Debut fiction published by Blunderbuss Magazine.
This piece surfaces the dynamic of a relationship in which two people grow as close as to consider themselves in terms of we, rather than I, despite the world between them.
“In the Opposites’ World”
Writing The Immortal Philosophers Chronicles of Dylan Eaglegod Book One
This year I’ve had the pleasure and challenge of preparing my debut novel for publication, Sunset in the Valley of Now and Then. This piece is book one of the Chronicles of Dylan Eaglegod, following the tales of Dylan’s self liberation and story of embracing the powers of his immortality after living closeted with homophobic and toxic roommates he had been friends with for all of his life. Boxed in by unsupportive parents, Dylan moves to a New Jersey shore town to experience life without the toxicity of his past shadowing the romance building on his horizon.
It quickly becomes clear that Joshua, Dylan’s lifelong frenemy, is not giving up easy. Joshua is on the hunt to find Dylan around the island, texting, calling, and becoming more dangerous the longer Dylan evades him.
The Immortal Philosophers look to be Dylan’s only hope for survival, as they teach him how to use his power. But it is in Dylan’s power alone where lies the sole answer Joshua’s defeat.
Marcus Aurelius, Ikkyu Sojun, Zenda, Kana, and Antonio Antoninus do what they can to prepare Dylan for their final confrontation, but the immortals have their own history with Joshua that causes Dylan hesitation to fully trust anybody.
Dylan’s story speaks to the power deep down in all of us, and how sometimes we’re so strong that we keep that power suppressed. Always for too long. Dylan’s story is about embracing the changes you want to see in your life and chasing after them until your dreams become your realities despite the chaos of the world around us. Dylan’s story is written with magic and the flourish of fantasy, but his struggles and triumphs are not beyond our capabilities when we embrace the bravest act of all and embrace who we are without fear of hate or disapproval from others’ oppressive belief systems. Dylan’s story reminds us that many of the mysteries of our lives can be explained by reflecting on the memories of the past, and how sometimes doing that is the only way for us to move forward.
Look to logic, truth, and to the philosophers, thinkers, and lovers of humanity throughout history. Arm your mind with the tools to maintain the morals, values, and ethics that are so innate in those who love fearlessly. We make the world go round despite the winds of hatred whipping against our faces as we step toward the promise of a world where we all have the power to make our mark. Book One of the Chronicles of Dylan Eaglegod is Dylan’s story of self discovery and the exploration of himself in a new life. It’s my hope that his story will help propel you to your promised land.
Enjoy, and until next time,
Alexander Anthony Casillas
Paperback and Hardcover here! < Amazon
Amazon Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DR7KHPM3
Follow the press @ Fourelementspress.com
Weekly Substack: https://alexandercasillasauthor.substack.com/
For Merch and News: theimmortalphilosophers.com
ALEXANDER CASILLAS, a gay Puerto Rican author, editor, and writing coach near the beach between Philadelphia and Manhattan, explores the experiences of gay characters in literary fiction and young adult fantasy through his short stories and novels. He holds degrees in literature, creative writing, and philosophy and religion from Stockton University.
My Debut Pre-orders: Sunset in the Valley of Now and Then
Chronicles of Dylan Eaglegod Book One
Dylan Eaglegod is on the run from the monsters of his old life after spending years living closeted with homophobic friends in Manhattan. He escapes to the Jersey Shore for new adventures and the potential for romance, but is confronted with dark secrets from his past after learning that Joshua, the ringleader of his old friend group, is after him and more dangerous than ever.
Dylan has to learn from Antonio and the other Immortal Philosophers as he embraces his powers to discover how to defeat Joshua before Joshua discovers them. Everyone has a part to play, but only Dylan can save them all.
ALEXANDER CASILLAS, a gay Puerto Rican author, editor, and writing coach near the beach between Philadelphia and Manhattan, explores the experiences of gay characters in literary fiction and young adult fantasy through his short stories and novels. He holds degrees in literature, creative writing, and philosophy and religion from Stockton University.
Subscribe to my Publisher Updates below
New Gay Contemporary Fantasy Series
EXCITING #Booktok news incoming!!!!
