iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Thea O'Ryan Files @theaoryanfiles.bsky.social · 12h

Calling writers: Dark Ages is accepting submissions for dark folk stories around the fall of Rome. Pay 8 cents/6 pence per word; closes October 18, 2000-4000 words. More info at: blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-goth...

flametreepublishing.com

Home - Flame Tree Publishing

Flame Tree Publishing: The Fine Art of Reading. The Art of Fine Gifts. Art calendars, luxury notebooks, beautiful and challenging fiction, from living tradition to speculative storytelling

041

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

K Lykkebo 🖤 Fantasy author @karenlykkebo.com · 14h

It is SPOOKY SEASON! And you can get a whole lot of amazing spooky, eerie, chilly books to get you through this (cozy) moody season. Check out this massive bundle full of great reads. 93 books - $69 A goddamn steal! itch.io/b/3904/chill... 📚💙

promo banner for itchio bundle chills, thrills & kills. Orange theme, little ghosts around a haunted mansion.

064

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

K Lykkebo 🖤 Fantasy author @karenlykkebo.com · 02/10/2026

Spooky season is here!! Later in the month my spooky books are on sale on all platforms but we're starting early on itch! Go get spooky 🎃👻 itch.io/s/202134/spo...

itch.io

Spooktober Sale ! by Author K Lykkebo

A bundle by Author K Lykkebo, 3.12€ for Now, and the Hour of Death, Drowned Hearts, Dirt You Shall Become

022

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

If you're an author or artist in the EU and your business is negatively affected by the PPWR and EPR (the new packaging laws) this is the petition to sign!

044

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#Spooktober the 2nd. Indie Book Bingo Time! Today's number: 25 Caught in a storm Murder at Spindle Manor by Morgan Stang has character trapped in a haunted manor during a storm with a monster and a murderer on the loose. Play bingo with me, add your (self-)recs or quote from a #wip! 💙📚👀🩸📚💀

Indie Spooktober Bingo
Oct 1 - 31st 2026
1. blood in the water
2. unsettling phone call
3. the pet is fine
4. I can see dead people
5. spell gone wrong
6. vampire boyfriend/girlfriend
7. humans are the real monsters
8. cozy coffee shop
9. too-sweet character
10. the forbidden place
11. disconcerting fog
12. cursed inheritance
13. Free
14. door that shouldn't be opened
15. first day at work
16. forest chase scene
17. recent death in the family
18. unsavory employer (checked)
19. moved to a new town
20. inanimate object comes to life
21. haunted building
22. last day at work
23. the monster is hiding among us
24. near-death experience
25. caught in a storm

020

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Play #IndieSpooktoberBingo with me! QP with an indie book (your own or someone else's), or a quote from a #wip. Today's number: 18 (unsavory employer) The Necromancer's Apprentice by @bevtwomey.bsky.social Georgie works for a necromancer, who has a literal skeleton in his closet. 💙📚👀 🩸📚💀

Indie Spooktober Bingo Rules Quote repost with your bingo card and the story/book you’d like to recommend. The same story can be used on two squares max. Try for a full house, an X, or every square along the edge. Readers: Try to fill the card with works from indie authors. Small press is also fine. Help other readers find new authors and awesome stories! If you need recommendations, check out the stories other players are posting. Writers: You can use your own books, or quote from your WIPs! You can write something new just for the bingo! You can absolutely also recommend someone else’s book/story as a reader.

082

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Ruth Miranda @ruthmiranda.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#indiespooktoberbingo Today's number:18 - unsavory employer @trudieskies.readindiefantasy.com The Chosen One Con Both Max and Lyle work for terribly horrible people...

011

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

082

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Start October right, give this list a look! 🦇🎃👻

011

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

SharrOne And Only Photography 🪶 @sharronephoto.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🌲 COVER REVEAL 📖 Shuttered Stanzas Vol 3 launches in just one month with The Book Bazaar! Follow a journey into the woods, pairing photography with sonnets about quests, wandering, and everything we find along the way. October 29. Pack snacks. www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...

Hero image for the BackerKit page of Shuttered Stanzas Vol 3. Features this year's cover art - pale and pastel greens and lots of florals. Even caught a bumblebee on film for the cover.

