iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Thank you so much. 🥰 So glad you've enjoyed Wasteland Heart.

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Arden Powell @ardenpowell.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

A demon hunter collects fantastic swords based on beetles 🪲 Every other day this month I'm posting a new prompt-based flash fiction for #Swordtember. If you join my page for as little as $4 CAD, you support me writing more queer fantasy ⚔️✨ www.patreon.com/posts/swordt...

Photo of a dogbane beetle: glossy iridescent green, gold, and blue. It's pretty cute.

Photo of a golden tortoise beetle by Andreas Kay. Semi translucent shell covers a speckled shiny gold-green body. It's ALSO pretty cute.

Art of a brown and black stag beetle rearing up, by Albrecht Durer.

Art of a black rhinoceros beetle with a speckled tan shell, by Pieter Holsteyn. It looks very demure.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

How you doing? Need a little break? Maybe some cute and cozy stories would help. Totally free at alhessbooks.itch.io and set in a soft and overgrown post-post-apocalyptic world inspired by the song (Nothing But) Flowers by the Talking Heads 🤖🪻

An abstract illustration of yellow flowers against a blue background. The white text reads: Need a mental health break? I have free cozy stories full of plants and cute robots

A cover of green leaves and pink and purple black eyed Susan flowers. The title says Extended Forecast, Al Hess

A tan cover with multicolored abstract fern fronds and tulips. The title reads: The Elopement of Atticus and NEON, Al Hess

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Chelsea M. Cameron (she/they) @chel-c-cam.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

This was posted in a MAGA author group so I wanted to bring it over here so you don’t accidentally pick up one of her books.

Ashlyn Drewek
20m •
• ••
As a conservative MM author, I already felt like I walked on egg shells with my community. I never posted anything political. I kept it to books and men's issues (because that's what MM means i.e. Male/ Male), but even that became problematic so l stopped posting at all. I eventually deleted all of my social media, except FB. Needless to say, I am SO happy to have finally found a safe space where people like me aren't vilified. Thank you for making this space.

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 13/09/2025

The last 48 hours have shown why people have stopped relying on legacy journalism and have migrated to independent journalists in droves. The benefit of legacy journalism is supposed to be “editors” and “factchecking” and they can’t even get that right in a rush to blame trans people.

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Lilly Wachowski @lillywachowski.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Meant to share this link to help Gretchen and the lost revenue from losing her book.

patreon.com

Creating Filth

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Sariel Snowings | 🔜 Eurofurence @sarielsnowings.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

“Crawl your way out” 🩸⚡️ Self portrait number 7 in my annual series! I’ve been making these yearly portraits ever since I realised I was trans in 2018. I started 2024 with huge amounts of fear and self doubt and slowly learned that I deserve to be kind to myself (thanks, therapy). #art #selfPortrait

A digital painting of a nude person lying backwards and partially covering their face. Two feathered wings sprout from their back and a white star pierces their head. Top surgery scars are visible on their chest.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Surprise launch day! Wasteland Heart is out now and on sale for .99 🌾🐦‍⬛ ✔️Found family ✔️A tech cult ✔️Bi romance ✔️K!ll the rich ✔️Prehistoric mammals ✔️Wasteland road trip ✔️Run from your problems alhessbooks.itch.io/wasteland-heart www.amazon.com/Wasteland-Heart-Edge-World-Book-ebook/dp/B0FL1D7YG3

A mixed media collage cover of a raven against backdrop of blue sky and handwritten letters. In masking tape is written WASTELAND HEART

graphic of a worn piece of paper with handwritten text: "DEADLY NANOBOTS; UNTAMED WASTELAND; A MISSING BROTHER. SASHA'S NEW LIFE ON AN ISOLATED CONTINENT ISN'T THE CLEAN START HE HOPED FOR - BUT MAYBE IT'S THE ONE HE NEEDED"

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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Third place in the fourth #SPSFC goes to the second chances resurrection romp Yours, Celestially by @al-distortion.bsky.social. Judge: "I needed this in my life right now at a time where I had more than a few negative thoughts in my head about being who I am." www.amazon.com/Yours-Celest...

The cover of Yours Celestially by Al Hess. A well dressed figure in a purple sportscoat, black shirt and hat has a cloud-filled sky instead of a face. Windows dialogs read "Resurrection: Loading", "Metatron.jpg" and "Call your guardian angel?"

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Chris Zable Editor (she/her) @amphipodgirl.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

One like, one MM book written by a man.

