iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I'm sick with the flu and watching one of my comfort movies. It is SUCH a mystery why Coyote Ugly had such a chokehold on teenage me. Suuuuuuuch a mystery... 👀

The movie poster for Coyote Ugly featuring five wildly attractive women.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Me: I love soup! "Hi, _Author_Name! Wow, this book looks so interesting. I'd love to share it with my followers!" Me: No, I...I just love soup. "Great! Send me four million dollars and I'll share your book 'Soup' with my very human followers!"

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Some book recommendations for Sapphic September! #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Since September is #bivisibilitymonth (and my book is titled Septembers) I'd like to introduce you to Dae, the bi love interest in this mm romcom: a shy, weird dork who likes drawing strange creatures and learning a million different languages (slight exaggeration).

A young Korean man with light brown shaggy hair, wearing a blue hoodie. He's sitting on grass and looking to the side, smiling slightly. Probably looking at his best friend who is completely, definitely platonic, he's not smitten at all, it's fine.

The same man years later with longer hair. He's on a couch at a party, looking to the side again with a more intense little fond smile. NOT in love or anything, that's absurd.

The same man looking at the camera with a 'fine, take the picture' kind of expression. His hair is swept back, showing off his cute little freckle under his eye.

A polaroid floating against a blue sky with falling autumn leaves. The drawing inside shows two VERY PLATONIC best friends dancing at a wedding, eyes down and blushing. The title card says Septembers by Michela Starr. The text around says: "best friends, definitely not in love, no pining here, perfectly platonic behaviour."

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Sometimes the fact that there was a feature film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet called Pizza My Heart pops into my head and I can't help but whisper, "Wild."

Movie poster for Pizza My Heart featuring the couple in the front and two dads in the back wielding pizza-making tools as weapons. True art, really.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

When someone responds to my text with just my name in all caps, I know I'm living my life right.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

If you're looking for another Canadian author to add to your list, my queer romcom Septembers released yesterday! A slow burn, best friends to lovers story with autumn vibes and a generous amount of yearning. #Booksky

A book cover for Septembers by Michela Starr with 8 drawings of polaroid pictures showing two men throughout the years doing silly things, sweet things, and down-bad staring at each other...things. ;) It's against the backdrop of a blue sky with falling autumn leaves.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

My debut is tomorrow and I'm vibrating with excitement to unleash these dumb-dumbs onto the world. I think I deserve ice cream. Mint chip (fight me). #Booksky

A drawing of two young men in a polaroid. One is looking at the other, and they're in front of the CN Tower. The picture is on a backdrop of blue sky and falling autumn leaves. The book is Septembers by Michela Starr.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

"I guess we live and learn," she says, sobbing because she thought the "save as draft" in Amazon meant it was good to go, but just found out that is NOT the case, and now the paperback release of her book has to be pushed back two days even though it was all complete. WE LIVE AND LEARN I GUESS.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Who are your favourite booksta accounts? Readers, writers, artists, narrators, I want them all! Bonus points for queer book accounts or authors! #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Authors, let's play a game. Your MC (who is a close personal friend) sees you walking towards them wearing these shorts. What's their reaction? #Booksky

A close-up of a man's shorts, which are a very realistic image of corn on the cob. Yes, you read that correctly. They are CORN ON THE COB SHORTS.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

When you put your characters through it, so YOU also have to go through it. #writer #authormeme #straykids

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

"It's fine, I'll completely fix my life tomorrow," she said for the 11,573rd time.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Septembers is available for pre-sale now! A slow burn mm romantic comedy with some spice and autumn vibes. #Booksky #QueerBooks #MMromcom

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Today has been a three-sandwich day and I have zero regrets about that.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

These dorks definitely aren't in love with each other. 😏 #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I just learned this, so I'm passing it on. Did you know you can check how much AI you've used in Canva??? I'm always so scared of accidentally using it, but now I can just check! Go into settings, then billing, and you'll see your AI usage.

A screenshot of 'AI usage' - Your monthly usage (resents on Aug 27). The measurement is at zero - THANK GOODNESS.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Let's say, hypothetically, you fell for one of those "free QR code" websites and when they tried to charge you, you told them to eff off, but you had already printed 100 bookmarks... what would you do with them? Craft time? Cut out the pictures for something? Cover the code with fun pride stickers?

