iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Apparently I missed Bi Visibility Day yesterday, but since it's still Sapphic September, maybe you need a queer fake-dating rom-com about a teenage ghost hunter who finds an actual ghost? jameslsutter.com/novels-ghost...

A hardcover copy of THE GHOST OF US by James L. Sutter, showing two girls kissing in front of a full moon, positioned among some fall leaves.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

If you're excited about my new book HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES, please consider preordering it now for 25% off from Barnes & Noble! Preorders determine whether a book thrives or dies before it ever hits shelves, so if you know you want this one—snag it now! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-aga...

A snippet of a book cover sketch showing a flying killer robot with the words:
Barnes & Noble Preorder Sale
Get 25% off HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES with code PREORDER25 September 9-11 only
Includes Ebooks, too!

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

It's official: I've got a new novel coming in 2027! HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES is M*A*S*H meets Terminator, but as a gay romance between a young medic and a newly paralyzed soldier in a field hospital for humanity's doomed human resistance after the robot apocalypse. bookshop.org/p/books/hear...

Publisher's Marketplace Deal Report:

HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES by James L. Sutter

Imprint: Alcove Press

Author of DARKHEARTS James L. Sutter's HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES, pitches as M*A*S*H meets Terminator, a gay romance between a young medic and a newly paralyzed soldier in a field hospital for humanity's doomed resistance after robots massacre civilization, to Marcy Harris at Alcove Press, for publication in summer 2027, by Josh Adams at Adams Literary (NA). josh@adamsliterary.com

Fiction: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
September 8, 2026

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

So much of modern politics feels like this classic dril tweet. It's why I get so excited about (non-evil) elected officials who are like, "Actually, here's what I believe, and if you don't like it, don't vote for me." Yes, leaders need to get elected. But they also need to *lead*.

Dril tweet: "turning a big dial that says 'Racism' on it and constantly looking back at the audience for approval like a contestant on the price is right

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A little wire choir action with my band Rabbit Prince from last Friday's show. I love this group so much.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

TONIGHT! I can't wait to play this show.

Show flyer for the bands Rabbit Prince and Estate Plan
Friday 8/21
Doors @ 8, show @ 8:45
Free
Georgetown Liquor Co
5501 Airport Way S
21+

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

SEATTLE! My band Rabbit Prince is playing a FREE show this Friday at Georgetown Liquor Co! Bring a friend! Bring a date! Bring a friend you wish was a date and maybe something will happen through THE MAGIC OF EMO! ❤️ rabbitprince.bandcamp.com

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

The fact that American neighborhoods don't look like St. John's is such a crime. Like, look at this—tell me we wouldn't be happier living in this sort of environment.

Many colorful buildings in St. John's, Newfoundland, from this site: https://www.todocanada.ca/24-ways-to-discover-st-johns-in-24-hours/

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

With a week left of Pride month, want a queer, funny teen romance you can read RIGHT NOW? DARKHEARTS is m/m rock star romance about falling for the boy who stole your shot at fame. THE GHOST OF US is f/f fake-dating with a ghost hunter who finds a ghost. GO GET 'EM: jameslsutter.com/novels.html

Pride flag and the words NEED A QUEER YA ROM-COM FOR PRIDE MONTH? Then the covers of two novels by James L. Sutter: DARKHEARTS showing two boys about to kiss and THE GHOST OF US showing two girls kissing.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Mark your calendars, Seattle! My band Rabbit Prince is playing a free show at the Georgetown Liquor Company on 8/21, supporting the brand-new local post-punk group Estate Plan! It's a two-band bill, so if you're old like me, you can throw down with us and still be home for a sensible bedtime! 🤘💀🤘

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Happy Solstice, everybody! Nothing like leading a parade through the city wearing only body paint to kick summer off right. The Solstice Cyclists might be my favorite Seattle tradition.☀️🚲🎨

James from the waist up, body painted abstractly in layers of green, white, blue, and magenta, beneath a random pattern of little white lines.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I was gonna make a joke about how if I'd been Bill Clinton, I would have spent my whole administration playing music with celebrities—and then I found out he actually DID get to play with THE FUCKING BLUES BROTHERS. 🤯

Bill Clinton playing saxophone with Dan Ackroyd and Jim Belushi as the Blues Brothers.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Are bookiversaries a thing? Three years ago, I published this grumpy queer romcom about falling for the boy who stole your chance to be a rock star, and it changed the direction of my entire career. Strategy is great, but sometimes you've just gotta make the art that's exciting you right now.

