James L. Sutter
@jameslsutter.bsky.social
Co-creator of the Pathfinder & Starfinder TTRPGs. Author of the queer young adult romance novels DARKHEARTS and THE GHOST OF US, plus fantasy novels, comics, video games, and more. Musician. ME/CFS husband.
Pinned
James L. Sutter
@jameslsutter.bsky.social
· Nov 23
OBLIGATORY INTRO POST: Hi everybody! You might know me as a co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder roleplaying games, but these days I'm mostly writing queer young adult rom-coms. If you need some grumpy teen kissing in your life, maybe check 'em out? jameslsutter.com/novels.html
Reposted by James L. Sutter
You are a descendant of mammals who slept piled atop each other in a burrow. You were literally made to cuddle your friends.
December 21, 2025 at 2:57 AM
You are a descendant of mammals who slept piled atop each other in a burrow. You were literally made to cuddle your friends.
You are a descendant of mammals who slept piled atop each other in a burrow. You were literally made to cuddle your friends.
December 21, 2025 at 2:57 AM
You are a descendant of mammals who slept piled atop each other in a burrow. You were literally made to cuddle your friends.
Reposted by James L. Sutter
Dear god. If you live in Tukwila, Renton, Kent or Auburn WA in the valley, a levee just broke. 40k are on GO NOW orders. Please share and get ahold of your people. This is terrifying. www.kiro7.com/news/local/l...
Levee on Green River fails in Tukwila; get to higher ground immediately
A levee has failed on the Green River, and people who are in low-lying areas of Kent, Renton, and Tukwila should move to higher ground immediately.
www.kiro7.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Dear god. If you live in Tukwila, Renton, Kent or Auburn WA in the valley, a levee just broke. 40k are on GO NOW orders. Please share and get ahold of your people. This is terrifying. www.kiro7.com/news/local/l...
Ran a D&D heist the other night where three otyughs lived in the manor's cesspit, guarding that entrance and consuming the filth.
I'm proud/not proud that the passphrase to get by them was "all you can eat bidet."
I'm proud/not proud that the passphrase to get by them was "all you can eat bidet."
December 15, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Ran a D&D heist the other night where three otyughs lived in the manor's cesspit, guarding that entrance and consuming the filth.
I'm proud/not proud that the passphrase to get by them was "all you can eat bidet."
I'm proud/not proud that the passphrase to get by them was "all you can eat bidet."
It's okay to throw away a book. They're not sacred talismans. You can recycle it because it's bad, or because the author is awful, or for any reason. You do not need to keep it on your shelf or donate it or sell it or dump it in a little free library. It's not inherently more ethical to do so.
December 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
It's okay to throw away a book. They're not sacred talismans. You can recycle it because it's bad, or because the author is awful, or for any reason. You do not need to keep it on your shelf or donate it or sell it or dump it in a little free library. It's not inherently more ethical to do so.
ME: "Could I get that with the ahegao bread?"
WAITER: "You mean the asiago bread?"
ME: *uncrosses eyes* "Oh, uh... yeah. That one."
WAITER: "You mean the asiago bread?"
ME: *uncrosses eyes* "Oh, uh... yeah. That one."
December 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
ME: "Could I get that with the ahegao bread?"
WAITER: "You mean the asiago bread?"
ME: *uncrosses eyes* "Oh, uh... yeah. That one."
WAITER: "You mean the asiago bread?"
ME: *uncrosses eyes* "Oh, uh... yeah. That one."
How I imagine the pitch meeting for SINNERS:
Ryan Coogler: What if you could have two Michael B Jordans?
Producer: I have imagined this frequently, yes.
Coogler: But wait—they're also wearing matching 1930s suits.
Producer: I HAVE THE VAPORS *passes out, money rains down from ceiling*
Ryan Coogler: What if you could have two Michael B Jordans?
Producer: I have imagined this frequently, yes.
Coogler: But wait—they're also wearing matching 1930s suits.
Producer: I HAVE THE VAPORS *passes out, money rains down from ceiling*
December 10, 2025 at 10:34 PM
How I imagine the pitch meeting for SINNERS:
Ryan Coogler: What if you could have two Michael B Jordans?
Producer: I have imagined this frequently, yes.
Coogler: But wait—they're also wearing matching 1930s suits.
