iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 26/09/2026

I've got books on sale! When Nyx Fortuna becomes the Guardian of a Waystation between worlds, she discovers the universe is far more populated—and magical—than she ever could have imagined. And that her place in it may not be what she thought... Buy Direct: payhip.com/b/GUeEk Retailer links in 🧵

Promotion of a sale for the first three books in the Nyx Fortuna series by Michelle Manus. Top text reads: Start the series sale! The covers of the first three books are shown, along with pricing showing all 3 books are normally $7.99 each. Book 1 is now 0.99, Book 2 is now 2.99, and Book 3 is now 4.99. Bottom of the graphic shows 5 stars, and a review blurb that says "I loved this book so much...I'm diving into book two now! What are you waiting for??" - My World...In Words and Pages

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 18/09/2026

I have been informed the fourth audiobook in the Nyx series, Guardian of Torment, is on sale at audiobooks.com through Oct 13th for "cozy listening season". Because nothing says "cozy" like "torment". www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...

A promo image for the audiobook of Guardian of Torment by Michelle Manus. Features the audiobook cover on the right (cover depicts a brunette woman standing in front of a griffin. She is holding a bo staff in her left hand) against a stormy, fantasy-esque mountain background. Image text reads: Guardian of Torment. Michelle Manus. 60% off.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 07/09/2026

We have an audio release date! Actual preorders for audio usually aren't available until a few weeks before release, but this is the official date provided to me by Tantor.

The book cover for Guardian of Exile by Michelle Manus is on a phone screen with headphones attached, indicating an audiobook. Text reads: Audio coming 01.26.2027

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 06/09/2026

The preorder for Guardian of Deception is live! Universal link: books2read.com/u/bOB2y9 Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guardian-o... Apple: books.apple.com/us/book/guar... Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0HH7PTW4Q Google: play.google.com/store/books/...

The ebook cover for Guardian of Deception by Michelle Manus rests on the left side of the image against a purple galaxy background. Top text reads: Preorder now: Available 08.24.27. Middle text reads: "Never play games with someone who is a master of them... When Nyx and her friends return to the Shadow Keep to bargain with Bryn, they find an old enemy waiting. One who has wrapped the Keeper around their finger, and could unravel all of their plans." Bottom text is the author's website: www.michellemanus.com

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 05/09/2026

$1400 later we're home from the e-vet. Hex gives it 0/10 stars, does not recommend, would have DNF'd if allowed. Doesn't care that she was diagnosed with a bladder infection and early kidney disease, this is an outrage. Does not regret making them sedate her for the blood draw, would do it again.

A gray cat lies on beige carpet, one front leg outstretched. She is glaring a glare of death.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 22/08/2026

In case you wondered what publishing a book in today's day and age is like, it's mostly an influx of AI scam emails. This is my junk folder for the last week (and the emails have slowed down soooo much already from release week).

A screenshot of author Michelle Manus's email junk folder. Six obviously AI-written scam emails, all from generic gmail accounts with subject lines like "A Genuine Fan & a Unique Opportunity" and "Invitation to Feature..."

Another screenshot of author Michelle Manus's email junk folder. Seven obviously AI-written scam emails, once again all from generic gmail accounts with subject lines like "Publishing Enquiring Concerning..." and "A gripping urban fantasy..."

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 11/08/2026

He is EXTREMELY handsome. Look at this face.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 11/08/2026

And Exile is out in the world in ebook and paperback! (Audio is forthcoming, release date tbd) Universal retailer link: books2read.com/u/b6DeMx Buy Direct: payhip.com/b/6JiF9 Individual links in thread.

Promo graphic for Guardian of Exile by Michelle Manus, top text stating "It's release day!" Graphic features the paperback and ebook covers of the book centered against a galaxy background. Chunks of text have arrows pointing to the book. Those text pieces read (starting at upper left and going counterclockwise) "Nothing bad will happen just because our scary dad is absent, right?" "The crew heads to NYC" "Is anything more awkward than your dad's thinking they're funny?" Nothing scares an Amazon except meeting her boyfriend's mother" "Still not the last book" "Whomst among us hasn't made poor decisions? (It's Nyx. Nyx makes poor decisions."

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 08/08/2026

PAPERBACK READERS: Guardian of Exile is available to order! I finally got it up in time for it to potentially arrive by the ebook release date. Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/195440045... B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guardian-o... Bookshop: bookshop.org/p/books/guar...

Promo image for the book Guardian of Exile by Michelle Manus. Features the paperback and ebook covers of the book set against a black and teal starry night sky.
Top Text: Preorder now: available 08.11.26
Bottom Text: www.michellemanus.com
Middle text is a quote from the book, which reads: "I am aflutter with anticipation to hear my remaining faults of logic."
Nyx very much doubted Jevryn A-Morridahn had ever been "aflutter" with anything.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 02/08/2026

9 DAYS EVERYONE. Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guardian-o... Apple: books.apple.com/us/book/guar... Google Play: play.google.com/store/books/... Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM2R6PKF (Direct will be available on release day)

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 01/08/2026

Been sitting on this until my physical copy arrived, but Fellow Humans, MY HUSBAND COMMISSIONED ME AN EXCLUSIVE WAVERLY STORY FROM @skyladawn.ca FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY. I have never received a better gift. I love it so much. And my husband. He is great also. No one has ever commissioned me art before.

The hardcover of The Horse Girl Mystery by Skyla Dawn Cameron. The cover is reminiscent of early The Black Stallion covers by Walter Farley, and features a horse rearing against a stormy orange sky. A cat is in the lower left corner of the book.

The first 5 Waverly Jones Mystery books are lined up on a shelf, next to my exclusive copy of The Horse Girl Mystery. The spines are all in the vintage style of the original Nancy Drew books.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 26/07/2026

Siren's Song is also in the sale! Character-driven PNR with an urban-fantasy level focus on magic, and my usual MO of women with off-the-charts magic who could accidentally destroy the world but will (probably) just destroy the bad guys. www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/...

Promo image for the paranormal romance Siren's Song by Michelle Manus. The ebook cover features a fiery redhead wielding magic, and is set against a backdrop of red-orange flames.

Text reads: She's on the run, hunted for her unique power. He's the magical theory expert who can explain why her magic is so abnormal...and volatile. When they meet? They both believe the other is utterly normal. Sometimes, the road to love is bumpy.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 19/07/2026

If you haven't read the series but you're thinking, "Wow, the author's pet piece of dialogue in the Book 7 promo really has inspired me to want to, start with Chaos. When your life sucks, becoming the guardian of a Waystation between worlds sounds like a pretty good gig. books2read.com/u/mV66Jp

Promo graphic for Guardian of Chaos by Michelle Manus. Features the cover against a blue galaxy background.
Top text reads: Available now in ebook, paperback, and audio!
Bottom text reads: Available to read in Kobo Plus!
Middle text is an excerpt from the book, which reads: In that instant of connection, she knew that this was no fever-dream brought on by a coma. This wasn't insanity. What it was sang in her veins, her blood, her bones, as if she was made for it and it for her: portal. She hovered over a portal, and the song it sang promised it could take her to a thousand different worlds.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 19/07/2026

In case you were wondering, my promotional style is just "Here is a graphic with one of my favorite lines of dialogue from the work." Anyway, Guardian of Exile, book seven in the series, coming IN LESS THAN A MONTH. Universal link: books2read.com/u/b6DeMx Individual store links in thread.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 16/07/2026

It's less than a month until Guardian of Exile releases! Despite a rough writing year, I am very proud of this book and excited for everyone to read it. I can't believe we're on #7. When I started this series, I had no idea it would be this long. books2read.com/u/b6DeMx

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 12/07/2026

Audiobooks.com is running the third book in the Nyx series for 60% off through the end of July! It's a perfect time to catch up on the series! www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...

