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Indie Bites #18
Indie Bites: Bards & Bargains
297 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Josie Jaffrey
61 books172 followersJosie is a dark fantasy, paranormal romance and historical fiction author who writes about lost worlds, dystopian societies and morally-ambiguous monsters (vampires are her favourite). She has published multiple novels and short stories. Most of those are set in the Silverse, an apocalyptic world filled with vampires and zombies.
Josie is the founding editor of indie fantasy magazine Indie Bites (www.silversunbooks.com) and the writer of the urban fantasy podcast Jack Valentine, Vampire Detective (www.jackvalentinepod.com).
She’s currently working on vampire murder mysteries (the Seekers series) and a YA series centred around Atlantis and the lost civilisations of the Mediterranean (the Deluge series). Researching the latter is the first time she’s used her Classics degree since university.
Josie lives in Oxford with her husband and two cats (Sparky and Gussie), who graciously permit human cohabitation in return for regular feeding and cuddles. The resulting cat fluff makes it difficult for Josie to wear black, which is largely why she gave up being a goth. Although the cats are definitely worth it, she still misses her old wardrobe.
Josie is the founding editor of indie fantasy magazine Indie Bites (www.silversunbooks.com) and the writer of the urban fantasy podcast Jack Valentine, Vampire Detective (www.jackvalentinepod.com).
She’s currently working on vampire murder mysteries (the Seekers series) and a YA series centred around Atlantis and the lost civilisations of the Mediterranean (the Deluge series). Researching the latter is the first time she’s used her Classics degree since university.
Josie lives in Oxford with her husband and two cats (Sparky and Gussie), who graciously permit human cohabitation in return for regular feeding and cuddles. The resulting cat fluff makes it difficult for Josie to wear black, which is largely why she gave up being a goth. Although the cats are definitely worth it, she still misses her old wardrobe.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 21, 2025
I loved this issue of Indie Bites.
It contains 11 wonderful stories focussing on the theme of Bards and Bargains.
I adored the hauntingly beautiful Swansong by Zoe Shakes. What a talent!
Arden Powell’s Courtship and Kulning woke up my Fernweh for Scandinavia. Who knew cows could be so romantic?
Only One Bard by Adie Hart put a huge grin on my face. Nobody writes fantasy rom-coms quite like Hart: full of lovable characters you just want to see happy ever after.
I eagerly awaited Josie Jaffrey’s A Shanty in the Key of F You. This is another fantastic instalment in her Silverse and combines two of fantasy’s coolest creatures: vampires and pirates.
Wizard 101 by Talli L. Morgan is a heart-warming story on the sacrifices we make for true friendship.
I highly recommend Indie Bites: Bards and Bargains.
It contains 11 wonderful stories focussing on the theme of Bards and Bargains.
I adored the hauntingly beautiful Swansong by Zoe Shakes. What a talent!
Arden Powell’s Courtship and Kulning woke up my Fernweh for Scandinavia. Who knew cows could be so romantic?
Only One Bard by Adie Hart put a huge grin on my face. Nobody writes fantasy rom-coms quite like Hart: full of lovable characters you just want to see happy ever after.
I eagerly awaited Josie Jaffrey’s A Shanty in the Key of F You. This is another fantastic instalment in her Silverse and combines two of fantasy’s coolest creatures: vampires and pirates.
Wizard 101 by Talli L. Morgan is a heart-warming story on the sacrifices we make for true friendship.
I highly recommend Indie Bites: Bards and Bargains.
July 25, 2025
(Disclaimer: I contributed a story to this issue; my rating is based on the other included stories.)
I think this may be my favorite Indie Bites to date!! Each of these stories is spectacular and I loved every single one.
I think this may be my favorite Indie Bites to date!! Each of these stories is spectacular and I loved every single one.
May 17, 2025
The longest Indie Bites yet, and in my biased opinion, also one of the very best so far!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews