Honestly, you had me at the words '@laurenshippen.com is making...' but then throwing '90s rock band musical' in there too? Shut up and take my money. I just backed PHANTOM PULSE - a 90s audio drama musical on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/aty...

Rejection but... 'Our Associate Editors enjoyed this story, and passed it up to the Assistant Editors. About 10-15% of submissions reach this stage.' Getting closer! #WriteSky #ShortStory #AmWriting

It's sad when you think a story's found its forever home and then it doesn't work out. But I am accepting that the magazine that took it is gone. I feel bad that they paid me and never got around to using the story, cos I know how tight it is for small pubs... But back into the world it goes.

Today I: 1) tackled my junk drawer and 2) leant that @joannechocolat.bsky.social made a giant sculpture of Chocolat rejections and then set it on fire Both of these things have been really great for how I'm feeling. #WriteSky

My brain is wonderful, because in the phase between sleep and waking, it came up with the whole of a perfect chapter. My brain is frustrating, because it keeps wandering into entirely unrelated things now I'm trying to write it down. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #WriteSky

Youtuber: If you're watching this, I'm guessing it's because you're interested in changing up your career, getting into this field. Me, who is watching for character research:

One of the morals of this story is 'find someone who will geek out about your favourite books with you.' I think that's a pretty good moral. #Fantasy #LGBTQBooks #WritingCommunity #2025Debuts

Me, before being published: Ooh, these awards look so cool! I can't wait! I'll ask everyone to nominate me. Me, now published: Well this is cringe and I am picturing everyone laughing at my presumption. Nonetheless.... #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #IndieInk #Fantasy

Sometimes, the notes I leave to myself are so informative...

A quote from my debut novel, available now in bookish places, and one from my current WIP to celebrate managing over 500 words for the first time in a while. #WritingCommunity #Fantasy

Question... what practical uses could ice powers have? So far I have: - refreshing beverages - saving the (ant)arctic And literally nothing in between. Maybe air con? But you'd have to just... stand there. And be able to do cool air, not ice, otherwise too messy. #WritingCommunity

GAME CHANGER. Today at work, I learnt that I can put two things through the laminator at the same time. They both laminate fully and don't stick together. What sorcery is this and why was it kept from me for so long?

And today, a little bit of world building... #writesky #fantasy

I'll be sharing quotations from my debut novel 'Crying Out for Magic' all week. Follow me, and get to know my optimistic sunshine x awkward sunshine couple, Niall and Draven, starting with their first meeting. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #2025Debuts #Fantasy #LGBTQBooks

- How's writing going? - Well, I went to open my project and started typing 'Calendar' instead of 'Scrivener' so that bodes well. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

It's been a ridiculously busy week and weekend. Really glad to have squished a couple of pomodoro sessions on Mess WIP in today. Hoping things will calm down, but it's not seeming likely. #WritingCommunity, what are you working on, or what's keeping you from it?

A gentle story about rediscovering yourself, with: 💜 Tired asexual and chaotic bi #own rep 😥Big life choices 🌳Trees with opinions 💔Friendship break up 🫂Friends > relationships (especially toxic ones) 🧶Stop glamorising the grind and do crafts 🪡 #dvpit #lgbt #ya #f #cf

When people-pleaser Jay gains guardianship of a curious tree spirit, she must find the joy in being human. But if Jay can't confront the lies and insecurities eroding her oldest friendship, she risks teaching the birch that life is about hiding who you really are. #DVPit #YA #LGBT #F #CF

I had an absolute blast at @flightsoffoundry.bsky.social at the weekend! Met lots of cool people, heard amazing stories, learnt interesting things. When can I sign up for next year??? #WritingCommunity #Flights2025 #WriteSky

Ending my night with screechy little dinosaur noises of the BEST POSSIBLE KIND, though I probably can't say anything official for a while. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Having fun at Flights of Foundry and got most of an ace coaster crocheted during a Chill-n-Chat. Give me a wave if you're attending things. #Flights2025 #WritingCommunity

Hey, who's attending Flights of Foundry? You can find me speaking at the following: Hour 14 - Chill and Chat Hour 38 - Individual reading Hour 46 - 2025 Debuts' Group reading. Looking forward to attending lots of stuff too! #Flights2025 #WritingCommunity #SFf

My book is now spreading across Europe! (Because my cousin in the Netherlands bought it. Still counts). If you want to contribute to the global domination of 'Crying Out for Magic,' grab a copy today! #WriteSky #BooksBooksBooks #2025Debuts

Strongly considering going to bed at 8pm. Please just imagine I told you something inspiring that made you want to buy my book or add it on goodreads. I'm so done for the week. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #books #FridayFeeling

Author milestone unlocked: first scam email trying to sell me reviewers! #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Eeee physical copies of my book are out in the world! Currently getting lots of pictures from friends of my book on their countertop/in their favourite armchair etc. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #2025Debuts

Hey #booksky, do you need something cosy and escapist? 'Crying Out for Magic' features: - much tea - many library scenes - two cinnamon roll sunshines - reasons to believe in magic and good people Out now. #2025Debuts #fantasy

Went to an evening poetry event. One of the seating options was deckchairs. I knew that was dangerous but I enjoyed my evening of poems with a little accidental nap in the middle and I stand by that choice.

