stone, The Savior's Rise offers a compelling exploration of Taja's and Jekku's hopes and fears as they try once again to change the world. A page-turning read that had me laughing out loud, and shedding a few tears. -- TABITHA O'CONNELL, author of Structural Integrity
Windermere Special Editions
Available only through Barnes & Noble, these special editions each feature an illustrated dust jacket with art by the author, plus bonus material at the end of the book.
Series Content WarningsMild fantasy violence
Depictions of anxiety attacks
Mentions of suicide and past suicidal ideation
Mention of death of parents & siblings
Manipulation & emotional abuse
The Peacebringer Trilogy
This epic fantasy trilogy is recommended for readers aged 15+.Explore the world of Windermere nine hundred years before The Oracle Stone in this thrilling new YA trilogy. Follow the origin of legendary hero Saevel Balnorin as they dig up secrets and histories the gods would rather have the world forget.
This series is on an indefinite hiatus as of December 2024.
Book One: Truthseeker
TO FIND THE TRUTH THEY MUST DEFY THE GODS.The gods promised Saevel Balnorin that Nightbeasts were extinct. But when their brother is attacked by one of the vicious shadow creatures, Saevel vows to destroy the monsters for good — even if it means dabbling in the very same magic that creates them. The only person willing to point Saevel toward the answers they need is their trusted teacher, who provides them with a powerful spell that could be the key to eliminate Nightbeasts — if Saevel can translate the strange, ancient script.In the midst of this discovery, Saevel’s hometown is caught in the crossfire between two warring kingdoms, shattering the peace between forest-dwelling Elshalans and their human neighbors. Saevel is positive it’s all connected, especially when their mentor disappears and leaves behind a shocking letter from the warmongering human queen. Determined to uncover what’s really going on, Saevel sets out for the royal city, where they become irrevocably wrapped up in a web of secrets, dangerous magical experiments, and one god’s unflinching belief that Saevel will be the one to stop the war.Saevel never intended to be any kind of hero, but as the line between ally and enemy vanishes, they must decide where their own loyalties lie — with the gods who have failed them, or with their enemies, who actually have a plan to end the war, stop the queen, and hold further ruination at bay.
Praise for Truthseeker
It felt so good to dive back into the Windermere world with this fresh new installment. Truthseeker is for fans of the original Windermere duology and those not yet familiar with Morgan’s epic fantasy world. This first book of The Peacebringer Trilogy is exciting, emotional, and an all around excellent read that’s got me itching for the next two books. — RITA A. RUBIN, author of Of Knights and Books and Falling in LoveMorgan weaves a fantastic tale full of richly developed characters and many plot twists. I was delightfully shocked at several points along the way. While I was instantly drawn to main character Saevel, I found myself wanting to befriend several of the side characters, too, and fight along side them during their quest. Morgan is one of my favorite indie authors, and this book is a testament as to why. When I say I cannot wait to find out what happens, I wholeheartedly mean it. The second book in this series cannot come fast enough! – A.E. BENNETT, author of The Serrulata SagaEven as a newcomer to Morgan’s Windermere universe, I really fell into the little pocket of the world built up around Saevel. But I have to admit that this might’ve been one of the first YA books I’ve encountered that really laid a heavy shade of morally gray over all of the characters – and absolutely in a good way that showed so much character depth. Reading about Saevel having to war between trust of old and new relationships really made this book shine. And reading about an enby MC? Perfect. – CARA NOX, author of The Thirteenth Key
Series Content WarningsSibling death
Mentions of gender dysphoria
Mentions of disordered eating
Death of loved ones & friends
Emotional manipulation
Implications of an adult grooming a teenager
Brief depiction of drowning
Meliora
This cozy fantasy romance is recommended for ages 17+.Perfect for fans of the whimsy in Studio Ghibli films and the cozy vibes of Legends & Lattes, Meliora is a story of love, identity, and finding inner strength.
Winter Fae takes a job at the Summer Palace with two goals in mind: keep his sister alive, and keep his family’s secrets safe. He intends to keep his head down and avoid drawing attention, but that plan crumbles when he crosses paths with the notoriously reckless Prince Arturo, who’s last in line for the throne and would rather see the world than rule it.Arturo claims he knows someone who can cure Winter’s sister for good, if Winter can trust him enough to travel across the country. But Winter’s family has attracted enough suspicion over the years, so he needs a damn good reason for disappearing with the prince.And what’s a better excuse than elopement?
Meliora: Special Edition
Available only through Barnes & Noble, this special edition features an illustrated dust jacket with art by the author, plus bonus material at the end of the book.
