In The Beginning…

On Jan. 11, 2026, Armadillo Authors Society member Heidi Kasa launched her latest chapbook collection, The Beginners, at a special Tea & Poison event held an antique store in Austin, Texas, Antiques By Anna.

he Beginners is a collection where poetic intensity meets speculative imagination, demanding we examine not just where we're going, but who we're becoming along the way. Heidi Kasa explores what it means to be human when the lines blur-between self and machine, love and dependence, memory and ghost.

The event featured readings by authors Roanna Flowers (Rowan Floyd), G.M. Gray, Hollie Hardy, Britta Jensen, Gustavo Martinez, and Nikei Salas and several rounds of a fun Tea or Poison game!

What early reviews are saying…

“A magnificent gem of the book that had my heart from the first page. The flash pieces explore grief, being an artist, caring for others, and what it means to be a human attuned to the world. I cried many times and will return to it again and again.” —Syr Hayati, author of What A Fish Looks Like

“A wonderfully heartfelt series intermingling literary, realistic fiction with preternatural beyond-the-bounds.”—Goodreads review

Watch a reel of the launch event here and follow Heidi Kasa on Instagram for more about The Beginners and what’s next!