iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 1 -- from Evlin's first visit to Monah's home. Wasn't sure I had this word, and I think I'll need to edit. They have cousins in Piatra, but she was looking for the English equivalent of the Romanian word. 😆🫠 #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

“We? Are you a witch?” Now, I moved closer to her, reaching for her arms much as she’d taken mine earlier, though she was now awkwardly turned away from me to keep her attention on Joni.
“I am; my mother’s lineage also comes from the Grey, and I gather my power from them. My father is of a different lineage; one that aligns with your father. In a way, as among the peoples here, you might call them ‘cousins.’”
“What is this different lineage, Evlin? Why are you being so secretive about this?”

0203

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

It’s World Mental Health Day and this year the theme is all about sharing lived experiences and being heard. 🌍🗣️ You never know the difference you might make to someone’s day. Every conversation matters. ❤️ #worldmentalhealthday #talking #listening #howareyou

110054

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

How did Jane Eyre, the novel that inspired the Texas Bronte Club to form in 1855, get banned in 2026? A new Texas law — SB 13 law — inspired some school disctricts to place restrictions on anything written for adults, including classics: pen.org/jane-eyre-banned-in-texas #BannedBooksWeek

This image is a promotional poster for Banned Books Week 2026. It features a partially blurred portrait of Charlotte Brontë alongside the cover of "Jane Eyre." The text discusses how certain Texas districts have restricted books written for adults, highlighting "Jane Eyre" as an example. A quote from Suzanne Trimel, Senior Advisor at PEN America, is included, advocating for young readers having access to advanced literature.

29328129

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

Banned Books Week @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

LET BOOKS BE ACCESSIBLE! Attempts to limit access for the intended audience are acts of censorship. Let's take a look at the harmful myths and misinformation censors use to justify their actions. And find ways to push back! #BannedBooksWeek #LetBooksBe

13622206

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

This #BannedBooksWeek, we're also celebrating National Voter Education Week! Voters count on America’s Libraries to prepare for elections and get #ReaderVoterReady. Learn more and find resources for your library: ala.org/readervoterready

America's Libraries help you cast your ballot with confidence! 1: Register to vote. 2: Get to know your ballot. 3: Make a plan to vote. 4: Understand the process. 5: Share with friends and family. NationalVoterEducationWeek.org. Reader Voter Ready, ALA American Library Association. National Voter Education Week.

23971433

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

"Hop-Frog" is one of my go-to Poe short stories. I'm also fond of "The Raven" and much of his poetry. poestories.com/read/hop-frog 📷 Poetry Foundation (link in alt)

poestories.com

Hop-Frog by Edgar Allan Poe

The complete, unabridged text of Hop-Frog by Edgar Allan Poe, with vocabulary words and definitions.

020

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Alongside Banned Books Week, this week marks the anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's death (Oct. 7, 1849). Romantic, Gothic, & mysterious, Poe gave us so much of what we still appreciate from the dark and macabre today. What's your favorite piece from Poe? #EdgarAllanPoe #writingcommunity #writesky

Portrait of Edgar Allan Poe
Photo credit: Poetry Foundation
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/edgar-allan-poe

130

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

Sage @sagepub.com · 07/10/2026

During #BannedBooksWeek, we're highlighting a hub of free research on academic freedom, intellectual freedom, censorship, and access to information. 📚 Read the collection: ow.ly/tzik50ZViEl

Read the research collection. Banned books and academic freedom

041

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Go subscribe to @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social on YouTube to catch up and keep up with updates, especially the Banned Books from the Big Chair playlists!! 💖📚 #BannedBooksWeek #LetBooksBe

040

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Happy 150th to the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social 🥳 I'm grateful that you've created this list, but full of so much anger that it exists at all. 💖📚 #BannedBooksWeek #LetBooksBe #ALA

160

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

Banned Books Week @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

LET BOOKS BE WRITTEN! Book bans harm readers, authors, and the institutions we hold dear. How can you ensure books are written? Arm yourself with the data, and take action! Protect the freedom to read! #BannedBooksWeek #LetBooksBe

17733

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

In all, PEN found 11,982 cases of bans, affecting 7,370 individual works. Over 4,500 were on the list for the first time, ranging from the 19th century classic “Jane Eyre” to Sui Ishida’s “Tokyo Ghoul” manga series. apnews.com/article/book... #BannedBooks #BannedBooksWeek

apnews.com

PEN America: Nearly 12,000 school book bans in a year, a record high

A new study from PEN America reveals that there were nearly 12,000 book bans in public schools over the past year, the highest since tracking began five years ago.