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Abra / Jessica Conwell, Carmella Creeper's Gender Doula🏳️‍⚧️ 🇲🇽🌼 @pairofclaws.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Okay, well. Queer & especially trans authors of erotica and other content deemed 'nsfw' by major platforms, please drop links to where people can find your stories in the replies. Everyone else: Repost people's links. Stop worrying about the sanctity of your feed & help the most impacted authors.

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Claudie - Buy Nerezia While I Vacation ;) @clh2oars.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

I'm at claudiearseneault.itch.io ! Good page to get some aro & ace fantasy books 💚💜♠️

claudiearseneault.itch.io

Claudie Arseneault

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Steve Hugh Westenra 🕷️🧛‍♂️🏳️‍⚧️📚✒️ @stevewestenra.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Thanks for doing this! I've been trying to comment and review more on the platform lately. Here's mine! steve-westenra.itch.io

steve-westenra.itch.io

Steve Westenra

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Narratess @narratess.com · 14/07/2025

The signups for the August sale are open! Click here to receive your invitation: www.subscribepage.io/NIS Click here to bookmark the sale page: indiebook.sale

Banner for the Narratess Indie Book Sale. A chonky dragon reads a book at the bottom, a pile of skulls with a candle and ghost sit on the left of the text, and a space ship flies by a planet on the right of the text.

Text: Indie Book Sale

indiebook.sale

Fantasy, Sci FI & Horror

August 23 - 25

Banner designed by Arden Powell

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Behold the cover of my next book, SHAKE OUT THE GHOSTS, coming out in March 2026 with @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social ! 👻 eccentric artists 💜 morbid humor 👻 your crush is dead (still into it) 💜 Donnie Darko vibes 👻 twists! 💜 ace MC 👻T4T romance 💜 mental health rep angryrobotbooks.com/books/shake-...

A book cover of a pink and purple twilight sky above a silhouetted city, seen through a large apartment window. In white script is SHAKE OUT THE GHOSTS by AL HESS.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Cover reveal for SHAKE OUT THE GHOSTS in 3 days 👻🥀

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

I have been absent from social media lately, busy with a new move, new job, and book edits, but I am honored and floored to be a finalist!! ✨🪽👁️🪽✨

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Dave Dobson @davedobson.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

My #SPSFC semifinalist review for Yours Celestially by Al Hess ( @al-distortion.bsky.social ‬). davedobsonbooks.com/spsfc4-semif...

davedobsonbooks.com

SPSFC#4 Semifinalist Review: Yours Celestially by Al Hess – Dave Dobson

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E.W. Doc Parris @ewdocparris.com · 05/06/2025

I read this as a judge and found it to be a wonderful science fiction fairy tale filled with Heart and whimsey. @al-distortion.bsky.social has crafted a comical, poignant, heart-breaking sci-fi fantasy. Loved it.

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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 06/05/2025

92 years ago today, the Nazis raided the Magnus Hirschfeld Institute for Sexuality, where the first study of trans people was conducted, and burned all of its contents. Fitting that today is also the day SCOTUS greenlights the project of the eradication of trans people from society in the US.

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Alp Beck @alpbeck.com · 06/05/2025

Good morning! To distract from today's Malice in Trumpland #dystopia here is a sweet #otter for you. #Breathe. #otters #animals #nature

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Practicing ink drawing and digital coloring 🌟

A celestial creature against a black starry background, with a red star for a head and one large eye in the middle of the star. They are wearing a translucent robe, have clawed fingers, and fluffy white feathered wings.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

I have a brand new short story in two different formats! Set in the same world as The Elopement of Atticus & NEON. Read as an ebook short story or play as a choose-your-path game! Both are pay-what-you-want (including free) on itchio. itch.io/c/5674109/no...

The cover of Extended Forecast by Al Hess, featuring stylized pink and purple daisies and green leaves

An ink and watercolor drawing of a cute robot among flowers

A pixel art landscape with fluffy clouds and a green meadow

A screenshot from the narrative game, showing a cute pixel robot and a background of fluffy clouds

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Alp Beck @alpbeck.com · 19/04/2025

Before I go into today's dystopian nightmare, let's take a minute to bring down your blood pressure. Here is one of my favorite creatures, the #RedPanda. Enjoy. #nature #animals

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Darby Harn @darbyharn.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

My #newsletter is the best way to stay in touch with me and keep updated on my books! Subscribers also get a free short story set between Stargun Messenger books 1 and 2! Sign up below! #Booksky 💙📚🪐 #IndieApril darbyharn.com/subscribe/

darbyharn.com

Subscribe – Darby Harn

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

This is my favorite of Darby's books so far! (I have a weakness for liminal spaces and 80s vibes and who doesn't love a choose-your-path book?) Did I mention I also did the cover painting?

