Dan Desai Martin
@dandesaimartin.bsky.social
Author (fantasy) with Gold Dust Publishing. Consultant. Progressive. Coffee addict. Swiftie. Unwavering ally 💙🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️ I post about politics & writing. He/Him. www.dandesaimartin.com
Not pets, per se, but I recently saw these neighbors on a recent morning walk.
September 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Not pets, per se, but I recently saw these neighbors on a recent morning walk.
Been really enjoying listening to the backlist of @aboutdragons.bsky.social podcast. Great advice for writers at all stages— beginners to early career to hobbyists. I’m a fan of the advice, banter, and of course Erin’s laugh. Check it out.
September 3, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Been really enjoying listening to the backlist of @aboutdragons.bsky.social podcast. Great advice for writers at all stages— beginners to early career to hobbyists. I’m a fan of the advice, banter, and of course Erin’s laugh. Check it out.
Back from a two-week vacation where I managed to stay off of social media. It was glorious, and easy with scenery like this.
#photography #nature #sunrise #scenic #peaceful
#photography #nature #sunrise #scenic #peaceful
August 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Back from a two-week vacation where I managed to stay off of social media. It was glorious, and easy with scenery like this.
#photography #nature #sunrise #scenic #peaceful
#photography #nature #sunrise #scenic #peaceful
#SFFChat Aug 8: What are you reading?
I'm reading Mr. Tingles' Mysteries: The Curious Case of the Bodiless Head by debut author Sean D. Roach. It's a fun, campy mystery set in North Carolina, and I am enjoying it so far!
More about it here: www.amazon.com/Mr-Tingles-M...
I'm reading Mr. Tingles' Mysteries: The Curious Case of the Bodiless Head by debut author Sean D. Roach. It's a fun, campy mystery set in North Carolina, and I am enjoying it so far!
More about it here: www.amazon.com/Mr-Tingles-M...
August 8, 2025 at 11:55 AM
#SFFChat Aug 8: What are you reading?
I'm reading Mr. Tingles' Mysteries: The Curious Case of the Bodiless Head by debut author Sean D. Roach. It's a fun, campy mystery set in North Carolina, and I am enjoying it so far!
More about it here: www.amazon.com/Mr-Tingles-M...
I'm reading Mr. Tingles' Mysteries: The Curious Case of the Bodiless Head by debut author Sean D. Roach. It's a fun, campy mystery set in North Carolina, and I am enjoying it so far!
More about it here: www.amazon.com/Mr-Tingles-M...
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug 8: Free Friday or your dreams & goals.
I hope that one day, a stranger emails me and tells me that my book was meaningful to them in some way.
I hope that one day, a stranger emails me and tells me that my book was meaningful to them in some way.
August 8, 2025 at 11:51 AM
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug 8: Free Friday or your dreams & goals.
I hope that one day, a stranger emails me and tells me that my book was meaningful to them in some way.
I hope that one day, a stranger emails me and tells me that my book was meaningful to them in some way.
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug. 7: Mental health in WIP.
In my forthcooming novel, Ehla definitely struggles with anxiety. I pulled from personal experience to craft the interior monologue. It's not a main plot point, but it was important for me to represent it accurately. I hope I succeeded.
In my forthcooming novel, Ehla definitely struggles with anxiety. I pulled from personal experience to craft the interior monologue. It's not a main plot point, but it was important for me to represent it accurately. I hope I succeeded.
August 7, 2025 at 1:38 PM
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug. 7: Mental health in WIP.
In my forthcooming novel, Ehla definitely struggles with anxiety. I pulled from personal experience to craft the interior monologue. It's not a main plot point, but it was important for me to represent it accurately. I hope I succeeded.
In my forthcooming novel, Ehla definitely struggles with anxiety. I pulled from personal experience to craft the interior monologue. It's not a main plot point, but it was important for me to represent it accurately. I hope I succeeded.
#SFFChat Aug. 6: An award-winner you love.
I'll never stop loving the works of Sabaa Tahir. The Ember in the Ashes series is incredible fantasy writing which I regularly recommend to anyone who will listen.
