The Mask of the Storyteller
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Pub Date Oct 1 2026 | Archive Date Oct 10 2026
EurekaSignal Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
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Description
“An imaginative world and sophisticated themes combine in this rewarding blend of myth and mystery. Our Verdict: GET IT."—Kirkus Reviews
A lyrical debut about cross-cultural friendship and the power of storytelling. Aggie Brown lives in a climate-altered Arctic ruled by an absurdly bureaucratic regime. When she interferes with the theft of an Inuit spirit mask, she uncovers a conspiracy by a wolf-eyed woman, driven by demons of her own to take what Aggie holds most dear and destroy what is sacred.
Aggie teams up with her classmate Tommy Tulugaq, a hockey star stepping into his place in his community, where dreams carry messages and masks awaken secrets. Joining them is her faint-of-heart, strong-as-an-ox friend Emmett. Their journey leads them across the dangerous beauty of the melting polar ice cap—but the heart of the conspiracy lies farther still: an ultra-wealthy Manhattan transformed by canals.
To protect the people and places they love, they will need to entrust each other both with their burdens and their stories—and discover the mask’s power over travelers, guides and lost souls.
This YA fantasy is for readers who love Philip Pullman's moral complexity and satirical edge.
A Note From the Publisher
EBOOK: 9798995521518
Additional Book Formats with (ISBN-13):
EBOOK: 9798995521518
Advance Praise
KIRKUS REVIEWS (Recommended Review):
“Zelkowitz’s novel intertwines mythology, history, and politics in this complex depiction of an Arctic dystopia…"
“Zelkowitz displays great prowess at creating an eccentric, layered world. Rather than explicitly explaining the workings of Port Helios, he allows readers to discover its politics, history, and cultural tensions piece by piece. The narrative offers a thoughtful exploration of cultural heritage, environmental damage, and the surprising connections between science and mythology. The novel repeatedly challenges Aggie to reconsider her assumptions while imbuing a world shaped by corporate interests with real, powerful magic. As Tommy discusses the importance of the storyteller mask to his community, he reminds her that ‘Masks are part of our living tradition, Aggie, not just some piece of ancient history’... those willing to follow Zelkowitz through his deliberately absurd bureaucratic maze will find the effort more than rewarding."
“An imaginative world and sophisticated themes combine in this rewarding blend of myth and mystery. Our Verdict: GET IT.”
Marketing Plan
Trade reviews (Kirkus Reviews and Midwest Book Review secured, others TBD)
Librarian outreach through NetGalley and LibraryWorks programs
Blogger and press outreach, available for author interviews and events
Book Prize submissions (multiple)
Goodreads and BookSirens campaigns
Multichannel distribution (Ingram, D2D, all major retailers)
Promotion through author and publisher websites and email lists
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798995521501 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 396 |
Available on NetGalley
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