iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A poem. 'Inked', by R. Haven.

Start with a feeling.
The one stamped into your heart.
The one that pulses,
Pumps,
Spreads through your veins.
The one you couldn’t bleed out
Even if you tried.
The one you’d bring to the surface
If only you could.
Let it bloom into color
It’s now an idea.

You take that concept,
Hold it in the palm of your hands,
Breathe droplets of ink
And now it’s a picture.
Stencil,
And shade,
Transfer it to a clean expanse
And press the rainbow into your skin.
Now it’s forever.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

A poem. 'Throw it Down', by R. Haven.

I’m at the base of a mountain.
The Gods have roped my ankles together,
my palms cracked and dusty.
I carry useless weight hooked around my elbows.
There’s one jutting stone
generously provided by the deities at the top,
allowing me the chance to climb.
I’ll never join them, of course –
Godhood isn’t for people like me,
individuals with weak arms
and useless legs.
Fighting the poundage that’s slid to my wrists,
I strain for that first outcropping.

My fingernails scrape dirt from the stone
but cannot find purchase
before it’s crumbling away.
My own fault, of course,
the Gods say,
for grabbing at that rock in the first place.
Gravity’s grip on me wins out.
I have no further to fall,
yet I’m still dragged flat.
The Gods consider their ropes –
long enough to save me –
and use them to tie another’s ankles
the same way they bound mine.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A poem. 'Invasion of the Body Snatcher', by R. Haven.

Peel off your skin at the end of the day
Fold it up tidy and put it away
The rules of nature are ones to obey
Or else be the first one to die.
Wake with the dawn as it cracks through the grey
Spring from your bed excited to play
Choose which victim you’re going to flay
Like a perfume you plan to apply.
Now that you’re ready, clean off the blood spray
Find a spot on the bus to stand and sway
Pick up your morning coffee and pay
Blending as though you’re a regular guy.
When you get home, line up your array
Tell tomorrow’s face to prepare and pray
Mold a new body as though out of clay
Then climb into bed
and bid them goodbye.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

My novelette, AS THICK AS WATER, is available as of TODAY! Fae deals, vigilantism, sisterhood, and twisted elemental magic come together in this story about a girl who finds a new family at the cost of the one she came from. a.co/d/00s6gMVR

The cover for novelette 'As Thick as Water' by R. Haven (which features a girl sinking into rainbow water, with a faerie reaching towards her) on a backdrop of a waterfall. There are faerie silhouettes by text that reads 'Deals with Fae', 'Found Family', 'Sisterhood', 'Escaping abuse', 'Vigilantes', and 'Elemental magic (with a twist)'.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

And here's Jacob Ambrose, the husband! Mysterious and wealthy, he's cut off his toxic family relationships and married Quinn after dating for 8 months. He has his charms for sure, but something about him is starting to change...

A picrew of a smiling white man with auburn hair and blue eyes. He has a square jaw and facial hair. He's wearing a dark grey shirt and a white jacket. The background is light grey.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Here's Teresa Timmons, a ghost haunting Quinn as she tries to warn her away from her new husband, Jake. Of all things, Quinn doesn't expect to forge a connection with Teresa as she investigates her claims.

A picrew of a conventionally attractive white woman. She has flowing auburn hair and blacked-out eyes, a drop of blood running from one down her cheek. Her hand is poised in front of her. She wears a beige shirt and a cross necklace. The background is a bisexual flag.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Played with Djarn's picrew maker to create some character images! picrew.me/en/image_mak... First up is Quinn Ambrose: make-up vlogger, university student, and new bride. She's losing time, feeling changes in her behaviour, and seeing ghosts...

A picrew of a conventionally attractive young white woman, with long blonde hair and blue-grey eyes. She's wearing a black and red plaid shirt and holding a phone. The background is that of the bisexual flag.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

If I launched a Kickstarter for a TTRPG that's basically Magical Girls meets The Hunger Games, based on an original rule system, all about beautiful people who fight an unending tide of monsters (called the Corrupted)... Who would be interested in that?

