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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 14 My favorite paranormal creatures are griffins and dragons. I have both tattooed on me. In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, Danny's favorite is dragons. One dragon in specific--Lia. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Dragons

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 13 None of the MCs in THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR eat much candy or sweets. Danny's favorite is Chinese food. Lia likes salad, but not apples. Enzo hangs out at Salerno's Pizzeria. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Treats

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 12 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, the bully, Vince Tait presents real danger to Danny at Bayshore High School. In Empaeria, Danny is discriminated against almost everywhere he goes, all while helping Lia fight the forces of evil. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Danger

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

So I finally broke down and got a new toy. Because if you want to sell books you also have to "content." In honesty, I'm somewhat looking forward to it, a new bit of creativity.

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 9 I'm Currently reading "The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club" by Peter Hook, and "The Madwomen of Paris" By Jennifer Cody Epstein. I'd like to finish both in the coming weeks. After that, who knows? #WritinfCommunity #BookSky #Reader

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 8 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, Danny doesn't have any phobias. All his fears are rational. Mostly, he fears being bullied and teased. This why he doesn't like people finding out he's Jewish. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Jewish

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 7 THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR is told from Danny's perspective. Past tense. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #POV

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 6 catch-up In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, Danny is tormented by the bully, Vince Tait, and can't catch a break with Miss Unsly, his Social Studies teacher. In Empaeria, he helps Lia fight the "forces of darkness." #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Villains

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 5 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, neither Danny nor Lia wear Halloween costumes. Danny's sisters dress as a fairy and a princess. Enzo dresses as a Grim Reaper. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Halloween

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 2 I'm not one for horror. My brain latches onto it too easily and it stays with me for days-weeks-years. If you want something Horrific, I recommend THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy. Your worst day won't seem so bad after it. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #TheRoad

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 1 Hello! I'm Josh, and my book, THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR will release in spring, 27 from Koehler Books. It's a YA Portal Fantasy that draws elements from A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is first in THE DRAGON AND THE BARD series. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Shakespeare

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Post Something Random, or You'll have an Awful October! (Taking no chances)

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 29 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, Danny is an ambivert and Lia is an introvert. Enzo finds labels like this silly. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Silly

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 28 I try to avoid DNFing a book. Even if I'm not enjoying it, I try to finish. The last book I DNFed was a favorite from childhood that I found again as an adult. It was straight up Not Good. I still love it, but I won't read it. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #DNF

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 25 THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR has been influenced by a few songs from Peter Murphy's "Love Hysteria." Most notably, "Indigo Eyes." #WritingCommunity #BookSky #PeterMurphy #Bauhaus

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 24 The war in Empaeria began as a dispute between the gnoles and the sylpheddar. Nobody knows what actually happened. Everybody blames the sylpheddar. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #TheDustBehindTheDoor

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 22 My TBR isn't a list so much as it's shelf after shelf... I just started "The Hacienda: How Not to Run a Club" by Peter Hook. I'm finally finishing Ivanhoe and am bewildered what to read next. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #NewOrder #TBR

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Core Childhood Memory. The following Monday, I stopped paying attention in class and started drawing characters and writing fantastic adventures in my school notebooks. #DungeonsAndDragons #Cartoon #GenX #amwriting

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 17 Danny would write a fantasy based on his experiences in Empaeria. Lia would write a detailed history of Earth, including her observations while here. Enzo would write poetry. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 15 The main characters in THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR would think of me as a local dad. Hopefully a cool dad. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Dad

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 14 The lessons of THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR are numerous: Friendship is important Vengeance is folly Shakespeare is fun Don't be quick to judge Everyone does awful things (even the "good" side) NUANCE We are all connected Whatever else you find #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 11 Autumn books? Dragonlance and Gorey come to mind. Shanah Tovah and do a kindness in memory of 9/11. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #HappyNewYear

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 10 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, Danny wants the knowledge of how to best help Lia. Lia has the power to do as she pleases. She wants the knowledge of where her brother is. Enzo is strong enough and knows what he knows. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Read

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 9 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, Danny hangs out with a dragon (Lia) & a gnole (Enzo). He would love to have their strength, or Lia's magic. He has a power they don't--the ability to open the tear in the veil between earth and Empaeria. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Dragons

