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authorajparker.bsky.social
a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨
@authorajparker.bsky.social
1.2K followers 690 following 65 posts
she/her • silly little writer
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Reposted by a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨
jalwrites.bsky.social
Half the World Away is now yours.

HEARTSTOPPER meets BOY LIKE ME

Set in the midst of Section 28, the BBC launch an inter-school pen pal project. Theo writes. Alex replies. This is what happens next.

Thanks to those who have written such wonderful reviews.

I really hope you all love it ✉️🌎
The front cover of the book, with the characters of Alex and Theo nearby. The text reads: Available now. Half the World Away. When Theo joins Year 9 at his local state school, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a new national pen pal project. After losing hope of a reply, an unexpected letter arrives from Alex, a confident private school boarder, sparking a connection that could change everything. www.linktree.com/jamesalyons Reviews - “Would fully recommend. It was such an easy read, and I absolutely loved it. The flow of the writing between Alex's letters and Theo's day were really well done and made it seamless to the point that you knew exactly what was going on.” ~ ARC review “A gorgeous, heartwarming, fuzzy book. I adored this from start to finish. I would have loved to have read more books like this growing up - so much about this book was wholesome and at the same time thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book! Absolutely gorgeous” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away explores love, distance, and identity in such a heartfelt way that I found myself smiling one minute and tearing up the next. It was tender, funnny, and quietly powerful. The themes of belonging, queer identity, and self-discovery shine through with warmth and emotion.” ~ ARC review “Half the World Away is a gorgeous, heartwarming story and I know you’ll just FALL IN LOVE with it! If you liked Heartstopper, you’ll love this! Sweet, wholesome and everything you need in a book.” ~ ARC review SEPTEMBER 1995 According to Nan, I’m four times more likely to be eaten by a shark than I am to win the National Lottery. Well, the joke is on her. I have never paddled deeper than my shins in the sea, and in front of me sits a winning lottery ticket. It may only be three matching numbers and worth a tenner, but I will take any positivity I can get. Life has been one kickback after another recently. Ten pounds won’t change that, and I often wonder if I’ll ever get a real lucky day. Today is my second ever first day of school. With the way Mum has been making a fuss, I should have an adventurous excitement flowing through my veins with each ripple from my heartbeat. The truth is my stomach is knotted as I stare down at three soggy Weetabix. They swim around my bowl, turning to mush, whilst Take That remind me from the radio to never forget where I came here from. Heartstopper meets Boy Like Me. Theo has been home schooled for three years, but his mother’s terminal illness forces him into Year Nine at his local school. Struggling to adapt, he’s persuaded to join a national pen pal project. His letter lands on the desk of Alex—a confident, private school boarder, and aspiring county rower—everything Theo is not. Despite their differences, the two begin to secretly confide, sharing struggles with grief, loneliness, and the pressures of a society demanding conformity. As their correspondence intensifies, Theo realises he has fallen for the boy in the letters. Concerned the outside world remains unwelcoming, and with Alex set to move to France, Theo must express his true feelings before they miss their chance to meet.
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Reposted by a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨
arlenrenwrites.bsky.social
the end of the first act of this book made me want to chuck my reading device out the window (complimentary)

there's so much to love here 🌹
authorajparker.bsky.social a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨ @authorajparker.bsky.social · 8d
WAYS TO FOOL ME is a gender-bent take on the classic princess-stuck-in-a-tower story, following a pair of twins in a fantasy kingdom as they navigate their respective love interests–and the political repercussions that result.

#Q #YA #F #RF #Questpit
images: greek columns, white dress, red roses, beam of light in a temple, silver dagger, candlelit dinner
November 5, 2025 at 7:57 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
An #AgentsGuide to WAYS TO FOOL ME:

⚔️ total-opposite twins
⚔️ arranged marriages
⚔️ blood magic
⚔️ grumpy x sunshine
⚔️ lovers to enemies

#Q #YA #F #RF #Questpit
text: This 74,000-word YA fantasy novel with romantic elements subverts the classic princess-stuck-in-a-tower trope. It will appeal to those who enjoyed the complicated relationships in Gwen & Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher and the sinister magic in One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, as well as the class dynamics in The Gilded Age. text: On the verge of their respective engagements, 17-year-old royal twins Lark and Clarión Blaivetramis both have their reservations against their fathers' political ploys. When their father unexpectedly switches Lark’s betrothal, she must embark to a foreign country with a mysterious prince, leaving Clar to contend with his inability to love his wife-to-be. Befriending a curious servant boy is a welcome relief, but a risk Clar isn’t sure he can take. Meanwhile, as Lark’s brazen charm and her betrothed’s hesitancy clash, Lark struggles to know if she’s falling in love with the prince or just pretending to fall in love. The farther she gets from Kaiselle, the more she unlocks about her deceased mother’s history, and the darkness Lark has inherited in her blood, a truth her father meant to keep hidden. Lark and Clar must reconcile their personal desires with their required duties before they lose their freedom, or their lives, to forces beyond their control forever.
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
WAYS TO FOOL ME is a gender-bent take on the classic princess-stuck-in-a-tower story, following a pair of twins in a fantasy kingdom as they navigate their respective love interests–and the political repercussions that result.

