Welcome to the FAQ page for the InCryptid series of novels and short stories. There will be some mild spoilers for the series in this page, because that is the nature of FAQ pages. If you avoid the book-specific sections, you should be able to minimize your risk.
The series section of the page deals specifically with the realities of the books themselves—publication dates, planned novels, editions, etc. The world section deals with the world as presented in the series. The family section covers questions about the family.
If you're looking for answers about writing in general, my work outside the InCryptid books, or the business of being an author, please see the Writing FAQ. If you're looking for answers about appearances, interviews, and the like, please see the General FAQ.
If you have a question that you don't see answered here, please feel free to swing by and ask it on the forums. Who knows—it might get added!
THE SERIES ITSELF
1.1: What is the series premise?
1.2: How many books are you planning to write?
1.3: Which books are currently available?
1.4: When will Chaos Choreography be available?
1.5: Do the books need to be read in order of publication?
1.6: Do I need to read the short stories?
1.7: Where can I find the free short stories?
1.8: Will there be a collection of all the short stories?
Q: What is the series premise?
A: Humanity is not alone on this planet. All the ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night are real; cryptozoology is a very valid, and very important field of scientific study. Humans are just the dominant species, thanks to centuries of effort by a monster-hunting organization called the Covenant of St. George. But now, in the modern era, the Covenant's methods are leading us to ecological disaster. Enter the Price family, dedicated to protecting the so-called "monsters" of the world, no matter what.
The InCryptid books are multi-generational, spanning almost a century of adventure, tragedy, and disaster. The narrators change according to the time period and the story at hand.
Q: How many books are you planning to write?
A: The number of books in the series tends to flux as I figure out how to pace certain events and how I want things to unfold. "Several" is really the only safe answer. The first seven books have been purchased by DAW Books. In order, they are:
- Discount Armageddon
- Midnight Blue-Light Special
- Half-Off Ragnarok
- Pocket Apocalypse
- Chaos Choreography (2016)
- Magic For Nothing (2017)
- Tricks For Free (2018)
(Please note that titles of unpublished books are subject to change, both at the whims of my publisher, and at the whims of my, well, me.)
Q: Which books are currently available?
A: The first four books are available now.
Q: When will Chaos Choreography be available?
A: Chaos Choreography is scheduled for North American release on March 1st, 2016.
Q: Do the books need to be read in the order of publication?
A: It's a good idea. While I try to make them as self-contained as possible, each book naturally builds on the book that came before it, and you're a lot more likely to be confused (and possibly spoiled for earlier adventures) if you read the books out of order.
Q: Do I need to read the short stories?
A: I try very hard to keep the short stories from being "required reading," and for the most part, I have succeeded; they will enhance your reading experience, but they are not vital to understanding what happens in the books. At the same time, I do recommend reading them, especially the free ones posted on this site.
Q: Where can I find the free short stories?
A: The majority of the short fiction published in the InCryptid universe can be found on the InCryptid short fiction page. In the case of stories which were published as part of an anthology, purchase information on the story has been included on that same page.
The covers for the InCryptid shorts were designed and provided by Tara O'Shea, and eBook conversion was provided by Will Frank.
Q: Will there be a collection of all the short stories?
A: Maybe someday, but there are currently no plans for a collection. If the series continues to perform well, this will become more likely.
THE WORLD OF INCRYPTID
2.1: Is there a Price family tree posted anywhere?
2.2: Who are our narrators?
2.3: What is the connection to Sparrow Hill Road?
Q: Is there a Price family tree posted anywhere?
A: Not yet! There is an abbreviated family tree in the front of the books, detailing whichever branch or branches of the family we are going to be dealing with in that volume.
Q: Who are our narrators?
A: Thus far, our modern day narrators have been Verity Price, a ballroom dancer and urban cryptid specialist; Alexander Price, Verity's older brother who specializes in the study of reptiles, both cryptid and non; Antimony Price, the younger sister of Verity and Alex, who enjoys roller derby and explosions; Istas, a waheela co-worker of Verity's; Arthur Harrington, a half-incubus computer geek; Elsie Harrington, a half-succubus beautician; and Sarah Zellaby, a cuckoo mathematician.
Narrators whose stories have happened before the modern day include Jonathan Healy and his wife, Fran; Alice Price-Healy; and Thomas Price.
Q: What is the connection to Sparrow Hill Road?
A: Sparrow Hill Road takes place in the same universe as the InCryptid stories, but does not cross over directly.
THE FAMILY
3.1: What is Verity's full name and place in the family?
3.2: How old is Verity?
Q: What is Verity's full name and place in the family?
A: Verity Alice Price is the daughter of Kevin and Evelyn Price, the younger sister of Alexander Price, and the older sister of Antimony Price.
Q: How old is Verity?
A: Verity was born in 1990. As of her first appearance (Discount Armageddon), she was twenty-two years old.