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 8 The MCs in THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR attend Bayshore High School. Danny hates Social Studies but loves doing the school play. Enzo doesn't care about class. He like playing football. Lia doesn't "need" school, but takes it seriously. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

##FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 7 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, I was most surprised by Enzo. There is so much to him that I did not expect. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #BullyToFriend

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 6 (late) I am currently drafting the sequel to THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR. It takes place during Danny's sophomore year, with more journeys to Empaeria. #WriringCommunity #BookSky #Dragons

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 4 In high school I collected the Claremont Run of X-Men. I also had a nice vinyl collection. I've rebuilt both as an adult. Now, I'm amassing a small collection of dragon stuff for THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR event tables. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #XMen #Dragons #Vinyl

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 3 Danny, Lia, and Enzo all attend Bayshore High School. Danny & Lia are freshmen, Enzo is a junior. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #BackToSchool

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 2 I'm so busy that I neglect giving myself time for more than a few pages a day. I tend to go heavy-light-heavy-light. Still finishing "Beloved" & "Ivanhoe." Next is "Star Trek: Kirk-Fu." I really should incorporate more non-fiction. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #StarTrek

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Post something Random, or you'll have an awful September.

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#FantasyIndiesSeptember Day 1 Good Morning! My name is Josh and my Shakespeare-inspired YA Portal Fantasy, THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR will release Spring, 2027 from Koehler Books! It's about Danny whose best friend, Lia is a dragon. #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Shakespeare #Dragon

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 31 This month's been a bit rough but this part of it was fun. Things are looking better soon and I hope everyone is moving toward great things. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 28 What a terrible week. So. Funny typo... Due to my last name, I sometimes add a ninja e. Especially to plurales. #WritingCommunity #BlueSky #ElectricCompany

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

In the wake of loss, I add to the din. #DollyParton #TimCurry joshuaparkes.com/my-time-with...

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 26 "The aessence from your world feeds ours, just as ours feeds yours. Famous stories in your world have echoes in the histories of ours, great events here are fables somewhere else." -Ms. G THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 25 In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, Danny learns Lia's secret (she's a dragon) and Enzo's (he's a gnole). Danny (reluctantly) shares his secrets with Lia. That's what best friends are for. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 24 Danny's last name, Maudlin, comes from the legend of Maud and the Dragon. Lia is short for Alina, which means light. In Empaeria, she is known as Alina Envol, the Bringer of Light. Enzo's last name is Cleaver because of course it is. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 21 Names In THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR, names in Empaeria come from various sources. The Terratorn River is descriptive, it divides the continent. Clemunz, a city that straddles its banks is named after Mark Twain. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 19 Tips Be patient. I learned this one the hard way. From David Bowie: [try to] Write every day, even if it's just a couple lines. READ. An editor is worth it. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Without downloading any new pics, where are you at mentally?

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 13 Special Items Lia collects rocks at the Lake Michigan shore. She's especially fond of the pink and white ones that remind her of home. While in Empaeria, Danny draws a map that works better than expected. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 10 Recent finishes are "Murder on the Orient Express" and "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." (as research for my current draft) Currently still reading "Beloved" and "Ivanhoe." Next, likely something light. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 7 WARNING: LUKE-WARM TAKE Retellings are fine. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Examples, IMO: Ulysses was an excellent retelling of the Odyssey. O didn't live up to its potential in retelling Othello. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 6 Preheat workspace with "Love Hysteria" by Peter Murphy Blend 3 parts Dragon to 1 part Watson & Holmes, add Bully Remove Older Brother & reserve as Missing Family Strain Coming of Age through Portal Fantasy Fold in 2 cups of Shakespeare Edit #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 5 THE DUST BEHIND THE DOOR takes place during the school year. Important dates include Homecoming, Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Break. And of course, Opening Night of "A Midsummer Night's Dream!" #WritingCommunity #BookSky #Shakespeare

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

FantasyIndiesAugust Day 4 I grew up with lots of myths and legends (mainly Euro-centric) but nothing traditional really resonated with me. I do try to absorb and enjoy all sorts of folklore. My daughter is all about the mythologies. She annotated the Illiad at age 10, #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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Joshua Parkes @crackedactor.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

#FantasyIndiesAugust Day 3 (Post Self-Sabotage) Covers for the REPROBATE series on Amazon. Sci-fi noir. I self-published these early in my "writer's journey." #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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