The audiobook cover of Guardian of Madness is set against a background of green foliage. Text reads: Guardian of Madness Michelle Manus 60% off

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 30/06/2026

Good to know that when I'm at peak stress my cat is living her best life.

A gray cat is lying on her back on a blanket covered couch, her paws up on the air. The sunlight is streaming on her and she is wearing a contented expression.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 27/06/2026

I don't catch many rolling videos anymore now that my pony lives on 40 acres with friends, but he says sometimes you just can't beat a roll in a nice sand arena. Really rubs the dirt in, you know?

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 21/06/2026

This is the beautiful premade cover I bought for it from @skyladawn.ca and someday I will actually finish the book and get the real title on here.

A premade cover showing a cloaked woman holding two swords. She is standing with her foot propped on a rock, a raven next to her and a castle in the background against a lightning-split sky.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 21/06/2026

It is both the solstice and my birthday. Because shorter days make me very happy, I am celebrating with 25% off all of my books on my direct store. Celebrate shorter days. Read books. payhip.com/michellemanus Discount Code: SOLSTICE25

Promo graphic showing all of Michelle Manus's books currently available for purchase, including A Song to Wake a Thousand Sorrows, all six of the currently published Nyx Fortuna books, and the boxset of the Aspect Society trilogy.

Top text reads: 25% off on payhip with code SOLSTICE25.
Bottom text reads: pay hip.com/michellemanus

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 20/06/2026

2 Boxsets for $20/£15 is a great deal, and the first three books in my contemporary fantasy series are included! Welcome to Earth Between. The inhabitants are magical, the fugitives dashing, and the new Guardian is having a seriously strange life. www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/...

Promo for the boxset of the first three books in the Nyx Fortuna series by Michelle Manus. Features the boxset cover in the lefthand corner. Top text reads: Fantasy meets sci-fi when Nyx becomes the guardian of a waystation between worlds.
Middle text is a quote from a Goodreads reviewer which reads: "Rampaged through this series in under a week...loved the universe created, the characters, the battles (both physical and emotional) and the character development. All the stars, can't wait for the next one."

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 20/06/2026

Apparently my response to the state of modernity is to increase my collection of reference books. In addition to many niche interest titles, I have an encyclopedia set, a copy of the Chicago Manual of Style, and today's latest addition to the collection:

A large hardcover copy of the Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Third Edition.

The Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, open to a page in the "L" section.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 20/06/2026

The audio for my epic fantasy full of female rage and also horses is 70% off on audiobooks.com until the 29th! Over 21 hours of listening for only $9. www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...

Promo image for the audiobook A Song to Wake a Thousand Sorrows by Michelle Manus. Features the audio cover on the righthand side against a snowy backdrop with a sword.

On the lefthand side, text reads: In the Faelhorn Provinces, Clare Brighton is determined to make a new life for herself, far from the horrors of her past. But the very power that helped her escape them may prove more dangerous than anything she left behind...

Below that is a button-style box that reads 70% off

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 20/06/2026

My cat has never once scratched this scratcher but she does occasionally condescend to loaf in it.

A gray cat is lying on her stomach in a u-shaped corrugated scratcher. Her paws are tucked beneath her and she looks like a feudal lord surveying her kingdom

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 19/06/2026

I got mine this morning, so maybe they're emailing in batches? It's extra frustrating because their email language is specifically "from those avoiding AI" to those actively using it, and the survey is very clearly "So you're totally using it, right?"

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 19/06/2026

Alli's new author survey on AI use dropped today, and their email said they wanted to see how people are using it, from those who do, to those who avoid it entirely. Funny then how the only option in the survey for those who don't use it is labeled "AI Minimal".

A screenshot of a survey question.