A picture of James holding a copy of the queer YA romance novel DARKHEARTS, showing two teen boys about to kiss in front of a big heart, with the tagline "Could you love the boy who stole your chance at fame?"

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

My players bought me a Jason Fox High Stakes D20 from @billamend.bsky.social for this weekend's D&D game and immediately regretted it. ❤️

Picture of a d20 that's only 1s and 20s with a little card that says "The Jason Fox High Stakes D20: because the other numbers are boring"

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

No AI is used in the creation of my novels—these are 100% artisanal, hand-crafted dick jokes. Dick jokes raised in small batches and allowed to roam free in open pastures. That's the James Sutter Dick-Joke Promise(TM). jameslsutter.com/novels.html

The cover of the queer YA romance novel DARKHEARTS by James L. Sutter, showing two teen boys about to kiss in front of a big heart with the tagline "Could you love the boy who stole your chance at fame?"

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

When I DNF a book by a favorite author:

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Do you need some queer teen romcoms in your life? If so, I've got you covered—DARKHEARTS is about falling for the boy who stole your chance to be a rockstar, while THE GHOST OF US is supernatural sapphic fake dating about a teenage ghost hunter who finds a ghost! jameslsutter.com/novels.html

The cover of DARKHEARTS by James L. Sutter, showing two teen boys about to kiss, with the tagline "Could you love the boy who stole your chance at fame?"

The cover of THE GHOST OF US by James L. Sutter, showing two teen girls kissing in front of a full moon.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Finally got my hands on the hardcover collection of STARFINDER: ANGELS OF THE DRIFT, the comic miniseries I wrote for @paizo.com and @dynamitecomics.bsky.social! It's gorgeous, and I'm super proud of the work artist Edu Menna and I did to bring this weird and wonderful setting to comics! 🤘🚀🪐

James holding a copy of the STARFINDER: ANGELS OF THE DRIFT hardcover collection, the cover of which shows a rat in a gas mask with a flamethrower.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

To be fair, this baby could rob a 7-11 in broad daylight and no jury in the world would convict.

The world's most adorable baby wearing a stolen hat.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

BREMERTON! Come hang out this Friday with me and @ballastbookco.bsky.social's Reading the Rainbow book club! I'll be chatting and answering questions about DARKHEARTS, writing, gaming, or anything else. Meet at 5:30 at Ashley's Pub, right beneath the bookstore! www.ballastbookco.com/events/20260...

Flier for an author event/book club discussion, showing the cover of DARKHEARTS (featuring two teenage boys about to kiss) plus James's face.

James L. Sutter
Author of Darkhearts
April 24
5:30pm at Ashley's Pub in Bremerton, WA

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Who will I see at Norwescon this weekend???

James's Norwescon schedule:

Friday
Romantasy: YA or Nah?
11:00am - 12:00pm @ Cascade 13
Camden Rose (M), Kendare Blake, Marta Murvosh, Miranda Levi, James L. Sutter

Signing (and selling) Books
12:00pm-1:00pm @ Dealer Hall

From Campaigns to Contracts
3:00pm - 4:00pm @ Evergreen 1 & 2
Amanda Cherry (M), Rosemary Jones, James L. Sutter, Monte Lin, Sandra Rosner

Freelancing 101
4:00pm - 5:00pm @ Cascade 11
Rue Dickey (M), John Godek, James L. Sutter, Luis Loza, Sean K. Reynolds

Saturday
Timeless or Nostalgic?
1:00pm - 2:00pm @ Cascade 6
Lish McBride (M), Lily Meade, Sonja Thomas, Gabrielle Harbowy, James L. Sutter

Freelancing 201
4:00pm - 5:00pm @ Cascade 9
Jennifer Brozek (M), Luis Loza, John Godek, Erin Roberts, James L. Sutter

