Smashwords Summer Sale 2026
Smashwords is having its summer sale right now, and there are lots of interesting books available for $3 or less. Here’s a list of some that have caught my eye.
Free
Ravaging Phantom, by S.T. Arsheep
The first book of this series, which “delivers sizzling slow burn alien romance, adrenaline-fuelled adventure, and a disaster pansexual battle throuple who'll steal your heart while breaking into high-security facilities and ducking for cover,” is free. The other four books are $1.49 apiece.
Dryad, by Chris Howard
I read a few trade-published books by Chris Howard many years ago, and was surprised to see some of his work pop up on Smashwords. This one sounds particularly interesting; it’s described as “a standalone urban fantasy with a dystopian feel,” and this line from the blurb immediately grabbed me: “Theodora Vearin has a way with forests, composting, paranoia, and sudden death.”
Sometimes Unserious: A Short Story Collection, by Kane Jesse Howard
“If you don't like lesbians navigating a post-apocalyptic world or asexual hijinks in front of the local gas station, this book might not be for you. For everyone else, here's a little dose of the unserious.”
Phantom & Rook, by Aelina Isaacs
A cozy urban fantasy with found family, healing, and queer romance. Phantom and Rook is the first novel in the Adventures in Levena series. I haven’t read Isaccs’ books yet, but I’ve heard good things about them.
A Brand New Patch of Sky, by Yolande Kleinn
M/M science fiction romance. “Starship pilot Mitch Kato has always kept tight hold on the inconvenient feelings he harbors for his captain, Solomon Finn. But when a close scrape grounds Sol's ship and threatens to scatter the crew, Mitch finds himself making an unexpected promise. As he and Sol consider a different trajectory, Mitch wonders if their longstanding friendship might be the beginning of something more.”
Johnny’s Girls, by Vesna Kurilic
Sapphic retrofuturistic alt-history mystery about a cartographer falling for her forbidden doppelgänger. The other four novels in the series are just $1.12–$1.49 apiece, and there’s also a free novella available.
Their Heart a Hive, by Fox N. Locke
Queer YA vampire novel. “You've been summoned to Honeymoore Manor. Will you discover its secrets in this unique spin on the vampire story?”
All of Locke’s other books are also either free or $0.99.
Faded Moon, by T.L. Morgan
A queer gothic fantasy novel about a dying necromancer seeking the mythical lake which he believes to be the source of his power.
Morgan’s other books are also currently free.
The Oracle, Tailor, Curator series, by Halli Starling
This series is “a queer historical fantasy/romance set in a version of 1899 New York City where magic is common and convenient,” and “follows the journey of three men whose fates are tied to the seemingly sudden appearance of a strange, possibly sentient, grimoire.” The whole series is currently free. Starling also has a number of other books that are free right now.
Throw His Heart Over, by Sebastian Nothwell
“Sir Lindsey Althorp, spectacularly wealthy baronet, has sat in the saddle since the day he was breeched. Aubrey Warren, threadbare telegraph boy turned engineer, has never ridden a horse in his life and had no intention of starting—until now. When a portrait-painting holiday in the country provides an opportunity for riding, Lindsey is eager to teach Aubrey the ropes.”
This is book two of Nothwell’s historical fantasy series; all of his other books, including book one, are currently on sale for $0.99. I’ve enjoyed everything by him that I’ve read.
By the Blood of Rowans, by Xan van Rooyen
Queer YA fantasy. “The Sheehy witches are the most feared and detested family on the island of Inisliath, and none more so than Rowan. As a deathwalker, Rowan ferries island souls to the Otherworld, experiencing their deaths and carrying their memories like ghosts within him. It's a fated role he accepts even as it inexorably destroys him.”
The author has several other books that are also free.
Red-Lacquered Sky, by L.H. Yun
Sapphic fantasy. “In a world where a woman’s worth is measured by her luck, will you purchase your own soul’s freedom with another’s luck?”