Publication date: June 25, 2024. An 8” x 5” novella.

Caregiving has taken over Therre’s entire life, eclipsing his own small fame as a costumier. When his father dies, the funeral affairs are complicated by the long shadow of his late father’s internationally renowned career as an actor. To honor the man who made him, Therre tailors himself a stunning mourning coat as he navigates the forgotten shores of the man he used to be.

Cover illustration by Jeff Kristian. Cover design by dave ring.

ISBN: 978-1-952086-71-7

PRAISE

“It's a story about a person and his grief, and one told with gentleness, sympathy and deep humanity. It is about connection, about living, and about the tethers on your soul that you will never shift, but maybe learn to live around. It is beautiful, sad and desperately poignant, and I loved it.”
—Roseanna Pendlebury at Nerds of a Feather

“As delicate, textured, and evocative as the eponymous garment, A Mourning Coat counters the immediacy of grief with the sweetness of its narrator's unfolding world.”
—Kat Weaver, co-author of Uncommon Charm

“A beautiful glimpse through the gateway of grief.”
—E. Catherine Tobler, author of The Necessity of Stars

“A gentle, thoughtful exploration of the complexities of grief, set in a world with a fascinating and detailed history. I loved the way Jeffers used the protagonist’s relationship with clothing design to show his experience of his world.”
—Juliet Kemp, author of The Deep and Shining Dark

“Reminiscent of Max Gladstone's Craft Sequence but far cozier, A Mourning Coat offers boisterous queerness, likeable characters, lush worldbuilding, and a thoughtful meditation on grief.”
—Tessa Fisher, author of "Morning Star Blues"

“A devastatingly accurate depiction of both caregiving and its aftermath, as well as returning to art; my throat closed up more than once while reading it.”
—Mari Ness, author of Dancing in Silver Lands

“A Mourning Coat celebrates all the connections that life stitches together, even on the ugly side where all the threads show. Queer joy, sensitive depictions of dementia, and distant magic all find their places in this delicate work of art.”
—Lauren Ring, Nebula Award finalist

"I haven't discussed the prose, which is graceful and beautiful. Nor have I discussed the context—this world, and the magic, the gods, which are de-emphasized here because Yf has no gods—but magic still plays a significant role here. And we see too the history—recounted in part by describing movie projects for Therre and his father. There is a real sense of reality, of deep time, of history as it is remembered. This is truly a lovely story, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves."
—Rich Horton

"Every page of this novella drips with stunning prose."
—Dawn Vogel