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Zira Phema, Writer

@ziraphema.bsky.social
126 followers 125 following 162 posts

Zira (she/they • 25+) is a queer, mixed-race emerging author from Western MA. Inspired by surrealism, fantasy, and horror, she creates experimental speculative fiction and poetry. No AI/No NFT Author Site: ziraphema.wordpress.com

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Abra / Jessica Conwell, Carmella Creeper's Gender Doula🏳️‍⚧️ 🇲🇽🌼 @pairofclaws.bsky.social · 03/08/2024
The point of correctly identifying things like testosterone supplements and hair plugs for cis men as gender affirming care should be to illustrate that gender affirming care goes beyond trans people and is more acceptable for the cis, not to be like "LOL you have low T and are bald!"
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 27/04/2024
Apologies that I haven't been posting much lately! Offline life has been particularly busy, and I'm trying to procrastinate less on my current draft of #TheOdysseyOfPenelopeWillows 😅 I hope to get back to posting regularly soon!
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C.J. Subko @cjsubko.bsky.social · 11/04/2024
#SFFtalk is less than 24 hours away! Tomorrow 4/12 @ 12pm cdt, come chat about speculative fiction. All writers of spec fic welcome! RPs welcome. #WritingCommunity #writing
#SFFtalk is less than 24 hours away! Tomorrow 4/12 @ 12pm cdt, come chat about speculative fiction. 

All writers of spec fic welcome!
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 10/04/2024
Someone needs to invent something like Nightshade, but for writers. I want anything AI/LLMs try to steal from me to corrupt their databases. #WritingCommunity
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JD Cadmon @jdcadmon.bsky.social · 10/04/2024
Made some trope maps for the books of mine that will be part of the #IndieAuthorSpringSpectacular from April 12-15. My books will be on sale for 99 cents. If you're not sure about mine, that's okay. There are over 200 authors participating, so you're bound to find something you'll like.
Tropes for A Feral Spark: Scifi/Paranormal; Queer MF; He falls first; He's a werewolf on the run; She can start fires with her brain; HIs past catches up with them; Found family to the rescue!Tropes for A Fire in Her Bones: Scifi/Paranormal; Home for Christmas; Childhood trauma; She controls fire with her mind; Surprise werewolf boyfriend; Connected to a decades-old mystery; Saves the day!Tropes for Let's Bake a Deal: Contemporary romance; Fake Dating; Asexual Hero; Baker x Sex Shop Owner; Scheming Italian grandmother; Bisexual siblings; Karaoke!
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Cathy Pegau 📚🌈🥊 - I should be writing! @cathypegau.bsky.social · 09/04/2024
If you read something, PLEASE say something! Authors (and publishers :) thrive on reviews 📝 and word of mouth recommendations 🗣️👤 They don't have to be long or in depth! Just a few words and a rating will do! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 And THANK YOU for reading!!! ❤️📚❤️📚❤️📚❤️📚❤️📚
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A. P. Howell - Buy my book! @aphowell.com · 10/04/2024
Very much this. Also reach out to writer friends (or, if you're too new to writing, or a particular genre, to have already found your people, send up a metaphorical bat signal). These networks can give you an idea if a publisher is a known bad actor, easy to work with, chaotic but okay, etc.
