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Duke

@jgduke.bsky.social
937 followers 485 following 1.4K posts

Literary musings. Black Lives Matter. All cops are bastards. Free Palestine. Trans rights are human rights. AI is a scam.

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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 9h
#Octember Love this question!! I'm giving it to Ty, Rim, and probably Cal. It would be Rim's idea, they'd make Cal be legs (he's a big boy, no one could carry him!), and while Rim has the charm, he'd want to be the arms to cause the most mischief. Poor Ty is just there, hating his life choices.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 9h
#LitHodgePodge #WritingCommunity Dokiro, and all Bash really, would THRIVE in GoT. Epic fantasy gonna do its thing. But for a funner answer, the Purnma would love all things reality TV. The DRAMA would be right up their alley!
static.klipy.com
Soraya Montenegro: Drama in Spanish Meme
Alt: Gif is of Soraya Montenegro acting in an over the top dramatic way. Text reads "Is dramatic in Spanish."
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 9h
#OctoberWorldBuilders 2- The Imiku Desert is so named bc of the Miku tribe that makes their home there. They have Alia's Gift of Sight- their eyes can handle the sun, and they can see great distances w/out mirages. There are about 5 major clans of Miku, and a scattering of smaller families.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 20h
For the epic fantasy books, I'd say Dokiro would be THRILLED to work for a Dost, which is basically a siren/mermaid type thing. For the ABO stories, I think any/every one of them would happily work under* a (sexy) vampire. *Or over. Bow chica wowow #Octember #WritingCommunity
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#LitHodgePodge #WritingCommunity Hi! I'm Duke. I write epic fantasy. I think these responses are true for both my reading and writing habits. Except for tears/laughs- I write a lot of trauma into my books, but I'd rather laugh while reading- and computer/paper- I'd rather hold a book than a screen.
Picture is two lists of words separated into a "literary this or that" side.

Paperback | Hardcover
Series | Standalone
Tears | Laughs
Coffee | Tea
Hero | Villain
Character driven | Plot driven
Computer | Pen & Paper
Sweet | Salty
Silence | Soundtrack
Bookmark | Dog-ear
Plotter | Pantster
Lush | Minimalist
Vomit draft | Slow craft
Morning | Midnight

