Portland has always been magical.
PDX Spellbound has the stories to prove it.
Get your first, cozy, fantasy rom-com story free — delivered straight to your inbox.
Think: coffee shop meet-cutes, sparkly talking cats, enchanted lattes, magical mishaps, queer longing, and all the butterflies.
If you’ve been craving something charming, funny, magical, and just a little bit unhinged in the best way…
your tourist visa to a more magical Portland has officially been approved.
No commitment. No nonsense. Just one delightful escape in your inbox.
What is PDX Spellbound?
PDX Spellbound is a monthly fantasy rom-com newsletter set in a magical version of Portland.Every month, you’ll get a new cozy story full of:
awkward crushes
magical chaos
queer romance
real Portland locations
whimsical world-building
and at least one person making questionable fashion choices
It’s part cozy fantasy, part rom-com, part love letter to Portland’s weirdness.Imagine if The Princess Bride, Howl’s Moving Castle, a rainy Pacific Northwest afternoon, and your favorite comfort-read all had a baby. That’s the vibe.
For the readers who...
...need a break from the algorithm, the apocalypse, and the endless flood of aggressively horny, fantasy books.Sometimes you don’t want a 600-page, emotionally devastating epic.Sometimes you just want:
one charming story
one magical little world
one inbox surprise that makes your day better
one hot mechanic, tea wizard, or chaos gremlin, bisexual witch to root for
PDX Spellbound is for the readers who want whimsy, romance, magic, softness, and joy.It’s a palate cleanser.
A tiny portal.
A cozy little “what if Portland was even weirder?” moment you can read on your lunch break, on the couch, or while avoiding the news.
What you get when you join the list
When you sign up, you’ll get Month One completely free.That means you get:1. Your first full story - a complete, cozy, fantasy rom-com delivered to your inbox.2. Three bonus weekly emails. Over the next few weeks, you’ll also get fun extras that pull you deeper into the world, including:
World Lore - Magical rules, city secrets, talking cat politics, and other extremely important intel
Itineraries - An adventure plotted around the real Portland places so you can step into the story
Behind the Scenes - Writing notes, creative chaos, and how the story came together
So no, you’re not just getting “a free sample.”You’re getting a full, month-long introduction to the world of PDX Spellbound.
How it works
Step 1: Join the list
Put in your email and get instant access to your first free story.Step 2: Fall a little bit in love
Read your story. Meet the weirdos. Explore magical Portland. Join the magical cat fan club.Step 3: Extend your stay
If you want more, you can upgrade to the paid newsletter for $7/month and get a brand new story every month.That’s it. No giant content vault. No weird membership labyrinth. No 37-step funnel.Just one delightful story a month, plus a magical little world to keep coming back to.
And after the free month?
If you’re enchanted (which… fair warning, that does happen), you’ll have the option to upgrade and keep the magic going.For $7/month, paid readers get:
a brand new monthly fantasy rom-com story
continued access to the ongoing magical Portland world
new characters, new locations, new meet-cutes, and new chaos
You can cancel anytime.
But ideally… you’ll become the kind of person who has strong emotional opinions about magical Portland baristas and side characters with unresolved tension.
As nature intended.
Why readers are getting attached
Because this isn’t just a newsletter. It’s a world.PDX Spellbound is built around a magical version of Portland where:
witches and wizards get official certifications
everyone has magical tattoos
unicorns patrol the streets
enchanted items are not uncommon
and some of the city’s most important residents are sparkly, deeply judgmental cats
And the best part?It's all rooted in real Portland places.
So whether you live in Portland, miss Portland, romanticize Portland, or just enjoy cities with a little personality disorder and excellent coffee…
you’re invited.
You'll probably love this if...
you were once a Tumblr girlie with strong opinions about fictional couples
you like fantasy, but want something warmer and more playful
you enjoy romance (of all sorts) and magical nonsense
you prefer your characters neuro-spicy
you are deeply susceptible to cozy cafes, awward meet-cutes, and cats with attitude
If any of that made you sit up a little straighter…
Readers are enchanted
Looking for joy? PDX Spellbound will have you feeling like a cozy witch in the city, ready for romantic delights. 10/10 highly recommend.
~ Mary
Need a little more whimsy in your life? PDX Spellbound is pure cozy magic. Romantic, a little silly, and full of stories that feel like a warm drink on a rainy Portland night.
~ Tory
Perfect blend of silly, heartwarming, and whimsical. More, please!
~ Ashley
About the creator
Megan Eckman grew up on fantasy books, 90s rom-coms, and BBC sitcoms in equal measure. She's been writing silly, magical stories since college. PDX Spellbound is her love letter to Portland's weird, wonderful energy.She lives in Vancouver, WA (just across the river from Portland) with her husband and one very opinionated tri-color cat.
About the stories
PDX Spellbound's stories are cozy, fun, and full of charm (though not so full of spice). They'll have you laughing out loud and kicking your feet in glee. You'll feel all the awkward, squirmy feelings of crushes, first dates, and longing. Expect queer romances, characters on the fun spectrum, and magical cats who are absolute divas.
Join the mailing list!
Your first month is free.
That includes:
1 full story
3 bonus weekly emails
your official tourist visa to a magical Portland
If it turns out this is exactly your kind of thing… you’ll have the option to stick around for $7/month and get a brand new story every month.
FAQs
Is the first story really free?
Yes! When you join the list, you’ll get Month One of PDX Spellbound for free.
That includes:
1 full, cozy, fantasy rom-com story
3 bonus weekly emails with lore, behind-the-scenes fun, and magical Portland extras
No tricks. No nonsense. Just your official tourist visa to magical Portland.
What happens after the free month?
If you’re enchanted and want more, you’ll have the option to upgrade to the paid newsletter for $7/month.
Paid readers get:
a brand new story every month
continued access to the magical world of Portland
more characters, more charm, and more romantic chaos
If you decide not to upgrade, you’ll still stay on the general list for occasional updates.
Do I have to live in Portland to enjoy this?
Not at all! PDX Spellbound is set in a magical version of Portland, but you absolutely do not need to be local to enjoy the stories.
If you love these things, you're in the right place:
quirky cities
cozy fantasy
queer romance
charming world-building
magical coffee shop energy
Are these stories spicy?
Nope — these are cozy fantasy rom-coms, not open-door smut.
Expect:
crushes
flirting
longing
butterflies
magical shenanigans
emotional tension
kisses
But not explicit on-page spice.
Think warm, whimsical, and romantic rather than “hide your Kindle from the children.”
What kind of stories are these?
These are standalone monthly fantasy rom-com stories set in the same magical Portland universe.
That means:
each story can be enjoyed on its own
recurring characters and world details may pop up
and the more you read, the more magical the whole city becomes
How long are the stories?
Long enough to feel satisfying. Short enough to read in a cozy sitting. These are designed to be lunch-break friendly, couch-friendly, and "I just need joy in my life now" friendly.
How are the stories delivered?
Straight to your inbox. No extra apps. No portals. No scavenger hunt.
Just open your email and enjoy your magical little escape.
Can I cancel the paid subscription anytime?
Yes — absolutely.
If you decide to upgrade after the free month, you can cancel anytime. No cursed contracts. No enchanted fine print.
Will there be an eventual full novel?
Yes! PDX Spellbound is part of a bigger magical world, and these stories are one way to explore it while the larger novel unfolds behind the scenes. So if you like being early to things with cult-favorite potential… hi.
Will the same characters come back?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some stories introduce new characters, while others revisit familiar faces from the magical Portland universe. So if you get attached… that’s not necessarily a bad thing.