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ak-writes.bsky.social @ak-writes.bsky.social · 20d
The Jasmine Throne x The Phoenix King
An #agentsguide to EMBROIDERED, a South Asian Adult Fantasy [97k], now arriving at inboxes near you 😊

#QuestPit #Q #F #A

✨title page character sketched by Jazz and colored by me✨
A woman (sketched by Jazz, colored by me) holds a veena in front of a palace (public domain Canva image). The title says "Embroidered" The pitch: In an 1800's India-inspired world, a court musician plays pretty melodies at night, and by day, plots deadly revenge on the governor to reclaim her inheritance. But when a runaway princess with a devastating smile arrives in her city, the civil unrest that ensues might kill them both first Four different comp titles: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma, and The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. The descriptors include: themes of colonialism and cultural erasure, heroines that grow into themselves and lean into rebellion, South Asian mythology and folklore + female rage, and revenge plots derailed by unexpected love. One section holds the opening lines: “There were traditions that existed for the sake of continuity— careful connections to our roots and ancestors— and then there were those we could do without. Amma’s daily performance, I thought, fell into the latter.” One section has an excerpt: “I just nodded, shifting my gaze back to the idol. Her golden cheeks glistened and I was desperate to change the subject. “They say when your plea to the goddess truly moves her, she cries sea-water tears.” “I’ve heard of that,” Roshni said, brightening. “If you catch them, I think they grant wishes?” “Do they?” “Myths.” The kumari shrugged. “Things for me to believe in and for you to analyze skeptically.” I had to grin at that, leaning towards her. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m the more faithful out of the pair of us.” She rolled her eyes, tilting up her chin even as her lips stretched wide. “I do love your nath,” she admitted. Her fingers came up to press against the gold hoop at my nose. And suddenly it was too much contact. Too little contact. Every sensible thought I’d ever had left my head.”
ak-writes.bsky.social
new mswl drop 👀
Looking for fantasy inspired by Indian folklore and classical music history. Anything in the vein of The Jasmine Throne or The Phoenix King. New Adult appeal is a plus. Think An Ember in the Ashes or the Wrath and the Dawn. Ideally looking for revenge plots linked to complicated family history all set in an accessible fantasy world. I want light magic— no complicated systems— and plot twists that deepen our understanding of the characters. I enjoy world and court politics that provide real world commentary— especially those that explore themes of colonialism and patriarchal hierarchies. Above all, I want character-centric work. Sapphic love stories with a lovers to enemies twist is perfect. Some specific tidbits: Characters with specific or unusual skills Caustic, jaded pairings with innocent cinnamon rolls Heroines finding their voice and purpose Messy, complicated, imperfect women *not an actual agent
November 6, 2025 at 9:39 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
The Jasmine Throne x The Phoenix King
An #agentsguide to EMBROIDERED, a South Asian Adult Fantasy [97k], now arriving at inboxes near you 😊

#QuestPit #Q #F #A

✨title page character sketched by Jazz and colored by me✨
A woman (sketched by Jazz, colored by me) holds a veena in front of a palace (public domain Canva image). The title says "Embroidered" The pitch: In an 1800's India-inspired world, a court musician plays pretty melodies at night, and by day, plots deadly revenge on the governor to reclaim her inheritance. But when a runaway princess with a devastating smile arrives in her city, the civil unrest that ensues might kill them both first Four different comp titles: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma, and The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. The descriptors include: themes of colonialism and cultural erasure, heroines that grow into themselves and lean into rebellion, South Asian mythology and folklore + female rage, and revenge plots derailed by unexpected love. One section holds the opening lines: “There were traditions that existed for the sake of continuity— careful connections to our roots and ancestors— and then there were those we could do without. Amma’s daily performance, I thought, fell into the latter.” One section has an excerpt: “I just nodded, shifting my gaze back to the idol. Her golden cheeks glistened and I was desperate to change the subject. “They say when your plea to the goddess truly moves her, she cries sea-water tears.” “I’ve heard of that,” Roshni said, brightening. “If you catch them, I think they grant wishes?” “Do they?” “Myths.” The kumari shrugged. “Things for me to believe in and for you to analyze skeptically.” I had to grin at that, leaning towards her. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m the more faithful out of the pair of us.” She rolled her eyes, tilting up her chin even as her lips stretched wide. “I do love your nath,” she admitted. Her fingers came up to press against the gold hoop at my nose. And suddenly it was too much contact. Too little contact. Every sensible thought I’d ever had left my head.”
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted
tiffbartel.com
A nerdy agender experimental art gremlin and an ex-wunderkind roboticist in exile team up to find out why the local tech co is bricking robots and stealing memories, and who's sending weird dispatches from the wasteland that's supposedly empty. Then mutually pine a little.

