The Starlit Veil

[Narrator] Independent publishers of Australia. 

[Description] Independent publishers of Australia, a black and white logo of an open book with 4 stars in varying sizes floating above. 

[Tatum Orla] Hey there! I’m Tatum Orla.  

[Description] A headshot of Tatum Orla. A title banner states: Tatum Orla, Author. The Starlit Veil: Secrets of the Celestial Realm. Tatum is a white woman with fair, freckled skin. Her auburn hair rests below her shoulders. She is smiling and wearing a deep green t-shirt. 

[Tatum Orla] I’m an Autistic Aussie and author, with a lifelong love of stargazing, storytelling and collecting strange maps. 

[Description] A candid picture of Tatum looking at the stars holding a black and white telescope. 

[Tatum Orla] I’d like to introduce you to The Starlit Veil: Secrets of the Celestial Realm. My debut fantasy series. It blends myth, magic and coming of age adventure.  

[Description] Book cover. The Starlit Veil: Secrets of the Celestial Realm by Tatum Orla. A deep blue night sky highlighted by golden constellations and a crescent moon. The main character is cloaked in dark blue, with her auburn hair blowing behind her. She has a serious expression. 

[Tatum Orla] When I’m not writing, I enjoy hiking along the windswept coastlines of Australia, collecting obscure folklore and drinking far too much tea.  

[Description] A photo of Tatum, wearing gardening gloves, crouched beside a bed of flowers along a path outside. 

[Tatum Orla] I live with my curious cat, Leo, and an ever-growing collection of notebooks that I feel with imaginary worlds like the one I’m about to introduce you to.  

[Description] A headshot of Tatum holding her cat Leo cuddled in her arms. Leo is a chunky calico cat with green eyes. 

[Tatum Orla] Let me read you the first few pages if you’re intrigued and would like to read more, please make sure to purchase a copy and stay in touch to find out when the next book in the series will be available by visiting TatumOrla.com. 

[Description] Book cover. 

[Tatum Orla] The Starlit Veil: by Tatum Orla.  

[Description] A static picture of the author holding the book open to read the first page. The text is on the left with an illustration on the right. The illustration shows the same main character from the cover of the book. She is wearing her deep blue cloak and an auburn long-sleeved dress that matches her hair. The constellation filled, night-sky and blowing trees are behind her. She is wearing a worried expression. 

[Tatum Orla] The stars should have been singing. 

On any other night, Astrithen’s sky would pulse with celestial melodies, a chorus of constellations whispering to those who dared to listen. Liora had spent her childhood tracing their patterns, weaving their stories into lullabies. Tonight, though, the heavens were silent. 

A cold wind swept through the marble courtyard, rustling the banners bearing her family’s sigil—the Starborn Crest. She clutched the edge of her cloak, staring upward, her pulse thrumming beneath her skin. 

Her constellation was gone. 

It wasn’t just dim. It wasn’t hidden behind the heavy, swirling clouds that sometimes veiled the heavens. It had vanished completely, as if torn from existence. 

Her throat tightened. Every Astrithen-born soul was tied to a constellation, their magic drawn from its light. Without it, their gifts would wither. Their destinies would unravel. 

“Liora?” 

The voice was soft but urgent. She turned to see her mother, Queen Ellara, stepping onto the balcony. Even wrapped in midnight-blue robes, her presence was commanding, regal. But tonight, her face was pale, etched with worry. 

“I see it too,” Liora whispered. 

Ellara’s gaze lifted to the barren sky. “This has never happened before.” 

Liora swallowed hard. She knew the stories, the warnings written in ancient tomes—if a constellation vanished, it meant something beyond fate was at play. A force that did not belong to the stars. 

“It can’t be gone,” Liora murmured. “It—there must be an explanation.” 

Ellara’s grip tightened on Liora’s arm. “We will find one. But you must not tell the court. Not yet.” 

A flicker of unease curled in Liora’s chest. Secrets were dangerous things, especially in a kingdom where prophecy dictated power. 

The Queen’s eyes darkened. “We need answers before the council learns of this.” 

Before they questioned whether Liora was meant to be a hero at all. 

[Narrator] Independent publishers of Australia. 

[Description] Independent publishers of Australia, a black and white logo of an open book with 4 stars in varying sizes floating above. 

[End]