Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
@vriccithode.bsky.social
aka Vanessa Ricci-Thode. Nebula Award-winning trashbag & queer SFF writer. SFWA & TWUC. Dogs, gardening and Canadian rage. she/they 💙💜🩷
I'm only here for the food
thodestool.ca
I'm only here for the food
thodestool.ca
Pinned
Hi! Intro to me in the quoted thread. FYI I’m hibernating until spring while I take care of my mental health and reassess this whole publishing thing. I’m blocking this site on my laptop and restricting access on my phone. If you know where to get in touch with me elsewhere, feel free to do that 1/3
get my nebula award-winning book for 50% off on smashwords! it's a spooky queer tween fantasy novel about a girl who can see ghosts on an adventure with her sister, a dragon and a ghost. 🌈📚
#EOYSale25 #ebook #IndieBooks #fantasy #kidlit #booksky
www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...
#EOYSale25 #ebook #IndieBooks #fantasy #kidlit #booksky
www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...
December 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
get my nebula award-winning book for 50% off on smashwords! it's a spooky queer tween fantasy novel about a girl who can see ghosts on an adventure with her sister, a dragon and a ghost. 🌈📚
#EOYSale25 #ebook #IndieBooks #fantasy #kidlit #booksky
www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...
#EOYSale25 #ebook #IndieBooks #fantasy #kidlit #booksky
www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Hey, those are my books in that stack!
It’s the final collection of new books and ARCs for 2025, and this one is a double decker! What here is something you would want to take with you into the new year?
December 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Hey, those are my books in that stack!
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
She is concerned about all the freezing rain and sleet outside and wondering what, exactly, I plan to do about it.
December 26, 2025 at 8:34 PM
She is concerned about all the freezing rain and sleet outside and wondering what, exactly, I plan to do about it.
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
So, Blade Broken got nominated for quite a few categories. Thank you everyone who nominated this, and now, it's time to VOTE.
#booksky #queersky 📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐
indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-...
#booksky #queersky 📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐
indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-...
December 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
So, Blade Broken got nominated for quite a few categories. Thank you everyone who nominated this, and now, it's time to VOTE.
#booksky #queersky 📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐
indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-...
#booksky #queersky 📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐
indiestorygeek.com/a/indie-ink-...
it's dog o'clock
December 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
it's dog o'clock
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
There is nothing more pathetic than a white person, especially a straight white man, especially in America, who genuinely believes he is having a harder time doing literally anything because he is a white dude. That should be an unfunny reoccurring character on SNL, not an actual person who exists.
December 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
There is nothing more pathetic than a white person, especially a straight white man, especially in America, who genuinely believes he is having a harder time doing literally anything because he is a white dude. That should be an unfunny reoccurring character on SNL, not an actual person who exists.
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Be careful out there in the Yule Void, everyone
December 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Be careful out there in the Yule Void, everyone
great news, kobo fans! the dragon next door is 50% off from now until January 2nd! want to try my work but don't want to commit to a series? check out my sapphic ace romantasy with two disaster queers raising a baby dragon 🌈📚 #booksky #romancelandia #QueerAdultSFF
books2read.com/u/bpVEQ6
books2read.com/u/bpVEQ6
December 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
great news, kobo fans! the dragon next door is 50% off from now until January 2nd! want to try my work but don't want to commit to a series? check out my sapphic ace romantasy with two disaster queers raising a baby dragon 🌈📚 #booksky #romancelandia #QueerAdultSFF
books2read.com/u/bpVEQ6
books2read.com/u/bpVEQ6
most anticipated 2026 books:
the dragon has some complaints by john wiswell
sea of charms by sarah beth durst
platform decay (murderbot) by martha wells
the lord of the wood by e.m. anderson
🎄 #FantasyIndiesDecember 🎄
the dragon has some complaints by john wiswell
sea of charms by sarah beth durst
platform decay (murderbot) by martha wells
the lord of the wood by e.m. anderson
🎄 #FantasyIndiesDecember 🎄
December 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
most anticipated 2026 books:
the dragon has some complaints by john wiswell
sea of charms by sarah beth durst
platform decay (murderbot) by martha wells
the lord of the wood by e.m. anderson
🎄 #FantasyIndiesDecember 🎄
the dragon has some complaints by john wiswell
sea of charms by sarah beth durst
platform decay (murderbot) by martha wells
the lord of the wood by e.m. anderson
🎄 #FantasyIndiesDecember 🎄
It's always a great fuckin day to read my FREE short story about a plague that kills billionaires ✨️ #NessPromo
Escape Pod 1003: Billionaire’s Tears
I wake up to the sound of screaming, and know I’m going to die. I shoot out of bed, calling for my mother. First thing I’ve spoken clearly in two days. “Maria!” My mother bursts into my room. “Baby…
escapepod.org
December 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
It's always a great fuckin day to read my FREE short story about a plague that kills billionaires ✨️ #NessPromo
looking for a complete series? how about HTTYD but with firebending sword lesbians? check out fireborn! 🌈📚 #CompleteSeries #QueerAdultSFF #booksky #IndieBooks #IndieAuthor #fantasy
books2read.com/rl/fireborn-...