Hey, #WritingCommunity, time for a weekend check in... I'm going to start beta reading the wonderful @alethearlyons.bsky.social's latest book (so lucky to get sneak peeks!) and try to sort out my Flights of Foundry stuff. Maybe a bit of editing. How about you?

I talked to a non-writing person about the process and amount of rejection involved in getting published today, and they looked gratifyingly horrified. #WritingCommunity

#WritingCommunity, what's on your weekend to do list? Mine is mostly launch party prep (Crying Out for Magic, out Sept 2nd!!!) which is super exciting! Looking forward to getting back to the writing part of writing too, hoping I can do edits on my WIP soon.

My dedication to using the same starting word was finally rewarded today. #Wordle 1,531 1/6 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I shouted and startled my commute buddies.

Dang it, I started a romcom book and I can see exactly how it's all going to blow up in their faces for the third act break up but now I CARE so I both want to read it to see them be happy but also don't want to read it cos they're going to get all hurt first. This is how I relax. #AmReading

You can't quite go see the movie yet, but in just over 2 weeks you'll be able to read the book, as this meet cute between a naive mage and an awkward fantasy nerd will be hitting shelves! #PosterPit #P #YA #F #LGBTQ

When people-pleaser Jay gains guardianship of a curious tree spirit, she must find the joy in being human. But if Jay can't confront the lies and insecurities eroding her oldest friendship, she risks teaching the birch that life is about hiding who you really are. #PosterPit #Q #YA #F

University choices are terrifying, expensive, and threatening to pull besties Jay and Ash apart. If his toxic new bf doesn’t manage it first. Time to befriend a tree and take up crafts. Cos these are problems that will go away if you ignore them... right? #QueerPit #YA #F #COA Ace and bi rep.

When people-pleaser Jay gains guardianship of a curious tree spirit, she must find the joy in being human. But if Jay can't confront the lies and insecurities eroding her oldest friendship, she risks teaching the birch that life is about hiding who you really are #QueerPit #YA #F #COA Ace + bi rep

Who needs a post scheduling tool when you can just chuck up two posts before going to bed and probably be up before the end of the event the next day? Me. I need it. I would so very love for bluesky to add it or for buffer not to have me on an endless 'verify you're human' loop.

A gentle story about rediscovering yourself, with: 💜 Tired asexual and chaotic bi #own rep 😱 Big life choices 🌳 Trees with opinions 💔 Friendship break up 🫂 Friends > relationships (especially toxic ones) 🧶 Stop glamorising the grind and do crafts #QueerPit #YA #F #COA

Update: I was actually quite productive! Did some work on launch/promo stuff for book that's out in SEPTEMBER!!! And stepped away from that never ending rabbit hole to also do some drafting/editing on something else. Some of that was while hanging with writerly friends. It's been a good day :)

Kinda want to be productive and do Many Writerly Things. Kinda want to just lay in a heap. #WritingCommunity

First day back at school yesterday. The staff meeting always kicks off with asking if anyone has things to celebrate (engagements, babies, new cat etc) so I got to announce that my novel is being published, and got cheered by a whole room of people. That felt pretty darn good. #WritingCommunity

Eeeeee it's one month until my book is out in the world! Preorders and goodread adds are lovely, but I'd also really value people screaming excitedly with me and posting celebratory gifs! #WritingCommunity #2025Debuts #Fantasy #Romantasy #LGBT

My book qlub considered doing trans Harry Potter fanfiction for next month, but in the end settled on disability rep as a belated celebration of #DisabilityPride month. So, hit me with your recs for queer, disabled own voices. #BookSky #AmReading #WritingCommunity

Squeaking in and doing my monthly goals on the last day of July. Thank goodness I woke up at 4am, I guess? #AmWriting #WriteSky

Are you even a real author* if you haven't been rejected by goodreads when trying to claim your profile? (*yes, obviously, because there are multiple ways to be a "real author" but also seriously wtf). #AmWritng #Writesky #WritingCommunity

My legs ache from hiking. My book is at the exciting bit but I have to read on laptop because my ereader is broken. The view from my holiday let is stunning. This is all spelling out 'reading on the sofa day,' right? #Amreading #booksky

Love spotting favourite books in the wild. Indie bookstores in New Zealand have the good sense to be stocking @simonjamesgreen.bsky.social

Every night, while you sleep, the typo fairies come and sprinkle more errors into your corrected manuscript. It's the only explanation I have that makes sense. #AmEditing #WritingCommunity

First read of the holiday done. I don't mind giving mixed reviews to dead people who can't get upset about it. Felt clunky, but it's good to find rep from other eras, just like it's good to read outside your own culture.