Bookmarks advertising Septembers by Michela Starr: romantic comedy, slow burn, friends to lovers. The front has three illustrations of the main characters looking at each other, dancing, and in front of the CN Tower. The back has two more illustrations of the guys sitting on the grass, then eating pizza. At the bottom on the back is a useless dumb stupid QR code, and the author's website written out.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Pre-Orders are now open for Septembers! Told one autumn at a time, Septembers is a steamy, slow-burn, MM romcom serving ‘friends to lovers’ with falling leaves and a crisp breeze. www.michelastarr.com #Booksky

The front cover of the book Septembers by Michela Starr. There are eight drawn polaroid pictures against a blue sky with falling autumn leaves. Each polaroid shows the two main characters through the years.

The back cover has a blue background with an autumn tree with falling leaves. It reads: How to keep a best friend:
No kissing.
No pining.
No falling in love.

When Theo Walker arrives at university, he doesn’t expect to find the cute, hoodie-clad enigma from his high school as his new roommate. But it turns out Dae isn’t quite as mysterious as Theo always thought, he’s just painfully shy. Which is why Theo makes it his mission to help Dae come out of his shell…and maybe his hoodies, too.

Dae quickly becomes the most important person in Theo’s life; one he’d do anything to hold onto. Which means the feelings bubbling under the surface need to simmer down. Theo is not the relationship type. Everyone he’s ever been involved with ends up either broken or pissed off, and he refuses to do that to Dae.

So what if Dae only gets more and more fascinating?
So what if his beautiful eyes sometimes linger a bit too
long on Theo’s lips? So what if Theo can't stop
imaging him during…

So what? It’s fine!

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

When you try to quickly write down the idea you had in the shower. #writerlife #booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Okay, I get it now. Making chapter titles is delightful fun. 😄 #booksky

Subheading says: First September. Under are chapter titles: 1) First Day 2) Cold Pizza & the Name Terry 3) Learning is a Hoot! 4) New Best Friend 5) Secret Weirdo

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Baby's first bot/scam email. 🥹🥹🥹 Not even published yet and I've already made it. 😭😭😭 #Booksky

An obvious AI Bot email with the subject, "Enjoy learning about your book." It's from Aida Kane, and the email is: Hello (in all caps) with a wave emoji, then, Can I have a chat with the owner of this book? How to keep a best friend.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Readers! If you met an author in the wild and the two of you got to gabbing about books, and they handed you a bookmark with a QR code leading to their website (or distributor page), is that cute or cringe? #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Cover reveal!! Seeing this come together detail by detail has been such a joy. Thank you to Gail Storyteller for all your hard work on the illustrations. I love it, I love it, I love it, and I can't wait until these besties (who are definitely NOT in love) are unleashed upon the world. #Booksky

A book cover for Septembers by Michela Starr. It shows 8 polaroids of the two leads through the years. One has dark hair and brown eyes, and the other has blonde hair and green eyes. The scenarios are: at the CN Tower, sitting on some grass with friends, dancing at a wedding, at a dinner table, eating pizza on the floor, on a couch looking at a book, and dressed up as Golden Girls.

The back of the book with an autumn maple tree and falling leaves. The tagline is: How to keep a best friend: No kissing. No pining. No falling in love.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

My brain in the shower: **a thousand hilarious ideas about how to market my book** My brain once I'm at the computer: "..... why are you looking at me?" #WriterLIfe

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

So thankful for cafe staff who keep me caffeinated and don't kick me out. 🫶☕

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Do any #Booksky indie authors have advice on how to get ARC readers? I've heard horror stories about the paid sites and would prefer to avoid them. I've posted on reddit and socials (though I'm new here and don't have a wide reach). If you don't mind sharing, what are some methods you've used?

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

If anyone is interested in being an ARC reader for a slow-burn, steamy, MM romcom with autumn vibes, the sign-up for Septembers is live!

Title: Septembers by Michela Starr. A graphic with a drawing of the two main characters within a polaroid picture: A young man with brown hair is gazing at a young man with longer blonde hair. They're both in front of the CN Tower under a cloudy sky. The tropes are: best friends to lovers, autumn vibes, slow burn, and shy/sunshine dynamic.

Title: Septembers by Michela Starr. A graphic with a drawing of the two main characters within a polaroid picture: they are dancing close at a wedding, with one of the men looking down, sky. The text says: best friends, definitely not in love, no pining here, perfectly platonic behaviour.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Went to see The Outsiders musical in Toronto. MY GOODNESS. I went into that theatre a relatively normal human being, and I left a soppy mess, back in my 13-year old feels. It's so good, ya'll. It's just so good. Go see it if you can. And get an ice cream.

A theatre programme of The Outsiders (a new musical) featuring a group of rag-tag boys around a beat-up old truck.

