iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Joe Chianakas

SNHU Online MFA @snhumfa.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Join us tonight for what is sure to be a fun discussion!

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Peoria and central IL book friends!!! Join us at the Peoria Civic Center on Sept 26 from 10-5 for a 90+ author event!

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

For info and tickets: booknookevents.com #booksky

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Ooh check out my fun @bookshop.org list! Bookshop gives back to your local indie bookseller ❤️ It’s the anti-Amazon way to buy books online! #booksky #authorlife #currentlyreading

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Michelle @michelleroy78.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Here's that 5k you were promised...

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Jennifer L. Gadd @jenniferlgadd.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I'm not a major intellectual snob, but if I'm completely honest, I can admit to being a teeny little bit of one. Just a smidge. Infinitesimally so. I guess this is only one of the reasons, but it is a reason. 🤓😆

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I love talking about books on the radio! 📚🎙️ Book lovers, mark your calendars for September 26! Between the Lines will bring together more than 90 authors and vendors for a day of books, creativity, conversation, and community right at the Peoria Civic Center. #booksky #peoria #author

Joe Chianakas, Cheryl Langley, and Phil Luciano take a picture at WMBD radio

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Beyonce MGK Gaga Doja Cat The Pretty Reckless Dua Lipa Madonna Scissor Sisters Shania Janet So very gay but with a splash of rock and pop punk

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

23 years ago, Adam Bockler was my teenage martial-arts student. Today, he’s Sensei Adam—and he wrote a beautiful article about Pride and Persistence just as the book turns two. ❤️ Next up: Fearless and Fabulous, expected March 2027. Thank you, Adam! #lgbtqbooks #yabooks

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

This one means a lot ❤️ I met Adam Bockler in 2003 when he was a teenage martial arts student. Today, he’s Sensei Adam, and he wrote a beautiful piece about Pride and Persistence, its martial arts, Aiden’s flaws, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable 💙👊 #lgbtqbooks #yabooks #martialarts

Promotional graphic on a purple background featuring a photo of author Joe Chianakas with Sensei Adam Bockler. A small image of the Pride and Persistence book cover appears above a quote that reads, “Life isn’t black and white, and this book doesn’t pretend it is.” Text below identifies the quote as Sensei Adam Bockler on Pride and Persistence.

Screenshot of Adam Bockler’s August 21, 2026 book review of Pride & Persistence by Joe Chianakas. The page features the colorful book cover photographed on a wooden surface, with the category “Karate” and the article title displayed prominently across the image.

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I spent years wishing I’d seen someone like me in the stories I loved That’s one reason I write today ❤️📚 Do you remember the first character you read who truly felt like YOU? #booksky #lgbtbooks #authorlife

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

50K words written in the fourth and final Unveiling Aiden Book! The third in the series should release spring 2027 😊 Miles to go, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! #booksky #authorlife

It’s me, Joe Chianakas, smiling while taking notes and reviewing Singlets and Secrets, book one in Unveiling Aiden. The writing tattoo on my shoulder was something I got several years ago after landing my first literary agent

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Grateful to be featured in the latest SNHU MFA newsletter ❤️ Teaching graduate writers inspires me every time. This feature feels especially meaningful now that Darkness Calls has officially WON the 2026 Imadjinn Award for Best Horror Novel! @snhumfa.bsky.social #snhu #mfa #authorlife

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

One of the highlights of my summer was nominating Adam Scachette for River City Pride’s Cassie Lucchesi Award! Adam is a librarian, an advocate, community builder, and champion for LGBTQ+ youth. Congratulations on a well-deserved honor, Adam! ❤️🏳️‍🌈 #rivercitypride #lgbtqia #peoriail

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I am in shock! Darkness Calls is named THE 2026 BEST HORROR NOVEL at the Imaginarium Convention! THANK YOU! #horrorbooks #author #booksky

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Gay romance and martial arts? Please tell me I’m not the only one who loves both🥋🏳️‍🌈❤️ I wrote a book for us #booksky #lgbtqbooks #martialarts

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Still smiling after Writers on the River! 📚And I have the cutest “author assistant” ❤️ Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared stories, and brought one of mine home. It was a great weekend! #WritersOnTheRiver #BookSky #IllinoisAuthors

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

The story I needed didn’t exist… So I wrote it. Love this moment with Mark Welp on WTVP ❤️ #lgbtqbooks #authorlife #yalit #prideallyear

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

How much of an author ends up in their main character? ❤️ 🏳️‍🌈 #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

“Authentic friendship is worth coming out for.” That was one of my favorite moments from my recent interview on WTVP’s The Mark Welp Show. Full interview in comments! #Pride #LGBTQ #WritingCommunity #BookSky #AuthorSky

