J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author
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jlhenker.bsky.social
J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author
@jlhenker.bsky.social
810 followers 720 following 190 posts
Writer, blogger and host of the YouTube Channel: Women Fantasy Authors (focused on indies). I facilitate a support group for women fantasy writers. Queer. Wife. Grandma. Cat mom.
https://jlhenker.com
https://youtube.com/@womenfantasyauthors
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jlhenker.bsky.social
J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · Oct 2
November is fast approaching, so I signed up for the free Novel November being hosted by ProWritingAid. Hopefully, it will help fill the hole left by the closing of NaNoWriMo. I hope to see some of you there. #writing #nanowrimo #authors #books

Here's the info:

prowritingaid.com/novel-november
Novel November: A 30 Day Writing Challenge
Join the only writing challenge that takes you from blank page to first draft in just one month with the help of bestselling authors.
prowritingaid.com
jlhenker.bsky.social
Just pre-ordered. Let’s jump in & make this a reality for Seanan!
seananmcguire.bsky.social Seanan McGuire @seananmcguire.bsky.social · Oct 23
If we can sell between 5,000 and 10,000 copies of OMENS OF CHAOS, we will debut comfortably on the New York Times Bestseller list, which is a very normal thing for a book to want (and will send a very clear message about what we want as a community). We won't, but a girl can dream.
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 AM
jlhenker.bsky.social
November is fast approaching, so I signed up for the free Novel November being hosted by ProWritingAid. Hopefully, it will help fill the hole left by the closing of NaNoWriMo. I hope to see some of you there. #writing #nanowrimo #authors #books

Here's the info:

prowritingaid.com/novel-november
Novel November: A 30 Day Writing Challenge
Join the only writing challenge that takes you from blank page to first draft in just one month with the help of bestselling authors.
prowritingaid.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
I had a great time talking with Benjamin Gorman on his podcast, Writers Not Writing. Thanks Ben! #authors #podcasts #fantasy
notapipe.bsky.social Not a Pipe Publishing Ink-Corporated LLC @notapipe.bsky.social · Jul 19
On this episode, @benjamingorman.bsky.social gabs with @jlhenker.bsky.social, author of DAUGHTER OF THE DISPOSSESSED, the short story “Corporate Baby” in the @antifalit.bsky.social Journal, and the forthcoming CAVE OF WHISPERS.
Show: bit.ly/WNWHome
Ad-free: bit.ly/PatreonBG
July 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
Are you an author in need of an author platform & don't know where to start? I'm teaching an on-line workshop on just that, Saturday, August 9th from 2-3:30PM PST. This will be a small class (10-12 participants). Only a couple spots left. More detail in alt text. #authors #marketing
The price of the workshop will be $39.00 and includes one follow-up session a month after initial training to review ‘homework’ assignments and share our progress. If there is interest, the group can continue to meet on a monthly basis to provide coaching, encouragement, and support. The workshop content includes: 1. Why You Need an Author Platform & What It Includes 2. What Should You Put on Your Website? 3. Pros & Cons of Using Social Media & What to Share 4. Building Your Email List 5. What You Need to Set Up an Email Provider 6. What is a Reader Magnet & Why You Need One 7. Author Newsletters & Tools for Creating Content 8. Cross Promotion Marketing 9. Other Ways to Self-Promote 1 Action Steps to Get Started …And More Yes, this is a lot to cover in an hour and a half. Consider it an overview with an extensive list of resources provided to all attendees, with links to all sources cited. There will be time for Q&A to get your specific questions answered. If interested, please contact me directly at jlhenkerauthor@gmail.com
July 26, 2025 at 8:47 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
My writing colleague @kareneisenbrey.bsky.social released A Quest for Hidden Things (my favorite fantasy read so far this year). I interviewed her on my YouTube Channel: Women Fantasy Writers, & we discussed the novel, its characters, and magic. Enjoy.

youtu.be/REaX0D2hj4A?...

#fantasy #authors
Karen Eisenbrey 04 24 25
YouTube video by Women Fantasy Authors
youtu.be
June 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
I have a short story in the upcoming Antifa Lit Journal Vol. 1. You can pre-order anywhere books are sold or get your copy by backing the Kickstarter for Volume 2 so we can continue to speak out against the rise of fascism in the US and around the world. bit.ly/ALJKick

#authors #anthologies
Book cover for the antifa Lit Journal, Vol. 1. There is a burst of color from he center radiating out in shades of red and grey. Two white and black orcha whales arch togehter to pump noses. The book title is; What If We Kised while Sinking a Billionaire's Yacht? There is a cut-out of a yacht in the background and across the bottom are all the authors who have contributed to this volume. My contribution is a dystopian piece with corporations controlling reproduction and women fighting back.
May 31, 2025 at 10:50 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
Do you write #Fantasy that includes #dragons? Are you on StoryOrigin? I'm doing a newsetter builder promo. If your story includes dragons, I invite you to join. It is a giveaway--they download your free book in exchange for signing up for your newsletter. Email questions to jlhenkerauthor@gmail.com
A banner with background of dark gray and tourquoise rugged peaks. In front are two white fantasy dragons on either side facing a header that says 'Dragon Tales Await' and Free stories all July!
May 31, 2025 at 12:11 AM
jlhenker.bsky.social
Now that Goodreads is owned by Amazon, is there an alternative platform?
May 28, 2025 at 3:42 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
My quote for the day is from Lynda Obst. “There is a fine line between persistence & madness.”As a writer trying to juggle all the necessary pieces to self-publish, I’m leaning a bit toward the madness side.
#writing #author #publishing #books
May 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
This is both poignant and powerful. Thank you, Bruce. #democracy
youtu.be/n-kODkdNSgs?...
Bruce Springsteen’s Message to America: A Protest. A Prayer. A Wake-Up Call.
YouTube video by The Seneca Project
youtu.be
May 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
What’s on your nightstand? Here’s my pile. Some cozy, fantasy, RPG fantasy, memoir, paranormal fantasy & a graphic novel. I’m usually reading two at a time. #books #authors #reading
Stack of book on top of a cabinet. From top to bottom: Recipes for a Copper Snake by J.S. Ruff, Dark Town by Palmer Pickering, Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle, Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire, & Jane’s World by Paige Braddock.
May 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
My friend and writing colleague SD Huston is hosting a great author writing conference which begins tonight. Here's more information:

www.youtube.com/live/Mv3NjuA...
#writing #authors #writingconference
2025 Authortube Writing Conference Full Schedule!! // 1 May 2025 @ 6 PM EDT
YouTube video by S.D. Huston
www.youtube.com
May 1, 2025 at 11:27 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
#bookmail! Just received WA Simpson's The Hatter's Daughter, book 3 in Tales from the Riven Isles. Love this series. Not just re-tellings of fairy tales, they're remastered. Interested in learning more about WA? Here's my interview with her: youtu.be/2_3yiKTNdVI
#authors #fantasy #fairytales
A book cover with gold lettering. Author W.A Simpson, title The Hatter's Daughter. The art is a young black woman with short hair resting a delicate hand on a hat resting on the crown of her hear. She is looking directly out with a curious, open gaze. The subtitles are A new epic fantasy from the Riven Isles and When the evil invades, Faith is determined to fight.
April 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
This is who those MFers want to hurt by cutting Medicaid so billionaires can get bigger tax cuts. It’s pure evil. We need to keep the pressure on & keep protesting.
Who benefits most from Medicaid? Nearly half of all children, over 40% of births, many low-income, elderly & disabled people & working adults in low income jobs.
April 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
Santa Rosa, California says #handsoff. 5000 strong. There were people of all ages & it was joyful & peaceful.
April 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
This is remarkable. This is the leadership we've been waiting for. Respect! I started listening last night and plugged back in this morning. He is calling out the corruption and hypocrisy. Brilliant.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5Nf...
LIVE NOW: Sen. Booker will go as long as he can in marathon Senate speech to protest Trump
YouTube video by MSNBC
www.youtube.com
April 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
The Bay Area Coalition Speaker Series announces Joan Baez and Heather Cox Richardson in conversation on May 8th, 2-3 PM PST. Here's the sign-up link. It's a free virtual event.
www.mobilize.us/democracyact...
Image of a poster with pictures of Joan Baez and Heather Cox Ricardson announcing an event on May 8th at 2:00 PM Pacific. It includes a sign-up link. About this event: Join the Bay Area Coalition for our popular Speaker Series featuring legendary musician-activist Joan Baez and author-historian Heather Cox Richardson. Joan Baez will kick off the event with a few songs (maybe a sing-a-long!) followed by our friend Heather Cox Richardson, author of the Substack "Letters From An American" and "Democracy Awakening," in conversation with our own Bay Area Coalition activist and broadcast veteran Celeste Perry.
March 29, 2025 at 12:47 AM
jlhenker.bsky.social
Cave of Whispers is almost done and the planned launch is September. Welcome to the Kingdom of Sigor, a land of magic, political intrigue and dragons. Sign up for my email list and receive your free copy of the prequel, Daughter of the Dispossessed, now!
A hand hold a copy of Daughter of the Dispossessed up against a foggy, dark forest. The book cover has an image of a young woman with long white hair in a burgandy robe staring at a castle on a hill in the distance. A dragon soars above the castle.
March 12, 2025 at 4:14 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
I'm participating in an author promo with a great group of other fantasy authors. You can download free books, including my novella, Daughter of the Dispossessed. Enjoy your free reads! books.bookfunnel.com/fantasticrea...
#books #fantsy #authors
Moody blue background with a woman in a cloak walking in a dark forest. Text reads: Fantastic Realms: Free fantasy books
March 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
This is a photo of a final edit of my novella. It’s already been edited many times, but I wanted one last look before publication. See all those yellow stickies? Those are additional edits. If anyone still thinks being an indie author is glamorous, I have some news. #editing #authors #fantasy #books
An open notebook with a table of content showing and multiple yellow sticky notes protruding from along the outside edge.
March 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
My latest blog post (lnkd.in/g6BgsMyk) is about Jack London, who I discovered is credited with writing one of the first modern dystopian novels, The Iron Heel. I recently toured his ranch and museum. #jacklondon #authors #writing
The front book cover of Jack London's The Iron Heel. It is a black background with a bright orange sun rising and hands upstretched from a pit towards the sun.
February 6, 2025 at 7:53 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
His sentiment is also why we write it. #bookwormsat #books #quotes #authors #fantasy
A quote from George RR Martin author of Game of Thrones. “We read fantasy to find the colors again. There is something old & true in fantasy that speaks to something deep within us.”
February 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
I volunteer for my local Friends of the Library. I thought a picture of a bunch of donated #books might make us all feel better.
Looking down an isle lined on both sides by shelves of books.
January 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
Please support local bookstores. The easy, socially responsible alternative is Bookshop.org. Check out their 5 year annual report. $40 million diverted from Amazon and refocused on local, independent bookstores. Local bookstores rule! #books #supportlocal #bookstores
Bookshop.org's sales figures from the last 5 years. Almost 40 million in sales profits directed to 2207 local, indie bookstores, 730 new indie bookstores have opened since 2020.
January 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
jlhenker.bsky.social
I don’t want to hear “there’s nothing we can do.” Read this amazing thread all the way through & make a plan.
January 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM