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mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
2.7K followers 1K following 5.1K 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 · 28d
⚔️talk to ghosts!
⚔️kill rebels!
⚔️fight assassins wearing other people's faces!
⚔️break free from mind control!
⚔️accidentally create a monster!

#SFF 🪐📚
books2read.com/Bells-Begin-...
8) Background is a photo of a snowy trees. Cover of a book called Bells Begin to Ring depicting a man kneeling and hunched forward in a posture conveying pain on a sandy beach at night, by MC Burnell. Text reads: DRUMS IN THE DEEP. Bells Begin to Ring, The Tipping World Vol. 8. All the world’s mages dance on the bitter scapegoat’s strings. A block of text: "She sat in the strange glow of the wish-lights, pondering questions whose answers couldn’t possibly matter while the world burned. What held her here was what held all of them: a conviction that she had uncovered, in this spooky subterranean space, a connection she had been searching for all her life without ever being able to articulate it. Every other people had a legend telling where they came from. Everyone but mages. Here, at last, a link to the past and the people who created them."
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'burger'

Lol I tried sandwich and came up with 1 hit, where it's used metaphorically. Oh, well.
Delightful scene, anyway. Been hinting about some connection btwn Mairid and Ramsu since bk 3 and finally get to get them face to face
“We walked past one another, you mean. Out on the grounds.” “Yes. I went past Sherun’s Abode as you were coming out the door. When I went home, I learned the secter had made up its mind to do something wrongheaded that I hated. I convinced my friends to go through the room of a mage in our secter who was notoriously knowing, a man with secrets…” He trailed off as he remembered their latest interaction, sandwiched between so many more pressing emergencies that he had forgotten the spooky tower and Soll’s attempt to murder him for witnessing its existence. “Wait.” This from Mage Warend. “His timeline is totally different from yours or Vashine’s, he’s had this power almost as long as Mage Chastuveran.” “So it would seem.” “Are we saying this is the second time he healed you?” “I don’t know. Mage Taile, is that what we’re saying?”
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Convincing you to read my novel by the first sentence. Share yours if you want!

"It was said pain was a leveler."
from A Path of Endless Crossroads
books2read.com/PathofEndles... BF
November 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
amaralynn.bsky.social
Tomorrow!!

I'm so excited to launch the campaign for Gems and Star Flowers tomorrow! Help bring this audiobook to life!!
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...

#queerscifi #scifi #booksky #books #audiobooks
Background: a space scene with a planet taking up the right half and a space ship along the body. In the center over top of the image is an illustration of two people. The one on the left has brown hair, white skin with pearls scattered on his arms, and wears goggles, a dark blue shirt, brown pants, and dark brown shoes. The person the the left has purple floral skin, light blue hair with purple streaks, a pink shirt, and purple pants. Text at top reads: Launching soon. Purple arrows with blue stars point at the characters, with the text: Clueless MC has to be taught the kissing, pretty sparkly aliens, on the run, sweet floriest, special eggplant emoji, bejeweled eggplant emoji, tragic past, has a secret. Text at bottom reads: link in bio, Nov 12 - Dec 3.
November 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Ah, good, it's 10, the babies are well-rested and ready to rampage
November 11, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
icewolfarts.bsky.social
MEDIEVAL SEA MONSTERS 😍
abistevensart.bsky.social Abi Stevens: MCM N16 @abistevensart.bsky.social · 23h
Excited to send out some Sink The Rich stickers tomorrow! 😄
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...