088

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

My new vampire novel Halfsoul is part of The Bookbazaar on Backerkit. We launch October 29th. Follow now to stay updated on early bird rewards and get a FREE short story! www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti... And check out www.the-book-bazaar.com for the other projects (lots more vampires!)🦇 💙📚👀 🩸📚🪐

What is Halfsoul? Epic, dark, vampire fantasy.
-multiple povs
-epic journey
-found family
-relationship status: it's complicated
-scotland meets east asia
-badass flying guinea pigs
-monsters hunting monsters

Halfsoul cover. Art by Susanne Schmidt, drawn in Clip Studio Pro.

051

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Matthew Siadak @backwardsknight.com · 29/09/2026

In my novel The Backwards Knight, you will meet Orn, the titular character. A lone man standing up against the wrongs done by The Paladin and his minions, those who hunt innocent people marked by magic. Dragging them away to never be seen again. Check it out today! #BookSky #BookTok

0155

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

The Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship @thesfincs.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Congratulations to all of the authors who will be part of SFINCS4!!!! We wish you all the best of luck! Next steps are for us to sort the novellas into teams for judging which we will announce later this week! #booksky #authors #writers #publishers www.sfincscompetition.com/post/accepte...

sfincscompetition.com

Accepted SFINCS4 Submissions!

Here you can find the accepted SFINCS4 author submissions!

14317

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Michelle Franklin│Legends and Lectures @michellefranklin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

He carried a long cane fashioned from black wood, the pommel was polished gold. He was almost unreal: he lived somewhere in the space between friendship and memory, that magic realm of daydreams, where imagination still thrived. Maedlynn almost did not believe in him. www.amazon.com/Shadowbairn-...

The cover to the upcoming Shadowbairn https://www.amazon.com/Shadowbairn-Michelle-Franklin-ebook/dp/B0HKC35LH9

133

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

So the book fair was a lot of fun. Sold enough to cover the table fee, learned my squirrel bookmark is everyone's favorite, and got to talk to so many awesome people I'm still a bit hoarse.

static.klipy.com

Stephen Colbert Celebrates Success

Alt: Stephen Colbert Celebrates Success

030

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

J.S. Living @thejsliving.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Maybe if I quote post about my own book it'll make a difference. 👀👀👀

042

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

CrossRoadArt- Bear (1/2 Commissions Slots Open) @crossroadart.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Been awhile since I opened public commissions and I’m in the right place for it now. Doing first in first served, DM me and we’ll talk characters 👹 #commissionsopen #illustrations #art

A cover announcing 2 commissions slots are open over an illustration of my OC Seth, a gorgon in full gladiator gear

My fully painting commission prices,
Portrait £120
Half Body £170
Full Body £220

Backgrounds and or large set pieces (vehicles for example) are priced on a play by play basis, deepening on level of detail. If you’re interested in a background or large set piece, share it with me and I’ll provide a quote.

And conditions of commission

- These commissions are not for commercial use. (Though I’m happy to discuss
selling the license).
- There will be a sketch to approve before painting that you can make up to 2
‘simple’ rounds of changes to, then there’ll be a final painted render which you
can make 1 round of simple changes to.
- Highly detailed features like tattoos, intricate armour, very detailed clothing, extra
limbs (excluding simple tails) ect, will cost extra.
- Medium to large animal companions will count as an extra
character, anything smaller and simpler than a rabbit (in ratio to a regular
human), assuming it’s low detail, can be done for free.

Not Accepting Commissions For:

Furry Characters (power to you, but it’s not my strong suit.)
- Pornography (though I’ll happily do artistic nudity, intimacy, endearing low level smut, talk
to me and I’ll see what I can do for you.)
- Real Person Portraits. (unless it’s a pet… a non human pet, if it’s a human you picked up from the village then I’m sorry, it’s still a no, I hope you enjoy your new familiar though.)

Sketch commission prices

Portrait (Shoulders Up) - £45
Hslf Body - £65
Full Body - £110

And conditions of commission

- These commissions are not for commercial use. (Though I’m happy to discuss
selling the license).
- There will be a sketch to approve before painting that you can make up to 2
‘simple’ rounds of changes to, then there’ll be a final painted render which you
can make 1 round of simple changes to.
- Highly detailed features like tattoos, intricate armour, very detailed clothing, extra
limbs (excluding simple tails) ect, will cost extra.
- Medium to large animal companions will count as an extra
character, anything smaller and simpler than a rabbit (in ratio to a regular
human), assuming it’s low detail, can be done for free.