Praise for Meliora
This is such a sweet, soft book with a lovely, low-conflict romance. A highly recommended cozy fantasy read. –– TABITHA O'CONNELL, author of Structural IntegrityMeliora was the softest, sweetest read I've had in a long time. The dynamic between the two main characters was slow and realistic, and exploring the world through their journey was equally delightful! — KELLEN GRAVES, author of the Rowan Blood seriesA darling, lovely read. — A.E. BENNETT, author of The Serrulata Saga
Content Warnings
Discussions & depictions of anxiety and panic attacks
References to past alcohol abuse
Brief mentions of gender dysphoria
about the author
Talli L. Morgan is an author and librarian from upstate New York. Having spent their undergrad years writing books during class, they somehow snagged a Bachelor's degree in English from Allegheny College, where they also spent two years on the editorial team of a student-run literary magazine.When they're not writing, Talli enjoys drawing, playing D&D, and thinking about writing.Talli's debut novel, The Oracle Stone (2021), was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year Award, and a finalist in Write Hive's 2022 Indie Ink Awards.
Learn more about Talli's writing journey in the following interviews:
Author Services
Book Formatting for Indie Authors
Available now via my Ko-Fi: interior formatting for ebooks and print books! Often discussed as the most frustrating part of the self-publishing process yet undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of preparing your book for publication, interior formatting is a multi-step process that takes considerable patience and an artistic eye. If you'd rather leave the margin fiddling and page setup to someone who, for some reason, enjoys all of that, I'd love to help!Let's make your book reader-ready!
Important Notes
1. I utilize a software called Vellum for formatting work, and while it is highly versatile and customizable, it does have its limits. If your book needs unconventional formatting, please reach out and ask first before submitting a request via Ko-Fi; I wouldn't want to say yes to something I won't be able to do!2. I use Canva for most graphics and decorations in my book interiors, but I DO NOT and will never utilize their AI image generators, nor will I ever utilize any other AI image generator. By working with me, you can rest assured that your book is safely in human hands.3. I will not work with authors who use AI tools for any aspect of their books. If you don't know by now that AI steals from artists without their consent, I can't help you.A full list of guidelines can be found on my Ko-Fi page.
Ready to get started? Rad!
Short Fiction
"Soft Eternity" in Transcendence: An Anthology of Change
Lucien Vista has the perfect plan to propose to his lover, but then Cyrus responds with a proposal of his own--asking Lucien to turn him into a vampire. Though Lucien loathes the idea of losing Cyrus to human mortality, he's hesitant--and terrified--to put him through that ordeal. Is there a compromise for immortality?"Soft Eternity" is a companion story to my novel Silver Blood and novella Sweet Sorrow but can be read independently.
"The Gluttonous Ghosts of Cobblebridge" in Indie Bites Volume 16: Spirits & Spellcasters
In "The Gluttonous Ghosts of Cobblebridge," a skeptical journalist begrudgingly investigates the supernatural happenings in a sleepy town alongside an eccentric wizard who was once his best friend.
"The Wisdom of Stars" in Indie Bites Volume 11: Elves & Etiquette
In “The Wisdom of Stars,” the princess of the Night Elves challenges the strict lifestyle she’s always known when she meets an outsider who encourages her to bend some rules and remember her own happiness.
"Mightier Than the Sword" in A Chronicle of Monsters, edited by Rita A. Rubin
In "Mightier Than the Sword," a devastated, headstrong knight seeks vengeance against a dragon that attacked her village, only to learn a shocking secret that changes her understanding of both the dragon and the life she's always known.
City of Silver
A series of connected works taking place in the city of Chestervale. These books can be read in any order, but starting with Silver Blood is recommended.
For adult audiences.
SILVER BLOOD
A gothic romance in which the son of a famous vampire hunter teams up with the heir to an enemy family to investigate strange cases of vampires and humans becoming monstrous.
Perfect for fans of Castlevania and The Case Study of Vanitas.
Cyrus Beldon was born to kill vampires. Or so says his indomitable family legacy.
For generations, the Beldon hunters have kept the peace between humans and vampires, navigating tense diplomacy with the elite Honorable Families and eliminating threats when needed. Cyrus is content to leave the hunting and slaying to his capable older siblings, but when his oldest brother is murdered by Honorable vampires in a shocking break of the truce, Cyrus becomes determined to find out why his brother was not merely killed, but turned into a bloodthirsty creature known as a Wild vampire.Cyrus’s hunt for information on the monster that became of his brother leads him to discover an experiment suggesting that recently-turned vampires can have their humanity restored, and with this revolutionary possibility within his reach, Cyrus dares to hope for a future in which he can save vampires instead of killing them. He traces the studies back to one of the five Honorable Families, and with the help of studious and infuriatingly proud Lucien Vista, Cyrus delves into vampire biology to seek the core cause of Wild turns—and a cure for them.Amid multiple high-profile murders, rising tension between the Beldons and the Honorable Families, and dangerous sparks between Cyrus and Lucien, the truce is at a tipping point, and Cyrus and Lucien must decide how far they are willing to go to keep the peace between their families—or if it’s already too late.
