Ross Douthat’s YA fantasy serial to be published in print by Luminor

The Reader Times desk 15 October 2026 Based on Literary Hub reporting

Engraved illustration of a writer’s study with books, a desk and warm window light. — Editorial illustration for The Reader Times.

The Falcon’s Children, a Substack‑originated YA fantasy series by columnist Ross Douthat, will be released in print next year through the Catholic imprint Luminor.

The Falcon’s Children, the first installment of a planned YA fantasy trilogy by New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, is set to move from its Substack serial format to a printed edition in 2027.

The print publication will be handled by Luminor, a Catholic‑affiliated imprint that announced the acquisition earlier this month.

Slate’s book critic Laura Miller reviewed the opening chapter in 2023, describing it as needing a complete rewrite if the rest of the novel follows the same pattern.

Douthat, known for his opinion pieces on politics and culture, has positioned the project as speculative historical fiction, emphasizing extensive world‑building and a hand‑drawn map accompanying the narrative.

The upcoming release marks Douthat’s first foray into traditional publishing for a youth‑oriented fantasy work, expanding his writing beyond the opinion pages where he has built his reputation.