Not Accepting Commissions For:

Furry Characters (power to you, but it’s not my strong suit.)
- Pornography (though I’ll happily do artistic nudity, intimacy, endearing low level smut, talk
to me and I’ll see what I can do for you.)
- Real Person Portraits. (unless it’s a pet… a non human pet, if it’s a human you picked up from the village then I’m sorry, it’s still a no, I hope you enjoy your new familiar though.)

23016

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Ellie Lieberman @ellielieberman.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Never mind the excuse to avoid anymore lake-filled nightmares, I grow more antsy every second I'm delayed from the truth. Who are these girls? What happened to them? How is the house tied to the lake? - Water's Edge (www.amazon.com/Waters-Edge-...) #WIPSnips

amazon.com

Water's Edge (Uncanny Encounters Book 1)

Amazon.com: Water's Edge (Uncanny Encounters Book 1) eBook : Lieberman, Ellie: Kindle Store

0259

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Conrad Altmann 📚🪐🌱 @conradaltmann.com · 27/09/2026

Want to read the future, but with a twist? How about a past with an oddly limited technology? Or cautionary tales about meddling with genetics? Dive into this bundle of Punk Spec Fic and expand your imagination! Steampunk, Hopepunk, Ecopunk &+ #booksky #punkfiction itch.io/b/3913/punk-...

02311

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Matthew Siadak @backwardsknight.com · 25/09/2026

Today's #grief brought to you by #TBBPromot and #BookBazaar26. Here's a snippet featuring anguish as a synonym of today's word. As always...beware the Ibe Nire.

Text that reads: Orn gripped the dagger tighter, forced himself to turn around as a guttural sound of pain, anguish, and emotions he could barely begin to comprehend filled the air. In tandem with a squelching sound, one he knew somewhere in the deepest, darkest corners of his mind.

One of which a hand reached once before, batting him out of the air.

0104

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Sadly, no progress on Strawberry Circle 4 today. Spent the day going over everything I'll need for my first ever table at a book fair. Anyway, I'll be at #FrankenBuch in #Nürnberg this Saturday. And I'm bringing spooky books, cute bookmarks, and lots of autumn vibes. 🎃🦇🍂

020

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Aimee Cozza Illustration @aimeecozza.com · 25/09/2026

The Gone Machine is about grief, yes, but it's never explicitly stated. So I'm going with regret here Mild spoilers for The Gone Machine #TBBPrompt #TGM #Writing #IndieAuthor

Sylvan shrugged. Was it? Sylvan liked to think that he had more respect for bots than most humans. Part of it was because he simply wasn’t able to look at bots as objects, but most of it was guilt that drew him to the ano bot’s plight. He spent so many years regretting what he hadn't done to keep Robbie beside him.
He owed them all, regardless of what they said.
Robbie, for raising him.
Inix, for drawing him out.
Zev, for freeing him.
Sterling, for fixing him.

1144

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Halfsoul has a few brushes with grief. One of the first pieces of worldbuilding I created about Ulong-Dan were its funeral rites. In an early draft, they lasted for an entire month, but that seemed too long for the story to move forward, so now they last for 4 days. An-Yin refers to this change

142

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️‍⚧️ @eliseswords.eurosky.social · 24/09/2026

Indie Authors, which part of the world do you call home? Asia-Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Islanders & ALL Asia) Africa Europe UK Central & South America Canada US (state?) (Yes, I'm interested in country(s) too!) Do you sell books direct? (Itchio/ Payhip/ Kofi) I'm considering a Books Direct

342417

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Aimee Cozza Illustration @aimeecozza.com · 22/09/2026

Got notified an artist was located, hired, and paid for work through HireHumanArtists.com and I couldn't be more thrilled Pls hire more artists through here!!! Support human made! #hha

hirehumanartists.com

Find an Artist Who Doesn't Use Generative AI | Hire Human Artists

Looking for an artist for your next project? Our human artist directory is full of over 400 artists who have pledged not to use gen AI.

111189668

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

3 more backerkit followers = 3 more snippets. 31: They stumbled through the darkening swamp. Soon, the ground firmed. The undergrowth grew denser when they reentered the woodlands. Sometimes, Afya thought she glimpsed gray robes between the trees, but whenever she turned to look, they were gone.

