Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
@eliseswritings.bsky.social
I'm an Epic Fantasy author & Aussie on Wurundjeri country
Living my best ADHD, autistic, chronically ill, enby, aro-ace life!
🚫gen ai. Sanction Israel.
My 📚's Direct: https://payhip.com/EliseCarlsonFantasyAuthor
🌐: https://elisecarlson.com/
Living my best ADHD, autistic, chronically ill, enby, aro-ace life!
🚫gen ai. Sanction Israel.
My 📚's Direct: https://payhip.com/EliseCarlsonFantasyAuthor
🌐: https://elisecarlson.com/
Pinned
There's no such thing as #1 Pinned Post🧵 to rule them all, but I shall post it nonetheless. It'll be gay, neurodiverse & beyond the binary.
For those who wander but are not lost & ponder "what if"?
It'll contain my books of the above, Final Fantasy +Narnia inspired, &invite All Writers to Discord👇
For those who wander but are not lost & ponder "what if"?
It'll contain my books of the above, Final Fantasy +Narnia inspired, &invite All Writers to Discord👇
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
#SFFChat friends, take note!
For any self-published #SFF authors, the #SPFBO entry form opened today & can be filled out for 24 hours! 300 entrants will be chosen by lottery to be entered in the contest! Definitely encourage everyone to apply as it gets new eyes on your books!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM
#SFFChat friends, take note!
SFF Authors, if you saw a post earlier today about a making friends vs. friendship centred Itch Bundle: this is the sign up form!
And books focusing on making and developing friendships AND existing friendships are both welcome!
(More details in graphic.)
And books focusing on making and developing friendships AND existing friendships are both welcome!
(More details in graphic.)
SFF Authors, does your book centre Friendship?
(Read 'friendship eligibility' in the image below if you're unsure 😉.)
If so, you'll find the sign up form for this Itch bundle on My Writers & Authors Discord, and the Indie Bookspotlight Discord. If you're not on either I can DM it!
(Read 'friendship eligibility' in the image below if you're unsure 😉.)
If so, you'll find the sign up form for this Itch bundle on My Writers & Authors Discord, and the Indie Bookspotlight Discord. If you're not on either I can DM it!
January 3, 2026 at 1:50 PM
SFF Authors, if you saw a post earlier today about a making friends vs. friendship centred Itch Bundle: this is the sign up form!
And books focusing on making and developing friendships AND existing friendships are both welcome!
(More details in graphic.)
And books focusing on making and developing friendships AND existing friendships are both welcome!
(More details in graphic.)
SFF Authors, does your book centre Friendship?
(Read 'friendship eligibility' in the image below if you're unsure 😉.)
If so, you'll find the sign up form for this Itch bundle on My Writers & Authors Discord, and the Indie Bookspotlight Discord. If you're not on either I can DM it!
(Read 'friendship eligibility' in the image below if you're unsure 😉.)
If so, you'll find the sign up form for this Itch bundle on My Writers & Authors Discord, and the Indie Bookspotlight Discord. If you're not on either I can DM it!
January 3, 2026 at 5:18 AM
SFF Authors, does your book centre Friendship?
(Read 'friendship eligibility' in the image below if you're unsure 😉.)
If so, you'll find the sign up form for this Itch bundle on My Writers & Authors Discord, and the Indie Bookspotlight Discord. If you're not on either I can DM it!
(Read 'friendship eligibility' in the image below if you're unsure 😉.)
If so, you'll find the sign up form for this Itch bundle on My Writers & Authors Discord, and the Indie Bookspotlight Discord. If you're not on either I can DM it!
SFF Authors,
Do you have a book in which MC makes a new friend & develops that friendship?
Or a book that centres friendship/ friendship group? (Including a queer platonic relationship.)
I was going to do a 'Falling into Friendship' February Itch bundle, but it could be 'Friendship Centred SFF'
Do you have a book in which MC makes a new friend & develops that friendship?
Or a book that centres friendship/ friendship group? (Including a queer platonic relationship.)
I was going to do a 'Falling into Friendship' February Itch bundle, but it could be 'Friendship Centred SFF'
January 2, 2026 at 11:24 PM
SFF Authors,
Do you have a book in which MC makes a new friend & develops that friendship?
Or a book that centres friendship/ friendship group? (Including a queer platonic relationship.)
I was going to do a 'Falling into Friendship' February Itch bundle, but it could be 'Friendship Centred SFF'
Do you have a book in which MC makes a new friend & develops that friendship?
Or a book that centres friendship/ friendship group? (Including a queer platonic relationship.)
