#novels — Public Fediverse posts

She sought anonymity in isolation.

The Unveiling of Eleanor Vance a.co/d/03yrdjzT

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #author #readers #indie

The Unveiling of Eleanor Vance

Citizen Zero presents a thrilling amalgam of The Matrix and V for Vendetta, with a twist of I, Daniel Blake...

Get the novel from Inspired Quill in paperback and digital editions...

http://www.inspired-quill.com/product/citizen-zero/

#books #fiction #novels #cyberpunk #dystopia #fiction #scifi

Citizen Zero presents a thrilling amalgam of The Matrix and V for Vendetta, with a twist of I, Daniel Blake...

Get the novel from Inspired Quill in paperback and digital editions...

http://www.inspired-quill.com/product/citizen-zero/

#books #fiction #novels #cyberpunk #dystopia #fiction #scifi

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

I made another poster. GOOSE CREEK HOLLER. MONEY. MOUNTAINS. MURDER. Legal thrills in the heart of Appalachia. #mastodon #mastoArt #books #bookstodon #booksky #bookReview #book #poster #postADay #post #ad #advertising #ads #writing #author #august #authorLife #authors #writingCommunity #writers #writer #productivity #pro #promotion #socialmedia #fediverse #worldBuilding #words #graphics #pictures #picture #novels #novel #fun #exhibition #selfPromo #indieAuthor #indieAuthors #indie #DailyCreate #creative #creativity #readingCommunity #reading #read #ebooks #ebook #paperbackCoverArt #paper #publishing #published #ProductLaunch #creek #rural #Appalachia #legal #attorney #law #lawsuit #lawyer #crimeFiction #suspense #thriller #mystery #hills #hidden #murder #mountains #money

I made another poster. GOOSE CREEK HOLLER. MONEY. MOUNTAINS. MURDER. Legal thrills in the heart of Appalachia. #mastodon #mastoArt #books #bookstodon #booksky #bookReview #book #poster #postADay #post #ad #advertising #ads #writing #author #august #authorLife #authors #writingCommunity #writers #writer #productivity #pro #promotion #socialmedia #fediverse #worldBuilding #words #graphics #pictures #picture #novels #novel #fun #exhibition #selfPromo #indieAuthor #indieAuthors #indie #DailyCreate #creative #creativity #readingCommunity #reading #read #ebooks #ebook #paperbackCoverArt #paper #publishing #published #ProductLaunch #creek #rural #Appalachia #legal #attorney #law #lawsuit #lawyer #crimeFiction #suspense #thriller #mystery #hills #hidden #murder #mountains #money

Doing It Her Way

Before MacKenzie Scott became one of the world’s most generous philanthropists, she was a novelist. Turns out she still is.

MacKenzie Scott has given away $26B. Now she’s releasing a novel—but you won’t find it on Amazon 

Scott is releasing her new novel piece by piece, having dropped the title, epigraph, personae, and contents on Saturday, the prologue on Sunday, and the first chapter called “Monday” on Monday. It appears the entire novel will be out by Aug. 31.

Interestingly, the story is being serialized on Substack and is still being released, but this link takes you to the main page. 

Last Days in Two Nations

Start with the August 8th post, “Last Days in Two Nations.”

* * *

Doing It Her Way

Before MacKenzie Scott became one of the world’s most generous philanthropists, she was a novelist. Turns out she still is.

MacKenzie Scott has given away $26B. Now she’s releasing a novel—but you won’t find it on Amazon 

Scott is releasing her new novel piece by piece, having dropped the title, epigraph, personae, and contents on Saturday, the prologue on Sunday, and the first chapter called “Monday” on Monday. It appears the entire novel will be out by Aug. 31.

Interestingly, the story is being serialized on Substack and is still being released, but this link takes you to the main page. 

Last Days in Two Nations

Start with the August 8th post, “Last Days in Two Nations.”

* * *

Getting closer and closer to the end. Just a few segments left. Thank you all who have read this book split up into blog posts every Friday. It has been amazing sharing it with you all.

