https://despots.example.com On the island of Farflung there is one book, one pledge, and one Objectively Wonderful Leader. Katherine McLarky has doubts. A free serialized middle-grade adventure in 20 weekly episodes, with illustrations. en https://despots.example.com/episodes/04-the-door-in-the-floor/ https://despots.example.com/episodes/04-the-door-in-the-floor/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Under the rug is a door. Under the door is a map, a note, and twenty-three burnt pages that were never supposed to survive the fire. https://despots.example.com/episodes/03-the-yellow-eviction-notice/ https://despots.example.com/episodes/03-the-yellow-eviction-notice/ Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Charcoal is honest work. Eviction notices are not. And the last thing Katherine’s father told her makes no sense at all: look under the rug. https://despots.example.com/episodes/02-the-only-way-to-get-where-you-dont-want-to-go/ https://despots.example.com/episodes/02-the-only-way-to-get-where-you-dont-want-to-go/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Katherine walks the seven miles home the way she always does — one foot in front of the other — and counts the things that are suddenly, quietly wrong. https://despots.example.com/episodes/01-the-man-with-the-antler-handled-umbrella/ https://despots.example.com/episodes/01-the-man-with-the-antler-handled-umbrella/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 On the island of Farflung, there is one book, one pledge, and one correct answer to every question. Then a stranger with an antler-handled umbrella sits in on a surprise test.