Publisher Spotlight: Tom Conaghan and the Art of the Short Story

Author Spotlight: D.P. Martinez on Son of the Axe

What if your past wasn’t just something you remember… but something that actively pulls you back? In this episode of Shelf Discovery, I do something a little different. Instead of interviewing an author, I step into the spotlight and answer the same questions I usually ask my guests—this time about my own magical realism novel, Son of the Axe. The result is a more personal, reflective episode that explores not just the story itself, but the deeper questions behind it: identity, legacy, and the quiet tension between the life we live and the life we feel we were meant to live. A different kind of episode This episode is part of Self-Made Stories, where the focus is usually on indie authors building their work outside traditional publishing. But instead of a traditional interview, I walk you through the core ideas behind Son of the Axe by answering a simple set of questions: * What is the book about? * What other books is it similar to? * Why might readers connect with it? * Where did the idea come from? It’s a format designed to give you a clear sense of the story—without overexplaining it. The story at the centre At its core, Son of the Axe follows Jacob Machado, a man who appears to have a stable, complete life—until something shifts. A midlife crisis, or perhaps something deeper. When Jacob acquires a mysterious axe linked to his 12th-century ancestor, what begins as curiosity turns into obsession. He starts tracing his family history across Portugal, Spain, and Colombia, searching for meaning in the past. But the deeper he goes, the more the line between history and something… less explainable begins to blur. The journey comes at a cost. His work, his relationships, and his sense of reality all begin to unravel. And at the centre of it all is a question he cannot avoid: Do you hold on to the past—or do you let it go? A story grounded in real questions While the novel includes supernatural elements—a cursed object, ghostly visions, echoes of the past—the heart of the story is deeply human. It explores questions many readers will recognise: * Where do I come from? * How much does my past define me? * What does it mean to live a meaningful life? * What kind of legacy am I leaving behind? As I explain in the episode, this is not just a story about a man and an object. It’s about identity. And the tension between the life we have… and the life we imagine could have been. Books that shaped the story To give listeners a sense of the tone and themes, I compare Son of the Axe to a few well-known novels: * The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab — for its exploration of memory and legacy across time * The Midnight Library by Matt Haig — for its psychological depth and focus on regret and alternate lives * The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón — for its atmosphere and connection between past and present Each comparison highlights a different aspect of the novel, from its emotional core to its narrative structure. The personal inspiration behind the book One of the most revealing parts of the episode is the origin of the story. Son of the Axe draws directly from my own family history. The novel begins with the real story of my 22nd great-grandfather, a man who fought in 12th-century Portugal. From there, I traced the journey of my ancestors across countries and generations. That research sparked something deeper. A realization that history is not just a sequence of events—it’s a chain of decisions, identities, and unresolved questions that continue to echo forward. The novel builds on that idea, blending real history with imagination to explore how the past shapes the present. A glimpse into the story The episode also includes a reading from the opening page, set in medieval Portugal. It introduces the origin of the axe and hints at the long arc of the story—one that stretches across centuries and connects past and present through a single object. Without giving too much away, it sets the tone: atmospheric, historical, and slightly unsettling. Where to find the book Son of the Axe is available in multiple formats: * Paperback [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Son-Axe-Magical-Realism-Novel/dp/1738817792] (widely available) * Hardback (via Amazon) * Ebook (including Kindle Unlimited) [https://www.amazon.com/Son-Axe-Magical-Realism-Novel-ebook/dp/B0FVFZ54WB] At the time of recording, the ebook is priced at an accessible level, making it easy to try. For more information, including links and details about the sequel novella What the Axe Did Next, you can visit: dpmartinez.uk [https://diegopineda.ca/son-of-the-axe-novel] Listen if you enjoy: * magical realism grounded in real history * character-driven stories about identity and purpose * novels that blend past and present * reflective, slightly darker explorations of meaning * discovering indie books with a personal origin Thanks for reading Contemporary Fantasy Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpmartinez.substack.com [https://dpmartinez.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

How Algorithms Shape What We Read (and What We Miss)

Why do the same books keep showing up everywhere? In this solo episode of Shelf Discovery, D.P. Martinez explores how algorithms influence what readers discover—and what they never see. From Amazon recommendations to BookTok trends, we unpack how popularity loops shape visibility, why certain types of books dominate your feed, and which stories often get left behind. In this episode: How recommendation algorithms actually work Why popular books keep getting more visibility The concept of “popularity bias” and what it means for readers Which books struggle in algorithm-driven systems Practical ways to break out of the recommendation loop A short, thought-provoking look at how modern discovery works—and how to find better books beyond the algorithm. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpmartinez.substack.com [https://dpmartinez.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Publisher Spotlight: Tom Conaghan and the Art of the Short Story

