iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 2h

Feeling validated that my personal philosophy on final drafts is that every piece, from plot to punctuation, needs to be a deliberate choice.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 2h

Some of my characters are teachers! Baraqiel (headmaster of the Gallery of Mysteries) teaches noncelestial magic. Seikhiel teaches combat arts. Raaqiel teaches strategy. Niseriel teaches history. Raphael (headmaster of GPC) teaches neurology and epidemiology. #queerprompts

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 3h

4 more facts! Jynn used to be shy. Tempest’s tattoos have cultural significance. Caspar dresses like a wealthy merchant and it pisses off the peerage. I’m working on a recipe for the apple cheese soup. Kobo/KP www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... Paperback shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...

shop.ingramspark.com

Balances

A renegade Demonslayer crashes to earth. He falls in with a handful of humans, gets caught up in their problems, and figures out what home really means to him.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 3h

Tharaiyelagh has a comfortable little suite in a castle, which is a miraculous improvement over being on his own with no permanent home. Akieryon lives with Tempest, whether that’s at Caspar’s palace or on the road with the Lenyr. #awesomecharacters

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 3h

I have been home from work long enough to relax a little, and now I am trying to decide: Read over Tools of the Trade for loose plot threads? Work on a craft project? Clean a thing? Decisions are hard. #scribesunited

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Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 5h

Here's the thing: most books that are banned don't make the lists that get circulated each #BannedBooksWeek. If you're a book creator and your book gets banned, please respond to this post with your book and its buy link on bookshop.org. That way we can support indies and banned books 💛

bookshop.org

Bookshop.org: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.

A better way to buy books online. Every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 7h

Six towers lined the road, slits for archers keeping baleful watch over any approach. Ragheiyont took a cautious step forward. No arrows flew down from above. All remained eerily still. He stepped lightly, but he need not have bothered. The city felt as dead as dry bone. #sundaysnips

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 9h

“My son has expressed his intent?” Blushing, Tharaiyelagh clasped his hands between his knees. “He…yes.” “And?” Tharaiyelagh searched for the right words. “I belong to Lord Baleirithys,” he said at last. The king of the Second Sphere held him with a level gaze. “In what regard?” #sniptober

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 9h

The ground shook beneath his feet, and Van-Dal leapt back just as a root burst forth, bent on his destruction. He skidded a short distance down the slope, and he studied his foe. [about like that]

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 9h

The tree twisted, straining away from him, fighting with all its considerable mass. Threads of magic twined above him, keeping the lashing branches away from him, light and dark, the essence of life itself fused into a protective shield. ⬇️

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 9h

Van-Dal gained a striking position, and he slashed. Soft bark burst outward in a spray of powder and splinters. The trunk buckled, as though trying to force the debris into his mouth, his nose, his eyes. Van-Dal squinted, and he made a second cut. A third, arcing slash formed a rudimentary sigil. ⬇️

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 9h

“Hold the tree!” Akieryon responded first, reaching out with magic that tingled at the edges of Van-Dal’s senses. He remained focused on his target: the immense bulk of the trunk of the tree. Another branch swept over his head, but this one was caught and held[…] ⬇️

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 9h

Akieryon got distracted reading something. Tharaiyelagh has to walk when everyone else flies (dragonfolk) and he misjudged the timing.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 11h

This actually comes up in The Sacred Tree, which will be book 4 in my series (unless I decide to add another lol) I’ll add a snip on my next break. Probably. #octember

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BillieB @billie.bookstoreromanceday.org · 14h

Dear indie bookstores: Please stop creating your logos (& posts & graphics &c.) with genAI. Those tools are built on the stolen work of the authors & illustrators you're supposed to be supporting & promoting. It's like someone using you for recommendations & buying from Amazon, only worse. 💜Me

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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 12h

Part of why I don't like the AI-or-bust economy is the constant flopsweat of people on the news who say this HAS to work. Quit making everyone so anxious. Goddamn. If this is the next Google then why are you acting like this? I don't remember being told to buy an iPhone at gunpoint.

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Rob MacWolf, Werewolf Hitchhiker @robmacwolf.thevoice.dog · 11h

I'd like to once again remind you for #BannedBooksWeek that Huckleberry Finn and Animal Farm don't need you to go out of your way to read them. Instead, support a book, and author, who a ban can actually hurt.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 12h

They’re pretty terrifying, yeah. The only good thing is that they’re only about 2ft tall.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 15h

Ragheiyont snatched the paper from Seikhiel. Some of the words wobbled with the translation spell, but Seikhiel had written Ragheiyont’s name and occupation in Dragonish. Thief for hire. Most people would simply have called him thief, missing that Ragheiyont usually worked on contract. #WIPSnips

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 15h

For Seikhiel, and some other friends as well

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 22h

The burrowing lobsters—I’ve talked about them before—live in the plains and also canyons in the mountains. Then there are runnerbirds (velociraptors meet secretary birds, basically) and bone tortoise (named for the white of its shell) and “mice” that are tiny marsupials. #octoberworldbuilders

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 23h

Seeing them perform a musical number together would be a delight

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PJC Cahill @pjccahill.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Chills, Thrills & Kills! A very big and spooky bundle of creepy and cozy reads perfect for this year's Halloween season! My Demon King Daughter, book 1 is included in this massive deal! 93 books for $69 USD itch.io/b/3904/chill... #booksky 📢📚

Chills, Thrills & Kills
An Itchio Bundle | 93 books for $69 [USD]
'A very big and spooky bundle of creepy and cosy reads perfect for this year's Hallowe'en season!'
Hosted by Indie Book Spotlight

