A new anthology from Inked in Gray
Words of a Flower – edited by Chyina Powell.
For centuries, culture and tradition have attributed meaning to flowers. Floriography, the language of flowers, can still be seen today.
Flowers mean different things in different cultures and some flowers carry a message that inspires hope, recognizes loss, and carries a warning. This anthology hosts a variety of metaphorical and lyrical beauty expression through the language of flowers.
Official release details coming soon!
Authors and Stories
Flowers for Fiends by Priya Sridhar
Flowers for Fiends is a story where a video game and its lore takes over people’s lives, until one player realizes they have to harness the lore to stop the apocalypse.
A 2016 MBA graduate and published author, Priya Sridhar has been writing fantasy and science fiction for fifteen years, and counting. Capstone published the Powered series. Priya lives in Miami, Florida with her family.
The Garden of Split Tongues by Alexis Scales
In the city of Ascera, where breath is currency, Feodia enters a dangerous bargain with the Guardian: her honesty in exchange for her dying husband. The problem? She’s built her life on lies, even though Nana always told her, “Every lie, in due time, will bear its fruit.”
Hailing from Memphis, TN, Alexis Scales draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural tapestry, as well as her experiences as a black woman in America. Her work is a profound exploration of self-awareness and growth while challenging perceptions, addressing societal issues, and encouraging introspection and dialogue.
Alexis is dedicated to crafting a message that is as challenging as it is uplifting and affirming. To her, creativity is not simply a process that results in a product, but it is an expression of release and conviction. It is a journey. And it is her greatest hope that her creative endeavors push past boundaries, norms, and acceptable expectations to provoke thought and emotion, advocate for vulnerability, and plant seeds of change.
Impatiens, Butterfly Weed by Maggie H.D.
Impatiens, Butterfly Weed follows Pauna consumed by taking vengeance on her Dream thieving brother. She might have been rendered mute in the betrayal, but that doesn’t stop her from learning nonverbal spells. With the tools and opportunity to take revenge arises, will Pauna take it, or will she repeat the same cycle of pain again?
Eternal Blossoms of Hope by Patchree Jones
In a time far from our own, society has mastered eternal life—or at least what passes as eternal life; thus, having been cryopreserved in 2015, Eins Varatpong’s soul remains tethered to Earth for thousands of years. Destined to never see or be reunited with her long-gone family, she revisits their preserved memories, their symbol of an everlasting love that withstands distance, time, space, and logic. A story about the human desire to live, love, and hope forever.
As a girl, Patchree Jones grew up watching Thai dramas with her mom and dreamt of being a playwright. While life took her on a different path, her love of stories never faltered. In fact, she truly believes that it takes a fighter to share one’s vision with the world, and Patchree hopes to blaze the trail for all readers to go after their dreams unapologetically. Currently, she has published two children’s books: SKYLIGHT, book one in the Mehk Light trilogy, and THE WHITE ELEPHANT OF HIMMAPAN, an original Thai folklore chapter book. Patchree was recently named a Bookstagram 2025 Awards finalist for Children’s Author of the Year. Patchree Jones is Thai-American author and currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, and one lazy dog. Patchree can be found on Twitter/X, BlueSky, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Discord (patchreejones). You can also reach her on her website.
Paradise Blossoms by D.A. Rodriguez
The appearance of a mysterious flower shop provides all those who enter with whatever they seek, even if it might not be in the form in they welcome. A story of karma and the dark double meanings of flowers.
D.A. Rodriguez is an Eisner award-winning editor, and published author with 8 years working in the publishing industry; from editorial, to marketing, prose and more. She has been featured in The Washington Post, US Today and various pop culture media outlets over the years detailing her work in the industry as an up-in-coming voice. You can find D.A. Rodriguez on Instagram and TikTok.
Marigold’s Proposal by Kassandra Carillo
As a novice writer, Kassandra Carillo began her journey with fanfiction, and it later developed into original works. Kassandra loves creating characters that challenge the status quo, embark on unforgettable journeys, encounter fantastical creatures, and, of course, dragons. Through her writing, she hopes to bring magic and fantasy worlds into the hands of her readers. Though her genre preferences revolve around paranormal and speculative fiction, she’s known to dabble with westerns, short stories, poetry, and even screenwriting. But let’s be real: novels are her one true love. When she’s not conjuring up fantastical worlds and characters that defy the odds, you’ll find her crocheting cozy creations or channeling her inner gamer by producing content for her YouTube channel. Kassandra lives and breathes creativity and can’t wait to share her worlds with you! Kassandra can be found on Facebook and Twitter/X.
