Xan van Rooyen
@xanwriter.bsky.social
South African in Finland. Tattooed story-teller, climber, and peanut-butter connoisseur. Non-binary & autistic. They/them. WAYPOINT SEVEN is out now!!
https://linktr.ee/xanvanrooyen
https://linktr.ee/xanvanrooyen
And just like that, the new WIP is already over 6k! 😊
Is there anything more enjoyable for an author than being in the zone when the words just flow and the story seems to write itself???
#amwriting #booksky
Is there anything more enjoyable for an author than being in the zone when the words just flow and the story seems to write itself???
#amwriting #booksky
November 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
And just like that, the new WIP is already over 6k! 😊
Is there anything more enjoyable for an author than being in the zone when the words just flow and the story seems to write itself???
#amwriting #booksky
Is there anything more enjoyable for an author than being in the zone when the words just flow and the story seems to write itself???
#amwriting #booksky
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
Happy Book Birthday! One year today! 🍾🥂 @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social, @aniyonsenga.bsky.social, @nerinedorman.bsky.social, @nuzo.bsky.social, @shingai-be-like.bsky.social, @stephenembleton.bsky.social, @suyidavies.com, @tobiogundiran.com, @xanwriter.bsky.social
www.bloomsbury.com/au/afrocente...
www.bloomsbury.com/au/afrocente...
November 14, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
Coming 12.02.25: Building on the chill captured by 2024's Winter in the City, we're back with a global lineup to explore SPRING IN THE CITY—yet wildflowers aren't the only things finding their way through cracked concrete in these dark speculative tales.
Buy: links.ruadanbooks.com/spring
#BookSky
Buy: links.ruadanbooks.com/spring
#BookSky
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Coming 12.02.25: Building on the chill captured by 2024's Winter in the City, we're back with a global lineup to explore SPRING IN THE CITY—yet wildflowers aren't the only things finding their way through cracked concrete in these dark speculative tales.
Buy: links.ruadanbooks.com/spring
#BookSky
Buy: links.ruadanbooks.com/spring
#BookSky
Hard to pick just one of Cat's books, but I think Empty Monsters by @clhellisen.bsky.social is probably my all time favourite self-pubbed read.
#AMoRaR
#AMoRaR
Daily Challenge 10: Sharing is Caring - Share your favourite indie read! Remember, this can be a self-published SFF author or small press!
Reply or repost with your answer to enter, and remember to include the tag #AMoRaR
Reply or repost with your answer to enter, and remember to include the tag #AMoRaR
November 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Hard to pick just one of Cat's books, but I think Empty Monsters by @clhellisen.bsky.social is probably my all time favourite self-pubbed read.
#AMoRaR
#AMoRaR
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
One of my favorite reads so far this year was By The Blood Of Rowans by @xanwriter.bsky.social.
Loved the setting, concept and characters so much.
#AMoRaR
Loved the setting, concept and characters so much.
#AMoRaR
Daily Challenge 10: Sharing is Caring - Share your favourite indie read! Remember, this can be a self-published SFF author or small press!
Reply or repost with your answer to enter, and remember to include the tag #AMoRaR
Reply or repost with your answer to enter, and remember to include the tag #AMoRaR
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
One of my favorite reads so far this year was By The Blood Of Rowans by @xanwriter.bsky.social.
Loved the setting, concept and characters so much.
#AMoRaR
Loved the setting, concept and characters so much.
#AMoRaR
If you're looking for a YA book suitable for younger teens and tweens featuring a diverse cast, creatures from Finnish folklore, and eco-aware magic, check out My Name is Magic. It's 50% OFF!!
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
#booksky #audiobook
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
#booksky #audiobook
50% OFF My Name is Magic
Taika Turunen has no magic. Despite coming from a long line of powerful Finnish mages, and their name literally meaning magic, Taika can't perform the simplest of spells.
Forced to attend Myrs...
www.audiobooks.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:47 PM
If you're looking for a YA book suitable for younger teens and tweens featuring a diverse cast, creatures from Finnish folklore, and eco-aware magic, check out My Name is Magic. It's 50% OFF!!
