It’s Been a While…

It’s been a long time since I gave you something new under the name Z.L. Arkadie.

But here’s what I have done—I’ve finally combined the trilogies in The Blackstone Family series into duets. Now you don’t have to read three books to get the full story. Back in the day, trilogies worked in favor of indie authors. These days? Not so much. Now, it just feels unnecessarily drawn out.

Here’s another shift—I’m done chasing stories that don’t speak to my heart.

Lately, I’ve been thinking deeply about what I really want to write as Z.L. Arkadie. Truth is, these days I read more literary and psychological fiction. When I do read romance, it’s got to be unconventional. Fifty Shades of Grey comes to mind. I only got through the first book, and when she left him at the end, I thought, Now that’s a perfect ending.

I’ve given nearly fourteen years to writing romance. But I’m not the same writer—or woman—I was when I started.

I’ve learned so much about relationships—how to explore the deeper stuff that goes beyond sex and surface chemistry. My last real-life heartbreak helped me see things more clearly—not just about him, but about me. I picked him because he was my “comfortable uncomfortable.” And he picked me because I didn’t ask him to show up emotionally. I didn’t know how to love or be loved in a relationship that was rooted in commitment, shared expectations, and mutual respect.

Yes, there’s a magical element to happily ever after. But there’s also a social one—where love becomes a decision. A choice two people make to keep showing up. To make it work, simply because they promised they would.

And that lens of realism? It’s made writing traditional romance... hard.

Still, I want to give you something. Because if you’ve stuck with me this long, then you already know what I do best—pulling you in from page one and leaving you wondering, “What did I just read?”

“Wait... was that even romance?”

LOL. You know you liked it.

Now here’s a little tea: my current roommate is my ex-boyfriend. Yep. I moved in with him to focus on switching genres—because yes, I’m still writing, just not as Z.L. Arkadie and not in romance. And surprisingly, we live together peacefully. That’s probably why I stayed with him longer than I should’ve. But man... he’s still a whole mess. LOL.

Maybe that should be the next book.

Right now, I’ve outlined a romantasy with a reverse harem vibe. But don’t expect the usual tropes. I’m not writing a story where every man is drooling over a woman’s body. That’s neither emotionally satisfying nor realistic.

Because here’s the truth: a man should love you—your soul, your mind—not just your body. Beauty is common. Depth is rare.

And yes, the reverse harem angle started as me chasing the trend (again). But in the process, I discovered a story that’s truly mine—fresh, bold, and full of potential. The first book is fully outlined, and it’s big. Too big for just one book. I won’t give anything away, but think Parched. Remember that one? I was still early in my novel-writing journey back then, and the structure got a little too artsy for its own good. This time, though? The story’s got legs and the bones to support them.

And these supernatural creatures? They’re original. Never been done before.

Because the creatures are... wait for it...

Hmm.

You’ll just have to stick around to find out.

I’m diving back in this week. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind leaning fully into romantasy. You know how my brain works—I can go way out there. And what better genre to hold that kind of creativity than romantasy?

Stay tuned.

There’s more to come.