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 10/04/2024
As an author, I agree. A slight "problem" that I've had with #TheOdysseyOfPenelopeWillows is whether it should be classified as fantasy or sci-fi when really it sits somewhere in the liminal space between genres. There can be science in fantasy and fantasy in science! 😤
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 03/04/2024
Happy #IndieApril, folks! My new surreal, reality-bending fiction e-zine is currently available for purchase on my Ko-Fi Shop for just $1/pay-what-you-can! Peel back the partition and portal yourself to peculiar planes of existence with AMARANTH GAZETTE! #WritingCommunity #BookSky
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 03/04/2024
Happy #IndieApril, folks! My new surreal, reality-bending fiction e-zine is currently available for purchase on my Ko-Fi Shop for just $1/pay-what-you-can! Peel back the partition and portal yourself to peculiar planes of existence with AMARANTH GAZETTE! #WritingCommunity #BookSky
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 09/04/2024
I love hearing that younger generations are passionate about reading! Whether print, e-books, or audiobooks, reading is great exercise for the brain, and it opens up the heart to new worlds and endless possibilities. 📚
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Maria Haskins @mariahaskins.com · 09/04/2024
Reading submissions this morning for GAMUT and holy smokes, there are some shatteringly good stories in our pile. Thank you thank you to everyone entrusting us with your words. You can see what kind of dark and beautiful things we like in the new April issue: houseofgamut.com/magazine/
Cover for Gamut #4
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Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 08/04/2024
In addition to the eclipse itself being cool I also love how much the light of day changes around you and the temperature changes. Outside of the normal day/night schedule it really gives you a feeling of the true impact of the sun.
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Indrapramit Das @indrapramitdas.bsky.social · 08/04/2024
The use of AI by publishers to field submissions should be shamed, should not be normalised. There is no excuse to replace slush readers with software that may or may not steal your writing for their techbro masters to monetise while putting humans out of work and automating gatekeeping biases.
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 08/04/2024
I hope everyone in the US gets a chance to step outside and watch the eclipse today! Even if you're not in the path of totality, it's supposed to be a gorgeous sight! (Just make sure you have appropriate eyewear.) There won't be another solar eclipse like this for another 20 years!
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Jill (she/her) @nerdjoy.social · 06/04/2024
Happy International Asexuality Day to my fellow ace umbrella humanoids. 💖💖💖
Illustration of a cartoon bat, in the black, gray, white, and purple colors of the asexual flag. "You are ACEsome!" By DanielaSchreiter.com
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 06/04/2024
In my opinion, the best art isn't always the most technically perfect. The best art is the art that is the most genuine. When I can feel the heartbeat of the author between the pages of a book or in the brushstrokes of a painting, I know I've discovered something truly magical.
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 06/04/2024
I do! I chose to use a pen name for a few practical reasons, but my most interesting reason is I think names hold power, so I picked a name based on its numerological value and personal significance.
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Carolina VonKampen 📚 Freelance Editor @carolinavonkampen.com · 05/04/2024
Effective feedback to authors is ✔️ Respectful ✔️ Insightful and specific ✔️ Sensitive and compassionate (it's hard to be edited! be nice!) ✔️ Honest ✔️ Supportive ✔️ Authoritative and professional #ACES2024 #amediting #bookediting #fictionediting #writingcommunity
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The Write Attention podcast @writeattention.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
Hello Bluesky! On the lookout for other members of the #writingcommunity! 👀✍️
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
It's Mercury Retrograde, writers! Associated with writing, and technology, when Mercury goes retrograde, issues or delays may pop up in these areas. Make sure to save your work often, check your software is syncing correctly, and give yourself extra time to finish tasks! #WritingCommunity
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Krispy @feathernotes.bsky.social · 04/04/2024
I am here to give you permission to write your really niche story that isn't 'highly marketable' and that brings you the most joy. Embrace the cringe, vulnerability, and unapolagetic need to write your story- we really need less stories with a 'wider audience' in mind
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Weeknight Writers @weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
TIME’S UP! Thank you so much for joining tonight’s #WeeknightWriters chat! To learn more about marketing & other aspects of the business of self publishing, check out our upcoming event, The Business of Writing: Understanding Admin as a Self Published Author ticketbud.com/events...
ticketbud.com
The Business of Writing: Understanding Admin as a Self Published Author | Buy Tickets | Ticketbud
The Business of Writing: Understanding Admin as a Self Published Author - May 11, 2024 at . Find event and ticket information on Ticketbud.
