there's a book deal in this one

Necromancy class will be in session in 2026.

I sold a book. I can hardly believe it.

NECROGENESIS is a dark academic, gothic fantasy. It follows the world’s last known necromancers who mysteriously disappeared in 1976, leaving behind gruesome evidence of what can only be described as a massacre, in an island mansion off the coast of Edinburgh. What happened to them? Well, reader, you’ll have to find out when the book releases in in 2026.

I already wrote about the book deal on various social media platforms, but there are a few more things I’d like to say here.

I wrote NECROGENESIS during one of the worst years of my life. I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I wrote. I wrote for days, for weeks, for months, and eventually, I had this book.

Something that is very important to me is central to NECROGENESIS as well, and it is the concept of transforming something ugly and empty into something beautiful and meaningful. It’s about making lemonade from the greyest, most rotten of lemons.

I am very happy that, out of everything I’ve written, the story I wrote out of desperation to create something that just might do some good—even if it was all for nothing—will be my debut.

I’ll go into more detail about the book deal experience in the Inner Parlour section of this newsletter. (This book has been a long time in the making—essentially four years!) All of my personal deep dives live over there because I’m an Aquarius who prefers being vulnerable in a slightly more intimate space.

In the meantime, I recognize that 2026 is a long way away. So what I’ve come to offer you is a list of recommendations that are like Necrogenesis, to get you in the mood to enter this world of gods, magic, love, betrayal—and disco. (It is the 70’s, after all.)

---

Necrogenesis looks like…

• The Haunting of Hill House (2018): A lot of Shirley Jackson influence went into this book, and so did this adaptation. I am obsessed with the Flanniverse, sorry!

• Dead Poet’s Society (1989): Very academic, very tragic, inspiring and a little traumatizing.

• Practical Magic (1998): Much happier than Necro, but the vibes are correct. Also, that house. A lived in, gigantic, memorable house in which the impossible is cooked up? Yes.

• Kill Your Darlings (2013): Unfortunately this movie shaped me as a teenager

• The Witch (2015): People in isolation will do very concerning things in the name of a higher power…

• The Wicker Man (1973): See above.

• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): I promise you, there’s a heartfelt tragic sapphic romance in this book.

Necrogenesis sounds like…

Making a deal with god. Kidding, here’s a snippet from the playlist:

• Running Up That Hill, Kate Bush.

• He Could Never Love You, Henry Morris + Playyard.

• Strangers, Ethel Cain.

• I, Carrion, Hozier.

• Girl With One Eye, Florence and the Machine.

• Meet Me In the Woods, Lord Huron.

• White Winter Hymnal, Fleet Foxes.

• Angeleyes, ABBA.

• MacArthur Park, Donna Summer.

Necrogenesis tastes like…

• Homemade chili, bubbling on the stove.

• Black coffee, piping hot, in your favorite mug.

• Mulled wine, rich and red.

• Autumn harvest salad bowl (iykyk).

• Root vegetables, fresh and in-season.

• Cinnamon rolls (no icing).

• Apple pie with a braided golden crust.

• Ginger tonic.

Necrogenesis smells like…

• The Noir 29 by Le Labo. I wear this as one of my layering scents. It smells like this book: bergamot, fig, bay leaves. It whispers of smoke and richness and depth.

• Bibliothèque by Byredo. Plum, peony, and patchouli.

• Altar by Byredo. Clove buds, carnation, papyrus. Ghostly!

• Feu de Bois by Diptyque. Smoky. Earthy. Midwinter.

• O, Unknown! by Imaginary Authors. Described as “black tea, orris butter, and ???”. Absolutely.

• A simmer pot with cinnamon and clove, star anise and apples, cranberries and thyme.

Necrogenesis feels like…

• I was aiming for an Anne Rice meets Shirley Jackson sort of atmosphere. You’ll have to let me know if I succeeded.

• Some other titles include: The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Babel by RF Kuang, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, If We Were Villians by M.L. Rio…

• The first cool breeze that proves winter has arrived.

• Walking barefoot through the woods in a flowing maxi skirt.

• All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell: I read this book for research when I was drafting Necro. If you’re interested in real-life necromancers—that is, those who make a living working with death—I cannot recommend this book enough. It was one of my favorite reads of 2022.

• Studying at midnight for a 9 AM exam (you are unsure if you will pass, but for now, your best friend is studying right beside you, and that feels hopeful).

• Oversized wool sweaters, sheepskin jackets, platform loafers, and penny lane coats.

where to find me.

Website: ashiamonet.com

Twitter: @ashiamonet

Tiktok and Instagram: @ashiawrites