Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
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mkfshard.bsky.social
Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
@mkfshard.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1K following 1K posts
Joseph Hartman (he/they)

Writer of upcoming fantasy novel
THE SIGIL AND THE SERPENT

Developer of soulslike RPG Deadbeat!

https://linktr.ee/jahartman
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mkfshard.bsky.social
Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent) @mkfshard.bsky.social · 7d
His mother's a dragonslayer, his father a mage, but Pathi is a failure. In reaching for magic, he is traumatically changed into a fire-breathing drake... and he's not the only one.

Feat.
🐉 Dragons!
💫 Transformation
🪄 Symbol-based Magic System
😈 Enemies-to-Friends

#BluePit #F #Q
A red dragon dangling a panicking blue dragon off a cliff
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
olegbulakh.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
soozuk.bsky.social
I can't trust politicians who are anti-trans. Not because I'm "only searching for perfection" which is what centrists will be accusing me of for the rest of my life, it's because if you're not pro-trans you'll be garbage on lots of other issues too. Being anti-trans NEVER exists in a vacuum.
January 17, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
haradoshin.bsky.social
Important shit that I’m still trying to learn.
I am begging you. Please learn about stress/discomfort tolerance. Practice raising it. You need this to survive. If someone online can ruin your day with a throwaway comment, you desperately need to understand discomfort tolerance and consciously, systematically build that shit. Also! Stress tolerance is such an important skill that having a learning disability in that area is a major symptom of a whole lot of other disabilities/mental illnesses! Struggling with it is a huge part of life! It sucks! Am I saying everyone with misophonia needs to listen to chewing noises all day? No. But you need to find ways to tolerate it enough that you don't treat others like shit if they make a mouth noise near you. No, you don't have to read the fic with your trigger tags. But you do need to be able to handle scrolling past the tags without being upset. It is hard! But not having it also makes you so so so easy to manipulate. That grandma is racist AF because her mom raised her to be uncomfortable around black people and she never fought that discomfort. Trans people make so many cis people uncomfortable and that discomfort turns into bigotry real fast. Letting your discomfort dictate your actions and beliefs about things is a great way to become a terrible person. Learn. Discomfort. Tolerance.
November 30, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
maxdubler.com
This is my politics.
Cartoon. The first panel is a dog showdown at the ok corral. “this town ain’t big enough for the two of us.” “‘fraud you’re right, pardner.” Fourth panel shows both dogs building a new house.
January 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM
mkfshard.bsky.social
I've just started querying again!

...And feeling the self-doubt :y I've cut this story into three parts, cut the first in half, did two full drafts, plucked out a POV and put it back in radically altered for (what I hope is) the better, and I *feel* like it's as done as it can be at this stage...
weeknightwriters.bsky.social Weeknight Writers @weeknightwriters.bsky.social · 4d
Q2: Is there anything specific you're struggling with this week? Let us know about it and we'll see what we can do to help! #WeeknightWriters
Notepad that says “#Weeknight Writers Are you struggling with anything specific this week? Let us know and we’ll do our best to help!”
January 16, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
sahuntbooks.com
We need to be done allowing Republicans to participate in normal modern society.
January 9, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
joannamasters.bsky.social
I'm so excited about this! It's a thoroughly-researched reprint of a weird 1882 book claiming to train humans how they can realize whether or not they're actually dragons.

And TODAY we unlocked our first stretch goal!

If you wanted to check it out, I wouldn't complain...

#WeeknightWriters
January 16, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
councilofgeeks.bsky.social
I want to cosign & underline this. Art takes effort. Even the worst art you've ever seen. There's a pretty high floor: a minimum amount of effort it takes to end up with a finished result. Every work of art is a testament to someone's passion to see it through.

Aaaaaand, guess what AI gets rid of.
jessiegender.bsky.social Jessie Gender @jessiegender.bsky.social · 5d
What I hate most about gen Ai is how it takes away the effort. When I saw art before, I knew that even if it shitty and bad, i could tell that there was someone who worked hard to make it happen. It’s why shit like The Room got popular, because you could see the earnest effort on display.
January 15, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
matiashannecke.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 10:09 PM
mkfshard.bsky.social
Hey, #WriteSky! I #AmQuerying actively, and I was wondering; does anyone have some specific tips for researching agents?

I know the obvious stuff, like MSWL and QueryTracker, but I was wondering if there might be anything I’m missing! Even when I use them, I always feel a little scattershot.
January 14, 2026 at 11:56 PM
mkfshard.bsky.social
I saw this tumblr post, and was inspired :y The joke probably won't make sense to too many people, but hey!
The cover of Wicked Problems by Max Gladstone with a tumblr post over it from user vamprire, reading: 'being online is so scary aren't you guys worried about the world wide spider'
January 14, 2026 at 8:20 AM
mkfshard.bsky.social
I finally got to participate in #BluePit with a novel that's actually ready to query! :D It was a lot of fun, and the reactions my pitches got gave me life.

Hope to have something new next year! I'll go ahead and post all my pitches below and some thoughts on them, in case anyone wants to see!
January 14, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
ottersediting.com
Loved seeing everyone's #BluePit posts!

