IFWG is very pleased to announce the acquisition of Staerstone, a fantasy novel by Queensland-based H.K. Stubbs.
“Stubbs has had quite a few short fiction pieces published by us,” said Gerry Huntman, Managing Director IFWG, “and this novel is a logical growth for her, and certainly welcomed by us. This exciting and well-crafted novel is actually a mash up of genres, with the added spice of a rarer commodity—authentic climbing scenes in which enmity and romance play out. Stubbs stated to me a short while back, ‘Researching Staerstone required literal extremes—traversing cliffs hundreds of metres above the ground; descending vertical routes, scaling sheer cliffs.’ Say no more; I’m in!”
Instant attraction between Zericha and Andalu won’t stop them going head to head in the race to climb Staerstone Mountain. Both are stoke-strong and desperate to take the Scepter of Peace—Zericha to protect her Wyld forest home, Andalu to claim more farmland for his starving Plainspeople.
Shocked by the Plains invading the forest, dirtbag Andalu rescues Zericha, beginning a star-crossed relationship that cuts deep across cliff and culture.
Climbing Staerstone Mountain will force them to face lies obscured in their pasts, reveal the dark natures of others, and what lies within their own hearts. It strips them of everything they have, and everyone they care for until, alone, they’re forced to rely upon each other.
Danger presses on their tail and from deep within the mountain. Unseen threats in the darkness and sky blaze closer. As the quest flips and forces them to delve into the mountain and ancient myth, will Zericha and Andalu follow their hearts or their duty? Can they find a way to hold onto their world and each other?
H.K. STUBBS is an Australian writer, journalist and creative producer. Staerstone—the novel—materialised from her obsessions with reading and rock climbing.
Helen’s short works feature in Apex Magazine, Nightmare Fuel Magazine, Kaleidotrope, Midnight Echo, and books published by GSFG, Black Beacon Books and IFWG Publishing (Nosferatu Unbound, Killer Creatures Down Under, Spawn I & II, A Vindication of Monsters) and more.
She read Honours in Creative Writing at Griffith University. She’s run many writing community events and initiatives, including volunteering for the committee of Contact 2016, the national Science Fiction convention, Brisbane.
When not writing or caring for her kids she’s rock climbing and hiking. Follow her adventures and climbs on Instagram @helenstubbs, Twitter/X @superleni, and her blog https://helenstubbs.wordpress.com
Staerstone will be globally released in the second quarter of 2026, through all quality ebook and print stores, online and through bricks and mortar outlets.
IFWG Publishing 