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Alex LaRose @lekso.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
As usual, my girlfriend and my buddy head out early from the lab. I remain to monitor the percolation. Percolation is like thought. Slow movement, the binding of unlikely pieces, and then, a solution appears! The solution that comes to me tonight is labeled Cheating. #vss365
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
Do you enjoy free short fiction and poetry that is often weird, usually fantastical, sometimes chilling, and almost always at least a little surreal? Check out my blog! 🥰 #IndieApril #BookSky #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity
ziraphema.wordpress.com
Zira Phema, Author & Poet
Author of Speculative Fiction
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
A1: When I hear the word "marketing," I think of concepts like brand identity, customer relations, advertisements, and digital engagement. As for how it makes me feel, I guess I view it as another challenge we face as writers. Though, I wish we had more tools to make it easier 😋 #WeeknightWriters
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
Hi, folks! I'm Zira, and I'm currently working on Book 1 of my series, #TheOdysseyOfPenelopeWillows! My writing week is going a bit slow because I've been doing a massive rewrite, but it's been pretty fun! So, I can't complain too much lol.
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JD Cadmon @jdcadmon.bsky.social · 04/04/2024
I have a #CoverReveal for #SherlockIsAGirlsName (stories of a female Holmes by female writers), out April 29, 2024, from Clan Destine Press. Edited by Narrelle M Harris & Atlin Merrick; cover art by @altocello.bsky.social. My story, The Conductor's Last Overture, features the duo as teen musicians.
Monochrome front cover of Sherlock is a Girl's Name, edited by Narrelle M Harris and Atlin Merrick. The cover has 5 adult women of different ages and ethnicities all in profile, plus a child looking directly at the reader.Full wrap cover of Sherlock is a Girl's Name with 11 grown characters in profile and one child. The premise of the book on the back cover reads, "What would the great detective be if Sherlock Holmes was a woman? In the tall tales of Sherlock is a Girl's Name we answer this question, following Sherlock into deep space, 1990s Russia, Victorian London, contemporary USA, worlds of magic, and more. Holmes' Watsons include ghosts, robots, a teenage tuba player, a little boy, with the detecting duo doing what they do best: solving crimes and having adventures! Authors include: Tansy Rayner Robers, Eugen Bacon, Sarah Tollok, Verity Burns, Dannye Chase, Kenzie Lappin, JD Cadmon, Stacy Lawborne, Karen J Carlisle, Millie Billingsworth, Katya de Becerra, Narrelle M Harris, and Atlin Merrick."A teenaged Sherlock Holmes with long blonde hair, full lips, and light-colored eyes. Her face is in 3/4 profile, and she's wearing a graduation-style gown.
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Dianna Gunn Does (Fictional) Murders 🇨🇦 @diannalgunn.bsky.social · 03/04/2024
If you like Women with swords Vampires Quests to destroy ancient magic You’ll love Moonshadow's Guardian - and it's FREE for #IndieApril MG on Amazon: mybook.to/moonshadowsguardian MG elsewhere: books2read.com/u/mVBOkJ + Preorder book two on Amazon at mybook.to/moonshadows-...
mybook.to
Moonshadow's Guardian: A fantasy horror novel
Read it now
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Dianna Gunn Does (Fictional) Murders 🇨🇦 @diannalgunn.bsky.social · 04/04/2024
Fun fact: I've only made this book free once in the past 6 years & it'll probably be another three years before I make it free again, so now is the time to grab your copy!
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JD Cadmon @jdcadmon.bsky.social · 03/04/2024
If you ever wanted to read my books, they are all on sale from April 11-16 for 99cents each! A Feral Spark (Queer MF, werewolf/fire shifter) A Fire in Her Bones (sequel to A Feral Spark) Let's Bake a Deal (fake dating between an asexual baker and allosexual sex shop owner)
Cover for A Feral Spark by JD Cadmon. A shirtless male werewolf with a double helix back tattoo looks over his shoulder at a red haired woman in red flannel with fire erupting from her hand. Behind them is a cityscape at night and a full moon.Book cover for A Fire in Her Bones by JD Cadmon. A red-haired young woman stands in profile against an orange background that looks like lava or fire.Cover for Let's Bake a Deal by JD Cadmon. The title is written on a sandwich board in front of the glass doors of a business.
