iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jes Malitoris

Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I'm posting a read-along on my blog of John Blair's "Killing the Dead: Vampire Epidemics from Mesopotamia to the New World." Part 1 introduces the book and also the terms Blair will be working with. buff.ly/pamW40N #SpookySeason #Vampires #Halloween #KillingTheDead #History

In neon shades of pink and blue, text reads, "Read-Along, Part I: Intro. Join me for a history of the 'dangerous dead' on my blog, the scrawler tapes." The cover of the history book, "kIlling the Dead: Vampire Epidemics from Mesopotamia to the New World," by John Blair features a pair of illustrated skeletons against a red background.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina is petitioning in an effort to add a historical marker recognizing the Nation in Robeson County. The initial request was denied, and the petition is one step in appealing. #NorthCarolinaHistory #PublicHistory #NativeHistory #IndigenousHistory buff.ly/epGIFO4

c.org

Sign the Petition

Reconsider the Denial of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina Highway Historical Marker

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Coming up September 17, you can hear me read again at the next First in Fiction event! Join authors from a mix of genres (half of us are horror, though ;) ) at Berkeley Cafe in Raleigh, 8pm onwards. #LocalEvent #Raleigh #Triangle #NorthCarolina #FirstinFiction #LocalAuthor

Event details overlay a warm image of a bunch of folks relaxing at a bar. The "First in Fiction" event series is depicted like a "first in flight" North Carolina license plate. The event features short readings by six NC authors representing a range of genres: Richard Dansky, Mimi Herman, Carrie Knowles, Jes Malitoris, Jacky D. Otto, and Jon Carroll Thomas. "Enjoy literature the way it was meant to be experienced - in good company with good food and good booze." Event details: September 17, 8:00pm at the Berkeley Cafe, 428 Dawson Street, Raleigh, NC.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

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Michael G. Williams 🏳️‍🌈 @mcmanlypants.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

It was such a delight to help spread the word of @jeswrites.bsky.social's sale of FLAME A-KINDLE to Laughing Man House! Do you want to hear exciting news and upcoming events by horror writers in North Carolina! Sign up here: hwanc.org/newsletter/ #newsletter #horror #writingcommunity

hwanc.org

Newsletter – HWA NC

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NC Chapter of Horror Writers Association @hwanc.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

hwanc.org

Newsletter – HWA NC

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

There’s a lot of terrible stuff out there but this morning I got new songs from two of my favorite musical artists so that’s something

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Bridget D. Brave @beedeebrave.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Creepaway Camp looked amazing, exactly the kind of event I'd love to attend and support in the future. Unfortunately, like me and a handful of friends before me, they had a terrible Max Gold experience. Adding to the list. Statement regarding HWA complaint: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/07...

cdn.shopify.com

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Suzan the chalant goth @sillysyntax.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Dear friends, my presence on this app is sporadic at best. I deactivate often to do work and not get distracted, so my threads appear and reappear. That said, if you are a Canadian SFFH writer and have a novel or novella out, please let me know in the replies so I'm aware of it!

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Micah @rincewind.run · 26/08/2026

there are going to be many remembrances of Tim Curry today for his brilliant work in Rocky Horror and Clue and so much more, but to me this ridiculous bit from Red Alert sums up everything that made him great you never knew what you were going to get with him, but whatever it was would be brilliant

static.klipy.com

Tim Curry: Uncorrupted Space

Alt: Tim Curry's Space gif from Red Alert

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⛧ Mother Suspiria ⛧ (Stina Marie) @stinasdemons.com · 26/08/2026

The queers would like a word with God, NOW

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Wendy N. Wagner 🎃 @wnwagner.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Tears. Tears on the SIDE OF MY FACE.