books2read.com/rl/fireborn-...
December 26, 2025 at 5:33 PM
looking for a complete series? how about HTTYD but with firebending sword lesbians? check out fireborn! 🌈📚 #CompleteSeries #QueerAdultSFF #booksky #IndieBooks #IndieAuthor #fantasy
books2read.com/rl/fireborn-...
books2read.com/rl/fireborn-...
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Like, being fed up with and wary of cis white man patriarchal gaslighting entitlement and harm is a thing.
But not disliking white men because they're white men.
And suggesting the second is very much engaging in the first.
But not disliking white men because they're white men.
And suggesting the second is very much engaging in the first.
In case any white men who say this see this note, for the record:
Not liking white men because they are white men isn't a thing. If you mean well, you aren't engaging seriously enough yet if you won't do the basic research to get past that very harmful premise.
Not liking white men because they are white men isn't a thing. If you mean well, you aren't engaging seriously enough yet if you won't do the basic research to get past that very harmful premise.
December 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Like, being fed up with and wary of cis white man patriarchal gaslighting entitlement and harm is a thing.
But not disliking white men because they're white men.
And suggesting the second is very much engaging in the first.
But not disliking white men because they're white men.
And suggesting the second is very much engaging in the first.
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
goooood morning it is brisk and a little damp but we took a nice long Boxing Day hike around the ‘hood anyway, and yes! Of course! Lucy Loved That Walk
December 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
goooood morning it is brisk and a little damp but we took a nice long Boxing Day hike around the ‘hood anyway, and yes! Of course! Lucy Loved That Walk
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
No literary agent who is going to get you a deal is going to charge you upfront. They make a percentage. That is how it works.
If someone says otherwise or tries to "upsell" you, they are scammers.
If someone says otherwise or tries to "upsell" you, they are scammers.
Ok, since this has come up four times in the last three days:
REPUTABLE LITERARY AGENTS WILL NOT CHARGE YOU MONEY.
IF A LITERARY AGENT WANTS TO CHARGE YOU FOR AN "EXPEDITED ACCESS PACKAGE" THIS IS A SCAM.
REPUTABLE LITERARY AGENTS WILL NOT CHARGE YOU MONEY.
IF A LITERARY AGENT WANTS TO CHARGE YOU FOR AN "EXPEDITED ACCESS PACKAGE" THIS IS A SCAM.
December 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
No literary agent who is going to get you a deal is going to charge you upfront. They make a percentage. That is how it works.
If someone says otherwise or tries to "upsell" you, they are scammers.
If someone says otherwise or tries to "upsell" you, they are scammers.
I am *begging* people to stop trying to sell me on light therapy for my depression. Please. I have been dealing with this for 20+ years with the help of *medical professionals* and i promise you I have tried it all and know what does/doesn't work for me.
December 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I am *begging* people to stop trying to sell me on light therapy for my depression. Please. I have been dealing with this for 20+ years with the help of *medical professionals* and i promise you I have tried it all and know what does/doesn't work for me.
