❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
@holfelderwatson.bsky.social
Hey there! We are two nerds in a trench coat, coauthoring queer action/adventure and magical realism fiction with diverse representation.
Come on in, ask us anything, and stick around for the stories!
Come on in, ask us anything, and stick around for the stories!
Pinned
Hey, hi, hello, it's REBRAND time.
Most of you have heard of my co-author Watson ( @slightlyfb.bsky.social ) by now. We work together on #Shield&Scalpel, #Cursed, and #WOTV. We've been friends for 10+ years, after meeting in freshman year of undergrad. As S&S approaches publication milestones [1/3]
Most of you have heard of my co-author Watson ( @slightlyfb.bsky.social ) by now. We work together on #Shield&Scalpel, #Cursed, and #WOTV. We've been friends for 10+ years, after meeting in freshman year of undergrad. As S&S approaches publication milestones [1/3]
Love. The desire for connection, for someone to care, for someone to want you for who you are. It doesn't have to be romantic or sexual. It shows up between Tine & Monica, between Liam & Sanal, between Emmi & her squad, etc. People caring deeply about each other is a big Theme.
#LoreOutLoud
#LoreOutLoud
Day 008// WEEK 2: LEANING INTO HEAT
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#WriterSky #Writingcommunity #WritingPrompts
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Repost the daily prompt with #LoreOutLoud to feature your entry in Queer Authors 🌈✒️ Dive into the feed to explore all the amazing stories unfolding during our community event: bsky.app/profile/did:...
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#WriterSky #Writingcommunity #WritingPrompts
February 8, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Love. The desire for connection, for someone to care, for someone to want you for who you are. It doesn't have to be romantic or sexual. It shows up between Tine & Monica, between Liam & Sanal, between Emmi & her squad, etc. People caring deeply about each other is a big Theme.
#LoreOutLoud
#LoreOutLoud
Liam genuinely loves gardens. He & his mother used to garden when he was little, so they bring him joy & peace. He doesn't have one right now, just his little porch garden of tomatoes, but he has hope now.
#AwesomeCharacters #WriteSky #Shield&Scalpel
#AwesomeCharacters #WriteSky #Shield&Scalpel
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
What is your character's favorite place in their world? A place they find peace, or excitement, or joy?
Is it a type of place (forest, mall, etc) or somewhere specific?
Is it somewhere they go frequently?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
What is your character's favorite place in their world? A place they find peace, or excitement, or joy?
Is it a type of place (forest, mall, etc) or somewhere specific?
Is it somewhere they go frequently?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
February 8, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Liam genuinely loves gardens. He & his mother used to garden when he was little, so they bring him joy & peace. He doesn't have one right now, just his little porch garden of tomatoes, but he has hope now.
#AwesomeCharacters #WriteSky #Shield&Scalpel
#AwesomeCharacters #WriteSky #Shield&Scalpel
Reposted by ❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
Writing a book isn't about competition, it isn't about winning or getting rich, it's about sitting down with your fucked-up thoughts and weird ideas and putting them on paper to traumatize people who read them. AI will never get that part right.
February 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Writing a book isn't about competition, it isn't about winning or getting rich, it's about sitting down with your fucked-up thoughts and weird ideas and putting them on paper to traumatize people who read them. AI will never get that part right.
Hey, hi, hello, it's REBRAND time.
Most of you have heard of my co-author Watson ( @slightlyfb.bsky.social ) by now. We work together on #Shield&Scalpel, #Cursed, and #WOTV. We've been friends for 10+ years, after meeting in freshman year of undergrad. As S&S approaches publication milestones [1/3]
Most of you have heard of my co-author Watson ( @slightlyfb.bsky.social ) by now. We work together on #Shield&Scalpel, #Cursed, and #WOTV. We've been friends for 10+ years, after meeting in freshman year of undergrad. As S&S approaches publication milestones [1/3]
February 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Hey, hi, hello, it's REBRAND time.