#ArtShop #illustration #antiCapitalist
A photo of several stickers featuring a digital illustration of a giant medieval bestiary style blue fish chomping down on a luxury yacht. A yellow banner across it's middle reads: sink the rich.
November 10, 2025 at 10:48 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'local'
I could explain but I'd rather just serve you a side of wtf and let you wonder what's wrong with me
The door opened with a measure of force, and the man who bulled across the threshold fit neatly into this exchange. He was short, but some men were; young, which everyone went through. Sherunese, and that stood to reason in Sherun’s capital. He wasn’t dressed like a local, though. His garments were too simple and too plain. A long, thin, curved sword hung at his belt, and he had both hands on its hilt, in a way that made her think this was a habit. Something he constantly did whether or not he was contemplating violence. His eyes traced a circuit of the room like enemies in their dozens might pop from behind their few pieces of furniture. There was a black mark on his face, but just the one and he was very young. She couldn’t tell if he was a mage or just a boy with ink on him. “Look, I don’t have time to explain. I—” He frowned, gaze flicking another loop around the room. When he turned toward the kitchen, Dyafer realized he had heard the muddhri’s voice, still calling out to them in entreaty from its hiding place. While they watched, appalled, he took the top off the crock and pulled the paper out. He unfolded the crinkled page carefully. “Haimar Atsises!” A fleeting hiccup that didn’t deserve to be called a pause, then the spirit’s odd, flat voice said, “Greetings, mage. You know who I am?”
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Everything I write is secondary world, so usually I just keep rearranging sounds until something works. I think Sathriel (We) and Marseviks (Tipping World) are my favorites.
Jendaiar and Hecanthes Phos from Zimanges do have a funny backstory with their names, actually:
zprospero.bsky.social Zed Prospero @zprospero.bsky.social · 1d
What's your MC's name and why did you pick it for them? (Feel free to list other characters too!)

#WritingQ #WriteSky
November 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
clh2oars.bsky.social
If you're an avid reader who loves monthly subcriptions, you can get all my books in Kobo Plus (alongside many other indies!). Great way to devour Nerezia!

We love a subscription service that doesn't ask exclusivity from its authors ~

www.kobo.com/ca/en/plus
All my books are in Kobo Plus. The image shows covers for 13 different books by Claudie Arseneault, from three series: Val-de-mer, City of Spires, and The Chronicles of Nerezia.
November 8, 2025 at 2:18 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
SNOW ❄️☃️
November 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
calling33.bsky.social
Every week I check my sales on a Sunday hoping for sales... & every week, baring co-op bundles, there are none. Probably because I suck at marketing.

So, if you want quick #fantasy reads ft women & enbies taking on tyrants, I'd be heaps grateful.

📚

linktr.ee/Calling33

#AdultQueerSFF #ReaderSky
Natasha O'Connor | Linktree
Aussie neurodivergent writer of most stripes of speculative fiction
linktr.ee
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
I told Duckworth she can get fucked if she doesn't stop this deal, I hold her accountable whether or not her name is on it. And I will actively primary against ANYONE I don't have proof they fought against it. Your vote can suck my ass, I want evidence you cared.
maxkennerly.bsky.social Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 1d
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.

Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
unavaleable.bsky.social Reconstructionist @unavaleable.bsky.social · 1d
so currently defectors are:

Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
ripperoni.com
Democratic senators voted to make sure that there was more money for ICE to harass your community
salgentile.bsky.social Sal Gentile @salgentile.bsky.social · 1d
democratic voters wanted their party to shut down the government for myriad reasons — troops in american cities, masked thugs ripping families apart — but dem leaders insisted the wise thing to do politically was to stay hyper-fxated on this one thing, ACA tax credits. and then they just… gave up
November 10, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
moryan.bsky.social
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY

THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY

Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
ckubzansky.bsky.social Caroline Kubzansky @ckubzansky.bsky.social · 1d
Arianna Sofia Veraza and her parents were driving to Sam's Club for milk, eggs and diapers yesterday when they heard helicopters and horns blaring yesterday. They had turned around to leave when a federal agent pepper-sprayed them through a car window.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
Pepper-sprayed Berwyn family rattled after getting caught up in federal blitz
Southwest Side politicians condemned Saturday’s pepper spraying and the federal sweep of Little Village as “state-sponsored terrorism” at a news conference Sunday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
@duckworth.senate.gov I will primary you for everything I'm worth. I do not believe you are innocent. I will not give any sitting senator (less Bernie) the benefit of the doubt. If this happens, all of you are to blame. Make it stop or just own that you're a shill.
maxkennerly.bsky.social Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 1d
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.

Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
unavaleable.bsky.social Reconstructionist @unavaleable.bsky.social · 1d
so currently defectors are:

Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
ezralevin.bsky.social
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)

They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.

The Senate Democrats!
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
How does so much horror originate in something so small and cute?
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Mairid has a series of mentees who change his understanding of how he relates to other people. He thinks of any relationship he's part of as mannered and fake, but 3 adopted sons in a row teach him that he's lying to himself about how much he cares
cometkins.bsky.social Ian Haramaki 🏳️‍⚧️✨ @cometkins.bsky.social · 2d
What non-romantic relationships are most important to your MC? #WritingPrompt
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Loki

bc he was played by Tom Hiddleston full stop
sophianyx.bsky.social Sophia_Nyx 🏳️‍⚧️ @sophianyx.bsky.social · 1d
Name a villain you sympathize with.
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
@durbin.senate.gov Since I can't seem to leave a message on your phoneline: NO
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
bencollins.bsky.social
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”

aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time. Every day my phone buzzes. It is a neighborhood group: four people were kidnapped at the corner drugstore. A friend a mile away sends a Slack message: she was at the scene when masked men assaulted and abducted two people on the street. A plumber working on my pipes is distraught, and I find out that two of his employees were kidnapped that morning. A week later it happens again. An email arrives. Agents with guns have chased a teacher into the school where she works. They did not have a warrant. They dragged her away, ignoring her and her colleagues’ pleas to show proof of her documentation. That evening I stand a few feet from the parents of Rayito de Sol and listen to them describe, with anguish, how good Ms. Diana was to their children. What it is like to have strangers with guns traumatize your kids. For a teacher to hide a three-year-old child for fear they might be killed. How their relatives will no longer leave the house. I hear the pain and fury in their voices, and I wonder who will be next. Understand what it is to pray in Chicago.
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
lucidillusions.in
Bsky has crossed 40 million users, and I just need 20 of them to commission me to write a story for them this month.

(This could technically be 1 in a 2 million story 😆)

Want to read a sample? check the link.

#WritersLife ✍️ #WritingCommunity #AuthorSky #WriterSky #HireAWriter #Gift #BSNM
November 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'picture'
The mage frowned at him, seeming puzzled, but after only a fleeting pause, a picture formed upon the air in the open space between them in the center of the room, bleeding at its edges into what was really present. It was flat like a painting but had a clarity that spoke to reality rather than verisimilitude. When Dyafer saw what was revealed, she wished it were less real. They looked upon an interior space, wide its windows, gleaming walls of white marble and not a scrap of carpet on the floor. There wasn’t a lot of furniture, but what furniture there was displayed gilt, inlaid hardwoods, touches of mother-of-pearl. A room in a palace, which was in keeping with the silken garments of the three people lying in pools of blood upon its floor.
November 9, 2025 at 2:52 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
The wrappers of these cough drops have all these toxic positivity slogans on them, and I am just not sure what the thought process was there.
November 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#Caturday
Only the freshest of pics! I posted these backward, they're facing each other
A little tortie conked out on a hoodie that I'd like to be wearing on a bed. A ginger fellow fast asleep up against the pillows of a bed, feet tucked under the covers.
November 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Alternate-Reality Boden justifiably confused that his pig appears to be a class curio.
(yes obviously it's weird that Rosco is like floating, that didn't register until I was done)
#authorart
A man with messy blond curls and a mug in hand reaches out to a weird, glossy, cartoonish pig with a little smile on its face. A chunk of text reads: "His dad had given him a front row seat to the kind of man he didn’t want to be back when he was way too young to regard the brute who terrorized his mom as a monster he might become. It was a low bar, though. One he had managed to surmount, but the distance between who he was and who he felt like he ought to be was a gulf so vast you could toss in a rock and never hear it hit the bottom."
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM