JG Duke
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JG Duke
@jgduke.bsky.social
620 followers 330 following 620 posts
Author, reader, grammarian.
#AmQuerying #IndieAuthor #EpicFantasy #📚💙
Black Lives Matter. All cops are bastards. AI is not art. Free Palestine. Trans rights are human rights.
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jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesFebruary 2- romance

This book actually intentionally lists MULTIPLE failed relationships of the MC. He has three on-page breakups in his young adult life, including an engagement with someone he was "madly in love with".

Spoiler, he does find marital happiness... eventually. 😅
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of February. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesFebruary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A wave is crashing over rocks, spraying water into the air. Text reads "Of Wind and Tide, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
February 2, 2026 at 8:37 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Reading is a form of prayer, a guided meditation that briefly makes us believe we’re someone else, disrupting the delusion that we’re permanent and at the center of the universe."
- George Saunders

#reading #books #empathy #prayer #ego #indieauthor #writingcommunity #reader
February 2, 2026 at 12:53 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
The world is called Dainu. Book 1 takes place in Ilimak, the land of the Bash. There are fifteen "lands", each inhabited by a different Dainutara. Bash, Zol, Siil, Ponmas- 15 of 30 Kataloy made life in Dainu, and each one lives in their own space... for the most part.
#FebruaryWorldbuilders
kiraofthewind.com Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 1d
Welcome to a new month of Monthly Worldbuilders! Here's your first #FebruaryWorldbuilders prompt. This week I'm asking about the physical world you are writing about/creating/whatever you're doing. Does your world have a name? Is it a planet? A country? Something else?
MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #FebruaryWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 1: Physical World 1. Does your world have a name? The background image shows a misty forest with a mysterious tower in the background. It has a cold, mysterious vibe.
February 1, 2026 at 7:49 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesFebruary
Intro to book 4 of the series #AStoryOfDainu, "Of Wind and Tide".
This book picks up where book 1 left off, following Daroke, son of King Dokiro of Ral Palace and princess Ambea of Mos Palace, as he grapples with being the heir to two thrones, unwanted in either.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of February. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesFebruary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A wave is crashing over rocks, spraying water into the air. Text reads "Of Wind and Tide, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
February 1, 2026 at 7:41 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
This is who runs this account.
February 1, 2026 at 2:53 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"So many books, so little time."
- Frank Zappa

#quotes #books #reading #literature #booksky #writing #writingcommunity #authors #indieauthors #time
a cartoon of a boy reading a book surrounded by books .
Alt: Gif is of Linus van Pelt, from the Charlie Brown series, surrounded by books. He is quickly skimming through them.
media.tenor.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:53 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 30

For free Friday, I want to share with y'all a cheat-sheet I saw from BluePit that was INCREDIBLY helpful to me.

The anatomy of a pitch:
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of text. It is titled "The anatomy of a pitch" Elements: Inciting incident, protagonist, goal/stakes, antagonist/problem, setting. Example: The Wizard of Oz After losing her home in a tornado / a young girl / wakes up in a magical land. / Can she find her way back to Kansas / when a witch is determined to kill her? Picture came from @BluePit.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 1:02 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 29- favorite characters

In this book, Dhrisamie. She's so fun to write!

In the series, Ekino Joni probably. I've written the most fan-fic of him. Lol

In the last 10 yrs of reading, Wind Master Shi Qingxuan. They start so delightfully fun, and end so perfectly shattered.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
I *really* wanna finish book 3 and 4 this year. They're about 50 & 80% finished, respectively.
Though, I picked up 4 the other day, and realized I HATED the pacing...so I might just rewrite the entire the book. 😮‍💨

#JanuaryWorldbuilders
kiraofthewind.com Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 4d
We're in the extra days of January! From here until Feb, I'll ask some broader questions, #JanuaryWorldbuilders

Today's Q: What are you planning to work on this year? Particularly in regards to writing and worldbuilding, but feel free to talk about anything
MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #JanuaryWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Extra Days 29. What are you planning to work on this year? The background image shows a blurred magic tree with a waterfall coming down between two halves of its trunk. It’s nighttime and the night sky is magical with lots of blues and pinks and purples
January 29, 2026 at 1:05 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
“A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.”
– G.K. Chesterton

#books #novel #literature #booksky #modernAuthors #indieauthor #writingcommunity #reading #truth #quotes
January 28, 2026 at 12:56 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 27- how has this story changed from the original design?
Ready for another thread? (/7)

\\ 🧵1. When these books first started forming in my head 25 years ago, they were 2nd world portal stories.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 27, 2026 at 1:40 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 26- cherished memories

Jaris' earliest memory is while sailing to Sol, he sat near his mother's vanity and watched her put on her makeup.
Years later, after she has become Veema, he tells her "I still think you're beautiful, Mabi."

Jaris is a total mama's boy. Lol
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 26, 2026 at 8:12 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Reading lets us live in someone else’s shoes. Literature builds bridges; it makes our world larger, not smaller."
– R.F. Kuang

#reading #literature #books #booksky #writing #indieauthor #bridges #worldview #empathy
January 26, 2026 at 1:21 PM
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“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
— Anne Frank

It's a vile timeline, friends. Keep fighting; keep hoping; keep creating.

