C. Jean Downer
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cjeandowner.bsky.social
C. Jean Downer
@cjeandowner.bsky.social
1.2K followers 840 following 880 posts
🏳️‍🌈Poet and novelist of sapphic stories with diverse characters because we all deserve to escape into the pages of a book and find our truths.

https://www.cjeandowner.com/

Author with @bellabooks.bsky.soci
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cjeandowner.bsky.social
I finished savouring #FemkuMag issue 40 this morning.
It is splended! My sincere gratitude to Editor Rowan Beckett Minor and Co-editor Kelly Sargent for including three of my pieces. Congratulations to all the poets.
#FemkuMag #haiku #senryu #haibun #cherita #shortformpoetry #poetry
November 27, 2025 at 6:50 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
In these times, I find comfort in my books. THE reason I had to unpack so many of them despite our realtor's advice.

These literary and philosophical greats comfort me. They make me think. They help me on my journey.

#mayaangelou #misogyny #womensupportingwomen
November 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Dystopian literature asks us, “What if?” And wow, did the question in The Wilding of Em’s Path seize the kairos of our moment. Wrenn's story of resistance and hope is a must-read and must-have addition to your library!
#bookrecommendations #sapphicbooks
November 15, 2025 at 12:17 AM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Week 2 Update for #swag4gcls!

Please help me keep my derrière in the chair!

Your fundraising donation benefits @goldencrownls.bsky.social
to continue their remarkable support of sapphic fiction!

Thanks to everyone for supporting me and all the participating authors!

Link in comments 🙏❤️
November 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
It's tattered, yellowed, and pages have been lovingly tucked back in place. Just the signs that I've treasured this collection since buying it in 1986. I hope you feel inspired by Walker's always sublime and timely poetry ❤️

#amreading #poetrylovers
October 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Our realtor asked me to box up my books last year. I did. But I couldn't take being without them any longer, so my daughter helped me open over twenty boxes in storage and reclaim my favourites. I feel happier ❤️

#booksbooksbooks #poetrylovers #writerslife📚 #reading
October 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Wow. The sixth book of the Robert Langdon series was a thrilling ride and reads like a uni lecture about the nature of consciousness and Noetic science. Fabulous setting in Prague. Incredible characters. Made me want to dive into Noetics 👏❤️

#bookrecommendation
October 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Like Charmed? Dresden Files? Then start the Sloane West Mystery Series today. Book one on sale now at @bellabooks.bsky.social

www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...

#booksale #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasyseries #mysterybooks #wlw #lesfic #sapphicbooks
October 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Deep appreciation to Allyson Whipple, founding editor, and Kelly Barnes Sargent, guest editor, of Haiku Summer Girl, for nominating my poem for a 2025 Touchstone Award. I’m honoured and grateful for the kind recognition. Congratulations to all the nominees for this year’s award.
October 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
May you watch the moon rise today and feel life's abundance... 🌕❤️

#haiku
#shortformpoetry
#supermoon
#harvestmoon
#moonology
October 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
"Censorship is the mother of metaphor” ~ Jorge Luis Borges.

Our pens, our words, our stories, our lives will continue to create a deeper understanding of our world.

I stand with @goldencrownls.bsky.social and @s-a-s-s.bsky.social against book bans.

#bannedbooksweek
#SapphicsWithTheBanned
October 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
A beautiful and poignant story that I immensely enjoyed. Potter’s deeply emotive writing draws you in and brings you along on Amelia, Charlie, Lindsey, and Teri's journeys of loss, grief, love, and hope before, during, and after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. ❤️
#bookrecommendations
October 3, 2025 at 12:15 AM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Available at @bellabooks.bsky.social and other book sellers.
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...

#romanticsuspense #suspensethriller #lesfic #wlwbooks #pacificnorthwest #smallpress
October 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Always delighted to be in Haiku Canada's Members' Anthology. The 2025 issue is filled with beautiful, touching, and whimsical pieces, a true delight to read.
Thank you to Editors Maxianne Berger and Mike Montreuil ❤️

#haiku #haikucanada
September 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Truly enjoyed Gilles Fabre’s translation and adaptation of the Japanese Saijiki, the Japanese Poetic Almanac. This English-language saijiki features hundreds of kigo (season-words) and example haiku divided into five sections. A definite must-have resource!
#bookrecommendations #haiku
September 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Join us this Saturday for @thelesbianreview.com’s Big Online Event: Nice Genres. Big Stories. 10-2pm Pacific Time, Four Panels. I’ll be discussing the Sloane West Mysteries during the 12pm and 1pm panels. Looking forward to talking with you live!

Tickets: ticketstripe.com/events/30801...
#BookEvent
September 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
It’s the final read-through for book three of the Sloane West Mystery series! Then she’s off to my publisher, @bellabooks.bsky.social I’ve loved every minute I've spent in Sloane's worlds this year!

#urbanfantasy #witches #paranormal #mystery #lesfic #slowburn #wlw #sapphic
September 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Many thanks to Julie and the rest of the editors at the Heron's Nest for including my haiku in this wonderful issue! It's a pleasure to read.
Full access here:
theheronsnest.com/September202...

#haiku #smallpoems
September 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Available in paperback, eBook, and audio.

Support small presses and get your copy from @bellabooks.bsky.social ❤️

#romanticthriller #thrillerbooks #lesfic
#sapphicbooks
September 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Congratulations, Celia H.! You won an audiobook of Trailhead🎉❤️
August 17, 2025 at 12:22 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Congratulations, Kathy N.! You won an audiobook of Trailhead! 🎉❤️
August 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Audiobook enthusiast? Romantic suspense devotee? Enter to win my new release, Trailhead, on audio! 📚🌈🎧

To enter:
📨Message me here with the last National Park you visited or want to visit.
🎟️Your name will be included in a drawing for a Trailhead audiobook.
🎉I’ll spin for two winners on August 16th!
August 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
Just finished reading @femku.mag Issue 39, Summer 2025. Such an incredible issue. Congratulations to the 2025 Marlene Mountain Contest winners and contributing poets!

Special thanks to editors Rowan Beckett Minor and Carissa Coane for including my poem ❤️
#haiku #shortformpoetry
August 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
What a great read for summer, a murder mystery that takes place at the lake! Sparks weaves a touching story of found family, budding romance, and a twisty plot to give us a whodunnit you’ll love. I may never see a snapping turtle the same again… Highly recommend ❤️
August 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
cjeandowner.bsky.social
So incredibly grateful to esteemed editors Astrid Andreescu and Kristen Lindquist for selecting my ku for honorable mention in Autumn Moon Haiku Journal’s Best of Volume Eight. Thank you!!
You can read the entire journal here: www.autumnmoonhaiku.com
#haiku
July 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM