The Chosen One Con is the first book in the Lost in the Aether duology—a queer gaslamp fantasy of industrial magic in a world of designer enchantments and celebrity-branded potions from the author of The Cruel Gods.
The Chosen One Con is the first book in the Lost in the Aether duology—an upcoming queer MM gaslamp fantasy of industrial magic in a world of designer enchantments and celebrity-branded potions. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing, as well as content considered rude and crude. View the full list of content warnings or check the FAQ for more details.
Magic is a rich man’s game.
Archons control magic in the great city of Aefenhold. Brand-name spells, addictive potions, and celebrity TV keep the poor entertained while they toil in the factories manufacturing magic. That should have been the fate of Max and his childhood friend Lyle, until a violent workers’ strike tears their lives apart, condemning Lyle to the aetherstone mines and leaving Max orphaned with no choice but to sell his labour to a brothel.
Life under the Archon’s rule has given Max a taste for magical narcotics, and left Lyle with aether dust in his lungs and a deep resentment for magic. So when Aefenhold’s rulers announce a televised contest to find the chosen one–a prophesized distraction to unite the city against its detractors–both Max and Lyle see an opportunity to con their way into the contest.
Where Max seeks to steal magic for his freedom, Lyle views magic as a tool of oppression to be destroyed. Their old friendship will be tested as they’re forced to become adversaries against famous rival mages in a series of magical trials. Whoever becomes the chosen one will change the shape of magic forever.
But magic is a rich man’s game, and should Max or Lyle be discovered as frauds, their deaths will be televised next.
Sound intriguing? Here’s some of the things you can look forward to in The Chosen One Con:
Industrial magic origins!
Potions and enchantments with various magical effects!
Oi mate, you got a loicence for that magic?
Magical TV shows!
Celebrity mages who are (mostly) assholes!
Characters that love to swear!
An MC that really loves magic (and sex!)
An MC that really hates magic (and sex?)
A trans girl POV that is the most sensible character actually.
A chosen one prophecy… but is it real??
A contest featuring magical trials that don’t end well.
Surprising deaths!
Revolutionary plots!
Who really killed the most powerful Archon of the city?
Aefenhold is a city of magical industry and innovation. Imagine the Victorian era if they had discovered magic and used it to propel their society into a technological future. Magic was invented 150 years ago when miners discovered a rare glowing blue ore known as aetherstone. Through experimentation, the first mages were able to turn aetherstone into a source of pure energy, or aether, and later on crystallise the ore into portable magic. Spells are made possible through a runic language delivered from god itself.
Since then, Aefenhold has embraced aether and spellcrafting. Aether powers the trams, the streetlamps, motorcars, and MagiVisions that broadcast state-approved shows. Citizens enjoy a range of celebrity-branded enchantments and potions that improve their lives. However, as magic can be volatile, citizens must study for a magical licence to use certain spells, with higher-level licences granting access to greater spells.
Naturally, we wouldn't want any ne'er-do-well gaining access to these licences, thus they come with a price that many of Aefenhold's poorest citizens can't afford. It's the poor who mine the aether and manufacture the magic, and the rich who indulge it.
[🐉 Office of Narrative Compliance Form 06-Y (”Request for Library of Unwritten Things Reader’s Card”). Key: AETHER]
This great magical city is ruled by the Arcanum, a council of five powerful mages known as Archons. They ensure the aether keeps flowing and each citizen knows their place. However, discontent grows among the working class. A group of anti-magic rebels have been disrupting the aether supply. They would see Aefenhold stagnate! After an Archon is assassinated, the Arcanum announce a prophecy to find the 'chosen one' to replace them and unite the city against its detractors.
And of course, such an auspicious occasional MUST be televised... for entertainment!
The story, then, is about two working class young men, Max and Lyle, who enter the world of celebrity mages in order to join The Chosen One Show, a contest to find a prophesized chosen one that will unite Aefenhold against those who oppose magical progress.
