Indie Author of the Month: S. K. Stapar

teganfairleywrites
Oct 5
2 min read

Updated: Oct 6

Author of Midnight Gate (Book One: The Cursed of Veligrad)

If you like your fantasy dark, romantic, and dripping with Slavic lore, meet this month’s spellbinding indie author: S. K. Stapar. Her debut novel Midnight Gate opens the door to a world of cursed magic, political danger, and enemies-to-lovers tension so thick you could cut it with a dagger.

About the Author

Author S. K. Stapar sitting on a chair — Author - S. K. Stapar

S. K. Stapar is an adult romantasy author specialising in cursed magic, gripping secrets, and agonisingly delicious romance. Her stories weave Slavic folklore and cultural inspiration into original fantasy worlds filled with tension, heart, and that perfect pinch of spice.

When she’s not conjuring worlds or torturing her characters (lovingly), you’ll find her lost in a romantasy novel, tending her garden, or chauffeuring her adorable pup Ivy to café dates with her husband James.

Enter Veligrad — if you dare

If she wants a life on the outside, she must survive a season at Midnight Gate.

Nevena Nightfall has spent her life locked in a tower, cremating the dead. (Mood, right?) On the night she finally escapes, she crosses paths with the infuriatingly handsome Edric Silvan—who helps her… right up until he learns her name.

Book cover of Midnight Gate by S. K. Stapar

When Nevena dares to compete for her freedom, Edric sabotages her ranking, and the Council sentences her to serve as Protector of Midnight Gate—the most dangerous outpost in Veligrad. And her new assignment? Work alongside Edric himself.

But when the town comes under siege from the Cursed, a desperate spell binds Nevena, Edric, and their charming commander Hartley in a volatile magic that could protect—or destroy—them all.

As Nevena’s bloodline secrets unravel, she’ll have to decide who the true monster is: the cursed creatures outside the walls… or the Council that rules from within.

Enemies to lovers
Dark magic
Undeniable tension
And one heroine who refuses to be tamed.

Fast Facts about S. K. Stapar…

Favourite Trope: "Enemies-to-lovers will never grow old. I love the relationship journey from hatred, to ANGST, to love."

Fun Fact: "I have a black belt in Taekwon-do! It makes writing fighting scenes extra fun."

Writing Fuel : "A hot chocolate made with pure cacao. It is THICK."

Theme Song for Midnight Gate: "Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls."

Best Advice for Writers: "Just finish the book! Don’t worry about it being perfect until you have finished the book. You just need to finish it first!!"

First to Hear the News: "My hubby James <3"

Coming Next… Firedawn Gate

Book Two: The Cursed of Veligrad

Releasing 19 March 2026

Elevator Pitch:

From Blood and Ash meets Shadow and Bone in a spicy, enemies-to-lovers romantasy, where a woman must survive a season in a monster-riddled town after escaping a lifetime trapped in a tower.