140

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Good morning, Bluesky friends. I just realized it's only 5 more weeks until the Halfsoul campaign opens on Backerkit and naturally, I'm freaking out a bit. We're at 33 backerkit followers now, which means I owe you three more snippets. ❤️ They'll be coming along shortly.

100

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Talli 🎃 Shattered City 10/6! @tallimorgan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Take a peek at the stories in LOVELY TERRORS! 🦇 I'm so excited to share these with you!! If you follow the project updates, you'll get more early peeks 👀 LOVELY TERRORS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF VAMPIRIC HORROR launches with The Book Bazaar on Oct. 29! tinyurl.com/lovely-terrors @the-book-bazaar.com

Lovely Terrors: An Anthology of Vampiric Horror
The stories:
The Cinnabar Cure - kat kraehen
No. 8 Foxglove Drive - ellen kirkpatrick
Thrall - j.s. douglas
Text Me When You Get Home - a.e. bennett
Without A Sound - allie leigh
Damned Salvation - blaine centauri
Antlers - bailey elizabeth
Dig Two Graves - ollie swasey
Hungry is the Night - lena ng
A Feast of Blood Money - t.l. morgan

Funding on Backerkit Oct 29 - Nov 19

02017

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Spooky Pickle 🧚‍♀️Beware the Fairy Seasons🧚‍♂️ @spookyxpickle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

My building that I clean flooded and my pants ripped in the thighs. So I'm having a tough day. There's something you could do to make my day better, though. Follow my @the-book-bazaar.com campaign on @backerkit.com! There's a poll I'd love people to answer, too www.backerkit.com/c/projects/m...

backerkit.com

Fistfuls of Poetry

Get notified when Fistfuls of Poetry launches on BackerKit!

01010

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I tried out surfing this year. 20 y/o me would love that, though I'm still not living in a house by the ocean, which is unacceptable. I do get to write books and claim I'm doing "research" when I'm reading, which is fantastic. Though as an indie author, I earn almost nothing. So maybe a bit of both.

010

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This is all over German real estate websites, too. It's such a headache. Just let me see what the place actually looks like, because that's what I'll be dealing with if I move in. Let me see the old tiles in the bathroom instead of giving me a nightmare image of the bathtub fusing with the wall.

011

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#Halfsoul has gained its 30th Backerkit follower! 🎉🎉🎉 Thank you. This #snippet is for you.

“The silence scathed Afya’s ears, edged with cold, a thick blanket, smothering the Land Beyond the Storms. It lived in the cold sand, the mist-gray skies, the line of forest on the horizon. It lived, she discovered, even within her bones. Weary, she picked herself up, discarding seaweed and salt-stained rags along the way. Further from the beach, deep within the silence, a forest loomed, its dark treetops dusted with snow.
A lonely bird sang, hidden by needled branches. The silence grew.”

100

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

One of the ways I stay creative is I use songs to get me into a creative mood. Usually, there's one song that's the chosen one for several weeks & it works like magic (when it doesn't anymore, a new one must be found). Right now, it's Mirage by Brianna Tam. What's your song? Do you have one at all?

230

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Artemis Quinn 🏳️‍⚧️🎨📚 undead & thriving 🦇👻😱 @vampireantihero.com · 17/09/2026

#TBBPrompt An Aloe snippet for today, to celebrate leaving the editing trenches. Cypress is excited to do some spy shit. #TFTNG

A snippet from Aloe by Artemis Quinn in Cypress' POV. It says -

"I have to take a drive," I said quickly. "Austin is too tired and the new Wolf got attacked with a human. We meed to check cameras."

"We?!" Acanthus' voice was shrill as they pulled away from Corbin and slid off the bed. "What is this 'we'?! Cypress, what about the bulletins?"

Hat. Hair tie. Shirt. Hoodie. Sunglasses. Bandana. I ran through the items in my mind as I grabbed them, movements jerky and frantic. "It'll be fine. I'm getting a disguise together." In truth, I was just kind of glad that I could do something. Even if I was playing chauffeur, it was better than grabbing a cooler from a hatchback. I went to step back towards the door, but Acanthus blocked me. "Acanthus—"

"No, Cypress, I'm begging you to listen!"

I paused, breaths quick and short. "I don't have time, Acanthus. I love you."

075

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#TBBPrompt This snippet of #Halfsoul begins a part of the story that gave me lots of trouble. The initial idea was to have the characters come across a village of ghosts. The village is still there, but now they find something that feels more like cosmic horror. 💀📚🩸

A chilly wind rustled the tree. The leaves rasped against each other, like sharp whispers of malicious voices, though the meaning of their words remained beyond Afya’s understanding. Her spine itched. She fought the instinct to bolt into the trees, away from the statue. Instead, she gritted her teeth.
“Alright,” she called. “You’ve led me here. What now?”
No answer. The woman’s silhouette had disappeared. Worse, Afya realized she no longer remembered which way she’d come from. The world had been swallowed by the mists. Demons indeed.

She pushed back into the fog. It was impossible to see anything but the ground in front of her: sparse grass growing under dead leaves. The ground sloped oddly, first up, then gently down again, depositing Afya back at the gnarled tree with the kneeling girl’s statue. Afya crept closer this time, peering at the stone to ensure it was the same statue under the same tree. It hadn’t felt like she was walking in a circle, but with the mists as thick as rice porridge, who could tell?
She tried twice more to flee from the odd tree, and twice more she found herself walking back toward it before she gave up. Something had ensnared her. Perhaps the curse the woman had mentioned, or perhaps the woman herself, a demon in disguise.

062

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Tessa Hastjarjanto @tessahastjarjanto.com · 17/09/2026

Indie fantasy readers, your time has come! You can vote for your top indie fantasy/sci-fi books/series. Let's shake things up :) www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/co...

reddit.com

From the Fantasy community on Reddit

Explore this post and more from the Fantasy community

22620

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Talli 🎃 Shattered City 10/6! @tallimorgan.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Your submissions to EXQUISITE UNDEAD were so good and so plentiful, I'm doing something crazy. Introducing: LOVELY TERRORS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF VAMPIRIC HORROR, coming to BackerKit as part of @the-book-bazaar.com in October! Follow for project updates as we approach launch! tinyurl.com/lovely-terrors

Introducing: Lovely Terrors: An Anthology of Vampiric Horror.

The cover of Lovely Terrors: An Anthology of Vampiric Horror, curated by T.L. Morgan. In a detailed stained-glass style, the cover shows a lady vampire embracing and biting the neck of another woman.

34937

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Dax, sapphic fantasy author @daxaeterna.ink · 16/09/2026

In the Editing Mines today, so here's a mood board for SHACKLES AND SHARDS: SHATTERED. This book feels cursed at this point. Definitely starting to think I bit off more than I could chew with it but it's really coming together and every time I do more edits, I feel more confident in it.

Mood board showing underground cities, snowcapped mountains, snowy stone fortresses, a woman in a white gown in the snow, a woman holding a sword clad in armor, hands holding purple magic in them.

0145

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

It's #SpookySpotlight time! Read on to meet two awesome new projects from @vampireantihero.com and @thejsliving.bsky.social and find out what these authors like to snack while they watch horror movies in the author interviews. Art by me. AI is a vampire, but not the fun kind. #horrorsky 💙📚👀 🩸📚💀

This Spotlight celebrates all things spooky and features books by Artemis Quinn and J. S. Living. PLUS: What snacks do horror authors like with their horror movies? Find out in the author interviews!

3147

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

3147

Reposted by Susanne Schmidt

Alan K. Dell @alankdell.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#SpookySeason approaches! So nab this cosmic horror sci-fi novelette. A rescue mission to a stranded starship around an alien sun turns into a nightmare for Helene Cross and her crew when their minds are ensnared by an entity from beyond the stars. THE GOD SUN www.alankdell.co.uk/tgs 💙📚🪐 | 📢📚

Tablet mockup of The God Sun on the right in front of a space background of an ominous red dwarf star. On the right are selected review extracts. The text reads: “Brutal, bloody, and disturbing”, “Brilliant read. Well written. 100% recommended”, and “It had that creeping discomfort I’ve come to expect from space sci-fi stories that lean towards the dark side”. Underneath the book, the text reads: “Available widely. Books2read.com/thegodsun.”

1146

Susanne Schmidt @sharkiatwrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Guys, seriously, follow Halfsoul on Backerkit. It's about to become the hottest thing since mashed potatoes. Brandon ProAI Scambot of Hachette Book Group even thinks so. He has "opportunities". I'm thinking Hollywood is about to come knocking.

A screenshot of an email by "Brandon Proai" about an "Exclusive opportunity with Hachette Book Group regarding Halfsoul"

110