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Happy Friday! My book, Darkness Calls, is in the top 100 on Amazon thrillers- right below Stephen King and Dean Koontz! How cool is that!? 🖤❤️ Grab your copy while the hardcover is on sale. Just four bucks! That’s not a typo :) #horrorbooks #horror #darkfantasy

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Hardcover horror for just 4 bucks!!! What a deal 🖤 My favorite scary story can be yours at an unbelievably low price, cheaper than my own author copies! #horrorbooks #darkfantasy #horrorcommunity

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

It’s a great day for a scary book! And how about just three bucks for a hardcover??? Darkness Calls! www.amazon.com/Darkness-Cal... #horrorbooks #horrorauthor #booksale

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

My hardcover of Darkness Calls is only $3 right now, which is WILD. Children are vanishing from a small town, but no one remembers they ever existed… except Christina. Grab it before the sale disappears just like the kids 🖤 #booksky #horrorbooks #darkfantasy

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

THREE BUCKS for a $33 gorgeous horror hardcover! Act quick- it’s a super limited time deal! www.amazon.com/Darkness-Cal... #horrorbooks #darkfantasy #horrorfan

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Finished edits on WHEN DARKNESS CRIES (the sequel to Darkness Calls!) today. Can’t wait for your thoughts, @gclaymitchell4th.bsky.social 😊 And can’t wait for my horror fans to read the wildest adventure I’ve ever written. What a journey it’s been!

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

THREE BUCKS for a $33 hardcover right now. Stock up for gifts and get one for yourself. This deal will be over any second! I can’t even get them this cheap #horror #fantasy #bookdeal

Darkness Calls book cover surrounded by fire- “some secrets should stay buried”

90% off deal selling fast, $3.44 from Amazon

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Not only is this a fun, scary read… It’s also the first time my blurb is featured on another book’s front cover! Put this on your summer TBR. It’s great! #horror #authors

Promotional graphic for Ian Sandusky’s upcoming horror novel The Devil’s Transit. The cover shows a Titanic-like ocean liner cutting through dark waves at night beneath a starry sky, with glowing yellow lights and red accents. Large white and red title text reads “The Devil’s Transit,” with the author name Ian Sandusky below. A black circle on the lower right says “July 2026.” Text beneath the book cover reads: “We’ve been told the great, unsinkable Titanic was brought down by an iceberg on April 12, 1912. But that’s not the real story. It’s worse. Much worse.”

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

It’s one thing to visit with readers. But when former students show up to say hi- who had me in the classroom 15-20+ years ago- it just makes my day!!! 😊❤️

Three awesome people stand together smiling with their arms around each other at an indoor author book event. The person in the center wears a light blue “Lake Vibes” T-shirt, while the person on the right wears a black “Bridge City Sinners” shirt. Behind them are book display tables, banners, and name signs, creating a casual literary event atmosphere.

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

This still doesn’t feel real! The Whitney Reynolds Show sent me this highlight of my interview, where we talked about books, teaching, identity, representation, and why stories matter. Link to the full interview is posted in the comments below! #lgbtreads #queerauthors #authorlife

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

PBS is now featuring my interview as its own standalone segment! This journey started in the classroom and in my books, but it has grown because of YOU Please watch and share with someone who could use a little joy and hope today ❤️ #lgbt #authors #representationmatters

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Metamorphosis Literary Agency @metamorphlitag.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Catch the inspiring, Joe Chianakas on the Whitney Reynolds Show! 📚✨ His segment is packed with surprises and starts at the 12:20 mark. Don't miss it! Watch here: www.pbs.org/video/everyd... #JoeChianakas #WhitneyReynoldsShow #AuthorLife #Inspiration

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Paul Witcover @paulwitcover.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Still can't believe sometimes that it's part of my job to interview cool writers like @courtneymilan.com! This was a fun one!

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

My first national TV interview is officially live! I'm thinking about the younger version of me who didn’t see the stories or teachers he needed. From Peoria to national TV-- this one's for all my students, readers, friends, and allies. Thank you!!! 🎥 Link in comments #lgbtauthor #lgbtbooks

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Peoria → Chicago → national TV! My episode drops next week in Chicago, then nationwide. Huge thanks to @25newsweek for helping me share the moment. Go here for the preview: www.25newsnow.com/video/2026/0... #authorlife #pride #lgbtauthor #lgbtreads

Screenshot of a verified 25News WEEK Facebook post announcing that local professor, author, and LGBTQ+ advocate Joe Chianakas is heading to national TV. The post previews his upcoming appearance on The Whitney Reynolds Show. Below the text is a TV interview image showing Chianakas seated at a news desk with a smiling anchor, with copies of his books displayed in front of them.

