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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Apparently today is #unhingedpit and I'm coming a little late to the game, but I had fun making these. I've got character theme songs, an AITA pitch, and the comps I *wish* I could use while querying 😅 (and for those who want a whole metalhead romantasy playlist, I got you) #a #q #f #romantasy

Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest: low-magic (but still magic), slow-burn pacing, shy FMC.
Elizabeth Bear, Range of Ghosts: steppe nomads, court intrigue, complicated family legacies.
Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Dart: complex politics & worldbuilding, bisexual rep, contemplative tone, sexually liberated culture

AITA? Ok so my fiance was being a dick, and we are really only together because of politics (and because, I mean, he is super hot and I happen to know he's good in bed, but that was also like, 10 years ago and we haven't spoken since until he proposed out of nowhere, but now he's also being absurdly standoffish). Anyway, so he left to go have it out with his douchebag younger brother. And in the meantime, his children's caretaker, who I'm really good friends with, is also super hot. And I think I might be into him. And he's definitely into me. But that would kind of destroy the khanate. Anyway, am I the asshole?

Character Theme songs!
The khan: Ghost, "Hunter's Moon"
The chemist: Delain, "Moth to a Flame"
The caretaker: Sleep Token, "Take Me Back to Eden"

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

As the daughter of the wealthiest khan in the north, Aylin knew she could never be a real apothecary. She earned her degree anyway. Now she’s a licensed chemist, engaged to a widowed khan...and in love with his children’s caretaker. Steeped in Turkic Mythology and folklore. #QuestPit #Q #A #F #RF

Slide 1 depicts a red-headed man and a dark haired woman about to kiss, with a gold border and purple roses around them.

Text reads: QuestPit. The Night Chemist. Now querying 109k adult romantasy by Melissa Ivanco-Murray.

The Hook.

As the daughter of a khan, Aylin knew she could never be a real apothecary, but she earned her degree anyway. Now she’s a licensed chemist engaged to the widowed ruler of a powerful allied khanate, who happens to be her childhood sweetheart...and she just might be in love with his children’s caretaker.

The Comps

1) A Fate inked in Blood by Danielle Jensen: speculative history vibes & hidden divine powers.
2) Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry: slow-burn romance & altar diplomacy
3) Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross: contemplative tone, pacing, & childhood crushes

The Blurb.

One title she was born with; the other, she earned. But she can’t keep both.

As the daughter of the wealthiest khan in the north, Aylin knew she could never be a real apothecary, but she earned her degree anyway. Now a licensed chemist, she plies her trade at her father’s court, brewing medicines for those who can’t afford them. Then the childhood sweetheart who ignored her for a decade barges back into her life. A widowed khan with a half-brother intent on stealing his crown, Ender needs her father’s support if he wants to pay his troops. Aylin agrees to the engagement in hopes the boy she knew survived inside the man he became, but she can’t shake the suspicion that Ender’s sweet promises mask a bitter poison.

To keep herself busy at her new home, Aylin tutors Ender’s three young sons while befriending their caretaker, a mysterious former cavalry medic named Kian. When a rebellion at the border calls Ender away, delaying the wedding indefinitely, her friendship with Kian deepens into a romance that forces her to confront what she really wants. If she escapes with Kian, she could live a quiet life as an apothecary, but that would mean abandoning more than just her political responsibilities; she would have to leave behind the children she has come to love. Torn between desire and duty, Aylin only has until Ender’s return to decide not just which man she wants to be with, but which title she wants to keep: chemist or behi.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

One title she was born with; the other, she earned. But she can't keep both. 🌙 Turkic mythology 🌙 Slow-burn love triangle 🌙 Heroine in STEM 🌙 Political intrigue 🌙 Agent interest! A Fate Inked in Blood ✖️ Wild Reverence ✖️ Shield of Sparrow #PosterPit #Q #A #F #R

A movie poster for THE NIGHT CHEMIST, depicting the silhouette of a man and woman embracing against a night sky. Text reads: A Fate Inked in Blood x Wild Reverence x Shield of Sparrows. As the daughter of a khan, Aylin knew she could never be a real apothecary. She earned her degree anyway. Now she’s a licensed chemist, engaged to marry her childhood sweetheart...and in love with his children’s caretaker. Turkic mythology, second chance romance, widowed single dad, speculative history, heroine in STEM, altar diplomacy, love triangle, morally gray. Now querying 109k adult romantasy based on the book by Melissa Ivanco-Murray.

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Robin🏳️‍🌈Querying Adult Urban Fantasy Comedy @robindoth.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

SILENCE OF THE LAMBS x SUPERBAD 😆My mom says it's funny 🤓Adorable FMC 👻Ghosts and Reverse-Exorcisms 😱Thriller 🧐Twisty mystery. A Twystery 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found Family 🏳️‍🌈#LGBTQ+ rep The FBI's Reverse-Exorcist must stop serial killer Plaid the Impaler before he catches his next victim: HER. #Posterpit #CO #F #T #Q

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

A movie poster for THE NIGHT CHEMIST, depicting a woman with dark hair and amber eyes standing between two men. Text reads: One title she was given; the other one she earned. When the daughter of the khan must wed her former lover to preserve the tenuous peace, she accepts her duty until a battle for succession and an unforeseen romance force her to reconcile who she was born to be with who she wants to become. Turkic mythology, second chance romance, widowed single dad, speculative history, heroine in STEM, altar diplomacy, he’s the nanny, love triangle. Now querying 109k adult romantasy based on the book by Melissa Ivanco-Murray.