04436

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

Banned Books Week @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It's finally here! Are you ready to join us in kicking off #BannedBooksWeek?! This year's event is too big for just one piece of art, so we have THREE! #LetBooksBe bannedbooksweek.org

4919621030

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

When intentionally bad writing becomes a best-selling novel 😆 | Any "true excellence in writing will be quickly blue-penciled into oblivion..." After Valley of the Dolls bored him, McGrady figured he'd do it better. #writesky #writingcommunity #melirecommends allthatsinteresting.com/naked-came-t...

allthatsinteresting.com

How A Bored Reporter Thought Up One Of The Greatest Literary Hoaxes Of All Time

'Naked Came the Stranger' was one of the first and best selling erotic novels. And it was a complete hoax.

010

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Are you looking for a thoughtful, professional manuscript evaluation that covers everything from grammar to plot holes to minor formatting issues? Let's connect! My goal is helping you tell the story you want to tell to the best of your ability. #writesky #writingcommunity #fiction #amediting

Image of an open book in a grassy field with the caption: Beta Reading, Copy Editing, Proofreading: MeliSwenk Editing

071

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 1 -- using "guardsman" -- The Ancients have an army of guardsmen who work magic for and protect them. They have been working with Invelisians to help rebuild after the last war. Radomir is the angry recruit here. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

Josef’s calm shattered unexpectedly when one of his hardest workers threw his shovel to the ground and turned on a guardsman who was chanting near him.
“Would you just get off my back, man?”
Josef recognized the angry young man as one of their newest recruits, and despite his hard work, he had been giving them the most trouble.
An ancient guardsman halted his focus and slowly turned his head toward the agitated recruit. “I said nothing to you, young man.”

0215

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." — Albert Einstein #writesky #writingcommunity #motivation #inspiration

050

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Thank you! Nanette's scenes are fun to write because it's always high/heavy emotion on a hair trigger.

001

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

"That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong." — F. Scott Fitzgerald #writesky #writingcommunity #motivation #inspiration

062

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

"We all have our time machines, don't we. Those that take us back are memories ... And those that carry us forward, are dreams." — H.G. Wells #writesky #writingcommunity #motivation #inspiration

030

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#WIPSnips Going for vibes today from Survival Instinct -- Kenneth Andrews has a meddling mother, and Nanette remembers her with hatred, understandably. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

“Nan, listen, talk to the girl. And I don’t mean in your sing-song 1950s homemaker way, either. Clean yourself up, stop crying, and just call the girl.”
Nanette could see him now, sleek, shiny, smoking a cigarette outside of his office because Kenneth Andrews didn’t give a shit what other people thought. He never did, except when his bitch of a mother told him to kick her to the curb—and he did just that. Sending Paulina with her because his mother didn’t want anything to do with the trash he’d picked up and kept for a handful of years. Paulie meant nothing to that cold woman, and he didn’t even care.

2291

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

Pop Crave @popcrave.com · 23/09/2026

Today is Celebrate Bisexuality Day.

111087464

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

An interesting read. | "There was formerly a capacity for light-heartedness and play which has been to some extent inhibited by the cult of efficiency." 📷 Cambridge Past, Present & Future (link in alt) #bertrandrussell #idleness #harpers #melirecommends harpers.org/archive/1932...

