Alia Terra

Alia Terra

Stories from the Dragon Realm

The Book

Find Alia Terra here (Atthis Arts)!

Three dragons, one purple, one gold, and one green, are lounging around a cove aside a grassy cliff in the sunset, with a Romanian-styled tower in the distance. A border of red dog roses (flori de măceș) surrounds the image.

Through three all-ages fairy tales of kindness and acceptance, presented in English and Romanian, Alia Terra: Stories from the Dragon Realm draws from personal experiences, Romanian folklore with Dacian roots, and our fundamental need—to believe in ourselves. Richly illustrated by Michigan artist Matthew Spencer in shades of color and gender, the words of Ava Kelly assure that we all belong.

Alia Terra: Basme din Tărâmul Dragonilor conține trei povești diverse pentru toate vârstele.

“Ava Kelly’s book of bilingual Romanian/English fairytales is both necessary and a delight. While queer writing is being suppressed in many countries of Eastern Europe, this volume offers comfort and consolation with queer-normative stories that reach back to the familiar themes of childhood, and provide renewed hope. Mages, princesses, and above all, dragons populate the world of Alia Terra, richly illustrated by Matthew Spencer. Characters go against expectations, and learn to live true to themselves: curses turn into blessings, flying creatures find a new beginning underwater, and even love acquires new meaning. From aromanticism to nonbinary gender, LGBTQIA+ themes in Alia Terra are always portrayed with a gentle kindness that we need in our lives, and an eager, resilient confidence. Read the stories and share them with your loved ones!” – Bogi Takács, Hugo and Lambda Award-winning author

Additional Content and Tales

The Kitten, the Dragons, and Storytelling by the Sea (on this website)

The Dragon’s New Old Hat (at Atthis Arts)

The Exclusive Alia Terra D20

an image of amethyst and copper D20 dice with a stylized dragon in place of the 20

The Campaign

alia terra promo image with a dragon in flight, a princess drinking tea and a mage with a sword, in romanian folk costumes

The pre-order campaign for Alia Terra hosts a set of articles about culture and the development process for this book. On this page you can read about this illustrated book of nonbinary and aromantic fairy tales.

Matthew Spencer | Atthis Arts

Reading list