2. Which of the best describes your current approach to AI in your writing and publishing?
1) AI-Minimal -- I only use physical processes and human assistance, or I shun generative AI and use only basic tools e.g. spellcheckers
2)AI-Assisted (publishing only_ -- I use AI assistance for select publishing tasks e.g. market research, design, database management
3) AI-Assisted (publishing and writing)--I also use AI assistance for select writing tasks e.g. ideation, editing, research
4)AI-Integrated--I use AI across all my writing and publishing processes
5)I don't know/am still figuring it out

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 14/06/2026

Nyx Fortuna has always wanted somewhere to belong. When she becomes the Guardian of a waystation between worlds, it finally feels like home. But no haven comes without a price, and she'll have to fight for what she comes to love. #booksky Direct: payhip.com/b/GUeEk Retail: books2read.com/u/mV66Jp

All 7 covers of the Nyx Fortuna series by Michelle Manus are displayed against a starry backdrop. Top text reads: Fantasy meets sci-fi when Nyx becomes the Guardian of a Waystation between worlds. Bottom text is two five-star reviews. First review says: "This is an amazing fantasy story. The author has the ability to wrap her words around very deep and complex feelings." -Goodreads reviewer on Guardian of Chaos. Second review says: "Rampaged through this series in under a week...loved the universe created, the characters, the battles (both physical and emotiona!) and the character development. All the stars, can't wait for the next one." -Goodreads reviewer on Guardian of Wrath

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 11/06/2026

Sorry, just catching up on Bsky! My highlighting is not pretty lol but here we go. I mostly tend to highlight things that I just like that I find resonant; most of my murder-board building is just post-its. I still need to redo my post-its on the third book because I ran out of pretty ones.

A stack of Waverly Jones hardcovers by Skyla Dawn Cameron. The photo is taken to prominently display the many sticky notes that are in the books, revealing the reader's obsession with marking clues in the mystery series.

A short passage from a physical book, showing that one of the sentences is highlighted.

Unhilighted portion is dialogue that reads. "I don't like the idea of anyone losing a family member or not having answers," I say, which is really only a partial truth at best.

Highlighted section reads: I care, sort of, but my caring is a curiosity more than anything. I like puzzles. I like mysteries. I like to fix things"

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 07/06/2026

The day the herd gets turned out to pasture: Me, seeing my horse from afar: "Hey, buddy! I missed you!" Horse: Ignores me. Me: Gets distracted by birds while walking. Horse: If I walk behind this bush while she's not looking she'll never find me. Me, looks up: Cheyenne, your rump is sticking out.

A bay horse's tail, rump and hind legs are visible while the rest of his body is obscured behind a small tree. He clearly thinks this is a genius plan to hide from his human so he can keep eating grass instead of going to do exercise.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 25/05/2026

My writing partner has brought her A-game this morning.

An adorable gray cat is sleeping on her side on a black and white blanket. Her front paws are tucked in while her back legs are stretched out, revealing magnificent toe beans

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 24/05/2026

Trad publishers will put hundreds of thousands of dollars behind marketing campaigns of whatever they think/want the Next Big Author to be. ARCs sent to bookstores will often include this information. Here's the back cover/inside cover of a recent ARC for a debt author(identifying details withheld)

The back of a book ARC showing "Six-Figure Marketing and Publicity Campaign--Details Inside!"

The inside details of the six-figure marketing and publicity campaign:
* Prepublication Buzz and Preorder Campaign
*REDACTED Imprint Launch Campaign
*National Publicity Campaign
*National Author Tour
*National Advertising Campaign
*Trade and Review Advertising
*Major Retail Merchandising
*Early Reads Campaign
*Promotional REDACTED Bookmark
*7-Copy Indie Prepace with Bookmarks REDACTED
*Fan Engagement Campaign
*REDACTED Community Promotion
*Influencer Campaign
*Extensive Social Media Outreach
*REDACTED.com and REDACTED.com Promotions
*Librarian Outreach

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 18/05/2026

And proceeds to give an explanation of my book that is a near copy of my jacket copy. It's common in these scams to find different ways to say what your book description is, but this one is so bad it pulls direct phrases from my description. Email on left, my book description on right.

Screenshot of an email paragraph that reads:

I came across Truthfinder's Promise (Aspect Society Book 3) and what I found was a gripping, emotionally charged paranormal romance. When Meredith Townsend rescues a dog from a madman’s compound, her magic tells her something is wrong. That “dog” turns out to be Jensen King the man she had a passionate affair with before he vanished who is actually a werewolf. Now she must help him rescue his sister and other shifters from an underground magical auction, all while the threat of war between Aspect and Shifter societies looms. As old feelings reignite, they must decide if love can bridge their very different worlds.

Screenshot of a book description which reads:

Even the magically inclined know werewolves don’t exist. So why is her new rescue dog suddenly taking human form?

When Meredith Townsend finds a dog locked in a basement at a madman's compound, her magic immediately senses a lie. She knows it isn't simply a dog, but she never expects a werewolf—since everyone knows they don't exist.

But not only does this rescue "dog" take human form, he happens to be none other than Jensen King, the man she had a torridly hot affair with—before he disappeared without a trace. Now he needs Meredith's help to find his sister—and the other Shifters stolen from his enclave—before they're sold to the highest bidder at an underground magical auction.

If Meredith and Jensen fail, war looms on the horizon between Aspect and Shifter societies. If they succeed, do two people from such a different background have a chance at making love work?

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 18/05/2026

I've mostly gotten all the AI scam emails to go straight to spam, but every now and then one slips through. This one was particularly egregious so I thought I'd share. They start the email by assuring me that this isn't a template email from someone who has never read my book...

Screenshot of the start of an email, which reads:

Hello Michelle,

My name is Julie Lawson, and I hope you don't mind me reaching out directly. I want to say something upfront that I genuinely mean. I know how many unsolicited emails land in an author's inbox. Most of them are instantly recognisable. Templated. Written by someone who clearly never engaged with the work. That is not how I work. Before I ever write to an author, I take real time with their work. I think carefully about what they have built and whether I have anything honest and useful to offer. If I don't, I don't reach out. With you, I did. And here is why.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 10/05/2026

The start of fly season is always so fun, it's like "Wow! There's $500 gone that probably won't deter flies but I'll feel like a bad mother if I don't spend it." Anyway, good thing this little fucker is cute.

A close-up of a bay horse's face, wearing a black rope halter. He is looking inquisitively into the distance while standing in a creek.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 09/05/2026

The fourth book in my Nyx Fortuna contemporary fantasy series is 60% off on audiobooks.com through June 2nd! If you're midway through, it's a great time to snap up the fourth installment. www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 18/04/2026

Anyway, read my always-dark-despite-rumors-to-the-contrary series. Especially if you like books that have been DNF'd for reasons such as "I didn't want to cry for 2 chapters, or "too political". Direct: payhip.com/b/GUeEk Elsewhere: books2read.com/u/mV66Jp Remember the graphic⬇️ Read with caution.

Top text reads: Let's break down a contemporary fantasy series together. Beneath this are the covers of Books 1-6 in the Nyx Fortuna series, with text to the side of each. Book 1: "Deals with an unfair prison system that results in an entire displaced people, child trafficking and death." Book 2: "Deals with a black market that preys upon the desperate and has a literal slave market." Book 3: "Deals with a corrupt governing body that created the current system at the cost of multiple genocides." Book 4: "Deals with parental trauma, off-page past SA of a secondary character, and the torture of a person for decades for political gain." Book 5: "Deals with an exiled people trying to reclaim their home planet from people who have displaced them to gain rights over a valuable resource." Book 6: Deals with overcoming personal loss, seeking justice, and learning to lean on your found family."

Below this is a 2-star graphic, and a Goodreads review on the 6th book, which reads: "No. I was reading something fun and it turned dark right at the end? No thanks."