Portrait of 20th century philosopher Bertrand Russell
Photo via Cambridge: Past, Present & Future
https://cambridgeppf.org/bertrand-russell/

020

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 2 -- Khoda and Seyde being Khoda and Seyde on their hunt for Basalt. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

Khoda stopped in front of a rug vendor and leaned down to stop Criseyde on the spot. “You must be dreaming. If anyone cared about Faldor, besides Faldor, at the level that Faldor cares about himself, they would have appeared when he was locked up. I am telling you, again, Seyde, coming after Basalt like this is wasted effort.”
Now Criseyde crossed her arms. “Then why did you come along? If you feel it’s wasted…”
“Because I know how you can be, Seyde, when you get like this.” Khoda extended his hand, open palm, flat to the air, pointing all four of his fingers in her direction, and moved it up and down, as if revealing her entire form to some captive audience. “You need backup, always, and inevitably, it ends up being me.”

0202

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday or checked out my Ko-fi yesterday! It's much appreciated, and I had a great day. 💖

111

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Thank you!! And that sounds like a fun game!! 😁

110

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Thank you!! And that is perfect; this community is awesome 💖

110

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Today's my birthday! 🥳 And it's got me thinking about WIPs and milestones even more than normal. ✍️ It's been rough recently, and I could use your help. Share what keeps you motivated, inspired here or over a cup of coffee ☕💖 #writingcommunity #happybirthday #kofiupdate ko-fi.com/meliswenk

ko-fi.com

Buy MeliSwenk a Coffee

Become a supporter of MeliSwenk today!

232

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 1 -- using "distracted" -- Sonja and Wilem are telling Monah what Madeline and Evlin think of her display of anger at Tritt with a bit of psychic eavesdropping. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

“Madeline is telling Arliss and Josef that her brother gets what he deserves.” Sonja spoke quietly, moving four or five steps ahead of where Wilem and I stood, still connected. “But she, too, is surprised at your display of anger. You seemed so quiet, unsure until then.”
“I was unsure,” I confessed, “until Tritt told me what Faldor is telling people, my citizens, about me. He is lying about half of my lineage to secure a seat of power he wants to abuse.” My gaze held Sonja still, distracted her from her eavesdropping. “I don’t want to abuse my power, but I don’t want to be seen as soft.”
“Oh,” Sonja chuckled dryly, from the center of her chest, “after that, no one who was in that house sees you as soft.”

0256

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

𝕯𝖆𝖓🍂🎃🕸️ @arepublic86.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Charlotte Wainwright restoring and saving old/ancient books. www.wainwrightbookbinding.com

524191205441

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

House Democrats @housedemocrats.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Today, our nation remembers the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and honors the survivors, first responders and families whose lives were forever changed. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

610433

Reposted by MeliSwenk Editing

Hook & Quill Press @hookandquillpress.com · 08/09/2026

We're looking for #ARCreaders for @woodenvelt.bsky.social 's Thief of Death! A fun romantasy following a priest of the dead and a thief with a heart of gold, with rich worldbuilding and a delightful cast of characters. Sign up here! forms.gle/rY9zMRSo1uNN... #writingcommunity #booksky

a background of skulls and bones, overlaid with the text Hook & Quill Press is looking for ARC readers for Thief of Death

02411

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#WIPSnips from Survival Instinct -- "rig" instantly made me think of our friend Jim, but I'm going for vibes with "constructed." #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

The first set of walls Jim had constructed was flimsy, almost like the temporary walls he’d built during his theatre days in college. He was expecting the girl, Julie, to be much more compliant. He met her at a coffee shop just a couple blocks from his house, right after he’d come back to take over the family homestead. He was thankful that they’d moved into town after he started college.

0223

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I do love Ankara so much. Her character has surprised me a lot in the first book and these early chapters of the second book. I'm leaning into a trilogy just for her, too ❤️

010

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

😆 That is very much the vibe! And while I hadn't intended bloody kisses, it's amazing that you imagined them. Ankara is remembering celebrations hosted by her vampire colony after all, so it makes sense.

