iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Should I be working on my next novel? Yes. Am I instead obsessed with an idea for my @goldencobra.bsky.social challenge submission and working on that before the October 15 deadline? Yesssssssssss 🐍🐍🐍 #WritersLife #GameDesign #IndieGames

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A frosty start to the morning on this #ForestFriday. Stay warm and soak up some sunshine! ☀️

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Spruce knows her purrs are good medicine as I fight this infection. 🖤🤍🐈‍⬛

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Player Elimination was long-listed for the 2026 Chanticleer International Book Awards in the Mystery & Mayhem category! Congrats to all the other fabulous mysteries on this list! www.chantireviews.com/2026/09/18/m... 💙📚 💙🎲 ☕️💀📚 ⚡️📚 🔎💀📚

Player Elimination was long-listed for the 2026 Chanticleer International Book Awards Mystery & Mayhem for Cozy & Not-so-Cozy Mysteries

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Wasn't sure I'd see these buddies still (there were very few last week), but it was humid and wet this morning so I saw about 30 on my hike. #ForestFriday #ForestFriends #nature

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

An obnoxiously vague post, but: I just saw the mock-up cover of my next novel and it is *so* gorgeous! 👀Can't wait to officially share it soon!! 📚💙 ⚡️📚 🔎💀📚

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The Golden Cobra Challenge @goldencobra.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

ssssssssss The Golden Cobra Challenge 2026 is OPEN for sssubmissions. Ssubmit by October 15th! www.goldencobra.org

goldencobra.org

Golden Cobra Challenge

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Where are my #cozy, fall-loving, #D&D playing, #mystery reading nerds? "Murder, She Rolled" features: 🎲 A GM who mysteriously dies on camera 🍁 A Fall Festival and hay maze that might be the perfect place for overhearing clues... ☕️ Lots of caffeine to keep the investigation going 💙📚 💙🎲 ☕️💀📚 ⚡️📚 🔎💀📚

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

To be honest, August was a blur. Still struggling mentally. Basically had an anxiety attack yesterday while "resting." Hoping the start of school helps provide a familiar, comforting rhythm. And of course there's always the escape to the pages of a book. What's on your #tbrpile for next month? 💙📚

August Reads: Covers of Edge of the Woods, Ties That Bind, The Missing Bones, Blood in the Sand, The Passage, Fire in the Sky

Covers of: Endangered, The Long Call, Midsummer Mysteries, The Secret Adversary, Beaches, Bungalows & Burglaries, Arc of Runaways & Reckonings

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Spotted this teeny fellow on my hike today. A reminder that adventures and adventurers come in all sizes. 🧡

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

"The thin man is at the door again when Chopin shows me his heart." #wip #firstlines #writingcommunity #shortstory

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

As fall creeps in, I'm excited to share that my first mini tabletop roleplaying game is coming out in this brilliant anthology from @scryptidgames.bsky.social. In "Cryptid Case Files," you'll play cryptids creating a true crime podcast investigating the disappearance of a fellow cryptid. 🔎 💙📚 🌈📚

Tales from the Cryptids: From Scryptid Games, this book of games, fiction, poetry, and other ephemera flips the lens on conventional cryptid lore. Pre-order now.

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

"A windchime by the motel office tinkled a soft melody, reminiscent of a Christmas carol." #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Had to snap this photo this morning because it was giving me #Tolkien vibes. "This is it. If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been." 💙📚 📝

A photo of the woods at the point where the forest ends and opens out into sunshine.

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J. Rey Lee @jreylee.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Yup, I doubt I'll ever break even. Way more than sales, I think what I really value is engagement. Anyone out there who wants to support authors, please talk about the books you like.

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Someone asked me last week if I'm a "millionaire" yet because I'm published. Honestly, between extras (website url, newsletter software, Canva for social media, gas to go to events, giveaway mailings, etc.), I haven't broken even yet on royalties. It's almost like...I don't do it for the money. 🙃

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

"Her stomach twisted and she fought back the bile that rose in her esophagus at the sharp scent of Ruth’s perfume mixed with the tinny smell of blood." #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips ⚡️📚

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Liz Davidson @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Podcast time! Thanks again to @aarontram.bsky.social for letting me pepper him w/ questions for an hour. >:) youtu.be/KCvnLe27MAM

youtu.be

Beyond Solitaire Podcast 241: Aaron Trammell on how D&D Changed the Way We Play

YouTube video by Beyond Solitaire

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Keith Jones @keithjones.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Looking for feedback on title screen for a game that's a kind of opposite a power fantasy. Aiming for classic #roguelike feel in a survival base-builder. A few seconds of music to go with. Would you click start? #indiedev #Godot #feedback #gamedev #indiegame #PitchYaGame

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Love the base game and use it a lot in my creative writing classes. Highly recommend!

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

#GenCon friends! Need a #cozy #gamer read while you're traveling or waiting in line? Check out the Wren Winters mystery series including 'Game Over' (in which a #cosplayer mysteriously dies at a #boardgaming #convention...). 💙🎲 🎲✂️ ☕️💀📚 ⚡️📚 🔎💀📚 tulepublishing.com/series/a-wre...

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Add in here making coffee, pacing around the house thinking, talking to the cats, rereading what I've already written for the hundredth time, etc. #writerslife 📝 💙📚 ⚡📚

An image of a typical writing day including lots of distractions.

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Keith Jones @keithjones.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

In honor of #GodotCon Boston I want to share one of my favorite ever Godot videos about the beauty of SubViewports! The Godot Engine channel has tons of great videos from previous cons. #Godot #Gamedev #Indiedev youtube.com/watch?v=cwZG...

youtube.com

Raffaele Picca: Viewports: An Overview #GodotCon2023

YouTube video by Godot Engine

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Scryptid Games @scryptidgames.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

👏🏻 We are pumped for this anthology!!!