An aesthetic board, images listed from left to right: A woman in a white dress holding a sword; a long, red-carpeted staircase curving down; a close-up of a camera lens; a fair-haired woman with blood red lipstick holding a bloody knife by her face; a dark-haired woman wearing a crown and exhaling smoke; a woman with blue and pink paint streaked down her face, a butterfly over her mouth; a woman's chest bound in rope with three bloody nails hammered into them; a smoking gun; a red moon in a nearly-black sky.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

At Glad Day’s Queer Zine and Local Author book fair today - come say hi, #Toronto!

R. Haven sits at a table covered in a Pride flag. There are several books of ‘The Other Face of Sympathy’, as well as merch like stickers, pins, and temporary tattoos.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

The oldest queer bookstore in the world is having a book fair in Toronto Ontario! Come check it out on Nov 30, 12pm-6pm, at 32 Lisgar St!

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

I'll be vending here at the end of the month! Toronto-based readers - if you're interested in supporting indie authors/presses and emotion-driven horror, come see me!

A flyer for Glad Day Lit's Queer Zine and Local Author Book Fair. It says to save the date Sunday, Nov 30, 12pm-6pm at 32 Lisgar St in Toronto, Ontario. Unique gift ideas, free entry!

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

The plague monk cometh… with books in hand. www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-ot... www.indigo.ca/en-ca/choice... Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

A person in a white plague mask and bloodied monk’s robe stands holding two books, ‘The Other Face of Sympathy’ by R. Haven and ‘Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror’ edited by Dianna Gunn. He stands in front of a gravestone reading ‘pet cemetery’ with skeletal birds and a ram’s skull.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

This is still the best-looking sushi I've ever made

Teriyaki sushi rolls in red sushi boats, with soy sauce in the end compartments.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Thrilled to say that I won SECOND PLACE, adult 25+ category, at the Inkwell Literary Festival's short story contest! Technically speaking, does this make me an award-winning author? 😮

Certificate from Inkwell Literary Festival's short story contest. It says '2nd Place Red Haven Berry for Legend Half-Recalled', category ages 25+, presented October 4 2025.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

IT'S OUT TODAY! The anthology I contributed to, 'CHOICES', focuses on the horrors surrounding reproductive rights and freedoms. books2read.com/u/3JYo9Q?

Red paint background with the cover for Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror on the left. The cover lists the editor, Dianna Gunn, the author of the foreward, Alex Woodroe, and the names of the authors: R Haven, Ondine Mayor, Enoli Lee, Ash Vale, Justine White, Kelli Etheridge, Ava Victoria Black, Allay Rei, Soyam Siddha, Sam Rosewilde, A.H. Davison, Meg Calendaria, KT Wagner, Anne Wilkins, Bogi Takacs, Amanda Cecelia Lang, Elise Scott, Mia Dalia, Raluca Balasa.

The right side says: “As the horrors close in around us, we turn to story to process our fears, our desires, and our futures. In Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror, nineteen writers whose reproductive rights are under threat explore the stories of those who, like them, have had their choices stolen from them:
The horror of being forced to carry a child you don’t want.
The catharsis of taking revenge on a man who stole your right to choose.
The terror of being threatened by the world for having a baby you do want because you’re “the wrong gender”.
These stories serve as a reminder of the power of choice and the importance of fighting for every human’s right to choose their own future.”

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Only days away… On September 9th, my #horror #book - THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY - makes its official debut. #monsters are everywhere, readers. And they wrote their stories down. Keep an open mind, turn the page, and pray that understanding saves you. Order the book here: books2read.com/u/mvxDE2

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Fun facts about THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY! 24. The banshee is a looming presence throughout most of the book, but stops screaming when the MC, Edward, becomes spoken for by another monster...

Art of a banshee by Hutch Holloway (https://linktr.ee/trapnaster). The banshee is a ghostly woman in long, flowing rags, hair streaming behind her as she clutches at her face. Her mouth is agape in a scream. Her eyelids droop over her eyes.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Copies of my #debut #horror THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY are being delivered early - officially, the release date is Sept 9! Order yours now from books2read.com/u/mvxDE2 - #kitten not included.