I was going to do a 'Falling into Friendship' February Itch bundle, but it could be 'Friendship Centred SFF'
This Rabbi just made my day.
CBS News filmed but DIDN'T air this interview in which NYC Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss defends NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, clarifying that Mamdani is opposed to Zionism and Israel's genocide but he's NOT antisemitic. A Jewish rabbi praising a Muslim Mayor. I wonder why they didn't air it? 🤔 #USPolitics
January 2, 2026 at 10:48 PM
This Rabbi just made my day.
Update: I need to remember that 'low fantasy' IS a fantasy genre, and Walking the Knife's Edge is both soft Sci-Fi & low fantasy. (Easy to forget when low fantasy is uncommon 😉.)
Fellow Fantasy indie authors unfamiliar with SPFBO, here's the website: mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-...
Fellow Fantasy indie authors unfamiliar with SPFBO, here's the website: mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-...
January 2, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Update: I need to remember that 'low fantasy' IS a fantasy genre, and Walking the Knife's Edge is both soft Sci-Fi & low fantasy. (Easy to forget when low fantasy is uncommon 😉.)
Fellow Fantasy indie authors unfamiliar with SPFBO, here's the website: mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-...
Fellow Fantasy indie authors unfamiliar with SPFBO, here's the website: mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-...
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
Perfect weather for visiting Cloudhill Gardens in the Dandenongs today. They were beautiful!
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
January 2, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Perfect weather for visiting Cloudhill Gardens in the Dandenongs today. They were beautiful!
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
Still deciding whether Walking the Knife's Edge is 'fantasy enough' for SPFBO. It's SciFi-Fantasy (think Final Fantasy 8), with enough tech & post-apocalyptic world building for SciFi. But magic & sorcerers don't appear much till book 2. Monsters are present.
elisecarlson.com/sythe-series/
elisecarlson.com/sythe-series/
January 2, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Still deciding whether Walking the Knife's Edge is 'fantasy enough' for SPFBO. It's SciFi-Fantasy (think Final Fantasy 8), with enough tech & post-apocalyptic world building for SciFi. But magic & sorcerers don't appear much till book 2. Monsters are present.
elisecarlson.com/sythe-series/
elisecarlson.com/sythe-series/
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
“We do not need allies more devoted to order than to justice. I hear a lot of talk these days about our direct action talk alienating former friends. ... If our direct action programs alienate our friends … they never were really our friends.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1964
- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1964
January 2, 2026 at 12:58 PM
“We do not need allies more devoted to order than to justice. I hear a lot of talk these days about our direct action talk alienating former friends. ... If our direct action programs alienate our friends … they never were really our friends.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1964
- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1964
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
Terrific thread that makes a powerful point
This Wasn’t About Drama. It Was About Permanence.
Jack Smith didn’t show up to perform.
He showed up to freeze the narrative in place.
That’s the part Trumpworld either doesn’t understand…or is pretending not to understand for the cameras.
Jack Smith didn’t show up to perform.
He showed up to freeze the narrative in place.
That’s the part Trumpworld either doesn’t understand…or is pretending not to understand for the cameras.
January 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Terrific thread that makes a powerful point
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
It was a quiet month, but these are the books about autism or with Autistic main characters, written by Autistic authors that were published in December 2025!
Here's to hoping 2026 is much better for everyone on a personal and global level.
🧵
#Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky
Here's to hoping 2026 is much better for everyone on a personal and global level.
🧵
#Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky
January 2, 2026 at 10:46 AM
It was a quiet month, but these are the books about autism or with Autistic main characters, written by Autistic authors that were published in December 2025!
Here's to hoping 2026 is much better for everyone on a personal and global level.
🧵
#Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky
Here's to hoping 2026 is much better for everyone on a personal and global level.
🧵
#Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #BookSky
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
2. Dates for #PitchDis 2026 will be announced the end of February/beginning on March. There will again be only one event this year, with certain days for pitching and certain days for agent and editor requests. (2/4)
December 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
2. Dates for #PitchDis 2026 will be announced the end of February/beginning on March. There will again be only one event this year, with certain days for pitching and certain days for agent and editor requests. (2/4)
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
#BluePit is ready to kick off 2026! Creators in the #WritingCommunity, #GameDev & #IndieDev, #TTRPG, and #Comic communities get ready to pitch or promote your projects!
#BluePit will be taking place on Jan 13th, 2026!
And #BluePitHype starts January 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
#BluePit will be taking place on Jan 13th, 2026!
