Velspar Elegies, for fans of dark, literary fantasy, poetic prose and symbolism. 🔸Book 1: The Way of Unity: mybook.to/ItTq 🔸Book 2: Black Stream: mybook.to/RpzPTJ Available in paperback, e-book and audio! 📖📱🎧
Sarah K. Balstrup
@skbalstrup.bsky.social
Dark Fantasy Author | #SPFBO9 semi-finalist | 📖 THE WAY OF UNITY (2023), BLACK STREAM (2025) | Religious Studies | https://sarahkbalstrup.bigcartel.com/about-the-author | Here occasionally, also on X & Goodreads.
The Way of Unity selected as Book Life Editor's Pick: "readers who favor fantasy of literary ambition with fully imagined lives and beliefs will find this a feast."
One of the most memorable stories of my childhood, The Riddle of the Trumpalar awakened my love of trees. I re-read this recently with my 9yo and it is even better than I remember. 🍃 #childrensbooks #middlegrade
There should be frost on the lawn but instead, it is raining. After the rain, little creatures grow. This odd little puff ball mushroom is called an earthstar, I believe. 🍄
In 2026 my reading has shifted to poetry and I am making an effort to slow down and read at a poetic pace. Poems take time to unfold their meaning, and in the case of William Blake, poetry is a visual experience. Here are my initial thoughts on Songs ⬇️ www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Black Stream, the 2nd instalment in my Velspar Elegies series has just come out on audiobook! 🎧 Narrated by the amazing @di_croft this series is for fans of dark, literary fantasy, open to a unique experience. Help me spread the word! 🥰 #indieauthor #audiobooks #darkfantasy
Reading Unity by @skbalstrup.bsky.social ⬇️ A dark fantasy in combination with organized religion. #bskyfantasybooks
I had a great time chatting with Livia, Kris, and Henry about Dune. As usual, Livia guides the discussion to deeper themes for a fascinating discussion. A little bird tells me there may be a follow up on Dune Messiah down the track!
Livia J. Elliot ~ Author & Podcaster@liviajelliot.com · 5mo agoIs free will possible if you can see the future? If the present has been pre-arranged? That's one of the many topics we discussed in the latest Guests Talk of #BooksUndone with @afictionalescapist.bsky.social @skbalstrup.bsky.social and Henry Nielsen. 👇🏻 1/4
Wrapping up my year-end recap: Best fantasy novel: The Wingspan of Treason by @inknest.bsky.social Best short story: Our Last Evening in a Moon-Struck City by @madeehahwrites.bsky.social Best dark fantasy: The Way of Unity by @skbalstrup.bsky.social
Thrilled to share the next batch of Empire of the Wolf / Great Silence collectible tarot cards, art by the brilliantly talented @doomedsarcoma.bsky.social. These will be available for sale in the coming weeks!
Hello my friends! By some stroke of fortune, I have been nominated for a Ditmar 😀 The Ditmar Awards are Australia's oldest science fiction, fantasy, and horror awards (est. 1969). If you attended Conflux, Continuum or Natcon between 2022-2025 you are eligible to vote! Link 🔽
Found book 1 and 2 The way of unity by @skbalstrup.bsky.social in the freebies section at worldcon. I nabbed a copy of book 2 cuse I have book 1 in digital and convinced a guy to nab the series saying the book was an spfbo semifinalist.
Hi @kdsbooks.bsky.social I finished Shadow of the Torturer! I picked up a lot more this time, on my second read. *review contains spoilers* www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Sarah Balstrup's review of The Shadow of the Torturer (The Book of the New Sun, #1)
*This review contains spoilers* Second Read: JUL 2025 (Audiobook + Kindle) Why I Read This (Again): Many people who share my taste in existential/spiritual/religious themes recommend this book and I...
goodreads.com
I had a dream that all the people who left twitter for bsky had actually just gone on a camping trip. They said it wasn’t that great and they were glad to be home. We had a big party and everyone was happy again. I miss having the whole gang in one place! 😭
a man and a woman singing into microphones with the words reunited and it feels so good
ALT: a man and a woman singing into microphones with the words reunited and it feels so good
media.tenor.com
Sometimes reviewers put it best! My second 5-star review for Black Stream 🖤
This amazing review from Autumn has absolutely made my day 😊 Read the full review here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Last chance to pick up a free copy of BLACK STREAM at the Indie Book Sale! Sequel to #SPFBO9 semi-finalist THE WAY OF UNITY 🖤 Discover some indie gems here: indiebook.sale
A small piece of my heart/soul is available for FREE this weekend as a part of the #indiebooksale Treat it well. indiebook.sale
Hey, hey, its the Indie Book Sale! Pick up my latest, BLACK STREAM, for free! This weekend only. indiebook.sale
A stellar endorsement from Richard Swan 🖤 Speechless!
Richard Swan@richardswanauthor.bsky.social · last yr.I stumbled on The Way of Unity a few years ago completely by chance and did not expect it to become one of my favourite fantasy novels ever. Absolutely thrilled to have signed copies of the reissue and its sequel. Get them ordered and on those TBRs!
BLACK STREAM has its first review! Five stars from C. H. Pearce 💜 Check it out ⬇️
C.H. Pearce@chpearcewrites.bsky.social · last yr.Loved BLACK STREAM by @skbalstrup.bsky.social, book two in the Velspar Elegies series. Like Peake’s Gormenghast, we return to a dark fantasy world steeped in religion and ritual, with a focus on character, political machinations, and family. Also that cover! 🖤 🤩 www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Hi guys! Check out this interview where P. L. Stuart and I discuss the themes in my dark fantasy debut, THE WAY OF UNITY, and my latest book BLACK STREAM. www.youtube.com/live/hKCZlCA...
SIX ELEMENTALS INTERVIEW #32 with SARAH K. BALSTRUP
YouTube video by P.L. Stuart - The Drowned Kingdom Saga
youtube.com
@stevewestenra.bsky.social I just finished watching The Last Unicorn (1982). Have you seen it? I know you recommended the book a million years ago when I added it to my TBR. I really want to read it now!
Dearest people who entered my Velspar Elegies competition. Winners have been contacted and if you have not heard from me, then it was not you this time. Thank you all so much for your interest in my books and for entering in the first place 😊 Next time!