#writing #reading #fiction #books #novels #horror #fantasy #darkfantasy #steampunk

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/08/14/beware-the-ills-part-56/

Getting closer and closer to the end. Just a few segments left. Thank you all who have read this book split up into blog posts every Friday. It has been amazing sharing it with you all.

#writing #reading #fiction #books #novels #horror #fantasy #darkfantasy #steampunk

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/08/14/beware-the-ills-part-56/

Beware the Ills: Part 56

He throws the brambly chain at me. I leap away to my left, keeping my eyes on the hidden weapon. I have little or no idea what to expect.

Something in my gut told me not to duck.

How fortunate I didn’t, since the bundle isn’t just some muddled mass, but a narrow sheet of thorny branches bound together. No doubt it’s covered in poison. If I had doubted my instinct, I would have been crushed by the strip of pointed wood. Haukter swings the sheet at me with both his sleeves. It can be easily manipulated like a flowing piece of cloth. I leap into the air spinning away from its increased range. It follows me like a spiked tongue into the air. The sheet doesn’t have the best range, but the sea of evaporated poison on it makes up for its limitations.

I’m impressed with all Haukter’s hidden weapons so far.

I dash away from him to plan a strategy. He follows by contorting the poison-thorn ribbon. I need to make a safe spot on the weapon, so I can leap off it, and slash it in two. I slow down my run, and let the strand catch up to me. He swings it sideways at me trying to hit me between the narrow trees. I slash backwards at the strip taking a few points off.

Not enough yet. Not nearly enough.

I swing again, but he twists the ribbon, so my sword gets caught in the hundreds of branches. I lose my leverage, my sword, and I’m knocked to the ground. He pulls the weapon up and slams the sheet down toward me. I roll away backwards before it hits me, with the points just missing my back and face. I’m faster than he can manipulate it. I’m on my feet and running away from him weaponless. He contorts the ribbon, so it clamps and hugs the trees behind me. I double back and wrench my sword free of the poisoned mass.

He screams in frustration. It is more of an animal howl than anything else.

I slash again at the beginning of it. More thorns severed. He swings the band at me again. I jump off the tree with my left foot and over the spiked horror. He’s got to be frustrated by my speed.

Didn’t he expect me to fight?

I fall to the uneven ground from my flip and break away running. He follows, swinging and contorting the ribbon, and each time I slash its stretched front end.

If I could’ve given him advice, I would have told him not to use such a bulky weapon. I continue to slash at the ribbons head until it’s completely clear of the thrashing points. I’m faster than him, and break towards the graveyard. I’ll need to pick my moment just right, the exact perfect moment.

He’s more inexperienced than I thought he’d be. I’m disappointed.  

I give myself some space as he chases after me with the whipping bundle of poison. I stop abruptly, and leap back at him. He brings the ribbon up towards me. He waves the band upwards, but the poison and wooden wave misses. I’m too close to him. I slash down hard into the beginning of his poisonous sheet. The ribbon falls to the ground unraveled in a disheveled wooden string. He swings the remnants up at me. I twist my body and knock them away with my sword.

Very close, that was very close.

I’m on the ground. I must defend myself immediately. The tube with the darts, from the river where he killed all those men, has appeared in his left sleeve. I knock it away from me as swing around to use it. He smashes into my chest with his other sleeve, and I fly backwards. He swings the pole at me, throwing the red tipped darts everywhere. I’m above them in a forward jump. He swipes the rod at me releasing more darts. I slash them away and knock a few back at him. His sleeves twirl around loosely bashing them aside. It was a good trick for Haukter, but not good enough.

I run.

I’m in the graveyard now, on the very outskirts of it. I’m confident I have eliminated most of his weapons to use against me.

Brute strength will be next, I know it.

I know how this works, he doesn’t. He’s following me into the graveyard. He fires more darts at me with the rod. I knock them away casually, barely looking back. Another rod emerges from his right sleeve, and an even larger cloud follows me. I sprint faster and topple a few small trees down to knock the cloud away. They oblige with aching falls and tumbles. The destruction of the forest in this combat can only be described as monumental. I pick up speed and break away from him.