I'll never stop loving the works of Sabaa Tahir. The Ember in the Ashes series is incredible fantasy writing which I regularly recommend to anyone who will listen.
August 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
#SFFChat Aug. 6: An award-winner you love.
I'll never stop loving the works of Sabaa Tahir. The Ember in the Ashes series is incredible fantasy writing which I regularly recommend to anyone who will listen.
I'll never stop loving the works of Sabaa Tahir. The Ember in the Ashes series is incredible fantasy writing which I regularly recommend to anyone who will listen.
#SFFChat Aug. 5: Side character who steals the show.
I asked beta readers for my soon-to-be-published novel who they would like to have a beer with, and almost all of them opted for one of my side characters, Squeak. I think he steals the show every scene I write him in, and I'm ok with that.
I asked beta readers for my soon-to-be-published novel who they would like to have a beer with, and almost all of them opted for one of my side characters, Squeak. I think he steals the show every scene I write him in, and I'm ok with that.
August 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
#SFFChat Aug. 5: Side character who steals the show.
I asked beta readers for my soon-to-be-published novel who they would like to have a beer with, and almost all of them opted for one of my side characters, Squeak. I think he steals the show every scene I write him in, and I'm ok with that.
I asked beta readers for my soon-to-be-published novel who they would like to have a beer with, and almost all of them opted for one of my side characters, Squeak. I think he steals the show every scene I write him in, and I'm ok with that.
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug 5: Do you tend to write in the morning, afternoon, or evening?
I ma mostly a morning writer. Sometimes in the evening. And almost never in the afternoon. For whatever reason, my brain wants a nap every afternoon, and sometimes just refuses to work at all.
I ma mostly a morning writer. Sometimes in the evening. And almost never in the afternoon. For whatever reason, my brain wants a nap every afternoon, and sometimes just refuses to work at all.
August 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug 5: Do you tend to write in the morning, afternoon, or evening?
I ma mostly a morning writer. Sometimes in the evening. And almost never in the afternoon. For whatever reason, my brain wants a nap every afternoon, and sometimes just refuses to work at all.
I ma mostly a morning writer. Sometimes in the evening. And almost never in the afternoon. For whatever reason, my brain wants a nap every afternoon, and sometimes just refuses to work at all.
#SFFChat Aug 4: What are you writing?
I am working on:
1) Editing my wacky action-adventure fantasy comedy manuscript;
2) Drafting my escape-from-hell dark urban fantasy manuscript; and
3) Making progress on the second book in a series (currently 60k words in)
Plus the whole day job thing...
I am working on:
1) Editing my wacky action-adventure fantasy comedy manuscript;
2) Drafting my escape-from-hell dark urban fantasy manuscript; and
3) Making progress on the second book in a series (currently 60k words in)
Plus the whole day job thing...
August 4, 2025 at 9:03 PM
#SFFChat Aug 4: What are you writing?
I am working on:
1) Editing my wacky action-adventure fantasy comedy manuscript;
2) Drafting my escape-from-hell dark urban fantasy manuscript; and
3) Making progress on the second book in a series (currently 60k words in)
Plus the whole day job thing...
I am working on:
1) Editing my wacky action-adventure fantasy comedy manuscript;
2) Drafting my escape-from-hell dark urban fantasy manuscript; and
3) Making progress on the second book in a series (currently 60k words in)
Plus the whole day job thing...
Not a pet, per se, but this little fella visits my place pretty regularly.
August 4, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Not a pet, per se, but this little fella visits my place pretty regularly.
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug 4: Favorite line in your WIP.
This is a line from my soon-to-be-published fantasy novel:
"Durio heard pain that only comes from the darkest betrayal of the brightest hope."
This is a line from my soon-to-be-published fantasy novel:
"Durio heard pain that only comes from the darkest betrayal of the brightest hope."
August 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
#FantasyIndiesAugust Aug 4: Favorite line in your WIP.
This is a line from my soon-to-be-published fantasy novel:
"Durio heard pain that only comes from the darkest betrayal of the brightest hope."
This is a line from my soon-to-be-published fantasy novel:
"Durio heard pain that only comes from the darkest betrayal of the brightest hope."
