Holy crap! Darkness Calls is a 2026 HORROR BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST All I’ve ever hoped for is that a few weird souls like my own would find the magic in the darkness. Thanks to all who’ve read this story— and thanks to Imaginarium for this honor! #horror #horrorcommunity #horrorbooks

Hot off the presses! The winners of the 11th Annual Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest read their prize-winning stories at this special Word for Word event. Check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1-P...

Show rec! I don’t know how I missed Warrior (TV series on HBO). It’s 19th-century SF Chinatown politics with epic martial arts fights every step of the way. It’s rooted in a Bruce Lee concept- wait until the “Enter the Dragon” episode! Have you all seen this?! I’m already planning my rewatch!

I’m grateful (and stunned) to share this new award! It’s a reminder that stories can provide hope as much as entertainment. And now the audio is available thanks to @tantoraudio.bsky.social ❤️ #lgbtbooks #yalit #lgbtauthor #bookrec

NOW ON AUDIO! This isn’t just a YA story. It’s the ultimate fight for love, identity, and belonging🥋❤️🔥 Whether you’re into heart-pounding romance or fierce underdog energy, this one’s for you. @tantoraudio.bsky.social #queeraudiobook #lgbtbooks #ownvoices #audiobookgiveaway

Praise for The Broken Heart!

🎧 IT’S RELEASE DAY! 🎉 PRIDE AND PERSISTENCE is officially on AUDIO! If you love… 💥 queer YA with big emotions 🥋 martial arts + found family 💛 identity, resilience, and real-life bravery ➡️ Grab the audiobook today @tantoraudio.bsky.social #audiobooks #lgbtreads #YAbooks #newrelease

🎙️ NEW interview! I had the chance to sit down with Nick Monteleone, the voice of Aiden in the Singlets and Secrets audiobook and in Pride and Persistence, (which releases on audio THIS Tuesday!). Listen now! #podcast #audiobooks #lgbt @tantoraudio.bsky.social

One of Nick’s fav scenes to record in Pride and Persistence! ❤️ The audiobook drops TOMORROW! Get Pride and Persistence wherever you get your audiobooks! @tantoraudio.bsky.social #audiobookrecs #lgbtbooks #voiceactor #lgbt

WOW. This review made my day. We’ve put SO much work into this! ✨ “It’s an audiobook that, as soon as you finish, you’ll want to listen to again. Even the narrator does a fantastic job. It really is a perfect audiobook.” ✨ @tantoraudio.bsky.social #audiobookrecs #lgbtbooks #audiobookreview

I asked the actor behind the Singlets and Secrets audiobook who his favorite character is… and I LOVE his answer! Full convo drops soon. Until then, grab the audiobook and tell us: who’s your favorite character? @tantoraudio.bsky.social #audiobooks #lgbtbooks #voiceactor #lgbtreads

I got to meet THE voice of Aiden- Nick Monteleone! If you’ve listened to the Singlets and Secrets audiobook, you know how much heart he brings to the story. Here’s a quick story from our convo- full interview coming! @tantoraudio.bsky.social #audiobooks #voiceactors

I was today years old when I realized Spotify also hosts our audiobooks! These are love stories, but not just romance. It’s love of friendship, acceptance of oneself, and full of passion for the things that make us feel alive @tantoraudio.bsky.social #audiobooks #audiobookrecs #lgbtbooks

Aren’t they SO pretty? The story is even better! ❤️ And if you shop on LibroFM, it supports indie bookstores! (And many stores had to close today- so grab a copy online, support your fav local bookstore AND my new release!) #audiobooks #smallbusinesssaturday

I needed holiday cheer in my home office! Here’s where the magic gets written ❤️

Queer love story Queer karate kid story Queer author Queer narrator What’s not to love about this NEW release?!? ❤️🏳️‍🌈😊 #audiobooks #lgbt #romance

My favorite love story is now on audio! This isn’t just another book. It’s a deep dive into accepting yourself, no matter what the rest of the world thinks. Please celebrate with me & get the audiobook today! #lgbtbooks #queerya #ownvoices

Singlets and Secrets is now on audio! Celebrate this new release with me, and get your copy today please ❤️🏳️‍🌈😊 @tantoraudio.bsky.social @ #lgbtbooks #readwithpride #lgbtreads

I’m so excited for you to hear this story. It will surprise you! Grab Singlets and Secrets on audio now, and make it a part of your week! Celebrate this new release with me❤️ Available midnight 11/11

It was an honor to share the inspiration behind Darkness Calls. Hope you’ll check out the article, and pick up a copy of my horror fantasy wherever books are sold! gnofhorror.com/joe-chianaka...

At the Will Rogers Medallion Awards banquet. It's becoming one of the premier events for Western writers. But... If there is ever a need to diversify... to get more Black and Native American voices... this will be the place to stand out. My little publishing company would welcome those voices.

Beyond grateful for this amazing weekend. No mercy! Cobra Kai never dies

🎉 Congratulations to Joe Chianakas one of our amazing finalists for the Imadjinn book award! 📚 Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and we couldn't be prouder! 🏆✨ #BookAwardFinalist #ProudMoment #LiteraryAchievement #AuthorLife #Congratulations 🎊

First Chicago talk show interview! First nationally syndicated talk show appearance 😊 Interview is done! I’m officially a guest star on season 11 of The Whitney Reynolds Show! Can’t wait to share more ❤️ Thanks to all who celebrate diverse stories and creators!

Author signing at Peoria Barnes and Noble this Saturday! Hope to see you!

Word for Word concludes another successful season with our annual Graduate Spotlight! Watch as recent grads Bethany Willard (BA), Nikki White and Jessica Matson (MA), and Ashleigh Worley and Kayleigh Michael (MFA) read from and discuss their awesome thesis projects! www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQxa...

