Emma Denny
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emmadenny.bsky.social
Emma Denny
@emmadenny.bsky.social
740 followers 290 following 270 posts
Award-winning author of queer historical romances. Dagger enthusiast. My gender is Knight. They/she.

One Night in Hartswood (m/m) & All the Painted Stars (f/f) out now!

emmadenny.com
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emmadenny.bsky.social
Emma Denny @emmadenny.bsky.social · Sep 18
Hello new people!! I suppose I ought to do one of those introduction threads I've been hearing so much about 😅

I'm Emma, I'm a queer & genderqueer writer publishing queer historical romances! Right now I'm in my ~medieval period~ ⚔
Reposted by Emma Denny
themerl.bsky.social
🐏 New Absolute Units 🐏

Same-sex relationships have always been part of rural England, but they've been underrepresented in our collections.

In the first of 2 episodes, @timjerrome.bsky.social shares his work tracing queer rural lives in The MERL archives.

merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
The Absolute Units art. Three giant sheep hover over the English countryside.
October 16, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Reposted by Emma Denny
bonabooks.bsky.social
ANNOUNCEMENT🎺🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Introducing our bona new quarterly literary magazine:

FANTABULOSA!

Pushing the boundaries of bold, authentic, QUEER storytelling. Bringing you stories of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical.

& thanks to our brilliant #WrathMonth backers, we're fully funded for 2026 🤘
Bona Books Presents A new queer literary magazine FANTABULOSA! Tales of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical, from radical and unapologetic queer voices. Science fiction, fantasy and horror Short fiction & poetry Submissions open now
October 14, 2025 at 1:35 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
GUESS WHAT. I've got another book coming out. A VOW MADE TWICE is a queer, polyam #historicalromance set in the 1300s. After inheriting his father's title, Ash Barden needs to marry... but the memory of his long-dead lover still haunts him. Will he be forced to choose, or can a heart belong to two?
The cover for "A Vow Made Twice" by Emma Denny. It depicts three people against a forest green background, framed with darker green trees and bushes with green leaves and red flowers. The three figures are: Agnes, on the left, who has ginger hair tied in a plait and is wearing a long green dress and holding a taut bow in their hands. Ash, in the middle, who is tall with long, shaggy hair and beard. He has a scar on his face and is wearing the fancy clothes of a medieval lord, including a fur collar. To the far right is a third figure who stands further back than Agnes and Ash. He has long, blond hair and stands with arms crossed over a plain white tunic.
October 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Looking for advice from other #historicalromance authors, agents or publishers - is the state of histrom trad publishing really that bad? Does anyone have any experience/anecdotes to share?
October 11, 2025 at 10:35 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
I am terribly ill and dying today (I have a cold) so I treated myself to this and as expected, it's LOVELY. What a cute idea, and gorgeously brought to life. I'd read a whole graphic novel about these two 😍
nooskadraws.bsky.social 🌿viktor aleksander🌿 @ available for work! @nooskadraws.bsky.social · Oct 6
🌹 A Rose by Any Other Name. An MM inktober comic. A victorian gentleman falls in love with the portrait of a medieval knight. The gentleman summons the knight's ghost for a dance, but gifts him something far more precious. 🖤

nooskadraws.gumroad.com/l/UuKm
An inked page from my old inktober comic. It has 3 panels. 1. A close up of the gentleman and knight smiling. Gutter: Knight says "He is my secret and all that I hold dear." 2. The gentleman and knight hold hands as they walk down the hall. Knight: "It has been too long since I danced!" Gentleman, mutters fondly with a smile: "I hope I am not a disastrous partner!" 3. The Knight and Gentleman keep talking as they make their way through the corridor, past framed portraits and framed landscapes. An inked page from my old inktober comic. It has 5 panels. 1. Unlit candles in a candelabra. 2. The Gentleman reaches out for the Knight with a wide smile. 3. Framed portraits, and the Knight's ghostly tendrils swirl. Knight: "Oh!" 4. A vase of flowers, a bust of an unnamed noble. Music notes begin to drift across the panel. Knight: "I hear music!" Gentleman: "Isn't it wonderful?" 5. The Knight and the Gentleman stand next to each other before a closed door. The Gentleman rests his hand on the Knight's shoulder. Music drifts from the door. Gentleman: "Hmm." "It appears as though they started the party without us."
October 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
oH this sounds very up my street 👀
nooskadraws.bsky.social 🌿viktor aleksander🌿 @ available for work! @nooskadraws.bsky.social · Oct 6
🌹 A Rose by Any Other Name. An MM inktober comic. A victorian gentleman falls in love with the portrait of a medieval knight. The gentleman summons the knight's ghost for a dance, but gifts him something far more precious. 🖤

nooskadraws.gumroad.com/l/UuKm
An inked page from my old inktober comic. It has 3 panels. 1. A close up of the gentleman and knight smiling. Gutter: Knight says "He is my secret and all that I hold dear." 2. The gentleman and knight hold hands as they walk down the hall. Knight: "It has been too long since I danced!" Gentleman, mutters fondly with a smile: "I hope I am not a disastrous partner!" 3. The Knight and Gentleman keep talking as they make their way through the corridor, past framed portraits and framed landscapes. An inked page from my old inktober comic. It has 5 panels. 1. Unlit candles in a candelabra. 2. The Gentleman reaches out for the Knight with a wide smile. 3. Framed portraits, and the Knight's ghostly tendrils swirl. Knight: "Oh!" 4. A vase of flowers, a bust of an unnamed noble. Music notes begin to drift across the panel. Knight: "I hear music!" Gentleman: "Isn't it wonderful?" 5. The Knight and the Gentleman stand next to each other before a closed door. The Gentleman rests his hand on the Knight's shoulder. Music drifts from the door. Gentleman: "Hmm." "It appears as though they started the party without us."
October 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Things the UK gov will let me see: a real person being shot in the neck
Things the UK gov will not let me see: a drawing of a penis
September 11, 2025 at 8:14 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
just tried to access r/reduction - a subreddit I've been using regularly to get references and advice about the sort of radical reduction I'd like to get, for Gender Reasons - and now I can't see any photos without submitting my ID.
July 23, 2025 at 9:40 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Starting to put feelers out re: finding an agent, so if anyone knows of anyone looking for some fun queer #historicalromance (medieval/regency) please do point me in their direction 👀
July 18, 2025 at 10:37 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
*glares at Bananagrams*
nameshiv.bsky.social Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · Jul 7
need a support group for writers who hate word games
July 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Final day of this sale!
emmadenny.bsky.social Emma Denny @emmadenny.bsky.social · Jun 2
One Night in Hartswood and All the Painted Stars are both $0.99 on Kindle/Kobo all month long!! Grab yerself some cheap medieval queers while you can ⚔🏳‍🌈
June 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
This is SUPER important. Additionally: if you're in the UK and don't have an agent, I REALLY encourage you to join the Society of Authors, who provide free legal advice and contract vetting for members. Don't sign anything before you're sure you're not being screwed over!
kjcharleswriter.com KJ Charles @kjcharleswriter.com · Jun 30
In case you are one of the apparently many people who don't read their publishing contracts, a) don't be a bloody fool and b) IANAL but here is a blog post with a few things for you to look out for as a starting point.

kjcharleswriter.com/2017/03/24/t...
The Author’s Biggest Mistake – KJ Charles
kjcharleswriter.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Emma Denny
basil-estel.bsky.social
One Queer Book Rec For Each Pride Flag Stripe

Did you know that Gilbert Baker (who designed the first rainbow pride flag in the 70s) intended for each of its colours to have a different meaning? To celebrate pride month this year, I’ve decided to use these meanings as prompts for recommendations!…
One Queer Book Rec For Each Pride Flag Stripe
Did you know that Gilbert Baker (who designed the first rainbow pride flag in the 70s) intended for each of its colours to have a different meaning? To celebrate pride month this year, I’ve decided to use these meanings as prompts for recommendations! I read rather widely, so hopefully you will find something you like among the offerings! Note: I am including Bookshop.org affiliate links so you can order these books from your local bookstores and support the site!
bazestel.wordpress.com
June 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
anyway now my passion for the Ash Prequel WIP is back - who knows how long it'll last this time 😅
June 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Okay. So. Full disclosure: I bought this like two years ago, a few months after Hartswood came out. Everyone recommended it. Everyone said "oh hey medieval m/m? READ THIS." And then I wrote two more books and my brain fell out and it was placed on the TBR. Until a couple days ago.
A photo of a Kobo with the cover of The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi on it.
June 13, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Emma Denny
galacticjonah.bsky.social
Resist. Rejoice. Remember.

