“Regardless of gender or orientation, it is easy for the reader to understand, sympathize with, and see through the eyes of Jack. He's the right kind of everyman protagonist.” -From a review of my queer novel DRAWN on Goodreads 📖 #queer #books #goodreads

My first evening of audiobook recording with ROC Vox Recording & Production went great! I can already tell this is going to be a smooth, efficient, enjoyable process. I especially like the mood lighting in the booth! ✨ Coming soon: “DRAWN by L. J. Nightingale, read by L. J. Nightingale” 🎙️ #audiobook

Did a signing of my queer 1950s romance novel DRAWN in my college town of New Paltz, NY today 💙🏳️‍🌈🧡 @sunynewpaltz.bsky.social

DRAWN: Book 1 in The Lovett & Swire Series by L. J. Nightingale - 2nd Edition. Available now (links in my Linktree). One night in 1955, a young artist named Jack is thrown from his home over a drawing. Then he stumbles across Martin, who claims to be a soldier beamed straight from WWII. 📖🏳️‍🌈💙👽 #books

I’m officially a member of SUNY New Paltz’s 40 Under Forty Class of 2026! I got my BA in Theatre Arts with minors in History and Creative Writing at SUNY NP, and I’ve certainly used every part of that education in writing historical fiction 💙📖🧡 @sunyofficial.bsky.social

Sketches of DRAWN No. 4: Dahlia Rose - the mysterious, confident, no-nonsense bar owner. Brought to life by @lilfatdog.bsky.social 💜 Find out more about Dahlia in DRAWN: Book 1 of the Lovett & Swire Series (2nd Edition), coming July 7th, 2026 🌹📖 #queerauthor #queerbook #queerromance #characterart

What do you do when your publisher shuts down and your first edition goes out of print? Pivot! DRAWN: Book 1 in the Lovett & Swire Series (2nd Edition) - coming July 7 🩶🏳️‍🌈💙 Read for slow burn queer romance, an intense historical setting, a cinematic feel, and aliens 👽 #queerromance #historicalfiction

I had a lot of fun tabling at Another Chapter Bookstore as part of the Fairport Pride Tent at Canal Days today in Fairport, NY! I sold seven books- six at the table and one to a vendor I met afterwards while wandering 😁✌🏻🏳️‍🌈💙 #fairportny #anotherchapterbookstore #queerauthor #queerromance

I had a great time with Nate and Steph of Creative Action Unlimited recording an episode for their podcast “Perspectives”! Among other things, we talked about “Drawn”, the writing process, and King Ludwig II 📖✍️🇩🇪 #author #queerauthor #queerbook #podcast #creativeactionunlimited

Sketches of “Drawn” No. 3: Josie Himmel - the haunted, kind, blacklisted actress. Brought to life by @lilfatdog.bsky.social 💜 “Drawn” - a queer 1950s romance adventure novel - is going through a publishing transition. Stay tuned for updates on its availability!

Had a friend send me this photo from Book Culture in Pittsford, NY - “Drawn” is now featured in the Local Authors section, yay! 🏳️‍🌈💙 #rochesterny #localbookstore

Sketches of “Drawn” No. 2: Jack Lovett - the talented, tentative, self-doubting artist. Art by @lilfatdog.bsky.social 💜 Buy my debut queer novel in Rochester, NY at Book Culture, Ampersand Books, The Unreliable Narrator, and The Siren and the Sea. Also available on Amazon and @barnesandnoble.com.

Dropped off two copies of “Drawn” at Lock City Books in Lockport, NY on Indie Bookstore Day to be sold on consignment! #indiebookstoreday

The Nazareth University "Drawn" Book Club - aka Feast & Fiction - was a success! I really felt the love from my colleagues and it was amazing to see so many copies of my book that were already purchased in one place 😂 #nazarethuniversity #rochesterny

Sketches of “Drawn” No. 1: Martin Swire- the earnest, troubled, time-traveling soldier. Brought to life by @lilfatdog.bsky.social 💜 Buy the book in Rochester, NY at Book Culture, Ampersand Books, and The Siren and the Sea- also on Amazon or @barnesandnoble.com. #characterart #historicalfiction

Sold 7 copies of my queer historical romance novel “Drawn” at my most recent signing at Burn Bright Books in Rochester, NY 🔥💕

I have made my first donation to The Trevor Project from “Drawn” royalties! Thank you so much to everyone who bought a copy of my novel during Nov-Dec 2025- you helped support LGBTQIA+ youth today, at a time when they need our support more than ever 🧡🧡🧡 #supportlgbtqyouth #banconversiontherapy

Teaching a public history class on YouTube video essays this Thursday and you made it to the slideshow @bigjoel.bsky.social

Someone just found a #will&grace reference in my 1950s queer romance adventure novel “Drawn" that I did not even know I made and I love that

SUNY New Paltz has chosen me as one of their 40 Under Forty for 2026! 💙🧡💙🧡 #sunynewpaltz #suny #40UnderForty #author #actor #admin #adjunct

Reading from my queer 1950s romance adventure novel “Drawn” at Lovin’ Cup’s Open Mic in Rochester, NY #rochesterny

Where Jack’s journey starts, in Long Island 🟨 Where it lingers, in New York City 🟩 Where it ends, in Albany 🟦 Where to next? Stay tuned. “Drawn”, a queer 1950s romance adventure, is available on @barnesandnoble.com, Amazon, and in several Rochester bookstores (ask me).