One word from each choice is highlighted in purple for which I chose.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#OctoberWorldBuilders 1- deserts The Imiku Desert rests in the western half of Ilimak. (it's about the size of the Mojave Desert, for comparison.) It's mostly sandy and beautiful and sweeping, with 3 major oasises inside. The western most part is called "The Wastes"- empty, cracked, scorched, dead.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Happy spooky season, #OctoberWorldBuilders! This month I'll probably be jumping between Bash (the most common MCs of the series) and Tchao (my secret favorite of the 15 peoples) from my epic fantasy decalogy, #AStoryOfDainu.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their stories. The picture is of a forest with yellow and orange leaves, obviously in autumn glory, and the prompts are highlighted in yellow. The associated hashtag is October World Builders, or #OctoberWorldBuilders. The prompts are hosted by Kira of the Wind, or @KiraOfTheWind.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Good luck today, friends! Remember, to uplift authors if you're NOT an agent or editor, you must quote-post. Do not like or repost unless you're an agent or editor.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 30- wrap up I had a wonderfully productive and super fun month with these stories! Each has at least 10k words now, and I am in love with every one of these characters! This has been a fabulous way to reset from epic fantasy, and I'm excited to see if I finish them. 🥰📚
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 29- Every MC in these stories is different. Foxes: Micah is VERY extroverted, while Nahum is pretty shy. Isaiah is apathetic towards anything that's not Amos, while Amos feels everything! Many Waters: Daniel is more extroverted than Malachi, but both are social butterflies.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I added over 3k to one story today! 💪 I am having such a blast writing these. It's been a great distraction from the epic fantasy decalogy. The stakes are so much lower, it's really allowed for some fun exploration of ideas. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #IndieAuthor #Omegaverse #Stories
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 28- thoughts on DNFing I will always finish once I start a classic, or a new book that is insanely popular, so that I can at least be in the know. (And be fully justified to judge! Lol) Otherwise, if I just can't do it, there's no point in forcing it.
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Reader of Banned Books @readerofbannedbook.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
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Foz Meadows @fozmeadows.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Like. I have said it before and I'll say it again: when your industry's founding pitch is "what if there was a tool with human-level intelligence that didn't have human rights," then regardless of whether the tech is actually sentient (which it isn't), nothing downstream of that will be ethical.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The politics of Martin, the dynamics of Austen, and the imagery of Miyazaki, all rolled into an entirely original literary universe with rich mythologies to uncover, new languages to learn, and an expansive world to explore. Join me as we dive into #AStoryOfDainu #EpicFantasy #IndieAuthor #Decalogy
Picture is a temporary book cover. A golden crown sits over a black background. White text reads "Long Live the Queen, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke."Picture is a temporary book cover. A small green sprout is growing from the stump of a cut-down tree. White text reads "A Tchao in Ilimak, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke."Picture is a temporary book cover. A large ship is on the open ocean. Its sails are made from wings. Black text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke."
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
“True literature can exist only where it is created, not by diligent and trustworthy functionaries, but by madmen, hermits, heretics, dreamers, rebels, and skeptics.” – Yevgeny Zamyatin #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Books #Stories #Reading #Quotes #IndieAuthor #NoAI #Literature #Create #Art
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 27- research? I've done more research for these stories than for ANY other project before. DEEP dives into anatomy, lots of geography and history of specific cities (cause they're real this time, not made up fantasy towns), and some Biblical study for all the many metaphors.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is how they get me. They don't NEED bird seed. It's September. They can easily go get seeds anywhere. But they know as soon as I open the windows that if they sing right at me, I'll be overwhelmed with humanity, and will put out more than every bird in the neighborhood could eat!
static.klipy.com
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins with a Bird
Alt: Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins with a Bird
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 25- free Friday I've been writing still, which is a great sign! Though I'm getting out of order (who writes in order???) so I've lost track of exactly how much. Been struggling hard with community in the writing world. Not getting much engagement and it's hitting hard.
static.klipy.com
Sad Monkey
Alt: Gif is of a monkey sitting alone, looking around as if for friends, but otherwise kicking its feet with a dejected look on its face.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Me with my BlueSky mutuals.
static.klipy.com
Three Amigos' Hilarious Dance
Alt: Gif is from the film The Three Amigos. Three men in matching attire are shuffling around, trading places with each other, doing some sort of dance-like routine.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#SeptemberWorldBuilders The day I realized the racist undertones of always having "white=good and black=bad", I intentionally switched it in my books. The dark, black abyss is where all life begins; from birth to creation. White is the color of death: empty, blank, stark, and horrible.
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Captain Howdy @captainhowdy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Jim Henson was born on this day in 1936.
Edward Hopper's 'Nighthawks', but the man and woman at the counter of the diner are now Fozzie and Miss Piggy. The guy with his back to us is now Bert, but Bert is being operated by Frank Oz, who is crouched down in front of the counter. The waiter/server is now Jim Henson who is looking intently at Kermit, and Kermit, who is occupying half of Jim's right arm, is looking intently at Jim. The diner is now called "JIMMYS".
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 24- facts from WIP's history A brief thread. 🧵1/4 In my iteration of the Omegaverse, Ωs showed up first in the world. They were mistaken for intersex ppl until they started successfully having babies. Ωs were a confirmed gender for about 30-40 yrs before Alphas appeared.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
There are three Kataloy who serve Light. Esh is what we'd call pan. He's here for a good time, no discrimination! Pera is hetero. 100%. Totally straight... Like spaghetti. Jina is bi. He's in love with a fem, but who doesn't like good dick now and then?? #AwesomeCharacters
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 23- Y'all, I am a degree holding grammarian. I LOVE grammar. I nerd out to grammar. I have binders full of lessons and fun facts and tips and info. Punctuation is my FAVORITE part of English grammar, and I would LOOOOVE to share comma tips with everyone. Having said that...
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 22- tbr I have a never ending tbr list. I need to finish 将进酒. I want to read a few more Vonneguts. Once I get an e-reader, all my BlueSky indie friends' books will be CONSUMED. I've actually been writing this month, so reading has taken a back burner for once.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
HAPPY AUTUMN, FRIENDS! 🍂🌻🍁🏵️ As the sky grows darker, may we become a spot of light in each other's lives, and may we find warmth in fellowship and camaraderie.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Hey #IndieAuthors and #WritingCommunity, When I hit 1k, I want to have a "draw something from my book" low-stakes #art contest. Maybe do like, 1st prize gets $50, 2nd $25, and 3-5 $15. How do I do that? Like, aside from just hyping it up everyday, are there any logistics I should know? Thanks!
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
#WriteSky #FantasyIndiesSeptember 21- power hungry much? "Power hungry" and "villains" aren't typically in my repertoire of stories. Jeremiah Preacher is definitely the closest it comes for this bunch. He is a trait supremacist, willing to hurt his son if it means advancing the family. The irony.
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Tamara S. Harker @tamarasharker.com · 20/09/2026
It's that time again! Vote on r/Fantasy for your top ten favorite self-published novels! I'd be honored if you read and enjoyed 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩 and want to include it in your votes, but personally, I'm cheering for everyone! 🥳 #redditfantasy #fantasybooks www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/co...
Orange and white text on a dark green, leafy background. There is also a Reddit icon and a vote box graphic, and a screenshot of a r/Fantasy thread that reads "Big List: r/Fantasy's Top Self-Published Novels 2026 Voting Thread".

The text reads:

"It's time to vote!

Visit Reddit/Fantasy to vote for your ten favorite self-published novels! (Don't forget to check the rules!)"
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Smooth Dunk @smoothdunk2.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
when ai leaves u behind
7 panel comic.

Panel 1:
A Red Guy with AI across his chest looks like he’s about to run away. A Yellow Guy stands next to him. Red Guy says “I’m the future, buddy. You comin’?”
Yellow Guy replies “Nah”

Panel 2: 
Red Guy is almost out of the panel. He leans in and says “Enjoy getting left behind, pal”
Yellow Guy replies “ok”

Panel 3:
Yellow Guy stands alone.