An oil painting of a pink orange and purple sunset with a large sun and ominous clouds above an abandoned mall shrouded in trees. The wet pavement is cracked and reflects the sky and an eerie blue light glows through the windows of the mall and out of cracks in the pavement

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

No more teasing. Book announcement and cover reveal! 🐦‍⬛escaping fascism 🩶cozy post-apocalyptic world 🐦‍⬛animals that never went extinct 🩶found family 🐦‍⬛stabby stabbin' the rich 🩶Bi romance - M/M, M/F, and poly elements 🐦‍⬛being a terrible adventurer Ebook preorder: alhessbooks.itch.io/wasteland-he...

A paper collage style book cover featuring a raven cut from creased paper and taped onto an old postcard with a blue sky and cream clouds. The postcard is stacked on cards and letters covered with handwriting. Written on the masking tape across the raven is "WASTELAND HEART". On the postcard is "EDGE OF THE WORLD BOOK 1" and "AL HESS."

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

If you love indie books and aren't yet an itchio stan, go check it out! Might I suggest starting with this Autism Month bundle hosted by @vesperdoom.com? Get 10 books for $10, including my own award-winning Mazarin Blues. itch.io/b/2953/indie...

A collage of book covers: Mazarin Blues by Al Hess, Trick by Cara Nox, Umbra by Freddie A. Clark, Name Her Holy by Aubrey Ennis, The Reanimator's Heart by Kara Jorgensen, Blood on the Snow by Finn McLellan, The Binding of Bloom Mountain by Vesper Doom, Maurice & Julia, 1968 by S.S. Genesee, Monster Mixer by Robin Jo Margaret, and Once Stolen by D.N. Bryn. In the center it says "Itchio Indie Autism Month Bundle."

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Jennifer M. Lane @jennifermlanewrites.com · 10/04/2025

Book fest. It's therapy for people who read.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Have you packed your bags for a (literary) escape? I'm sharing the final clue graphics, and with this you should be able to make your way to the end.

A graffitied concrete wall with a spraypainted cartoon bear lying dead with Xs for eyes and a knife in its back. Written underneath is a web address in large Glagolitic font, ending in .xyz. Partially obscured below the graffiti at the bottom is "SEE THE SKY?" and a sticker of a holographic crescent moon.

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Shelly Campbell @shellycampbell.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Hey followers Exciting news. Just handed in final edits for SEED, book 3 of the Dark Walker Trilogy! It’s getting formatted in the next few weeks and I need to find folks to send advanced reader copies to! We’d love to boost the trilogy with some reviews! Share away, please? #SeedShellyCampbell

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Day 6 (of 7) One clue to go. Can you find your way to your (literary) escape?

Water-warped posters on a wall. A cartoon bear looks angry and is saying something in Glagolitic. Someone has graffitied the "fig" gesture toward the bear. At the bottom is a web address written in Glagolitic and ending is .xyz, and in English is the phrase "SEE THE SKY?" beside a holographic crescent moon sticker.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Day 5 Our ride will be leaving soon. Have you found your way there?

Torn posters on a wooden wall. A self-righteous looking cartoon bear is saying something in Glagolitic. Someone has written, "EAT A BAG OF DICKS YOU BOOT-LICKING BEAR" over its face. There are several holographic crescent moon stickers stuck to the posters. Beside one is "SEE THE SKY?" and beside the other is a web address written in Glagolitic and ending in .xyz

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Day 4 Are you ready to go yet?

A wall with cracked and peeling yellow paper. A cartoon bear is watching a laptop and saying, "Stay safe by only browsing Novakrasnyan websites!" In bolded English to the left is: "The internet is rife with misinformation. Accessing foreign media via private networks or dark web browsers is not only against the law, it's dangerous!" Below is the same message in Glagolitic. At the bottom left someone has written a web address in Glagolitic, ending in .xyz, beside a holographic moon sticker. On the right in faded yellow is "SEE THE SKY?"