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
#booksky #audiobook
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
#booksky #audiobook
So all those times I've been anti chapter titles... yeah, guess what this new book is getting?? 😆
#booksky #amwriting
#booksky #amwriting
November 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
So all those times I've been anti chapter titles... yeah, guess what this new book is getting?? 😆
#booksky #amwriting
#booksky #amwriting
I really need to own Hazelthorn, but I wanna wait and see if I can snag a special edition on ebay 😖😖 but also, I really REALLY want to read it!! 😭 (weeps in impatient bookworm)
#booktwt problems 😅
#booktwt problems 😅
October 29, 2025 at 8:19 PM
I really need to own Hazelthorn, but I wanna wait and see if I can snag a special edition on ebay 😖😖 but also, I really REALLY want to read it!! 😭 (weeps in impatient bookworm)
#booktwt problems 😅
#booktwt problems 😅
Just finished the first draft of a new short story!! 🎊 At 2.8k it's almost 1000 words longer than expected but still well within the word count. I was really out of my comfort zone with this. Why is it so hard for me to write HEA love stories!?!? 😆
#amwriting
#amwriting
October 28, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Just finished the first draft of a new short story!! 🎊 At 2.8k it's almost 1000 words longer than expected but still well within the word count. I was really out of my comfort zone with this. Why is it so hard for me to write HEA love stories!?!? 😆
#amwriting
#amwriting
So this short story was supposed to be 1500 words and is currently 2.3k and not yet finished. Whoops. 😅
#amwriting
#amwriting
October 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
So this short story was supposed to be 1500 words and is currently 2.3k and not yet finished. Whoops. 😅
#amwriting
#amwriting
My cyberpunk meets dark academia retelling of Dorian Gray has a new title and an amazing cover artist!! Cannot wait to share all the details!! I am so excited right now!!
#booksky #amwriting
#booksky #amwriting
October 23, 2025 at 8:06 AM
My cyberpunk meets dark academia retelling of Dorian Gray has a new title and an amazing cover artist!! Cannot wait to share all the details!! I am so excited right now!!
#booksky #amwriting
#booksky #amwriting
Our little book that could!! I am so proud of this anthology!! ❤️😍❤️
🏆 @suyidavies.com @shingai-be-like.bsky.social, @tlotlotsamaase.bsky.social, @wtalabi.bsky.social, @aniyonsenga.bsky.social, @nerinedorman.bsky.social, @nuzo.bsky.social , @stephenembleton.bsky.social, @shingai-be-like.bsky.social, @tobiogundiran.com @xanwriter.bsky.social
jaylit.com/african-writ...
jaylit.com/african-writ...
Eugen Bacon, Wole Talabi, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, and Other African Writers Shine at 2025 Ignyte Award - JAY Lit
Winners of the 2025 Ignyte Awards have been announced, recognizing outstanding contributions in speculative fiction. Several Africa writers were among those celebrated across major categories and they...
jaylit.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Our little book that could!! I am so proud of this anthology!! ❤️😍❤️
Reposted by Xan van Rooyen
Wait. What! OMG! 🙏🏾🙏🏾
@bloomsburyacad.bsky.social, @nuzo.bsky.social, @suyidavies.com, @tobiogundiran.com, @xanwriter.bsky.social, @nerinedorman.bsky.social, @shingai-be-like.bsky.social, @dilmandila.com.web.brid.gy
@bloomsburyacad.bsky.social, @nuzo.bsky.social, @suyidavies.com, @tobiogundiran.com, @xanwriter.bsky.social, @nerinedorman.bsky.social, @shingai-be-like.bsky.social, @dilmandila.com.web.brid.gy
Congratulations @genni.bsky.social on winning the #2025IgnyteAwards in Outstanding Creative Nonfiction for AFRO-CENTERED FUTURISMS IN OUR SPECULATIVE FICTION
October 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
When you're supposed to be taking a break from novel writing to work on short stories but then accidentally outline a brand new novel instead 😆
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity
October 9, 2025 at 10:23 AM
When you're supposed to be taking a break from novel writing to work on short stories but then accidentally outline a brand new novel instead 😆
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity
Ah the joy of filing an Anthropic claim. I really hope they pay out and that we all get our due. And that this sets a precedent for the publishing industry that'll deter others from stealing our words again!
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
October 6, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Ah the joy of filing an Anthropic claim. I really hope they pay out and that we all get our due. And that this sets a precedent for the publishing industry that'll deter others from stealing our words again!
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
What's your favourite cover from an SFFH book published in the last year or two? Bonus points if it's YA and/or queer.
Please drop links or pics...
#booksky
Please drop links or pics...
#booksky
October 1, 2025 at 6:49 PM
What's your favourite cover from an SFFH book published in the last year or two? Bonus points if it's YA and/or queer.
Please drop links or pics...
#booksky
Please drop links or pics...
#booksky
HADES II !!!
I've been waiting so long for this 😍
I've been waiting so long for this 😍
September 28, 2025 at 8:48 AM
HADES II !!!