Most of you have heard of my co-author Watson ( @slightlyfb.bsky.social ) by now. We work together on #Shield&Scalpel, #Cursed, and #WOTV. We've been friends for 10+ years, after meeting in freshman year of undergrad. As S&S approaches publication milestones [1/3]
Most of you have heard of my co-author Watson ( @slightlyfb.bsky.social ) by now. We work together on #Shield&Scalpel, #Cursed, and #WOTV. We've been friends for 10+ years, after meeting in freshman year of undergrad. As S&S approaches publication milestones [1/3]
Reposted by ❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
Reposted by ❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
A beta reader isn’t here to rewrite your book. We’re here to show you how a first-time reader actually experiences it.
#betareader #iread #feedback #WritingCommunity
#betareader #iread #feedback #WritingCommunity
February 7, 2026 at 8:23 PM
A beta reader isn’t here to rewrite your book. We’re here to show you how a first-time reader actually experiences it.
#betareader #iread #feedback #WritingCommunity
#betareader #iread #feedback #WritingCommunity
#AllHandsOnDeck
Nix & Tristan's meeting is (terrifying) full of new potential. It's a moment of defining a new partnership as they realize that they have a powerful and rare form of partner-magic. They can manifest power and spell case without components or prep when working together.
#WriteSky
Nix & Tristan's meeting is (terrifying) full of new potential. It's a moment of defining a new partnership as they realize that they have a powerful and rare form of partner-magic. They can manifest power and spell case without components or prep when working together.
#WriteSky
#AllHandsOnDeck
We're matching up our work to the Minor Arcana Tarot Cards. Tell us how your characters (or places, things, or events) match up!
Today’s card is: ACE OF PENTACLES
Who or what from your writing would go on it and how does it fit?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
We're matching up our work to the Minor Arcana Tarot Cards. Tell us how your characters (or places, things, or events) match up!
Today’s card is: ACE OF PENTACLES
Who or what from your writing would go on it and how does it fit?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
February 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
#AllHandsOnDeck
Nix & Tristan's meeting is (terrifying) full of new potential. It's a moment of defining a new partnership as they realize that they have a powerful and rare form of partner-magic. They can manifest power and spell case without components or prep when working together.
#WriteSky
Nix & Tristan's meeting is (terrifying) full of new potential. It's a moment of defining a new partnership as they realize that they have a powerful and rare form of partner-magic. They can manifest power and spell case without components or prep when working together.
#WriteSky
#AllHandsOnDeck
I don't think I answered this one. It reminds me of Tristan. He's an emotional and creative person, but he tends to get trapped in those emotions & in his mind. Part of his arc through #Cursed is to learn that sometimes, you're the one who has to be the hero, because you're there!
I don't think I answered this one. It reminds me of Tristan. He's an emotional and creative person, but he tends to get trapped in those emotions & in his mind. Part of his arc through #Cursed is to learn that sometimes, you're the one who has to be the hero, because you're there!
#AllHandsOnDeck
We're matching up our work to the Minor Arcana Tarot Cards. Tell us how your characters (or places, things, or events) match up!
The last day defining our suits! Card draws begin tomorrow! Today's suit is: CUPS
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
We're matching up our work to the Minor Arcana Tarot Cards. Tell us how your characters (or places, things, or events) match up!
The last day defining our suits! Card draws begin tomorrow! Today's suit is: CUPS
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
February 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM
#AllHandsOnDeck
I don't think I answered this one. It reminds me of Tristan. He's an emotional and creative person, but he tends to get trapped in those emotions & in his mind. Part of his arc through #Cursed is to learn that sometimes, you're the one who has to be the hero, because you're there!
I don't think I answered this one. It reminds me of Tristan. He's an emotional and creative person, but he tends to get trapped in those emotions & in his mind. Part of his arc through #Cursed is to learn that sometimes, you're the one who has to be the hero, because you're there!
Question for #WriteSky and the #WritingCommunity: what are your thoughts on a shared pen name for cowriters vs just...two names on a book?
As the publication realm creeps closer for #Shield&Scalpel, I'm wondering how to properly credit both Watson and myself for the work that we've done. [1/2]
As the publication realm creeps closer for #Shield&Scalpel, I'm wondering how to properly credit both Watson and myself for the work that we've done. [1/2]
February 7, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Question for #WriteSky and the #WritingCommunity: what are your thoughts on a shared pen name for cowriters vs just...two names on a book?
As the publication realm creeps closer for #Shield&Scalpel, I'm wondering how to properly credit both Watson and myself for the work that we've done. [1/2]
As the publication realm creeps closer for #Shield&Scalpel, I'm wondering how to properly credit both Watson and myself for the work that we've done. [1/2]
F r i e n d s h i p
Friends make the world go 'round, and I never want friends to be seen as "less than" in my stories. My friends often turn into either a romance or a qpr, but it's never seen as "more"...just different kinds of activities for different folks.
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky
Friends make the world go 'round, and I never want friends to be seen as "less than" in my stories. My friends often turn into either a romance or a qpr, but it's never seen as "more"...just different kinds of activities for different folks.
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky
Day 005 // WEEK 1: SENSING A SPARK
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Repost the daily prompt with #LoreOutLoud to feature your entry in Queer Authors 🌈✒️ Dive into the feed to explore all the amazing stories unfolding during our community event: bsky.app/profile/did:...
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#WriterSky #Writingcommunity #WritingPrompts
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Repost the daily prompt with #LoreOutLoud to feature your entry in Queer Authors 🌈✒️ Dive into the feed to explore all the amazing stories unfolding during our community event: bsky.app/profile/did:...
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#WriterSky #Writingcommunity #WritingPrompts
February 7, 2026 at 7:47 PM
F r i e n d s h i p
Friends make the world go 'round, and I never want friends to be seen as "less than" in my stories. My friends often turn into either a romance or a qpr, but it's never seen as "more"...just different kinds of activities for different folks.
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky
Friends make the world go 'round, and I never want friends to be seen as "less than" in my stories. My friends often turn into either a romance or a qpr, but it's never seen as "more"...just different kinds of activities for different folks.
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky
Going from the Unbreakable series forward, I wanted to incorporate characters of color into my cast. Unbreakable was done (so I thought), so I focused on #Shield&Scalpel. Sanal is the South Asian deuteragonist of the story, and their brother Rajan is Liam's bff. [1/3]
#QueerPrompts
#QueerPrompts
#QueerPrompts February 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Race and/or health diversity rep in your story
February 7, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Going from the Unbreakable series forward, I wanted to incorporate characters of color into my cast. Unbreakable was done (so I thought), so I focused on #Shield&Scalpel. Sanal is the South Asian deuteragonist of the story, and their brother Rajan is Liam's bff. [1/3]
#QueerPrompts
#QueerPrompts
Reposted by ❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
February 7, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Mainly, it has made me double down on creating queer stories. I will not be silenced, and I will not let my readers down by bowing to this regime. I will create. I will not lose hope. I will be queer and loud about it.
#PretendPanel #WriteSky
#PretendPanel #WriteSky
I'm breaking the rule of not bringing up politics, #pretendpanel! Still, I think it's important to think about it in our writing.
February 7th: How much has real world politics had an impact on your writing, or do you avoid that like the plague?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
February 7th: How much has real world politics had an impact on your writing, or do you avoid that like the plague?
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
February 7, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Mainly, it has made me double down on creating queer stories. I will not be silenced, and I will not let my readers down by bowing to this regime. I will create. I will not lose hope. I will be queer and loud about it.
#PretendPanel #WriteSky
#PretendPanel #WriteSky
Sanal is un-seduce-able. They are aroace with a high level of suspicion for anyone flirting or encroaching on their space. They value respect above all else, and will shut. you. down. Maybe kindly, it depends on the vibes.
#WriteSky #OCask #WritingCommunity
#WriteSky #OCask #WritingCommunity
February 7, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Sanal is un-seduce-able. They are aroace with a high level of suspicion for anyone flirting or encroaching on their space. They value respect above all else, and will shut. you. down. Maybe kindly, it depends on the vibes.
#WriteSky #OCask #WritingCommunity
#WriteSky #OCask #WritingCommunity
52 followers away from 1k???? What the *heck*???
That's so amazing and makes me so happy! I'm so glad you all are here! I have plans of videos happening, but I've been really struggling with sleep and it's affecting my #POTS and thus my ability to do anything. SoOOOOOOON though. 💚
#WriteSky
That's so amazing and makes me so happy! I'm so glad you all are here! I have plans of videos happening, but I've been really struggling with sleep and it's affecting my #POTS and thus my ability to do anything. SoOOOOOOON though. 💚
#WriteSky
February 7, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by ❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
Reposted by ❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
That story idea you have that's so good you don't want to ruin it by writing it?
Write it anyway.
It'll only be *ruined* for the first draft.
By the time you're done with the second, it'll be *salvagable.*
3rd: Messy.
4th: Recognizable.
5th: Pretty okay!
You get more than one shot.
So shoot.
Write it anyway.
It'll only be *ruined* for the first draft.
By the time you're done with the second, it'll be *salvagable.*
3rd: Messy.
4th: Recognizable.
5th: Pretty okay!
You get more than one shot.
So shoot.
February 2, 2026 at 1:12 PM
That story idea you have that's so good you don't want to ruin it by writing it?
Write it anyway.
It'll only be *ruined* for the first draft.
By the time you're done with the second, it'll be *salvagable.*
3rd: Messy.
4th: Recognizable.
5th: Pretty okay!
You get more than one shot.
So shoot.
Write it anyway.
It'll only be *ruined* for the first draft.
By the time you're done with the second, it'll be *salvagable.*
3rd: Messy.
4th: Recognizable.
5th: Pretty okay!
You get more than one shot.
So shoot.
Also, Wife is home from work today which is just *delightful*. I managed to luck out with this woman. She makes my day brighter just by being here.
Feeling better today, though not all better. Still dizzy but the world is staying put enough that I can engage on here, and also should be able to go to work later. It's a short day, so that's good.
It's also snowing, which I love. :D
#personal #pots #chronicillness
It's also snowing, which I love. :D
#personal #pots #chronicillness
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Also, Wife is home from work today which is just *delightful*. I managed to luck out with this woman. She makes my day brighter just by being here.
Reposted by ❄️Two Nerds in a Trench Coat❄️
Cover reveal for my new novel, CRATER GIRL. I can’t wait for folks to get a gander at this one. It’s my weird-noir sci-horror love letter to the trans crowd. Republicans are gonna hate it. Coming from JournalStone, May 2026. #booksky #trans #lgbt #indiehorror
February 6, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Cover reveal for my new novel, CRATER GIRL. I can’t wait for folks to get a gander at this one. It’s my weird-noir sci-horror love letter to the trans crowd. Republicans are gonna hate it. Coming from JournalStone, May 2026. #booksky #trans #lgbt #indiehorror
Feeling better today, though not all better. Still dizzy but the world is staying put enough that I can engage on here, and also should be able to go to work later. It's a short day, so that's good.
It's also snowing, which I love. :D
#personal #pots #chronicillness
It's also snowing, which I love. :D
#personal #pots #chronicillness
February 6, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Feeling better today, though not all better. Still dizzy but the world is staying put enough that I can engage on here, and also should be able to go to work later. It's a short day, so that's good.
It's also snowing, which I love. :D
#personal #pots #chronicillness
It's also snowing, which I love. :D
#personal #pots #chronicillness
I like magical realism themes, and setting things in an area that I know. I may eventually do my own world, but right now, I like exploring Pittsburgh and Western/North Central PA. My magic system, thus, is a little softer and less involved. Sort of. Hah.
#Febchantment #WriteSky
#Febchantment #WriteSky
#Febchantment Day 6
Tell us about why you developed this magic system! What drew you to the concepts? Why did you choose to make it the way you did? Were you inspired or influenced by any other works?
#writingcommunity #writesky
Tell us about why you developed this magic system! What drew you to the concepts? Why did you choose to make it the way you did? Were you inspired or influenced by any other works?
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 6, 2026 at 3:26 PM
I like magical realism themes, and setting things in an area that I know. I may eventually do my own world, but right now, I like exploring Pittsburgh and Western/North Central PA. My magic system, thus, is a little softer and less involved. Sort of. Hah.
#Febchantment #WriteSky
#Febchantment #WriteSky
A recent chapter in #Cursed really reignited my fire for the story. I'm getting a better feel for who Tris & Nix are and how they interact and it's *fun*. I love getting them to banter and start to become friends.
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Day 004 // WEEK 1: SENSING A SPARK
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Repost the daily prompt with #LoreOutLoud to feature your entry in Queer Authors 🌈✒️ Dive into the feed to explore all the amazing stories unfolding during our community event: bsky.app/profile/did:...
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#WriterSky #Writingcommunity #WritingPrompts
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Repost the daily prompt with #LoreOutLoud to feature your entry in Queer Authors 🌈✒️ Dive into the feed to explore all the amazing stories unfolding during our community event: bsky.app/profile/did:...
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#WriterSky #Writingcommunity #WritingPrompts
February 6, 2026 at 2:12 PM
A recent chapter in #Cursed really reignited my fire for the story. I'm getting a better feel for who Tris & Nix are and how they interact and it's *fun*. I love getting them to banter and start to become friends.
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
#LoreOutLoud #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
You'd think my aroace ass would be like NO ROMANCE but I actually love writing bffs to lovers*. I like to see myself represented in modern get-together fics, so I started writing that.
*probably queer platonic parnters who also kiss sometimes?
#QueerPrompts #WriteSky
*probably queer platonic parnters who also kiss sometimes?
#QueerPrompts #WriteSky
#QueerPrompts February 6: Free Friday or favorite genre to write or genre you'd never write?
February 6, 2026 at 2:11 PM
You'd think my aroace ass would be like NO ROMANCE but I actually love writing bffs to lovers*. I like to see myself represented in modern get-together fics, so I started writing that.
*probably queer platonic parnters who also kiss sometimes?
#QueerPrompts #WriteSky
*probably queer platonic parnters who also kiss sometimes?
#QueerPrompts #WriteSky
I love the idea of "in conversation with" as opposed to just comp titles. I'm still stumped bc I struggle with reading right now. But broadly, I'm pushing back against classic sex/romance based romance novels. (Nothing wrong w/ those to be clear!!) I want a space for the aroaces out there to [1/2]
#FebOutlining What are some works that you feel like you're writing in conversation with? These could be comp titles, but they could also be works that you're pushing against--works that are doing something really different from what you're doing. What about these works makes you want to write?
February 6, 2026 at 2:07 PM
I love the idea of "in conversation with" as opposed to just comp titles. I'm still stumped bc I struggle with reading right now. But broadly, I'm pushing back against classic sex/romance based romance novels. (Nothing wrong w/ those to be clear!!) I want a space for the aroaces out there to [1/2]
Oh, yes! I'm a playlist kind of writer. I need *theme music*
#Shield&Scalpel includes Nobody's Soldier (Hozier) & Run (Delta Rae), & Wild One (Faith Hill) for Sanal.
#Cursed includes Rusty Cage (Johnny Cash) & Sparks Fly (T Swift)
#WOTV is as mixmatch of genres and artists
#FebOutlining #WriteSky
#Shield&Scalpel includes Nobody's Soldier (Hozier) & Run (Delta Rae), & Wild One (Faith Hill) for Sanal.
#Cursed includes Rusty Cage (Johnny Cash) & Sparks Fly (T Swift)
#WOTV is as mixmatch of genres and artists
#FebOutlining #WriteSky
#FebOutlining Do you make playlists for your works in progress? What are some important songs for your current WIP?
February 6, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Oh, yes! I'm a playlist kind of writer. I need *theme music*
#Shield&Scalpel includes Nobody's Soldier (Hozier) & Run (Delta Rae), & Wild One (Faith Hill) for Sanal.
#Cursed includes Rusty Cage (Johnny Cash) & Sparks Fly (T Swift)
#WOTV is as mixmatch of genres and artists
#FebOutlining #WriteSky
#Shield&Scalpel includes Nobody's Soldier (Hozier) & Run (Delta Rae), & Wild One (Faith Hill) for Sanal.
#Cursed includes Rusty Cage (Johnny Cash) & Sparks Fly (T Swift)
#WOTV is as mixmatch of genres and artists
#FebOutlining #WriteSky