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Gabino Iglesias @gabino.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

A legend. An icon. An amazing songwriter. A kind soul. A national treasure. This one hurts. Rest in power, Dolly! ❤️ (Photo by Irving Penn/Condé Nast)

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I've put together the soundtrack for my book, Flame A-Kindle, in case you can't wait! An hour of the songs that got me in the mood to write my supernatural seventeenth-century folk horror novella. #ComingSoon #Horror #QueerHorror #Summerween #FolkHorror open.spotify.com/playlist/4cb...

A wood stands in silhouette against an orange background. Bright text announces the title "Flame A-Kindle, a novella." A deer the same color as the sky lurks in the background, and a wolf hunts among the trees in the foreground.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I'm ecstatic to announce my debut novella, FLAME A-KINDLE, coming October 2027 from The Laughing Man House. Thank you so much to @palestarsirius.bsky.social for giving my beloved monster a home. #FolkHorror #ReligiousHorror #Horror #SeventeenthCentury #OldGods #QueerHorror #GenderQueer #TransHorror

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

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Serial Experiments Rain Corbyn @raincorbyn.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Thanks @timberghostpress.bsky.social for talking to me about the vision and vibe at Haruspex Audio! We are open to general subs for the rest of the week, then one more week for BIPOC books and authors. www.timberghostpress.com/blog/small-p...

timberghostpress.com

Small Press Interviews: Meet Haruspex Audio

Tell us a little bit about your press and what inspired you to start it up. Haruspex Audio is a queer-focused audiobook house specializing in horror, smut, and outsider lit. 10 years of audiobook...

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Reposted by Jes Malitoris

Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

If you're a fan of Lee Mandelo's The Woods All Black, Brom's Slewfoot, and/or Robert Egger's film The VVitch, have I got news for you! Announcement coming Thursday! #Horror #WritingCommunity #ComingSoon #FolkHorror #ReligiousHorror #SeventeenthCentury #TheWitch #Slewfoot #TheWoodsAllBlack

A wood stands in silhouette against an orange background. Bright text reads, "I've got a secret for fans of..." and then pictures the covers of Lee Mandelo's The Woods All Black and Brom's Slewfoot, and a movie poster for Robert Egger's film The Witch. "Watch this space!"

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I have had folks ask how I managed to cut ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS from my novel. This week on my blog, I wrote about my process for how I manage big-picture edits on my novels: buff.ly/vfkfmYp #AmWriting #AmEditing #WritingCommunity

Image represents types of edits in relation to the "can't see the forest for the trees" idiom. Layered over an image of forested mountains, "developmental edits" include the peaks of character arcs, stakes, plot flow, and payoff. "Line edits" and "copy edits" reference individual trees of punctuation, style, grammar, diction, voice, and that line on page 54 that you've been trying to get just right.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Since the trailer just came out for the Lizzie Borden episode of that Monster anthology show, allow me to recommend this book (that I helped research!) that is more interested in the trial: Why did other people think she did or didn't do it? buff.ly/gFIQ8Wc #LizzieBorden #History #MonsterAnthology

bookshop.org

The Trial of Lizzie Borden

The definitive account of the Lizzie Borden murders—the subject of Netflix’s Monster anthology series from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. In Cara Robertson’s “enthralling” book, The Trial of Lizzie…

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

They've responded. She is out. Curious to see more in the coming days, but it's a start:

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

This morning I sent an email to HWA admin expressing my concerns and requesting accountability for the pro-AI post included in the newsletter. I have heard that its inclusion was accidental, but considering it was written by a trustee, I have concerns and I hope leadership will address them. #HWA

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Rebecca Ferrenz @beccamonster.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

It's not like she's profiting from an ai writers app or anything oh wait

Screenshot of the "Studio" app

"Finish Your Stories And Write Like A Pro"

"The writing discipline app for authors of all levels and genres"

-"Build daily writing habits that stick
-Expert guidance from a published author and editor
-Complete short stories and novels with confidence"

And at the bottom: "created by sèphera girón"

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Hildur Knútsdóttir @hildur.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

If AI disappeared tomorrow, the only change in my life would be that google search suddenly got better again.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I am incredibly disappointed that this garbage ever ended up in the newsletter, especially given the official policy against gen AI. I am hopeful that this is a fluke and not representative of the organization as a whole but WOW am I going to need to see some accountability stat

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Andi is 🏳️‍⚧️ RE-DRAFTING DESECRATE 🏳️‍⚧️ @andromedaexists.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

one of the things that really sticks to my teeth about the pro-ai article in the hwa newsletter is how out of touch it is, like just say you're not in political spaces and stop bringing marginalized groups into the conversation as your props

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Suzan the chalant goth @sillysyntax.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I am logged on for 2 hours to say I am appalled by what I read in the HWA newsletter. There are AI witch hunts ongoing where writers are being accused of using that garbage tech with no evidence. Telling ppl who use AI proudly to get out is not gatekeeping. Call out the writers and companies.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I had hoped to have another blog post up by now, but this novel is proving to be longer than I budgeted for! I'm finishing it this week and then getting back in the blogging saddle. Until then you can read about how I plan for an intensive writing workshop like this one: buff.ly/SmzsQ2l #AmWriting

thescrawlertapes.com

Fieldwork: How I Prep For a Workshop

I love a good writing workshop. The deep-dive seminars, the writing exercises, the conversation and feedback with and from other writers interested in similar things… I’ve got another workshop comi…

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

#QuestPit FLAME A-KINDLE #OS #A #H #HR #Novella The Woods All Black X Slewfoot Tace (e/em/eir) has been engaged to the philandering son of the village butcher, and eir parents will brook no refusal. To prove eir betrothed's sins and break the engagement, Tace seeks out the Devil in the woods.

At the heart of the image, a black stick figure stands silhouetted against a fire. This image is surrounded by the title, "Flame A-Kindle" and the author's name. Around these, forest critters, mushrooms, and plants cluster together in bright red on a black background. The centerpiece elements are a wolf and deer in opposition to each other. Additional text advertises the QuestPit event, with the hashtags from the post.

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Darian Rudderham @darianrudderham.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Desperate to save a rotting city, the caretaker of an incorruptible corpse and the traitor god of an ancient pantheon must find what is causing the destruction. #questpit #W #A #F

A stained glass window. RIpped paper that reads "an agents guide to what lingers between"

The pitch. Rachel Gillig's The Knight and The Moth, Caitlin Starling's The Starving Saints, Rebecca Ross' WIld Reverance. Desperate to save a rotting city, the only god remaining of an ancient pantheon and the caretaker of a sacred, incorruptible corpse must find what is causing the destruction.

A woman with dark curly hair in a simple dress turned away. A woman with brown curly hair in blue and red robes holding a book. A man with dark curly hair in a simple white shirt holding a dagger. The tropes list reads, "yearning, annoyance to lovers, magic as corruption, three POVs, death incarnate, gothic fantasy, rotting city, pristine church, incorruptible corpse, necromantic religion."

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Catherine @catandherwips.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

THE STARVING SAINTS x HUNGERSTONE In a haze of stunted transformation, apocalypse cultist S returns to the ancestral manor she left behind to choose a successor for her dying bloodline. 🌕 Gothic winter set in a medieval manor 🩸 Sapphic love triangle COMING JANUARY 2027 #questpit #W #df

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B. van Bodegom 📃is AGENTED @bvbodegom.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

CABIN IN THE WOODS × JOHN DIES AT THE END × JUMANJI When their detective friend is murdered at their annual gaming retreat, 5 dads must rely on years of TTRPG experience—and puns—to solve the crime before they're all killed off like NPCs in a badly written supernatural campaign. #QuestPit #A #H #AG

Poster-style graphic with a black background and heavy red blood splatter. Large distressed white and red text reads “DAD BODIES.” A dagger runs horizontally through the letters, and a 20-sided die showing low numbers appears on the right. Along the bottom are black silhouettes of heads with X-shaped eyes. Beneath, smaller text reads “ROLL FOR FUCKERY,” and at the bottom: “A co(s)mic horror novel by B. van Bodegom.”