NEW Urban/Contemporary Fantasy series:
🏛️The Immortal Philosophers 🏛️
🔵Chronicles of Dylan Eaglegod | Book One🔵
🌅Sunset in the Valley of Now and Then🌅
Gay heroes 🏳️🌈
Murderous frenemies 🔪
Auric magic 🪄
Jersey Shore 🎪 🏖️
Combat 👊🏻
Mystery 🔍
Puerto Rican culture 🇵🇷
👇👇INCOMING 👇👇
COVER RELEASE ✅
Character art ✅
https://bsky.app/profile/alexandercasillas.bsky.social
https://www.threads.net/@alexandercasillasauthor
https://www.instagram.com/alexandercasillasauthor?igsh=cWpkOGp2MXJuNnJj&utm_source=qr
Does Travel Make a Better Writer?
For me, travel is like unlocking worlds of stories to explore and enrich my life and craft. It’s even more intoxicating than cracking open a new book to read, but can be compared to it. A city, for instance, is the combination of millions of stories connecting like the cogs of a machine to function as a dysfunctional whole, kind of like the words of a manuscript first draft.
This is a photo of Ireland’s Eye from a golf course sat above Howth Castle East of Dublin. The town of Howth down the hill was a quaint harbor and fishing town that reminded me of the islands I grew up around along the New Jersey shore.
I thought of how this town may have inspired Irish writers from all over the Emerald Island, and how the land might have shaped them as writers. I’m always aware when I write of how the places of my past get massaged into my writing.
Writing Tip:
In your everyday life be receptive to the soul enriching stories of people and places, and the worlds you create in your writing will be as layered and raw feeling as our own world and histories. So, while travel might make a better writer, it only takes the perspective of a traveling writer to unlock the nuggets of life that have the ability to enrich your writing.
I look forward to sharing more travel and writing insights on here as I work on becoming a better writer by helping others learn to write well. If you are looking for writing guidance or just looking to support me as a writer and creator, please Like 👍 Subscribe 🔴 and follow on my socials.
If you are considering contributing, I appreciate your support through memberships and look forward to delivering more curated content.
Thank you for reading!
I wish you all the best,
Alexander Casillas
Gay Literary Fiction Series
Hello, I am a gay Puerto Rican author from the North East US. I write short stories and novels featuring gay characters in literary fiction, urban & urban fantasy genres! I graduated from Stockton University for my undergraduate studies, and look forward to being accepted to a graduate level creative writing program by fall of 2025, where I will be responsible for teaching writing to undergraduate students. I spend my time writing, traveling with my partner of many years, and making memories with my family. I love quiet nights in, fun nights out, paddle boarding on the bay or lake, and everything in between. Above all, I love talking about writing and helping others tell their stories.
I am currently working on book two of The Immortal Philosophers Series while submitting book one to publishing houses. In the meantime, enjoy my writing coach and technique videos.
Please inquire through email for services. Alexandercasillaswrites@gmail.com
You can check out my short story on my Authored Works tab, and check out the short story prints on my store here. (To Be Added)
If you would like to support my work as a coach and creator through Patreon, contributions help keep content coming and offer access to member chat opportunities.
Book Review: Ghost Music by An Yu
Ghost Music is wonderful for readers who know a little bit about Chinese culture and regions, and even for those who are looking for a first steep into Chinese literature. An Yu is a master at focusing on the minute details of family and relationship dynamics in this novel. Our main characters maneuver life in 21st century China while trying to find meaning through different potential avenues of life. Parenthood, career mobility, and feelings about the past all influence each character on their journeys through accepting the most devastating truths about themselves and the world while always having to find ways forward. While those crucial truths can be informative, this novel explores how those truths are often swept under the rug to save ourselves from facing the complex realities of life and, too often, death. This novel understands the realities of life to be so complex as to appear to us as more fantastical than our wildest dreams.
Read this novel with a mind to explore the thin line between the real and surreal, and you will discover something inside yourself that drives your behaviors the way the characters of this novel are driven by obsessions over their own fantastical realities. The worlds of Classical music, Chinese tea culture, and rare Chinese mushrooms come to life throughout this novel in ways that are exciting to explore.
Vera Chok adds wonderful narration to the audio version by Media Recorded Books, bringing emotion and different character voices and perspectives to life with her talents.
Alexander Casillas 