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
Hello! You can call me Zira! I'm a queer, biracial author who writes all kinds of weird and wonderful speculative fiction. I have some short stories, flash, and poetry posted on my website! Plus, you can find my debut zine, AMARANTH GAZETTE Vol.#1 (ko-fi.com/s/558673b88f) on Ko-Fi! #IndieApril
ziraphema.wordpress.com
Zira Phema, Author & Poet
Author of Speculative Fiction
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
My #WritingGoals for this week are to finish up Chapters 8 and 9 of #TheOdysseyOfPenelopeWillows and get started on Vol.#2 of #AmaranthGazette!
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C.M. Rosens @cmrosens.com · 01/04/2024
This #IndieApril ppl can preorder my Gothic Horror with tentacles / paranormal occult mashup released with Canelo Horror on 09 May! A doomed woman escaping her past finds a house with a mind of its own, and a lonely ace cannibal with dark eldritch secrets. www.canelo.co/books/the-cr...
canelo.co
The Crows by C. M. Rosens | Canelo
Ebook and Paperback
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Matt Mason - One Chaotic Author @chaoticauthor.online · 01/04/2024
I have a dark paranormal mystery coming out at the end of May! Featuring a demisexual biromantic protagonist, there are dark fantasy and folklore-ish elements too. 💙📚👀📢📚😱 bsky.app/profile/onec...
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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
I'm a queer indie author with disabilities. My recent book is a speculative, queer retelling of Thumbelina books2read.com/u/31BZgn My next upcoming release is Women Love Women on Trains: a sweet sapphic short story collection. You can sign up to get the free ARC here: forms.gle/UJs4e4WrGx3s...
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Inner Worlds @innerworlds.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
I'm doing some life stuff this weekend so didn't make a fancy graphic, but our submissions are now open for members of marginalised groups! (open for everyone from 15 April) 🎉 Full guidelines and the link to our submission form are here: www.inner-worlds.org
inner-worlds.org
Inner Worlds Zine
Inner Worlds is a quarterly digital zine of speculative stories about our inner lives; our thoughts, our emotions, our perceptions, our dreams. We aim to publish works which use elements from science...
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LA Guettler @laguettler.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
It's Indie Author April (apparently)! If you're like me and most indie authors I know, you get so busy promoting other people's amazing books that you forget to promote your own. Take this as a reminder to yell loud and proud about your own amazing books too sometimes. 📢📚
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Madness Heart Press @madnessheartpress.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
Grab "Sheyd of Grey!" Hunted by vampires, demons, ghouls, and cultists, Ze’ev - monster hunter for the Texas #Jewish community - finds himself in debt to one of the deadly Sheydim, who holds Ze’ev responsible for his brother’s disappearance. #Horror #Books tinyurl.com/BoZeev3
Art card featuring the character Ze'ev with a demon standing behind him. Text reads "Book of Ze'ev: Sheyd of Gray by John Baltisberger"
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Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️‍⚧️ @eliseswords.eurosky.social · 01/04/2024
Tis #IndieApril and I want to know where my fellow #IndieAuthors are, and what books you have out (especially any releasing soon). So repost with a little about you and your books! (especially fellow queer/ neurodiverse/ disabled or BIPOC indies!) #Authors #WritingCommunity #IndieBooks
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Emma McElreavey @artsyems.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
Created a painting last week that I submitted to an art exhibition happening in Belfast this summer. I called the piece "Deep Within the Seams" which is about the darkness hidden inside us. I always love to paint realistic with a hint of surrealism with Picasso being an inspiration
My painting created using acrylic paint and coloured pencils showing a self portrait of me holding a magnifying glass over my eye. The skin around the eye is black and white with tiny lines in between that are the same colour as my skin and my eye is completely black and white
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 01/04/2024
Did you know that April is Indie Author Month? 🌼 If you're looking to add some indie lit to your reading pile this month, please consider picking up a copy of AMARANTH GAZETTE Vol. #1! 🥰 #WritingCommunity
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 31/03/2024
I'm thrilled to announce that Vol. #1 of AMARANTH GAZETTE is now available for purchase! Lean into the liminal and wade into weirder worlds with AMARANTH GAZETTE, a new surrealist fiction e-zine! Buy Here: ko-fi.com/s/558673b88f #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #Fantasy #SciFi #ReadingCommunity
ko-fi.com
AMARANTH GAZETTE--Vol. #1 - Zira Phema's Ko-fi Shop
Volume #1 of AMARANTH GAZETTE: a surreal, reality-bending fiction e-zine created and self-published monthly by indie author, Zira Phema. Lean into the...