When was the last time you read a book of short stories? For many readers, the answer is: a long time ago. Short fiction used to play a much larger role in literary culture. Writers such as Jorge Luis Borges, Edgar Allan Poe, and many authors built lasting reputations through the short story. Yet today, short story collections often feel strangely absent from bookshop shelves. In this episode of Shelf Discovery, I speak with Tom Conaghan, founder of Scratch Books [https://www.scratch-books.co.uk/], an independent press dedicated to keeping the short story alive as a vibrant literary form. Our conversation explores why short fiction struggles in the traditional publishing ecosystem—and why passionate independent publishers are working to change that. Why short stories struggle in traditional publishing One of the themes that emerges early in the discussion is the way publishing trends shape what readers encounter. Many editors and agents believe that short story collections are harder to sell than novels. Readers browsing in bookshops often hesitate when they realise a book contains multiple stories instead of a single continuous narrative. As a result, major publishers frequently prioritise novels or collections written by already well-known authors. This creates a feedback loop: * fewer short story collections are published * readers encounter them less often * publishers interpret this as a lack of demand Tom describes this as an ecosystem issue rather than a failure of the form itself. In other literary traditions—particularly in Ireland and the United States—the short story still occupies a central place in literary culture. Scratch Books was created partly to challenge the assumption that readers no longer care about short fiction. The origins of Scratch Books Scratch Books grew out of Tom’s work with the Word Factory, an organisation that champions the short story in the UK. One early project involved collecting interviews with writers about how they constructed their short stories. That idea eventually evolved into a book—and the experience of assembling it provided the spark for launching a small publishing venture. From there, Scratch Books gradually expanded its catalogue, focusing on projects that celebrate both the craft and the creative possibilities of short fiction. Today, the press publishes only two books each year, allowing them to focus on works that feel particularly distinctive and ambitious. A standout recommendation from the catalogue During the conversation, Tom highlights a book he particularly recommends: The Unreliable Nature Writer [https://www.scratch-books.co.uk/product-page/the-unreliable-nature-writer] by Claire Carroll. The collection imagines a future shaped by climate change but approaches the subject with subtle humour and restraint rather than heavy-handed warning. The stories move between elements of science fiction, dark comedy, and psychological observation. Tom describes the writing as precise and quietly unsettling—stories that evoke powerful emotional responses through suggestion rather than explicit explanation. This kind of tonal complexity is one of the reasons short fiction can feel so distinctive. A story may be only a few pages long, yet leave readers thinking about it for days. A favourite short story collection outside the press Beyond the Scratch Books catalogue, Tom also mentions a personal favourite: Pond [https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/books/pond/] by Claire-Louise Bennett. [https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/books/pond/] The book occupies a fascinating space between a traditional story collection and a fragmented novel. The pieces share a voice and sensibility, creating a loose continuity without following a conventional narrative arc. It is a good example of how short fiction can blur boundaries between literary forms while maintaining a powerful sense of voice. Why short stories still matter One of the most interesting ideas in the episode is that short stories often deliver something unique that novels cannot. A novel immerses readers in a sustained narrative world. A short story, by contrast, can create a sudden emotional or intellectual impact—sometimes in just a few pages. The form allows writers to experiment with voice, tone, and perspective in ways that feel immediate and surprising. And for readers, discovering a powerful short story can feel like encountering a perfectly crafted piece of literary lightning. Listen if you enjoy: * discovering unusual corners of the literary world * short fiction by innovative writers * conversations about how stories are created * independent presses that champion overlooked genres * finding new authors before they become widely known Short stories may not dominate bookstore displays the way novels do, but conversations like this one suggest the form is far from disappearing. In fact, thanks to passionate readers, writers, and independent publishers, the short story might be entering a fascinating new chapter. Thanks for reading Contemporary Fantasy Reads! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpmartinez.substack.com [https://dpmartinez.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Books That Would Never Survive Traditional Publishing

What kinds of books struggle to make it through traditional publishing? In this episode of Shelf Discovery, D.P. Martinez explores the kinds of stories that often fall outside the mainstream publishing system—from unusual genre mashups to experimental storytelling and niche historical narratives. These are the books that can be difficult to market but often become some of the most original reads for curious readers. In this episode: Why traditional publishing favors familiar genres and predictable audiences The types of books that often struggle to get a traditional deal How indie publishing allows unusual stories to reach readers Why some of the most creative books exist outside the mainstream system A short exploration of how the indie book world expands the kinds of stories readers can discover. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpmartinez.substack.com [https://dpmartinez.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Author Spotlight: Jesse Karjalainen on The Broken Crown

In this episode of Shelf Discovery, we meet indie author Jesse Karjalainen, whose upcoming historical conspiracy thriller The Broken Crown blends real British history with fast-paced suspense. Inspired by the spirit of The Da Vinci Code, the novel follows an ordinary taxi driver who discovers a mysterious piece of gold that pulls him into a centuries-old secret tied to the English monarchy. In this episode: The story behind The Broken Crown and its historical roots Why Jesse wanted an ordinary protagonist instead of a typical CIA/FBI-style hero How real English history shapes the thriller’s mystery Influences including Dan Brown and Steve Berry A live reading from the opening page Plans for a future trilogy continuing the story A conversation about indie thrillers, historical intrigue, and writing page-turners that combine action with real-world history. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpmartinez.substack.com [https://dpmartinez.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]