C.J. Subko
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cjsubko.bsky.social
C.J. Subko
@cjsubko.bsky.social
4.8K followers 2.4K following 25K posts
Writer of SFFH. Snarkwitch. Psych PhD. Approachable goth.
Words in Small Wonders, Flame Tree, The Deadlands, Skull & Laurel
Member of HWA, SFWA, Codex
www.cjsubko.com
https://cjsubko.beehiiv.com
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cjsubko.bsky.social
C.J. Subko @cjsubko.bsky.social · 15d
Introducing THE SHATTERED CITY by C.J. Subko,
a novel I'm currently #querying -- a pitch deck

🖤Adult #dystopian dark #fantasy with #Halloween #autumn #fall vibes

🖤93,000 words of magic, death, and romance

Let's go, #writing community
A gray and black collage of fake polaroid photos of people wearing skull makeup. Six photos, three on the left and three on the right. A hooded skull, frowning skull girl, woman holding skull, skull smiling, sinister skull, and the nose and eye of a skull. With the text in green: The Shattered City by CJ Subko All on a gray background The background image is a black and white man with a shaved head and light skin wearing skeleton makeup. The words "AT A GLANCE" are over his eyes in white. In clockwise order from top right, there are other words in white: Angsty necromancers. Isolated city state. Only one cot. Second chance enemies to lovers romance. Kidnapping of opportunity. Healer MCs versus epidemic. Authoritarian government versus rebellion. Fancy people who wear bones. A black background with the tan and glowing orange words "Pitch / pitch" In tan, the words: For Daquar, the rules are everything; one wrong move and she’ll be executed like her treasonous parents. But the rules can’t save her from being kidnapped by rebels—including Ritraru, the ex-lover she betrayed, who forces her to heal at his clinic for the poor. While plotting her escape, Daquar witnesses the true ravages of the governmental system and begins to despise her role in maintaining it. Because Thylen, plagued by an eternal epidemic, is a machine; its caste system determines how lavishly you live, and how soon the Rot will kill you dead. Ritraru still loathes Daquar—at least, he thinks he does. But the closer they work together, the more he sees that her hidden compassion and unrestrained cleverness might lead her into the rebellion—and back into his heart. The deeper Ritraru and his friends are drawn into rebellion, however, the closer they come to a choice: slow dissidence or violent extremism. To save the city, Daquar and Ritraru will have to rely on each other—and the love resurrecting between them. If they can’t abolish the totalitarian regime, they’ll be executed as traitors just like Daquar’s parents—but when winning means killing, they’ll have to decide whether to protect their consciences or their liberty. In neon green, the words: dystopian fantasy, 99300 words A dark almost black background with giant tan chalk letters: REACH ME HERE and some orange dots in the lower right corner. In the middle left, an orange television set with these words in neon green: CJ subko at gmail dot com, cj subko at bsky dot social, cj subko dot com
cjsubko.bsky.social
No-context snippets from the writing chat, from me
forget god; subtext is dead
November 10, 2025 at 9:29 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
1700 words today on the plane and in the airport.

I did literally write "So-and-so finally got their shit together and...etc." but whatever it's going forward.

#writing
November 10, 2025 at 9:22 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I hate the word "popcorn" to describe genre fiction on the more commercial side.

It feels so infantilizing.
November 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Heading out to Las Vegas! First time going.
November 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Practicing some more digital painting. Still shaky but I'm having fun.
digital painting of a brunette woman with olive skin, neck up
November 10, 2025 at 3:23 AM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Been doing a series of digital drawing tutorials. Really love the new techniques.

I haven't gotten to hair yet (I have a feeling I'll need multiple tries) but look!
an #art sketch of a woman's face done in digital pencil, looking straight at the camera, with big cartoony eyes
November 9, 2025 at 10:53 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Taking a break at 4250 words.

Priest of Teeth is starting to get some bite.

Tehe.

#writing
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Who is that digital artist who has a free hard-edged round brush for Photoshop?

Very popular artist. My brain is dead.

#art
November 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
2236 words so far today! Making up for lost time.
cjsubko.bsky.social C.J. Subko @cjsubko.bsky.social · 1d
Pajamas, football, and #writing Priest today.

