iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

Palate cleanser as an apology for the rant. Please behold Milo the cat in all his magnificence.

Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

I genuinely hope that those who don't understand such things never do. But don't take it out on the novel and ESPECIALLY don't take it out on the author. Have some decency, ffs. I wasn't going to make this a public crashout, but gods above and below, I am FUMING at the ignorance. /rant

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

--signs of abuse, the trauma, the agonizing things people do to endure and survive (the "unwilling willingness" especially), the horrific, manipulative evil that Cazador unleashes, the pain that Astarion clearly feels even in the "lighthearted" moments...then you're very, very lucky.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

By all means, if something is not to your taste, then fine, it's not to your taste. But don't go spewing utter bullshit and speaking for everyone else because the book doesn't match up to whatever headcanon you've created for yourself. And if you missed or didn't understand all the obvious--

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

No traumatic scene was ever gratuitous. Every single one was not only an important part of the story, but handled with care, and never once depicted as anything but evil. Two of my worst triggers show up in this book...and I could handle them because of the consideration and care in the writing.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

"But it's an insult to SA victims!" That's funny, 'cause I honestly feel not only seen, but understood in a way I've never encountered in a book before. It contains the most accurate depiction of C-PTSD and the realities/coping mechanisms of surviving an abusive environment that I've ever read.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

"He willingly participated--" Allow me to direct you to the line in the middle of page 59. "But he enjoys--" Pages 161 and 252. "But how he acts in the palace--" Classic abusive household. "But that line about being a god--" Is literally part of the most horrifying yet impactful scene in the book.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 3h

Rant Incoming... Idk who the fuck is review-bombing the Astarion book, but they clearly did not read the same novel I did. Like, just admit that you're tonally illiterate and don't understand (or don't want to understand) the cruel, calculated fate Astarion suffered. And that cruelty is NOT subtle.

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Susan Bridges @susanlbridges.bsky.social · 10h

This is great and so useful!! Thank you @averagejenn.bsky.social

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Simon Ashtear @simonashtear.bsky.social · 9h

I'm convinced, someone once told a millionaire they had a "room temperature" IQ. So they got close to the levers of power, helped repeal environmental protections, destroy and warm the planet, all in order to raise the average room temperature to turn it into a compliment.

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Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 22h

If you told me I’d be redownloading Mapquest in 2026 to try to stay ahead of the surveillance state I wouldn’t have believed you

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Cat Staggs @catstaggs.bsky.social · 20h

Huh…weird. If only someone had warned them.

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Alex de Campi @alexdecampi.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

UNMUTE this is GLORIOUS

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Air and Nothingness Press @aanpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

As a publisher - no AI ever. As a reader, I will not purchase books made with AI slop. I only want human authors writing books. Feel free to let me know which publisher/organizations are already using the tech so that I can avoid them.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

I started writing D&D fanfic because of how dirty they did her, which became the gateway drug to writing a novel-length backstory for every D&D character I make. I may also have been a *little* bitter that I couldn't romance Aribeth as a woman. Just a little.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Clearly the Clocktaur books need to be my next listen because I, too, have very strong feelings about paladins and how Casavir was written in NWN2. 😂 (And even stronger feelings about how they did Aribeth dirty in NWN...)

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

For those unaware, the Neverwinter Nights games are a deep passion of mine and the games that got me into D&D in the first place, nigh on 20+ years ago now. "Guitarbard" is the gamer tag I created for the original NWN forums.

A display of my Neverwinter Nights collection: Original NWN collector's edition, NWN complete, NWN diamond, NWN 2, NWN 2: Storm of Zehir, the NWN Gold manual, the 2 magazine game guides for the original NWN, a small mini I painted to look like Aribeth, and NWN 2: Mask of the Betrayer signed by Crispin Freeman (voice of Gannayev-of-Dreams)

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Me reading @tkingfisher.com 's author's note for Astarion: "I *KNEW* THAT MOON ELF SEEMED REALLY GODSDAMNED FAMILIAR!!!

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Tanya D. || Writer || Narrative Designer @cypheroftyr.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Still here, barely. Still seeking a gig. I'd love to stay in the industry but it's just bleak y'all. So many jobs that were ghost postings, or worse; you hear back months after you already figure you didn't get an interview.

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Diane Duane @diane.dianeduane.com · 09/10/2026

Plainly the ability to create, and to do it out of nothing (as gods are said to do), *terrifies* these people. They’re stealing true created stuff to make a cheap fake “autocorrect” version—locking creativity into a cash register to which they’ll sell you metered access. At an ever-increasing price.

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Kelly Barnhill @kellybarnhill.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Do we really need to explain to people that it is really, REALLY important to read to young children? Like, you, personally, need to read to your child - your voice, your face, your hand gestures, your lap, your arms, your closeness. What kind of parent doesn't know this in their bones?