Sunday
Not Instagram Ready: YA Protagonists That Aren't Always Perfect
11:00am - 12:00pm @ Cascade 7 & 8
Lily Meade (M), Sonja Thomas, James L. Sutter, Margaret Owen, Gabrielle Harbowy

Teen & Tween: Careers in Media
12:00pm - 1:00pm @ Cascade 5
Erica Angeline Solano (M), Bradley Englert / Orbit Books, Oz Norberg, James L. Sutter, Camille Meehan

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Hey new followers! Can I offer you some queer teen rom-coms in this trying time? DARKHEARTS is about falling for the boy who stole your chance to be a rock star, and THE GHOST OF US is supernatural sapphic fake dating about a ghost hunter finding her ghost: jameslsutter.com/novels.html

The Danny Devito egg meme, except he's holding up DARKHEARTS (which shows two boys kissing) and THE GHOST OF US (which shows two girls kissing).

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

TOMORROW, SEATTLE! dice.fm/partner/tick...

Show poster for a concert featuring:

Avenue East
Sinking Season
Rabbit Prince

Saturday, Feb 28
Doors 8:30 / Show 9:00

The Sunset Tavern, Ballard, WA

Tickets $12 adv, $15 door

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Hey Seattle! Are you coming to the first show for my new band, Rabbit Prince, on the 28th? If so, be sure to grab a free vinyl sticker! dice.fm/partner/tick...

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Can I offer you a queer teen romcom in this trying time?

The Danny DeVito "can I offer you a nice egg in this trying time" meme, except he's holding up the queer YA romance novels DARKHEARTS and THE GHOST OF US by James L. Sutter.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

SEATTLE! My new band Rabbit Prince has our first show Saturday, February 28 with Sinking Season and @avenueeast.bsky.social at the Sunset Tavern! Come rock out with us! dice.fm/partner/tick...

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Did you know I have a new band? rabbitprince.bandcamp.com

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

I've got a new band! We're called Rabbit Prince, and we're female-fronted post-hardcore with a dash of musical theater. Our demo is now up on all your favorite streaming platforms, and I think it's some of the best music I've ever worked on, so I hope you'll check it out! rabbitprince.bandcamp.com

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Something making me happy today: the amazing @erinmevans.bsky.social spotting THE GHOST OF US on display at a local high school. 😍

A library copy of THE GHOST OF US on display among other YA books.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

TONIGHT! Join us on the @storyhour.bsky.social livestream at 7pm PST as @coreyfarrenkopf.bsky.social and I read you our stories! I'll be reading "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds," my dark fantasy story about grief, healing, and birds nesting in your thoracic cavity. www.storyhour2020.com

STORY HOUR
Livestream speculative fiction readings
Hosted by Daniel Marcus and Laura Blackwell
January 14th 7pm PST 2026
Corey Farrenkopf
James L. Sutter
http://www.storyhour2020.com

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Tomorrow (1/14) at 7pm PST, come listen to me read my story "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds" live over Zoom alongside @coreyfarrenkopf.bsky.social as part of Story Hour, hosted by @pronouncedlahra.bsky.social and Daniel Marcus! www.storyhour2020.com

Show poster with pictures of James L. Sutter and Corey Farrenkopf that says:

STORY HOUR
Livestream Speculative Fiction Readings
hosted by Daniel Marcus and Laura Blackwell
January 14th 7pm PST 2026
http://www.storyhour2020.com

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

In 2023, I posted my end-of-year wordcount to show that even full-time authors can fall off a cliff. This year I'm posting it to show you can climb back up. Life happens. Priorities change. Don't shame yourself for not writing as much as you wanted—celebrate that you made the effort at all.

Graph showing James's words written in each year, hovering around 175,000 for 2018-2022, dropping to 36,000 in 2023, then climbing back to 116,000 in 2025.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Since this is doing numbers... if you like queer teen rom-coms, please check out my creator-owned novels! jameslsutter.com/novels.html

The cover of DARKHEARTS, showing two teen boys about to kiss with the tagline "Could you love the boy who stole your chance at fame?"