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Robin🏳️‍🌈Querying Adult Urban Fantasy Comedy @robindoth.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

SILENCE OF THE LAMBS parody X THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA X DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL The FBI's bumbling Reverse-Exorcist seeks help from a sadistic ghost to catch serial killer and limb collector Plaid the Impaler. Together, they discover he lurks within her own agency. #PosterPit #Q #F #T #CO 109K

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

A movie poster for THE NIGHT CHEMIST, depicting a set of fiery amber eyes against a purple background with a crescent moon. Text reads: Slow burn love triangle, Turkic mythology, heroine in STEM, altar diplomacy, widowed single dad. One title she was born with; the other, she earned. But she can’t keep both. A Fate Inked in Blood x Wild Reverence x Shield of Sparrows. Now querying 109k adult romantasy based on the book by Melissa Ivanco-Murray.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Exactly this. As a veteran who studied international relations and deployed twice, exactly this.

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Kara Swisher @karaswisher.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The DEI caused the plane crash narrative is a distraction. The tariffs are a distraction. Whatever insane nonsense Trump spews that the media will chase like cats chasing a laser light is a distraction. The only story that counts right now is the wholesale hijacking of control of the US government.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

A bit late, but words come when they will: Blessed Brigid, Lady of Fire, Forge in me the strength to be a light in this time of shadows.

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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Trump is considering executive action to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Trump issued a memorandum invalidating government labor contracts finalized in the 30 days before his presidential inauguration. This action is not legal and will not hold up in court.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

To my sisters still serving in the US military, now subject to the worst possible SecDef: I am so, so sorry. I will continue to be loud on your behalf. To my sisters considering joining: Maybe don’t. It’s gonna get a lot worse before it gets better again.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

In other words, a whopping three Republican senators have spines. Thank you to Murkowski, Collins, & McConnell for doing the right thing in the face of overwhelming party pressure.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Gonna pull a quote (completely out of context) from Oderus of GWAR, because I can think of no better description of the current administration and it is bringing me a measure of joy amid all the miserable absurdity: “Confused and poorly conceived spectacle of mediocrity.”

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Emma Kennedy @emmakennedy.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

I find it interesting that this sudden surge for "masculine energy" is coming from Nerd Kings who seem to be acting out a teenage fantasy now they're rich.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

I’ve had the same thoughts. As an elder millennial I’ve never had a TikTok and don’t quite *get it* but banning it at the federal level seems like a whole lot of effort for not a lot of payoff. We have bigger fish to fry.

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✸ Max ✸ @dracononite.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Treat artists like humans. If you're commissioning artists, communicate with them about your expectations and questions. Keep in mind that one month is a FAST turnaround with how much work artists do outside of drawing the art, and the lives and struggles we have outside of our jobs.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

I’m considering titling my dissertation, which is about the legacy of ancient Scythian warrior women in medieval literature & folklore, “Fight Me, Hegseth.” Women have always, ALWAYS been on the battlefield, as casualties and combatants. And we always will be. May as well let us have a weapon.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Ok can we just acknowledge the absolute absurdity of the US president elect talking about invading Greenland? Like once, ok, sure, he’s a clown but…buckling down on the idea of actually deploying the military to do it? Wtf HOW DID THIS IDIOT WIN

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Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Everything stated in this post is a provable fact. You are entitled to your own opinion. You are not entitled to your own facts. Looking at YOU, 2020 election-deniers.

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God @thegodshow.com · 27/12/2024

Pretty soon the only users on X will be Russian bots and die hard Elon fans who are obviously Elon.

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Jake Broe @realjakebroe.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

The Russians have shot down another commercial airliner, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432, killing 38 passengers on board. The Russians also launched a massive missile and drone attack on Christmas day to maximize the level of suffering for Ukrainian civilians on Christmas. youtu.be/V0thKAhdWh8?...

youtu.be

Russia Shot Down a Passenger Airliner... Again...

YouTube video by Jake Broe

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Browsing the news this morning, shocked to discover DJT and I actually agree on something: daylight savings time is irrelevant for our present civilization and, in short, sucks. Who’d’ve thought he actually had a reasonable idea? Huh.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

If Hegseth gets confirmed as Sec Def I’m gonna riot. Ok, so not literally riot because how does one even start a riot? but I am definitely gonna burn something. Ok, so just candles. But like…really angry candles. With hexes. Except I don’t do hexes. …time to write more angry song lyrics, I guess.

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Jake Broe @realjakebroe.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Picture 1 is what it looked like when Ukraine liberated the city of Kherson from the Russians. Picture 2 is what it looked like when Russia "liberated" the city of Bakhmut from the Ukrainians. It is subtle, but see if you can spot the difference.

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Melissa Ivanco-Murray @maimurray.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

For my inaugural post (no pressure, right?), how about a selfie from when I got to see none other than Iron Maiden with the fam? 🤘 #metalhead

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