And #BluePitHype starts January 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
December 29, 2025 at 4:07 AM
#BluePit is ready to kick off 2026! Creators in the #WritingCommunity, #GameDev & #IndieDev, #TTRPG, and #Comic communities get ready to pitch or promote your projects!
#BluePit will be taking place on Jan 13th, 2026!
And #BluePitHype starts January 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
#BluePit will be taking place on Jan 13th, 2026!
And #BluePitHype starts January 8th!
#WriteSky #Writers #AmAgenting #LitAgents
Perfect weather for visiting Cloudhill Gardens in the Dandenongs today. They were beautiful!
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
January 2, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Perfect weather for visiting Cloudhill Gardens in the Dandenongs today. They were beautiful!
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
And it felt more like summer in Melbourne.
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
Thanks #SFFChat!
I'll share this Fantasy Books Giveaway, which Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1 is in. It's open for entry for 4 more days on: cravebooks.com/giveaway/fan...
I'll share this Fantasy Books Giveaway, which Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1 is in. It's open for entry for 4 more days on: cravebooks.com/giveaway/fan...
Fantasy Book Giveaway!
Enter by January 4th for your chance to win;
1st winner: all 9 ebooks + 5 hard cover Stormlight Archive books
2nd & 3rd winners: all 9 ebooks
(Yes, that's my Manipulator's War top left 😉)
Entries/ more details here: cravebooks.com/giveaway/fan... 💙📚🪐
Enter by January 4th for your chance to win;
1st winner: all 9 ebooks + 5 hard cover Stormlight Archive books
2nd & 3rd winners: all 9 ebooks
(Yes, that's my Manipulator's War top left 😉)
Entries/ more details here: cravebooks.com/giveaway/fan... 💙📚🪐
January 1, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Thanks #SFFChat!
I'll share this Fantasy Books Giveaway, which Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1 is in. It's open for entry for 4 more days on: cravebooks.com/giveaway/fan...
I'll share this Fantasy Books Giveaway, which Ruarnon Trilogy Book 1 is in. It's open for entry for 4 more days on: cravebooks.com/giveaway/fan...
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
Hello #SFFChat!
My first traditionally published short story is available now in New Edge Sword and Sorcery Issue #6 and you can find it here in digital and paperback!: newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate...
The True Tale of Yehawellon Son of Serpents is set in a mythic past & features an
My first traditionally published short story is available now in New Edge Sword and Sorcery Issue #6 and you can find it here in digital and paperback!: newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate...
The True Tale of Yehawellon Son of Serpents is set in a mythic past & features an
New Edge Sword & Sorcery – Page 2 – New Edge Sword & Sorcery
newedgeswordandsorcery.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Hello #SFFChat!
My first traditionally published short story is available now in New Edge Sword and Sorcery Issue #6 and you can find it here in digital and paperback!: newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate...
The True Tale of Yehawellon Son of Serpents is set in a mythic past & features an
My first traditionally published short story is available now in New Edge Sword and Sorcery Issue #6 and you can find it here in digital and paperback!: newedgeswordandsorcery.com/product-cate...
The True Tale of Yehawellon Son of Serpents is set in a mythic past & features an
I find Gifs to be a 100% fail in terms of being related to an epic fantasy confrontation of the kind that wraps up multiple final chapters of Ruarnon Trilogy. So I won't try to illustrate it. I'll just tell you every man and his dog from that book is at the end and its a massive dose of 👇
#SFFChat
#SFFChat
January 1, 2026 at 2:02 PM
I find Gifs to be a 100% fail in terms of being related to an epic fantasy confrontation of the kind that wraps up multiple final chapters of Ruarnon Trilogy. So I won't try to illustrate it. I'll just tell you every man and his dog from that book is at the end and its a massive dose of 👇
#SFFChat
#SFFChat
Problem with mostly reading series; all books need to be published & you have to read them all to get to the ending. That last happened to me in 2016🤪
I think I was happy with how Wheel of Time wrapped up? But I was being driven to the airport to move to England, so a little distracted!
#SFFChat
I think I was happy with how Wheel of Time wrapped up? But I was being driven to the airport to move to England, so a little distracted!
#SFFChat
#SFFChat Q3: Name an SFF work or series that you think has a perfect (or near perfect) ending!
January 1, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Problem with mostly reading series; all books need to be published & you have to read them all to get to the ending. That last happened to me in 2016🤪
I think I was happy with how Wheel of Time wrapped up? But I was being driven to the airport to move to England, so a little distracted!
#SFFChat
I think I was happy with how Wheel of Time wrapped up? But I was being driven to the airport to move to England, so a little distracted!