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

@sincworldwide.bsky.social I've been loving the #SincScrawl write-ins and am very grateful to the hosts for all they do! I'm feeling more energized about this current project and looking forward to doing a little each day. ⚡️📚

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SinCWorldWide @sincworldwide.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Submissions for the 2026 PRIDE Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers is open 6/1 - 7/31 Any crime writer can submit their work. You don't have to be a SinC member. You will need to create a guest membership if you are not a member of SinC. www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Yesterday, I had a book signing event. And: no one came. I sat in a cute indie bookstore with my books displayed and arranged just so. But no one was interested. The owners were incredibly supportive and we had a nice chat about favorite genres and the predictably unpredictable nature of events. 📚💙

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Liz Davidson @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I've been enjoying a lot of solo journaling RPGs recently. Here is my overview of Letters to Sandra, in which you correspond with a loved one who has left your small town and gone off to college. youtu.be/gBexmulvpgk

youtu.be

How to Solo: Letters to Sandra

YouTube video by Beyond Solitaire

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

For those of you, like me, who struggle with today's holiday, here's 5 seconds of serotonin boosting cat purrs to get you through the day.

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Summer is finally here. When I'm not writing or playing games, I love planting (read: weeding) in my garden. But sometimes danger lurks amongst the green and growing. My protagonist, Wren Winters, knows this all too well as she investigates her friend's poisoning in Murder, She Rolled. ⚡️📚 📚💙 💙🎲 📚🌈

In Murder, She Rolled, Wren Winters investigates the death of her friend by sneaking into a greenhouse to nose about...could the answer be in a poison garden?

Check out these fun plant-themed games to play with your besties this summer!

Wren’s Pick - Verdant - This soothing tile laying game has you collect and care for houseplants. Wish gorgeous, cozy art, this puzzle-y game is a perennial favorite.

Charlie’s Pick - Three Sisters - This strategic roll and write has you build out your backyard garden. Each action might trigger another action and soon you’re combo-ing your way to a lush garden and harvesting points!

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Going to #Origins or getting ready for #Gencon and need a cozy, gamer read while you're traveling or waiting in line? Check out the Wren Winters mystery series including Player Elimination, Murder, She Rolled, and Game Over (set at a board gaming convention). And may the dice be ever in your favor!

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

If you're in the #Ithaca area on Wednesday, come join the fun! This is my first time as a #BookClub guest and I'm thrilled to be attending the Killer Coffee Club. Mysteries and caffeine? Yes, please. #CozyMystery ⚡️📚 📚💙

The Killer Coffee Club reads Player Elimination on Wednesday, June 17th at 6:30 at the Ithaca Barnes & Noble.

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

I had a lovely time talking with Liz Davidson @beyondsolitaire.bsky.social. We chatted about all things #games (playing, teaching, writing). Liz is a superb podcast host, asking engaging and insightful questions. If you have time, take a listen! 🎲❤️ beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/1091807/epis...

beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com

Episode 240 - Shelly Jones on Board Game Cozy Mysteries - Beyond Solitaire

This week on the pod, Dr. Shelly Jones drops by to discuss their work as a scholar who incorporates games and RPGs into their work--and their career as an author who has written a series of cozy myste...

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Tomorrow I'm heading over to the B&N in Vestal to meet readers and sign books! Do you like reading a #cozymystery or playing #boardgames? Come by and chat! Tell me what game you love to play or the latest must-read you can't put down. I'm always looking for more recommendations! (Sorry #tbrpile)

Poster for a book signing with author Shelly Jones at Vestal, NY B&N June 6th 12-3

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Brown Hound Press @brownhoundpress.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

We pair every story with a song and call it the Story Track. Here is this week’s. As I read Shelly Jones’s “Bloom” I realized the plot reminded me of the song “Goodbye Earl” by The Chicks–right down to the method of disposal. Learn more: www.brownhoundpress.com/stories/shel...

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Brown Hound Press @brownhoundpress.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Have you read our Story of the Week by @shellyjones.bsky.social yet? #weekendreads www.brownhoundpress.com/stories/shel...

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

My little story "Bloom" is up over at @brownhoundpress.bsky.social Really enjoyed writing this one and working with Brown Hound Press was a wonderful experience. Highly recommend!

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

📚New series 🔪New crimes 🕵️‍♀️New investigators 🦊🌊Look for the Foxkill Murder Cases coming in Fall 2027 from @tulepublishing.bsky.social ⚡️📚 📚💙

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Finished my next novel draft and sent it off to my editor! Feeling good and taking a tiny break before I start working on the next one. ⚡️📚 📚💙 🌈📚

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SHINRAI @gosatsuvns.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Weekly blog post #613: gosatsu.com/2026/05/09/6... More #SHINRAI Saku BG progress! Also, the #MysteryGameJam2026 has concluded its submission period, meaning that you can now check out & rate its entries to determine one of the winners: itch.io/jam/mystery-... #gamedev #indiedev #vndev

itch.io

Submissions to Mystery Game Jam 2026

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

May not have won the Agatha award, but this little Agatha cat is all I need (and Spruce too). Congrats to Adrian Andover on his well-deserved win! And thanks to everyone who made my first Malice so welcoming and fun. I can't wait to attend again next year!

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Shelly Jones (they/them) @shellyjones.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

I had the pleasure of meeting the other Best Debut Mystery nominees at Malice Domestic today! #AgathaAwards #cozymystery

The 5 best debut mystery authors at Malice

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