Panel 4: 
Close up on Yellow Guy, there is a quiet “huff-huff-huff” noise coming from behind him

Panel 5:
Yellow Guy turns to look behind him

Panel 6: 
Close up on Yellow Guy’s face as if from the point of view of an attacker.
Yellow Guy yells “Jesus Christ”

Panel 7:
AI Red Guy is now chasing the Yellow Guy. 
Red Guy: “Use me”
Yellow Guy “No”
Red Guy “USE ME”
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Friends, I'm looking for #advice on how to get back into ✨feeling smart✨. Twice in the last month, old friends described me as "such an intelligent person". I'm flattered!, but I wouldn't agree with that anymore. How do I get back into #LearningAsAHobby Any tried&true first steps you'd recommend?
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 20- overused words Smile is the bane of my tags' existence!! My characters smile adverbally every other line. It's a problem. 🤦
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Problematic beige gap. The story is bland and dull and written by white ppl who never left their hometown.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
If you see this, you MUST* do it! ⊹ name: Duke ⊹ height: 5'7" ⊹ star sign: Scorpio ⊹ nicknames: Didi-Dada ⊹ siblings: 4 ⊹ relationship: Long term, poly ⊹ crushing on: Fictional gay men ⊹ fav season: Spring ⊹ pets: 3 cats ⊹ fav color: Academia green ⊹ live in: Illi-noir *if you want to
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Soma @somartist.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
You can buy also prints from some of my artworks. Thanks for your support! 🫶 www.inprnt.com/gallery/soma...
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
“Good fiction’s job is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” — David Foster Wallace #fiction #books #literature #reading #booksky #writingcommunity #indieauthor #quotes #comfort #moderntimes #disturb
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Manic episodes with maladaptive day dreaming? I think you mean a great day for writing with a VERY motivated muse! #writingcommunity #writesky #indieauthor #writingmuse #AWrtitersInnerDemons #Oops #TooIntoIt
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K.C. Clyburn, Author @kccomplainsalot.blacksky.app · 18/09/2026
AHHH, BLUESKY! DON'T YOU DARE BE SOUR! CLAP FOR YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS! AND FEEL THE POWER!!! #Booksky It's BUY A BOOK FRIDAY, yes it is! The rules are simple, you see a book by myself or one Bluesky's talented artists, YOU BUY THAT BOOK! Help support us and enrich yourself! 🧵 BELOW, LET'S GO!!!
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 18- free Friday 5 of these 6 stories now have completed chapter 1s. I'm not sure if I'll ever actually write #6- it was kinda an offshoot anyway. But I'm excited! They're all coming along so well! Also, it is a rare sight indeed to catch all three of these bears together!
Picture is of a downward stairwell. On the steps are three cats, all turned towards the camera, staring.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 17 Andas has written multiple peer reviewed research articles. Micah would write an autobiography on his (love)life. Riah- a field training manual. David- law text books. Abigail- children's picture books. Japeth's journals are articulate and heartfelt #WritingCommunity
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
”It wasn’t until I started reading and found books they wouldn’t let us read in school that I discovered you could be insane and happy and have a good life without being like everybody else.” – John Waters #books #quotes #reading #bannedbooks #booksky #authors #discover
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
“You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of words on a page.” –Annie Proulx #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Books #Stories #Words #Creation #Reading #Quotes #IndieAuthor
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
"Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self." - Franz Kafka #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Books #Stories #Reading #Quotes #IndieAuthor
static.klipy.com
Spirited Away: Chihiro Enters the Grand Hall
Alt: Gif is from the animation film Spirited Away. Chihiro Enters the Grand Hall-- a little girl is scared and nervous and as a seemingly never ending hall of doors magically all open in front of her.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 16- autumn They say summer is for lovers- but a humid, sticky, smelly romance that requires an ocean to wash the sweat away isn't the love I seek. Give me layers and snuggle-cold mornings. Give me colors in the trees around us and hugs like sweaters. Give me an autumn love.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 15- how would my characters describe me? Oh wow. That's some 4th wall breakage. From "Foxes"-- Micah: "Oh, I think I met them once. β, right?" Riah: "Duke's an author. No threat assessed." Isaiah: "Who?" Amos: "They seem really nice!" Habbi: "Well, I've heard some things..."
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You. Me. Us. Eumaeus @umeuseumaeus.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of turtles
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 14- lessons I don't usually write with the intention of learning morals along the way, but I'd probably say: fanatics will try to ruin things, but if it's good, ya gotta keep pushing on. Also, fate isn't real, but compatibility is. Lifestyle, hopes, priorities- these matter.
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Duke @jgduke.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
#FantasyIndiesSeptember 13- organized? Me: things can get disheveled, but Sundays are for tidying up. The most organized in these stories is def Andas. He genuinely believes his research will change the world, so is meticulous. Least is probably Daniel, a himbo α, or Japeth, a single dad Ω.
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Abdul El-Sayed @abdulelsayed.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
We're being told that if we sacrifice the rights of some people, then the rest of us get to keep our rights. We all know that's some BS.
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