Citywide Bytes—Dreams become nightmares in “Beautiful, Once”

Picture this—an island paradise, cut off from all the craziness that we see in the world today. A perfect society, where nothing can go wrong….until it does. Author Mia Dalia joins me to talk about her new book, “Beautiful, Once,” out through Crystal Lake Publishing. Here’s a look at the story: When a controversial tech billionaire retreats from society, he constructs a private island designed to be the ultimate controlled experiment: a hand-selected population, sustainable systems, and a flawless model for humanity’s future. A paradise engineered to perfection.  But perfection breeds boredom.  Seeking recognition—and perhaps validation—he sends a message into the cosmos, broadcasting The Island’s triumph to the universe. All hell breaks loose when something replies.  Within hours, the community fractures. Neighbors turn on neighbors. A savage, insatiable hunger spreads. Civilization unravels. I’ve just started reading this and am loving it! Mia and I talk all about the creation of the book, the different perspectives of the characters that drive it, and get a peek at just how badly things go wrong. Mia also shares the story behind the amazing cover and gives us a look at her many works to be released in 2026. Like what you heard? Then check out Mia’s website at https://daliaverse.wixsite.com/author. And discover all the amazing Crystal Lake authors at https://www.crystallakepub.com.