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Michele C. Shaw

@micheleshaw.bsky.social
231 followers 194 following 518 posts

She/Her - Author, artist, devourer of content THE HONORABLE CON - the first in the epic fantasy series, the Obscura Saga. Join Con-Artist Ailyanna as she tries to escape her past and stop a civil war. OUT NOW!!! linktr.ee/MicheleCShaw

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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Made my first short story submission, it was far less painful then I thought it would be. Fingers crossed it’ll at least get through the automatic rejection gate, that’s going to be my first goal post.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
michelecshaw.substack.com/p/why-you-sh... Curious about #TheLockedTomb ? Find out if you should read it, but short answer, yes.
Why you should read - The Locked Tomb
My soul and bones belong to the Ninth House
MicheleCShaw.substack.com
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Been spending so long on the editing cave, can’t wait to jump back onto the high seas of drafting! I’ve got book 3 of the Obscura Saga. As well as two stand alones. Oh and I suppose eventually I should do this months newsletter… Well at least you can’t say I’m spamming my subscribers 😂
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Got the freebies I'll be giving out at my event from the printer, and they look soooo good!!! If you live in #Sydney and are a fantasy fan, come along and hear us chat about the series :D www.eventbrite.com.au/e/book-launc...
eventbrite.com.au
BOOK LAUNCH: The Cherished Debt by Michele C. Shaw
Fantasy author Michele C. Shaw launches The Cherished Debt, sequel to The Honorable Con, with special guest emcee Martin Evans
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Ladz ❄️🖤🩸 @ladzwriting.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
our crimson cage is an F/F/F Polish folk retelling of Carmilla - a romance if you're a lesbian & a horror for everyone else 🩸 religious trauma & blasphemy 🖤 toxic lesbian vampires 🩸 pussy eating (literal) 🖤 fuck/marry/kill 📚 books2read.com/ourcrimsoncage ✒️ ladz-merch.square.site/product/-fir...
A picture of mary praying with a textbox overlaid

To everyone who went to Catholic school as children and grew to be queer and pissed offOUR CRIMSON CAGE on crinkled cream-colored paper on a background of a chapel

From the Indie Ink Award nominated author of The Fealty of Monsters and The Cradle of Eternal Night comes a new, blood-soaked tale of vampires and selfish desire, in this folk horror retelling of Carmilla, taking place in 19th Century Poland.

Laura Toperz’s husband will be only gone for a week. Despite hiring a new maid to pick up her duties, she expects the days to go by as they do when her husband is present: mundanely and without incident. She is not prepared to solve a murder.

Elżbieta dreams of riches. Being hired as a maid for the wealthy Toperz household might just be her ticket to security. After one of her shifts, she sneaks into the manor’s forbidden basement in search of treasure, hoping for valuables or jewels. Instead, she discovers something starving and solitary, begging to be unleashed. Elżbieta can only give in.

Soon, sanguinary terrors descend upon the town. Unaware of her maid’s transgression, Laura remembers the bloodthirsty woman trapped below: Karmila, who comforted her in her youth. Karmila, whom her late father swore was just a bad dream. Karmila, who now paints the town and its maidens red. 

Having escaped under her watch, Laura must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to bring back peace and quell the lustful frenzy entrancing everyone around her. 