Below this is a 3 star graphic of a Goodreads review on the 6th book which reads: "This book (and the end of the previous book) reflects a shift in tone and theme to a much darker and depressing feel than her previous works."

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 18/04/2026

Y'all I'm sorry but I'm tired of people acting like I pulled the rug from under them in the middle of the Nyx series, as if it were a cozy lark of puppies & rainbows up to books 5/6, so buckle up & let's break down the darkness this series deals with from Day 1. We'll start with a helpful graphic.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 18/04/2026

Yes the world sucks but a girl's gotta get by in a capitalist society so DID YOU KNOW I have a book on sale? For the PNR crowd that likes the worldbuilding depth of UF. Direct: payhip.com/b/lSaqU Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... Kindle: www.amazon.com/Truthfinders... Other retailer links in 🧵

Promo graphic for Truthfinder's Promise by Michelle Manus. Features the book cover against a teal background. T the left of the book cover is a pinned note that says: Meredith Townsend's personal To Do List: - Be depressed about existence - Dance on abusive mother's grave - Figure out what to do with my life. To the right of the book cover is another pinned note that says: Fate's To Do List for Meredith Townsend: -Discover hot ex-fling is a werewolf - Prevent Aspect/Shifter Society war - Figure out how relationships work. At the bottom, SALE is written in large letters and the book's regular price of 7.99 is marked out, with the sale price of .99 clearly displayed

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 17/04/2026

I think Mr. Sox might be in love with Cheyenne.

A bay horse has his face lowered towards a tabby cat, who is lying on his right side. The cat is looking back at the horse with an adoring expression on his face.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 17/04/2026

Still BFFs. It's nearly a full minute but worth getting to the end. Comes with soothing bird sounds in the background.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 05/04/2026

Happy Necromancer Appreciation Day to all who celebrate. Post your favorite necromancer. Mine is Eric Carter: www.stephenblackmoore.com/eric-carter-...

The book cover for Stephen Blackmoore's Dead Things. Features a tattooed white man in a suit standing against a fiery backdrop.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 05/04/2026

The "authors promote their books too much" discourse is reminding 90% of us that we haven't promoted our books lately. So anyway, I have a contemporary fantasy series that will absolutely make you feel feels and wreck you later. Buy Direct: payhip.com/b/GUeEk Buy Elsewhere: books2read.com/u/mV66Jp

A box set of the first three Nyx Fortuna books by Michelle Manus is on the left side. Blurb text reads: "Join Nyx as she stumbles into the world of Earth Between, where the inhabitants are a little alien, a lot magical, and she's suddenly found herself the Guardian of a Waystation between worlds. She might have finally found a place to belong...if she can survive her first week on the job."

Below that are 5 stars and a review that says: "A captivating read! I couldn't put it down, loved the writing style, intrigue, humor, pacing, and the vibe throughout." Goodreads Reviewer on Guardian of Chaos.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 04/04/2026

It's Caturday and Hex does not know the world is a trashfire, Hex knows she has a comfy lap to curl up in and a heated blanket.

A gorgeous gray cat, her fur gleaming, sleeps with her upper body resting on a human's blanket-clad leg. She has her right front leg beneath her, left front leg stretched out. Her face rests on her human's knee and her expression is contented.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 04/04/2026

I promise I will stop replying to the scammers EVENTUALLY.

Screenshot of my email reply to book marketing scammers. Subject line from their initial email shows at the top: "Loving Nyx Fortunata/Ideas for 'Deadly Dirty' visibility'.

Body of email reads: See now, the problem with that response is that you clearly are running a mass spam campaign. Either that, or you just enjoy blatantly lying to the authors you're attempting to sell your services to. Your email claims to have been "following my work" while misnaming my flagship series (which I didn't even call you out on originally, it's Nyx Fortuna, by the way, not Nyx Fortunata), and then referencing that series as if "Deadly Dirty" is a part of it with Nyx as the main character.