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

If you get a woman in line saying "three of my coworkers demanded I say hello and pass on their praise," then my coworker has completed her mission. 😂

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

--deep understanding of Astarion's character, the depth of his pain and how he handles/masks it, and the world he inhabits. It took a lot of time for me to connect with him in the game, but the book has given me so much more understanding and empathy and I love him as a character now. Thank you.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Ok but I'm convinced you were meant to write this book. I've admittedly never read your work before and I have now asked all my friends where to start because your writing is this wonderful mix of knowingly profound and utterly hilarious and I cannot get enough. It's obvious to me that you have a--

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Kingfisher & Wombat @tkingfisher.com · 09/10/2026

Day one of NYCCC down! Great day, had a great panel, Neil Newbon is a riot. Also, y’ever have one of those moments when you think “I made choices in my life that brought me HERE?” Having someone saying “Ursula! This is your conscience! Do it!” in the voice of Astarion was not on my life bingo card.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

As an ADHD person, for me it would go something like, "Ugh, it's great art, but I HATE spiders." -> "That one camp had really big ones" -> "I had fun at that camp" -> "I went to a lot of camps" -> "This specific camp was super fun" -> "I learned this song there" -> Earworm

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

GODDAMMIT the one year I can't go, or I would have said hi. Have an awesome time!!!

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🎃 Killy Witches 👻 @tillybridges.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

this is definitely what publishers do with books that are in high demand and not written by a toxically bigoted dented can of spray cheese

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Love getting flashbanged by an obvious SA scene in a TV advert. Thanks, Peacock. Trigger warning for anyone who thinks they might want to watch the trailer for The Good Daughter.

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Eric Pazdziora @ericpazdziora.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

"Opera doesn't make money. Opera’s what you spend money *on*.” “But . . what do you get out of it?” “You get opera. You put money in, you see, and opera comes out,” said Salzella wearily. --Terry Pratchett, 'Maskerade'

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Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 06/10/2026

Anti-Prime Day starts…NOW! 🥳 Today through midnight on 10/7, enjoy free shipping site-wide, all while supporting local, independent bookstores.

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Graeme Strachan @gstrachan.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I think to date a lot of people think writers only exist in video games to script cutscenes and write whatever was in the game’s manual back when that was a thing. They assume the rest of the text appears by magic.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I genuinely love this aspect of Hellgate London, especially as someone who reads fast and moves faster when I get excited about a plot.

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Severed Studios @severedstudios.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Planescape: Turn of the Screw recording, let's goooo! #dnd #ttrpg

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Seanan McGuire @seananmcguire.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I have been a guest at conventions where, during the pre-con walk through, my handler has pointed out the bar and mentioned how some guests are "more fun" and "get asked back," then names only men. Because a lot of female guests aren't comfortable hanging out around alcohol with strangers.

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🌈Dr. Frizzle @swilua.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

like oh no, I gave the rich kid a piece of cake what if he accidentally learns the state can treat all kids equally and he doesn’t have to rely on his asshole dad

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Kevin VanOrd 🏳️‍🌈 🐻 @fiddlecub.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It's okay not to have a take.

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Chuck Wendig @chuckwendig.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

“GOTTA LEARN AI OR BE LEFT BEHIND.” Good. Fuck off! Leave me behind! Enjoy your artbarf rapture, your janky Temu future. I’ll be back here looking at real birds and writing weird, also real, books.

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

<faceplants keyboard> <muffled sobbing into keys> Great! How are you?

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Magdaloween! 🏳️‍⚧️ @magsvisaggio.com · 04/10/2026

i live and die on client work, so please share or book a session :)

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 04/10/2026

The dragon watched the girl climb up to its mountain lair. She stopped to catch her breath, then shouted: "Oi! I've got some questions." "Ask." "Princesses, why?" "They're educated and smell nice." "No noble blood?" "All humans are humans." "Yes! The revolution is go! Cheers!" "Good luck."

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

For those who see/hear that subtle nuance like a neon siren... I see you. (3/3)

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Listening to the audiobook with Neil's narration. Hearing him read it, there is no denying the pure, resigned dread that underlies the levity of Astarion's facade. There's a lot of subtle tonal nuance that I think people might be missing on the page. To those who do miss it, I understand. (2/)

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Before I started listening to the Astarion audiobook, I saw a lot of hate about it and some out of context quotes that REALLY confused me. I had a hunch as to why, and that was confirmed when I started listening. To any who find themselves at odds with the tone, I'd recommend (1/)

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Kingfisher & Wombat @tkingfisher.com · 29/09/2026

It’s Launch Day, darling! This one is not cozy or for the faint of heart, please note the warnings, but it’s here at last! And while you should read in the way you like the best—dude, Neil Newbon’s narration knocks it out of the PARK. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/813073...

penguinrandomhouse.com

Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion by T. Kingfisher: 9798217298594 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

The roguish charlatan Astarion will free himself from a centuries-long fate of servitude or die (a second time) trying—in this decadently dark fantasy adventure by award-winning author T. Kingfisher.....

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Katy (aka Guitarbard) @guitarbard4.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I'm about 2 hrs into the audiobook and LOVING it. Your writing is already phenomenal, and Neil's narration enhances it. As for the haters, well, you might chuckle at this convo between my friend and I: Friend: "Is it actually bad or are people just tonally illiterate?" Me: "Very much the latter."

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E.K. Johnston @ekjohnston.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

IP asks you to thread a needle, to write a story everyone knows, and in some cases are extremely...passionate about, and it's difficult to pull off. @tkingfisher.com pulls it off.

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