The Ultraviolet Moth

The debut short story by poet Ryan Dickinson.


A village-city is slowly becoming more city than village. On its river bridge, a young orphan sings the weary home from the factories, a small kindness that keeps the world turning. Then a man in the highest tower reaches into a dream and catches something he was never meant to touch. What follows is a slow, terrible enchantment, and a bargain in the shadows that may be the only thing capable of breaking it.

Coming Soon

Beginning June 9th, the paperback and digital formats of the book will be available for purchase by clicking the button below. Additionally, the pre-order of the hardcover will be available there too.

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From the story:


And for all of that, this cobblestone, water-logged, hearth-smoke cloudy, riverside village-city (slowly, slowly more the latter) was about to fall under the strangest of spells.
For in the bowels of the industrial quarter, high above the metallic screams of progress and oppressive exhausts spewing from ticky-tack factories in strict row upon row, there was a tower, and in this tower a man of questionable intent discovered a most terrible thing.


This story is dedicated to those of the generations sold a beautiful dream,
built out of brilliant fantasy that ruined us for the real thing.

For readers of Paulo Coelho, Kahlil Gibran and Ursula K. Le Guin.

Ryan Dickinson Author

About The Author

I've been writing consistently for over a decade now. My poetry was featured in Rattle, shortlisted for the Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Award.
I have released two poetry collections, Cupid's Fool, and A Whisper Bounce From Star To Star.
I started writing The Ultraviolet Moth in 2023, showed an early version to a gathering of friends and have been working on it since.

What This Is All About

The Ultraviolet Moth is being published independently. The PDF and paperback editions will be available June 9th, and they make the project sustainable. The hardcover edition - fully illustrated, printed to a higher standard - is open for pre-order, and your support directly funds its creation.

This is a small, deliberate project. Every pre-order is a vote that this book deserves to exist as a beautiful object. I'm aiming for 100 pre-orders to commission the illustrations and complete production. If we reach 1000, I'll be exploring premium printing partners to make the edition even better.

Whatever edition you choose, you become part of how this book reaches the world.

Pre-order the Illustrated Hardcover

FAQ

When will the hardcover ship?
I am expecting that two months after the Digital and Paperback formats of the book become available, I will have found an illustrator, have the images and be able to print and ship the Hardcover.

What if you don't reach your pre-order goal?
If we don't reach the goal, the hardcover will be produced at a more modest standard, or backers will be offered a refund.

Will the book be available elsewhere later?
Yes, but first editions are limited, and only available through this campaign. Eventually, a kindle version will be available. For the time being, all paperback will be available through this website.

Can I buy multiple copies / give it as a gift?
Of course! The more the merrier!

Do you ship internationally?
Absolutely.

How can I support if I can't afford to buy?
Tell people: word of mouth and support via sharing is highly appreciated!

For Media

If any media organisations or individuals hope to get in contact, please find the Press Release as PDF below for more information.

Press Release