The Republic of McCoy Is Now Available for Pre-Order

It’s been a while since I’ve written here. There’s a good reason, though: I’ve spent the past year inside a city called McCoy.

Today I’m happy to share that The Republic of McCoy is available for pre-order and releases on October 15, 2026.

Marlowe wants a Central job and the real money that comes with it. When her roommate moves out, she can’t cover the rent alone and takes a security job at Cleancore Industries. It turns into something else—guarding Trevor Ledeus, heir to the company. The job comes with a helmet she doesn’t take off, a number where her name should be, and one condition: ID 7 does not show her face. Trevor asks for her real name anyway. She doesn’t give it to him.

Cleancore sells security services and builds the machines that clear debris fields. The machines are built from the dead. It’s legal.

Then the newest line of units is unveiled, and Marlowe knows one of the faces.

He didn’t choose it. He can’t come within three feet of her. And he no longer registers the name Marlowe.

This book took nearly a year and more edit passes than I want to admit. It pulled me somewhere new as a writer, and I’m proud of where it ended up. I can’t wait for you to meet Marlowe.

The ebook is available for pre-order now on Amazon, and the paperback and hardcover will follow on release day.

Pre-order The Republic of McCoy

Thank you for sticking around while I was quiet. More soon, including the music that kept me company while I wrote it.

— Tori

40 Words Friday: No. 20

As the spaceship prepared to land on planet Kuvso, the twenty-two-year-old Emperor from Earth watched the AI soldiers’ line up in preparation to receive him. He had never seen a world where robots ruled and controlled who their Queen married.

40 Words Friday: No. 19

This was not what the knight anticipated when the princess said there was a creature hiding in her most treasured rose garden. He’d never seen anything so hideously frightening, but he had a duty and rushed toward the behemoth monster.

40 Words Friday: No. 18

A scarred knight carried the princess to safety. “You’re safe here,” he said. She refused to let him go. “I must return to fight,” he added, gently pulling her away.

“I owe you my life,” she finally said, and hesitantly let him go.

40 Words Friday: No. 17

A group of soldiers stood in a loose circle, their voices a mix of excitement and nerves. An older, more seasoned soldier offered words of wisdom as they exchanged hopes and fears, forming bonds that would carry them through the journey ahead.

40 Words Friday: No. 16

She was one of them—a droid, yet her gaze stirred something deep within him and made his heart skip a beat. Torn between love-at-first-sight and a trick of the mind, he found himself questioning the world he lived in.

(Image generated in Midjourney, edited in Photoshop CC.)

40 Words Friday: No 15

Queen Azalea, with her pink curls cascading down her shoulders, sat on her ivory throne and pondered. She sought a worthy consort to ensure her lineage. Her heart yearned for true love, but her duty to her kingdom came first.

(Image generated in Copilot with editing in Photoshop CC.)

Moleskine 18 month 2024-2025 Monthly Planner for Writing

Trying out this Moleskine 18-month planner to track my writing. So far, it’s okay. Doesn’t do well with fountain pens because of the heavy bleed through, but I love that it’s 18 months. I’ll be using another planner brand in 2025.

Currently, I’m also using a Hobonichi Day Free A6 for writing notes and daily writing tracking, but it’s a little too small. Have ordered a slightly bigger planner for next year and will talk about it when they come in.

40 Words Friday: No. 14

Under the silvery full moon, he held her close, and whispered, “Be mine. Forever.” She gazed at him and saw the centuries of loneliness in his eyes. With a soft kiss, she bound their hearts, sealing a love destined to defy time.

(Image generated in Midjourney with heavy editing in Photoshop CC.)

40 Words Friday: No. 13

In the grand ballroom, Princess Arabelle twirled with her robot companion, Aegis-9. Their dance was a fleeting rebellion against her arranged marriage. As the final note played, she said, “I’ll always remember you, Aegis,” before stepping into an uncertain future.

(Image generated in Midjourney with heavy editing in Photoshop CC.)