iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by KJ Aiello

University of Guelph Creative Writing MFA @uguelphcwmfa.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

We are thrilled to see @uguelphcwmfa.bsky.social student @kjaiello.bsky.social's debut memoir, The Monster and the Mirror @ecwpress shortlisted for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writers Prize for nonfiction. Congratulations, KJ! www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...

kobo.com

11th Annual Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize

Founded in 2015, the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize endeavours to raise the profile of debut Canadian authors in three categories with an annual award.

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Reposted by KJ Aiello

ecw press @ecwpress.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

The Monster and the Mirror by @kjaiello.bsky.social is a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo 2025 Emerging Writer Prize 🎉 www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Pals, it’s been a minute. I need some bookish/book industry podcast recommendations. Bonus if they have author interviews. 👇🏻

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Just reminding myself that, on this cold day in hell, I wrote something cool and dedicated it to my cats.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I’m really bad at not posting here so I’m going try harder to not neglect the non-meta. Anyways, here’s some bookshelves I built from scratch because I thought pain and agony would be cute. (It was, in fact, not cute.)

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Friday tip: if you loved a book, tell the author! Post about it! If you loved a piece of art, tell the artist! Post about it! If you loved a song or composition, tell the musician! Post about it! Trust me, as an author, I will never not want to hear from readers who loved my work.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Getting invites to cool literary events and festivals will never cease to amaze me. Like, you want ME? At your party? With, like, cool AF people? Are you sure?? HAVE YOU MET ME?!?

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

I’m so excited to be chatting with one of my favourite authors @mklobb.bsky.social over on Instagram Live on 01/20 about her upcoming YA novel, TO STEAL FROM THIEVES! Lobb is the author of SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS and DISCIPLES OF CHAOS.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

I decided to start something that has been percolating in my mind for a LONG time. I’m so excited to be chatting with these incredible authors & industry professionals in this Instagram live series! If you’re interested in chatting, email me (contact@kjaiello.ca) or DM (kjaiello_writer)

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Did someone add me to a starter pack? I woke up to like 100+ notifications 😂 Anywho, hi ya, new folks. Welcome to my chaos. You’re stuck now! 😈

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

The 2nd time I was in a psych hospital I met one of the patients who happened to be a year above me in high school. He was my lifeline to the outside world. He begged me not to tell anyone he was there. I’ve new thinking about him a lot lately. Is he ok? Did he survive? Did he make it at all?

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Tomorrow I’m going back to the little village my dad grew up in. I haven’t been there in 25 years and nor do I speak to my dad anymore. I’m a little nervous but I know it’s something I need to do. But also, I’ll be driving in the UK and … WTF did I get myself into?!? 😬

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Holy shit, CBC just named my little book as one of the best 2024 nonfiction titles. 😯 www.cbc.ca/books/the-be...

cbc.ca

The best Canadian nonfiction of 2024 | CBC Books

Here are the CBC Books picks for the top Canadian nonfiction of the year!

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Pals! I just finished my first semester of grad school! 😁🥱

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

I know it’s important to celebrate wins as an author. I get it. And I celebrate them all & am glad so many of my friends and colleagues have them. But just for a moment can we talk about the failures & hard times? Tell me about them. Help me feel less alone & all up in my own head. K, thanks.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I’ve finally started a project I’ve been wanting to do for nearly a year now: An IG Live author series where I go live with incredible, inspiring, talented, and super cool authors, for writerly chats, writing practice, their books, all the things. (1/2)

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

No matter what I do, this little guy ends up glued to my side. Not that I’m complaining really. 😉

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I’m an MFA student in an incredible (and competitive) program, and I’m so proud to be here. HOWEVER, this comes with massive downsides. I truly feel so out of my depth. I feel unintelligent, drowning, basic, all the shitty things. It’s a ride & I’m exhausted.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Going to put this out there. I find that “disability communities” (however that shapes to you) is still a concept that excludes mental illness as a sole disability. Patti for far more stigmatized MIs like bipolar & schizophrenia. 1/2

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Can confirm, Mark is awesome to work with.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

I went to the mall today… That was my first mistake.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Candid. Love this little human to the moon and back. (We were watching YouTube videos of volcanos. “Only exploding ones, Auntie!”)

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Reposted by KJ Aiello

Terese Mason Pierre @teresempierre.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Canadian writers new to Bluesky! Looking to join some starter packs to find your fellow writers and friends? 🌷 I'm making a thread here of all the ones I can find, as there are quite a few! I'll keep adding as I find more! 👇 Starting first with Canadian BIPOC Poets: go.bsky.app/Jugnv9d

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Reposted by KJ Aiello

Peter Counter, Nightmare Host @peterbcounter.com · 16/11/2024

As you search for gifts this holiday season, might I be so bold as to recommend HOW TO RESTORE A TIMELINE? It's an experimental essay collection about a Christmas cruise vacation made out of nightmares. It's great for culture lovers and true crime fans and memoir readers.

How to Restore a Timeline: On Violence and Memory by Peter Counter
The book is wrapped in Christmas lights, surrounded by souvenirs: two Carnival Cruise key cards, a Linkin Park CD, a ticket to a karate demonstration, a Final Fantasy VIII playing card, and three spend bullet casings.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

My Toronto (and southern Ontario) pals! I’m super jazzed to be celebrating the launch of Adelle’s debut memoir, I DON’T DO DISABILITY: AND OTHER LIES I’VE TOLD MYSELF, with these other incredible writers. (Moderated by Antonia Reed of CBC; last minute change!) If u can come, it’s sure to be fun!

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

I see there is not edit fiction. Well, isn’t that just the cat’s pyjamas. 🫠

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

So, I wrote a book. It’s was cool. Some like it. Some don’t. That’s also cool cuz I’m proud of myself. Anywho, if u fancy a weirdo like me rambling about fantasy & books & TTRPGs & video games & films & TV & mental illness, well, u might like my book 😉 ecwpress.com/products/the...

ecwpress.com

The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell

A unique blend of memoir, research, and cultural criticism, this is a searing and incisive examination into how we tell stories about mental illness, how that affects how we treat it, and how those wi...

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Also, I have to write a 3-4K word paper on “form, function, representation, process, or practice” for my plenary class and listen y’all, I wrote nearly a whole freaking book on this BUT ASK ME IF I CAN DO IT NOW… no… no I cannot. Why is this so hard 😭

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Feeling like trash and trying to make sense of the world. This helps. And hot chocolate.

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Reposted by KJ Aiello

Jeff Miller @theghostpine.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

As folks are starting to move over here, I made a starter pack of writers of fiction and CNF in "Canada." Let's get the party started! Please share and let me know if you'd like to be added. Fun! go.bsky.app/8VVZv4i

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

So, for my screenwriting class, I’m writing an entire freaking movie in like 3 weeks and I honestly do feel like I’m driving a car down the autobahn at like 200kms/hr with no steering wheel or seat belt and I have no clue what I’m doing and I’m not sure words are making sense anymore. Pray for me.

media.tenor.com

a woman is driving a car with a man in the back seat and says `` you 're going the wrong way ''

ALT: a woman is driving a car with a man in the back seat and says `` you 're going the wrong way ''

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 20/10/2024

Well my little gumdrops, made it to 50 ratings! Listen, I know it’s not a lot, but man oh man, I’m tickled.

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KJ Aiello @kjaiello.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

Heard there was a party happening over here. Am I doing this right? I’m KJ. I wrote a book. Some people like it, some don’t. I play video games, read too much romantasy, and detest leaving my house. I also once accosted the mayor of Toronto. M’kay, that’s me.

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