Alston Stories Newsletter: Issue #1


JONA ALSTON

ALSON STORIES

Hi everyone! Welcome, and thank you for being here.

I’ve just finished my debut novel, The Letter Numbered Ten, and I’m excited to finally begin sharing it with you.

The story follows a young boy whose search through his mother's past draws him onto a trail of hidden secrets, rare art, and international intrigue. What begins as a mystery slowly becomes something deeper. A journey toward truth, healing, and learning what it really takes to protect the people you love.

This book has lived with me for a long time, and bringing it to completion feels both surreal and deeply personal. I’m looking forward to opening up this world and hearing how it resonates with you.

If you’d like to share your thoughts or follow along as the book moves into querying, you can visit the link below. I’d truly love to hear from you.

Current Reading & Commentary

The Hunger Games: Why It Was Inspiring

This week, I revisited The Hunger Games to explore why it resonated so deeply with readers and why it still holds up this many years later. Beyond the dystopian spectacle, I look at the emotional core of the story, the quiet strength of its characters, and the themes that made it feel personal rather than performative.

If you enjoy thoughtful, honest takes on books and storytelling, you can read the full article below.

What's next?

Coming up next is a themed discussion on one of the most talked-about books of our time: Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James.

Yes, it’s controversial. Yes, it’s famously explicit. But my approach isn’t about shock value. My content stays PG-13 and focuses on story, character motivation, and the ideas beneath the surface.

If you’ve ever been curious about the book but unsure whether it was worth your time—or if you’ve read it and wondered why it resonated so strongly with so many readers, you’ll enjoy this “story behind the story” take. I’ll be exploring the characters’ choices, the dynamics at play, and what we can genuinely learn from the experience the book presents.

Follow me on Instagram to be notified when this article goes live.

Curious about The Letter Numbered Ten?

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Alston Stories

Welcome to my world of stories. I’m Jona Alston, literary fiction author, sharing exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and the books and content that have inspired the worlds and characters I create.

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