Some stories are meant to be read. Others invite us to become part of something.
Have you ever finished a chapter, closed your book, and found yourself still thinking about the characters? Perhaps you've questioned a decision they made. Maybe you've laughed at something they said, felt frustrated by their stubbornness, or found yourself wondering what might happen next. And sometimes, long after you've stepped away from the story, a character's words find their way back to you.
As an author, I find something rather extraordinary about that. I spend countless hours with these characters. I know their histories, their secrets, their questionable decisions, and occasionally, the things they haven't quite figured out about themselves. But when I share their stories with readers, something changes. The world I've spent years creating becomes a world we're experiencing together. And that's where our Moonlighters come in.
So, What Exactly Is a Moonlighter?
Within the Shadow Bound Series, I've chosen to call the readers who gather around these stories Moonlighters. But I don't see Moonlighter as simply another word for someone who has purchased a book. To me, a Moonlighter is someone who enjoys stepping beyond the pages. Someone who asks questions, develops theories, becomes attached to characters, and isn't afraid to tell me when one of them has made an absolutely terrible decision. And believe me, there are plenty of those decisions to discuss.
You don't have to know every character's name, remember every detail, or have finished Moons and Shadows to belong in the conversation. Perhaps you've only recently discovered the series. Perhaps you've been following its development for years. Either way, there's room for you.
More Than a Story
One of the things I love most about writing fantasy is the opportunity to explore complicated experiences through extraordinary circumstances. The characters within Moons and Shadows encounter questions of faith, trust, loyalty, healing, sacrifice, and belonging. They don't always have the answers. Frankly, neither do I.
Sometimes, writing a particular scene causes me to question something I thought I understood. Other times, a reader shares an interpretation that makes me look at my own work differently. I love those moments because storytelling shouldn't always be a one-sided conversation. There is something wonderful about discovering that the same story can mean something entirely different to two people. And neither interpretation has to diminish the other.
A Little Light Behind the Shadows
Being a Moonlighter also means having opportunities to see more of the creative journey. The questions I'm exploring. The little discoveries that happen while writing. The occasional behind-the-scenes chaos that comes with building an entire fantasy world. There may be glimpses into upcoming stories, conversations about the characters, and little pieces of the Shadow Bound world that don't necessarily find their way onto the published page.
And, of course, there will be opportunities to talk about what's coming next. With Shadows and Mist, Book Two Volue 1 of the Shadow Bound Series, continuing to take shape, there is still so much waiting to be discovered. But I don't want this community to exist solely around the next release. I want it to be a place where readers feel comfortable being curious, sharing their thoughts, and enjoying the journey.
An Invitation to Our Moonlighters
If you've ever found yourself lingering in a fictional world longer than you intended, you probably understand a little of what I'm hoping to build here. A community of readers who appreciate the story, but also enjoy the conversations that grow around it. Some of you will participate in every discussion. Others will quietly follow along, reading and listening from the sidelines. Both are welcome.
Because being a Moonlighter isn't about how loudly you participate. It's about sharing a little of the light that stories bring into our lives. So, whether you're already a Moonlighter or you're only just discovering the Shadow Bound Series, I'd love to welcome you into the conversation.
And I'd love to begin with a question: Have you ever read a book that stayed with you long after the final page? What made it unforgettable? I'd love to hear your answer.
With gratitude,
M.D. Petrocco
Author of the Shadow Bound Series
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