Is your anxiety a flaw? Or is it the universe’s most vital, untapped skill?
What if the breakdown of your life, your family, and the entire universe could be solved by simply paying attention?
Coming this spring: Lisa’s badass alchemy manifested into a novel
Genre: Speculative Fiction / Metaphysical Adventure
Themes: Mindfulness, Connection, Patterns in Nature, Communication, Self-Acceptance
For Fans of: Thoughtful, character-driven sci-fi and fantasy that sparks curious introspection
Read the Letter That Started It All:
“You’re not weird. You’re not too much. You’re not behind. You’ve been reading the instruction manual everyone else forgot existed.” — Read the Prologue, a letter from Dylan’s grandmother.
Fifteen-year-old Dylan Saturno has always been a watcher, someone who notices the subtle, efficient patterns in the world. She sees a perfect highway zipper merge and the collaborative flow of a bird flock, even as she struggles to navigate the frustrating parallel isolation of her own family. Her quiet observations have always made her feel like someone who doesn’t quite fit.
Then everything changes when a cosmic official, Lady Elisar, and a highly advanced (and sometimes judgmental) mechanical dragonfly named Emara crash-land in her bedroom. Dylan discovers her weirdness isn’t a flaw, it’s the universe’s only hope. Existence is falling apart, thanks to the systemic plague of competitive, hierarchical, and distracted thinking. To fix it, Dylan is tasked with becoming a cosmic ‘Gatherer’ and collecting real-world examples of successful cooperation from across multiple realms. Her reluctant travel partner Jareth is a charming, somewhat shallow YouTuber obsessed with documenting the adventure for his three million followers.
Dylan’s journey takes her from her bedroom, with star charts and pressed flowers, to realms inspired by Monty Python sketches, viral livestreams, and classic children’s stories. Alongside a cast of interdimensional eccentrics, she must decode wisdom hidden in pop culture: from the Ministry of Silly Walks to the music of Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker, from the science of David Suzuki to the storytelling of Robert Munsch.
She’ll encounter a society built on radical truth (Shadorica) and explore a realm where accepting death is key to life (Frank’s Place), all while reconciling her personal frustrations with universal principles.
Because the truth is: The universe doesn’t need saving. It just needs beings willing to be themselves and make space for others to do the same.
Gathering from the Universe is a cosmic adventure blending brilliantly crafted wit, musical magic, and the heart of childhood classics ~ a celebration of noticing what matters, whether it’s a merge lane, a viral video, or the threads of a grandmother’s poncho. Perfect for anyone who’s ever found meaning in a meme or a song lyric.
GATHERING FROM THE UNIVERSE is a thought-provoking, high-concept adventure that proves your most quiet, genuine self is your most powerful asset. Be prepared to smile and sometimes laugh out loud with the author’s cleverly injected references to pop culture from various generations.
Don’t miss the moment Dylan’s journey begins. Sign up below for early access to announcements, special offers, and the exact date pre-orders go live.
Thank you!
AUTHOR’S NOTE
“This novel started as a personal reflection on modern anxiety and the constant feeling that we’re supposed to be ‘doing’ more instead of just ‘being.’ Writing Dylan’s story was a way to explore how the principles that contribute to contentment ~ mindful presence, integrity and conscientious collaboration ~ are actually the bedrock of the entire universe. I hope it will have you see the beauty in your own quiet observations.”
~Lisa aka FlickerShine