Whether you have ever genuinely provided an author with decent services, I certainly can't say, but by writing to authors and claiming to have read their works, you are positioning yourself as someone who believes their book can succeed because you have experience in the industry and have personally read their work. That, in and of itself, is attempting to conduct business under fraudulent pretenses. You're telling authors you know their book can do well with your services because you've personally read the stories.

I get half a dozen emails a week like this, but yours was particularly egregious, as was your follow-up reply. You claim you want to acknowledge a "mistake" and apologize properly, but we both know you didn't make a mistake, you had an AI plagiarism machine write a falsehood to prey on creatives who want to see their art succeed. You haven't apologized, and it's hilarious to claim you hear my concerns about AI and respect my stance on it when you probably had AI compose your response.

You don't care, and if you actually believe you do, you need to take a good long look in the mirror and come to terms with who you really are.

Wishing you continued success with your work as a "real person doing hands-on visibility and position work".

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 04/04/2026

Important update, Heather felt the need to have AI reply to my email. Don't worry everyone she's "a real person"! It says so right in her reply.

Screenshot of an email. The subject line reads: Loving Nyx Fortunata/Ideas for "Deadly Dirty" visibility"

Body of email says: Hi Michelle,

You’re absolutely right to call that out and I deserve that reaction.

Referencing a book you didn’t write is a serious miss on my end, and I understand why that immediately broke trust. That’s not the standard I hold myself to, and I take full responsibility for it.

I also hear your concerns about AI and how it impacts authors. That’s a real issue, and I respect your stance on it.

Just to be clear I’m a real person doing hands-on visibility and positioning work with authors, not running mass spam campaigns. But I can see how my message came across that way, and that’s on me.

I won’t take more of your time I just wanted to acknowledge the mistake and apologize properly.

Wishing you continued success with your work.

Heather

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 03/04/2026

I'm cranky enough I'm also replying to the scam texters. They gave up on me too early for any real fun. It's not my fault this is the only affordable way to entertain myself in this capitalist hellscape.

Screenshot of a text conversation.

Scammer texting me: How have you been lately?
Me: Great, how about you? It's so good to hear from you!
Scammer: I'm doing great.
Scammer: Mia, it's Coco. I lost my old phone and got a new one
Me: Oh yeah, I know. Shanna told me about it. So wild.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 03/04/2026

Ask me how my day is going that I felt the need to waste my time replying to AI scammers for some small measure of catharsis.

Screenshot of an email reply that reads: "Hi Heather,

Your shitty AI generator creating spam emails at the cost of the environment doesn't realize that I've never written a book called "Deadly Dirty". By the way, that same AI generator is built on the back of my stolen body of work along with the stolen work of thousands of other authors and artists, so you have to really have some nerve to use it to try and scam me with.

Best of luck with the rest of your immoral endeavors, I hope the infinitesimal amount of money you make off this fills the hole in the center of your cold dead heart.

Best Wishes,

Michelle"

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 20/03/2026

Aurelius is by and large my least favorite stoic, but every now and then he has something.

Screenshot of a passage of Meditations which reads: What is badness? It is that which you have often seen. And on the occasion of everything which happens keep this in mind, that it is that which you have often seen. Everywhere up and down you will find the same things, which with the old histories are filled, those of the Middle Ages and those of our own day, with which cities and houses are filled now. There is nothing new: all things are both familiar and short-lived.

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Michelle Manus @michellemanus.com · 15/03/2026

Finally, yet other horses have not a single thought in their pretty little heads, and they sleep the most blissful sleep of the absolutely oblivious.

A light bay gelding with a white blaze is conked out on his left side. He has chosen to lie on the remnants of a former hay bale. All four legs are stretched long, and he looks derpily happy in his rest.

A close-up of the face of the light bay gelding from the previous photo. His eyes are closed, his face the epitome of serenity.

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