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mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
2.9K followers 1K following 6.9K posts
Writer of epic fantasies. Lover of cities and odd words. Just here to tell stories.
NO AI
🏳️‍⚧️they/ him
https://mcburnell.itch.io/
https://books2read.com/mcburnell
https://payhip.com/AuthorMCBurnell
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mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd @mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · Nov 18
THE TIPPING WORLD IS FINISHED
and it has everything you want in an epic

✨political intrigue
✨big battle sequences
✨new heroes coming into their own
✨morally gray ancient adepts
✨unique magic system
✨complex plot
✨vivid worldbuilding
✨terrifying villains

🌈📚🪐 #Booksky
books2read.com/Symbols-End
Cover of a book called Symbols’ End by MC Burnell depicting a slender young woman seated on a bench in a fine gown in the rain; the walls of the garden are close and too tall. Text reads: THE GRAND FINALE. Symbols’ End, Vol. 9 of The Tipping World.
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
itsviviactually.bsky.social
Transphobes get fucked forever
natacha.bsky.social Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 14h
The EU has just voted, by a VERY wide margin, for the full recognition of trans women as women…!
Disclose.tv @disclosetv NOW - EU Parliament votes to accept a report, that calls for "the full recognition of trans women as women" as part of the EU priorities for the UN CSW on "women's rights and gender equality." • • I| 0:14 12:31 pm • 12 Feb 2026 • 174K Views
February 13, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
feliciadavin.com
My novel THE MISCHIEVOUS LETTERS OF THE MARQUISE DE Q (m/f/x, historical fantasy romance) is part of this Valentine's Day romance bundle on itch with 28 other books! On sale until Feb 14 itch.io/b/3515/valen...
graphic with 29 small book covers and the text "29 books for 25! Feb. 9-14 | only on itch.io"
February 11, 2026 at 2:42 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Only a few days left!!!

She's a snarky nerd crushed by a mountain of thwarted ambition.
He's a sullen prince with a tragic backstory and a demon in him.
Wouldn't it be interesting if they became inseparable?

itch.io/b/3486/frien...
against a bland mauve background, the cover of a book in white and shocking blood-red. The book is called Vengeance Is Our Legacy. Text reads: They're young and they're mad and those are the only points of common ground, but they can't achieve their ends or learn themselves without each other. This and other stories celebrating the power of friendship, on sale now: 37 books for $35
February 13, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'defense'

from Under a Sign of Butterflies
He laughed, but the laughter fell away as he recollected how they got to talking about this. “In any event, Boy and his compatriots elected to take me up on my offer to train them in earnest when I explained to them what exactly they had signed on to do, which was to make a mess and then be killed. Stacking his actions on the eastern seaboard up alongside the fact that he retreated from the Complex with his forces intact before he declared himself our enemy…” “Please don’t tell me it was a ruse.” Before Mairid could respond, he answered himself: “A crisis to keep the mighty secter of Anyimar and Sherun preoccupied with a threat at their borders, our defenses pointed the wrong way.” “So it would seem.” The secter had made it onto shore by this point, where Mairid’s people welcomed the newcomers tentatively, not seeming to know what to make of this. Citizens gathered in increasingly dense throngs to observe, emerging from their homes and businesses or stopped at their chores to gawk; they could tell this was a momentous event, the ushering onto shore of these gaunt and secretive mages
February 12, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
theangrynoodle.com
I did a bit of research on some massive corporations and made a list assigning each of them a few evil corporations from science fiction, yay!

It's like an award, except the award is shame. 🙂

Anyway, check it out. And subscribe if you like. It helps immensely. 🧡

theangrynoodle.com/6-evil-compa...
6 Evil Corporations and Their Fictional Dystopian Counterparts
Real-life companies that have done some real messed up stuff, and the fictional evil corporations that best fit them.
theangrynoodle.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:52 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WritingPrompts
The person who had answered the door stepped back, inviting everyone into the room. They piled in out of the cold into a space of startling sterility. The man Rithucaride had met earlier that evening stood framed by a darkened aperture in the right-hand wall, looking rumpled but not sleepy, a blanket clutched around his shoulders. There wasn’t room for this many people to sit, and their friends took up places against the walls while the person who answered the door went and turned a light on in the kitchen. The light was the next thing to an assault, with a grotesque white quality that burned itself into the backs of the eyes.
February 13, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
fanfiaddict.bsky.social
COVER REVEAL

Our Ways Unmasked (Apidecca Duology #2) by
@cblansdell.bsky.social

Artist: Coe Lansdell

Dystopian fantasy with some steampunk / biopunk aesthetics and technology
February 12, 2026 at 4:46 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Fiona went to tackle her brother but was too excited and forgot to plan the tackling part. Ran to the head of the bed and just ran headlong into him and bounced off
February 12, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
katemckean.bsky.social
Over on threads someone just use ai;dr and we all need to adopt that right quick
February 11, 2026 at 7:56 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'defense'

from Under a Sign of Butterflies
He laughed, but the laughter fell away as he recollected how they got to talking about this. “In any event, Boy and his compatriots elected to take me up on my offer to train them in earnest when I explained to them what exactly they had signed on to do, which was to make a mess and then be killed. Stacking his actions on the eastern seaboard up alongside the fact that he retreated from the Complex with his forces intact before he declared himself our enemy…” “Please don’t tell me it was a ruse.” Before Mairid could respond, he answered himself: “A crisis to keep the mighty secter of Anyimar and Sherun preoccupied with a threat at their borders, our defenses pointed the wrong way.” “So it would seem.” The secter had made it onto shore by this point, where Mairid’s people welcomed the newcomers tentatively, not seeming to know what to make of this. Citizens gathered in increasingly dense throngs to observe, emerging from their homes and businesses or stopped at their chores to gawk; they could tell this was a momentous event, the ushering onto shore of these gaunt and secretive mages
February 12, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
earlronove.bsky.social
Roses are red, violets are blue, don't forget about BE NOT AFRAID...

While it's an angelic horror novella, it also has some queer sweetness underneath all the gore. 🫀 Check it out, for this weekend it's 25% off!

itch: earlronove.itch.io/benotafraid
others: books.earlronove.com/benotafraid
Valentine's Day card with Seth from BE NOT AFRAID to the side holding a bundle of roses. he is smiling coyly toward the camera. His card reads: "Roses are red..." Valentine's Day card with Trent from BE NOT AFRAID to the side holding a bundle of violets. he is smiling a little awkwardly toward the camera. His card reads: "Violets are blue..." Valentine's Day card featuring the seraphs from BE NOT AFRAID. One is in the center with his bloody face, as two more peek out from behind his wings. His card reads: "don't forget us we're here too..." and along the bottom is the book's title, "BE NOT AFRAID"
February 12, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
theangrynoodle.com
Analog horror is a kind of horror where most of the fear comes from an eerie sense of nostalgia. Usually using aesthetics familiar to us, like VHS tapes, PSAs, or radio broadcasts.

I made a list of 5 great analog horror series to scare your brain meat. #horror

theangrynoodle.com/5-analog-hor...
5 Scariest Analog Horror Series - The Angry Noodle
A list of some of the most well-known analog horror series out there, as well as what makes them so effective.
theangrynoodle.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:05 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
For decades, my brother's name was downright freakish. Ppl navigated it like there was a crab in their mouth, gamboling across their tongue. Now, we're a decade-deep in it being the most popular boy's name in the country and fuck. Y'all. Call your steamy LIs Richard or Thad this is weird
February 12, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
wrigleyfield.bsky.social
This is beautiful. Thank you, @laurajedeed.bsky.social , and thank you to everyone who was interviewed.
Activists Are Fighting ICE Even Though It Could Get Them Killed. Here’s Why.
ICE is still trying to subjugate Minneapolis. It's still failing.
slate.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
letenastare.bsky.social
J'y connais absolument rien mais la thématique à l'air chouette.
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd @mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 11d
Tired of romance? What to read some stories that focus FRIENDSHIP?

How about a whole bundle of them?
itch.io/b/3486/frien...
Friendship Centred SFF Book Bundle 37 Books Feb 1st-15th Background photo: four friends standing with arms around each other. Photo by Helena Lones, Itchio Covers: The Unidentified Champagne Charlie and the Amazing Gladys Walking the Knife's Edge Bonkpocalypse Bad Grains A Spark in Space The Damsel AN UNCOMMON CURSE Courage Is the Price Puppetry Duckett & Dyer, Dicks For Hire The Old Goat and the Alien Spirits of the Relentless Without Wings Clipped Sing In Me, Holy One, and Through Me The Lucky Machine The Lost Star Chart Werecockroach Rescue from the Orc Fortress Riyati Ripple Wherever the Stars Call The Crows Woodspell Common Accord Awakenings River of Crows A Study on Magic and Crystals Once Upon A Wave of Witches Fortitude Waters Dust & Lightning The Re-Emergence Vengeance Is Our Legacy
February 11, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
aimeecozza.com
best friends forever, best friends forever... bundle!
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd @mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 11d
Tired of romance? What to read some stories that focus FRIENDSHIP?

