SM RANDALL

"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." -Toni Morrison

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LITERARY AND EDITORIAL COMMISSION RATESShort-Stories and Novelettes$10.00 USD per 1,000 words ($0.01 / word)
Minimum 1,000 words
Max 10,000 wordsThe final product will be delivered as a Google Doc via Email.Proofreading & Copyediting
$0.01 USD / word
Max 90,000 wordsDevelopmental Editing
$0.015 USD / word
Max 90,000 words

TERMS OF SERVICE — BUYER / SELLER AGREEMENTI. Treatment of Customer/ProviderBefore beginning any project, whether writing or editing, I will have extensive discussions with you to ensure the final product meets your needs. I ask that you, the buyer, treat me, the provider, with respect at all times. Any form of harassment will result in one warning, followed by immediate termination of our agreement without a refund.All discussions will be conducted via email.II. Services Offered1. Commissioned Writing:
Custom-written short stories and novelettes tailored to client specifications, including genre, themes, and tone.
2. Proofreading & Copyediting:
A final-stage edit focusing on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and clarity, ensuring a polished and professional manuscript.
3. Developmental Editing:
In-depth story analysis covering plot, pacing, character development, worldbuilding, and overall narrative structure, with detailed feedback for improvement.III. Payments• Full payment is required in advance after our initial discussion.
• Payments must be made via PayPal and will reflect the agreed-upon price—no exceptions, no disputes.
• PayPal transaction fees are not included in the listed price and are the buyer’s responsibility.IV. Refunds• For writing commissions, a partial refund of 75% will only be considered if you remain dissatisfied after two full rewrites. Refunds will be issued within 1-2 weeks after request approval.
• For editing services, refunds will not be offered once work has begun. However, I will work with you to address concerns or clarify any edits made.V. NSFW Content• I am open to writing and editing NSFW content, but all literary commissions and editing services are only available to clients 18+.
• I have firm topic limits, which include any harm (psychological, physical, or mental) toward children and excessively dark content.VI. Turnaround Time• I do not commit to strict deadlines, as life can be unpredictable. However, I will provide an estimated timeframe and maintain communication throughout the process.
• General turnaround times:
- Writing commissions: 1-2 weeks, 3 weeks if extensive revisions are required.
- Editing services: Varies based on manuscript length and level of editing needed, but typically 1-3 weeks.
• If delays occur, I will communicate them promptly. If the timeline exceeds your comfort level, we can discuss possible solutions.VII. Piece Usage• Commissioned writing is for personal use unless stated otherwise. If the work will be used for commercial (publishing, competition submissions, etc) purposes, you must disclose this upfront. Commercial use can be denied at my discretion. If approved, a commercial flat-rate fee will apply.
• Editing services do not grant me any claim to the work itself. All rights remain with the original author.By proceeding to commission me, you acknowledge and accept the terms outlined above in this agreement.

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THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDITINGDevelopmental Editing:A high-level analysis of your manuscript, focusing on the “big picture” elements such as plot, pacing, character arcs, worldbuilding, and overall narrative structure. This type of edit does not address grammar or syntax but instead provides in-depth feedback on story cohesion, thematic consistency, and areas that may need further development. Developmental editing is most beneficial during the early stages of writing, when major revisions are still possible, helping you refine your story before moving on to more detailed edits.Line Editing (I do not provide):A comprehensive, in-depth edit that scrutinizes every aspect of your manuscript. This service goes beyond grammar and syntax, addressing plot consistency, character development, pacing, clarity, and overall flow. Every line is carefully examined, with detailed comments and suggestions for improvement. Expect thorough feedback on structure, word choice, tone, and narrative effectiveness—ensuring your manuscript is as strong and polished as possible. No stone is left unturned.Proofreading & Copyediting:This is the final polish before publication, focusing on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. A proofread edit catches mechanical issues such as misplaced commas, split infinitives, subject-verb agreement errors, and typos. However, it does not address deeper issues like repetitive word choice, inconsistencies in character actions, or structural concerns. This service ensures your manuscript is clean, clear, and professional without altering your voice or story content.

