iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Part 2 of my #SpookySeason read-along of John Blair's KILLING THE DEAD, a history of vampire epidemics. This time, we're looking at sources in detail, including some gruesome #archaeology. buff.ly/WaSTDKZ #Halloween #Vampires #Folklore #History #WeirdHistoryFacts

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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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 · 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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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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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 · 22/06/2026

COMING TO YOU NEXT WEEK! I'm joining @pmraymond.bsky.social, @authorcreekmore.bsky.social, @samanthabwriter.bsky.social, Jesse Bullington, and Garrett Boatman at @quailridgebooks.bsky.social! RSVP online: quailridgebooks.com/event/summer...

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Best Horror of the Year, Volume 18 is now available for preorder! Even if you don't pick it up to read my story, "Cut-a-Skin, Outside-In," I'm joined by incredible writers such as Laird Barron, A. C. Wise, and Clay Mcleod Chapman (among many others). buff.ly/8Lu6ago

The cover of "The Best Horror of the Year, Volume 18," edited by Ellen Datlow, features a horned and winged being that looks more like an ancient, fossilized alien than a demon. Featuring stories by Laird Barron, Grady Hendrix, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Benjamin Percy, Robert Shearman, A.C. Wise, and many others.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

ICYMI, I'll be celebrating Pride this Thursday with @mcmanlypants.bsky.social and @natania.bsky.social at @arcanadurham.bsky.social!!! So excited to read and chat with these wonderful folks about the weird, the queer, and the fantastical. #Pride #QueerAuthors #WritingCommunity

The graphic announces: "Queer Fiction: Taking Pride in Our Writing," to be held on June 18 at 7pm at Arcana, 331 West Main Street, Durham, North Carolina. Access through the rear entrance. The event will feature readings and discussion from authors Natania Barron, Jes Malitoris, and Michael G. Williams.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Hello, new followers! I started a writing craft blog in April! thescrawlertapes.com is not exclusively for horror authors, but tends toward genre. I wanted to write about processes and techniques that I struggled to learn earlier in my development as a writer and I thought might be helpful.

Text reads: "The Scrawler Tapes, a (Horror) writing craft blog)"

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

The cover for Best Horror of the Year 18 is HERE!!! It's so kick ass and I'm still flabbergasted that I'm included in its pages. Pre-order link coming as soon as it's available!

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

IT'S JUNE! HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! There may be more Pride Month events coming, but for now here are a couple ways I'm celebrating. Love, peace, and safety to my queer and genderqueer sibs <3 #PrideMonth #QueerAuthor #CelebratePride

Text over a picture of a desk with witchy paraphernalia and a rainbow pentagram reads, "Make this Pride Month SPOOKY for bigots." It proposes events to attend at StokerCon (a reading on Thursday and a panel on Nonbinary Authors in Horror on Saturday) and at Arcana Bar, Durham (panel on Queer Fiction: Taking Pride in Our Writing, 7:00pm on Thursday, June 18).

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

I am so excited to announce that my story "Cut-a-Skin, Outside-In," has been included in the TOC of Ellen Datlow's BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR, VOL 18! I'm in amazing company and I'm so excited to read the stories I haven't gotten to yet.

Text of a post from Ellen Datlow: And..ta da:
The Best Horror of the Year Volume Eighteen:
TOC and front matter handed in to my publisher (but not the summary, which I'm working on and planning on getting to my editor by Monday)
Table of Contents
Fear of the Dark-- Benjamin Percy
Table Scraps -- Vanessa Santos
60’ -- Helen Grant
Agate Way -- Laird Barron
Peymakilir -- Thomas C. Mavroudis
Pale Rollers -- Caitlín R. Kiernan
In the Forest There are Doors -- Pete W. Sutton
The Blanks -- Grady Hendrix
Samanthas -- Jacob Steven Mohr
Wet Dollars -- Daniel Oluremi
The Crane Game -- David Longhorn
Dismaying Creatures -- Robert Shearman
23 Bridge Street -- Stacey Halls
Inheritance With Teeth -- Tori Fredrick
Nothing Special -- James Cooper
Cut-a skin, Outside-in -- Jes Malitoris
Wolf Moon, Antler Moon -- A.C. Wise
backsliding -- Clay McLeod Chapman

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Baby's first scam email!!! Woke up to what seemed to *me* like a blatant scam, but might not be obvious to everyone. So, I wrote a blog post about all the questions you should ask yourself when you receive an email like this one. #DontGetFooledAgain #Scams #WritingCommunity #Authors buff.ly/LkfaTNs

A screenshot of a scam email with the word "SCAM!!!" in large red letters across it

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

I've updated dates and times for my upcoming events in June and July! If you're thinking of coming to Quail Ridge Books on July 1, please RSVP using the link. I'm so looking forward to reading, chatting, and meeting new people over the next couple of months! #HorrorCommunity #HWA buff.ly/MYHpPeC