How about a whole bundle of them?
itch.io/b/3486/frien...
Friendship Centred SFF Book Bundle 37 Books Feb 1st-15th Background photo: four friends standing with arms around each other. Photo by Helena Lones, Itchio Covers: The Unidentified Champagne Charlie and the Amazing Gladys Walking the Knife's Edge Bonkpocalypse Bad Grains A Spark in Space The Damsel AN UNCOMMON CURSE Courage Is the Price Puppetry Duckett & Dyer, Dicks For Hire The Old Goat and the Alien Spirits of the Relentless Without Wings Clipped Sing In Me, Holy One, and Through Me The Lucky Machine The Lost Star Chart Werecockroach Rescue from the Orc Fortress Riyati Ripple Wherever the Stars Call The Crows Woodspell Common Accord Awakenings River of Crows A Study on Magic and Crystals Once Upon A Wave of Witches Fortitude Waters Dust & Lightning The Re-Emergence Vengeance Is Our Legacy
February 11, 2026 at 5:46 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Doctor Stranglelive, or How I Learned to Love Social Media Typos
February 11, 2026 at 3:07 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Fiona finally discovered the cat wall this week. She's up in the crow's nest today, feeling enormous as she looks down on us. I'm please, but I need to get a climbing pole for Random, poor baby keeps trying to climb door jambs
February 11, 2026 at 3:06 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'vibe'

This scene doesn't contain the word vibe but the VIBES are immense.

CW: anti-SW propaganda
They set off circling the fortress counterclockwise. Although he had his chief attention fixed on this ancient relic, Shisum noticed they were alone. Elsewhere, the streets weren’t heavily trafficked; here, they were deserted. They came around a corner to find themselves at the edge of an open square. The huge, iron-banded gates of the fortress stood before them, but that wasn’t as interesting as what lay between them and the keep. Alia walked right out into the open space like there was no possibility of consequences, and Shisum trotted after her, cursing internally. She came to a halt before one of the many statutes that lined the square. He looked at it, too, and felt the small hairs all over his body stir. The effigy was a life-sized scarecrow made of straw and brambles, complete with clothes. It stood up against a simple frame of wood, two planks in the shape of the letter ‘t’. Thick bolts of black metal had been driven through it into the wood behind at shoulders and wrists. A sign hung around its neck, a placard of wood with a short phrase painted on it: I hit my spouse and children. Brows furrowing, he took a few steps to the right, moving on to the next. This one wore a gaudy dress, its cut revealing, colors jarringly bright. It, too, bore a sign: I wasted the blessing of my body selling it for coin. The puppet beside it, standing close as if they were a pair, was dressed in Vilimanthan men’s fashions, cheap and stained. I profited on the lusts and desperations of others.
February 11, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
kjcharleswriter.com
The book club scam has taken an exciting new leap forward. I got one today from a "curated literary platform and newsletter" that, unusually, offered a link to its website. I'm in edits, so obviously I took the opportunity to procrastinate. /1
February 11, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
chaseconnorbooks.bsky.social
On Friday, Feb. 13th, my next book, GHOST IN THE CUPBOARD (SILAS ERIE PARANORMAL COZY 1) will drop. The romantic subplot isn’t will they/won’t they, it’s “how the fuck will they make this work??” Pre-order now!

www.amazon.com/Ghost-Cupboa...
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
iggymaid.bsky.social
AI-Gen is dying, repost to make it die faster :)
labuzamovies.com Peter Labuza @labuzamovies.com · 2d
Sora 2 apparently cost something like $5 billion to run every year and so far made OpenAI around $1.4 million.
February 11, 2026 at 12:37 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
I love it when cats chance to look up and are like HOLY SHIT THERE'S A CEILING UP THERE WTF and it completely spins them out for minutes on end
February 11, 2026 at 2:52 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Being stupidly enthusiastic about the city where I live. It's not a skill, it's a state of being. Death will be reduced to making some dated Ditka reference and I will go home to enjoy a Daisycutter
claysheldon.bsky.social Clay Sheldon @claysheldon.bsky.social · 2d
You suddenly find yourself at the River Styx. The reaper is there to take you to the afterlife. Luckily you are allowed to challenge Death to any fair contest to come back to life. However, Death has all the skills and experience of anyone who has ever died. What contest do you challenge him with?
February 11, 2026 at 1:59 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#FebruaryWorldbuilders
Sure, absolutely. Some yerulo, like my faeMC Rithucaride, sense other people's moods as quiet vibrations. They're able to put feelings into people as well but usually don't bc you're likely to get caught and the person you did it to will be PISSED. As for prophecies, such a
kiraofthewind.com Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 3d
#FebruaryWorldbuilders, good morning! Are prophecies or psychic abilities real in your world? How do they affect the world? Tomorrow I will ask about free will, so if you have prophecies, think about how that influences whether free will exists or not, and have an answer tomorrow😁
MonthlyWorldbuilders prompts daily feed card #FebruaryWorldbuilders Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 1: Metaphysical World 10 Are prophecies or psychic abilities real in your world? The background image shows a misty forest with a mysterious tower in the background. It has a cold, mysterious vibe.
February 11, 2026 at 12:34 AM