Xan van Rooyen
@xanwriter.bsky.social
South African in Finland. Tattooed story-teller, climber, and peanut-butter connoisseur. Non-binary & autistic. They/them. EXQUISITE DECAY is out in August!
https://linktr.ee/xanvanrooyen
https://linktr.ee/xanvanrooyen
Pinned
Exquisite Decay by Xan van Rooyen
A YA cyberpunk retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray set in a futuristic city, in which an orph...
app.thestorygraph.com
For those wanting more queerness in their cyberpunk, I've got a cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray called EXQUISITE DECAY coming out in December! Y'all can add it here: app.thestorygraph.com/books/c4f9e5...
#booksky #cyberpunk
#booksky #cyberpunk
Would any LGBT+ writers/artists creating in the dark SFF/horror genres be interested in being interviewed for the Divination Hollow Review's annual Pride month event?
If you are, please drop a comment or send me a DM 😊
#booksky #writingcommunity
If you are, please drop a comment or send me a DM 😊
#booksky #writingcommunity
February 16, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Would any LGBT+ writers/artists creating in the dark SFF/horror genres be interested in being interviewed for the Divination Hollow Review's annual Pride month event?
If you are, please drop a comment or send me a DM 😊
#booksky #writingcommunity
If you are, please drop a comment or send me a DM 😊
#booksky #writingcommunity
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
A quick reminder that I'm appearing in public giving a talk about queerness, witchiness, and Being A Goddamn Problem. If you're in the area and able to make it, come say hi!
Hey, gang! Wanna see some witchy queerdos talking about magic, queerness, and offending fascists?
Wanna catch me doing my "witchy genderfeels author" schtick live and in person?
Come to @sacredspaceconf.bsky.social and you can have all that AND a guaranteed awkward social interaction with me!
Wanna catch me doing my "witchy genderfeels author" schtick live and in person?
Come to @sacredspaceconf.bsky.social and you can have all that AND a guaranteed awkward social interaction with me!
February 15, 2026 at 7:09 PM
A quick reminder that I'm appearing in public giving a talk about queerness, witchiness, and Being A Goddamn Problem. If you're in the area and able to make it, come say hi!
Thanks to very enjoyable weekend writing sessions, the WIP is now just shy of 20k words !! I'm also starting to realize just how much I love writing horror 😆
How did your writing or reading go this weekend?
#booksky #writingcommunity
How did your writing or reading go this weekend?
#booksky #writingcommunity
February 15, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Thanks to very enjoyable weekend writing sessions, the WIP is now just shy of 20k words !! I'm also starting to realize just how much I love writing horror 😆
How did your writing or reading go this weekend?
#booksky #writingcommunity
How did your writing or reading go this weekend?
#booksky #writingcommunity
For those wanting more queerness in their cyberpunk, I've got a cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray called EXQUISITE DECAY coming out in December! Y'all can add it here: app.thestorygraph.com/books/c4f9e5...
#booksky #cyberpunk
#booksky #cyberpunk
Exquisite Decay by Xan van Rooyen
A YA cyberpunk retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray set in a futuristic city, in which an orph...
app.thestorygraph.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:08 AM
For those wanting more queerness in their cyberpunk, I've got a cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray called EXQUISITE DECAY coming out in December! Y'all can add it here: app.thestorygraph.com/books/c4f9e5...
#booksky #cyberpunk
#booksky #cyberpunk
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
Be part of the first-ever book exploring transness in cyberpunk
Your support is an act of resistance in a time of surveillance & censorship
What’s more punk than that?
Not-for-profit crowdfund runs until March
Let’s chronicle the new cyberpunk canon together!
🔗 www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...
Your support is an act of resistance in a time of surveillance & censorship
What’s more punk than that?
Not-for-profit crowdfund runs until March
Let’s chronicle the new cyberpunk canon together!
🔗 www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...
February 9, 2026 at 7:03 AM
Be part of the first-ever book exploring transness in cyberpunk
Your support is an act of resistance in a time of surveillance & censorship
What’s more punk than that?
Not-for-profit crowdfund runs until March
Let’s chronicle the new cyberpunk canon together!
🔗 www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...
Your support is an act of resistance in a time of surveillance & censorship
What’s more punk than that?