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

The amazing @colleenaf.bsky.social made a banned books RPG for her local library and got a bunch of YA authors to record cutscenes as NPCs. Here's me as the pirate captain who runs the local costume shop. (And yes, I had all of these in my closet already.)

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Being in a band in your forties is just posting this to the group chat forever.

The Bernie "once again asking" meme, but it says "I am once again asking for you to fill out the practice poll"

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

You can now *listen* to my new story, "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds," on the latest episode of the @nightmare-magazine.com podcast! It's dark fantasy about love and grief and birds nesting in your thoracic cavity.

Cover image for the nightmare magazine podcast, showing a stone tomb door.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

SEATTLE! Come say hi TODAY at the grand opening of the Beguiled Books all-romance bookstore in Pioneer Square! I'll be there from 4:00-4:45, signing books, answering questions, and just generally hanging out! www.beguiledbooks.com/opening

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

I did a scarily personal interview about how grief and chronic illness influenced my new dark fantasy/body horror story, "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds," over at @nightmare-magazine.com: Interview: www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/a... Story: www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/make...

Excerpt: "I took the old advice and wrote about what scared me, pairing the fear of living without my favorite person with that image of the bird. Yet even as I let myself wallow in the protagonist’s pain, I knew the story had to look at the whole picture—not just the loss, but what comes after. Because however hard things get, I believe we owe it to those we love—and those we lose—to not give in to despair. My wife has always been adamant that the ME/CFS that’s devoured so much of her life isn’t allowed to claim mine as well. So the story really emerged from that tension, between the weight of grief and the responsibility to keep finding joy."

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

SEATTLE! Come hang out with me this Sunday at 4:00pm as part of Beguiled Books' grand opening of their new all-romance brick and mortar bookstore in Pioneer Square! www.beguiledbooks.com/opening

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

My story "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds" just went live on @nightmare-magazine.com—it's about grief, love, and birds nesting in your thoracic cavity, and I think it's one of the best things I've ever written. You can read it for free right now: www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/make...

The cover of Nightmare issue 158, showing a living scarecrow holding a crow.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

There's still time for a supernatural sapphic YA romance before Halloween! 👻 jameslsutter.com/novels-ghost...

A skeleton bunny with a copy of THE GHOST OF US, whose cover shows two teen girls kissing in front of a full moon.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Look at this unbelievable DARKHEARTS fan art by DeraxX! 🤯 www.instagram.com/deraxx_x/?hl...

The main characters from DARKHEARTS: David hugging Chance from behind as Chance sings into a microphone, surrounded by hearts.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

It's still #SapphicSeptember for another week! Maybe you need a supernatural fake-dating YA romance starring a teenage ghost hunter who finds an actual ghost? If so, THE GHOST OF US has you covered! jameslsutter.com/novels-ghost...

The cover of THE GHOST OF US, showing two teen girls kissing in front of a full moon.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Swung by Beguiled Books—Seattle's amazing mobile romance bookstore—to sign some stock for Bookstore Romance Day! www.beguiledbooks.com

James with Mrs. Beguiled, the owner of Beguiled Books, who's holding James's books DARKHEARTS and THE GHOST OF US.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

It's Bookstore Romance Day! Buy any of my books from your favorite store and drop me a DM, and I'll mail you a signed and personalized bookplate sticker! jameslsutter.com/novels.html

The covers of The Ghost of Us, featuring two teen girls kissing, and Darkhearts, showing two boys about to kiss. Also a signed bookplate sticker.

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Toffee-covered licorice that looks like grubs. I don't speak Danish, but I'm pretty sure that tagline means "God has turned his gaze from us..."

A bag of Haribo Labre Larver candy, with the tagline "luk op for noget godt..."

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James L. Sutter @jameslsutter.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Need some queer young adult rom-coms for your summer reading? jameslsutter.com/novels.html

CHOOSE YOUR ROMANCE: Supernatural Sapphic Seduction (over the cover of THE GHOST OF US) or Band Bro Enemies to Lovers (over the cover of DARKHEARTS). Then, below it: "(Who am I kidding? You should definitely buy them both.)"

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