For immediate release
Saskatoon, SK, 29 September 2026 — A Saskatoon couple, author F. David Schultz and artist Audra Balion, have raised over $2,000 to support the Canada-Ukraine Foundation through their self-published novel. This October, they’ve set out to do it all again with the launch of a second book, Horns of Shadow and Gold, a fantasy inspired by Ukrainian culture and myth. Their launch event, held at Amazing Stories on Wednesday, October 14th, is set to be an exciting one with readings, a display of paintings and illustrations from the novel, and a creator Q&A.
The couple never expected their first book, Crown of Horns, to be such a success. Schultz explains: “Our first print run was just 150 copies. From everything I read, that’s what I figured I could sell in a lifetime as a self-published author. We went through that in weeks!” The reception was overwhelmingly positive with orders from across Canada. “We even had folks pick up copies to send to Ukraine, to send to Canadians who were volunteering to provide medical aid on the front.” They were soon printing 500 more copies.
For the book’s illustrator and world builder Audra Balion, celebrating her Ukrainian heritage was paramount: “I’ve done Ukrainian dance all my life. I’ve spent long nights speaking Ukrainian with my baba. I wanted to create a place that spoke to that. I even named some of the cities after my family.” That’s why the couple pledged part of their book sales to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s Aid for Artists project; it provides funding for artists in Ukraine and refugees in Canada to help keep Ukrainian culture alive and thriving.
Horns of Shadow and Gold follows the couple’s first book, but serves as a standalone story inspired by Ukrainian myths intermingled with their own creations. After the death of a matriarch, a night-hunter of the mountains becomes entangled with nightmarish spirits that have arisen in her wake. The story is set in a city that has struggled to rebuild after a decades-old tragedy. Schultz and Balion continue to pledge to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to help the people who work to protect and rebuild their home.
Launch Events:
All events are open to the public and free to attend.
Amazing Stories
2508 8 St E, Saskatoon, SK
Wednesday, October 14
Signing 2 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Reception & Book Talk: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Coles Midtown
201 1 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK
Sunday, October 25
Signing: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Indigo Saskatoon
3322 8 St E, Saskatoon, SK
Saturday, October 31
Signing: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Book Talk: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
(Costumes encouraged with prizes from artist Audra Balion for the spookiest.)
High-res images available here.
Media contact:
F. David Schultz
306-612-0153
fdavid@crownofhorns.com