#Q #YA #F #RF #Questpit
images: greek columns, white dress, red roses, beam of light in a temple, silver dagger, candlelit dinner
November 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨
roundtablementor.bsky.social
Manuscript wishlists are live! We recommend popping over to our website to peruse mentor profiles before mentee applications open on Nov 6th 👀

Important note: Contrary to previous rounds, we are only accepting complete manuscripts this year!

www.roundtablementor.com/mentors
A blue circle that says, "MSWLS ARE UP!" Around it are graphics of books, and then a line at the bottom reads, "MENTEE APPLICATIONS OPEN ON NOVEMBER 6TH."
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
When Lark’s father unexpectedly switches her arranged marriage, the princess must embark to a foreign country with a mysterious prince, leaving her twin brother to contend with his inability to love his wife-to-be.

#DVPit #YA #F #MH #LGBT
images: blue dress, gold crown, sunlit castle, silver sword, golden ballroom, candles on a dining table, marble statues embracing, man in royal regalia. text: "you want battle? i'll give you war"
October 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
WAYS TO FOOL ME is a gender-bent take on the classic princess-stuck-in-a-tower story, following a pair of twins in a fantasy kingdom as they navigate their respective love interests – and the political repercussions that result.

#DVPit #YA #F #R #MH #LGBT
October 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
Ways to Fool Me is ONE DARK WINDOW meets GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE meets THE GILDED AGE, including:

💥 total-opposite twins
💍 arranged marriages
❤️‍🩹 blood magic
🌥️ grumpy x sunshine
⚔️ lovers to enemies

#DVPit #YA #F #R #MH #LGBT
images: marble columns, red roses, white dress, beam of sunlight, dagger, candle-lit table
October 8, 2025 at 5:23 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
A princess who wants to fight. A prince who loves a boy.

Threatened by their mother’s buried secrets, inescapable family charades, and political malefactors, the Blaivetramis twins fight to forge their own paths despite their upcoming marriages.

#DVPit #YA #F #MH #LGBT
October 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨
dvpit.bsky.social
TOMORROW (Oct 8th) is #DVpit! Any unagented Marginalized writer or artist seeking out representation is invited to participate from 8AM - 8PM ET!
Please make sure you review our rules & guidelines before the event: dvpit.carrd.co#faq

#writersky #booksky #artistsky #weneeddiversebooks
#DVPit Rules -#DVpit (Diverse Voices Pitch) is a Bluesky event for marginalized creators that have been historically underrepresented in publishing to pitch their work to agents & editors -Post your pitch on Bluesky on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025 between 8AM ET - 8PM ET -Only post once per hour (6 max pitches per project) -Must have a polished, query ready manuscript or art portfolio. -Pitch must include the #DVpit hashtag (illustrators pitching their art must use the #DVArt hashtag) -A like from an agent = a query request -A repost from an editor = interest in submission once you've signed with an agent -A like from an editor = editor who takes unagented submissions -Please do not like or repost a pitch if you are not an agent or an editor. Support other creators by replying to their pitch or quote-reposting their pitches -Visit dvpit.carrd.co for more detailed guidelines. #DVpit 2025 has 70+ Agents & Editors committed to participate & boost marginalized creators from the following literary agencies and publishers: Andrea Brown Lit Ash Literary Azantian Literary Agency Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Folio Literary Management Gallt & Zacker Literary Gelfman Schneider Literary Hachette Grand Central Publishing Little Brown Books for Young Readers Harper Collins Harlequin Hanover Square HG Literary Inked in Gray Press Jill Grinberg Literary Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency Macmillan Feiwel & Friends Farrar, Straus & Giroux Roaring Brook Press Saturday books Wednesday books Mad Woman Literary Neighborhood Literary New Leaf Literary & Media Open Book Literary Page Street Publishing Park, Fine & Brower Penguin Random House Ballantine Berkley Delacorte Labyrinth Road Penguin Workshop Viking Root Literary Simon & Schuster Aladdin Atheneum Atria McElderry Sheldon Fogelman Agency Sourcebooks Stonefruit Studio Triada US Writers House Zando
October 7, 2025 at 6:15 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
hello #dvparty friends, i am late to the party (haha) as usual BUT have this one (1) meme as my first contribution