July 1, 2026: Quail Ridge Books. Horror Writers Association NC Presents Summer Chills, moderated by John Hanley of Necksnap Magazine. Featuring readings from Jesse Bullington, Garret Boatman, Robert Creekmore, Jes Malitoris, Samantha Bryant, and P.M. Raymond.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

I'll be at #StokerCon in June! Listen to me read and chat with some incredible authors! You can also find me on Sched. This will be my first StokerCon and I'm SO EXCITED! #StokerCon2026 #HorrorAuthors #HWA

Jes Malitoris's StokerCon schedule includes a reading on Thursday, June 4 at 2:00pm EST in the Fayette room. Xie is joined by Jacques Mersereau and Kathleen Palm. Xie is also in the panel "Nonbinary Authors in Horror" on Saturday, June 6 at 3:00pm in the Somerset room with with Eric LaRocca, Rook Riley, Saratoga Schaefer, and Carina Stopenski moderating.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

ALL THE FOREST EATS: Allie is not sure if she believes that the forest is a vicious, carnivorous beast, but if she’s going to escape the grasp of her abusive father, she’ll have to learn how to survive it. #QuestPit #Q #A #DF #Queer #Sapphic

Against a backdrop of dark, twisting trees is the book title "All the Forest Eats," along with the hashtag #QuestPit and qualifiers listed in the event rules for querying, adult, and dark fantasy.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

The archive is now accessible... THE SCRAWLER TAPES is now live with the 1st post: a "How to Use This Blog" with reflections on how to understand what your story needs. I've got a ton more to kick-off the blog this week, so subscribe or follow to stay updated! thescrawlertapes.com #WritingCommunity

The Scrawler Tapes: A (Horror) Writing Craft Blog, Now Live

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Letting myself be louder than usual today. I'm a trans enby horror and dark fantasy writer with a fondness for inventing the monsters I wish I could be. linktr.ee/jesmalitoris #TransDayOfVisibility #SupportTransCreators #WritingCommunity #HorrorAuthors #HorrorCommunity

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

This is NOT an April Fool's joke. I hope it will be helpful, even if you're farther along in your writing journey then I am! There is lots already in the pipeline. Subscribe now to get updated as soon as posts go live! thescrawlertapes.com/subscribe-to... #WritingCommunity

Graphic announces: "The Scrawler Tapes, a writing craft blog. Unsealing the archive on April 1, 2026."

The Scrawler Tapes are: "Beyond writing 101. Posts on topics I wish I had understood earlier in my development as a writer, such as: How do you understand what your story needs? What is voice and how to you develop it? How do you write character emotion?"

The Scrawler Tapes have, "Something for Everyone: Craft Talk, Resources, Story Prompts, Book Reviews, Guest Posts."

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

My new favorite shirt is here (courtesy of Abe Tensia)

On a background of hunter camo, an orange rat and the words “I have no gender I am only a little rat”

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

I'm so excited to announce a new project: my writing craft blog, The Scrawler Tapes. Look out for the first post on April 1!

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

My personal read-a-thon is well under way (check my Insta for book-by-book updates), but I had a little too much fun procrastinating with clip art. #BogWitch #BogWitchReads #JustForFun #TagYourself

A cartoon-ish styled graphic that answers the question, "Why a bog witch?" Reasons are given, with associated cutesy graphics: 1) I am a practicing witch. In my religion, it is called Volve. 2) A generally froggy demeanor, particularly a hunched seating position. 3) It is *aesthetic A.F.* 4) I have scraggy, unknowably depths, just like bog water, and 5) I have an anaerobic metabolism (accompanied by a picture of someone reaching for chips from under sedimented layers of comfy blankets).

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Green Fuse Burning is a stunning book! Emotionally challenging but rewarding. #BogWitchReads #HorrorReads #TBR

Features the cover and title of Tiffany Morris's novella, "Green Fuse Burning. " At the bottom is a quote from the book: "She was being watched, not just by this bird - she felt many eyes on her at once. The corvid's left eye was milky-white, a pearl that gazed at nothing. A hush rolled over the trees, the forest stunned into silence by the creature's presence."

Features the cover and title of Tiffany Morris's novella, "Green Fuse Burning. " Bottom includes a brief review from the poster: "For me, it was a lush and deeply emotional read, even as someone who cannot connect with every aspect of Rita's experience. It left me warm and hopeful, a testament to horror's power of catharsis and healing."

