Celia Lake
@celialake.bsky.social
Author (cosy historical fantasy romance) : avid devourer of information : librarian by day : knitter : general geek in several directions. https://celialake.com and https://www.celialake.com/links/
Pinned
Want a little academia and magic in your life? Apt to be Suspicious is out today!
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
Reposted by Celia Lake
Best. Art. Crime. Costume.
(from Hailey Fuqua, a Boston coloratura soprano: www.instagram.com/p/DQhrnW9kpx...)
(from Hailey Fuqua, a Boston coloratura soprano: www.instagram.com/p/DQhrnW9kpx...)
November 13, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Best. Art. Crime. Costume.
(from Hailey Fuqua, a Boston coloratura soprano: www.instagram.com/p/DQhrnW9kpx...)
(from Hailey Fuqua, a Boston coloratura soprano: www.instagram.com/p/DQhrnW9kpx...)
Today, in a change for my cover designer...
Instead of the cover brief getting into the details of the skirt and/or bustle for a particular year, this time it's "So, let me get specific about seals."
(Specifically grey seals, the fact selkies are traditionally larger than that, and the nose.)
Instead of the cover brief getting into the details of the skirt and/or bustle for a particular year, this time it's "So, let me get specific about seals."
(Specifically grey seals, the fact selkies are traditionally larger than that, and the nose.)
November 12, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Today, in a change for my cover designer...
Instead of the cover brief getting into the details of the skirt and/or bustle for a particular year, this time it's "So, let me get specific about seals."
(Specifically grey seals, the fact selkies are traditionally larger than that, and the nose.)
Instead of the cover brief getting into the details of the skirt and/or bustle for a particular year, this time it's "So, let me get specific about seals."
(Specifically grey seals, the fact selkies are traditionally larger than that, and the nose.)
Reposted by Celia Lake
hi book sky,
allow me to share a @celialake.bsky.social appreciation thread 🥰🎉
celia's stories are full of intricate worldbuilding, unique magic & impeccable historical research. newest publication is Apt to be Suspicious about cryptography and classics at Oxford. happy book birthday!
allow me to share a @celialake.bsky.social appreciation thread 🥰🎉
celia's stories are full of intricate worldbuilding, unique magic & impeccable historical research. newest publication is Apt to be Suspicious about cryptography and classics at Oxford. happy book birthday!
Want a little academia and magic in your life? Apt to be Suspicious is out today!
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
November 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
hi book sky,
allow me to share a @celialake.bsky.social appreciation thread 🥰🎉
celia's stories are full of intricate worldbuilding, unique magic & impeccable historical research. newest publication is Apt to be Suspicious about cryptography and classics at Oxford. happy book birthday!
allow me to share a @celialake.bsky.social appreciation thread 🥰🎉
celia's stories are full of intricate worldbuilding, unique magic & impeccable historical research. newest publication is Apt to be Suspicious about cryptography and classics at Oxford. happy book birthday!
Someone in my authorial Discord: [hoping for more about the solstice extra.]
Me, after contemplating, deciding I can share two things. I don't think they're actually usefully informative, though.
1) The solstice extra takes place in 1948.
2) Croissants are involved.
Me, after contemplating, deciding I can share two things. I don't think they're actually usefully informative, though.
1) The solstice extra takes place in 1948.
2) Croissants are involved.
November 8, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Someone in my authorial Discord: [hoping for more about the solstice extra.]
Me, after contemplating, deciding I can share two things. I don't think they're actually usefully informative, though.
1) The solstice extra takes place in 1948.
2) Croissants are involved.
Me, after contemplating, deciding I can share two things. I don't think they're actually usefully informative, though.
1) The solstice extra takes place in 1948.
2) Croissants are involved.
Reposted by Celia Lake
I really liked the malachite dress from Frankenstein and wanted to do a mari in a similar dress but I got very tired so apologies for it being rushed
November 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I really liked the malachite dress from Frankenstein and wanted to do a mari in a similar dress but I got very tired so apologies for it being rushed
Reposted by Celia Lake
Today we're also celebrating the release of Apt To Be Suspicious by @celialake.bsky.social! The second book in the Liminal Mysteries series that explores the magical community of Britain after the Second World War:
www.readindiefantasy.com/a-spotlight-...
www.readindiefantasy.com/a-spotlight-...