Producer: I HAVE THE VAPORS *passes out, money rains down from ceiling*
Ryan Coogler: What if you could have two Michael B Jordans?
Producer: I have imagined this frequently, yes.
Coogler: But wait—they're also wearing matching 1930s suits.
Producer: I HAVE THE VAPORS *passes out, money rains down from ceiling*
An oldie but a goodie:
In this one I talk with Pathfinder's very own James L Sutter - @jameslsutter.bsky.social - we get into a lot of great stuff about lore & adventure hooks:
on.soundcloud.com/amok2b6OKx7L...
on.soundcloud.com/amok2b6OKx7L...
S6E4 - Chatting With James L Sutter
In this episode I chat with author James L Sutter about creating worlds and his new queer YA romance novel, DARKHEARTS.
You can grab a copy of DARKHEARTS here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Darkhearts-Jam
soundcloud.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
An oldie but a goodie:
Reposted by James L. Sutter
We got Weird Al out here singing Killing In The Name, the time for moderation is over
December 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM
We got Weird Al out here singing Killing In The Name, the time for moderation is over
People are always surprised to learn how little creators actually own in comics, games, etc. Big corporate brands are usually built on a work-for-hire model, meaning creators get paid once and then the *company* owns their ideas forever. This is why independent/creator-owned work is so important.
Miles Morales co-creator Sara Pichelli says she does not get any royalties from the ‘Spider-Verse’ films, Insomniac games, or merch
"I don’t get anything … that's the saddest part of my life"
(via SiteJamesons | TW)
"I don’t get anything … that's the saddest part of my life"
(via SiteJamesons | TW)
December 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
People are always surprised to learn how little creators actually own in comics, games, etc. Big corporate brands are usually built on a work-for-hire model, meaning creators get paid once and then the *company* owns their ideas forever. This is why independent/creator-owned work is so important.
Reposted by James L. Sutter
My 2025 #BookSky List
Wonderful narration by @ramondeocampo.bsky.social of @jameslsutter.bsky.social Darkhearts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful narration by @ramondeocampo.bsky.social of @jameslsutter.bsky.social Darkhearts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 5, 2025 at 11:51 PM
My 2025 #BookSky List
Wonderful narration by @ramondeocampo.bsky.social of @jameslsutter.bsky.social Darkhearts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wonderful narration by @ramondeocampo.bsky.social of @jameslsutter.bsky.social Darkhearts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The amazing @colleenaf.bsky.social made a banned books RPG for her local library and got a bunch of YA authors to record cutscenes as NPCs. Here's me as the pirate captain who runs the local costume shop. (And yes, I had all of these in my closet already.)
December 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The amazing @colleenaf.bsky.social made a banned books RPG for her local library and got a bunch of YA authors to record cutscenes as NPCs. Here's me as the pirate captain who runs the local costume shop. (And yes, I had all of these in my closet already.)
Reposted by James L. Sutter
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Being in a band in your forties is just posting this to the group chat forever.
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Being in a band in your forties is just posting this to the group chat forever.
We're entering the Era of Convenient Theft.
Anything digital can be pirated. Anything posted will be reposted by an aggregator. AI can give anyone perfect simulacra or deepfaked porn of anybody.
With no logistical barrier, the only thing inhibiting constant theft is our own internal ethics.
Anything digital can be pirated. Anything posted will be reposted by an aggregator. AI can give anyone perfect simulacra or deepfaked porn of anybody.
With no logistical barrier, the only thing inhibiting constant theft is our own internal ethics.
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
We're entering the Era of Convenient Theft.
Anything digital can be pirated. Anything posted will be reposted by an aggregator. AI can give anyone perfect simulacra or deepfaked porn of anybody.
With no logistical barrier, the only thing inhibiting constant theft is our own internal ethics.
Anything digital can be pirated. Anything posted will be reposted by an aggregator. AI can give anyone perfect simulacra or deepfaked porn of anybody.
With no logistical barrier, the only thing inhibiting constant theft is our own internal ethics.
I just searched for Death Cab for Cutie and the first thing that came up was a playlist called "Dad Rock Essentials." 💀
November 20, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I just searched for Death Cab for Cutie and the first thing that came up was a playlist called "Dad Rock Essentials." 💀
You can now *listen* to my new story, "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds," on the latest episode of the @nightmare-magazine.com podcast! It's dark fantasy about love and grief and birds nesting in your thoracic cavity.