#FantasyIndiesAugust Introduce yourself & WIP:
Hi, I'm dan and I write fantasy books. This month I'll be focused on:
1) Editing/revisions to my fantasy/action-adventure-comedy dragon book (that is every bit as ridiculous as it sounds).
2) Drafting more of my escape-from-hell grim urban fantasy.
Hi, I'm dan and I write fantasy books. This month I'll be focused on:
1) Editing/revisions to my fantasy/action-adventure-comedy dragon book (that is every bit as ridiculous as it sounds).
2) Drafting more of my escape-from-hell grim urban fantasy.
August 1, 2025 at 12:36 PM
#FantasyIndiesAugust Introduce yourself & WIP:
Hi, I'm dan and I write fantasy books. This month I'll be focused on:
1) Editing/revisions to my fantasy/action-adventure-comedy dragon book (that is every bit as ridiculous as it sounds).
2) Drafting more of my escape-from-hell grim urban fantasy.
Hi, I'm dan and I write fantasy books. This month I'll be focused on:
1) Editing/revisions to my fantasy/action-adventure-comedy dragon book (that is every bit as ridiculous as it sounds).
2) Drafting more of my escape-from-hell grim urban fantasy.
It's that time. #august #taylorswift
August 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
It's that time. #august #taylorswift
My writing partner showed up. Apparently he is not impressed with my WIP. #writing #writingcommunity
July 30, 2025 at 2:56 PM
My writing partner showed up. Apparently he is not impressed with my WIP. #writing #writingcommunity
#FantasyIndiesJuly July 30: Side characters' goals
One thing that is really important for me -- as a writer & reader -- is to see the motivation of each character. In my soon-to-be-published book, every side character has their own motivation separate and apart from the main character.
One thing that is really important for me -- as a writer & reader -- is to see the motivation of each character. In my soon-to-be-published book, every side character has their own motivation separate and apart from the main character.
July 30, 2025 at 2:13 PM
#FantasyIndiesJuly July 30: Side characters' goals
One thing that is really important for me -- as a writer & reader -- is to see the motivation of each character. In my soon-to-be-published book, every side character has their own motivation separate and apart from the main character.
One thing that is really important for me -- as a writer & reader -- is to see the motivation of each character. In my soon-to-be-published book, every side character has their own motivation separate and apart from the main character.
#FantasyIndiesJuly July 29: WIP fun fact.
I started my soon-to-be-published book in 2014. Since then, the protagonist has changed, and the original protagonist (who I love SO MUCH) is still in there, but more as a tertiary character. My ultimate goal is to eventually write a novella about him.
I started my soon-to-be-published book in 2014. Since then, the protagonist has changed, and the original protagonist (who I love SO MUCH) is still in there, but more as a tertiary character. My ultimate goal is to eventually write a novella about him.
July 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
#FantasyIndiesJuly July 29: WIP fun fact.
I started my soon-to-be-published book in 2014. Since then, the protagonist has changed, and the original protagonist (who I love SO MUCH) is still in there, but more as a tertiary character. My ultimate goal is to eventually write a novella about him.
I started my soon-to-be-published book in 2014. Since then, the protagonist has changed, and the original protagonist (who I love SO MUCH) is still in there, but more as a tertiary character. My ultimate goal is to eventually write a novella about him.
#FantasyIndiesJuly for July 28: Difficulties in writing.
I'm an overwriter. I will write and write and write, then realize I wrote three chapters that all basically say the same thing. So my editing process involves a lot -- A LOT -- of cutting.
I'm an overwriter. I will write and write and write, then realize I wrote three chapters that all basically say the same thing. So my editing process involves a lot -- A LOT -- of cutting.
July 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
#FantasyIndiesJuly for July 28: Difficulties in writing.
I'm an overwriter. I will write and write and write, then realize I wrote three chapters that all basically say the same thing. So my editing process involves a lot -- A LOT -- of cutting.
I'm an overwriter. I will write and write and write, then realize I wrote three chapters that all basically say the same thing. So my editing process involves a lot -- A LOT -- of cutting.
#SFFChat July 28: Snippet: Action.