He follows.

I’m waiting for him at a small clearing, marked by a pile of frosted corpses. Behind me sits a toppled walking machine, which was shredded and dismantled long ago. I’m standing perfectly still. My sword’s dangling in front of my feet. He emerges from the trees like a faceless beast, walking quietly. He’s acting more confidently and standing straighter. He knows he has the advantage because of his youth and size. He walks over to me slowly. He’s panting in long streams.

So am I.

I’ll be releasing my novel Beware the Ills in segments every Friday. You can find out more about the book right here, or check out Amazon’s info. I love this book. Happy to simply share it. 

Beware the Ills: Part 56

He throws the brambly chain at me. I leap away to my left, keeping my eyes on the hidden weapon. I have little or no idea what to expect.

Something in my gut told me not to duck.

How fortunate I didn’t, since the bundle isn’t just some muddled mass, but a narrow sheet of thorny branches bound together. No doubt it’s covered in poison. If I had doubted my instinct, I would have been crushed by the strip of pointed wood. Haukter swings the sheet at me with both his sleeves. It can be easily manipulated like a flowing piece of cloth. I leap into the air spinning away from its increased range. It follows me like a spiked tongue into the air. The sheet doesn’t have the best range, but the sea of evaporated poison on it makes up for its limitations.

I’m impressed with all Haukter’s hidden weapons so far.

I dash away from him to plan a strategy. He follows by contorting the poison-thorn ribbon. I need to make a safe spot on the weapon, so I can leap off it, and slash it in two. I slow down my run, and let the strand catch up to me. He swings it sideways at me trying to hit me between the narrow trees. I slash backwards at the strip taking a few points off.

Not enough yet. Not nearly enough.

I swing again, but he twists the ribbon, so my sword gets caught in the hundreds of branches. I lose my leverage, my sword, and I’m knocked to the ground. He pulls the weapon up and slams the sheet down toward me. I roll away backwards before it hits me, with the points just missing my back and face. I’m faster than he can manipulate it. I’m on my feet and running away from him weaponless. He contorts the ribbon, so it clamps and hugs the trees behind me. I double back and wrench my sword free of the poisoned mass.

He screams in frustration. It is more of an animal howl than anything else.

I slash again at the beginning of it. More thorns severed. He swings the band at me again. I jump off the tree with my left foot and over the spiked horror. He’s got to be frustrated by my speed.

Didn’t he expect me to fight?

I fall to the uneven ground from my flip and break away running. He follows, swinging and contorting the ribbon, and each time I slash its stretched front end.

If I could’ve given him advice, I would have told him not to use such a bulky weapon. I continue to slash at the ribbons head until it’s completely clear of the thrashing points. I’m faster than him, and break towards the graveyard. I’ll need to pick my moment just right, the exact perfect moment.

He’s more inexperienced than I thought he’d be. I’m disappointed.  

I give myself some space as he chases after me with the whipping bundle of poison. I stop abruptly, and leap back at him. He brings the ribbon up towards me. He waves the band upwards, but the poison and wooden wave misses. I’m too close to him. I slash down hard into the beginning of his poisonous sheet. The ribbon falls to the ground unraveled in a disheveled wooden string. He swings the remnants up at me. I twist my body and knock them away with my sword.

Very close, that was very close.

I’m on the ground. I must defend myself immediately. The tube with the darts, from the river where he killed all those men, has appeared in his left sleeve. I knock it away from me as swing around to use it. He smashes into my chest with his other sleeve, and I fly backwards. He swings the pole at me, throwing the red tipped darts everywhere. I’m above them in a forward jump. He swipes the rod at me releasing more darts. I slash them away and knock a few back at him. His sleeves twirl around loosely bashing them aside. It was a good trick for Haukter, but not good enough.

I run.

I’m in the graveyard now, on the very outskirts of it. I’m confident I have eliminated most of his weapons to use against me.

Brute strength will be next, I know it.

