Independent Bookstore Day at Dragonfly Bookshop

Columbus-Based Urban Fantasy "The Day the Whimsy Died" to Debut at Independent Bookstore Day

COLUMBUS, OH — Swordistry is proud to announce that local author and Royal Arts Fencing Academy coach Tim A. Mills will be hosting an exclusive pre-release event for his upcoming novel, The Day the Whimsy Died, on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The event coincides with Independent Bookstore Day, a national celebration of local literary culture. This year, the Columbus area boasts a twenty-one-store "book crawl," where readers are challenged to collect passport stamps from ten or more participating locations.

A Hometown Tale

Set against the backdrop of Columbus, Ohio, The Day the Whimsy Died invites readers to see their own city through a lens of mystery and magic. By weaving familiar local landmarks into a narrative of disappearing wonder, Mills delivers a story that hits close to home for Ohio residents while appealing to fantasy fans everywhere.

Exclusive Early Access at Dragonfly Bookshop

In a special collaboration with Dragonfly Bookshop in Hilliard, OH—which is celebrating its inaugural year as an Independent Bookstore Day participant—Mills will be featured in the shop’s Author Alley from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

While the book’s official global launch is set for May 7, 2026, attendees of the Hilliard event will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase special pre-release copies nearly two weeks before they hit general retail.

About the Author

Tim A. Mills is a coach at the Royal Arts Fencing Academy and the creative force behind Swordistry. His background in the technical and historical art of the sword informs his writing, bringing a unique sense of movement and authenticity to his prose.