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Cheering on my friend and a fantastic author! Congrats on your top new release! I’ve got my copy 😊 Also a @snhumfa.bsky.social grad! ❤️ #newrelease #fantasy #authors @lindsayflanagan33.bsky.social

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Conference time! How cool to present at the Youth Outlook conference this week in Naperville, IL! Thanks for sharing this with me. I had a wonderful time attending sessions and presenting my own! #lgbt #professor #author

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

It was an honor to spend time with these amazing students at Elk Grove High! It’s always so joyful and inspiring to see a school that lifts up all students. I had a great time meeting you all. Thanks for inviting me to share my stories! #singletsandsecrets #pride #authorvisit

Seven people pose in a bright library during an author visit. Three adults stand on the left beside a chalkboard sign that reads “Welcome Author Joe Chianakas,” while four teens stand on the right holding books, including Darkness Calls. Bookshelves labeled by genre line the background, and colorful rainbow tablecloths add a celebratory feel

author Joe Chianakas poses in a library beside a large black welcome sign decorated with white stars that reads, “Welcome Author Joe Chianakas.” A rainbow-striped tablecloth and bookshelves in the background suggest a festive author event

Joe Chianakas stands beside a student in a library. The student holds a flyer advertising a Joe Chianakas author visit with colorful artwork and details about an after-school library event discussing Singlets and Secrets. The softly blurred background shows tables, chairs, and bright overhead lights

A colorful poster shows an open book in front of a rainbow. A heart cutout in the book reveals rainbow stripes, and the pages read, “Libraries are for Everyone.” The poster is mounted on a teal wall.

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

See you in Naperville! I’ll be presenting at this conference. Join us on April 16th and 17th for this and many other engaging sessions!

Ready for another preview of a confirmed session for our 2026 Future Outlook Conference?

Joe Chianakas will present "From Survival to Success: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Transitioning to College and Higher Education". College can mean freedom and vulnerability at the same time for LGBTQ+ youth. Walk away with a transition-support framework, conversation guides, and referral strategies for affirming campus resources.

Join us in Naperville on April 16th and 17th for this and many other engaging sessions! We are pleased to announce that conference attendees can earn up to 10 hours of professional credits (up to 5 hours of professional credits per each day of the conference), as CEUs, CMEs, or CPDUs. Registration is currently available at the Early Bird rate through March 31st. You only have through Tuesday to take advantage of this pricing! Prices increase by $25 after that date.

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SNHU Online MFA @snhumfa.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

For this year's Publishing Panel, Word for Word is proud to welcome two industry experts, @janefriedman.com and @laurastanfill.bsky.social! Join us on Wednesday, 3/18, at 8 PM EST as we talk with Jane and Laura about the state of publishing! Register here: events.blackthorn.io/1N1TpJJ7/5a3...

Slide for the Word for Word Publishing Panel, with photos of Jane Friedman and Laura Stanfill, and the date Wednesday, March 18, 8 pm EST

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Holy crap! Darkness Calls is a 2026 HORROR BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST All I’ve ever hoped for is that a few weird souls like my own would find the magic in the darkness. Thanks to all who’ve read this story— and thanks to Imaginarium for this honor! #horror #horrorcommunity #horrorbooks

Darkness Calls cover displayed with congratulations 2026 horror book of the year by the Imadjinn Awards

Cover of Darkness Calls, paperback displayed held by hand

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SNHU Online MFA @snhumfa.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Hot off the presses! The winners of the 11th Annual Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest read their prize-winning stories at this special Word for Word event. Check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1-P...

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Word for Word, Featuring the Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest Winners, 1/14/26

YouTube video by SNHU Academic Support

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Show rec! I don’t know how I missed Warrior (TV series on HBO). It’s 19th-century SF Chinatown politics with epic martial arts fights every step of the way. It’s rooted in a Bruce Lee concept- wait until the “Enter the Dragon” episode! Have you all seen this?! I’m already planning my rewatch!

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Joe Chianakas @joechianakas.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

I’m grateful (and stunned) to share this new award! It’s a reminder that stories can provide hope as much as entertainment. And now the audio is available thanks to @tantoraudio.bsky.social ❤️ #lgbtbooks #yalit #lgbtauthor #bookrec

Badge for International Impact Book Awards Winner

Email from International Book Award: Dear Joe,

I am delighted to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on being selected as a winner of the International Impact Book Awards™. Your dedication, creativity, and commitment to your work are deeply evident, and it is an honor to recognize this milestone in your authorship journey.

This award is a testament to the impact your story carries. Your voice, perspective, and willingness to share your work contributes meaningfully to the literary world and to the communities touched by your message. This recognition reflects the countless hours, passion, and perseverance you have invested in your craft and marks an important moment along the path you continue to build as an author.

Book covers for Singlets and Secrets and Pride and persistence now on audiobook

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