THE CROWNE CHRONICLES
Releases September 19, 2026
GREETINGS, ROYALTY!
This is Olivia Nightingale, bringing you your bi-weekly dispatch from the realm. Inside this edition, you will find the latest updates on the bookstore, my own literary pursuits, and grand upcoming events.
Are you a new member of our queendom? Welcome! Use the discount code ROYALTY626 at checkout to claim 10% off your very first order.
Fear not the long scroll aheadāsimply invoke the Royal Decree below to unlock the updates you desire most!
DECREE FROM THE REALM
- š New Pre-Order: The Heir (Chronicles of Zaire, The Prequel) by Olivia Nightingale releases September 19, 2026. ARC team sign-ups are officially live!
- šŗ In The News: Crowne Books was featured on ABC4ās Good Things Utah on August 18, 2026!
- š Community Events: Join us for the FREE Black Family Cookout on August 22 (2:00 PMā6:00 PM). You can also catch us at KRCLās Day in the Park on August 29 (12:00 PMā5:00 PM) for FREE copies of Toni Morrisonās The Bluest Eye!
- āš¾ Open Call for Submissions: Submissions are open for Dominion II: Speculative Stories of Black Resistance from Africa and the African Diaspora until February 28, 2027!
- š„ Nightingale's Court: Olivia Nightingaleās romance subscription is officially open! The first 100 members get an exclusive dark academia Hades x Persephone inspired gothic romance.
- š¦ Literary Gala: Tickets are still available for Fangs & Fiction: A Black Vampire Literary Galaāour very first virtual event!
- š¦ Kickstarter Deliveries: The Heir ebook and Beast Summoner #1 physical comics will be delivered by August 31, 2026!
LOCAL EVENTS
When I opened Crowne Books, my dream was to create a space where Black stories are truly celebrated. That's why our shop features a robust childrenās section filled with Black characters. Every single child deserves to look at a book cover and see their own #BlackGirlMagic, #BlackBoyJoy, and beautiful shade of melanin reflected in those pages.
This mission isn't just business for meāit is deeply personal. I hope to adopt in the future, so supporting our local families and children is a cause that sits incredibly close to my heart.
That's why I'm so proud we're partnering with IMPACT Magazine and Utah Foster Care to serve as a community resource for the Black Family Community Cookout! This event is 100% free and open to absolutely everyone! There is no selling, no commercial pressure, and no hidden agendasājust pure community joy, great BBQ, music, and games.
If you have ever thought about expanding your family, there will be wonderful resources available on how to foster or adopt in Utah. Whether you're a neighbor, an ally, or a prospective parent, I cannot wait to hang out, break bread, and share a kidlit recommendation or two with you!
When I watch the wave of censorship sweeping through our country and schools, it doesn't just feel like a policy debateāit feels like a direct attempt to erase our history and voices. That's why I joined an incredible coalition of local booksellers to fight back against Utahās expanding book bans under House Bill 29 (H.B. 29) through Read Between the Bans! This law allows a small handful of challenges to trigger a mandatory statewide purge of books from K-12 public school shelves, completely stripping power away from local communities and educators. I believe in parental input and freedom, but having one district decide for an entire state is not the answer.
As a Black bookseller with the motto "Literacy is Liberation," I feel it's my responsibility to stand on the front lines of this battle. Toni Morrison herself wrote extensively about censorship as a tool of authoritarianism, even editing the collection Burn This Book to address it head-on. The irony is not lost on me that I will be distributing an anti-censorship author's workāwhile her own debut book faces a statewide banāfor FREE at KRCL's Day in the Park next Saturday, August 29, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (while copies last)!
As citizens of the realm, you also get a special sneak peek of another event coming up during Banned Books Week (October 4ā10, 2026). We are officially planning a Silent Read-In with Libro.fm centered around The Bluest Eye and other banned books by Black authors! Keep a close eye on your inbox for more news, and let's protect these stories together.
NIGHTINGALE'S COURT
Our vows were signed and sealed in blood.
I owe a catastrophic debt to the elite Hollowhearth University. Worse, the scent of my rare blood triggers predatory creatures of the night. To survive, I was forced into a contract marriage with Michael Nguyen-Thorne. He's the university's ruthless fencing captaināand a monster veiled in shadows, wrapped in a tailored suit.
He claims this public front is the only way to protect me. But behind closed doors, our contract completely shatters. He handles me with terrifying reverence. But will the Prince of Death also conquer my heart like he's claimed my body and soul?
Mors vincit omnia. Death conquers all. Or will I find a way to free myself from this king of darkness and burn his twisted kingdom to the depths of the underworld?
The Court is Open
The first 100 members get exclusive access to Captive Vowsāa spicy, dark academia, Hades x Persephone inspired gothic romance featuring a lethal Grim Reaper hero and a heroine with enchanted blood.
- š® Secret Societies
- š„ Enemies-to-Lovers
- š¤ Spicy Shadow Play
- š¤ Nightmare Comfort
- āļø āTouch Her and Dieā Energy
- š Ruthless Lord x Scholar Heroine
- šļø Dark Academia & Gothic Underworld
- š Grim Reaper / Prince of Death Dynamic
- š¤ Black Romance (Blasian Hero x Black Heroine)
Pick Your Tier:
- š $5: Early access for voracious bookwyrms
- āļø $15: Audiobooks & bonus content for dedicated courtiers
- š $75: Premium physical book boxes & virtual meetings for my inner circle
Crowne Books' Imprints:
- āļø Griffin Castle (Diverse Male POV Romance)
- š Olivia Nightingale (Black & Interracial romance)
- š¤ Olivia Starling (Black & Multicultural Queer Romance)
More serial fiction and bonus content from Griffin Castle and Olivia Starling on the horizon!
VIRUTAL EVENT
My fellow creatures of the night, I am hyped to announce that we have sold 50 tickets to our very first virtual event!!! Seeing so many of you geek out with me over Black vampire lore is amazing. Plus, we have another MC joining our coven for the event, which means MORE activities for both Fledgling (FREE) and Daywalker (VIP) ticket holders!
But this gala isn't just about celebrating incredible fiction; we are putting our moneyāand our fangsāwhere our mouth is. We are raising $500 for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America during our "blood drive" fundraiser via our exclusive book box tier! Because what is a vampire gala without a little life-saving donation?
Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects the Black community, and your donations can literally save lives. Whether you are attending the virtual panels from the comfort of your own velvet coffin or just want to support a fantastic cause, we want to challenge our realm to give back in a major way.
Grab your ticket today, sink your teeth into our exclusive book club and gala bingo, and let's make this first virtual gathering absolutely legendary! Oh, and remember: if you don't RSVP, you won't get the link to join the festivities!
NEW ARRIVALS
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