Not-for-profit crowdfund runs until March
Let’s chronicle the new cyberpunk canon together!
🔗 www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...
I wrote 3445 words today of the brand new YA novel I'm working on and it feels so good to be writing something new again!
#amwriting #writingcommunity
#amwriting #writingcommunity
February 12, 2026 at 6:19 PM
I wrote 3445 words today of the brand new YA novel I'm working on and it feels so good to be writing something new again!
#amwriting #writingcommunity
#amwriting #writingcommunity
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
CALLING ALL BLACK COMIC ARTISTS, WRITERS, AND ALL-AROUND CARTOONISTS!
Reply to or quote this post showing off your favorite work so we can get more people reading your creations!
Reply to or quote this post showing off your favorite work so we can get more people reading your creations!
February 1, 2026 at 9:23 PM
CALLING ALL BLACK COMIC ARTISTS, WRITERS, AND ALL-AROUND CARTOONISTS!
Reply to or quote this post showing off your favorite work so we can get more people reading your creations!
Reply to or quote this post showing off your favorite work so we can get more people reading your creations!
Wow, the new novel WIP is sitting pretty at 12 730 words!! No idea how or when that happened but yay!
#amwriting #writingcommunity
#amwriting #writingcommunity
February 8, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Wow, the new novel WIP is sitting pretty at 12 730 words!! No idea how or when that happened but yay!
#amwriting #writingcommunity
#amwriting #writingcommunity
It is rather odd to be working on a new novel for the first time in almost two years without any deadlines or pressure, just making words at my own pace for the sheer joy of storytelling.
#WritingCommunity
#WritingCommunity
February 5, 2026 at 8:45 AM
It is rather odd to be working on a new novel for the first time in almost two years without any deadlines or pressure, just making words at my own pace for the sheer joy of storytelling.
#WritingCommunity
#WritingCommunity
It's official...
My cyberpunk Dorian Gray retelling has a new title:
🖤🖤 EXQUISITE DECAY 🖤🖤
It'll hit shelves later this year. Cover reveal coming soon...
#booksky
My cyberpunk Dorian Gray retelling has a new title:
🖤🖤 EXQUISITE DECAY 🖤🖤
It'll hit shelves later this year. Cover reveal coming soon...
#booksky
February 3, 2026 at 8:41 PM
It's official...
My cyberpunk Dorian Gray retelling has a new title:
🖤🖤 EXQUISITE DECAY 🖤🖤
It'll hit shelves later this year. Cover reveal coming soon...
#booksky
My cyberpunk Dorian Gray retelling has a new title:
🖤🖤 EXQUISITE DECAY 🖤🖤
It'll hit shelves later this year. Cover reveal coming soon...
#booksky
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
Hello #BookSky💙📚 community!!!
Time for a little reintroduction?
We are Tiny Ghost Press, an indie Queer publisher that publishes LGBTQ+ stories that are spooky, paranormal or just hit us different! 🐺👻🏳️🌈
We hope you’ll stick around, and of course enjoy our next release: KEEP IT IN THE DARK🧛🧛🖤
Time for a little reintroduction?
We are Tiny Ghost Press, an indie Queer publisher that publishes LGBTQ+ stories that are spooky, paranormal or just hit us different! 🐺👻🏳️🌈
We hope you’ll stick around, and of course enjoy our next release: KEEP IT IN THE DARK🧛🧛🖤
November 15, 2024 at 10:17 AM
Hello #BookSky💙📚 community!!!
Time for a little reintroduction?
We are Tiny Ghost Press, an indie Queer publisher that publishes LGBTQ+ stories that are spooky, paranormal or just hit us different! 🐺👻🏳️🌈
We hope you’ll stick around, and of course enjoy our next release: KEEP IT IN THE DARK🧛🧛🖤
Time for a little reintroduction?
We are Tiny Ghost Press, an indie Queer publisher that publishes LGBTQ+ stories that are spooky, paranormal or just hit us different! 🐺👻🏳️🌈
We hope you’ll stick around, and of course enjoy our next release: KEEP IT IN THE DARK🧛🧛🖤
Hi All, I'm Xan and I have two queer books coming out this year!!