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

I'm setting the goal! I want to read 10 books next month, the shortest month of the year, and I'm going to share as much as I can on social media to keep myself accountable. These books have been on my reading list for ages and it is finally time to tackle them. #BogWitchReads #ReadingGoals

A dark, glitchy figure is emerging from a bog. Text reads, "Emerging from my bog (writing cave) to devour as many books as I can. February 2026. #BogWitchReads"

Four book covers sit on a background of a glitchy bog: Absolution by Jeff Vandermeer; The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister; Green Fuse Burning by Tiffany Morris; and Motheater by Linda H. Codega. #BogWitchReads

Four book covers sit on a background of a glitchy bog: Bad Cree by Jessica Johns; The Devourers by Indra Das; Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang; and Passing Through a Prairie Country by Dennis E. Staples. #BogWitchReads

Two book covers sit on a background of a glitchy bog: The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike; and Lovers' Leap by Rikki Goodwin. Below, text reads, "Devour them with me, if you dare. (A.K.A. Help keep me accountable! Posting flash reviews for each title).. #BogWitchReads"

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I had such a great time tonight talking with @mcmanlypants.bsky.social and @joncarrollthomas.bsky.social about queer horror! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and asked great questions, and to Durham Public Library for hosting!

The event poster features the the title, "Rainbow in the Dark," in a rainbow blackletter gothic font. Below, three hooded cultists in brightly-colored robes are connected by a shared rainbow spearing through their heads. The whole image has a texture and color filter like a 1980s pulp paperback book cover.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

LOOK WHAT’S ON THE LOCUS LIST!!! Congrats to dave, who put together a fantastic collection (thank you). @neonhemlock.bsky.social

A screenshot of the anthology section. Of the Locus award finalists. The Crawling Moon anthology from Neon Hemlock Press, edited by dave ring, is circled in red

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Y'all, my HWA mentor, Richard Dansky, is sacrificing his sanity this Saturday for a good cause! He's joining Jon Myers for a charity watch-along of Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter with all proceeds going to Trans Lifeline. Consider watching/donating!!! tiltify.com/@morbin4good...

Illustration of Richard Dansky, Jon Myers, and a secret guest star watching a movie out of frame. Each person is covering either their eyes, ears, or mouth. Overhead, in trans flag colors, is the title "Morbin' 4 Good!!!"

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

My Skull & Laurel contributor copy is here!!!! @mxmorgan.com ‘s glorious cover looks wonderful. Can’t wait to dig in! @tenebrouspress.bsky.social

The Skull and Laurel issue 3 in glorious color! The eerie deer on the cover peeks out from the shadows of fern fronds.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

New story out soon! You'll be able to read "This Flesh'll Run Free" in The Skull & Laurel Issue 3, out April 15! It's about factory farms and labor under capitalism. But also, it's about the thing that lives in the barn and can chew through steel... store.tenebrouspress.com/collections/...

Graphic features the cover of The Skull and Laurel Issue 3, an eldritch deer's red-eyed head rising out of dark water. Text features journal copy and announces that issue 3 releases on April 15.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Reminder that I'll be joining some other wonderful North Carolina authors to read one of my horror stories, this coming Saturday at Larema Coffee House for Noir at the Bar!

Event graphic describes Noir at the Bar on March 15, starting at 7:00pm. The location is Larema Coffee House, 109 Tarboro Street, Wilson, NC. Readers include: Mur Lafferty, Jes Malitoris, Katy Munger, Mikah Meyers, Richard Dansky, Loup Gajigianis, Isaac Hughs Green, and Ashley-Ruth Bernier.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Caught a similar bird sunning myself today and they just look so goofy!

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 04/08/2024

For the first time ever I got to take photos with a book that I’m in! THE CRAWLING MOON is so, so gorgeous and I can’t wait to read the other authors pieces!!! Mine is “The House of Coiled Earth.” LOOK AT THE DESIGN! LOOK AT THIS ILLUSTRATION!

The Crawling Moon is held open to page 113, the first page of the author’s story “The House of Coiled Earth.” The facing page is printed with a greyscale gothic floral print, and above the title is an illustration of the story’s main character, by artist Matthew Spencer.

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 30/03/2024

I LOVE IT when book mail comes with swag!

The winter 2024 issue of Ghoulish Tales, surrounded by an assortment of Ghoulish stickers and bookmarks

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 21/03/2024

Just wanted to shout out @mxmorgan.bsky.social for their beautiful and incredible art. I have these two prints in a collage framed over my desk and they’re so special to me, they always pick me up when I look at them.

Two prints in a frame, both using the blue, pink, and white of the trans pride flag. One features a snarling hyena and the caption “biology was never binary” and the other features a striped snake nestled amongst roses, in the midst of shedding its skin, with the caption “remake yourself.”

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Jes Malitoris @jeswrites.bsky.social · 26/02/2024

I weirdly really enjoy din g unnecessarily complex calligraphy of my story titles

And unnecessarily complicated gothic font, hand drawn in pen and marker, which reads “Our Lady of Uncorrupted Flesh”

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