R. Haven's book, THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY, on a fancy black backdrop. A skeletal hand and wire-wrapped skull sit around chains that surround the book.

R. Haven's book, THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY, surrounded by chains.

R. Haven's book, THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY, surrounded by chains. A calico kitten is investigating the scene.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Fun facts about THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY! 21. Some people are receiving their copies now!

Author R. Haven holding a physical copy of his book, The Other Face of Sympathy.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Fun facts about THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY! 13. Here's the first line of the book:

A skull atop books, with overlay text reading: 'I'd never looked at St. Vincent de Paul's from a place of privilege before.' - The Other Face of Sympathy

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Fun facts about THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY! 12. I once made a joke aesthetic board for the novel - isn't it beautiful?

A clipart aesthetic board, mostly in black and white. From left to right: the grim reaper reaching out, a red splotch of blood, a little girl looking scared of her shadow, vampire teeth, the front of a bookstore, drama masks, an egg-shaped monster holding a book, a tree with a face, and a spiderweb. Again, this cannot be stressed enough: it is all clipart.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Fun facts about THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY! 3. The proprietress of Otherside Book Exchange - one of the key locations in the story - is named Conscience because she truly believes herself to be the kind, sympathetic voice of reason. But she's still a monster. Don't forget.

Art by sutexii of a woman in a hoodie pulling her face off to unmask the horrifying living veins underneath.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Hey #AUGhost readers - if you like all things spooky, I have a book coming out September 9! That's JUST NEXT MONTH. Edward Barrett seeks the diary of a monster hunting him at the mysterious Otherside Book Exchange. You can learn more or preorder at this link: books2read.com/u/mvxDE2

Text from the book 'The Other Face of Sympathy'.

Searching for the term ‘Skinmother’ didn’t get me anything of use, and I
rolled my eyes when most of the pages that came up were pornographic.
‘Kuchisake-onna’ gleaned some links, though: information about a Japanese
ghost dating back to the seventeenth century, her slit mouth hidden under
a mask.
Yuma’s diary was from the eighties. She couldn’t have been the Kuchi-
sake-onna from mythology. I wanted to think that invalidated the theory
as a whole, but that didn’t explain anything about the books returning to
the shelf or being indestructible.
So, it was Conscience, or gathering more evidence.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

ONE MONTH UNTIL MY #HORROR BOOK COMES OUT! Every day until it comes out, I’m going to post a fun fact about it on Bluesky! 1. I started writing this book at a Starbucks on a whim - no plot planning, no characters in mind, nothing in my head but ✨vibes✨

The book cover for R. Haven’s ‘The Other Face of Sympathy’, where a young man surrounded by books is sitting on the floor. Shadowy hands reach towards him.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

A miniature of my #DnD character, the half-Triton Cadeyrn Lune and his cat, Son of Felicia!

A painted miniature of a Dungeons and Dragons character with silvery skin and a couple of crossbows. There is a grey cat by his feet ready to pounce. The mini is in front of some ‘potion’ bottles and some Fruits Basket manga.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Earlier this year I had a story, ‘A Dead Woman’s Journal’, accepted into Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror. Today I’m pleased to be able to share more about this anthology with you, starting with this incredible cover! books2read.com/u/3JYo9Q

A red and black book cover, the shape reminiscent of an X-ray of a pelvis with the ovaries and uterus visible. The book's title is 'Choices: An Anthology of Reproductive Horror', edited by Dianna Gunn.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

Kittens make everything look comfortable

A calico kitten lying in a bundle of blanket. Her position is weird.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

The #paperback version of my #horror #book is available for #preorder now - THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY, in which supernatural creatures kept diaries... and Edward Barrett needs to find the one written by the monster pursuing him. books2read.com/u/mvxDE2 #books #horrorbooks #canadian

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

The reason I can’t do Anything anymore

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Meet the Banshee from THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY (available for ebook preorder now here books2read.com/u/mvxDE2; coming out on hard copy Sept 9!) This commission was done by linktr.ee/trapnaster

A feminine figure with folds of skin over her eyes, clutching her face as she screams. Her flowing hair is immense, and her dress falls in the wind.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

COVER REVEAL DAY! Pre-order THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY here! books2read.com/u/mvxDE2

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

COMING NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 7... 👀 I reveal the cover to my book, THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY, coming out Sept 9 2025!

