iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I've found that a nice blanket, a cup of tea, and a cute stuffed animal helps. Especially the little otter I keep on my PC, who cannot read and therefore has no opinions on the fact that I mixed up 'shudder' and 'shutter' for longer than I care to admit.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

After it the conversation is written badly I would read through it. Ask myself what wasn't working. Then re-write the scene. I repeat until I'm satisfied or accepted that for whatever reason this scene doesn't work.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I struggled with dialogue at first. What worked for me was to start by writing the conversation badly. Just characters screaming the quiet bit out loud while wandering around aimlessly. I found saying the quiet bits out loud helped me nail down the purpose of specific conversations in the story.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Absolutely. The Lower College of Arcane Studies (and many of its staff) are based on my own University. Sibyl's experiences are rooted in my own experiences and feelings from around that age.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I try to remind myself that writing and storytelling are skills. They can to be learned, practiced, and improved.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The dance scene is iconic. I don't know if my characters could keep up.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I write in general because it is a complusion and one of the easiest way for me to sort out my thoughts and feelings. I write stories because I enjoy entertaining and the challenge of learning the craft. I write emails because I have to. #WritingCommunity #pretendpanel #Writers

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I think the University cohort from Little Bird getting dropped into the Breakfast Club would be interesting to watch. If nothing else I'd love to see them try to finish their essays. #LitHodgepodge #WritingCommunty #WrtingPrompts

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Work on the audiobook of Little Bird has officially begun. I'm so excited to get to learn about the process and craft that goes into making an audiobook. #audiobooks #indie

E. L. Hark behind recording equipment with a sign reading 'Recording' in the top left corner.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Alright, let's go #LitHodgepodge. I'm Hark or Mrs Hark. I recently published my first book, Little Bird, and primarily write fantasy. #writingcommunity #WritingPrompts

This is that list with the following highlighted in purple; Paperback, Series, Laughs, Tea, Hero, Character-Driven, Pen & Paper, Sweet, Silence, Minimalist, Slow Craft, Midnight

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

There is an accidental reference to The Room in Little Bird that I left in because it makes me snort every time I read it. #WhimsicalWriters #WriteSky #WrittingCommunity #WritingPrompt

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

She does and Little Bird follows her through her first year at the Lower College.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Sibyl wasn't a fan of school and dropped out shortly after her mother's death. However, she eventually ended up studying at one of Afalin's libraries to prepare for the entrance exam for the Lower College of Arcane Studies. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AwesomeCharacters

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Terry Pratchett's Guards! Guards! I read Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison over the weekend. It was delightful. #QueerPrompts #WritingCommunity #BookSky

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Don't lose heart because of a typo.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Last one for a little bit, because I should be working. Obviously my protagonist, Sibyl Wylt, is my favourite. I can't help it. Beyond that, though, my favourites are: Books: The Luggage from The Colour of Magic Manga: The Straw Hats TV/Film: Ahsoka Tano (not counting live action) #BookSky

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

It really is. To date it is the only book I've read written in the 2nd person. The use of narrator and their relationship with the story is fascinating.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I refuse to pick just one. So here are my top four, in no particular order. Ursula K. Le Guin Eiichiro Oda R. F. Kuang Sir Terry Pratchett #BookSky #WritingCommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This is a hard one, because I don't read a lot of standalones. However... Ann Leckie's Raven Tower absolutely lives rent free in my head. The book is truly an experience to read. #BookSky #WritingCommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

For books I would say either Discworld (although I've only read eight books) or Becky Chambers's Wayfarers series. I also adore Le Guin's Earthsea, but I've only read the first two books. For anime and manga it is One Piece. #Booksky #WritingCommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Alright, let's give this ago. Fantasy is easily my favourite genre and I enjoy most of the subgenres. Also a huge fan of shonen and slice of life mangas. #Booksky #WritingCommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Little Bird is available on Kindle: amzn.eu/d/0dxvPewq. See what others thought of the book on goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/25... To learn more about superforest and me check out our website: superforest.org #Septversary #booksky #indie

amzn.eu

Little Bird: A Dark and Hopeful Arcane Academia Fantasy Novel (The Life and Death of Sibyl Wylt Book 1)

Little Bird: A Dark and Hopeful Arcane Academia Fantasy Novel (The Life and Death of Sibyl Wylt Book 1) eBook : Hark, E.L.: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

It does. It really does. If she'd asked for help preparing for one of her final exams the book would have had a very different ending.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

It is difficult to explain (without spoilers) how much Sibyl wishes she'd missed her Casting exam. #QueerPrompts #WritingCommunity #booksky