1. Exquisite Decay, a YA cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray
2. Born of Malice, an adult dark fantasy
Here's a sneak peek at Malice:
#QueerPrompts #booksky
1. Exquisite Decay, a YA cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray
2. Born of Malice, an adult dark fantasy
Here's a sneak peek at Malice:
#QueerPrompts #booksky
February 1, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Hi All, I'm Xan and I have two queer books coming out this year!!
1. Exquisite Decay, a YA cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray
2. Born of Malice, an adult dark fantasy
Here's a sneak peek at Malice:
#QueerPrompts #booksky
1. Exquisite Decay, a YA cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray
2. Born of Malice, an adult dark fantasy
Here's a sneak peek at Malice:
#QueerPrompts #booksky
THE SHORT STORY IS DONE!! And two days before the deadline!! 🎊🎊🎊
Also, why are there not more synonyms for corpse? I feel like we could do with a few more...
And yes, this story is bleak. It's meant to be 😆
#amwriting #booksky
Also, why are there not more synonyms for corpse? I feel like we could do with a few more...
And yes, this story is bleak. It's meant to be 😆
#amwriting #booksky
January 29, 2026 at 1:12 PM
THE SHORT STORY IS DONE!! And two days before the deadline!! 🎊🎊🎊
Also, why are there not more synonyms for corpse? I feel like we could do with a few more...
And yes, this story is bleak. It's meant to be 😆
#amwriting #booksky
Also, why are there not more synonyms for corpse? I feel like we could do with a few more...
And yes, this story is bleak. It's meant to be 😆
#amwriting #booksky
For anyone interested in helping people in Minnesota, and wanting awesome bookish goodies, please check out this auction. It closes on Friday:
www.32auctions.com/organization...
#booksky #minnesota
www.32auctions.com/organization...
#booksky #minnesota
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:05 AM
For anyone interested in helping people in Minnesota, and wanting awesome bookish goodies, please check out this auction. It closes on Friday:
www.32auctions.com/organization...
#booksky #minnesota
www.32auctions.com/organization...
#booksky #minnesota
Motionless In White - Afraid of the Dark [Official Video]
YouTube video by Motionless In White
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:01 AM
So I rewrote the WIP short story, scrapped the whole thing, just didn't vibe with it, and now I have 2500 words of a weird lyrical beast about a near-sentient city becoming a monster to fight the synthetic monsters rampaging in her streets. It's gonna get bloody.
#amwriting #horror
#amwriting #horror
January 27, 2026 at 8:47 PM
So I rewrote the WIP short story, scrapped the whole thing, just didn't vibe with it, and now I have 2500 words of a weird lyrical beast about a near-sentient city becoming a monster to fight the synthetic monsters rampaging in her streets. It's gonna get bloody.
#amwriting #horror
#amwriting #horror
When a review of the anthology specifically mentions your story 😊
"Kyi’yaji by Xan van Rooyen was one of my favorite stories, equal parts chilling and mesmerizing. I loved the concept within and how music was used as the catalyst. I found this one profoundly moving."
Link 👇
#booksky #horror
"Kyi’yaji by Xan van Rooyen was one of my favorite stories, equal parts chilling and mesmerizing. I loved the concept within and how music was used as the catalyst. I found this one profoundly moving."
Link 👇
#booksky #horror
01/25/2026 Recent Reads & Reviews: SAUUTI TERRORS
SAUUTI TERRORS Short Stories from the Unique Universe created by Contemporary African Writers. Edited by Eugen Bacon, Cheryl Ntumy, and Stephen Embleton.SAUUTI TERRORS, by its own description, is an a...
www.candacenolaauthor.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:01 PM
The cover art for Born of Malice is in my inbox and it is STUNNING!!! I cannot stop staring at it, and I absolutely cannot wait to share it!!
😱😍😱😍
#booksky #amwriting
😱😍😱😍
#booksky #amwriting
January 26, 2026 at 8:55 PM
The cover art for Born of Malice is in my inbox and it is STUNNING!!! I cannot stop staring at it, and I absolutely cannot wait to share it!!
😱😍😱😍
#booksky #amwriting
😱😍😱😍
#booksky #amwriting
🎊 !!HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! 🎊
I am so thrilled this deliciously dark, diverse, and dynamic collection of short stories and poems inspired by all things African is now available wherever you buy books:
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sauuti...
#booksky @sauutiverse.bsky.social
I am so thrilled this deliciously dark, diverse, and dynamic collection of short stories and poems inspired by all things African is now available wherever you buy books:
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sauuti...
#booksky @sauutiverse.bsky.social
Sauúti Terrors Short Stories
A powerful dark science fiction collection in a stunning edition, bringing back the revolutionary Afrocentric Sauútiverse.Co-editors Eugen Bacon, S...
www.simonandschuster.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:04 AM
🎊 !!HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! 🎊
I am so thrilled this deliciously dark, diverse, and dynamic collection of short stories and poems inspired by all things African is now available wherever you buy books:
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sauuti...
#booksky @sauutiverse.bsky.social
I am so thrilled this deliciously dark, diverse, and dynamic collection of short stories and poems inspired by all things African is now available wherever you buy books:
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sauuti...
#booksky @sauutiverse.bsky.social
Why this out-loud edit is taking FOREVER:
Decided to change a word. Did a search to make sure other POV character doesn't use this word. They do. Had to change word again, do another search. All good. Had to restructure whole sentence for new word.
15 minutes for ONE WORD!
#amwriting #booksky
Decided to change a word. Did a search to make sure other POV character doesn't use this word. They do. Had to change word again, do another search. All good. Had to restructure whole sentence for new word.
15 minutes for ONE WORD!
#amwriting #booksky
January 17, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Why this out-loud edit is taking FOREVER:
Decided to change a word. Did a search to make sure other POV character doesn't use this word. They do. Had to change word again, do another search. All good. Had to restructure whole sentence for new word.
15 minutes for ONE WORD!
#amwriting #booksky
Decided to change a word. Did a search to make sure other POV character doesn't use this word. They do. Had to change word again, do another search. All good. Had to restructure whole sentence for new word.
15 minutes for ONE WORD!
#amwriting #booksky
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
I'm a trans author in South America
Please back my comicbook Kickstarter, "Legendary X-Knights #2"
It's about queer heroes standing up to American imperialism.
I want to inspire change, with character who represent the marginalized.
BACK TODAY:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jam...
Please back my comicbook Kickstarter, "Legendary X-Knights #2"
It's about queer heroes standing up to American imperialism.
I want to inspire change, with character who represent the marginalized.
BACK TODAY:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jam...
January 16, 2026 at 3:48 PM
I'm a trans author in South America
Please back my comicbook Kickstarter, "Legendary X-Knights #2"
It's about queer heroes standing up to American imperialism.
I want to inspire change, with character who represent the marginalized.
BACK TODAY:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jam...
Please back my comicbook Kickstarter, "Legendary X-Knights #2"
It's about queer heroes standing up to American imperialism.
I want to inspire change, with character who represent the marginalized.
BACK TODAY:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/jam...
Research while working on copyedits at 10PM on a Friday night:
1. Which piano etudes have cadenzas
2. What's a good NRC rating for classroom carpeting
3. Technical difference between contagious and infectious
#amwriting #booksky
1. Which piano etudes have cadenzas
2. What's a good NRC rating for classroom carpeting
3. Technical difference between contagious and infectious
#amwriting #booksky
January 16, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Research while working on copyedits at 10PM on a Friday night:
1. Which piano etudes have cadenzas
2. What's a good NRC rating for classroom carpeting
3. Technical difference between contagious and infectious
#amwriting #booksky
1. Which piano etudes have cadenzas
2. What's a good NRC rating for classroom carpeting
3. Technical difference between contagious and infectious
#amwriting #booksky
To clarify, I meant the peanut butter filled pretzel snack things, not like the German bread.
I tried peanut butter pretzels for the first time today and why are they so bad!?!? How can you mess up peanut butter (literally the food of the gods!!) this atrociously!?!? 😭
January 15, 2026 at 2:34 PM
To clarify, I meant the peanut butter filled pretzel snack things, not like the German bread.
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
Websites of African and Black Writers and Poets
www.writingafrica.com/websites-of-...
www.writingafrica.com/websites-of-...
Websites of African and Black Writers and Poets
As part of our mission to archive the African and Black literary landscape, we begin the important task of listing writers and poets with professional websites.
www.writingafrica.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Websites of African and Black Writers and Poets
www.writingafrica.com/websites-of-...
www.writingafrica.com/websites-of-...