#DVPit #YA #F #R
text: down with found family. UP with FOUND DIVORCE!!!!!!!!!!!! getting many questions about FOUND DIVORCE. FOUND DIVORCE is when TWO PEOPLE who were NOT EVEN MARRIED are already DIVORCED. thank you.
October 5, 2025 at 11:31 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
my latest poem, “fine dining,” for the quarter press 🤍
October 2, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨
quarterpress.bsky.social
A gut punch of a poem from A J Parker today!
.
Remember, you can grab one of the few remaining hard copies of vol. 14, What We Do With the Ashes, that has this poem and many more amazing works!
.
#thequarterly #poems #poemoftheday #indiepress #poetry #poetryread #poet #booktok #booksky
August 27, 2025 at 1:43 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
here are seven writing lessons you can take away from improvisational acting!
updateswithaj.substack.com/p/improv-adv...
What improv classes taught me about writing
Seven lessons you can take away from improv even if you don't act!
updateswithaj.substack.com
August 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
My interview with @afterdinnerconversation.com is out! 😄

Read here: afterdinnerconversation.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Image: After Dinner Conversation March 2025 Cover
August 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
ONE DARK WINDOW x GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE x THE GILDED AGE

💥 total-opposite twins
💍 arranged marriages
👑 a curse from the gods
🌥️ grumpy x sunshine
⚔️ lovers to enemies

#questpit #ya #f #rf #wip
text: This 70,000-word YA fantasy novel with romantic elements subverts the classic princess-stuck-in-a-tower trope. It will appeal to those who enjoyed the complicated relationships in Gwen & Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher and the sinister magic in One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, as well as the class dynamics in The Gilded Age. text: On the verge of their respective betrothals, 17-year-old royal twins Lark and Clarión Blaivetramis both have their reservations against their fathers' political ploys. When their father unexpectedly switches Lark's betrothal, she must embark to a foreign country with a mysterious prince, leaving Clar to contend with his inability to love his wife-to-be. Befriending a curious servant boy is a welcome relief, but a risk Clar isn't sure he can take. Meanwhile, as Lark's brazen charm and her betrothed's hesitancy clash, Lark struggles to know if she's falling in love with the prince or just pretending to fall in love. The further she gets from Kaiselle, the more she unlocks about her deceased mother's history, and the darkness Lark has inherited in her blood, a truth her father meant to keep hidden. Lark and Clar must reconcile their personal desires with their required duties before they lose their freedom, or their lives, to forces beyond their control forever.
August 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
A princess who wants to fight. A prince who loves a boy.

Death threats and a dark omen follow the Blaivetramis twins as they fight to forge their own paths, threatened by a curse from the gods, inescapable family charades, and political malefactors.
#questpit #wip #YA #F #RF
images: blue dress, gold crown, sunlit castle, silver sword, golden ballroom, candles on a dining table, marble statues embracing, man in royal regalia. text: "you want battle? i'll give you war"
August 6, 2025 at 6:11 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
i’ve been really into onomatopoeia lately. like come on, say it: whooosh. it’s so fun. underrated literary device fr
July 28, 2025 at 10:48 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
where are my fellow pantsers at?
Discovery writing sucks. I love it
I'm the classic archetype of a discovery writer, sometimes to my own detriment
updateswithaj.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
i just put something wild together…i have six series and one stand-alone novel planned (18 books total) with 400,000 words written between them so far

i never counted until now, but i’m flabbergasted with myself. no wonder i feel the way i do about getting published one day!
July 20, 2025 at 1:11 AM
authorajparker.bsky.social
“out — gone fishing” out in Issue 10 of Last Leaves Mag
www.lastleavesmag.com/last-leaves-...
Last Leaves Issues | Last Leaves Mag
Literary magazine accepting art and poetry submissions.
www.lastleavesmag.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Reposted by a.j. parker ✨ is writing ✨
afterdinnerconversation.com
We released nine themed books in 2024 and two more in 2025! Everything from #techethics to #bioethics and #justiceethics Now they are all available for sale on our website as well! Pick up the print or ebook version today!

buff.ly/wXEZrBY
April 11, 2025 at 3:37 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
"Why do you get to be a kid?" out today 🏠
talkvomit.com/2025/03/31/w...
Why Do You Get to Be a Kid?
That perfect grid system locks you in a circle, and the news talks about the Romeo-Juliet  murder-suicide at a neighboring high school while your class hides with the door locked.
talkvomit.com
March 31, 2025 at 4:55 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
wrote a little bit about my first short story, where i've been struggling in my writing lately, and what's next :)
What is "The Apath" about?
On my speculative fiction short story published in After Dinner Conversation
updateswithaj.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 10:58 PM
authorajparker.bsky.social
first draft vs. last draft:

“I paid a dollar for a vial of love off a woman on seventh street.”

“Finn paid a pound for a vial of love off a woman on Seventh Street.”
Image: journal entry Image: published print literary magazine
March 17, 2025 at 9:15 PM