Phoning Faust

by Sophie Mutiara Nova, Sophie Whittemore (Contributor)

Queer mixed Indonesian college student Dian Faust attempts to call the suicide hotline only to dial the wrong number, her finger slipping and typing in six three times (the mark of the Devil). The mysterious voice on the other end of the line is revealed to be a charming scam caller named Memphis with a penchant for chattiness, trapped in a dingy bus stop bathroom, wanting to learn a concerning amount about the lonely Dian’s life.

But this scam caller is more than just a Mr. Robot hacker wannabe—a sinister presence lurks in the pixels on Dian’s laptop screen in the shadows of her apartment. The Devil themself has come to collect Dian’s soul, and “Memphis” is actually Mephistopheles—Hell’s foremost golden-tongued agent and notorious liar.

In this loose retelling of Goethe’s Faust, will Dian save her soul before time runs out—or will she fall prey to the renowned storytelling deception of the infamous Mephistopheles?

ebook

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Final Girl fanatic Sophie Mutiara Nova (they/them) is a Queer, half-Indonesian, SLE-diagnosed Writer-Director. (Writing Fellow of Lambda Literary and the ACEX TV Initiative, Finalist of the Emmy's TV Academy Foundation Directing Program, Stowe Narrative Lab, and SAGIndie). Their TV series have won the Launchpad Pilot Competition, ScreenCraft Horror Competition, and many others; their film work's screened in festivals and venues internationally. In publishing, their debut monster book "Catch Lili Too" was spotlighted by the Golden Crown Literary Society (known for honoring Allison Bechdel). Originally from Chicago, Sophie's now based in Los Angeles (Dartmouth College BFA & MFA Film Directing CalArts). Their time learning from Indonesian dance troupe Burat Wangi has only further fueled their love for storytelling and rocking out in their free time. Find them admiring the SFX in a haunted house otherwise or most places as @thesophiewhit

Reviews

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Phoning Faust, Dian dials the suicide hotline to help her through crisis but instead ends up calling the fated number: 666. What she summons sends her through a massive spiral as she connects with a devil, fights the Devil, and gets to the other side. But was any of it even real?

WOW. I loved this story so much with the mental health and queer representation straight from the start, but then it just kept pulling me in more and more. Devoured it in just one day. The romance but also sweet friendship with dark undertones is so intriguing and the characters are so fascinatingly constructed. And the way everything turns on it’s head like 3/4 through??? Wow wow wow. Loved.

[Aspen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you miss dial the suicide hot line and enters the devil's number? What happens when it brings the devil to Dian's door?

When Dian dials 666 while trying to connect with the suicide hot line. When she starts talking to a devil Memphis and is brought into the end of her soul. The strength to fight the devil starts when she finds out she has till morning light before her soul is taken.

I enjoyed this book start to finish. The way the topic of suicide and love where blended together in a respectful manner. The characters are writing well and with depth. The twist of what is and what isn't true kept me on my toes. I will be recommending this to my friends.

[Eule Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and am honoured to leave my review.

Wow! This skilled story features the complex character of Mephistopheles (whom I adored as an intense teen), retold by Sophie Mutiara Nova within the veil of mental health, friendship, and attraction. It is really well written and manages to be dark as well as cute; a great combination for most things, including boots. The cover is fab.

5 cool stars! You should definitely buy and read this book if you're in the mood for something classy and different, which might inspire you to buy a pair of new boots, as it did me :)