“In Stasis” by Ashley Peters
“I hope that readers are more open to reaching out to community… keep in mind that if you have a community, it’s a lot easier to deal with the hard things, whether it’s work-life hard things or the world hard things. It is so much easier, and without community, you are in isolation, everything will be worse. [Community] gives you hope.”
Author Ashley Peters has stepped onto the scene with a unique voice and approach to dystopian literature. With a sensory, somewhat poetic style, In Stasis lyrically paints a haunting portrait of survival, strength, and resilience. Her debut launched the first month of 2026, and now Ashley joins the Narratives & Nightcaps Podcast to share the backstory of bringing this raw story to life, where the term “cozy dystopia” originated (for her), and the layers of research, writing, and introspection woven together to craft this speculative story and immersive world.
The narrative: about In Stasis
With a new authoritarian regime in place, a betrayal sends Jessi and her dog, Janus, fleeing into the forest. She isn’t a survivalist expert by any means, but Jessi is forced to find her inner strength and truly learn how to live in the wilderness—alone.
But how long can she truly go unnoticed? The world has been reshaped and a life in the wild presents its own threats.
Told with alternating timelines, In Stasis is an atmospheric and vivid narrative about the multitudes of one woman’s resistance, resilience, and unyielding hope.
The nightcap
As Ashley’s In Stasis unfolds, the ruggedness and uncertainty of the landscape, plus Jessi’s raw struggles for survival create a gripping contrast to the moments of warmth and comfort. We’re pairing this journey with a cup of bourbon infused coffee from Oak & Bond Coffee Co, with a selection of coffees that mirror the book’s complex themes of coziness and survival.
And for an added layer, you can always consider a splash of actual bourbon.
In the episode
Get to know Ashley in this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We chat about:
What “cozy dystopia” is, where it came from in this context, and how Ashley strategically used it to balance tension with a relatable character
Crafting an immersive world — Ashley shares more on her writing process and turning the “film” in her head to words that would resonate with readers
The many layers or research throughout, including historical, wilderness, and medical (yes, we would love to see her Google search history lol)
Plus Ashley’s decision to self-publish this story, her wonderful three dogs, and life in Austin, Texas!
Not only does Ashley’s debut challenge you as a reader to consider this reshaped world and new perspectives, something we love about dystopian books, but her entire approach and style is a breath of fresh air. It’s a testament (or permission) to embracing your personal style, staying true to the stories that you know need to be told, and dedicating the time, work, and resources to your craft.
Listen to the full author interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Purchase your copy here.
Connect with Ashley!