Me tolding an ice cream bar with zero shame or regret.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

And people are out there saying they "need" AI, and creatives are gatekeeping art and writing. This man accomplished all this with every card stacked against him, but some people can't write their own emails because they don't have an English degree? Ugh. Bye.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

July is Disability Pride Month, so I'd love some recommendations for romance books with disabled main characters. Bonus points if it's queer!

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Had an amazing bookish day while visiting Norfolk County! Stopped at two awesome indie bookstores, and bought my next two favourite reads. #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Ran into these absolute legends at Union Station. Happy Pride to everyone, but doubly to these two, because this is outstandingly gay. (Covered Mom's face because I forgot to say I was going to post, but Proud Mom, if you're on Bluesky and want me to share the original picture, let me know!)

A picture of a girl wearing an amazing pride outfit with a flag as a cape. But the best part is a wicked-looking dragon head with rainbow flowers. Beside her is her mom with a rainbow hat and a t-shirt that says "Proud Mom." Just a picture of pure joy and acceptance.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

When staying with your mom, you live as the moms do.

A picture of two pairs of feet, both adorned with the same purple fuzzy slippers.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Saw a post by an author who felt down because of how many words they produced today, and I wanted to share something a professor said that changed the way I think of the word 'writing': Word count isn't the only marker of productivity. (1/2) #booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Printing out my manuscript so I can edit in red pen, forgetting I'll have to type every tiny edit into the document... #writer #booksky

A cat casually sitting in front of an explosion. The text says, "Are you a hard worker?" "Yes, I made everything harder than it has to be."

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Currently reading Less by Andrew Sean Greer, and I came across the following sentence: "Back in his room, he is surprised to find in the Lilliputian bathroom, a Brobdingnagian tub." 1/3 #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

I'm so excited about my debut MM Romcom releasing at the end of August. Told one September at a time, the story follows Theo and Dae through years of yearning, wacky hijinks, and a steamy slow-burn friends to lovers romance that will have you kicking your feet (in my humble opinion). #Booksky

A graphic with a drawing of the two main characters within a polaroid picture: A young man with brown hair is gazing at a young man with longer blonde hair. They're both in front of the CN Tower under a cloudy sky.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

I've been permitted to pet and play with TWO new dogs this morning. I'm taking that as a sign that it's going to be a great day. 🐶🥰

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I have a question about Kindle Unlimited. I have a subscription, but sometimes I buy physical books, which means I don't read a single page on KU in a month. Where does the subscription money go? Is it added to the pool given to authors for their pages? Or does Amazon get it? #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

When the guy at the counter says the bingsu is too big for just one person and you take that as a challenge. #Toronto

Enormous macha bingsu (shaved iced dessert) with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream, a small jug of cream, and a bowl of sweet red beans. A challenge for one person, but not insurmountable.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Getting back a dev edit from your editor is like a deep tissue massage. It hurts so good. #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

I used to think "throwing the book across the room" was just a thing people said, and then I read Pachinko and it left a mark on my wall. #Booksky

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Queer Book Recs: ✨Magic Realism✨ Edition The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune and The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox. #Booksky

Queer Reads: The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune. Story in a Sentence: A case worker at the department in charge of Magical Youth has to report on an orphanage for magical children. Spice Level: Smoochin'. Very, very sweet kisses.

What I liked: I'm not sure I've ever read a more charming book. From the first page, you know you're in for a whimsical, hilarious journey. Then you're hit with found family, personal growth and acceptance, and a handsome, lovely caretaker with a secret. And there's a sequel: Somewhere Beyond the Sea.

Queer Reads: The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox. Story in a Sentence: A man and an angel fall in love in the 1800s, seeing each other only once a year. Spice Level: Fade to Black. Intimate scenes are satisfying but not explicit.

What I liked: This was a Very Slow Burn, which made the culmination incredibly satisfying. This one, as you can likely surmise, is angsty as hell (heh). But it's also a beautiful, captivating, unique love story that makes you see the world a little differently.

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Michela Starr @michela-starr.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Some book memes I foraged from the world wide web... #booksky

A picture of a ghost reading in a library that says: Me coming back as a ghost so I can just keep reading books I never got to.

A woman holding a stack of books at a store. It says: at least it's not drugs.

A post from Louise Jensen Duffy: So, a lot of people ask me why I buy so many books. The truth is, I h ave a genetic disorder where my body doesn't produce enough books of its own, so I have to supplement.

A post by elisabethweatley: If you love someone, let them read. In peace. Preferably alone. In a Gothic castle library that harbors a dark and ancient secret.

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