iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Formatting the bibliography for From Mushrooms to the Moon is oddly satisfying. That is all.

Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Amelie Ahern-Williams @artfuldoodling.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Wanted a chill drawing activity, so I started designing little creatures inspired by plants n leaves. (Currently going by Leaflings.) These are Dogwood and Alder :) 🍃 #kidlitart #nature #fantasy

Woodland creature inspired by Dogwood leaf, large eyes and long cylindrical nose, leaf ears, and leaf atop head.

Woodland creature inspired by Alder, body made from a brown alder cone, and head based on leaf, with cylindrical nose growing from the stalk. Creature holds a little wooden staff.

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab @bpal.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Well dang, should’ve just memed it in the first place

An illustration by Gustave Dore for Dante’s Divine Comedy that shows two silhouetted figures standing on a tall summit gazing up at a great celestial conflagration of souls in heaven. Text reads “We already had free art for people who are broke or bad at designing things. It’s called the PUBLIC DOMAIN”

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Jeremy C. Shipp @jeremycshipp.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

As always, today is a great day to support artists, writers, creators of all sorts. If you have the means, buy a book, sign up for someone's Patreon, commission an art piece. It's also a lovely day to leave a nice comment, post a short review, spread the word about someone's work. Everything helps.

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Edmonds Scanner @edmondsscanner.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Your daily affirmation: Like antlers, it's time for you to branch out, become sharper, and get more weathered and beautiful with age.

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Helen Whistberry @whistberry.northsky.social · 19/09/2026

Today's #SciArtSeptember theme is #star It's easy to feel alone in the universe when gazing upon a sky full of distant stars. It's good when friends rally round you...

Black and white drawing of a melancholy-looking toad perched on a rock under a starry sky with thin clouds visible. There are five tiny ghosts surrounding the toad to give it moral support.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Very excited to take one-on-one pitches at the 2026 (Online) Florida Writing Workshop on Oct. 9-10, 2026. Join me! Anyone from anywhere can attend. Learn more about the virtual writers conference here:

floridawritingworkshops.com

The 2026 Online Florida Writing Workshop

Get Your Writing Published: October 9-10, 2026

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I'm trans, pronouns they or he. If you call me she, I'll correct you. I look feminine(ish). My gender identity doesn't match my sex assigned at birth; that's what trans means. I'm not transitioning to fit someone else's idea of how my gender identity should look. That doesn't make me less trans.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

My newsletter today is an interview with the fabulous kidlit author Mary Boone! She's the author of more than 70 non-fiction books for children, and in this post she shares some great wisdom about building a writing career. I'm proud to say Mary is also one of my amazing clients!

Photo of the cover of The Flying Feminist by Mary Boone.

Author/Client Spotlight: Mary Boone, Children's Author. Mary is the author of science filled books for kids. She's also one of my awesome clients, and her latest release, The Flying Feminist, is about early aviator, Lillian Bland.

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Ursula K. Le Guin Bot @leguinbot.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

It is no secret. All power is one in source and end, I think. Years and distances, stars and candles, water and wind and wizardry, the craft in a man's hand and the wisdom in a tree's root: they all arise together.

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Shane M. Bailey @shanembailey.com · 13/09/2026

I say this all the time. You don't know who needs a smile and your comic, your story, your art, will help. You don't know but someone needs you. You've probably saved someone's life somewhere. You've made them feel seen. You've made them feel loved. You help people get by. That's special.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Speech to text transcribed my statement about "large, woody land plants" as "large, witty land plants," so of course I had to stop writing From Mushrooms to the Moon long enough to create this gem.

A drawing of two trees, quickly sketched in blue pen on lined writing paper. They both have silly faces drawn on their branches. The pine tree has a speech bubble that says, "Why did the tree fall across the road?" A deciduous tree answers, "It was upset to the other side!"

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

While working on From Mushrooms to the Moon, I'm reading a paper on ResearchGate on the fate of all plastic the world has produced over the decades. ResearchGate offered a helpful pop-up that said, "Interested in research on Fate?" I mean, maybe!

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Michael Strode @michaelstrode.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Pre-order sale at Barnes & Noble, today only! Link in comments.

