H.L. Burke, Author

Free Copy of Beggar Magic ~ My Site ~ New Release ~ Substack

I have another book written!

So a little while back, I got asked to participate in a Multi-Author Series of cozy fall fantasies themed around the moon.

The collection won't be out until next fall, but I don't like having that sort of thing undone, so I went ahead and wrote mine... A STEAMPUNK FAIRY TALE RETELLING! (Gasp, not superhero? I know! What's happened to me?)

And now I'm seeking Beta Readers!

If you want a chance to read it a long time before publication in return for you letting me know if everything makes sense, if it is entertaining, if you're confused about anything, and if there are any plot holes or something you want more information on, just reply to this email and let me know if you want to read a doc, pdf, epub, or google doc. It's about 40,000 words and I'd like feedback in about two weeks.

About the Story:

Of Curses and Crescents

Can love bloom without daylight?

Heir to his kingdom's biggest airship company, Nicklas "Nic" Airwright is a man with a plan: complete a two year apprenticeship abroad to show he's worthy of inheriting the family business one day then return home to court his beloved, the beautiful Princess Lunedy. Sure, Nic's of common stock, but his family is ridiculously wealth. Even a king should see the value in him as a son-in-law, right? After all, stories about royal blood being literal magic are just ancient superstition. No one believes in fairytales anymore.

When he approaches the princess, however, she makes him agree to a strange bargain: when he returns she will send an elderly messenger … and he must do whatever that messenger says, no questions asked.

Nic's meeting with Lunedy's emissary does not go as expected, and Nic is thrown into an adventure that challenges his deep-seated skepticism. Is magic actually real? And what strange hold does it have on Lunedy?

A Cozy Steampunk Retelling of George MacDonald's "Little Daylight."

A Knack for Metal and Bone

A royal tinker and a rogue soldier must unite to stop the monsters threatening their city—and unravel the secrets lurking within it.

Get It Here!

Death's Emissary

Only a pact with Death can give Scarlet a second chance at life—and the power she needs to save the last of her family.

A coming-of-age story with a headstrong heroine, this series tells the tale of the sacrifices that must be made to protect what—and who—you love.

Get it Here!

Want to take bets on what I'll write next?

I have SOOOOO many ideas ... surprising very few of you, they're all superhero stories. I have a personal favorite, but here are some quick synopses. Which one do YOU think sounds the most exciting?

The Supervillain's Secret Baby: Former teen runaway and supervillain Nora leaves her life of crime and her substance-addicted supervillain boyfriend when she finds out she's pregnant, determined to become a hero and give her child a better life. Four years later, her ex shows up, now clean and likewise seeking to reform... but can she trust him with the daughter she worked so hard to hide from him?
Captured with a Superhero: A superhero power couple's marriage is on the rocks. Right when she's ready to serve him divorce papers, though, a longtime nemesis kidnaps them both, wanting their help taking down a rival. To the villain's chagrin, though, he ends up playing marriage counselor more than captor.
Her Secret Superhero Boyfriend: At the top of her game, superheroine Laleh finds herself torn between her parents' not so subtle pushing for her to date billionaire playboy, son of a family friend and business ally to their family, Simon Dabiri ... and flirting with the irritating but alluring new masked vigilante horning in on her superhero turf ... completely unaware they are the same person.
Dating My Supervillain Co-worker (not a good title... need a better one): Super-Hero Fan, Gemma, is OBSESSED with the cool new vigilante stopping criminals around her city. Little does she know the sweet IT guy she’s friend-zoned is the same man.
Superhero Swap: Twin superhero brothers, Micah and Joel, have problems. Charismatic Micah’s antics have him in hot water with his by-the-book team lead. Steady Joel needs a promotion but can only get it by completing a public speaking assignment that has him paralyzed with anxiety. The answer? Switch places. However, when Joel starts to fall for his brother’s long-suffering “work wife” and Micah tangles with his brother’s disinterested but attractive ex, things get complicated fast.
Sweet Supervillainy (I was told I should call this The Great Brittish Baking Job, but I worry the BBC would sue me): Supervillain obsessed with cupcakes finds out his favorite bakery is going to be foreclosed on so he starts committing crimes to save it without thinking through how the harried bakery owner is going to explain where she got the cash from and he keeps accidentally getting her suspected of supervillainy... to the point where other supervillains come after her thinking she's horning in on their territory so now he has to save her...

So, what do you think? Yeah, I know the superhero/villain thing is getting a little out of hand, but I just keep coming up with ideas!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Want to try to catch me in person? Here are some places you can through the month of October:

Tsubasacon 2026, October 9-11th, Charleston Colliseum and Convention Center, Charleston, WV: Get Tickets.

West Virginia Book Festival 2026, October 24th, Charleston Colliseum and Convention Center, Charleston, WV: Find Out More.

The Pie Maker at the Edge of the Wood; Deluxe Cozy Fantasy

A deluxe edition cozy fantasy standalone with a retired adventurer, one last quest, magical creatures, and of course, pie.

Find Out More!

Becoming Neptune's Cat: A Feline Cozy-Adjacent Fantasy

A cozy-adjacent fantasy story collection told from the point of view of an orange, scuba diving cat who finds magical collars. This collection details his adventures as he unleashes their powers and comes face-to-face with legends.

Find Out More