A reaction to my queer novel “Drawn”: “It BAFFLES me how much you know about the actual lived experience of gay men...The way Jack feels about life is also VERY recognizable. It almost feels like reading a book about my own life, even though his story is from the 50's.” #queerbooks #romancebooks

Author | First Page | Cover 👩🏻‍🦰📃📘

Just some queer debut author joy at @barnesandnoble.com in Webster, NY 📖🏳️‍🌈😍💙

My queer 1950s sci-fi romance novel “Drawn” is now part of the Lorette Wilmot Library at Nazareth University in Rochester, NY!

My queer 1950s sci-fi romance novel “Drawn” is headed downstate for an event at the Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz, NY in collaboration with Inquiring Minds Bookstore! 2/21. Stay tuned for more details 📖 Photos from the Elting Memorial Library (altered) and Sojourner Truth Library archives.

When you’re having a bad night and then open up your book’s listing on Amazon to find THIS 5-star review 😮🥰 #bookreview #queerbook #fivestars

Scrabble, sparkling grape juice, and bed before 9. Goodnight and Happy New Year from the Nightingales! 🐦❤️🐦

Had a great 2025 ☺️

The road from a beta reader writing in their notes, "Read the draft, you need to work on that ending" to an old friend messaging you, "Read the book, that ending was perfect" is long, but very worthwhile. 🥹💙

My last Rochester "Drawn" signing (for now) will be at the Barnes & Noble in Webster on January 10th at 2 PM! NOTE: This is a date change from the original date of January 3rd. Come spend your gift card on a queer romantic adventure and support a local author! #booksigning #rochesterny

Nothing like doing a book signing at an indie bookstore in your hometown (Paper Moon on Brunswick Rd in Troy, NY) 🥹💙 #troyny #books #queerromance

Merry Christmas from NY’s Capital District! We’re home in Clifton Park for the week 🎄👩🏻‍🦰🧔🏻🎄

My novel ‘Drawn’ takes place in March, but the holidays are upon us- so why not? Here’s what some of the cast want for Christmas 🎄🏙️ 💙 #characterchristmaslist #debutnovel #christmas #queercharacters #queerchristmas

Lucky 7 Years Sober today! #sobriety

Became an official Goodreads Author today! #goodreads

18 books sold at my first @barnesandnoble.com signing! A win for queer historical fiction 🏳️‍🌈💙

First #barnesandnoble signing tomorrow (12/13) ✨

Hi! You are not your creative work! As I’ve been promoting “Drawn”, I’ve struggled with the narrative of, “If the book isn’t doing well enough, I’m not good enough.” But we are not our work, fellow artists. We are complex, beautiful humans with lots going on and a lot to love. We are enough!

“Drawn” = cat-approved! 🐱🙌🏻

Life is good 📖✨

That’s a good-lookin’ box of books right there 📖😍 Can’t wait for my second Rochester book signing tomorrow!

L. J. Nightingale and her writing assistant Polly 🐱✍️

UPDATED “Drawn” Book Tour Schedule 📖💙 AltBar | 12/6 @ 2-6 PM Barnes & Noble (Pittsford) | 12/13 @ 1-3 PM Paper Moon (Troy, NY) | 12/27 @ 5-7 PM Barnes & Noble (Webster) | 1/3 @ 2-4 PM

“Are you famous?” “Uh, no. Why’d you ask?” “You’re talking about book signings and stuff.” Love my nephew’s confidence in me 😂 #famous

I’m very excited to announce that “Drawn” is now being sold at Ampersand Books, the bookstore at Writers & Books in Rochester, NY! 📖💙

One of my first reviews on Goodreads is a 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Buy “Drawn” at the IngramSpark link in my bio! 📖 #debutauthor #queerreads #fivestarbookreview

Cannot get over how surreal this was. I’m a published author! ☺️

💙📚 17 BOOKS SOLD 📚💙 My first book signing for “Drawn” at Burn Bright Books was a success! Thanks so much to Shauna for making it happen, and to everyone who came out to chat with me and get a signed copy! Next stop: AltBar on 12/6! #debutauthor #booksigning #rochesterny