000

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 2 -- using "sighed" -- Ankara thinking of home as she walks through Piatra and watches citizens set up for their annual celebrations. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

Ankara shrugged and sighed, suddenly taken by the men testing the tall wooden poles they placed for axe throwing. Nostalgia washed over her, and she smiled at the memories of watching duels and sword fighting back in Taşlar. Women passing favors to the “knights” scheduled to fight in their large arena. The winner drenched in as much blood as he could drink and given as many kisses as he could bear from the woman who gave him her handmade handkerchief. If they weren’t already, they would be married in less than a year. She hugged herself, missing home, and continued to walk through the center of town, heading away from the crowd. This was suddenly the last place she wanted to be.

3306

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Thank you! That's exactly what I was going for. It's all happening and it's all happening very quickly.

020

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 2 -- using "collapsed" -- Ankara is watching Invelisians set up for their annual celebrations and witnesses the Sons of Faldor's first strike against their own kingdom. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

1204

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 1 -- using "chipped" -- Monah goes home after Bette passes to determine what to do next and runs into "the network." (Pretty sure I've already shared both uses of "chip" from Bk. 1, so I went with my favorite.) #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

Once I got to the house, something felt weird. Worse, it felt like someone was there. My feeling was confirmed when I approached the front door and saw it standing open an inch from the frame. Before going through the large wooden door, I peeked in through the pane of glass in the top half of it. There was no immediate movement, so I took a step back from the door and circled the house on the wrap-around porch. New patches of chipped paint glared as I passed. Last fall had been particularly nasty in terms of rain. Even though I owned it now, it still didn’t feel like something I would have to take care of. Mom had a network of people she called on—the red book. Her version of the Yellow Pages. It’s currently tucked in the top drawer of the dresser in my bedroom. A small, leather-bound book with sewn-in pages. She’d had it as long as I could remember and had always referred to it when we needed something done with the house—from plumbing to painting.

2181

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#WIPSnips from Monah Bk. 1 -- using "caress" -- At Doliu's hut, Monah confronted Tritt about his loyalty to Faldor, and her teeth appeared naturally for the first time. Everyone came to see the ruckus. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

Evlin’s shock shook me out of my stalking and grounded me so quickly that I landed in the nearest chair.
“Why did you stop her? She needs to know!” Sonja came to my side, taking my shoulder and the arm of the chair in her hands, looking me up and down. “You damn near ate him, didn’t ya?”
Her whispered tones, filled with awe and pure joy, turned my face to hers. “Yep.”
“Did it hurt?”
Her fingers caressing my right cheek soothed in a way I couldn’t articulate. “Yep.” I saw her nod from the corner of my vision.
“They don’t pop like that when you drink from the goblet. I still hurt when I feed, out on the line.”
“Battle line?” Only small words and phrases could move from behind my teeth, where a kind of stiffness had settled.
“Uh-huh,” she confirmed, “you’ll need to feed soon, before lockjaw sets in.”
My hands cupped my jaw and started to rub.
Sonja shook her head. “Nope, that won’t help.”

1244

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Rest peacefully, Tim 🖤 You've left us far too early, and you'll never be forgotten. Thank you for all the art, love, and light you shared while you were here. #timcurry variety.com/2026/film/ob...

variety.com

Tim Curry, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Star, Dies at 80

Tim Curry, who soared to fame in the ‘70s as the flamboyant star of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 80.

040

MeliSwenk Editing @lousytshirt.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

#WIPSnips from Survival Instinct -- Stella & Gregory are at Rae's dorm room to investigate, and the door is locked. It's early in the morning. They were bound to get someone's attention. #writesky #writingcommunity #queerwriters #writingprompts

“Hey, people gotta…” A girl’s head appeared in the doorway, and she paled. “Something wrong?”
Stella flashed her badge as he knocked one last time. “I’m Detective Stella Holden, and this is my partner Detective Steven Gregory. Is there someone we can call to get into this room?” Stella repeated her mantra to herself: Don’t get too many outsiders involved, and only give them the information they need. Giving people information they didn’t need often led to panic and chaos. When an officer is calm, clear, and direct, people will often comply basically due to shock. Having the police around is unsettling; it stirs fear, and people don’t respond well. Either they block or they help, and there usually isn’t a middle ground.

1253