I know how this works, he doesn’t. He’s following me into the graveyard. He fires more darts at me with the rod. I knock them away casually, barely looking back. Another rod emerges from his right sleeve, and an even larger cloud follows me. I sprint faster and topple a few small trees down to knock the cloud away. They oblige with aching falls and tumbles. The destruction of the forest in this combat can only be described as monumental. I pick up speed and break away from him.

He follows.

I’m waiting for him at a small clearing, marked by a pile of frosted corpses. Behind me sits a toppled walking machine, which was shredded and dismantled long ago. I’m standing perfectly still. My sword’s dangling in front of my feet. He emerges from the trees like a faceless beast, walking quietly. He’s acting more confidently and standing straighter. He knows he has the advantage because of his youth and size. He walks over to me slowly. He’s panting in long streams.

So am I.

I’ll be releasing my novel Beware the Ills in segments every Friday. You can find out more about the book right here, or check out Amazon’s info. I love this book. Happy to simply share it. 

GOOSE CREEK HOLLER poster. MONEY. MOUNTAINS. MURDER. #goosecreekholler #postADay #poster #post #novel #novels #mastoArt #mastodon #fediart #fediverse #writing #writingCommunity #writer #writers #socialnetwork #socialweb #socialmedia #books #bookstodon #book #suspense #gritlit #rural #Appalachia #Appalachian #noir #writersOfMastodon #writersLife #writersCoffeeClub #scribesAndMakers #fridayReads #friday #read_time #reading #read #libraries #library #ad #advertising #ads #marketing #maker #making #picture #crimeFiction #crime #words #pressreleases #press #selfPromo #promotion #indie #indieAuthors #indieAuthor #newBook #new #ProductLaunch #launch #Southernfiction #Southern #family #sheriff #law #legal #attorney #lawyer

Their journey is a testament to the strength of a modern partnership.

Serendipity at the Bookstore a.co/d/01OF2jLI

#booksky #books #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #author #readers #indie

Novel ending 25: From an American novel published in 1986

Photo of the author of this novel

David woke in the morning when the first light came in the window. It was still gray outside and there were different pine trunks than the ones he usually woke to see and a longer gap beyond them toward the sea. His right arm was stiff because he had slept on it. Then, awake, he knew he was in a strange bed and he saw Marita lying sleeping by him. He remembered everything and he looked at her lovingly and covered her fresh brown body with the sheet and then kissed her very lightly again and putting on his dressing gown walked out into the dew-wet early morning carrying the image of how she looked with him to his room.

Notes
This quote is actually not the very ending of the book but the beginning of the last chapter and, in my (im)modest opinion more relevant in closing the novel than the page that follows.
After a break of many years, it occurred to me while looking a the various novels on the shelf in front of me to give it a new shot.

Please leave a comment if you think you know who wrote this novel.

Novel ending 25: From an American novel published in 1986

Photo of the author of this novel

David woke in the morning when the first light came in the window. It was still gray outside and there were different pine trunks than the ones he usually woke to see and a longer gap beyond them toward the sea. His right arm was stiff because he had slept on it. Then, awake, he knew he was in a strange bed and he saw Marita lying sleeping by him. He remembered everything and he looked at her lovingly and covered her fresh brown body with the sheet and then kissed her very lightly again and putting on his dressing gown walked out into the dew-wet early morning carrying the image of how she looked with him to his room.

Notes
This quote is actually not the very ending of the book but the beginning of the last chapter and, in my (im)modest opinion more relevant in closing the novel than the page that follows.
After a break of many years, it occurred to me while looking a the various novels on the shelf in front of me to give it a new shot.

Please leave a comment if you think you know who wrote this novel.

The Last Train Home a.co/d/0gFOHAzN

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

#MissKitty is very happy with what she can do with #midjourney but the #censorship is still there and I'm not going to accept that. When human beings in #America still #read #novels and still had a high school #education worth talking about, ...

#MissKitty is very happy with what she can do with #midjourney but the #censorship is still there and I'm not going to accept that. When human beings in #America still #read #novels and still had a high school #education worth talking about, ...