In Their Depths Reflected the Lanterns by Katara J.Z.
Wei’s life — happily married and with a wonderful daughter — is turned upside-down when a mysterious flower arrives on his doorstep. Whisked away to his wife’s previously unknown and magical village, he must understand and accept the implications of the flower or risk losing everything that matters.
Time Balm by Sandhya Singh
Two sisters struggle to convince their parents that the symptoms they are experiencing are linked to a global health crisis, the cure to which lies in a mysterious flower.
Sandhya Singh (she/her) was a regular contributor to Herizons magazine from 2011 – 2014. She was selected for the Writers Union of Canada 2024 BIPOC Connect Mentorship Program (fiction). Her story “Subbed Out” was published in a speculative fiction anthology by Inked in Gray Press (February 2025). She is grateful for the BIPOC Writing Spaces at Firefly Creative and Writers Collective Canada, and especially for her writing groups Wimmin Writing and Write & Laugh. Sandhya loves seed saving, sprouting and fermenting things. Born in Guyana, grown in Winnipeg, she currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, with her partner and three almost-grown children.
You can find her on LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Pretty When She Kills by Matea Reed
Raised in a garden watered with blood and blooming with secrets, Rory Vale was once the shadow beside the Orchid Queen. She escaped the cult her sister built — but when a new killer starts leaving bodies surrounded by orchids and Polaroids, Rory is forced back into the darkness she thought she buried. With an FBI agent who knows her too well and a past that refuses to stay dead, Rory must decide if she’s still running . . . or finally ready to bloom where it all began.
Matea Reed writes from the heart — and sometimes from the shadows. Known for her deeply emotional, raw, and healing stories, Pretty When She Kills marks her bold debut into the dark romance and thriller genre. What began as a creative risk turned into one of her most gripping works yet, blending trauma, survival, obsession, and power into a haunting tale that refuses to let go.
When she’s not writing, Matea is busy being a mother, healing loudly, and drinking far too much coffee. She believes in second chances, complex women, and the beauty of telling the truth — especially when it hurts.
Follow her journey on Instagram.
Eye of the Marigold by Casie Guevara
Marisol and Rosy find themselves at odds with each other as they grow up and grow apart. The tragedy of losing their Grandmama forces them together and opens their wounds. Cultural traditions and Grandmama’s healing touch will make them grow closer and learn to forgive each other.
Petals of the Forgotten by Uzma Kadri
In Petals of the Forgotten, a young woman named Thistle must listen to the silent language of flowers to heal her village and herself. Battling sickness, shadows, and dark forces, she discovers that courage, friendship, and careful listening may hold the key to both survival and hope.
Ujama Kadri is a writer with a passion for crafting immersive fantasy worlds and exploring the subtle magic of nature. She draws inspiration from folklore, environmental themes, and the quiet resilience of everyday people. Ujama’s work often weaves together healing, friendship, and the hidden power of the natural world.
Connect with Uzma on her website.
Withering Bonds by L. Nabang
A fabulist story about a young woman grappling with her estranged relationship with her father — while he carries the touch of life, she carries the touch of death.
L. Nabang is an AroAce, Cameroonian-American author with a BA in English and Creative Writing. She often writes character-driven fantasy stories that explore complex relationships and real-world issues, aiming to provide more representation for Black youth. She’s been published in FIYAH Literary Magazine, Inner Worlds, Crow and Cross Keys, “Devotion in the Open Air” Anthology by InkedInGray Press, and “Speculative Issue #4” Anthology by Midnight and Indigo. Her work was recognized on the 2024 Otherwise Award Honors List and has been featured in Locus Magazine and Reactor Magazine. Outside of writing, she enjoys reading, playing the violin, BTS, and anime. You can connect with L. Nabang on her BlueSky, Instagram, or her website.
About Chyina Powell
Chyina Powell is an award-winning author, editor and founder. She began Powell Editorial in order to help emerging writers become published authors. She offers diverse services including sensitivity reading, developmental editing, and manuscript critiques and is always happy to share her knowledge of the publishing industry with her writers. Moreover, Chyina is an advocate for diversity in publishing which led her to create the Women of Color Writers’ Circle Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers community and safe space to women of color writers globally regardless of genre or where they are in their writing career. Chyina Powell is the author of six books and always has at least three WIPs in the works. When she is not writing or working with writers, you can find her with a book in hand and a cup of tea nearby.