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Claudie - Buy Nerezia While I Vacation ;) @clh2oars.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

🎭RUINED HISTORY Cover Reveal!🎭 In this 6th Nerezia novella, the Wagon crew explores old ruins that serve as an Archivist base for a rescue mission... Can you spot the three Archivists on the cover? 👀 Cover is by @isthiseva.bsky.social ! Preorders here: buy.bookfunnel.com/cao5qxmqcb 🌈📚 💙📚 🌈🚀💫

Cover for Ruined History with the title in bold letters at the top. The cover is in tones of deep pink and purples and shows ruins in a story landscape. Crouching at the front is a black person surrounded by three golden motes of light. Hidden through the ruins are red-cloaked people with white theatre masks. A metallic wagon rolls down the path.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Day 3 We're getting closer to a (literary) escape. Please pack light. More tomorrow...

A torn poster on a wall with a cartoon bear and bolded black and red text in English that says, "eye-tracking for productivity; curfew for safety; surveillance for protection; decency codes for morality." To the right are the same phrases in Glagolitic. A holographic crescent moon sticker and an inclusive Pride sticker are stuck below it, partially obscured by torn paper. Someone has written a question in Glagolitic between the stickers. In the upper left corner is "SEE THE SKY?"

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Day 2 I know you feel that there are nothing but walls all around you, but I promise there is a (literary) escape. Keep watching, and soon you'll have nothing but blue skies. More tomorrow... PS. Alt text gives a detailed description if you need it

A graphic of a brick wall with peeling gray paint. A smiling bear hugging a fluffy cloud is painted on the wall, but the paint peeling off its face makes it look disturbing. In English, the wall says, "CURFEW" with the same phrase in Glagolitic underneath. Below that is "Zmej city limits 21.00 hours" in both English and Glagolitic. Someone has written "see the sky?" in the upper right corner of the wall, and at the bottom is a holographic crescent moon sticker with a question written in Glagolitic. Partially obscured on the right side of the wall is, "Security drones strictly enforc- curfew. If your employment re- you work beyond the curfew- must obtain a permit prior to- commute. Drones do not make- allowances. Please wear your- permit at all times after curfe- avoid punishm-"

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Do you need a (literary) escape from your dismal country? I have an exit plan. But our time is limited. Translating Glagolitic/Old Slavonic isn't necessary, but you do need to be observant over the next week to find your way there. New messages tomorrow...

A torn poster on a wooden wall. In bolded letters in English is, "You are valuable! Your job matters! Your job loves YOU!" Below are the same phrases in Glagolitic/Old Slavonic. An excited cartoon bear stands beside the phrases, and the word bubble above the bear says in English, "Letting your country down is letting yourself down!" In the bottom left corner, someone has graffitied "SEE THE SKY?" On the right side of the image is a holographic crescent moon sticker and below it someone has written a question in Glagolitic.

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Niranjan 🇮🇳 @ormakal.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

I know it's #indieapril, so once again reminding you that my books are available nearly everywhere that books are sold. 💙📚 #queerwriters #queeradultsff 🌈🚀💫 📚🌎📢📚 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️ 🪐📚 #BookSky #Books #readingcommunity #bookcommunity #readers #readersofbluesky #booksonbluesky #booklovers authorniranjan.in/books

Book covers of Vampires in Space, Before the End, Blade Broken, Fiery Magic, The Deathless Ones, The Elitist Supremacy, A Forgotten Melody, Shades of Spring, Spaces of Silence, Blue, Pradyutita, Curse of Souls, Braving the Storm, Magical Mayhem, The Flame of the Dragon's Oath, The Banished Secret, The Shadows of the Fallen, Durga, Whispers in the Dark and Stolen from a Dream

Next to the covers a white tear with words

Find my Books At Stores Itch-io, Ko-fi, Smashwords, Kobo, Nook (B&N), Apple, Google Play, Amazon, Booktopia, Thalia and many more.
Libraries Libby, Hoopla, Odilo, Borrowbox, Palace Marketplace and many others
Subscription Services Kobo Plus, Everand

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Niranjan 🇮🇳 @ormakal.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Mushroom Blues by @adrianmgibson.bsky.social The Complete Tales from the Mirror's Witch by @jamjarlurker.bsky.social Yours Celestially by @al-distortion.bsky.social Metanoia by @conradaltmann.com 6/10

Cover of Mushroom Blues by Adrian M Gibson with the one line pitch "Enter the Fungalverse in this award-winning noir debut whee a human detective and a mushroom-headed beat cop investigate murders in the post-war city of Neo Kinoko."

Below it is the Banner of the Sale
Indie Book Sale
indiebooksale.com
Fantasy Sci Fi & Horror
April 5-7 on a starry background with dragons, skulls, planets and diamonds

Cover of The Complete Tales from the Mirror's Witch by Francis O'Dowd with the one line pitch "7 books. 76 stories. 187 Stunning Illustrations. 8 Free Soundtrack Albums."