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Sibyl is actually quite willing to accept and even ask for help. The tricky bit is that is doesn't occur to her to ask for said help until things have gotten rather dire. #Septversary #WritingCommunity #booksky

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

There are moments of empathy in Little Bird rather than any one character who is particularly empathetic. There's a scene with Sibyl and Awen towards the end of the book that comes to mind. Catrin, however, is hands down the least empathetic character. #Septversary #WrittingCommunity #booksky

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Not actually the most difficult decision (because spoilers), but Sibyl does struggle with picking a major at college. #QueerPrompts #WritingCommunity #indie

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Reckless. Some of my characters are more cautious, but my protagonist, Sibyl, tends to be a bit recklessness, which can be very unfortunate for her. #QueerPrompts #WritingCommunity #indie

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Sibyl is going through some growing pains and trying to find out who she is. This occasionally leads to mimicking people she admires, especially her mother. Even so she has a solid sense of self and can be very steadfast in her convictions. #WritingCommunity #Indie #Septversary

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Thank you. It was one of the aspects I was most nervous about trying to get on page

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Community is incredibly important in Little Bird and, if everything goes to plan, in the sequel as well. The story deals a lot with how communities shape the protagonist and her view of the world while exploring the challenges of changing communities. #WritingCommunity #Septversary

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Reposted by E. L. Hark

superforest @superforest.org · 17/08/2026

Insane dedication and effort from @elhark.bsky.social to complete our @kickstarter.com fulfilment of handmade editions of Little Bird. Well done! Now available on Amazon and Kobo!

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

In the grand scheme of things 53 books isn't a lot. When hand binding books, however, 53 books is so many books and I'm thrilled I got the chance to hand make copies of Little Bird. And, after a little R&R, I look forward to getting back to work on Young Raven. #WritingCommunity #authorlife #indie

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

On a personal level, writing acts as a door that allows me delve deeper into my mind as well as make sense of my thoughts. On a creative level, writing is what makes me a storyteller. It is a way to entertain and connect with others. #SummerOfStories #indie #WritingCommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Little Bird starts with a sort of monologue. I did this because I wanted to help ease readers into the mind of the protagonist and narrator as well as get them accustom to the story's slower pace. #SummerofStories #WrittingCommunity #indie

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Running a little late on this. I'm E. L. Hark. I write fantasy, although I hope to explore more genres in the future. I recently published my debut novel Little Bird and am slowly working on the sequel Young Raven. #SummerofStories #WrittingCommunity #indie

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I meant to post something yesterday, but was absolutely knackered. Writing and publishing Little Bird has been such a wild journey with more than a little blood, sweat and tears, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. This is truly a dream come true. #indie #booksky #Writingcommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Oh yay! Thank you for reading

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Alright I took a bit of time off to regroup and now it is time to get properly into making books. I've finished seven which means I only have about forty-something to go. #indie #booksky #WritingCommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Excited to get to do my first reading tomorrow. And a little nervous. #indie #booksky #Cymera

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Reposted by E. L. Hark

superforest @superforest.org · 02/06/2026

One week remains to order your copy of Little Bird with exclusive covers designed by the author, or order a paperback hand bound by the author. @elhark.bsky.social has poured everything into these editions, come check them out! #kickstarter #booksky #writesky #indiepub

kickstarter.com

Little Bird: A Dark & Hopeful Fantasy

First book in the ‘Life and Death of Sibyl Wylt’ series & E.L. Hark's Debut Novel

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

I missed this one, but it's a great question. The things that's improved the most for me is dialogue. It has gone from scenes where people were sitting, standing, and gesturing seemingly at random, to some of the most compelling writing in Little Bird. #QueerPrompts #indie

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Thank you. We've recently put an video up on the Kickstarter that has an audio sample from one of the later chapters. The vibe is very much Sibyl being haunted by her mother.

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Well then do I have a book for you 😄

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Sibyl's mother, Cassandra, died before the start of Little Bird. Cassandra's absence haunts Sibyl and shapes both her goals and motivations. #MayWorldbuilder #indie #WritingCommunity

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

I so want the answer to be something profound or touching or clever. But it isn't. Sibyl would buy a bunch of half-penny pints or some nice(ish) wine. #AwesomeCharacters #WritingCommunity #booksky

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E. L. Hark @elhark.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

I'm looking forward to getting into making the physical editions of Little Bird for the Kickstarter. I also have an essay on writing that I would like to get finished this week. #queerwriters #WritingCommunity #indie #booksky

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