Even if it means herself.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Are you in #Sydney and a fantasy fan? Come along to Galaxy Bookshop on the 5th of September at 2pm for the launch of #TheCherishedDebt and grab some of the free stickers and art prints! Hope to see you there! www.eventbrite.com.au/e/book-launc...
eventbrite.com.au
BOOK LAUNCH: The Cherished Debt by Michele C. Shaw
Fantasy author Michele C. Shaw launches The Cherished Debt, sequel to The Honorable Con, with special guest emcee Martin Evans
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
So I’ve finished Nona the Ninth… do I just learn how to make animatics and amvs to fill the void? Do I need to start using tumblr? Would a conspiracy board of theories help? #TheLockedTomb
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
#TheCherishedDebt comes out in September so I have no brains left for advertising. Pls clap for my mediocre video.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Hey did you want to read Award Finalist The Honorable Con before the sequel hits stores this September? Well the e-book is on sale for only $2.99 USD!!! #TheHonorableCon #Booksky #booksale #SPFBO
The cover of the Honorable Con with text "On sale now! $2.99 USD"
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
A quick update on awards #netgalley arcs, #sales and future projects. #booksky #thehonorablecon #theobscurasaga
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Reposted by Michele C. Shaw
Tim Carter 🇨🇦 @tbcart.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
I can’t say enough how excited and flattered I am that Jester is on this list. I’m also jazzed to read the other nine. Reupped KU to get started!
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Mark Lawrence @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
And then there were ten! Finalists for the 11th year of #SPFBO
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
I was a semi finalist, and now... I am a finalist in the #SPFBO This is amazing, and I don't have words. I'm very honored, but I am not a con... heh... #TheHonorableCon
The Honorable Con book on a green background, the words "Get on board this fast paced, fantastical adventure" above it. The Badge of the SPFBO finalist is on the cover, and to the side is a small copy of the sequel: The Cherished Debt.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
I'm an award Semi Finalist and I'm so hype! Plus, it's only a about a week before the sequel goes up on netgalley for ARC readers! #Booksky #SPFBO #Netgalley #TheHonorableCon #fantasybooks
The cover of The Honorable Con with the award badge for SPFBO semi finalist and an announcement of the achievement. As well as the cover for the sequel, the cherished debt in the corner, with a comment that it's coming soon.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Drum Roll please... 🥁🥁🥁 May I present the first OFFICIAL art of my leading ladies. Ailyanna and Kresta. This moment is from the sequel The Cherished Debt, but if you want to know where their adventure starts, The Honorable Con is available now! The amazing @lepus__ (insta) did this phenomenal piece.
A short brunet woman in red and black armor, facing forward, hands at the ready for fighting, with a tall red headed woman at her back, looking over her shoulder at the viewer. She is wearing a gold and blue soldiers outfit and has a broad sword and sword breaker.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Got to read the first volume of witch hat and it is indeed amazing!!!! I am eyeing up the new hardcover grimoire edition, I wants it, I needs it... My precious!
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
AHHHHH I'm going to be doing my first Author Event!!!! For anyone in #Newcastle Australia, please come along to the Write Here festival for Lake Mac Libraries and listen to me talk about the craft of the Fantasy Novel!! library.lakemac.com.au/Whats-On/Fes... www.lakemac.com.au/Events-direc...
lakemac.com.au
Craft of the Fantasy Novel
A conversation on worldbuilding and why the genre thrives.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
I got the draft sketch of my first commissioned character art and my girls look sooo good!!! Kresta and Ailyanna you two are brilliant and I’m so thrilled to tell this story!!!
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
I need you to watch Witch Hat Atelier. Don't know if I'm talking to you? Are you currently watching it? No? Then I'm talking to you. You might be worried that I'm over hyping it, that I'll have gassed it up too much. You need to understand when I call it a master piece... I am underselling it
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
I’m drafting book 3 of #TheObscuraSaga while waiting for book 2 to come back from the editor and thinking that after book 3, I should probably work on something else and ensure the second half of the series has enough time. But I’d really like to keep to yearly releases for them if I can.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Just watched the latest Witch Hat Atelier and just... holy shit, holy shit... omg holy shit. Every now and then you get to come across a story that just makes you feel privileged to get to witness it. This is another one of those.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Let's have an update for #TheObscuraSaga Book 1: #TheHonorableCon (Available now!) Book 2: #TheCherishedDebt (With the editor, coming September 5th) Book 3: Drafting now Book 4: Plotting out Book 5: Plotting out Book 6: Plotting out Maybe if folks like, I can tease out some of the future titles
