ALLISON EPSTEIN earned her M.F.A. in fiction from Northwestern University and a B.A. in creative writing and Renaissance literature from the University of Michigan. A Michigan native, she now lives in Chicago, where she works as a copywriter for clients in higher education and the arts. When not writing, she enjoys good theater, bad puns, and fancy jackets. A Tip for the Hangman is her first novel.
Goddesses of the Sea (2018) A Mermaid and Sea Maiden Anthology edited by Amber M Simpson and Madeline L Stout
Allison Epstein recommends
Spoiled Milk (2026) Avery Curran "Step into the halls of Briarley, where nothing is to be trusted and the only thing more frightening than death is having to live long enough to grow up. Both darkly funny and genuinely harrowing, Spoiled Milk is the boarding school novel my spooky heart has been waiting for. Avery Curran has written an absolute knockout."
A Rose by Any Other Name (2024) Mary McMyne "A triumph of feminist imagination. Rose Rushe is the Dark Lady we've all been waiting for, and her story of star-signs and spellbooks, betrayal and true love will enchant readers of historical fantasy. I adored it."
The Assassin of Venice (2024) Alyssa Palombo "Surprising, sexy, and sharp as a dagger's blade, The Assassin of Venice plunges deep into the shadows of Venice's Council of Ten and imagines a blood-drenched world where professional courtesans did its bidding--but only on their own terms. Valentina's fearsome cleverness took my breath away."
A Sweet Sting of Salt (2024) Rose Sutherland "A Sweet Sting of Salt masterfully combines rich historical detail with an atmospheric, poignant romance between two unforgettable women that will sweep readers off their feet. For fans of feminist retellings and queer fairy tales, Sutherland's debut is a must-read."
The Weaver and the Witch Queen (2023) Genevieve Gornichec "Beautifully woven and achingly human - a masterful tale about sisterhood, destiny, and what we're willing to do for the people we love. Gunnhild and Oddny's journeys cut to the heart of what it feels like to be right and wrong, together and alone, bold and afraid, all at once. I loved it."
Dark Water Daughter (2023) (Winter Sea, book 1) H M Long "Long opens up a gripping, wildly original universe packed to the brim with wonder: sentient figureheads, songs that harness the wind, and a cast of rogues, villains, and exiles in pursuit of freedom - sometimes with terrible cost. Every twist left me surprised and enthralled. Fantasy readers, come aboard and enjoy the ride."
The Ghost Theatre (2023) Mat Osman "Smart, bold, and original, The Ghost Theatre brings to life a slantwise Elizabethan London where appearance is everything and nothing you see can be trusted. Every page is alive with the heady, dangerous energy of an opening night, and Shay and Nonesuch are unforgettable. For readers who like their historical fiction with imagination and flair, this book is a must-read."
Not Alone (2023) Sarah K Jackson "Harrowing and achingly human, Not Alone is a sharp exploration of environmental apocalypse - and a celebration of pure, boundless love that can survive anything. This triumphant debut finds hope in the darkest places, and it made me want to be a better person."
Marvelous (2023) Molly Greeley "Enchanting. Molly Greeley has pulled off a piece of magic to tell a dazzling love story about the outcast's ache to be cared for and belong. This book broke my heart and put it back together again."
Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man (2022) (Girl Friday Mystery, book 1) Emily J Edwards "Edwards' clever, highly enjoyable debut is a love letter to the old-school private eye, starring a street-smart secretary who finds herself suddenly tasked with solving the cases of New York's rich and famous. With a stellar cast of supporting characters and a 1950s setting that drips with life, Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man unfolds a fun, twisty mystery before sticking the landing for a satisfying final reveal. This firecracker of a series opener will leave readers ready for more Viv!"
The Witch and the Tsar (2022) Olesya Salnikova Gilmore "Fierce and fearless...With stunning prose and sharp insight, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore conjures up a captivating battle between gods, emperors, and folkloric spirits, led by a prickly, powerful heroine who leaps off the page and refuses to be ignored. This is Baba Yaga like you've never seen her before, and you're going to love her."
The Prophet's Wife (2022) Libbie Grant "The Prophet's Wife is a fascinating look at the origin story of an American religion - and an equally fascinating portrayal of what we're willing to endure in the name of love and faith. Emma and Joseph Smith are both deeply flawed and curiously sympathetic, together making one of the most interesting and nuanced portrayals of a marriage I've read in a very long time. The psychology at work in this book is brilliant."