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Rahi would be very good at street magic. The trick would be getting him to keep his hands out of the audience’s pockets.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Luccan’s hand flexed over the hilt of his blade, the manifestation of Bel’s own righteous fury. Its destructive urges slithered along the periphery of his thoughts, eager and ready, but he needed no goading now. “Do not compel me,” he snarled, more breath than voice. #sniptober

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I did it! I finished the two scenes I was writing simultaneously! #lgbtqwriteathon

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Just. So many queer characters. Also the themes of self-acceptance and found family, and that there’s a loose cannon of a demon who isn’t a villain. #queerprompts

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Jeremy Ghooooost Shipp @jeremycshipp.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Today's a great day to support some creators. Writers and artists and creatives of all sorts: reply with a link to one of your works, if you'd like. And feel free to tell us about it. Everyone: let's check through the replies and buy some creations and support some human beings.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#queerSFF about a stray angel making friends with mortals and trying to solve their problems. There’s some sketchy magic. And a few types of dragons/dragonfolk. And found family. (Cover by me.) Kobo/KP www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... Paperback shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...

kobo.com

Balances ebook by Bethany Laurel - Rakuten Kobo

Read "Balances" by Bethany Laurel available from Rakuten Kobo. When renegade Demonslayer Akieryon crashes to earth in front of a human, he doesn’t know what to expect. Getting taken h...

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I have a migraine but ok. 1. Balances is designed to be reread 2. Of the different types of dragons, Cay was a whim 3. The elves have nothing to do with Tolkien 4. The setting exists in dialogue w/my religious upbringing #queerSFF www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...

shop.ingramspark.com

Balances

A renegade Demonslayer crashes to earth. He falls in with a handful of humans, gets caught up in their problems, and figures out what home really means to him.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Rahi hears about dinner parties & he wants one. He gets Enoch to help with the organizing & cooking. Feriel tries to be a wallflower, but Rahi keeps dragging him into conversations. Tempest says awkward things & eats all the strawberries. Seikhiel is just happy that Rahi is happy. #awesomecharacters

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I’m not a big seafood fan but I like mahi mahi broiled with curry spices. Also the best way to have salmon is as seared salmon nigiri. Scallops are good if cooked right, but they stink up your whole house.

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Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

This VERY BIG AND SPOOKY BUNDLE of creepy and cosy reads is perfect for this year's Hallowe'en Season! All by incredible indie authors! We've got ghosts, goblins and gothic tales! Witches, warlocks and werewolves! Demons, dreams and Hallowe'en themes! itch.io/b/3904/chill...

Graphic for the Chills, Thrills & Kills October Itchio Sale. 93 books for $69. A VERY BIG AND SPOOKY BUNDLE of creepy and cosy reads perfect for this year’s Hallowe’en Season! Hosted by Indie Book Spotlight.

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K.S. Nightingale (Kai) @ksnightingale.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I always feel like I post about being an editor way too much. But I still have open slots for October, and would really like to fill them. 👉👈

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Almost everyone would throw Tempest at a kaiju problem. Except for Van-Dal, because his people hunt draccs which are similar, and Rathin, who is himself a shapeshifting dragon, and a handful of the angels who are competent at averting disaster. #octember

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Rahi would looooooove dance! Akieryon is skeptical of voice lessons, but willing to try.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Oh no, not just me then! (And yet I am at work, because apparently I like to suffer) (that’s a lie, but two other people have called out today so at least I’m here and fumbling my way through my day)

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Sure, here’s a scribble of Akieryon (left) and Rahi (right, mildly spoilery) from back when I was first trying out procreate. Bestow hobbies upon them! #lithodgepodge

Two characters back to back, posed as though dancing. The front character wears a blue coat and blindfold, has auburn hair, and is holding magic in both hands—dark in the right hand and light in the left. The other character wears all black, has golden bangs with dark plumage behind, and is grinning over his shoulder at the other character. He has horns, a ridge down his skull, and fangs. In his bandaged right hand is a dagger. In his left is a key.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Akieryon: stubbornness Tharaiyelagh: the people counting on him Tempest, however, marinated in the horrors until they could no longer harm him.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Raheiyont located the little tin with the orange flowers on the wrapper. He carefully measured the tea into the strainer just how Seikhiel had shown him to do, and he grabbed the kettle from the stove when it began to make noise. He poured the water, and he brought the teapot to the table. #WIPSnips

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

When dragonfolk had cities on the plains of Seyzharel, they made use of wind towers for cooling. In the mountains they mostly need to worry about keeping the wind out. The people of the plains do not often have permanent dwellings. #octoberworldbuilders

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I work in the dietary department at a healthcare facility, and my current schedule has me cooking breakfast and lunch for ~130 people five days a week. I’m also working on a gluten free cookbook, but that’s taking a long time.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Am I capable? cooking: my actual job whistle: a little draw: absolutely paint: yup swim: inefficiently english: Yes dance: not terribly coordinated sing: adequately drive: yes gifting: sometimes write: yup guitar: fingers too squishy speaking: childhood speech impediment haunts me

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Marek’s hand flew up to cover Jynn’s mouth. “Not here,” he said, glancing at that crowds that lined the street. Firmly, Jynn pushed Marek’s hand away. “Careful of the fangs, darling,” he said. “You don’t want to startle the venom out of me.” #queerprompts

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Rebecca Frost @rebeccafrostwrites.com · 03/10/2026

Disaster enby and awkward ace each yearning for found family, with a side of amateur sleuthing and a decades-old serial killer case? Check. For sale or posting a chapter a day on my blog. books2read.com/WTS rebeccafrostwrites.com/where-theres... #QueerWritersChat

The cover of Where There’s Smoke by Rebecca Frost, showing a cobalt blue food truck follows a winding road with a foggy background and coals in the foreground

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