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
AHHHHH I'm going to be doing my first Author Event!!!! For anyone in #Newcastle Australia, please come along to the Write Here festival for Lake Mac Libraries and listen to me talk about the craft of the Fantasy Novel!! library.lakemac.com.au/Whats-On/Fes... www.lakemac.com.au/Events-direc...
lakemac.com.au
Craft of the Fantasy Novel
A conversation on worldbuilding and why the genre thrives.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Witch Hat Atelier looks stunning! This is a wonderful story and that I can tell I’m going to love!
media.tenor.com
a drawing of a person with a white cape and a white hat
Alt: a drawing of a person with a white cape and a white hat
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
So The Honorable Con ebook is on sale for 0.99c at the moment!!! Ailyanna a con artist has one chance to earn her freedom. She just needs to pull off an impossible mission for the king, expose a dukes treason and stop a civil war. Easy done right? Read it now before the sequel drops!! #booksky
The Honorable Con cover, a red train gilded in gold, racing through a lush mountain landscape. A pair fight on the roof, silhouetted by the setting sun.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Criminal to be this cute
A wet golden retriever walking out a back door, a motion blur as she’s trying to shake off the towel on her. She is a good dog.A golden retriever further out the back door, still shaking and caught in motion blur. Still with her towel on. She is a good dog.A close up of a wet golden retriever having accepted her fate of wearing a towel. Mouth open in a smile with her tongue lolling out the side. She is a very good dog.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
The Honorable Con ebook is down to 0.99c on Amazon right now! Ailyanna was one good con away from escaping the looming war, and instead she’s locked in the dungeon. You scam one prince and suddenly you’re the captain of the constable’s personal obsession. #Booksky #Booksale
The Honorable Con by Michele C Shaw. A red train rushes through a lush green landscape, a pair fighting on the roof in the setting sun.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
What I want to do with my Romantasy story: Project Kunzite. I want world building to be aesthetic but solid. I want characters to feel unique. I want focus on the emotional connection. Gonna earn that spice. I want to play with my fav tropes like forced proximity. I want to have fun! #booksky
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Romantasy project is going well. I’d planned a character who was very refined, was not expecting her to turn goblin in chapter 1 while bitting the love interest. #booksky
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
A little late but joining in the fun! Author 🖋️ first page 👑 Front Cover 🚞 #booksky #authorsky
A picture of me, a white woman with red lipstick and long (in badly need of a touch up) dyed hair. In front of an art work with rainbow balls appearing to float.The front page of the Honorable con. I am unable to write it all out. But it has the con artist main character escaping over the rooftops of mansions with the constables in hot pursuit!The Honorable con book cover. The first in the Obscura Saga. It features a red train racing through a lush green landscape with a pair fighting on the roof, the sun setting in the background.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I’ve finally continued on #thelockedtomb and have started Harrow. I have theories, thoughts, conspiracies, and observations. One of my key questions (that I don’t want an answer to, I will rafo) is if the prologue is a flash forward or not. Because it changes what I think Harrows great work is.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
I was meant to go to bed but instead I had a rum and started a knights tale I’m now I’m just crying. “Sir William, your dad heard that”
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Started work on a new project today, unsure if it should be called romantasy or fantasy romance. But I do know, the couple is going to need to hide out in a travelling circus. Why yes I was reminded about wheel of time today, why do you ask? #booksky #romantasy
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Been learning animation for fun, and I’m going to try and make a trailer for #TheHonorableCon in honour of the sequel coming out this year. I’m sure the terrible quality will only bring an endearing show of human effort in an encroaching AI world. #booksky #indieanimation
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Taking pup out to the markets
A golden retriever sitting down in a park on a bright and sunny day. She is a good dog.
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ella t. holmes (wizard) @ellatholmes.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
I am gobsmacked? Shook?? Thunderstruck a.k.a astonished, amazed or so suddenly surprised as to be unable to speak??? (thank you for like my story this much 😭)
a screenshot from the Aurealis website of black text on a white background. the text is a list of "Best Horror Short Stories" and are as follows:
“Catch and Consume”, Ella T Holmes (Aurealis #185)
“The Bottom Feeders”, Fionn MacPherson (Lost Souls Issue 2)
“It Will Only Hurt If I Want It To”, Kirstyn McDermott (Midnight Echo #20, AHWA)
“The Shelter”, Carol Ryles (Midnight Echo #20, AHWA)
“Bitter Skin”, Kaaron Warren (Night and Day, Saga)