I've been waiting so long for this 😍
I've been waiting so long for this 😍
Revisions on the 'sibling rivalry between demigods isn't good for the space-time continuum' novel are DONE!!!
442 pages
113k words
all the feels
I am tired but happy - now to just see what beta readers and my editor thinks 🤞🤞🤞
#writingcommunity #booksky
442 pages
113k words
all the feels
I am tired but happy - now to just see what beta readers and my editor thinks 🤞🤞🤞
#writingcommunity #booksky
September 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Revisions on the 'sibling rivalry between demigods isn't good for the space-time continuum' novel are DONE!!!
442 pages
113k words
all the feels
I am tired but happy - now to just see what beta readers and my editor thinks 🤞🤞🤞
#writingcommunity #booksky
442 pages
113k words
all the feels
I am tired but happy - now to just see what beta readers and my editor thinks 🤞🤞🤞
#writingcommunity #booksky
I guess this book can be described as that time sibling rivalry got a little out of hand so now there are gaping holes in the fabric of reality which will have Serious Consequences for the brat and his big sister who is very very tired 😆
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity
September 21, 2025 at 12:41 PM
I guess this book can be described as that time sibling rivalry got a little out of hand so now there are gaping holes in the fabric of reality which will have Serious Consequences for the brat and his big sister who is very very tired 😆
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity
Anime with best fight / action sequences? Tell me...
For reference, I loved the choreography of fight scenes in Castlevania and Arcane. Looking for more stuff as epic as that, preferably in SFFH genres.
#anime
For reference, I loved the choreography of fight scenes in Castlevania and Arcane. Looking for more stuff as epic as that, preferably in SFFH genres.
#anime
September 21, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Anime with best fight / action sequences? Tell me...
For reference, I loved the choreography of fight scenes in Castlevania and Arcane. Looking for more stuff as epic as that, preferably in SFFH genres.
#anime
For reference, I loved the choreography of fight scenes in Castlevania and Arcane. Looking for more stuff as epic as that, preferably in SFFH genres.
#anime
For 24 hours, you can grab a bunch of free queer ebooks in multiple genres (including I Heart Robot) thanks to @divinationhollow.bsky.social If you're looking for creepy fall reads, now's the time to go get your hands on queer horror!
divinationhollow.com/queer-your-e...
#booksky #writingcommunity
divinationhollow.com/queer-your-e...
#booksky #writingcommunity
Queer Your eReader — Divination Hollow Reviews
divinationhollow.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:31 AM
For 24 hours, you can grab a bunch of free queer ebooks in multiple genres (including I Heart Robot) thanks to @divinationhollow.bsky.social If you're looking for creepy fall reads, now's the time to go get your hands on queer horror!
divinationhollow.com/queer-your-e...
#booksky #writingcommunity
divinationhollow.com/queer-your-e...
#booksky #writingcommunity
Only 58 pages left to go in the revision of this 400+ page book. I've arrived at the climax which needs to be rewritten, which I am very excited about! My three disaster demigod siblings get to have a major showdown and I get to make it even more epic than before! 😆
#writingcommunity #amwriting
#writingcommunity #amwriting
September 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Only 58 pages left to go in the revision of this 400+ page book. I've arrived at the climax which needs to be rewritten, which I am very excited about! My three disaster demigod siblings get to have a major showdown and I get to make it even more epic than before! 😆
#writingcommunity #amwriting
#writingcommunity #amwriting
Nothing makes my day quite like hearing from a reader who loved my book: "Just wanted to say I haven't slept bc it was SO SO GOOD. It had me in a binge chokehold" 😊😊😊
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity
September 18, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Nothing makes my day quite like hearing from a reader who loved my book: "Just wanted to say I haven't slept bc it was SO SO GOOD. It had me in a binge chokehold" 😊😊😊
#booksky #writingcommunity
#booksky #writingcommunity
I am having so much fun with these revisions, stitching in more foreshadowing, raising the stakes, increasing the action, upping the angst, and adding in threads to be unraveled in the sequel! 😊
I truly love writing, and cannot imagine ever allowing AI to rob me of this joy!
#booksky #amwriting
I truly love writing, and cannot imagine ever allowing AI to rob me of this joy!
#booksky #amwriting
September 13, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I am having so much fun with these revisions, stitching in more foreshadowing, raising the stakes, increasing the action, upping the angst, and adding in threads to be unraveled in the sequel! 😊
I truly love writing, and cannot imagine ever allowing AI to rob me of this joy!
#booksky #amwriting
I truly love writing, and cannot imagine ever allowing AI to rob me of this joy!
#booksky #amwriting