November 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Today we're also celebrating the release of Apt To Be Suspicious by @celialake.bsky.social! The second book in the Liminal Mysteries series that explores the magical community of Britain after the Second World War:
www.readindiefantasy.com/a-spotlight-...
www.readindiefantasy.com/a-spotlight-...
Want a little academia and magic in your life? Apt to be Suspicious is out today!
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
November 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Want a little academia and magic in your life? Apt to be Suspicious is out today!
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
Full of Oxford in 1947-48, magic, cryptic crosswords, what to do when you grow up, cryptography, and a fair bit of Homer. Also, as you can see, a punt.
celialake.com/book/apt-to-...
Should anyone be writing something set in Boston in 1835, I just stumbled on a glorious historical resource:
tile.loc.gov/storage-serv...
Full title in next post, because it's long. Businesses, doctors, organizations, all sorts of meaty details. (Came across it while researching for work.)
tile.loc.gov/storage-serv...
Full title in next post, because it's long. Businesses, doctors, organizations, all sorts of meaty details. (Came across it while researching for work.)
tile.loc.gov
November 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Should anyone be writing something set in Boston in 1835, I just stumbled on a glorious historical resource:
tile.loc.gov/storage-serv...
Full title in next post, because it's long. Businesses, doctors, organizations, all sorts of meaty details. (Came across it while researching for work.)
tile.loc.gov/storage-serv...
Full title in next post, because it's long. Businesses, doctors, organizations, all sorts of meaty details. (Came across it while researching for work.)
This was such a fun interview, and I loved having the chance to answer great questions. (Including the reality of librarian life...)
It's A Month of Rain & Reads, and it's a great day for an interview.
Today, we get to hear from Celia Lake (@celialake.bsky.social) about writing historical fantasy and about what it's really like to be a librarian.
www.readindiefantasy.com/amorar-inter...
#AMoRaR #BookSky
Today, we get to hear from Celia Lake (@celialake.bsky.social) about writing historical fantasy and about what it's really like to be a librarian.
www.readindiefantasy.com/amorar-inter...
#AMoRaR #BookSky
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This was such a fun interview, and I loved having the chance to answer great questions. (Including the reality of librarian life...)
Me to @kiya about the book I'm 3 chapters into writing:
Sometimes I write cosy novels about the Blitz. Sometimes I write cosy novels about the moral injury of trust and safety and equivalent work?
(Deeply informed by my own experiences and @rahaeli.bsky.social 's extensive commentary.)
Sometimes I write cosy novels about the Blitz. Sometimes I write cosy novels about the moral injury of trust and safety and equivalent work?
(Deeply informed by my own experiences and @rahaeli.bsky.social 's extensive commentary.)
November 4, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Me to @kiya about the book I'm 3 chapters into writing:
Sometimes I write cosy novels about the Blitz. Sometimes I write cosy novels about the moral injury of trust and safety and equivalent work?
(Deeply informed by my own experiences and @rahaeli.bsky.social 's extensive commentary.)
Sometimes I write cosy novels about the Blitz. Sometimes I write cosy novels about the moral injury of trust and safety and equivalent work?
(Deeply informed by my own experiences and @rahaeli.bsky.social 's extensive commentary.)
KJ Charles is absolutely one of my favourite authors, and this i a tight, nail-bitingly plotted trilogy with some fabulous characters in the immediate aftermath of the Great War. Highly recommended.
and on sale!
and on sale!
It's my birthday, so have a present. SLIPPERY CREATURES (Will Darling Adventures book 1) is going on cheap over the weekend. 1920s pulp adventure m/m romance with plots, spies, Bright Young People, and emotional support knife, all for 99p!
Available now at your favorite digital store!
Slippery Creatures by KJ Charles
books2read.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:50 PM
KJ Charles is absolutely one of my favourite authors, and this i a tight, nail-bitingly plotted trilogy with some fabulous characters in the immediate aftermath of the Great War. Highly recommended.
and on sale!
and on sale!
Today is the FaRo Book Blast! www.farosociety.com/bookblast for 300+ books at 99 cents!
You can browse by subgenre - find my Mistress of Birds in the gaslamp/historical section - or by creature!
Lots of spooky options for the season, lots of other great books as well.
You can browse by subgenre - find my Mistress of Birds in the gaslamp/historical section - or by creature!
Lots of spooky options for the season, lots of other great books as well.
October 30, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Today is the FaRo Book Blast! www.farosociety.com/bookblast for 300+ books at 99 cents!