Quite pleased not to be outside in the 30 degree snow.
November 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Pajamas, football, and #writing Priest today.

Quite pleased not to be outside in the 30 degree snow.
November 9, 2025 at 5:14 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
My first digital painting in like a year
A digital painting of a white man with curly blond hair, just the face in profile
November 9, 2025 at 2:12 AM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I've been drawing again for the ENTER HERE anthology.

It's nice, to be drawing again. I think I'll do it more. Even if it's not something I'm excellent at, it makes me happy.
November 8, 2025 at 10:36 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Christopher Plummer was a babe, ngl
November 8, 2025 at 10:19 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I've gotten to the third POV of THE VEGETARIAN. This book is so wild, I can't wait for book club.

💙📚
November 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Empathy is in short supply these days. Makes me sad.
November 8, 2025 at 7:22 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I'm most proud of my story in THE DEADLANDS "The Twelve Deaths of You." It was very harrowing to write and (I think) one of my best pieces. Mind the content advisory.

psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
November 8, 2025 at 6:26 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I've eked out three words. It feels like pulling teeth...with your fingers.
November 8, 2025 at 12:54 AM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I think I'm getting sick but now I have spicy ramen so...minor win?
November 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I don't love rebranding things that already exist like they're new and fancy and never-been-done-before.

It's so arrogant.
November 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I learned about traumantasy today.

I would like a nap now.
November 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by C.J. Subko
cjsubko.bsky.social
Who's excited!? (it me)
sashakielman.bsky.social Sasha Kielman (she/her/hers) 🦋 @sashakielman.bsky.social · 4d
I'm absolutely thrilled to share that my dragon riding romantasy story, "On the Wing of a Prayer," will be published by Flame Tree Press next March in the anthology OF LOVE AND DRAGONS! 🥳

You can check out the TOC and preorder here: blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-goth...

#WriteSky #BookSky
The book cover for OF LOVE AND DRAGONS: SHORT STORIES, published by Flame Tree Press, on an iridescent yellow background.
November 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Waiting on an email.

It's fine. I'm fine.

I AM FINE.
November 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
Who's excited!? (it me)
sashakielman.bsky.social Sasha Kielman (she/her/hers) 🦋 @sashakielman.bsky.social · 4d
I'm absolutely thrilled to share that my dragon riding romantasy story, "On the Wing of a Prayer," will be published by Flame Tree Press next March in the anthology OF LOVE AND DRAGONS! 🥳

You can check out the TOC and preorder here: blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-goth...

#WriteSky #BookSky
The book cover for OF LOVE AND DRAGONS: SHORT STORIES, published by Flame Tree Press, on an iridescent yellow background.
November 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
cjsubko.bsky.social
NYC #horror readers, assemble!
apexmag.bsky.social Apex Magazine and Book Company @apexmag.bsky.social · 7d
ICYMI 🌟 Lofty Pigeon Books is hosting a ✨FREE✨ ECO24 launch party with @louisevans.bsky.social and @kayv.bsky.social on Nov. 18th @ 6:30! Enjoy a night of readings, book signings, a Q&A and reception!

Seats are limited! Reserve your spot at the event link below ⬇️

www.eventbrite.com/e/louis-evan...
Lofty Pigeon Books presents: Louis Evans and Kay Vaindal launch ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction. Tuesday, November 18, 6:30-8pm. 743 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY
November 6, 2025 at 1:45 AM
cjsubko.bsky.social
I'm getting the urge to write another essay... I don't know about what

For my last one, see "Because You Let Me: On a horror of manners and the tragedy of politeness," in Skull & Laurel issue 4 @tenebrouspress.bsky.social along with a bunch of dope stories

store.tenebrouspress.com/products/the...
THE SKULL & LAUREL Issue 004 (eBook only)
The fourth issue of Weird Fiction magazine THE SKULL & LAUREL features original comics by Carl Antonowicz, a role-playing game from M. Belanger, an essay on "Polite" horror from CJ Subko, and of c...
store.tenebrouspress.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:34 AM