Praise for Silver Blood
SILVER BLOOD is a carefully woven story full of page-turning mystery, squeal-inducing romance, and everyone’s favorite… vampires! If you’re looking for something to fill the Castlevania-sized hole in your life, then look no further. —RITA A. RUBIN, author of Of Knights and Books and Falling in Love and A Ballad for Slayers and MonstersA tantalizingly slow burn vampire romance! Lots of action, lots of intrigue, and just a little bit of spice combine to make SILVER BLOOD a page turner. —JOSIE JAFFREY, author of the Seekers seriesA queer starcrossed lovers tale between a vampire and vampire hunter filled with unique lore, a fascinating mystery, vampiric politics, amusing banter, and very unabashed—and very gay—flirting. —CARA NOX, author of A Hunt of Blood and IronIn what is likely Morgan’s most expansive work yet, SILVER BLOOD encapsulates much of what is loved about gothic stories, skillfully captivating elements of the tragic and the sublime. Combining mystery and romance, this epic tale is both intriguing and touching. It’s evident throughout the story that Morgan has extensive knowledge and deep adoration of vampiric lore, ultimately using their expertise to bring to life a rich setting with an unforgettable cast. A must read for all vampire fans. —JUNIPER LAKE FITZGERALD, author of The Modern Mythos AnomalyA lovely romance with a heartfelt underlying message. Morgan weaves together intrigue and romance to show that the power to escape your nature comes through finding someone that believes you are more than what you were born to be. —CAROLINA CRUZ, author of Blood in the WaterA vampire romance that goes above and beyond, SILVER BLOOD wastes not even a moment captivating you to Cyrus’s tale as he faces the trials and tribulations of seeking belonging outside the cruel world that fate bore him into. Truly a marvelous experience both gorgeous and gruesome that will enamor you to the very last page. —SENNA BYRD, author of Lord of the Night Realm
Content Warnings
Blood, violence, and mild body horror; death of siblings and parents; depictions of emotional and physical abuse by family; drinking of blood; mentions of self harm and suicide; off-page suicide attempt; animal (horse) death.
SWEET SORROW
A short, snappy, spicy novella that revisits Cyrus and Lucien several years later, during a rough patch in their relationship that leads to an emotional reunion.
Cyrus Beldon is done with vampires.
His family hunts them. He fell in love with one. But then a messy breakup with his lover prompted Cyrus to cut ties and forge a new, vampire-free path for his life.Unfortunately, unlucky circumstances bring that path right back to his ex-lover's doorstep two years after Cyrus stormed away. Now faced with a chance to reconcile, Cyrus wonders if he gave everything up too soon. But after leaving such a mess in his wake, is there even any forgiveness left for him?
Content Warnings
Explicit sexual content; discussions of past abuse by family; discussions of suicide and suicide attempts; blood and drinking of blood in a sexual context; discussions of disordered eating; references to family deaths.
Faded Moon
A gothic dark fantasy novel in which a dying necromancer seeks the mythical lake that supposedly sources his power. 18+.
Saros Antarian has been slowly dying since the day he restored his lover’s life.Necromancy is a curse universally feared, and its ostracized users are considered less than human. After seven years of isolation and fighting for his steadily-draining life, Saros finally tracks down his one chance to survive: Jovian’s Tomb, the resting place of the first necromancer. According to myth, the tomb – a lake that only appears under the new moon, and always in a different spot – is the source of necromantic power. And if it can give power, Saros hopes it can also take power away.When a cult bent on purging necromantic power from the world makes an attempt on Saros’s life, and Saros learns that his ex-lover is their leader, he realizes that there’s much more than his own life at stake. The cult intends to destroy Jovian’s Tomb with the help of a resurrected god, and if Saros doesn’t get to the lake first, the cult’s reckless actions will tip the balance of life and death.But every power has its temptations, and as the only one able to offset the cult’s plans, Saros is left with a choice: sacrifice his power, stay out of the cult’s way, and return to the society that rejected him; or strengthen his power, fight back, and let the world fear him.
Content Warnings
Themes of religious trauma and depictions of violent religious fanaticism; Blood, gore, and violence; Major and minor character death; Implications of physical abuse; Discussions of emotional abuse from family members and being rejected/ostracized by family; Recreational alcohol and drug use; Mild body horror.