“Me, Espresso”, Corey Jae White & Maddison Stoff (Patreon)
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
I do realise I’ve been mia on the socials so far this year. Editing is progressing along well and we are all on track for a September release for book 2 and… I’ve seen a draft of the cover and my word, it is stunning! #TheHonorableCon #TheObscuraSaga
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
media.tenor.com
a man in a white shirt and brown suspenders is smiling and talking .
ALT: a man in a white shirt and brown suspenders is smiling and talking .
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Reposted by Michele C. Shaw
Scylla Publishing @scyllapublishing.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
A dark blue image with a faded illustration of Scylla, the woman-turned-creature from Greek mythology. In the top centre sits a white logo that reads 'Scylla' in a bold font, with the bottom of the letter 'y' curling into a serpentine monster's head. Below that in larger white text is the title "Who am I?" in all caps. Underneath is two lines of thinner light blue text that says "A sapphic spec fic anthology of identity and purpose". 
In the bottom center of the image are the words "Submissions open now" in all caps, and a light blue rounded rectangle button that says "scyllapublishing.com" in blue text.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
I'm so excited for Book 2 of #TheObscuraSaga #TheHonorableCon got into the hands of a few readers who aren't friends and family, amazing!!! With each book I'm hoping more and more people will know they exist. Plan B of driving around and throwing copies out the window is still an option. #booksky
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
One of my fav micro tropes is when a chosen one/main character leaves to protect their loved ones and their loved ones refuse. Extra points if they provide a smack down to get it through the hero's head that they aren't alone. Why yes, I have been watching through MHA season 6, yes, I did cry.
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
I'm preparing a little something for next year and could use some help, what are everyone's favorite horror book covers and illustrators? Specifically looking for a gothic vibe. #Booksky #artsky #horror #illustration
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
And with that draft 2 of book 2 is finished!!! I’m so excited for the new PoVs and locations, the world cracks open in this sequel. So much to explore. #booksky #TheObscuraSaga #TheHonorableCon #TheCherishedDebt
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Working hard to try and get draft two of book two of #TheObscuraSaga finished so that I can play around in a new sandbox for November... I'm thinking pirates, I'm thinking gods, I'm thinking trials, I'm thinking toxic yuri #authorsky #booksky
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ella t. holmes (wizard) @ellatholmes.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
We are almost at 50 written reviews for Artifice & Access! 😍 If you're a #reader of fantasy #books 👀 you may have a good time with this one! And if you've already read it, writing a short review will help me continue uplifting disabled & chronically ill writers 😁💖
An image of shrek running, facing toward the bottom right corner, with a bright green wavy pathway beneath him. Above him is the green text "we're on the way to...".
The path stops in the lower right corner where a wooden sign reads "50 written reviews". 
in the bottom left is magazine cutout letters that read "help" above small green text that says "graphic design is my passion". 
on the right side of the image is a screen shot of the 4.64 rating and orange stars from Goodreads.
Two images of the blue book cover for ARTIFICE & ACCESS sit on the left and right of the image.
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ella t. holmes (wizard) @ellatholmes.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
just spoke to paul rudd* (yep) and he said you should buy this book. *the paul rudd i spoke to may or may not be the famous one
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Another day, another crash out where I'm sure I could teach myself professional level animation. I don't think its easy, I'm just delulu enough to think I will Mary Sue it within the space of a montage.
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Garth Nix @garthnix.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Mister Fitz strongly recommends that if you’ll be in Adelaide this weekend (and Monday) you should come to Writers Assemble! The new free literary festival. I’ll be there, with a few things to give away as well. Book here: www.eventbrite.com/cc/writers-a...
A mannequin of the sorcerous puppet Mister Fitz (made by Sarah Vigars) from the stories by Garth Nix holding a list of the names of the authors attending Writers Assemble in Adelaide September 20-22
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Michele C. Shaw @micheleshaw.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
To my immense delight, Galaxy Bookshop in Sydney CBD sold out of #TheHonorableCon however more signed copies were delivered this last weekend so go and pick up yours today! #booksky
The cover of the Honorable Con by Michele C. Shaw. It features a red train with gilded gold spirals, racing through a lush green mountain range. On the roof, a pair a fighting, silhouetted by the setting sun.
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