Artemis Whelan
sci-fi and fantasy author
Books
The Education of Imryn Dyre, Wizard's Apprentice
(Podium Publishing, 24 Nov 2026)
A luckless healer who begrudgingly accepts a magical apprenticeship must race to find a cure for his charming mentor’s fatal affliction―before it’s too late.Half-goblin Imryn “Imi” Dyre hasn’t had an easy life. Born into a poor family and now a student on scholarship, he’s marked as an outcast amongst the wealthy magical families. So despite studying and honing his craft for years, it’s no surprise when he’s rejected from joining the ranks of healers. Just like that, his dream of opening a clinic in his impoverished neighborhood dies.Out of options, Imi has no choice but to accept an apprenticeship under the master wizard Elim Greenwood. Wise beyond his years and, to Imi’s dismay, indisputably handsome, Elim seeks a cure for a spell that’s slowly killing him. And though many before have failed, Imi’s magic might actually be the one solution to his mentor’s fatal affliction.There’s no time to waste, but Imi’s troubles continue as Elim’s cousin, Freddie, approaches them with a new problem. Her husband has been cursed to feed on souls, and his ravenous need to attack others is growing. Now, Imi must grapple with the search for two separate remedies―all the while contending with his forbidden feelings for Elim.Happily ever after has never felt more out of reach, but if Imi can save the man―and the family―he’s come to love, he might finally find the place where he belongs . . .
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Excerpt:
We were aiming for a small clearing, similar to the one we’d taken off from. My head was still foggy from sleep, but my arms tightened instinctively around Elim’s waist. Blueberry unfolded his wings, banking abruptly. His claws dug into the hard earth, his great wings flapping before his body titled forward. Finally, the claws on the curves of his wings touched down as well: we had landed.I tried to straighten in the saddle, resting a hand against Elim’s shoulder for leverage.“All right?” he asked.“Yes—” But before I could say more, Blueberry gave a sudden, massive shake. Off the saddle I went, tumbling down into the dirt.The yelp that sprang from my lips was more from indignation and shock than injury. Nevertheless, Elim had clambered out of the saddle and was at my side in a flash.“Imi!” he cried, kneeling down beside me. “Are you all right?”“…I’m fine,” I said, even if I had to blink a few times to stop the world from tilting. That and my wrist and elbow were definitely bruised, and the numbness was starting to fade from my backside. It was not a pleasant feeling.“It’s only a bit of a tumble, Elim,” said Winifred, dismounting from Enzo. “Look at him, he’s fine!”“Head injuries are nothing to sniff at,” said my employer indignantly. “Follow my finger, if you will, my dear.”It took me a moment to realize he was addressing me; I blinked again and rubbed my temple before dutifully following his moving finger with my eyes.“Well, no problems there, at least. A few facts, perhaps. What is the capital of ancient Zymeria?”I stared at him, befuddled.“I have no idea,” I admitted.“Goddess preserve me,” muttered Winifred. “Ask him something he knows, you fool.”Elim blinked. “Do you really not know the—oh, very well. Hmm. What’s the recovery time for Zymerian flu?”“Three days, unless the fever returns,” I replied, bemused. “Bedrest for five days if it does. Keep the patient warm but not overly hot. Ensure fluid intake in the form of soups and gruel.”“Well, I haven’t a clue if that’s right, but you sound very certain, so I suppose that shall have to do.”“My sister had the Zymerian flu once,” said Silas, chuckling as he removed the gear from the wyverns. “Then gave it to all five children.” He gave an exaggerated little shudder. “Body fluids, everywhere.”
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Bringer of New Things
Intrepid reporter Meera always knew he was destined for adventure.Unfortunately, he was born on Tollis, a planet whose gravity is so low he’ll have to surgically alter his bone density if he ever wants to explore the galaxy. No matter. He’s happy to exchange the crushing pain of high-G environments for the crushing disappointment of his family, who don’t even bother being there when he wakes up from surgery.Meera’s editor at the Starlight Gazette is quick to make use of his one and only Tollisian reporter’s new mobility. He assigns him to cover The Endurance, a military starship under the command of the notoriously recalcitrant (and infuriatingly good-looking) Captain Jon Baptiste. Meanwhile, he makes it clear that if Meera’s story doesn’t deliver, the Gazette, which paid for his surgery, will be forced to let him go.Meera’s only hope is to unearth scandal amongst a happy-go-lucky crew who immediately take him under their wing. What he doesn’t expect is to discover an insidious connection to piracy and evidence of a saboteur onboard, both of which lead him down a path far more dangerous than he was anticipating. All he knows is that something’s rotten onboard The Endurance. And he’s going to get to the bottom of it.Even if his number one suspect is the captain he's starting to fall head over heels for.
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About
Artemis Whelan (they/them) writes romantic speculative stories set in feminist, diverse, queernorm worlds. When not writing, they spend their free time playing video games and reading way too much Hobbit fanfiction. They like to combat writer’s block by walking their mini-dachshund; playing with their cats; or tending to their garden, where they raise sweet potatoes, cucumbers, shallots, peppers, blackberries, strawberries, and many species of native plants and wildflowers.Represented by Cheyenne Faircloth at Handspun Literary