SM RANDALL

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ABOUTHello, I’m Randall (They/Them), though I sometimes go by Elijah. 🫰🏼 I’m a Pagan Asian-American writer, born and raised in Wisconsin, the dairy state. A proud member of the neurodivergent and queer community. I have a deep passion for queer romantasy novels, manhwas, art, and tabletop roleplaying games. Fantasy is my escape, offering (probably not the most healthy) comfort through dissociation and escapism. By day, I’m a full-time domestic violence advocate, and by night, a part-time indie author. While I may be socially awkward and perpetually exhausted, I’m always friendly and looking for community. Feel free to reach out!PEN NAMES EXPLANATIONSM Randall is the pen name I write under for my short stories and poetry. This is the pen name I write any genre where romance is pushed to the side or basically nonexistent.Elijah Her is the pen name I write under for my romance novels and novellas. Romance will always be the huge element of the story, if not, the main element of the story.(persona art by @k4rt4uji)

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SM RANDALL

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POETRY ARCHIVEEchoes of Pleasure - hedonism through time
The Weaver of Tales - storytelling
The Writer’s Shadow - imposter syndrome
Myth of the Block - writer’s block
The Heart Doesn’t Know - fantasy immersion
Not Just A Story - in love with fiction

SM RANDALL

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Title: A Cursed Threshold
Type: Short Story Collection, Adult
Publication: 10/15/24 on Amazon & Kindle
Tags: Contemporary, Psychological Thriller, Paranormal, Unreliable Narrator, Sapphic (second story)

Two lives cross the threshold between reality and delusion, where the mind’s darkest fears blur with the unknown—leaving them haunted by what may not exist.A Cursed Threshold is a two story collection of paranormal tales that explore the fragile boundary between light and darkness within the human soul. Each story delves into the hidden corners of the mind, where guilt, desire, and moral conflict intertwine with supernatural forces.RUNNING FROM SHADOWSEthan Torres, a college student overwhelmed by the pressures of academia, work, and a recent relocation, finds himself grappling with his own mind. The house initially offers Ethan a welcome solitude. Isolated and sleep-deprived in his new home on the town's outskirts, he becomes plagued by disturbing visions and an escalating sense of dread. As the night progresses, Ethan is driven to the edge, questioning his sanity and the true nature of his experiences.CHASING SHADOWSAylee Johnson, an artist recovering from a traumatic brain injury after a devastating car accident, retreats to a remote cabin with her wife, Makena. The quiet of the forest seems like the perfect place for Aylee to heal, but as she immerses herself in painting and reconnecting with nature, strange occurrences begin to unravel her sense of reality. Aylee starts to notice subtle changes in her surroundings. While Makena is a source of love and stability, Aylee begins to question whether her perceptions are a side effect of her injury or if something far more sinister is at play.

CONTENT NOTESRunning from Shadows is a tale of suspense and psychological horror, delving into the delicate balance between fear and desire.This story includes explicit sexual content and non-consensual activity. It touches on themes of isolation, sleep deprivation, and mental strain. There are themes of fear, paranoia, and the blurring of reality and imagination.Chasing Shadows is a psychological horror tale that explores the fragile boundary between love, trust, and the terrifying unknown.This story contains explicit sexual content and themes of identity distortion. It delves into psychological strain, the effects of trauma, and the unreliable nature of perception. Themes of fear, paranoia, and distrust are central, along with elements of hallucinations, confusion, and the blurring of reality and delusion.

SM RANDALL

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Title: Table by the Window
Type: Short Story
Publication: 11/15/24 on Amazon & Kindle
Tags: Urban, Achillean, Tragic Love Story, Missed Connections

“Do you believe in that? Fate bringing people together?”Avery, the gentle owner of a cozy coffee shop, forms a quiet bond with Kai, a regular customer and college student who visits every weekend. As they gradually get to know each other, unspoken emotions linger between them. But when Kai suddenly stops coming, Avery is left to uncover a bittersweet truth that forces him to confront the feelings they never shared. The story explores love, loss, and the power of missed connections.

CONTENT NOTESTable by the Window contains no happy ending, as it is a tragic love story and is about missed connections. This story also touches topics such as loss and terminal illnesses.

SM RANDALL

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Title: Whispers of Summer
Type: Short Story
Publication: Releasing on 09/15/2025
Tags: Supernatural, Psychological Thriller, Unreliable Narrator

James arrives at summer camp and quickly befriends Alex, a quiet and lonely fellow camper. As their friendship grows, Alex begins having terrifying nightmares about an unknown camper being bullied and drowning in the lake. Convinced the dreams mean something, he shares his fears with James, who starts to question the camp’s past.When a camp swimming event takes a chilling turn, the boys are faced with a moment that will change everything—forcing them to confront a truth they never expected.

CONTENT NOTESWhispers of Summer contains topics of bullying, isolation, depression, and death of a child.