The story is written in first-person from the alternative perspective of Max and his old teenage lover, Lyle. It begins when a violent workers strike tears them apart. Lyle is condemned to the aether mines, while Max is left alone to raise his young sister, Hope. Seven years later, each believe the other to be dead or missing, but are reunited unexpectedly during the chosen one contest.
Both enter the contest for their own reasons - for Max, that means grasping magic. For Lyle, that means destroying it. They'll need to compete with each other alongside four other famous celebrity mages to be named the chosen one, while also attempting to fit into a rich man's world far from their own.
Max is also accompanied by his sister, Hope, during the contest, and there are a few chapters from her POV as well!
Other characters you’ll meet include:
The Archons
The city of Aefenhold is ran by the Arcanum, a collection of five blue mages who are responsible for developmental areas of the city. These are:
Ignatius, Archon for Magic and Innovation. Known as the War Mage due to the red robes he wears and the magical gauntlet he wields, Ignatius is the most powerful of the Archons. He owns factories across Aefenhold responsible for much of the city’s aether production. He also holds the trademark for magical fire.
Pandora, Archon for Engineering and Science. Pandora isn’t much of a public figure, preferring to work from behind the scenes. She’s responsible for the city’s maintenance including transportation. Effectively, she keeps the city running. She is known by the aether-powered wheelchair she uses.
Regis, Archon for Production and Trade. Known for his Royal Regis brand of potions and factories, Regis is responsible for trade across the city, as well as maintaining magical licenses. He is recognized for his business attire and golden makeup, marking his obsession with gold.
Thalia, Archon for Civics and Tradition. She is an ex-soap star for Highbridge Hearts as well as host for the famous talk show, The Heart of Magic. Known as the ‘heart’ of the Arcanum. She has modernised Aefenhold’s culture by taking control of the aetherwaves for state-controlled television (Known as MagiVision) and is the brains behind The Chosen One Show and contest.
Sevrina, Archon for Order and Defence. An ex-champion of the hit duelling show, Mage Versus Magic, she is known as the Arcane Knight due to the silver armour she wears and the aether sword she carries. She is primarily in charge of Aefenhold’s defence and employs a civil police force of silver mages in silver armour known as the Argents.
The Blue Mages
The Chosen One Show is a contest of blue mages, each of whom happen to be celebrities in their own right. Here are the other four contestants:
Celestia, an ex-porn star who rose to fame when a sex video of her and Ignatius was leaked. She went on to become the main star of Stoneridge Street, leading to a career in modelling for The Magic Catwalk and a reality MV show Calling to the Stars.
Incendio, an inventor and CEO of Ignite Inventions. He prides himself on his magical inventions and weaponry that seek to emulate his hero, Ignatius. He uses a magical gauntlet to cast blue flames.
Flynt, a charming actor and gun mage who gained fame from the popular war mage films The Magic Bullet, The Mage Who Spelled Me, and The Mage with the Golden Flintlock. They cast magic using magical bullets.
Nightingale, an opera singer with a large fanbase and an ego to match. Her songs can be heard across Aefenhold. She casts magic by a controlling a metal bird via the power of song.
I'm on a quest to find the chosen one of Aefenhold to back this project! Could that be you?
The Chosen One Con is book one in the Lost in the Aether duology. It's currently in development and estimated for a release around spring-summer 2026. This series comes hot off the backs of The Cruel Gods trilogy, so I know how to put together a fantastic gaslamp fantasy series.
Why launch this campaign? The cost of living crisis has made self-publishing a costly venture in recent years, and I'd like to pay the editors and artists I work with more. My goal of £600 (roughly $800) isn't actually enough to pay for the edits this book will require, but will cover half of it while stretch goals will cover the other half and allow me to have a little fun and aim for some cool things for the book, namely awesome map art and other prints.
Help me get there, and I'll bring you a magical, if slightly depraved story worthy of an Archon.
For this campaign we've got five reward tiers, each based on the mage licensing system of Aefenhold. Prices are in GDP, but Backerkit will provide their own estimations.