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Kat Devitt @katdevittwrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

My Darling, Dreadful Thing X The London Séance Society A fabled witch howled the Blackstone Curse and mired generations in madness, murder, and mayhem. Only a monster and an heir to an earldom may break the spell, but first they must find each other. #QuestPit #Q #Gothic #A #H #LGBT

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B. R. Fontenot is querying 📚☀️🌷🦊 @brfontenotwrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

WOLF WORM x DON'T LET THE FOREST IN THE TREES HAVE TEETH - An Appalachian Folkhorror "Olive is eight the first time Death comes for her." 🌲 Nature and rot 💀 Death as an entity 🍄 Botanical Horror ⛰️ Set in the mountains 🐇 Eerie folklore 🍂 Isolated setting #QuestPit #A #H #W

PITCH

Olive is eight the first time Death comes for her. She’s nineteen the second time. And Olive knows Death always comes in threes.

In the heart of the Appalachian mountains, something wicked lingers in the woods. Olive grew up running barefoot through the trees without fear of what might be lurking. But when the woods begin to devour anything that encroaches with ruthless hunger, and a mysterious man who claims to know both the cause and the cure appears at Olive’s door, she may have to face Death for the third (and final) time. If she doesn’t, the town and the boy she loves will be eaten whole.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

COMPS
Wolf Worm, Don't Let the Forest In, Hazelthorn, Morsel, Hollow

Botanical Horror, Appalachian Mountain Setting, Nature & Rot, Isolated Setting, Eerie Folklore

moodboard featuring mountains, eerie woods, and trees

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Chantal Danieli — is querying MSU! 🕯️ @chantaldanieli.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

JANE EYRE x THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 🕯️forbidden gothic romance 🕯️slow burn 🕯️yearning à la anthony bridgerton 🕯️black swan-esque awakening 🕯️2000's setting 🕯️devouring obsession but make it consensual 🕯️secret lake meetings — coming to agent inboxes September 2026 🍂 #questpit #W #A #NA #R

My Sweet Unbecoming
A forbidden gothic romance
Coming to agent inboxes September 2026

Comps & Pitch
The Phantom of the Opera
Jane Eyre
Bridgerton — The Viscount Who Loved Me

When a scandal exiles her to Lucerne, disgraced Olivia Rooney falls for the one man she’s forbidden to love—Théodore Chair-Beaumont, the brooding aristocrat sworn to matrimony with another.
But beneath his restraint lies a wound that mirrors her own. And falling for him could not only repeat the tragedy that broke him before. It could ruin her reputation, once and for all.

Tropes
Forbidden Romance
High Society Match Making
European Setting
Slow Burn
Love VS Duty
Black Swan-esque Awakening
Masquerade Ball
2000’s Setting
Obsessive yearning
Secret Lake Meetings

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Still feeling very proud of my progress on this novel, and I wrote a blog post about how I keep myself going under deadline when I don't even want to open the document. #AmWriting #Motivation #WordCount buff.ly/KQcrpo5

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I'm so excited to share that my story "Gooseflesh" about a previously unknown cryptid in the Appalachians is now available to listen to on @creepypod.bsky.social! #Horror #HorrorPodcast #ScaryStories #Cryptid #Appalachia buff.ly/maqobsK

Text reads, "For the first time, you can listen to one of my stories online on the Creepy Pod!" Below, it includes an excerpt from the story "Gooseflesh": “In the glow of the ancient lamp, the creature outside my window looked like a ghost. A moon-pale, living version of the corpse beside my front drive perched on my banister.”

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to Summer Chills at Quail Ridge! I had a fabulous time listening to my fellow writers, and chatting and signing books after. A huge thanks to QRB for running a wonderful event in a beautiful space. Stay safe and hydrated this week! <3

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