iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Been a while since I participated in #WIPSnips, here's a line from a chapter I wrote a while ago from my #Arthuriana retelling. #WriteSky

1191

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Proud of myself today, managed to crack out 1.6k words (which is almost double what I normally manage) and, frankly, I'm quite happy with the way it all came out as well... 😍 Here's a snippet from the chapter I was working on today. #Arthuriana #WriteSky

020

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Whilst I mention trees a bunch in my current WIP, I haven't yet taken the opportunity to describe one to much extent. So, I took this as an opportunity to go back and add a little colour into one of my already written chapters. #WhimsicalWriters #Arthuriana #WriteSky

The three stopped under a fallen, gnarled pine tree to make shelter for the night. The broken branches provided a coarse blanket of green needles to shield from the rain. Here, Gawaine made to locate as many sharp, dried twigs as he could for a fire. He went from under the shadow of the thicket deeper into the forest, and wondered as he picked up sticks from beneath a mossy outcrop, whether or not they would ever find the druids.

1100

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

a snippet from today's writing session... it's been three weeks since I wrote properly and it did take a good moment to get back into the swing of things. #WriteSky

He felt desire to live in the clawing desperate beating of her lame pulse. A rhythm of continuance. She deserved to keep going.

Mordred lowered his head and imagined the fire.

Flames cracked. Leaped. Reached. Pounding echoed in his skull, the pulsing of his heart. Children fear the dark, as adults fear death. Would this fawn return to her mother if she lived? Would he?

000

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A snippet of my work from today—a first introduction to the Druids of Dál Riata.

000

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

A snippet from my current WIP, Mordred and the Fortress of Shadows. Part of my #Arthuriana retelling. #WriteSky

They fought for half an hour. Silver cut through the air like the swift wings of a sea-bound herring gull. Cochar Croibhe struck steel for anger and love. Mordred did not know what Cú Chulainn struck steel for.

010

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

A snippet of what I've written today. From Mordred and the Fortress of Shadows—one of the many stories that will be part of my Arthurian Legend retelling. I may potentially release some of these stories for free. #WriteSky #Arthuriana #BookSky

An Excerpt from the short story "Mordred and the Fortress of Shadows" starts:

'Who are you? Your purpose?' She questioned him. She was taller than him. She pressed the tip of her blade against the centre of his chest and even through his rags he could feel it's sharp point threatening to break his skin. The image of so many swords glinting silver in the sun and splattering red upon green filled his mind. He swallowed and he could not talk.

The woman did not lower her sword. He had no choice but to speak.

'Are you Sgàthach?' He asked and his voice disappeared. The night was now suffocating, even though there was a breeze that blew Northward from the sea behind the castle, directly into his face. He did not feel the same relief as he had when he left the cave. Air did not fill his lungs. He could not breathe. The tears. The tears kept coming.

050

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

1000 words written today, I think that's pretty good for hopping back in after months! Here's a little snippet. Now I'm going to work on some background stuff for Viral Agent. #StrangeSpace #WriteSky

000

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Never posted these before, but here's some doodles my partner and illustrator @villainousnat.bsky.social did of Yŭxuān from #StrangeSpace. My sweet Summer child.

000

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Funnily enough, I use the word green a lot, and it is the primary colour in the scheme I use for focusing on my writing. So here's a little bit of green for you. #StrangeSpace #WIPSnips

0151

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Here's my baby Bailey, and also a couple of pics of Bailey as a baby, too.

140

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

I haven't used the word repeat anywhere, so instead you can have an instance where repeating yourself doesn't neccessarily mean people will listen. #WIPSnips #Writesky #StrangeSpace

0141

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Excerpt from my zero draft of Viral Agent. Hopefully I'll be getting back into some regular posting, I'm starting to feel a lot better about things. Work is still kicking my ass but maybe I can squeeze in a bit of writing. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #StrangeSpace

090

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Don't forget, Shade of the Aitel is now available on Ko-Fi and Amazon! I also hand-sign and package Ko-Fi orders. ko-fi.com/hs_author/shop www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNN3T2G3 It's cheaper on Ko-Fi, but at current that's only an option for those in the UK. #StrangeSpace #WriteSky

012

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Shade of the Aitel is now live! Available for purchase in the UK on Kofi + Amazon, and in the US and other countries on Amazon. ko-fi.com/hs_author/shop, www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMQBMBWX. #StrangeSpace #WriteSky

112

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

It's been a while since I last posted an update. I've been working hard, and I have my completed proof copies of both hardcover and paperback! Shade of the Aitel will officially release this week. Hardcover is illustrated by my gorgeous partner. #StrangeSpace #WriteSky #BookSky

010

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

An excerpt from Shade of the Aitel, out on kindle, paperback and hardcover next month. #whistpr #writesky #StrangeSpace

His body betrays him as he holds his breath in anticipation. His hand shakes, slight tremors that disturbs the steady motion of the fog. Still, there's no real contact. The shade never does get close enough to his hand for him to feel anything beyond the icy cold.

020

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Oh yes, the final complete cover of Shade of the Aitel, including spine, is complete and all ready for when I finish my last draft. #StrangeSpace #WriteSky

130

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

It's been a crazy few days with work and burnout, not to mention all the smoke in the air from the wildfires in Moray right now are seriously destroying my lungs. This picture was taken in my village today, thank god the rain finally came on this evening.

110

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

And this is the very last line of my current WIP, Shade of the Aitel, currently undergoing edits. #LGBTQWriteAThon #WriteSky

everyone else. Maybe once it's out of sight he can put it out of mind, and finally get some rest.