Nailed it.

GIVEAWAY! Celebrate my new horror novel and win prizes! How to Enter: 1. Leave a review for Darkness Calls on any online site (see links in comments). 2. That’s it. Winners announced: June 24, July 1, July 7, July 14 #horror #horrorbooks #summerreading #giveaway

GIVEAWAY! Win a horror mystery box by posting reviews for Darkness Calls! No long review needed. Just a sentence or two sharing your honest thoughts ❤️👻 #horror #horrorbooks #summerreading #giveaway #mysterybox

Author Joe Chianakas came to talk about his thrilling new book Darkness Calls! Dive into the suspense—don’t miss our In The Know interview! #NewBook #DarknessCalls #InTheKnow https://www.25newsnow.com/video/2025/03/07/author-joe-chianakas-unveils-darkness-calls-chilling-new-read/ 

🎉 Exciting news, horror fans! 📚 The paperback release of "Darkness Calls" by Joe Chianakas is here! Dive into a gripping tale of suspense and terror. Check it out now: joechianakas.weebly.com/darkness-cal... #DarknessCalls #JoeChianakas #HorrorBooks #BookRelease #MustRead #BookLovers 🖤📖👻

One of our favorite weekends--Pitch Weekend at @snhuniversity.bsky.social! Thank you to all participating agents and best of luck to all Online MFA and MA creative writing students pitching their thesis novels and memoirs!

What do you think of my new brand ambassador? Bailey says Darkness Calls is paw-sitively chilling. 🐶💀 #horrorbooks #horrorauthor #bookrec #HorrorOnBluesky

What if a forgotten childhood secret came back to haunt you? New release alert! Get 20% off DARKNESS CALLS with code PRIDE25 at bookshop.org/lists/fearle... #horror #strangerthings #horrorbooks #queerhorror #authors

I have my own featured category on @bookshop.org ❤️ Use code PRIDE25 for 20% off my latest titles! Each features queer heroes who fight back! Check it out and snag the deal today: bookshop.org/lists/fearle... #QueerBooks #LGBTQReads #TransRightsAreHumanRights #OwnVoices #QueerAuthors

New Release Alert! 🚨 DARKNESS CALLS is finally here—just in time for your summer chills. Monsters, secrets, & a story that won’t let you go. Grab your copy today and dare to fall in love with horror again. 💀 #HorrorBooks #QueerFiction #IndieAuthors #NowReading #LGBTQReads #SpeculativeFiction

Two weeks to go! Preorder the paperback of Darkness Calls today, releases 6.3.25 Monster in the woods, haunted nostalgia, dark fantasy- this one will surprise you! joechianakas.weebly.com/darkness-cal... #horror #horrorbooks #horrorauthor #newrelease

Grateful for YOUR support! Let me share my three worlds: Darkness Calls, new #horror, a monster in the woods story, #darkfantasy Singlets and Secrets- an #lgbt karate kid story! #lgbtbooks Rabbit in Red- a tribute to #stephenking , #horrormovies , and all things #halloween

I am so grateful that my little queer karate kid story keeps kicking its way on top. Get Singlets and Secrets today and join me on this journey! I’m editing book three in the series now :) #lgbt #lgbtbooks #lgbtauthor

It's Independent Press Day, so let me introduce my publisher Roan & Weatherford. Also publishes @demri18.bsky.social, @danagricken.bsky.social, and @joechianakas.bsky.social. And special mention of my editor and taskmaster @gclaymitchell4th.bsky.social. #BookSky💙📚 #indiepressday roanweatherford.com

Time’s almost up! FREE SHIPPING ends TONIGHT at 11:59 PM (Sun 4/27)! Head to bookshop.org — support indie bookstores AND score free shipping! Don’t miss out! Use promo code DARKNESSCALLS for a bonus discount on my new release 👻 You know you need this beautiful hardcover! ❤️

When a favorite creative turns out to be trash, turn the page. I’ll never be JK Rowling. Thank goodness. I’ll fight for those who don’t have my privilege. Thank you for reading SINGLETS AND SECRETS and PRIDE AND PERSISTENCE #lgbt #transrights #lgbtbooks #lgbtauthors

I never wanted to burn a book before, but if I did, it would be Harry Potter. Loved the series. LOVED. Wish JK had some class. Now, she’s just an ass. How does she not see that she’s turned into a villain her own heroes would fight? So ironically sad.

🔥 IT'S HERE! 🔥 A London one-night stand jeopardizes a Texas family legacy in FLY BY NIGHT, out today! 🛩 Unstoppable chemistry 🛩 Generations of Black excellence 🛩 A posh Englishman out of his element 🛩 Page-turning surprises 🎉Available everywhere🎉 Books2Read.com/HawthorneFlyByNight

GIVEAWAY! Win a signed hardcover of Darkness Calls, my new #horror novel! Enter via #goodreads link! #books #writing #authors #goodreadsgiveaway

Hey, I’m partnering with @bookshop-org.bsky.social ❤️ Every book you buy from bookshop.org supports local bookstores! Use code DARKNESSCALLS to get 10% off the hardcover today! #horror #bookstores #indie #local

Honored to meet with the leadership of Morton High School’s Diversity Club! I proudly share the importance of standing up for ALL in the #LGBTQIA community ❤️ #lgbtbooks #lgbtpride #diversity

THIS. REVIEW! Grab Darkness Calls, a new #horror novel, today! #writing #nostalgia #author #fantasy

Today’s newspaper! A sign of things to come for Darkness Calls? New horror available now! #bookworm #bookrec #horrorbooks

Awesome TV interview for my new book release, Darkness Calls! Thanks for supporting! Get this new monster in the woods story today :) #horror #writing #bookrelease