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

Wow a new reader has found my book 📖

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

#ScribesAndMakers Aug 13:
Our next featured creator turned a short story into a novel. Have you ever done that, or the reverse?

*whistles* Don't know what you're talking about.

Of course, the longest short story I've ever written now sits at around 403 pages.

Even with harsh editing, don't think it's gonna get under 7000 words again.

☺️

#Writing #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #WritersofMastodon #ShortStories #Novels

#ScribesAndMakers Aug 13:
Our next featured creator turned a short story into a novel. Have you ever done that, or the reverse?

*whistles* Don't know what you're talking about.

Of course, the longest short story I've ever written now sits at around 403 pages.

Even with harsh editing, don't think it's gonna get under 7000 words again.

☺️

#Writing #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #WritersofMastodon #ShortStories #Novels

A lost locket. A luminous lotus. A forgotten woman’s gaze across time. And a modern cartographer’s race to reclaim her family’s buried legacy.

The Heirloom Heart a.co/d/0aX5k92B

#booksky #books #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #women #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #author #readers #indie

The Heirloom Heart

Claudia Rankine Plays Dead

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/claudia-rankine-plays-dead

Claudia Rankine Plays Dead

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/claudia-rankine-plays-dead

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

Yay 😁

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

Woke up to check the dashboard and yesterday was a solid day!

6 orders processed and $19.27 in estimated royalties.

Every single order counts, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support. Back to creating!
#booksky #books #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #women #fiction #fantasy #crime #indie

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

A world powered by song. A sacred magic corrupted. Can three unlikely heroes restore a fractured harmony before silence claims everything?

The Weavers of Aethel a.co/d/0iGYq1Om

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #women #fiction #fantasy #crime #sifi #indie

They’re arguably kind of superfluous, but I’ve always liked it when #novels have a #TableofContents …
#books #BookSky

They’re arguably kind of superfluous, but I’ve always liked it when #novels have a #TableofContents …
#books #BookSky

I implore you to explore this series more if you get tired of reading just the one entry at a time on here. If you like it in small doses, then by all means continue.

#writing #reading #fiction #books #horror #apocalyptic #journal #monsters #novels

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/08/10/the-greenland-diaries-day-70/

I implore you to explore this series more if you get tired of reading just the one entry at a time on here. If you like it in small doses, then by all means continue.

#writing #reading #fiction #books #horror #apocalyptic #journal #monsters #novels

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/08/10/the-greenland-diaries-day-70/

The Greenland Diaries: Day 70

They were everywhere last night. They practically devoured the gloom and darkness with their spiked clouds. 

Gerald and I watched them all night.

We were waiting for the Unnamed to tear into our tin box. To shake us loose from these flimsy walls and take us outside in flailing chunks of screaming meat. I can’t help but think we’re tuna inside this shed, waiting to be peeled out and torn to pieces by a thousand clawed arms of unknown monsters.

What makes the analogy worse is the sweat pouring out of our skin at an alarming rate. We’re literally being canned and preserved for the Unnamed.

Writing this much about the same things over and over, everything is turning into a metaphor. This is the most I’ve ever written in my life. I need it to keep me sane. 

No illusions again last night. My killing of the Unnamed in the sunlight must have thrown off the delicate balance. The festering paranoia from the battle might not have been worth removing this creature from existence. It’s very discouraging watching the monsters gather these last few nights. They’re mortal, and capable of being killed by our guns, bullets, and bombs. Why are there still so many of them roaming about in the darkness? Even if those confrontations between the military and Unnamed failed, they still should have wiped out a bunch of these monsters.

I don’t understand why there are still so many.

Another downside of watching these monsters the last few nights has been the grim realization they’re stalking the sky. I remember during the counterattack; I saw something tear a jet apart in the blackness. These last few nights the sky has been writhing with whatever abomination throttled that plane. I can’t get the best looks through the rusty cracks of my shed’s roof, but to me they look like pieces of flowing black cloth with white and flawless masks. The masks have faces on them.

