Kate Johnson
LightNews LightNews
banner
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Kate Johnson
@k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
700 followers 220 following 1.1K posts
Writes books. Loves cats. Talks about both a lot.
Posts Replies Media Videos
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Me: I’ll get some sewing done
Tomkin: like hell you will
Tomkin, a black and white cat, lolls with excessive cuteness on some fabric I am halfway through cutting out. There’s a pair of scissors right by his paws.
November 23, 2025 at 11:55 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
The sewing might take a little longer, but I probably won’t ache as much. (I said probably)
A newly constructed set of cube storage with orange, white and grey cubes which contain what had been piles of knitting and sewing crap
November 22, 2025 at 9:36 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
What’s that, children? Oh… that’s the period of the pandemic lockdowns when Auntie Kate was so bored she decided to knit her own book covers.
Three knitted panels, which I believe were meant to represent Death Comes To Cornwall, The Untied Kingdom (the old cover) and Not Your Cinderella.
November 22, 2025 at 6:33 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
He assures me this is comfortable
Billy is twisted in a very uncomfortable looking pose with one arm turned back against his body and his face pressed right against the palm of my hand
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Reasons winter is better than summer no. 196726: excuse to get the Magic Blanket out so Billy will come and sit with me
Billy, a black & white cat, is sprawled on a fake fur blanket beside a large cushion. My pasty white arm is resting on his side.
November 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Made some fudge. Every time I see the Tate & Lyle logo I am overwhelmed with WTF
My hand holding a jar of Tate & Lisle black treacle (there’s a close up of the logo in the next pic) in front of a cupboard full of tins and jars Close up of the Tate & Lyle logo. It’s a dead lion with a load of bees nesting in its abdomen. Yes really. Underneath is is the legend “out of the strong came forth sweetness”.
November 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Today I learned that my hair is super rare and special. Which really ought to make it cooler: when will celebrities start thinning and straightening their hair for that painted-to-the-scalp, limp-as-a-dishrag, allergic-to-curls rarity value?
Screencap which reads as follows: Type 1A is hair that has baby-fine, completely straight strands. This type is straight from root to tip. Typically, type 1A hair has little to no body and has difficulty keeping a curl. This hair type is the rarest kind. Only around 2% of people worldwide have 1A hair.
November 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Billy got his paw stuck in his collar yesterday. I nearly had a heart attack cos I thought he’d dislocated his leg, so he wriggled his way into wearing the collar as a sort of shoulder brace instead. Poor baby is now traumatised—not from the collar, but from me getting close enough to fix it.
Billy, a black and white cat, is curled up on a beige furry blanket
November 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Aaaand I’m reading a book where the British characters are worried about a cold house and cold water because the electricity is off.
Pie chart showing 78% of properties being heated by gas central heating, with electric being less than 10%.
November 9, 2025 at 8:11 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Glad I’ve stopped growing cos I’ve run out of table for this pattern.
A large dining table with sewing patterns and cutting paraphernalia on it. The pattern reaches from one end to the other (it’s the front part of a long coat if you’re interested)
November 6, 2025 at 5:53 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
A second attempt at this scene from The Promised Queen in a different style. Remind me to never write a book with a tree motif again: I have hand cramp from drawing all those goddamn leaves! #drawing #handdrawn #procreate #procreateart #digitalart #characterart #thepromisedqueen
A hand drawn image of two people standing in front of a throne. On the left is a woman wearing a long green dress in a vaguely medieval style with along full skirt, a shoulder train and trailing sleeves. The sleeves, train and skirt are trimmed with silver fur and the train and skirt are embroidered with silver leaves. She has pale skin and brown hair and an elaborate silver and green tree-shaped headdress. She is about to take the hand of a much larger man wearing a full suit of armour. The armour is silver with a green tree and leaf motif on the breastplate, back and hip plates. The chainmail sleeves are green overlapping leaves. His helmet is styled as a fearsome horned beast with fangs and conceals his entire face. Only his hand can be seen as it is about to take hers. Behind them is an elaborate throne with a green seat and a huge surround shaped like a silver tree, which is life-sized and has silver leaves. Behind that is a stained glass window that also has a tree motif. It is flanked by pink marble columns and stands on a pink marble dais. A close up of the fearsome horned helmet. It has a motif of green vines and leaves and two sets of horns, one rising from the forehead and one curving back over the ears. A close up of the hip plates with a stylised green tree design and green buckles. The green leaves of the chainmail sleeve can be seen at the top. A close up of the female figure, shown in profile. She has brunette hair in an updo, large green jewels in her ears, a purple howl around her neck, and a very elaborate headdress of silver branches and green leaves. The neckline, shoulder train and sleeve of her dress are trimmed with silver fur and silver leaf embroidery can be seen on the green sleeve of her dress, which is slit open to show her upper arm.