#writingcommunity #indieauthor #writers #art #courage #FightFascismWithHope #mordernlife #booksky #StoriesMatter
January 25, 2026 at 1:40 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary Day 24- #SaturdaySnippet
This is from mid-late in the book, when Junalee has about had it with the reverse culture shock of being back among "her people".
In this scene, she chastises Marvee for being so eager to re-assimilate, even when the cultural norm is immoral.
She tried not to cry. “I want to do the right thing. I want to be a good Ney, but I’m just so confused! I don’t know what to do.” Junalee had no more sympathy. “It’s sad, Marvee, that you’re a grown Ney and you still don’t know right from wrong.” “But I- I’m confused! I thought I did, but now I’m being told differently. So, I just don’t know anymore if-” “Have you ever once thought for yourself? Have you ever once come to a conclusion that wasn’t made for you?” “I-” She paused and thought. Had she? She couldn’t quite recall. “If today they told you the sea is orange, you’d believe them. ‘Why would they lie?’ you’d say. You’d trust their words before you’d trust your own eyes.” “But exactly: why would they lie?” “Why does anyone lie, Marvee?” She waited, assuming it was a rhetorical question. Junalee only repeated. “Why would anyone lie, Marvee?” “Oh, um- I don’t know. When I was little, I suppose I would lie because I was afraid of getting in trouble.” “And there you go.” “But- the Council isn’t in danger of that.” “Aren’t they?” “Who would they be in danger from? What authority is there above them?” “Truth. History. Facts. They lie because they’re afraid of the truth.” “I don’t understand, Junalee!” “And you don’t understand because you’ve never tried to before. You’re too willing to believe. You’ve never once doubted any one else’s intentions. Understanding comes from learning what you don’t know. You’re not interested in learning; you just want to be told the answers. “Even in Sol, you never once tried to learn the language beyond what you needed to say. You never once tried food you didn’t already know you liked. You never once spoke to Taifin who weren’t your hosts. You don’t care about learning; you want answers, not reasons.” “But I don’t need reasons. If the answer is right, that’s all anyone nee-” “If the answer is right, Marvee. If. And if it’s not- you would never even know. Right from wrong: you still don’t even know.” Pictures is a (temporary) book cover for "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu", by JG Duke. It shows a large ship on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Picture is a list of daily prompts through the month of January for authors to share various aspects of their works in progress. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary
January 24, 2026 at 3:32 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 23- Free Friday

Ok but for real, how the fuck do I get a #CoverArtist that matches my ideal style?
I've sat on these books for YEARS just needing the #art!
I feel so rude telling ppl who offer they're not what I need, but I don't know how to instigate what I DO need. 😭😭
January 23, 2026 at 9:28 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 22- my inspo

Oof. For this book, honestly, Maga.
The hypocrisy, the entitlement, the incompetence coupled with gross egos...
Originally, it was the story of me coming home from a study abroad in China to christians' obsession with proselytizing. Disturbingly officious.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 22, 2026 at 6:12 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth."
- William Faulkner

#quotes #voice #truth #compassion
#books #reading #writingcommunity #author #indieauthor #📚💙
January 22, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by JG Duke
jgduke.bsky.social
No throne is claimed without consequence.

#LongLivetheQueen #AStoryOfDainu #books #indieauthor #amquerying #epicfantasy #readers #writingcommunity #booksky 📚💙
Black background with a golden crown centered. White text reads "Long Live the Queen, a Story of Dainu, by JG Duke"
March 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 21- role models?

I'd say Jaris looks up to his mother more than anyone. She instilled in him the love of academia+adventure. But he also definitely admires his Kataloy. (As most beings do, I suspect.) Which is cute that they're both kinda his "makers" in a sense. Ha
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 21, 2026 at 6:40 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
“So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all.”
- Ray Bradbury

#art #books #poetry #drawing #painting #creativity
#booksky #writingcommunity #indieauthor
#war #greed #capitalism #SaveUs #quotes
January 21, 2026 at 1:01 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 20- #hobbies

I piddle on the uke and am slowly teaching myself piano 🎹
I love all my house plants and watching green things grow 🪴
Reading and writing are passions of mine 📚
I've recently gotten into bird watching from my front window 🐦‍⬛
Language learning is fun too 🈶
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary.
January 20, 2026 at 6:58 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
“A good story is a dream shared by the author and the reader. Anything that wakes the reader from the dream is a mortal sin.”
― Victor J. Banis

#books #booksky #indieauthors #authors #writingcommunity #readers #quotes #writer #📚💙 #story #sin
January 20, 2026 at 12:57 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary Day 19- Weaknesses

Jaris' weakness is a false sense of politeness; a people pleaser. Meanwhile Junalee learns to assert herself, but doesn't learn how to pick her battles, definitely to her detriment.
Marvee is a push over. And Menther: indulgence is his weakness, for sure.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 19, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by JG Duke
jgduke.bsky.social
👑 Royal family drama
💍 Arranged marriage
⚔️ War and strategy
✨ Magic
🔥 Original mythology
Come join Dokiro, Ambea, Danola, and others as they set to put the right family back on the throne- whatever the cost.
Book 1/10 of the series #AStoryOfDainu
#IndieAuthors #📚💙 #WritingCommunity #EpicFantasy
Picture of a temporary book cover. Black background with a golden crown centered. White text reads "Long Live the Queen, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
September 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM