About Us
Reviving the Art of Publishing
At The Stygian Society, we’re reshaping the world of independent publishing by prioritizing literary talent over trends. Founded by authors, for authors, we focus on creating beautifully bound books and offering fair, transparent support. With a commitment to human creativity, we champion writers who seek to craft stories free from the influence of AI.
The Story So Far
The Stygian Society is on a mission to restore artistry, community, and authenticity to the world of publishing.
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Founded by Holly Rhiannon and Pae Veo in 2023, we are dedicated to reviving the classic art of publishing. Our focus is solely on the quality of the work, providing authors with the support they deserve while creating beautifully designed, thoughtfully bound books. We prioritize exceptional talent over social media clout or personal identity.
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In 2024, we published Dark Flock by Montreal author Matt Poll, introducing the new subgenre of “Twilight Zone Birding,” supported by crowdfunding. We also launched The Stygian Zine, our bi-annual anthology series, continuing the spirit of our inaugural publication, The Stygian Collection.
Additionally, we introduced The Order of the Written Word, a writing challenge that champions human creativity over AI, in response to NaNoWriMo’s controversial stance on AI-assisted writing. Holly Rhiannon, a former NaNoWriMo municipal liaison, resigned after NaNo’s endorsement of AI in authorship. The Order now hosts over 400 members on our Discord server, where writers gather to support each other and reclaim their craft.
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At The Stygian Society, we believe in personalized touches for our authors, from handwritten welcome letters to exclusive Stygian pins. With fair royalty structures and full transparency, we ensure that our authors have a voice throughout the publishing process.
After all, The Stygian Society was created by authors, for authors.
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Join us as we make our mark in indie publishing, honor literary creativity, and build a lasting legacy of fiction.
Meet The Team
Creative Advisory Board
Our Creative Advisory Board, composed of respected Canadian arts professionals, brings objective expertise to ensure fair, unbiased publication decisions, offering valuable insights beyond our close-knit founding team.
Our Stance on AI
A LETTER FROM THE CEO
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As an author and advocate for creativity, I want to address my position on NaNoWriMo’s recent statement regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their event. For three years, I proudly served as Montreal’s Municipal Liaison for NaNoWriMo, passionately supporting the writing community and fostering an environment that celebrated creativity in its purest form. However, I have recently resigned from this position due to fundamental disagreements with NaNoWriMo’s stance on AI.
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I am unequivocally against the use of AI when it comes to creative works — fiction, art, poetry — things that stem from the human soul. Creativity is a uniquely human endeavor, and allowing AI-generated content in a creative writing competition undermines the purpose of the event. The heart of NaNoWriMo has always been about the struggles and triumphs of the individual writer — human imagination facing the blank page, and that is where the true value lies.
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AI is a tool, and in that capacity, I fully support it. It can be an excellent resource for helping with tasks that pull us away from our actual creative work, such as drafting outlines for contracts, preparing grant proposals, or organizing logistical details. These tasks have long frustrated artists, and AI offers a way to handle them more efficiently so that the focus can remain on creation. But AI should never replace the act of creativity itself, nor should it be allowed in competitions meant to nurture and celebrate human artistic expression.
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NaNoWriMo’s recent statement claims that opposing AI in these competitions has “classist and ableist undertones,” tying questions of AI usage to questions of privilege. I find this reasoning flawed. In fact, lower-income individuals are less likely to have access to advanced AI tools, making this argument disconnected from the reality many face. Furthermore, implying that writers with disabilities need AI to be creative is offensive, and many of my friends who are disabled writers share this sentiment. Creativity does not require AI; it requires humanity, and that is something we all possess, regardless of ability or income level.
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For this reason, I tendered my resignation from NaNoWriMo, expressing my disappointment in their decision to allow AI in a competition rooted in celebrating human imagination.
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With that said, I’m excited to share that I am launching The Order of the Written Word, a new writing challenge created for dedicated authors, poets, and storytellers who, like me, believe in the power of the human imagination. In a world where AI-generated content is on the rise, The Order of the Written Word will champion human creativity, providing tailored challenges and year-round support for writers in every stage of their craft.
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This event will be supported by my small press, The Stygian Society, offering authors visibility, opportunities for publication, and discounted services to help them hone their work. Our launch is set for October 1, 2024, and we welcome writers who want to embark on a journey to create something uniquely theirs.
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I invite anyone who shares my passion for human storytelling to join us this November, and together we’ll continue to celebrate the creative spark that defines us.
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— Holly Rhiannon
At The Stygian Society, we are committed to preserving the integrity of art and literature by opposing the rise of AI-generated content. Our mission is to prioritize authentic storytelling, giving talented authors a fair platform without considering marketability or social media status. We offer a transparent, equitable 50/50 royalty split, ensuring creators are properly rewarded for their work. By championing human creativity, we focus on uplifting new voices and fostering a community built on artistic excellence. Your support helps us sustain these efforts, enabling us to continue publishing meaningful work and creating opportunities for authors to thrive.