Thank you all for sharing and engaging! 💜
January 14, 2026 at 4:09 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
bvbodegom.bsky.social
MUPPETS × SIN CITY × HAPPYTIME MURDERS

The plush citizens of New Feltwood live in fear—a serial slasher is ripping them apart. Up to gritty stuffed sloth detective Simon Sinner to stitch the case together. But when his brother is found defluffed, stuffing gets personal.

#BluePit 📖 #A #C #M #W #DIS
A noir setting of a grimy alley with fire exits, a drawing in ink of a stuffed toy animal sloth dressed as a noir detective, smoking, looking world-weary, paws in pockets of trenchcoat. Top title says the detective's name SIMON SINNER. Below that in red retro neon the title THE COTTON CASE. At the bottom it says 'A crime novel by B. van Bodegom'.
January 14, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
mr0mega.bsky.social
#BluePit📖 #YA #F #W #ND
Arcane x Indiana Jones
The world ended, then life kept going.
He stole a painting. Now he’s in a race with an eccentric alchemist, a hulking mailman and his fiery ward against a neo-monarchist bloc and a doomsday cult for a treasure of the old world.
First draft finished!
January 13, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
abysmalauthor.bsky.social
Good morning BluePit!
For your consideration: DAUGHTER OF THE SWORD, a high fantasy tale of swords, sorcery, betrayal, and war.
I'm Rob, ADHD writer based in the UK, currently working on the third draft of this book, with a hope to get it published this year!

#BluePit📖
#YA #A #NA
#F #HS
#W
#ND
A mood board - from left to right, top to bottom, the images are: Top left: a viking-esque helmet sat atop a chainmail shirt beside a sword Top middle: a dark, heavy anvil and set of tongs, as in a blacksmith's forge Top right: a spell book with images of pentagrams and arcane symbols, surrounded by pieces of chalk Bottom left: scenes of a mountain and clouds Bottom middle: a young woman with dark hair and a sword, apparently after a battle; there is dirt and blood on her face, she looks weary but determined Bottom right: an historical piece of art, depicting skeletal undead warriors riding into battle upon horses, fighting against armoured knights Short Pitch: When Bronwyn becomes the apprentice of the last Wizard of the Great Houses of Magic, a Necromancer threatens to restart the war which plunged the continent of Riviera into chaos. When her teacher refuses to answer the call to battle, it's up to Bronwyn herself to go in his place, and in the process she becomes entangled in a world of magic, secrets, and death. Can she survive the responsibility being placed on her young shoulders? A reader's summary: Imagine a medieval world of magic: Then a new age dawns, where rifles and muskets put power back in the hands of the non-magical. Blasting through the defences of the wizards, the magical ruling class is brought low in a continent-spanning war. Left in the ashes is Bronwyn, orphaned by battle, and apprentice to one of the last remaining wizards. She is a young woman whose existence asks the question: what do you do with knowledge that makes you into a target? Are you inherently dangerous? Should magic ever be learnt again? (Thanks to Ellie, my only reader, for this summary!) She turned on the spot again, and the candlelight fell over a corpse. Grey, desiccated skin on the verge of sloughing away from pale bones. Rotted lips peeled away from jagged shards of teeth protruding directly from bone, and black eyes more like those of a cave-dwelling fish than a human being stared out at the world with unmistakable hunger. The corpse had not been there before. Bronwyn was certain of it. Hesitantly she approached, every nerve on edge, her heart pounding in her ears. She reached the toe of one boot forward to nudge it – and the corpse twitched.
January 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
ossuary.bsky.social
Dr. William Savage was resurrected by his wife just in time to be held under suspicion of treason after cruising a sketchy foreigner. Now he's been drafted to use his talent for heresy to harness the power of a God in the fragile body of an unlocky nobleman.

#deathcleric #f #a #lgbt #q #bluepit
January 13, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
ebihimes.bsky.social
two sentence horror story: you're an indie game developer who's just finished making a game. now you need to market it.
January 13, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
marieparks.bsky.social
OBVIOUSLY I need to read this one. Not only is the author my friend, but ANIMORPHS as a comp title?! Only my favorite series of all time.
mkfshard.bsky.social Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent) @mkfshard.bsky.social · 7d
In a world scarred by a war with dragons, a boy becomes one and flees his city in shame. Hunted by friends and aided (unwillingly) by a fellow monster, he struggles to accept his new body... and the terrible deeds of his home.

BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN meets ANIMORPHS

#BluePit #F #Q
A blue dragon in a warrior's uniform stands in front of a massive green glowing symbol with a black background
January 14, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
vriccithode.bsky.social
so much praise for my book! 🥹 get this sapphic ace romantasy now and see why everyone loves the baby dragon! read it already? leave a review! ✨ 🌈📚 #IndieAuthor #booksky #QueerAdultSFF #romancelandia #BluePit📖 #P #A #F #R
books2read.com/u/bpVEQ6
vriccithode.itch.io/the-dragon-n...
white text on a blue night sky background that reads: praise for The Dragon Next Door. “a perfect choice if you are looking for a sapphic romantasy with a really natural progression, and a cast of well-fleshed characters that will steal your heart.” - Jamedi; “This book was a delight to read, a cozy queer escape I didn't know I needed.” - Madeline Konrad; “if you’re into cozy fantasy, two strong, females who have the best relationship and a great magic system with an epic adventure, then this is a book for you.” - Mellie's Book Corner; “If you like dragons, aces, and cozy fantasy, The Dragon Next Door is worth checking out. I hope this one finds its audience.” - Alex Brown #NessPromo an inset square with two woman doing magic. white text on a blue night sky background that reads: Advance praise from NetGalley reviewers for The Dragon Next Door. [The MCs] navigate stolen dragon eggs, political intrigue, and *feelings*. Bee and Tollar were really fascinating characters. the duo’s mutual pining and odd-couple banter steal the show. Characters who feel real and make you feel things. imperfect/flawed characters who experience growth. an inset square with a black and purple dragon in profile. white text on a blue night sky background that reads: Advance praise from NetGalley reviewers for The Dragon Next Door. Bale, the dragon, is a scene-stealer—imagine a fire-breathing puppy with zero survival instincts… Her POV chapters add whimsy and heart. Bale is such an adorable character. Bale truly stole the show. a dragon who’d 100% burn your toast. white text on a blue night sky background that reads: Advance praise from NetGalley reviewers for The Dragon Next Door. The romance is soft, ace-inclusive, and simmering with “just kiss already” energy, while the plot zips along. a story that’s equal parts heart and fire. The world building is top tier with a solid amount of political intrigue. cozy fantasy with a strong emotional core, queer rep done right. The world-building is immersive but effortless… What truly shines is the focus on community and resilience.
January 13, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
sagecollins.bsky.social
DR HORRIBLE x STARS & SMOKE x RENEGADES

🦸🏼‍♀️ Kickass shapeshifting heroine
🧑🏻‍🎤 Celebrity villain
🗣️ Unreliable narrators
💥 Superhero action
🖤 Obsessive love
✅ Jumping through League’s hoops
👫 Supportive BFF (maybe LI?)
🎤 Voicey POVs
🚪 Scooby Doo doors
😜 Hero & villain share a body?

#BluePit📖 #Q #YA #SF
January 13, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
vriccithode.bsky.social
Vesper is disabled, divorced and depressed, ready to give up on the worst Halloween of her life. Then she falls through an open grave into a dark world of magic and second chances. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS x THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE #BluePit📖 #Q #A #F #R #H #OV #LGBT #DIS #novella
a spooky collage moodboard. top left going clockwise: two jack-o-lanterns by David Menidrey; candles, flowers and gourds by coincidence; a woman in a black veil dying flowers by Marco Guerrero; a man in blacklight reactive sugar skull paint by Kevin Dous; a spiderweb by Nicolas Picard; a misty forest by Branimir Balogovic.
January 13, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
lilyshadbolt.bsky.social
ABOVE THE SEA AND SKY

When her newly awakened magick explodes out of control, Naomi escapes with a pirate captain’s help. Gods & mortals threaten her tentative future peace.

⚔️ Adult high fantasy
🎭 Pantheon of ancient gods
🏴‍☠️ Female pirates
👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏽 Slow burn lesbians
🫂 Found family

#BluePit📖 #A #F #LGBT
January 13, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
tempestteapot.bsky.social
A bastard gentrywoman, Kahyla protects her siblings against assassins, demon-eaten mages, and rivals intent on the throne. She faces a DEMON’S BARGAIN where all the options are bad: fight with soul-destroying magic or lose her family, her beloved, and her life.

#BluePit 📖 #F #R #YA #A #Q
Graphic shows silhouette of couple filled with courtyard, leather armor, and a structure consumed by flames. Six of Crows X Witch King Demon's Bargain A bastard gentrywoman, Kahyla struggles to protect her siblings against assassins, demon-eaten mages, and political rivals intent on the throne. She faces a demon's bargain: fight with soul-destroying magic or lose her family, her beloved, and her life. 120k Epic Fantasy Novel. Tropes list: Deliberate values dissonance Feminist within patriarchy Heel-face turn Slow burn Forbidden love Powers via Possession Coming of Age Quiet girl finds her voice Target markets: adult fantasy for darker themes, detailed world-building, and a blend of magic and political intrigue. YA for coming-of-age story and slow burn romance, while skewing older for the consequences of difficult life choices. #F #R #YA #A #Q Body count 11, proposals 4, weddings 2
January 13, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by Shard (#AmQuerying The Sigil and the Serpent)
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social
Rayna Clay hunts monsters. But it has never really been that simple, has it?

#Anthropomorphic has:

💥Subterfuge!

💥Ace people who investigate secret incubi/succubi crimes!

💥Serial killers (who may not be human)!

💥Political intrigue!

💥A vast criminal conspiracy!

#BluePit 📖 #LGBT #F #C
Cover: Anthropomorphic by Charlie Delta Gold on black, a symbol of a sword transposed over an eye.
January 13, 2026 at 8:18 PM