I saw one chase down a jet

We slept during the day, again. I do not like this type of routine. We have plenty of provisions and water, so gathering more isn’t an issue. The feeling of profound hopelessness is a more pressing issue however, and it feels more powerful during the day. Gerald suggested we move, but the whole area becomes thick with them, and staying in the heart of this monster-maelstrom might be the key.

I just can’t leave things that are familiar to me.

Today, a roof on the rambler across the street collapsed beneath the weight of the plants. It shook the whole neighborhood in a booming and broken crash of rotted wood and hollow metal. The sound only happened for a second, as if the plants didn’t want to bother anyone. Nothing moved when the house caved in, not a bird or bug. Gerald and I looked at each other when it happened, but we didn’t say anything.

The plants are going to get rid of us one way or another.

The Greenland Diaries: Day 70

They were everywhere last night. They practically devoured the gloom and darkness with their spiked clouds. 

Gerald and I watched them all night.

We were waiting for the Unnamed to tear into our tin box. To shake us loose from these flimsy walls and take us outside in flailing chunks of screaming meat. I can’t help but think we’re tuna inside this shed, waiting to be peeled out and torn to pieces by a thousand clawed arms of unknown monsters.

What makes the analogy worse is the sweat pouring out of our skin at an alarming rate. We’re literally being canned and preserved for the Unnamed.

Writing this much about the same things over and over, everything is turning into a metaphor. This is the most I’ve ever written in my life. I need it to keep me sane. 

No illusions again last night. My killing of the Unnamed in the sunlight must have thrown off the delicate balance. The festering paranoia from the battle might not have been worth removing this creature from existence. It’s very discouraging watching the monsters gather these last few nights. They’re mortal, and capable of being killed by our guns, bullets, and bombs. Why are there still so many of them roaming about in the darkness? Even if those confrontations between the military and Unnamed failed, they still should have wiped out a bunch of these monsters.

I don’t understand why there are still so many.

Another downside of watching these monsters the last few nights has been the grim realization they’re stalking the sky. I remember during the counterattack; I saw something tear a jet apart in the blackness. These last few nights the sky has been writhing with whatever abomination throttled that plane. I can’t get the best looks through the rusty cracks of my shed’s roof, but to me they look like pieces of flowing black cloth with white and flawless masks. The masks have faces on them.

I saw one chase down a jet

We slept during the day, again. I do not like this type of routine. We have plenty of provisions and water, so gathering more isn’t an issue. The feeling of profound hopelessness is a more pressing issue however, and it feels more powerful during the day. Gerald suggested we move, but the whole area becomes thick with them, and staying in the heart of this monster-maelstrom might be the key.

I just can’t leave things that are familiar to me.

Today, a roof on the rambler across the street collapsed beneath the weight of the plants. It shook the whole neighborhood in a booming and broken crash of rotted wood and hollow metal. The sound only happened for a second, as if the plants didn’t want to bother anyone. Nothing moved when the house caved in, not a bird or bug. Gerald and I looked at each other when it happened, but we didn’t say anything.

The plants are going to get rid of us one way or another.

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

What am I reading?

Nearly finished, on the fnal approach methinks, Death on Ice by RO Thorp. Cosy crime with a science bent and a few twists and turns. *EDIT* Just finished it tonight (Monday). Bit of a contrived ending with some double-double crossing going on. Would I read another of RO Thorp's books. I might!

Started but still in the early stages: The Viaduct Killings by Wes Markin. Crime and I am reading it because it's set in Yorkshire.

Just finished re-reading A Question of Resistance by Paul Smith (me) which I read because I went to a book club where they had read it. Most of them enjoyed it and they were very kind to me.

#Reading #AmReading #Novels #Books #CosyCrime

What am I reading?

Nearly finished, on the fnal approach methinks, Death on Ice by RO Thorp. Cosy crime with a science bent and a few twists and turns. *EDIT* Just finished it tonight (Monday). Bit of a contrived ending with some double-double crossing going on. Would I read another of RO Thorp's books. I might!