This is from my soon-to-be-published novel. Ehla, the FMC, is struggling to find courage... but not succeeding.
This is from my soon-to-be-published novel. Ehla, the FMC, is struggling to find courage... but not succeeding.
July 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
#SFFChat July 28: Snippet: Action.
This is from my soon-to-be-published novel. Ehla, the FMC, is struggling to find courage... but not succeeding.
This is from my soon-to-be-published novel. Ehla, the FMC, is struggling to find courage... but not succeeding.
This morning, I woke up early, made French-press coffee, and sat on my back porch while listening to Norah Jones and watching birds flitter around the yard.
It was pleasant. And relaxing. Five Stars. Would recommend.
It was pleasant. And relaxing. Five Stars. Would recommend.
July 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This morning, I woke up early, made French-press coffee, and sat on my back porch while listening to Norah Jones and watching birds flitter around the yard.
It was pleasant. And relaxing. Five Stars. Would recommend.
It was pleasant. And relaxing. Five Stars. Would recommend.
#FantasyIndiesJuly July 25 - Shoutout to writing besties:
Gotta give a shoutout to @jonathanstamper.bsky.social, who is an incredible writer and the best writing partner a guy could ask for. I cannot wait for his writing to be available in the wild -- y'all are gonna be blown away!
Gotta give a shoutout to @jonathanstamper.bsky.social, who is an incredible writer and the best writing partner a guy could ask for. I cannot wait for his writing to be available in the wild -- y'all are gonna be blown away!
July 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
#FantasyIndiesJuly July 25 - Shoutout to writing besties:
Gotta give a shoutout to @jonathanstamper.bsky.social, who is an incredible writer and the best writing partner a guy could ask for. I cannot wait for his writing to be available in the wild -- y'all are gonna be blown away!
Gotta give a shoutout to @jonathanstamper.bsky.social, who is an incredible writer and the best writing partner a guy could ask for. I cannot wait for his writing to be available in the wild -- y'all are gonna be blown away!
#FantasyIndiesJuly for July 23: What do your side characters think of your MC?
Thoughts about Ehla range pretty broadly. To make this more fun, I am going for a one-word description for how they feel:
Durio: Infatuated
Squeak: Skeptical
Kirin: Devoted
Swetu: Protective
Pithru: Fatherly
Thoughts about Ehla range pretty broadly. To make this more fun, I am going for a one-word description for how they feel:
Durio: Infatuated
Squeak: Skeptical
Kirin: Devoted
Swetu: Protective
Pithru: Fatherly
July 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
#FantasyIndiesJuly for July 23: What do your side characters think of your MC?
Thoughts about Ehla range pretty broadly. To make this more fun, I am going for a one-word description for how they feel:
Durio: Infatuated
Squeak: Skeptical
Kirin: Devoted
Swetu: Protective
Pithru: Fatherly
Thoughts about Ehla range pretty broadly. To make this more fun, I am going for a one-word description for how they feel:
Durio: Infatuated
Squeak: Skeptical
Kirin: Devoted
Swetu: Protective
Pithru: Fatherly
#SFFChat - who is playing your characters in a movie/tv show?
My book comes out next year. Manifesting this for the late 2020s:
Ehla: Zendaya
Durio: Timothée Chalamet
Squeak: Jack Black
Kirin: Morgan Freeman
Swetu: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Pithru: Kal Penn
My book comes out next year. Manifesting this for the late 2020s:
Ehla: Zendaya
Durio: Timothée Chalamet
Squeak: Jack Black
Kirin: Morgan Freeman
Swetu: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Pithru: Kal Penn
July 23, 2025 at 12:52 PM
#SFFChat - who is playing your characters in a movie/tv show?
My book comes out next year. Manifesting this for the late 2020s:
Ehla: Zendaya
Durio: Timothée Chalamet
Squeak: Jack Black
Kirin: Morgan Freeman
Swetu: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Pithru: Kal Penn
My book comes out next year. Manifesting this for the late 2020s:
Ehla: Zendaya
Durio: Timothée Chalamet
Squeak: Jack Black
Kirin: Morgan Freeman
Swetu: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Pithru: Kal Penn