Become a Black Mage and back us because you love us! If you want to show your support without a reward, this cheeky little tier is for you. All supporters that back any tier will be credited in the final released book.
Become a Bronze Mage and gain a copy of the eBook before its general release in the world, estimate spring-summer 2026.
Become a Silver Mage and gain a copy of the eBook as well as these digital rewards: a digital version of three character art cards representing the main characters, a Royal Regis fake potion advert, and a ePub TV guide that explores the world of Aefenfold and its characters. Digital rewards will be delivered ahead of the finished book.
Become a Amethyst Mage and gain the eBook and above digital rewards AND a copy of the paperback! All paperbacks will be signed digitally and includes a free bookmark (UK only depending on shipping).
Go ALL IN and become a Blue Mage! This gives you all the above awards, including the eBook, paperback, and digital rewards, but ALSO print versions of the character art cards and Royal Regis advert. This tier will also include digital AND print copies of the city map and art print if these stretch goals are met. Includes free bookmark. Bear in mind that shipping fees are charged separately.
I've got a few stretch goals in mind to begin with and a few extras if we make it that far!
My first stretch goal is for a City Map of Aefenhold as designed by the wonderful Soraya Cocoran. Soraya has designed maps for my books previously, including the incredible Domain Crossings map from The Cruel Gods series. If unlocked, a black and white version of the city map will appear in the eBook and paperback copies of The Chosen One Con. A colour copy of the city map will be available as a digital and print reward for the Blue Mage Licence tier and as an add-on.
My second stretch goal is for an additional portrait of the main character of Max as designed by the talented Aowna, who designed the character art cards of Max, Lyle, and Hope. If unlocked, a black and white version of the portrait will appear in the eBook and paperback copies of The Chosen One Con. A colour copy of the portrait will be available as a digital and print reward for the Blue Mage Licence tier and as an add-on.
Additional Stretch Goals
£400: Pay off the Edits! The initial goal of £600 (approx $800) will only pay off half the editing fees for The Chosen One Con, so a further stretch goal will help me cover the rest.
£5000:Audiobook! Love to listen to your books? If we make it big, then I'll bring back the incredible RJ Bayley who narrated the audiobook for The Thirteenth Hour, and we'll produce an audiobook of The Chosen One Con.
Hardcover? Do you prefer hardcover books? Let's vote on it!
Here are the current available add-ons which you can order as extras on top of your pledge! As stretch goals unlock, more add-ons will be added. Prices are in GDP, but Backerkit will provide their own estimations. Bear in mind that shipping fees are charged separately.
Show your appreciation for capitalism with this advertisement for the Royal Regis patented Vim & Vigor potion! Each print is A4 sized and comes with a single-sided gloss lamination. Each print also comes with a free bookmark.
Keep the characters of The Chosen One Con close to heart with these individual character cards. Each card is A7 in size and comes with a single-sided gloss lamination. Buy one for £5 or get all three for £12! Each print also comes with a free bookmark.
This is your chance to make your mark on The Chosen One Con! As the book is still in development, I'm offering backers the chance to name a character, branded potion, or magical business that will appear in the book, limited to 5 backers. The caveat is that these names must fit within the world of the book. Inappropriate names will be vetoed, but we'll work together to come up with a name we'll both like!
Want another copy of The Chosen One Con for your friends or enemies? We've got you!
Curious about The Cruel Gods series? Tales From Across the Domains is a short story collection with fifteen stories to introduce you to this gaslamp fantasy series. No shipping necessary!
Ready to dive into a world of gods? The Cruel Gods series is an adult gaslamp fantasy featuring magical portals, gothic cosmic deities, quaint Britishisms, and steampunk vibes. The first book, The Thirteenth Hour, is a SPFBO runner-up and BBNYA finalist and won the Indie Ink Award for best setting and wittiest character. This add-on includes all three eBooks of the trilogy AND a copy of Tales From Across the Domains thrown in. eBooks will be sent to your email at the end of January 2026 due to Amazon restrictions. No shipping necessary!