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Cynthia Gómez @cynthiasaysboo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Strange Horizons is opening for submissions on October 1. I repeat, Strange Horizons is opening for submissions on October 1.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

"New from Thomas Hardy" isn't the Audible promo notification I was expecting 😅

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Me (working on From Mushrooms to the Moon): Do you think "crap ton" is one word or two? Spouse: I don't know. Are you spelling tonne the Canadian way? 😂

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Jeremy C. Shipp @jeremycshipp.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Hey Bluesky, could you help me signal boost my Big Cartel shop? Jeremy Creatures are designed and hand-sewed by me, and they take many hours to create. jeremycreature.bigcartel.com

Here's a lovely photo of a plethora of hand-sewn fabric art creatures. There's a watermelon creature with a red face, eight black seed-like eyes, and a wide mouth with five sharp teeth. There's a white ghost trinket bag covered with purple embroidered flowers. She has a gray face, sparkly black eyes and a little frown. There's a strawberry creature with three bulbous green eyes. There's a watermelon ghost, and a black creature with sharp teeth wearing a bulbous eye earring. There's a large purple creature with many yellow eyes and an open mouth, with a little green creature popping her head out. All the creatures are sitting on green fur and there's a galaxy print fabric in the background.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I just now said "human being." And what did it type? "Human beer"

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Text to speech in Google docs just transcribed "gravitas" as "karate toss." Dying 😂

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Thoughts about sci-fi and technology! I've always found it interesting that we seem to get some tech way ahead of what sci-fi or dystopian fiction predicts, and other stuff doesn't happen as predicted at all.

We got cell phones long before Star Trek predicted we would have communicators...but we're a long way from having tricorders.

That's not the only time real-life tech happens faster than sci-fi predicts. I would love to hear other examples you can think of!

And I know tech doesn't always beat fiction...more on that soon!

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Michael Strode @michaelstrode.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

My agent's journey as an author is inspiring - worth reading for any writer.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

My "how I signed 3 book deals in 2025" newsletter has dropped! You know where to go to read it (bio! 🔗!) It's not a unicorn story. I hope it's a whole lot more than that. 💜

Image with part of the cover of my upcoming book A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them and the text:

I signed three book deals 2025... And it only took me 33 years to get there. How my forthcoming books with Bloomsbury and Orca happened, why it took me so long to get here, and how I almost gave up way too soon

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Kristine Ada Carter @kristineadacarter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I love the way A.J.'s new website showcases both their science nonfiction and fiction talents. The artwork gorgeous. The layout and visual storytelling breathtaking!

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

New website design! 🔥 I've been unsure how to say "sciencey nonfiction plus marvelous spec fic plus a dash of realism plus literary merit plus silliness"...and the artist captured it ALL. (All her art is hand drawn, btw!) Mystical space library + mushrooms + sciencey and it all works together.

An image of my new website design, with a library in space and marvelous mushrooms running rampant!

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Just based on simple math, I can only represent less than 1% of the people who query me, but I will always always ALWAYS respect the work that goes into creating a book. It's rare, it's an act of courage and rebellion, and EVERYONE who writes a book is a superstar. Facts.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Just heard someone say, "Some things cook better slow," and I may adopt that as my response if anyone asks why it took 33 years.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

The story of how I signed three book deals as an author in 2027...newsletter drops in 3 days! Sharing now to spread the word because I have a feeling a lot of people will be curious about this one.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

It's been a while since I've published a newsletter, but I promise to post them more regularly! Next one is coming on Sept. 1, and I'm aiming for at least once a month from here on out. You know the drill: head to the bio if you want to be on the list!

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Danielle Ryan (Lestat Era) @danirat.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I think another lesson to take from the loss of both Dolly and Tim Curry is that neither of them took themselves seriously but they took the work dead serious that's the most important thing pour all of yourself into the craft but have fun and don't get an ego.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I made a brief reference to "Space Oddity" in drafting From Mushrooms to the Moon, which reminds me that when I was a teen, my mom bought a teddy bear dressed like an astronaut, named him Major Tom, and put him in her home office. I still approve of her choice.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

As a dog person, "Kong Mode" means one thing to me and it is not what this headline intended 😂

Substack headline that reads, King Carney Activates Kong Mode with Zero Fucks

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I speak German & my German family members now all speak English, so our visits sound a lot like Han and Chewbacca, with someone saying something in one language and getting an answer in another language. Completely random as to whether each person happens to say their piece in their native language

Han turning to Chewbacca in The Force Awakens, saying, "Oh, really? You're cold?"