Started but still in the early stages: The Viaduct Killings by Wes Markin. Crime and I am reading it because it's set in Yorkshire.

Just finished re-reading A Question of Resistance by Paul Smith (me) which I read because I went to a book club where they had read it. Most of them enjoyed it and they were very kind to me.

#Reading #AmReading #Novels #Books #CosyCrime

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

Love in the Time of Algorithms a.co/d/07SNrlsh

#booksky #books #Kindleunlimited #thriller #suspense #romance #novels #geopolitical #mythological #darkromance #women #contemporary #fiction #fantasy #crime #amazon #sifi #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #author #readers #indie

How Caro Claire Burke Wrote the Biggest Book of the Year

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/how-caro-claire-burke-wrote-the-biggest-book-of-the-year

It’s Book Lovers Day today – the occasion to celebrate reading & literature! 📚 🎉
Do you like books as much as I do? ❤️
Then put away your smartphone (or do you need it to read your ebooks?), pick up a book and take your time to read! 😊
HAPPY CELEBRATING, HAPPY READING! ✍️ 📖 🥳

#BookLoversDay #BookLoversDay2026 #BookLoversDay26 #Booklovers
#Books #Literature #Reading #Writing #selfpublished #selfpublishing #indieauthor #indieauthors #wlw #ff #lesfic #lesbian #sapphic #queer #LGBT #LGBTQIA #novels

Happy International Cat Day! Just received my first bad review on my book GOOSE CREEK HOLLER. Pretty harsh, and while I get where the reviewer is coming from, did he actually read the part about the other Southern delicacies consumed by the Appalachian family of Buchnells? It also starts with a "G". I think not, or he might have given a more favorable review and at least a one paw up. And it's hollar, not holler, Mr. Harrison. Sheesh, reviewers. #cats #cat #bookReview #reviews #review #mastodon #fediverse #books #booksky #bookstodon #book #humor #fun #caturday #saturday #goose #goosecreekholler #sophiajanehayden #novels #novel #Southern #Appalachia #Appalachian #mysteryThriller #mystery #writingCommunity #writing #writer #writers #scribesAndMakers #writingCommunity #reading #read #readersofmastodon #readingCommunity #readin2026 #felines #harrison #catskills #words #iamwriting

My Birthright

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/my-birthright

New Release: A Ride to Remember

https://higginbothampublications.wordpress.com/2026/08/07/new-release-a-ride-to-remember/

The battle rages. What you've all been waiting for. This is my best fight scene so far. You can see all the inspiration from both Final Fantasy and anime. Enjoy!

#writing #reading #fiction #books #novels #horror #fantasy #darkfantasy #steampunk

https://patrickwmarshauthor.wordpress.com/2026/08/07/beware-the-ills-part-55/

Beware the Ills: Part 55

He snaps his body in a fur-filled twist and throws the blade at me. I’m too close to knock it away. I’ll have to bring the combat closer to him. I leap in the air and arch my back. I slam into the blade with both hands wrapped around my axe. The cleaver falls back into Haukter, who gets crushed against a few trees by my falling weight. The cleaver glows with poison. Dried blood has crusted itself around the rippled edge. I investigate the slit of beaming skin, and eyes atop the mass of fur. Just one blue eye glows back at me. The other has been bandaged with feathers and mud. He throws me off with a quick push.

He’s strong, and full of blood-craving youth.

I swing my sword at him with my right hand the moment we break. His claw snaps out to block it. I kick him in the chest, twist my body with my foot, and throw him into a few trees. My boot thumped like iron, as it collided with the hides. 

I dash sideways again. He follows, but not fast to overtake me. He’s a little intimidated, the kick probably stunned him. He throws the cleaver again at me in a metallic sideways arc.

What marksmanship he has developed with it.

I brace myself against a tree to absorb the force and prevent being knocked off my feet. I turn with the heavy axe and strike it again, and another collision roars skyward. The cleaver ricochets back at him, and I follow. He leaps back from the blade as it spins. He doesn’t have enough time to counter both of us. I slash him with my sword straight through the chest. A cloak of fur drops off, revealing another row of tanned hide and feathers.