SM RANDALL

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Title: Echoes of Seven: Virtues and Sins
Type: Poetry Collection
Publication: Releasing on 04/15/2025
Tags: Poetry, Philosophical, Reflective

This collection of poetry explores the timeless dance between humanity’s greatest flaws and noblest ideals. Each poem delves into one of the Seven Deadly Sins—wrath, greed, lust, gluttony, envy, pride, and sloth—unveiling the destructive allure and universal struggles they represent. Counterbalanced by the Seven Heavenly Virtues—charity, chastity, diligence, humility, kindness, patience, and temperance—the collection celebrates the quiet strength and grace of moral triumphs.Perfect for lovers of introspection and timeless moral themes, Echoes of Seven: Virtues and Sins offers a poetic meditation on what it means to be human.

SM RANDALL

Pronunciation Guide

Maelani Ravael
Pronunciation: May-lah-nee Rah-vah-elSeorin Mirak
Pronunciation: Soh-rin Mee-rahkKaedric Vaeleth
Pronunciation: Kay-drik Vay-leth

Aegis
Pronunciation: EE-jisAnima
Pronunciation: AN-ih-muhElvari
Pronunciation: el-VAH-reeErinyes
Pronunciation: Eh-RIH-nee-eesGhore
Pronunciation: goreLycara
Pronunciation: ly-KAR-uhMalefic
Pronunciation: muh-LEH-fikNaelemus
Pronunciation: NAY-leh-muhsPontus
Pronunciation: PAWN-tuhsSphantos
Pronunciation: SFAN-tohsVentus
Pronunciation: VEN-tusVyre
Pronunciation: vire

The World of Naelemus

Magic in Naelemus is based on the concept of Primordial Anima, a natural, elemental energy gifted to the world by the primordial beings who shaped and nurtured it. This energy flows through every living thing and all of nature, connecting the mortals of Naelemus to the very essence of the world. The manipulation of this energy is called Elemental Ebbing, or simply Ebbing, and it is the primary way magic is accessed and used by the inhabitants of the world.

Primordial Anima

Primordial Anima is the elemental force that permeates the world of Naelemus. It is the raw magic of the world, created and sustained by the primordial beings of nature. All life is imbued with this power, and it can be harnessed by mortals, both human and inhuman, through Ebbing.The Primordial Anima consists of five elemental domains: fire, water (ice), earth (metal), air, and spirit (healing, telekinesis, levitation).

Elemental Ebbing

Ebbing is the process of channeling and manipulating Primordial Anima. It is described as tapping into the energy that flows through the land, sometimes referred to as hearing the "whispers" of the elemental forces. To control the elements, one must focus, listen, and attune to the subtle language of nature.Ebbing uses a person's internal energy, drawn from their connection to the Primordial Anima, to manipulate the outside world. However, excessive use of Ebbing without proper rest or recovery can deplete a person’s strength, leading to exhaustion, sickness, or in extreme cases, death.Each individual has a natural affinity toward one element, which they can hone over time through study and practice. A person's affinity often aligns with their personality, physical proximity to certain environments, or emotional state.While everyone has the potential to learn all elemental domains, mastering a particular element requires deep dedication, usually with years of meditation, study, and exposure to that element. Ebbing is tied to both a person’s physical body and mental state, meaning that someone exhausted or emotionally unstable might struggle to use and control their abilities.Many choose to gain mastery by attending one of the prestigious universities in Erinyes. These institutions provide formal education in magic, where students spend years learning to refine their Ebbing abilities. Apprenticeship in trade jobs that require elemental manipulation is also common and sought after, allowing individuals to specialize in practical uses of Ebbing in industries such as construction (earth/metal), medicine (water/spirit), and agriculture (earth/plant).- Natura Academia (NA): Earth and plant magic.
- Institute of Glacies (IoG): Water and ice magic.
- Hall of Vent-Egnis (HoVE): Fire and wind magic.
- Vitale University (VU): Spirit magic, the most prestigious and challenging domains.

Abyssal Plague
& Its Aftermath

After the Abyssal Plague, a significant event in Naelemus's history, access to the Primordial Anima became easier for all creatures, increasing the overall magical potential of the world’s inhabitants. The plague also heightened the natural affinity of many people, making magic more potent and more accessible. Some individuals became more sensitive to Ebbing, able to hear the Primordial Anima more clearly and control it with greater finesse.Inhumans were born after Abyssal Plague and the spread of elemental magic, which over time transformed certain monsters into these more evolved forms. Despite their sentience, inhumans are treated as second-class citizens, often facing discrimination and mistrust from humans.