I'm still technically writing this book, which will soon go to beta readers for feedback. This is my 7th novel (not including short stories!) so I know how to write and edit a big book. I don't want to rush this one, so the book will be finished when I'm happy with it and it has been fully edited and proofread to a quality standard. I'm aiming for a spring-summer 2026 release, but I'll keep backers updated on my progress! I also regularly post updates to my newsletter and Bluesky.
An advanced eBook copy of the book will be made available before the paperback and will be sent ahead of the book's general release, so backers will get to read it first! All other rewards, such as digital rewards and prints, will be sent separately when the campaign is finished where applicable.
Shipping
Unlike Kickstarter and other crowdfunding services, shipping fees are not included with pledges on Backerkit which means these will need to be paid separately by you, the backer, when the project is completed. As shipping rates can change, these will be determined when the project is ready to be fulfilled.
I'm offering a variety of digital reward tiers (without the paperback) to negate the necessity of shipping and save you additional costs. Please bear in mind potential shipping fees when backing!
As I'm based in the United Kingdom, paperback copies of the book will be sent direct from the supplier in the US, Europe, and other territories. These will include a digital version of my author signature. For other goods, such as prints, I'll send these directly with tracking where possible. This is a estimated guide to shipping costs, but prices may fluctuate between now and fulfilment due to exchange rates and other worldwide shipping issues:
The Chosen One Con Paperback: £4.88 (UK) $9.69 (US)
Fake Advert Poster: £3.60 (UK) $15 (US)
Character Art Cards: £3.60 (UK) $10 (US)
The Cruel Gods Paperbacks: £6.10 (UK) $11.09 (US)
Where possible, we'll bundle items together i.e art cards and other prints. Art cards and posters are a lot easier and cheaper to ship than large paperbacks, which is why I'm dropshipping books directly from the printer. Unfortunately, I am unable to process refunds.
Note: shipping for stretch goals will come later as the art will need to be commissioned first. I'll keep you updated!
This is my first time launching a crowdfund campaign, so I'm expecting there will be lessons to learn along the way. However, as this project is part of The Book Bazaar 2025, their community offers a lot of support and help for newbies like me. They're a fantastic and friendly bunch and I wouldn't have made it this far without them.
The biggest challenge we face is getting the paperbacks printed and shipped given the current state of the world and my location based in the United Kingdom, but I'll keep backers updated on any issues relating to this. If you are located outside of the UK, I strongly suggest backing a digital-only tier to avoid shipping fees and issues.
Who is Trudie Skies? Why, they're the host of the show! The mage with the most! Trudie Skies is a non-binary author based in North East England, though they have been living inside fantasy worlds ever since they discovered books and refuse to return to reality. Trudie is the author of The Cruel Gods series that began with SPFBO and BBNYA finalist The Thirteenth Hour, which also won an Indie Ink award for best setting and wittiest character.
The Chosen One Con is their second series set within a fantasy gaslamp world inspired by the realities of a Victorian working class existence merged with otherworldly gods and magic. What can you expect from a Trudie Skies story? British humour, dark themes, a queernormative world, and plenty of swearing.
When not conjuring new worlds, Trudie spends their free time exploring the realms of indie books and video games, staring at clouds, and chasing after their fluffy companions. All book sales help buy the kitties treats.
Welcome to The Book Bazaar, a celebration of all things indie and small press! We're collaborating to help make each creator's dreams come true with their publishing project. The more you back, the more goodies you earn. Here's how you can earn more:
🌟 Back five projects, get an exclusive reward. We're offering an exclusive The Book Bazaar reward to anyone who goes all out and backs five or more projects. The Book Bazaar 2025 participants are putting together a one-of-a-kind anthology full of unique and never-before-seen stories. Claim your anthology by showing your support now! Your anthology reward will ship separate from other rewards.
Other Projects
Check out these other projects that are part of The Book Bazaar! These are projects that I think have elements in common with The Chosen One Con, whether through dark themes, anti-capitalist vibes, or adult queer tales. Take a look:
