Here’s a look at some of the progress made on Crystals of Ulstra in May 2026.


I thought April was a good month, but I really took things to the next level in May. With the December 4 launch getting closer and closer, it’s time to really buckle down to ensure everything is ready to go before the release date. That means bigger and bigger news!

Here are some exciting updates from the past month from the world of Ulstra:

  1. I’ve officially hired a line editor. We’ll be tackling it in parts, and I’ve already sent her part one. Over the next six weeks, I’ll send her parts one and two, and she’ll be finished with her edits by the end of July. I’m beyond excited!
  2. I officially revealed the cover of Crystals of Ulstra. If you haven’t seen the stunning illustration by Amanda Webb yet, you can admire it right here.
  3. I received feedback from several beta readers. Letting people into my world and hearing what real people think about the story has been exhilarating. And I think the suggestions I’ve incorporated into the manuscript are making it a better book.

I’ll share more updates at the end of June. I can’t wait to see where things stand then!

By the way, if you’re ready for a taste of Ulstra now, sign up for my newsletter and you’ll get instant access to my short story “Guardians of the Grove,” a prequel to the novel.


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The book cover for Crystals of Ulstra, a queer epic fantasy novel by Bradley Bowen. It features an illustration of the main character Koralo over a backdrop of a eucalypt forest.

Crystals of Ulstra

An epic fantasy tale with a queer-normative sensibility, Crystals of Ulstra is the first book in the Ulstra trilogy.

Meet the Author

Bradley Bowen is a Colorado-based writer, digital fundraiser, and author of the queer fantasy epic Crystals of Ulstra.