Off-white and grey puzzle pieces covering the book cover for 'The Other Face of Sympathy' by R. Haven.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

I'm freaking out over how much I love this commission, done by @sutexii.bsky.social - this is Conscience, a primary character in the novel I have coming out SEPTEMBER 9 of THIS YEAR! If you like humans becoming the monsters they fear, keep an eye out for THE OTHER FACE OF SYMPATHY by R. Haven!

A crying young woman dragging her fleshy mask off her true face, which is a mass of veins and elongated teeth. She's wearing a hoodie and has chin-length hair. The image is a rusty red on a black background. Artwork was done by https://sutexiiart.weebly.com/

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

ENTER SANDMAN! This creepy guy is a monster in the book I have coming out September 9th this year! It's called 'The Other Face of Sympathy', and if you like horror, please mark your calendars!

A figure with an hourglass in place of an abdomen. It has long bloodied fingers reaching out in front of its face, which is covered in sand. It has a sack on its back.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

I’m in both of these books!

Two books, one from On Spec Magazine, one titled ‘Through the Portal: Tales From a Hopeful Dystopia’

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

The sword from my D&D campaign - the Sunblade! The blade is divine light that emerges from a hilt bearing a jaguar-inspired crest, wielded by a warrior called The Bloodsinger.

A golden sword hilt modelled after the sun, bearing a gold crest, a geometric jaguar face. It has red beads and red dripping from the guard. The blade is pale, fiery yellow.

A golden sword hilt modelled after the sun, bearing a gold crest, a geometric jaguar face. It has red beads and red dripping from the guard and red beads ‘bubbling’ at the bottom of the hilt. The blade is pale, fiery yellow.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Completed this puzzle! 299 cats (and 1 dog)!

A completed puzzle with 299 cat pieces and 1 dog piece.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

My friend did a beautiful cover for my novel, THE WISHING MAIDEN! You can find her info at icedmako.carrd.co

An indigo backdrop with an iridescent title, 'The Wishing Maiden'. There are stars and snowflakes in the background, a well emitting magic, and tangled tree roots in the foreground. There is a key hovering above the well.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 01/11/2024

If you’re a writer seeking community, especially one boycotting a certain word-tracking event — like I am — maybe you should try #startingoffwrite with @startingoffwrite.bsky.social!

Alt text: A notepad that says: Starting off write. We're kicking off our program with a bluesky/twitter chat November 15 @ 5pm CST. Come chat about preparations for a month-long novel writing challenge in January.

Bluesky: @startingoffwrite.bsky.social
Twitter: @startoffwrite

A notepad with: Starting off write is a novel-writing challenge that starts January 1, 2025 and lasts the whole month. You can write a 50k novel or choose your own goal. There will be prompts, chats, and a discord. Follow our bluesky (startingoffwrite), twitter (startoffwrite), or insta (starting.off.write)!

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

What do you think I should be reading right now?

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

I got anxious so I made an aesthetic board for one of my works, 'What Possessed Me'.

An aesthetic board featuring images of brides looking dirty, despondent, or bloody, alongside a picture of wedding rings, two women in a romantic embrace, one woman comforting another on the floor, and photos of a woman running away and another captured in a dark room.

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R. Haven @rhaven.bsky.social · 27/06/2024

My friend’s novel #TheCutBook shows off its amazing cover today! Check out ‘THE CUT’ here: read.macmillan.com/lp/the-cut-9...

A book cover for ‘THE CUT’ by C.J. Dotson. A tentacle creeps across the page, coming up from a silver drain.

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