Free book for new readers

Pull up a chair. The fire’s already lit.

Join A. E. Hearth’s reader list and get Don’t Hug the Hootmaw free: a warm, funny quest with a hand-drawn map, a castle on the horizon, and an enormous owl who only wants a hug.

Cover of Don't Hug the Hootmaw by A. E. Hearth: a red-haired adventurer tumbles backwards as a giant, delighted owl reaches for a hug
By this fire

Stories like a warm blanket, with a level-up screen.

Every book here is written to feel like coming home: low on cruelty, high on heart, and still full of the stats, skills, and quests LitRPG readers love.

Cozy, never cruel

Taverns, tea, and found family. The stakes feel real, but kindness is the strongest build in the game.

Monsters worth befriending

Gentlemanly skeletons, cheerful slimes, a minotaur who pours a perfect pint, and one very huggable owl.

Progression that sparkles

Levels, skills, crafting, and clever builds, minus the grimdark gore. Just satisfying growth you can cheer for.

The series

Two hearths. Pick your chair.

The No-Kill Dungeon cover
The No-Kill Dungeon 2 cover
Series one · 2 books

Hearthcore

A dungeon core that would rather pour you a drink than drop you in a pit. Join a found family of monsters running the coziest dungeon in the realm, where every adventurer leaves happier than they arrived.

  • Dungeon core
  • Found family
  • Tavern vibes
Explore Hearthcore
Healer Mage cover
Series two

The Overpowered Apothecary

Sunlit meadows, bubbling potions, and a healer whose gentle magic is far stronger than anyone expected. Soft-hearted power fantasy at its most comforting.

  • Healing magic
  • Potion craft
  • Gentle power fantasy
Explore the Apothecary
From the author

A note from the hearth.

Dear reader, welcome in. Shake the rain off your cloak and find a seat near the fire.

I write stories for the evenings when you want an adventure that hugs back: dungeons that run on hospitality, healers who put people back together, and monsters who turn out to be the best friends you never expected.

If that sounds like your kind of tale, start with the Hootmaw. It’s on the house.

A. E. Hearth

The Hearth Shop is opening soon

Art prints, enamel pins, and totes for your next library run.

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Your free book is waiting by the fire.

One email and Don’t Hug the Hootmaw is yours, along with first word on new releases and the occasional cozy dispatch from the hearth.