#QuestPit #W #A #SF #S
tiffbartel.com Tiff Bartel @tiffbartel.com · 20d
Finally put together an #agentsguide for Snaggleteeth, the adult speculative novel I'm currently polishing in hopes of querying in the new year! 🦷
(all slides are in the style of a vintage 80s/90s VHS box cover) / 1st slide: An Agent's Guide to Snaggleteeth / adult science fiction / near-future cyberpunk / retro tech & robots / 80k words (all slides are in the style of a vintage 80s/90s VHS box cover) / 2nd slide: Premise / When a lonely audiovisual archivist's assistive robot BFF gets bricked, he enlists the help of an illegal repair shop owner to resurrect her, while also using his anachronistic media know-how to investigate a tech conspiracy involving stolen memories. / (there is a little graphic of a lotus flower created by Dutchken @ Noun Project) (all slides are in the style of a vintage 80s/90s VHS box cover) / 3rd slide: It's Got Everything / 🏳️‍🌈 Scrappy queer/neurodivergent MC ❣️ Dorks aged 35+ in love / 🌲 Mutual pining 🗓️ Multiple timelines / 👽 Art gremlins / 🔥 Anti-capitalism 🤖 Prickly robot familiar / 🇻🇳 Southeast Asian folklore 📼 Cassette futurism vibes / (there is a little graphic of a nine-tailed fox created by Mariana Vinagre @ Noun Project) (all slides are in the style of a vintage 80s/90s VHS box cover) / 4th slide: Comps / Klara and the Sun: robot POV, subtle dystopia / Luminous: sibling drama, murder mystery / Both Klara and Luminous: companion robots as family, intergenerational conflict, explorations of grief, childhood illness / Light From Uncommon Stars: queer joy!, romance w/ older characters, so much food, music bringing people together / Severance: speculative workplace intrigue, weird memory stuff
November 5, 2025 at 1:19 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
Happy Diwali! 🪔
It's seems to have snuck into my WIP...
Snippet: “In another six months?” Safi’s voice was amused enough that Nir broke her gaze away from the mountains crowning ahead– the zig zag of bursting treetops and flicker of diya light outlining the city beyond– to turn to her. Safi’s hair was done up tonight, a headdress of glittering golden chains streaming from her braids. The shine across her eyelids reminded Nir that festivities still ran below.
October 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
It's been wonderful reading through everyone's pitches. I wish I could read them all! Thank you to everyone commenting and boosting and congratulations for finishing this year's DVpit 🎉🎉
October 9, 2025 at 12:05 AM
ak-writes.bsky.social
When a court musician's revenge plan to rid the governor of his throne is interrupted by an alluring runaway princess, she's thrown into a world of civil unrest. But protecting the fugitive she's fallen for comes at a price she's unsure she can pay: forgoing her vengeance

#DVpit #F #A #Asian #WLW
October 8, 2025 at 7:22 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
The Jasmine Throne x Bhansali drama
#DVpit #A #Asian
Assassinating governors isn't in a court musician’s skill set, but Aneesa will do whatever it takes to reclaim her inheritance.
When an alluring runaway princess unwittingly brings rebellion to her city, she'll need to choose btwn love & revenge
October 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
EMBROIDERED

🕐 1800's India inspired world
🎻 A court musician out for revenge
👑 Falls in love w/ a runaway princess
✉️ Letters proving an inheritance
💔 Lovers to enemies
🦚 Indian folklore + classical music
🔥 Messy leads w/ generational trauma
⚔️ Anti-colonialism + rebellion

#DVpit #F #A #Asian #WLW
October 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
In an 1800's India-inspired world, a court musician plays pretty melodies at night, and by day, plots deadly revenge on the governor to reclaim her inheritance. But when a runaway princess with a devastating smile arrives in her city, the civil unrest that ensues might kill them both first

#DVPit
October 8, 2025 at 2:30 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
The Jasmine Throne x The Phoenix King
An #agentsguide to EMBROIDERED, a South Asian inspired adult fantasy complete at 97k words.