I dedicate this year's pride knight to my community. My trans family, friends and loved ones are beautiful, resilient and amazing and we will continue to thrive like the weeds society treats us as.

Happy Pride. Trans liberation at any cost.
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
An illustration of a knight facing to the right. They are clad in silver armour, and carry a shield with trans pride colours, which shows a unicorn and the slogan 'Resist, rejoice, remember'. Additionally there is a trans pride coloured decoration on their helmet. The image is framed with a border of dandelion and hanging pride flags.
June 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
One Night in Hartswood and All the Painted Stars are both $0.99 on Kindle/Kobo all month long!! Grab yerself some cheap medieval queers while you can ⚔🏳‍🌈
June 2, 2025 at 3:02 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
To celebrate my first day (well, sort of) of funemployment I spent two hours cleaning the kitchen, including scrubbing the grout with a toothbrush. Can you tell? Not even a bit.
June 2, 2025 at 8:55 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
just saw a comment thread on a tiktok of someone asking for reading recs where one person recommended my book and another, totally separate person recommended my fanfic. Should I tell them lmao
May 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Casually reposting this one to the author acc bcos LOOK isn't it GORGEOUS?? I'm so pleased this is lovely 🥺 my wonderful girls done so perfectly!!
whatbettyredd.bsky.social Betty Redd🌈💖 @whatbettyredd.bsky.social · May 27
fanart for all the painted stars by @akindofmerrywar.bsky.social ! I loved this book and recommend it for sapphic knight lovers everywhere. #digitalart #fanart #artsky #booksky
Digital illustration inspired by the painting God Speed by Edmund Blair Leighton. On the left, a dark-haired woman in a long orange gown leans over a stone balcony, holding a white handkerchief. She reaches ouy to a red-haired woman in chainmail and a deep blue surcoat adorned with embroidered stars. The red-haired woman sits on a horse, holding a flag that matches her starry surcoat, and looks up at her with affection. The background shows the arch of a stone gate, vines creeping along the walls, and the soft glow of the sun.
May 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Small update to the profile description today.....
A screenshot of my (Emma Denny) Bsky profile description. It reads: "Award-winning author of queer historical romances. Dagger enthusiast. My gender is Knight. They/she. One Night in Hartswood (m/m) & All the Painted Stars (f/f) out now!" "Award-winning" is highlighted in yellow.
May 21, 2025 at 7:44 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
Just realised I have, somehow, totally failed to thank @aspencerhall.bsky.social & co for this. I read it while writing Book Three and it was an incredible starting point for my research about medieval trans identities - and one I kept returning to. I've recommended it so many times. 1/1
April 16, 2025 at 7:34 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
AMAZING NEWS. All the Painted Stars (which, incidentally, is now out in the US) is shortlisted for the RNA's Popular Romance Fiction award!! 🎉🎉🎉

So proud of my sword lesbian babes 🥺💖
emmadenny.bsky.social Emma Denny @emmadenny.bsky.social · Sep 18
My second book, ALL THE PAINTED STARS, is out now in the UK and out Nov 5th in the US. This one's about stealing your brother's armour and entering a tournament to save your bestie (who you're very much in love with, nbd) from being married to Some Guy.
the cover for the book All the Painted Stars. It shows two women embracing. On the left, Lily is wearing silver armour with a red cape. On the right, Jo is wearing a long orange dress with wide sleeves.
April 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
emmadenny.bsky.social
I keep seeing Takes about Meta and AI and LibGen and as an author who is currently facing a lot of employment uncertainty around my day job mostly I just want to get under the desk and cry.
March 25, 2025 at 9:30 AM
emmadenny.bsky.social
guess which game/ship I have, predictably, gotten very into again 👀
martyfive.bsky.social martyfive @martyfive.bsky.social · Feb 23
a sword to forge, a cross to carry, a lucky star to share

#kcd2 #hansry
a digital painting of hans and henry from kingdom come deliverance games. they’re standing facing each other, with henry’s back turned to us. only the upper parts of their bodies are in the light. henry is keeping his right hand on a sword that’s red from smithing, his left hand is on hans’ right shoulder, left side of his face touching hans’ left temple. hans is holding a golden cross that hangs from his palm on a chain, it shines dimly. he’s looking down on it, hesitant. the background is bright blue, like the sky happens to be on a cloudless summer evening. the characters are bright too, with red and yellow accents where the light shines upon them. there’s a single four-pointed white star above their heads.
February 23, 2025 at 8:03 PM