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Helen Whistberry @whistberry.northsky.social · 22/08/2026

Being hit with some big vet bills for this beautiful boy, so if you've ever considered buying any books or art from me, this would be a great time! 💜 t-shits, prints and more: www.helenwhistberry.com/art-links books! www.helenwhistberry.com/book-links Patreon: www.patreon.com/cw/whistberry

Silver gray tabby cat curled up in a cardboard box and looking out at the viewer with big green eyes.

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

ME: I am always banging on about my books and events. THEM: I did not know your events existed. Wait you wrote a book?? lesson to writers: talk MORE about your books and events.

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Reposted by AJ Van Belle (they/them)

Cindy Phan @cindyphanauthor.com · 19/08/2026

Puffballs are the eggs of mushrooms send skeet

A round, very egg-like white puffball mushroom growing amongst dead pine needles and some clover.

An even more egg-like puffball mushroom partially tucked into a bed of dead pine needles, a splatter of clover and dandelions around it.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Perfect representation of how it felt to write the "How to Help" sections in the climate-related chapters of A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them. (Which you can preorder now, btw! www.bloomsbury.com/us/dozen-dys...)

bloomsbury.com

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

The two things most often missing from non-fiction queries in my agenting inbox are: 1. Platform. What is the numerical breakdown of how many people you can reach, and how? Publishers want actual numbers. 2. Sample chapter(s)! After the outline, show me part of the book itself!

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

It's 5:30 a.m., it's dark, the wind is blowing on our tiny suburban street, there are no vehicles operating anywhere within earshot, and something is softly beeping outside from the bushes where the neighborhood bear often sleeps. Maybe the bear has some new electronics.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I'm open to queries for nonfiction only! What am I looking for? Check out the slides to find out! Query with *nonfiction only* QueryTracker.net/que... Fiction has to wait until I reopen. Don't pick nonfiction in the QM dropdown for your novel query; I'll have to pass on these.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I am Being Cuddled by Puppies™️ and therefore cannot write right now 😂🐶

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E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky @elizmanderson.com · 11/08/2026

update my conversation partner will be @monatewari.com (BURN THE SEA), so you should come see both of us next Thursday 😌

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I've used the phrase "chow down on DDT" in my nonfiction book-in-progress, and I feel like this should be some kind of milestone (or at least count as a weird horror interjection in pop sci). That may be the pinnacle of today's writing. #FromMushroomsToTheMoon

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who's told me you've pre-ordered A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them! So incredible to know so many of you have already ordered it, and this book will be in your mailbox or on your phone/e-reader the moment it's released from Bloomsbury Academic!!!

Image of the cover of A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them: The Real Science Behind Your Favorite Fiction, and a screenshot of a post that says, "Absolutely blown away by all the people who've told me they've preordered already, almost 9 months before my debut nonfiction book comes out! The science of dystopia is about to have some eyes on it! 🔥"

The background is a photo I took of a house covered in flowers and vines.

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Exciting news: I am reopening to queries for NONFICTION ONLY. My fiction plate is still really full, but I would love to see some awesome nonfiction proposals. I'll look at pretty much any subject, so don't self-reject! QueryTracker.net/que...

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AJ Van Belle (they/them) @ajvanbelle.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Kristine has some great insights in her QueryTracker interview! Honored to be working with her for her MG novels and can't wait to see what the future holds!

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Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 08/08/2026

#AugustWorldbuilders, good morning, friends! I'm trying out a new prompt theme this week: ANCIENT HISTORY AND LORE This is a test run, so if I think of better questions, they might be here next year Are there founding myths for a civilization in your world? Think of myths like Romulus and Remus

MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card
#AugustWorldbuilders
Hosted by Kira of the Wind
Week 2: Ancient history and lore
8. Founding of a civilization: Is it real history or a legend?

The background shows space full of stars and nebulas. The colors are mostly blue and pinkish-purple. A bright star shines off to the side

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