You can browse by subgenre - find my Mistress of Birds in the gaslamp/historical section - or by creature!
Lots of spooky options for the season, lots of other great books as well.
You can browse by subgenre - find my Mistress of Birds in the gaslamp/historical section - or by creature!
Lots of spooky options for the season, lots of other great books as well.
Reposted by Celia Lake
Exciting news! I've been working all year on a vertigo arts project in collaboration with others in academia, physical therapy, puppetry, and dance. Now the first part is out: I'm running a creative writing workshop for people who are directly or indirectly affected by vertigo. >
October 29, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Exciting news! I've been working all year on a vertigo arts project in collaboration with others in academia, physical therapy, puppetry, and dance. Now the first part is out: I'm running a creative writing workshop for people who are directly or indirectly affected by vertigo. >
I am eyeing my playlists and wondering just how many versions of "I am stretched on your grave" I have on here, anyway.
(Not that they're not seasonal.)
(Not that they're not seasonal.)
October 23, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I am eyeing my playlists and wondering just how many versions of "I am stretched on your grave" I have on here, anyway.
(Not that they're not seasonal.)
(Not that they're not seasonal.)
Weaving Hope is part of the B&N Nook Favorite Cozy Reads for Fall! It's on sale there for $2.99.
www.barnesandnoble.com/b/favorite-c...
1928 full of weaving and tapestries, a country estate with a few secrets, and a glorious garden. (Also, older protagonists if you're looking for those.)
www.barnesandnoble.com/b/favorite-c...
1928 full of weaving and tapestries, a country estate with a few secrets, and a glorious garden. (Also, older protagonists if you're looking for those.)
October 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Weaving Hope is part of the B&N Nook Favorite Cozy Reads for Fall! It's on sale there for $2.99.
www.barnesandnoble.com/b/favorite-c...
1928 full of weaving and tapestries, a country estate with a few secrets, and a glorious garden. (Also, older protagonists if you're looking for those.)
www.barnesandnoble.com/b/favorite-c...
1928 full of weaving and tapestries, a country estate with a few secrets, and a glorious garden. (Also, older protagonists if you're looking for those.)
I spent all afternoon outlining a book, Brave Truth. It is going to be *so fun* to write. (This is Claudio in 1950.)
At current count, it includes 14 awkward conversations.
It, um, also has a lot about the long-term consequences of moral injury in the wake of WW2. That's sort of how I roll.
At current count, it includes 14 awkward conversations.
It, um, also has a lot about the long-term consequences of moral injury in the wake of WW2. That's sort of how I roll.
October 19, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I spent all afternoon outlining a book, Brave Truth. It is going to be *so fun* to write. (This is Claudio in 1950.)
At current count, it includes 14 awkward conversations.
It, um, also has a lot about the long-term consequences of moral injury in the wake of WW2. That's sort of how I roll.
At current count, it includes 14 awkward conversations.
It, um, also has a lot about the long-term consequences of moral injury in the wake of WW2. That's sort of how I roll.
Me : other plans for the evening
Reality: quality time with my label maker and my tea tins.
My tea is now very nicely and usefully labelled. It it did not, however, answer the question of which one I want to make to drink while writing.
Reality: quality time with my label maker and my tea tins.
My tea is now very nicely and usefully labelled. It it did not, however, answer the question of which one I want to make to drink while writing.
October 18, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Me : other plans for the evening
Reality: quality time with my label maker and my tea tins.
My tea is now very nicely and usefully labelled. It it did not, however, answer the question of which one I want to make to drink while writing.
Reality: quality time with my label maker and my tea tins.
My tea is now very nicely and usefully labelled. It it did not, however, answer the question of which one I want to make to drink while writing.
Today is YOLO for Kobo - 300 curated romance books over on Kobo Plus, Kobo's subscription service. I'm featuring Harmonic Pleasure, full of 1920s London, a night club, a mysterious magical artefact, and more.
Category and trope lists: koboplusromancebinge.com
By cover: geni.us/YOLOWithKobo
Category and trope lists: koboplusromancebinge.com
By cover: geni.us/YOLOWithKobo
October 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Today is YOLO for Kobo - 300 curated romance books over on Kobo Plus, Kobo's subscription service. I'm featuring Harmonic Pleasure, full of 1920s London, a night club, a mysterious magical artefact, and more.
