A light is moving through the stacks
Lantern is setting out the next page.
One chosen by readers · the rest by Lantern moderators
The Member Pick is decided by the previous week’s anonymous ballots. Moderator selections include a public note on why.
Last tended by Lantern · Nov 6, 2026Pulled from the stacksThe shelf resets every Monday
This week’s shelf has been cleared. Lantern’s moderators are choosing the next stories to feature—check back soon.
What readers are opening this week
Most-opened this week. Not a ranking, and it resets.
Reading ledger tended · Nov 6, 2026Worth leaving a light on forGothic Appalachian Why Choose Romance · Mature
A surveyor returns to the West Virginia hollow she escaped—and finds the mountain, the town, and something on the old tipple waiting for her.
Paranormal Romance · Mature
A woman returns to her family’s salt pans and discovers the old rules were never only superstition.
Sapphic Gothic Romance · Mature
On Cane’s Folly in 1926, a seamstress for the dead opens her door to a stranger carrying an impossible bolt of cloth.
Medieval Gothic Fantasy · Mature
In a conquered village, a healer tends an ancient stone—and feels the thing beneath it begin to wake.
Opted in by their authors
Stories whose authors have voluntarily identified as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled, or veterans—or whose stories meaningfully include those identities and veteran or military characters.
Pulled from the stacksWorlds, Galaxies & Universes
Explore the public realms behind Lantern stories.
Last tended by Lantern · Nov 6, 2026Worth leaving a light on forStories you can see and hear
Soundtracks, illustrations, GIFs, and video companions gathered in one shelf. Every extra is optional, accessible, and never autoplays.
Last tended by Lantern · Nov 6, 2026Shelved with careGothic Appalachian Why Choose Romance · Mature
A surveyor returns to the West Virginia hollow she escaped—and finds the mountain, the town, and something on the old tipple waiting for her.
A new genre every Sunday at midnight Eastern
This week Lantern is shining a light on mystery stories, led by each story’s primary genre with its tags and blurb as supporting context.
Last tended by Lantern · Nov 6, 2026Worth leaving a light on forThree more ways through the library
Just opened their doors
Recently published serials making their first appearance on Lantern.
Worth leaving a light on forUpdated in the last five days
Fresh chapters from Lantern authors—ready when you are.
Release ledger tended · Nov 6, 2026Filed by a human handSerialized fiction from independent authors, published one episode at a time. Follow a story and new chapters come to you. Authors keep every right.
5 serials · 3 authors · Invitation only during alpha
Lantern cover story
The First Light Collection · Successfully funded!
You can still make a late pledge on Kickstarter and choose from the available rewards. Thank you for helping bring Lantern Reader Apps + The First Light Collection to life.
Late pledge & view rewardsHelp keep the lantern lit
Lantern is currently funded by Kate while we build a quieter, author-owned home for serial fiction. If you’d like to help cover the alpha’s hosting, email, and community tools, you can leave an optional tip.
Optional support only. No story access or special treatment is attached, and contributions are not tax-deductible charitable donations.See Lantern on a phone
Recorded on a Samsung phone with the original website audio. These videos show the current Lantern website; these features are planned for the reader apps we’re funding on Kickstarter.
Watch the current website reading experience.
Watch the reading video on YouTube ↗Step into The Vane, its lore, The Reclamation, and the wider universe.
Watch the Worlds video on YouTube ↗Built by an author, for authors and the readers who follow them.
·No popularity charts. Nothing autoplays. Invitation only, for now.
September through November · Self-guided
Complete any three prompts before winter. No leaderboard, no pressure, and no pretending Lantern tracked something it didn’t—keep the card for yourself or share your three with the community.
Share your three in the Community Boards →
Support Lantern