November 18, 2025 at 6:53 PM
You can now *listen* to my new story, "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds," on the latest episode of the @nightmare-magazine.com podcast! It's dark fantasy about love and grief and birds nesting in your thoracic cavity.
Reposted by James L. Sutter
Who needs some wonderful stories featuring birds? Here are a couple I listened to recently. Loved them both.
Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds by @jameslsutter.bsky.social in @nightmare-magazine.com
The Crow's Second Tale by @marissalingen.bsky.social in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social
Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds by @jameslsutter.bsky.social in @nightmare-magazine.com
The Crow's Second Tale by @marissalingen.bsky.social in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Who needs some wonderful stories featuring birds? Here are a couple I listened to recently. Loved them both.
Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds by @jameslsutter.bsky.social in @nightmare-magazine.com
The Crow's Second Tale by @marissalingen.bsky.social in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social
Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds by @jameslsutter.bsky.social in @nightmare-magazine.com
The Crow's Second Tale by @marissalingen.bsky.social in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social
In classic fashion, last night's D&D heist began with five hours of subtle plotting, which then immediately turned into the monk punching a guard in the face 13 times. 🙃
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 AM
In classic fashion, last night's D&D heist began with five hours of subtle plotting, which then immediately turned into the monk punching a guard in the face 13 times. 🙃
Trying to buy health insurance is like the Holy Grail scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where you're presented dozens of similar cups but know if you choose the wrong one you'll immediately crumble into dust/medical debt.
November 16, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Trying to buy health insurance is like the Holy Grail scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where you're presented dozens of similar cups but know if you choose the wrong one you'll immediately crumble into dust/medical debt.
SEATTLE! Come say hi TODAY at the grand opening of the Beguiled Books all-romance bookstore in Pioneer Square! I'll be there from 4:00-4:45, signing books, answering questions, and just generally hanging out!
www.beguiledbooks.com/opening
www.beguiledbooks.com/opening
November 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
SEATTLE! Come say hi TODAY at the grand opening of the Beguiled Books all-romance bookstore in Pioneer Square! I'll be there from 4:00-4:45, signing books, answering questions, and just generally hanging out!
www.beguiledbooks.com/opening
www.beguiledbooks.com/opening
I did a scarily personal interview about how grief and chronic illness influenced my new dark fantasy/body horror story, "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds," over at @nightmare-magazine.com:
Interview: www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/a...
Story: www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/make...
Interview: www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/a...
Story: www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/make...
November 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I did a scarily personal interview about how grief and chronic illness influenced my new dark fantasy/body horror story, "Make of Your Chest a Place for Birds," over at @nightmare-magazine.com:
Interview: www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/a...
Story: www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/make...
Interview: www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/a...
Story: www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/make...
I think the worst life lesson grade school taught me was that it's possible to meet all expectations and get 100% on every assignment if you just work hard enough.
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I think the worst life lesson grade school taught me was that it's possible to meet all expectations and get 100% on every assignment if you just work hard enough.
SEATTLE! Come hang out with me this Sunday at 4:00pm as part of Beguiled Books' grand opening of their new all-romance brick and mortar bookstore in Pioneer Square! www.beguiledbooks.com/opening
November 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
SEATTLE! Come hang out with me this Sunday at 4:00pm as part of Beguiled Books' grand opening of their new all-romance brick and mortar bookstore in Pioneer Square! www.beguiledbooks.com/opening
Art is a way more stable foundation for a career than influence.
We're often told to build a platform so we can sell our art, but the art *is* the platform. Focus on making things people love and they'll follow you. Fame can evaporate in a blink, and often doesn't translate to sales anyway.
We're often told to build a platform so we can sell our art, but the art *is* the platform. Focus on making things people love and they'll follow you. Fame can evaporate in a blink, and often doesn't translate to sales anyway.
November 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Art is a way more stable foundation for a career than influence.
We're often told to build a platform so we can sell our art, but the art *is* the platform. Focus on making things people love and they'll follow you. Fame can evaporate in a blink, and often doesn't translate to sales anyway.
We're often told to build a platform so we can sell our art, but the art *is* the platform. Focus on making things people love and they'll follow you. Fame can evaporate in a blink, and often doesn't translate to sales anyway.