Below it is the Banner of the Sale
Indie Book Sale
indiebooksale.com
Fantasy Sci Fi & Horror
April 5-7 on a starry background with dragons, skulls, planets and diamonds

Cover of Yours Celestially by Al Hess with the one line pitch "Sasha just wants to move on with his (second) life. He didn't expect to play wingman to an actual winged being."

Below it is the Banner of the Sale
Indie Book Sale
indiebooksale.com
Fantasy Sci Fi & Horror
April 5-7 on a starry background with dragons, skulls, planets and diamonds

Cover of Metanoia by Conrad Altmann with the one line pitch "A generational promise is shattered and an existential question is answered. The future of two peoples hang in the balance."

Below it is the Banner of the Sale
Indie Book Sale
indiebooksale.com
Fantasy Sci Fi & Horror
April 5-7 on a starry background with dragons, skulls, planets and diamonds

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Niranjan 🇮🇳 @ormakal.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Okay, Time to remind everyone that the #NarratessIndieSale is this weekend! And we have a lot of awesome books and authors in this sale. I have recs for you! List 1 is books I've read and enjoyed. List 2 is books that I have, that's on my TBR List 3 is books I mean to get, wallet permitting

Banner of the Sale
Indie Book Sale
indiebooksale.com
Fantasy Sci Fi & Horror
April 5-7 on a starry background with skulls, candles, rockets, spaceships, planets and diamonds and a dragon reading a book while breathing a plume of smoke from its nostrils

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Arden Powell @ardenpowell.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

My new story THE SOUTHERNMOST REACH OF BIRDSONG IN THE WORLD is in this! Antarctic songbirds, island wildlife, historical atrocities vs conservation, and ghost whales. It's made at least one person cry so far! ✨$2 on Itchio (or as much as you want to donate!) polarlightszine.itch.io/polar-lights-3

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Today is the last day for the SFF Trans Visibility bundle on itchio. 32 authors/38 books/$40 As of now, we have surpassed my goal of $2k by 229% 🥹. I'm so grateful for everyone supporting these authors and would love to see one final push if you have the bandwidth to share! itch.io/b/2927/sff-b...

a collage of 38 books from trans sff authors on itchio participating in the sff trans visbility book bundle.

a clipart vaporwave style graphic of a nighttime cityscape with sparkling stars and a full moon. it says" itchio sff trans book bundle! 30+ authors - 3/28 to 3/31"

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🌾Beau Van Dalen | Author, 30+ Novels 💕 @beauvandalen.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

My books 'The Prince's Dearest Guards' + 'To Wield The Darkest Night' are currently featured in Al Hess's SFF Books For Trans Day of Visibility🏳️‍⚧️ bundle with 30+ 🏳️‍⚧️books! @al-distortion.bsky.social is an awesome author of cozy sci-fi 🏳️‍⚧️ books, do check out his work if that sounds like your cup of tea!

SFF TRANS BOOK BUNDLE ITCH.IO THE PRINCE'S DEAREST GUARDS

SFF TRANS BOOK BUNDLE ITCH.IO TO WIELD THE DARKEST NIGHT

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

I'm a Cherokee descendant, so I have quite a few Indigenous characters across my books. Denver in Key Lime Sky is perceptive, opinionated, and xyr special interest is pie. Xe's part Cherokee but isn't connected to that side of xyr family, which fuels xyr isolation & need for belonging.

A graphite drawing by Al Hess of an androgynous, part-Indigenous person with long dark hair, thick eyebrows, and freckles. There is a cut on xyr cheek covered with kitty bandages, and xe's wearing a bohemian-style embroidered shirt.

The cover of Key Lime Sky by Al Hess, which features an oil painting of a vintage diner sign in pink and silver with a flying saucer motif. In the background is a lime green sky and thick clouds, and a row of suburban houses marching off into the distance - one of which is floating.

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Al Hess @al-distortion.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

The SFF Trans Visibility book bundle is live on itchio! Runs thru the 31st! 38 books & a few shorts from 32 fantastic authors. I've set a goal of raising $2k bc it's never been a better time to support & encourage trans authors. Please share 🏳️‍⚧️💕 itch.io/b/2927/sff-b...

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Jennifer M. Lane @jennifermlanewrites.com · 28/03/2025

The sequel to Downriver will be released on June 3. It received cover art courtesy of @shellycampbell.bsky.social that will be revealed on April 8. I'm so excited for this one!

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