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Years of hard work and putting effort into the community, showing up for other writers, showing you care about the whole ecosystem, not just your damn self
They have come to the convention hoping to "break in" and then find themselves -- shocker! -- a "nobody in the book world." Yeah no shit! We all are! I have gently told guys like this a million times that it takes most of us *years* of hard work but they do not believe that could be true for them. +
December 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Years of hard work and putting effort into the community, showing up for other writers, showing you care about the whole ecosystem, not just your damn self
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
To make a more general point: if you go to your first con and lock up when people ask you about your work, it's okay! If your attempt to pitch fails, it's okay! You're just getting started. You're learning, the same way you learned to write.
Relax. Definitely don't become a grievance merchant.
Relax. Definitely don't become a grievance merchant.
I'd believe this anecdote because I've met guys like this at conventions. People do ask (politely) about their work and they can't pitch it because what makes it special is that they are the specialest boy. They go to panels and hear queer and BIPOC writers talk about their work and think "ah ha". +
This shit is made up, actually
December 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
To make a more general point: if you go to your first con and lock up when people ask you about your work, it's okay! If your attempt to pitch fails, it's okay! You're just getting started. You're learning, the same way you learned to write.
Relax. Definitely don't become a grievance merchant.
Relax. Definitely don't become a grievance merchant.
Let’s keep the positivity going.
⭐️ became the 1st self-published author to win a Nebula
⭐️ had my 1st short story pro sale
⭐️ published a romantasy i love
⭐️ released the final book in my series
⭐️ wrote a novella in a month
⭐️ became the 1st self-published author to win a Nebula
⭐️ had my 1st short story pro sale
⭐️ published a romantasy i love
⭐️ released the final book in my series
⭐️ wrote a novella in a month
Let’s keep the positivity going.
⭐️ Finished a novella rough draft
⭐️ Got incredibly positive feedback on the novella’s first four chapters
⭐️ Took a beginner jewelry class and loved it
⭐️ Met awesome people at writers conferences and online
⭐️ Hit my reading goal for the year
⭐️ Finished a novella rough draft
⭐️ Got incredibly positive feedback on the novella’s first four chapters
⭐️ Took a beginner jewelry class and loved it
⭐️ Met awesome people at writers conferences and online
⭐️ Hit my reading goal for the year
Let's keep the positivity going.
⭐Wrote almost all of Eternal Flame and published short stories for #ChroniclesOfTheRealms
⭐Recovered and amplified the inner peace I had lost in 2023
⭐Connected with the amazing writing community here on Bsky
⭐Improved, even if just a little, my drawing skills
⭐Wrote almost all of Eternal Flame and published short stories for #ChroniclesOfTheRealms
⭐Recovered and amplified the inner peace I had lost in 2023
⭐Connected with the amazing writing community here on Bsky
⭐Improved, even if just a little, my drawing skills
December 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Let’s keep the positivity going.
⭐️ became the 1st self-published author to win a Nebula
⭐️ had my 1st short story pro sale
⭐️ published a romantasy i love
⭐️ released the final book in my series
⭐️ wrote a novella in a month
⭐️ became the 1st self-published author to win a Nebula
⭐️ had my 1st short story pro sale
⭐️ published a romantasy i love
⭐️ released the final book in my series
⭐️ wrote a novella in a month
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Throwback to Hopper T. Dog's worst / best hair day
December 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Throwback to Hopper T. Dog's worst / best hair day
it's dog o'clock
December 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
it's dog o'clock
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Welcome to Void Week, where everything is made up and the points don't matter.
December 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Welcome to Void Week, where everything is made up and the points don't matter.
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
Anyway this happened
December 26, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Anyway this happened
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
POV you’ve put on moisturizer that smells potentially edible
December 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
POV you’ve put on moisturizer that smells potentially edible
Reposted by Ness 🎃🇨🇦 on semi-hiatus
🧵 Hey, y'all, HumanKIND Initiative needs financial support if we're going to continue serving and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in this heavily red, rural area. Our community center is the only safe-space location between Chicago and Peoria. The need is huge.
www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundra...
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www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundra...
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Donate to HumanKIND
Your donation today will help the HumanKIND Initiative continue its Mission to help the LGBTQ+ Community in the LaSalle County area thrive and grow. All money currently being raised is going toward op...
www.zeffy.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
🧵 Hey, y'all, HumanKIND Initiative needs financial support if we're going to continue serving and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in this heavily red, rural area. Our community center is the only safe-space location between Chicago and Peoria. The need is huge.
www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundra...
/1
www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundra...
/1