Title page character sketched by Jazz and colored by me.
A woman (sketched by Jazz, colored by me) holds a veena in front of a palace (public domain Canva image). The title says "Embroidered" The pitch: In an 1800's India-inspired world, a court musician plays pretty melodies at night, and by day, plots deadly revenge on the governor to reclaim her inheritance. But when a runaway princess with a devastating smile arrives in her city, the civil unrest that ensues might kill them both first Four different comp titles: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma, and The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh. The descriptors include: themes of colonialism and cultural erasure, heroines that grow into themselves and lean into rebellion, South Asian mythology and folklore + female rage, and revenge plots derailed by unexpected love. One section holds the opening lines: “There were traditions that existed for the sake of continuity— careful connections to our roots and ancestors— and then there were those we could do without. Amma’s daily performance, I thought, fell into the latter.” One section has an excerpt: “I just nodded, shifting my gaze back to the idol. Her golden cheeks glistened and I was desperate to change the subject. “They say when your plea to the goddess truly moves her, she cries sea-water tears.” “I’ve heard of that,” Roshni said, brightening. “If you catch them, I think they grant wishes?” “Do they?” “Myths.” The kumari shrugged. “Things for me to believe in and for you to analyze skeptically.” I had to grin at that, leaning towards her. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m the more faithful out of the pair of us.” She rolled her eyes, tilting up her chin even as her lips stretched wide. “I do love your nath,” she admitted. Her fingers came up to press against the gold hoop at my nose. And suddenly it was too much contact. Too little contact. Every sensible thought I’d ever had left my head.”
October 8, 2025 at 6:25 AM
ak-writes.bsky.social
Raag Miya Malhar is the embodiment of rain and storm-- bold, melodic, and powerful. Created by Tansen, a court musician known as the jewel of the Gwalior Gharana, the composition is meant to call for rainfall. Tansen's history heavily influenced my manuscript, EMBROIDERED.

#DVparty #F #A #Asian
October 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
Aneesa's revenge plans still need some polishing...
#DVparty #F #A #LGBTQ #Asian #WOC
October 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
The opening lines of EMBROIDERED 🖊️
#DVParty #F #A #LGBTQ #Asian #WOC
An image of a sunset overlayed with a pink square. The quote inside reads "There were traditions that existed for the sake of continuity-- careful connections to our roots and ancestors-- and then there were those we could do without. Amma's daily performance, I thought, fell into the latter." Sunset image by middelveld, obtained through Canva stock photos.
October 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
Introducing Aneesa 🎻🎻
#DVParty #F #A #Asian #LGBTQ #WOC

Sketching by Jazz
Coloring by me
A woman in an anarkali holds a veena close to her face. She looks angry and wistful. Text: Aneesa: Veena-player at the Vajran Palace whose music is believed to bring rain in the drought. Fiercely loyal to her music troop. Intent on avenging her mother. Faithful to the water goddesses. Prone to impulsivity. Absolutely, completely, irrevocable in love with a runaway princess. Sketch by Jazz, coloring by me, Put together via Canva
October 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
Inspiration for EMBROIDERED ✨✨
#DVparty #F #A #LGBTQ #Asian #WOC
A mood board with themes of sunsets and water. Includes several images: a Rajasthani palace, a woman with a nose ring, a dholak, a diya, letters, a bronze statue, the deep sea and images of water, a fisherman casting a net, a Veena, and the Jal Mahal.
October 2, 2025 at 3:05 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
EMBROIDERED

🕐 1800's India-inspired world
🎻 A court musician out for revenge
👑 Falls in love w/ a runaway princess
✉️ Letters that prove an inheritance
💔 Lovers to enemies
🦚 Indian mythology and folklore
🔥 Messy leads w/ generational trauma
⚔️ Civil unrest + rebellion

#preDV #F #A #Asian #WOC #WLW
September 29, 2025 at 11:26 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
In an 1800's India-inspired world, a court musician plays pretty melodies at night, and by day, plots deadly revenge on the governor to reclaim her inheritance. But when a runaway princess with a devastating smile arrives in her city, the civil unrest that ensues might kill them both first

#preDV
September 29, 2025 at 9:32 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
The Jasmine Throne x Bhansali drama. Assassinating governors is not in a court musician’s skill set, but Aneesa will do whatever it takes to reclaim her inheritance. What she isn't prepared for is a runaway princess with a devastating smile and a penchant for trouble.

#preDV #F #A #lovers2enemies
September 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
ak-writes.bsky.social
In a fictional world reminiscent of semi-occupied India, court musician, Aneesa, plays pretty melodies by night and plots her revenge on the governor by day. Falling in love with a runaway princess with her own secrets is just a misstep, but it might be one that proves fatal.

#preDV #F #A #WOC
September 29, 2025 at 5:44 PM