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 31/03/2024
I'm thrilled to announce that Vol. #1 of AMARANTH GAZETTE is now available for purchase! Lean into the liminal and wade into weirder worlds with AMARANTH GAZETTE, a new surrealist fiction e-zine! Buy Here: ko-fi.com/s/558673b88f #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #Fantasy #SciFi #ReadingCommunity
ko-fi.com
AMARANTH GAZETTE--Vol. #1 - Zira Phema's Ko-fi Shop
Volume #1 of AMARANTH GAZETTE: a surreal, reality-bending fiction e-zine created and self-published monthly by indie author, Zira Phema. Lean into the...
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Shirley (Not the Horror Author) Jackson @lioninthetrees.bsky.social · 31/03/2024
It's a beautiful and blessed moment of synchronicity that Transgender Day of Visibility also falls on Resurrection Sunday/Easter—a day that celebrates rebirth, transformation, second chances, and new beginnings. 🌸🦋✨
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Hell Dunkin @halduncan.com · 31/03/2024
"Your subconscious will often throw up warning flags in the text itself for when deep down you know something in the narrative is utter bollocks, but you're not admitting it to yourself. You want to train yourself to spot those," is excellent writing advice.
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Abra / Jessica Conwell, Carmella Creeper's Gender Doula🏳️‍⚧️ 🇲🇽🌼 @pairofclaws.bsky.social · 30/03/2024
Tomorrow is Trans Day of Visibility. Take this opportunity to encourage trans storytelling and fill your shelves and e-readers with trans books, especially if you consider yourself an ally. #TDoV
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 30/03/2024
What's inside Vol. #1 of AMARANTH GAZETTE? Here's a little preview! Vol. #1 will be available for purchase on my Ko-Fi site starting March 31! Want a free copy? Message me if you'd like one in exchange for your public review! #AmaranthGazette #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor
Screenshot of the Table of Contents in Volume 1 of AMARANTH GAZETTE. The background is a forest scene colorized with a purplish pink filter. 

Table of Contents
Copyright Page...1
Table of Contents...2
Astral Travel Permit...3
Interviewing the Ultraterrestrial with Professor G. Loom...4
Advertisements...9
Crossword Puzzle: A Primer on High Strangeness...10
Looming Astrology...11
Crossword Puzzle Answer Key...14
In a Field of Blue Roses: A Poem...15
About Zira Phema...16AMARANTH GAZETTE is a surreal, reality-bending fiction e-zine created and self-published monthly by indie author Zira Phema. Lean into the liminal and wade into weirder worlds with AMARANTH GAZETTE! Volume 1 coming March 31, 2024.
Buy: ko-fi.com/ziraphema/shop

Image: a screenshot of our amaranthine cover with purple and green detailing. In the center is a robed figure, who has a globe for a head, pensively walking a desert path towards a planet.
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Zira Phema, Writer @ziraphema.bsky.social · 29/03/2024
#SFFtalk Q3: Penny in #TheOdysseyOfPenelopeWillows would be the type to host a little party for the event with eclipse glasses and everything. Her Masters degree is in Comparative Religion, so she'd likely chime in with tidbits about the significance of eclipses in ancient theology the whole time.
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