Category and trope lists: koboplusromancebinge.com
By cover: geni.us/YOLOWithKobo
Category and trope lists: koboplusromancebinge.com
By cover: geni.us/YOLOWithKobo
Reposted by Celia Lake
Okay too much doom, time for the world’s sloppiest yin/yang. #proofOfCat
October 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Okay too much doom, time for the world’s sloppiest yin/yang. #proofOfCat
It's a great weekend for cosy fantasy lovers! HearthCon (whole series of free panels and discussions and events) and Cozy The Day Away, a two day cosy fantasy book sale!
I'm on two panels at HearthCon and Pastiche (both ebook and audio) is on sale! More details below.
I'm on two panels at HearthCon and Pastiche (both ebook and audio) is on sale! More details below.
October 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM
It's a great weekend for cosy fantasy lovers! HearthCon (whole series of free panels and discussions and events) and Cozy The Day Away, a two day cosy fantasy book sale!
I'm on two panels at HearthCon and Pastiche (both ebook and audio) is on sale! More details below.
I'm on two panels at HearthCon and Pastiche (both ebook and audio) is on sale! More details below.
@kiyanicoll.bsky.social has just been helping me debug a thing I've been trying to figure out how to do, and I am so delighted.
It's going to take a bit (a couple of books into the next 1920s series) to play out, but I can seed something about it sooner.
I love it when existing backstory clicks!
It's going to take a bit (a couple of books into the next 1920s series) to play out, but I can seed something about it sooner.
I love it when existing backstory clicks!
October 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
@kiyanicoll.bsky.social has just been helping me debug a thing I've been trying to figure out how to do, and I am so delighted.
It's going to take a bit (a couple of books into the next 1920s series) to play out, but I can seed something about it sooner.
I love it when existing backstory clicks!
It's going to take a bit (a couple of books into the next 1920s series) to play out, but I can seed something about it sooner.
I love it when existing backstory clicks!
Elise is having another sale! (For some inconvenient bills). So many gorgeous shinies!
Quick Sunday night (and maybe Monday and Tuesday) sale is happening now, because I have inconvenient bills that could use some convenient sales.
35% off a lot of things.
Done when the bills are covered.
Have fun!
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
35% off a lot of things.
Done when the bills are covered.
Have fun!
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
www.etsy.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Elise is having another sale! (For some inconvenient bills). So many gorgeous shinies!
I have been complimented twice today on my fierce tenacity in tracking down historical information at work today. Two different questions!
I might be particularly extra about this, but I'm consistent (my writing, too). I am delighted it gets appreciated sometimes. It hasn't always been.
I might be particularly extra about this, but I'm consistent (my writing, too). I am delighted it gets appreciated sometimes. It hasn't always been.
October 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I have been complimented twice today on my fierce tenacity in tracking down historical information at work today. Two different questions!
I might be particularly extra about this, but I'm consistent (my writing, too). I am delighted it gets appreciated sometimes. It hasn't always been.
I might be particularly extra about this, but I'm consistent (my writing, too). I am delighted it gets appreciated sometimes. It hasn't always been.
Day job moments: our quite new CEO stopped by (to wish my colleagues happy Archives Month) and I had 15 minutes of talking about complex historical figures on no notice.
(My work provides a selection of those, though we remain pleased that one of our founders was adored by everyone who knew him.)
(My work provides a selection of those, though we remain pleased that one of our founders was adored by everyone who knew him.)
October 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Day job moments: our quite new CEO stopped by (to wish my colleagues happy Archives Month) and I had 15 minutes of talking about complex historical figures on no notice.
(My work provides a selection of those, though we remain pleased that one of our founders was adored by everyone who knew him.)
(My work provides a selection of those, though we remain pleased that one of our founders was adored by everyone who knew him.)
Lynn is correct that you maybe want hot chocolate for Claiming the Tower (and thank you for the lovely words!)
I've been writing & editing so much that I'm behind on reading, but I'm looking forward to Hearthcon and Cozy the Day Away Oct. 11-12 to find more TBR!
My two most recent faves are @katevalent.bsky.social 's Driftcap Inn and @celialake.bsky.social 's Claiming the Tower. (Be prepared w hot choc! 😍)
My two most recent faves are @katevalent.bsky.social 's Driftcap Inn and @celialake.bsky.social 's Claiming the Tower. (Be prepared w hot choc! 😍)
September 29, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Lynn is correct that you maybe want hot chocolate for Claiming the Tower (and thank you for the lovely words!)