I will peel off all your layers, Haukter.

He plucks his spinning blade out of the air and leaps backwards between the trees. I drop my sword and grip the axe in both hands with all my strength. There is another collision between axe and cleaver, monster and man. Trees fall, the ground parts, and snow flies up in every direction. We break from the collision immediately. Neither of us wants to be locked together.

He stares at me as we run. He’s impressed, I know it.

I reach for my sword and grab it wildly with my shivering hand. The vibrations are still tickling my bones. I’ve kept it sheathed on and off through the combat.  I turn back to his flowing and running form and throw the axe at him with my left hand in a crooked sideways spin. I know it won’t hit him, but I want him to become comfortable with my limitations, that way he might make a mistake by being overconfident. He ducks and twists against the massive axe head. It slashes against him. He couldn’t move much, he’s too busy maneuvering the cleaver. He sheds another hide, and the axe spins through the empty air into a tree, which falls apart in chunks. Bits of the fur fall from its ravenous axe head. He swings the chain and guides the blade to meet me. The cleaver throw was a desperate fling.

He underestimated me.

He clearly expected to be more on the offensive with this battle. I sprint in random dashes and twists. The blade follows me, like an edged animal sniffing the air. I dash left and right around sturdy trees, which can handle the weight of the chain.

Whatever direction I break, the blade follows and strains against the trees. I can hear the wood squeaking and thrashing behind me. A colossal grey tree sits in front of me. I make a sharp turn to my left and come around it. I can feel the cleavers shadow on my snowy tracks. It clunks around the tree, hooked and stuck in its immense trunk. I stare back at the chain as I break the corner, its taunt like rolled wire. I have one moment to do this, one moment. I hear running, and the chain goes slightly slack. Haukter realizes his mistake. No matter though, I swing with my sword in both hands, and it comes apart in a clean serrated snap. The massive cleaver falls to the ground with a boom of distant horror. One less obstacle for me, and one more for Haukter to overcome.

I head towards the graveyard.

To my surprise, Haukter gets creative, and swings the chain at me the moment I begin to run away. He might’ve expected my victory against the cleaver. The chain reaches me in a wild thrash. I manage to get my sword up the moment the snake hits. The collision sends me crashing into a cluster of trees. My ribs get crushed, something pulls in my back, and the light brightens in the eaves. I’m on my feet quickly from the pile of down timber. He’s running straight at me, the behemoth of dead skin and fur. He reaches behind his shoulder and grabs the strange bundle of branches. I’ve always thought it was firewood he brought along to every location. He’s holding the tied-up pile with his right hand.

It’s a weapon, how exciting.

I’ll be releasing my novel Beware the Ills in segments every Friday. You can find out more about the book right here, or check out Amazon’s info. I love this book. Happy to simply share it. 

TWO WOMEN'S INTENSE FRIENDSHIP and subsequent estrangement is captured in a series of vignettes from their university days to their reunion after ten years of silence, intercut between past and present. Vivid characters and elegant style. B PLUS

https://bookshop.org/p/books/strange-girls-a-novel-sarvat-hasin/5532080323af4344?ean=9798217179527&bkshp-astro=t

@bookstodon

#book #Books #bookreview #bookreviews #bookstodon #fiction #novel #novels

"Looking for your next #book club pick? Want to support emerging #Jewish #women #writers? Why not do both!?

These writers have broken through barriers and written #stories that captivate #readers, all while infusing their work with Judaism, whether it’s in the people, the history or culture. Magical realism? Family drama? Secrets? These #novels have something for everyone. So pick one or pick them all — your #bookclub friends will thank you!"

https://www.kveller.com/breakout-novels-by-jewish-women-to-add-to-your-tbr-right-now/

How Jordan Harper Reinvented Noir for the Epstein Era

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/how-jordan-harper-reinvented-noir-for-the-epstein-era