Malefic Ebbing

All inhumans also have access to the Primordial Anima and can practice elemental magic like humans. However, they have additional affinities unique to their race, referred to as Malefic Ebbing.Overuse of Malefic Ebbing can reveal an inhuman’s hidden monstrous nature, forcing them to abandon human-passing forms and heightening their predatory instincts.Despite magic being a common part of life in Naelemus, it is heavily regulated. The Aegis Concord closely monitors the use of magic, especially among inhumans. Illegal use of Ebbing, especially in public, can lead to punishment, imprisonment, or, in the case of inhumans, even death through the use of chips implanted in them. This has not stopped the Concord from exploiting inhuman races and their Malefic Ebbing when it benefits them.

Inhumans

Inhumans are evolved monsters who, over centuries, gained humanity and became sentient beings following the Abyssal Plague. There are five known types of inhumans that have integrated into human society. They are called Elvari, Vyre, Ghore, Sphantos, and Lycara.- Elvari: Master illusionists who often pass as humans. Elvari have pointed ears, angular features, and tend to be more lanky than humans. While they face less discrimination than other inhumans, their magic is still seen as deceitful. Their monstrous genes are hereditary.- Vyre: Control blood through blood magic, manipulating their own and others’. For the most part, they appear completely human. Their monstrous genes are not hereditary and are transmitted through blood.- Lycara: Shapeshift into beast or wolf forms at will. For the most part, they appear completely human. The monstrous genes are hereditary and can be transmitted through venom.- Ghore: Can see memories and track individuals by consuming flesh. Despite their grotesque appearance and grim magic, they are sometimes employed by the Aegis Concord for policing purposes. Their monstrous genes are hereditary, though it can also be transmitted through means that Aegis has not yet figured out.- Sphantos: Can phase through matter by becoming incorporeal. They are almost human-passing, but their pale skin and glowing blue markings make them stand out. Their monstrous genes are hereditary.Monsters still lurk in the hidden corners of Naelemus, though they are distinct from inhumans. Monsters have no humanity, and “monster” is often used as a derogatory term for inhumans by those who see them as lesser beings.

Aegis Concord

The Aegis Concord serves as the main police force in Naelemus. Once known as the Knights of the Aegis Order, their goal is to deter crime and regulate the usage of Ebbing, but they maintain a clear bias toward humans. The Aegis Concord uses advanced tech that can temporarily cut individuals off from the Primordial Anima, though they have not yet figured out how to cut off inhumans from using their Malefic Ebbing.All inhumans must be registered, chipped, and monitored by the Concord. These chips contain trackers and can be activated with a kill switch, allowing the Aegis Concord to control or neutralize inhumans if necessary.Although the Aegis Concord claims to protect balance and order, they are complicit in discrimination, and their use of tech to oppress inhumans has fueled tension across Naelemus.A rumored cult known as The Owls allegedly works with the Aegis Concord to capture and experiment on inhumans. The Owls’ goal is to find a way for humans to harness the ability to use Malefic Ebbing.

History of Naelemus

Knights of the Aegis Order,
& the Rise of Magic

2,000 years ago, humans had limited control over elemental magic, known as Elemental Ebbing, until the Primordials sent their children, the dragons, to aid them against monsters. Select humans, the Knights of the Aegis Order, bonded with these dragons, could wield powerful elemental surges. Together, they protected Naelemus, using their bond to tap into the vast elemental forces of the Primordial Anima.

The Abyssal Plague

The Abyssal Plague originated and devastated the continent of Pontus, spread by a mysterious shadow dragon. This plague drained elemental magic from the land and killed all it touched. To prevent its spread, the dragons and their knights sacrificed themselves, merging with the Primordial Anima to destroy the Abyssal Dragon and halt the plague. With their sacrifice, dragons disappeared from Naelemus, but their essence now flows through the Anima, allowing magic to spread more freely.

The Legacy of Magic,
& Creation of Inhumans

After the dragons’ sacrifice, elemental magic became more potent across Naelemus, though no longer as powerful as the magic knights once wielded with their dragons. As magic spread, those who study or use the Anima began hearing the whispers of the elements, believed to be the ancient language of dragons. Over time, this magic also transformed some monsters into inhumans—creatures that evolved to gain humanity.

Transformation of Pontus

The continent of Pontus was left scarred and barren by the Abyssal Plague. Once a flourishing land, it is now a desolate, cursed region where no life can thrive. The elemental magic in Pontus remains weak, and it is shunned by most. Few dare to venture there, as remnants of the plague still linger, corrupting whatever magic exists in its soil and air.