Line Magic

What if the world could change with the stroke of a pencil?

Nicky True discovered his extraordinary gift at a young age—the ability to make his drawings come to life. As a child, he could sketch a lopsided apple into perfection, but the magic was fleeting, and the image reverted to its flawed form. Now, as an old man sitting at his kitchen table, where he once taught his daughter Jo to draw, he’s determined to tell the story of his life’s greatest secret—before it’s lost forever.

Spanning seventy years of art, wonder, and heartbreak, Nicky's journey reveals how the power of imagination can reshape reality itself. From the simple joy of a child discovering shapes and colors to the bittersweet memories of love and loss, Line Magic explores the delicate balance between creating perfection and accepting imperfection.

Nicky’s gift is both a blessing and a curse, and his story is one of artistic obsession, a father's love, and a legacy he hopes to pass on to his daughter, Jo. As he confronts the limits of his own magic and the ticking clock of time, Nicky must come to terms with the price of his talent and the impact it has had on those he loves most.

Kris Faatz’s novel is a heartfelt tribute to the creative spirit and a meditation on the lines that shape our lives. Line Magic will remind you that sometimes the most beautiful creations are the ones that don't last forever.

Can one man’s art change the world, or does the magic lie in the act of creation itself?

Kris Faatz (rhymes with skates) is a musician and award-winning writer. Her short stories have appeared in many journals and have received honors from Tiferet Journal, Black Fox Magazine, and DISQUIET International, among others. Her second novel, Fourteen Stones (Highlander Press, 2024), marked the start of her immersion in fantasy and magic. Her third novel, Line Magic (Highlander Press, 2025), blends magical realism with a fascination with history, and pays tribute to her home city, Philadelphia. Line Magic was shortlisted in the Santa Fe Writers Project's highly competitive 2023 literary awards.Kris lives in Baltimore with her husband and feline contingent. She and her husband are enthusiastic hikers who love to explore all green spaces. When not escaping into the world of story, Kris teaches creative writing, provides editing services, and is a performing pianist. Visit her at krisfaatz.com.