#SFFChat
With main conflict, vague notions of characters and their roles before drafting, I can picture, write & revise the ending (and other key scenes) ahead of time, to include all key players and be as epic & emotionally fulfilling as possible. (Exception book 2/3, which doesn't stand alone.)
#SFFChat
#SFFChat
#SFFChat Q2: How do you approach your endings? Do you know the ending in advance, do you decide later and then go back to foreshadow? Is the ending a small or big part of your stories?
No need to answer all these--just talk about your approach however you like. (:
No need to answer all these--just talk about your approach however you like. (:
January 1, 2026 at 1:35 PM
With main conflict, vague notions of characters and their roles before drafting, I can picture, write & revise the ending (and other key scenes) ahead of time, to include all key players and be as epic & emotionally fulfilling as possible. (Exception book 2/3, which doesn't stand alone.)
#SFFChat
#SFFChat
As reader & writer I'm all for throwing characters in fires to achieve the improbable & damned near impossible.
But if characters are going through hell; I want an emotionally fulfilling ending; a snapshot of their growth, emotional state, relationships etc. A shit ending sours a story.
#SFFChat
But if characters are going through hell; I want an emotionally fulfilling ending; a snapshot of their growth, emotional state, relationships etc. A shit ending sours a story.
#SFFChat
#SFFChat Q1: Does the ending make or break a work for you, or does the journey outweigh it?
January 1, 2026 at 1:21 PM
As reader & writer I'm all for throwing characters in fires to achieve the improbable & damned near impossible.
But if characters are going through hell; I want an emotionally fulfilling ending; a snapshot of their growth, emotional state, relationships etc. A shit ending sours a story.
#SFFChat
But if characters are going through hell; I want an emotionally fulfilling ending; a snapshot of their growth, emotional state, relationships etc. A shit ending sours a story.
#SFFChat
Hi #SFFChat!
I'm an epic and Sci-Fi-Fantasy author who delights in writing queer and neurodiverse characters tackling complex plots, currently while tackling complex personal issues exacerbated by said plot.
Achievement: balancing teaching/ rest/ exercise/ authoring/ chronic illness SUSTAINABLY 😄
I'm an epic and Sci-Fi-Fantasy author who delights in writing queer and neurodiverse characters tackling complex plots, currently while tackling complex personal issues exacerbated by said plot.
Achievement: balancing teaching/ rest/ exercise/ authoring/ chronic illness SUSTAINABLY 😄
#SFFChat Intro:
Good morning, everyone and happy new year! I thought it might be fun to save the beginnings for next week and talk instead about ends.
Introduce yourself & share an accomplishment from last year--big or small! Surviving is more than good enough!
Good morning, everyone and happy new year! I thought it might be fun to save the beginnings for next week and talk instead about ends.
Introduce yourself & share an accomplishment from last year--big or small! Surviving is more than good enough!
January 1, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Hi #SFFChat!
I'm an epic and Sci-Fi-Fantasy author who delights in writing queer and neurodiverse characters tackling complex plots, currently while tackling complex personal issues exacerbated by said plot.
Achievement: balancing teaching/ rest/ exercise/ authoring/ chronic illness SUSTAINABLY 😄
I'm an epic and Sci-Fi-Fantasy author who delights in writing queer and neurodiverse characters tackling complex plots, currently while tackling complex personal issues exacerbated by said plot.
Achievement: balancing teaching/ rest/ exercise/ authoring/ chronic illness SUSTAINABLY 😄
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
If you're looking for new reads -especially SFF, and some SFF with LGBTQIA+ MC's- everything in this bundle was published in 2025. Short blurb of all 27 books in bundle description!
Including book 1 of my SciFi-Fantasy series, Walking the Knife's Edge 😉
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3455/the-b...
Including book 1 of my SciFi-Fantasy series, Walking the Knife's Edge 😉
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3455/the-b...
January 1, 2026 at 1:42 AM
If you're looking for new reads -especially SFF, and some SFF with LGBTQIA+ MC's- everything in this bundle was published in 2025. Short blurb of all 27 books in bundle description!
Including book 1 of my SciFi-Fantasy series, Walking the Knife's Edge 😉
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3455/the-b...
Including book 1 of my SciFi-Fantasy series, Walking the Knife's Edge 😉
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3455/the-b...
Reposted by Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️⚧️
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
January 1, 2026 at 9:47 AM
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
I hope none of you overdid New Year's like Fred did 😉
January 1, 2026 at 10:37 AM
I hope none of you overdid New Year's like Fred did 😉