Help Me Chose A Story

I need your help selecting which novel to publish.

My journey writing fiction started with the first draft of a novel about a young man and woman whose adventure begins where other tales end: at their wedding. Over the years, I have written and re-written this story, but I put it aside two years ago to draft another novel. This second book is a continuation of my short story The Eyes I Once Hated. Both books currently exist in about the same stage of development (almost finished!) and both are ripe candidates for serialization on substack.

I can’t decide which I want to start with and I need your help. In September, I will release the first chapter of each book onto my Substack, and I will leave it up to you, my readers and subscribers, to pick which one you would like to keep reading in your inbox. I will judge which one to serialize based on total reads, likes, comments, and feedback from my subscribers.

My goal is to have a serialized chapter released every other week starting in November/December. These will not be put behind a paywall, but will only be available to my substack subscribers. No matter which story gets picked, I will continue to publish one short story each month that anyone can read.

Subscribe to Corey's Story Stack!

ALO & Wyome

Alo & Wyome cover design by Decorous Design Co

The story that started it all! Alo & Wyome is a novel about one of life's greatest adventure. An adventure that many of us find ourselves on, but one that is rarely romanticized in fiction: marriage.

On the night of Alo and Wyome's wedding, they are sent on a quest for their village's most prized gift, a forest blessing. But the forest does not give favor easily. Along the way, the couple face trials devised to test them individually and together. But the hardest challenge of all awaits them upon their return from the woods.

The Eyes I Once Hated

The Eyes I Once Hated cover design by Decorous Design Co

Dak is the prince and sole heir to the most powerful kingdom in all the world. For all of his life he has enjoyed a life of luxury, but that changes on his fourteenth birthday. His father is betrayed and murdered by his closest advisors. When the assassins come for him, Dak does the unexpected and saves himself. He carries himself and his father's body back to the citadel only to discover his throne challenged and a war set in motion.

Two Stories, One Winner

The contest will begin with Alo & Wyome, which will be posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 to Substack. I will let it run for two weeks before I share The first chapter of The Eyes I Once Hated on Tuesday, September 16.

I will watch each story carefully for their first two weeks of publication. The one that gets the most views, likes, and comments will be crowned champion.

I hope you are as excited for these new stories as I am. be sure to subscribe to Corey's Story Stack so you don't miss the first chapters!

-Corey