090

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Canva--I use this to create book covers, and I also use it to make banners, posters, business cards, etc. You can use it entirely free and it's a good alternative to the likes of Photoshop. It's also mobile friendly. If you pay for Pro, you get more asset options.

000

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I use Google Docs to write and format my pages. It's free, is an alternative to Microsoft Word that feels more user friendly, mobile friendly, and less glitchy, and is accessible on mobile.

100

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

One that most people might know: WordHippo. I use this to help me choose new words, new phrases, and new contexts without using things like AI to make suggestions. It also helps me rewire my brain sometimes.

100

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Each section lets you input as much detail as you want about items or characters in lists and dropdowm boxes that are fully customisable. Best part is LoreForge is free, with a pro version that lets you host online for around £4 a month.

100

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

LoreForge is an alternative to Obsidian, that's a lot cleaner, more organised, and you can use it on mobile. I fully recommend it if you're building epics, fantasy, sci-fi, or any genre that requires major world building.

100

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

A thread where I show you the tools I use for writing. I use LoreForge to construct and visualise my plot for my books. It also lets me link plot points to specific scenes as well as thread in plot beats across the work, link characterd, locations, items, etc. #WriteSky

110

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Starting with the second installation in the Hornblower series; Lieutenant Hornblower by C. S. Forester. I already read the first book a few years back, and I've just had this series lying around waiting for me. #Booksky

031

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Cover and reverse cover of Shade of the Aitel! #StrangeSpace #LGBTQWriteAThon Plus sneak peaks of a couple of covers for future Strange Space projects.

1151

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Here's a contextless snippet of my favourite part I wrote this evening 🥺

020

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Run time so far is 3hrs+, I use this playlist to write to, so consider it the soundtrack of the books!

000

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Been a while since I posted a snip. From the zero draft of Shade of the Aitel chapter 3, something I wrote this morning. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #StrangeSpace

The fog seems to be spilling out from beneath one of the sheets that hides a tall, pillar-like object, billowing around it as though there's a source of wind in the cargo bay. There isn't. It's bitingly cold, but the air is still, he can't even feel a draught from the movement of the sheet. Unaware of the degree of danger he's stepping towards, Izaar closes the distance until the shadows begin to disperse around his legs. They reach for him the same as they did on the stairwell before—dark tendrils that bounce back the second they get too close, like they're scared to touch.

0211

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

An excerpt from Shade of the Aitel--Izaar finds one of his crew after a traumatic incident. #StrangeSpace #LGBTQWriteAThon

With his body no longer in the way Kamdar is able to see past him to view the familiar face of Izaar. The man's wide, blue-grey eyes look almost white in the bright shine of the broken pulse rifle, but he’s a welcome sight.

090

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Here's some old freewriting I did of a project that I had under development years ago--The Aviation Games. Groups of criminals are forced to compete in a race of fast jets and weaponry. Think Death Race meets Top Gun. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

100

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Here are the flags for the four heaviest hitting characters in Shade of the Aitel ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜 #StrangeSpace #LGBTQWriteAThon

0130

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Update on the cover: I've revised a second draft of the cover and designed a reverse cover with an early version of the blurb. #StrangeSpace #WriteSky

The front cover to the book Shade of the Aitel by H. E. Sherman, it features a small oddly spaced grid of 5 grey lines, matched on the junctions by three yellow dots at a left-leaning diagonal. The title "SHADE OF THE AITEL" is written in bold white letters in the centre of the cover, and is subtitled by smaller, grey text reading "A STRANGE SPACE STORY."

The reverse cover is black and yellow, featuring a bold white title reading "2094" and followed up with the blurb in grey text. This reads: It's been three years since the Earth became uninhabitable. The 194 Rangers were Humanity's last ditch effort to save the species. Now, stuck in the depths of space and resorting to mercenary work to stay fed, hydrated, and warm, the Rangers have been given a recovery mission that sends them to the dark absorption nebula Bernard 68. The cargo vessel Aitel has been missing for four months in the foggy depths of the nebula. What will the rangers find in the ship? Why do the shadows move? And witll the crew withstand the endless tests that the universe throws at them?

The very bottom of the cover is a bold, yellow box about one third the height of the book. There are three, black stars bordering the top of the box.

130

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Here's Izaar being calmed by a hug from a child--fun fact, my main character is a father not just to his own child, but the crew as well. #WriteSky #StrangeSpace

It relaxes him, helps release the tension in his jaw and the furrow from his brow.

Maybe he really is getting too soft.

070

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Got no nightmares, but I have some nightmare fuel. This is a long one today, to give you context. #WIPSnips #StrangeSpace

"Jesus Christ!" Sulien takes a couple of steps back and presses his hand against the wall next to him to retain his balance. "What kind of fucking horror movie have you got us into, Cap?"

Sulien's voice is strained as he glances quickly over his shoulder to see how far down the stairs Izaar is, but he can't take his eyes off the terrifying apparition in front of him for long.

A small hand curls round the bottom of the opening—olive toned skin and nails bitten back to the quick. There's the telltale thumping and groaning of the metal in the vent as a body drags itself through the tunnel, warping metal and shifting weight.

0151

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Fresh off the press--I literally wrote this an hour ago. The only shame in my entire WIP so far. #WIPSnips

Seong-Jin doesn't respond with words—he just raises his two bushy eyebrows suggestively with a half-nod towards Sulien. He doesn't seem to express any guilt or shame towards the idea of leaving the child to the monsters.

1121

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆ @hsauthor.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Apparently my brain decided I needed to alter, chop, and change most of my first two paragraphs of chapter 2 🤣 Took way too long to fix this mess. Before and after. From Shade of the Aitel. #Writersky

000

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆

𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 ⋆｡ﾟ🪐｡⋆｡ﾟ🌙 ﾟ｡⋆