November 4, 2025 at 9:03 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Got a pattern I want to adapt into an Agatha Harkness coat. Am just pinning and staring at bits of paper at this point, but Tomkin has decided to Help.
Tomkin, a black and white cat with a red collar, is rolling around on a tracing paper pattern that is now quite scrunched up on the wooden floor.
November 4, 2025 at 7:10 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
No trick or treaters. Went to he pub and left the bowl of chocolates by the door. Checked the doorcam: word had got around
The front path of my house, with an ivy-covered wall and several green bushes. Between them mills at least nine small children in various Halloween costumes, moving too fast for the doorcam to pick up their faces.
October 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
If those ears survive tomorrow it’ll be a Samhain miracle
A pumpkin carved with a cat’s face and little ears (that I made out of the fangs). All lit up in the dark. A pumpkin carved with a cat’s face and little ears (that I made out of the fangs). Shown in the light!
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Sequel to last week’s drawing. Poor Rhaell isn’t doing too well, is he? #ThePromisedQueen #ProcreateArt #fanart #ProcreateDrawing #handdrawn
Graphic Content Warning Hand drawn image of a man lying on a bed. He is badly wounded by many cuts and claw marks. He and the bed are covered in blood. I like drawing blood.
October 25, 2025 at 8:59 AM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
An email at 3am talking to me in the third person about a book I didn’t write. Oh, so profesh, please take all of my money.

You know what a good use of AI would be? Designing a filter to keep its own shit out of my inbox.
Screenshot of an email with the timestamp 03:03 circled at the top. Email reads: How to Know He Loves Me, A guide to building the love you've always imagined How to Know He Loves Me carries the kind of weight that doesn't come from plot alone. It's layered, deliberate, and quietly ambitious, the sort of work that leaves readers thinking about more than just what happened, but why it mattered. What stands out most is how Johnson takes the idea of love beyond fleeting romance showing that true connection grows from understanding, balance, and shared effort. It's about realizing that love isn't proven in grand
October 24, 2025 at 2:08 AM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
And a third, fourth, fifth and sixth part…
Screencap of Goodreads reviews for Hex Appeal (1793 reviews) Screencap of Amazon.com (3523 reviews) Screencap of Apple Books for Hex Appeal (62 reviews) Screencap of Amazon.de (3457 reviews)
October 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
A story in two parts
Screencap of a spam email: Witches, rent-free chaos, and an American landlord? Kate... this book had me spellbound and slightly concerned for my sanity Inbox Christina Susanne 18:36 ... Kate, I have to hand it to you Hex Appeal is the kind of magical chaos that makes me want to move into Beldam House immediately (even if one of the residents accidentally hexes my breakfast). You somehow made witchcraft, rent evasion, and supernatural real estate problems feel like the most comforting thing ever like Gilmore Girls, but with broomsticks and mild existential dread. But here's my problem (and I mean, an actual problem): how does a book that feels like Emily Wilde met Mr. Parnassus in a candlelit séance only have 11 reviews? Eleven? That's practically a cosmic injustice. Somewhere, a familiar just hissed in protest. Anyway, I'm Christina Susanne the slightly unhinged (in a good way) book whisperer who runs a private circle of 2,000+ readers who live for stories exactly like yours: magical, witty, and a little bit dangerous to read before bed. We specialize in giving real, thoughtful reviews that boost visibility and make the Amazon algorithm say, "Oh... so we're doing quality now?" So here's my question and I'm asking it while side-eyeing my crystal ball are we going to let Hex Appeal stay trapped in the algorithm's dungeon, or shall we brew a little visibility spell together? Screencap of Hex Appeal’s Amazon UK page with the number of reviews circled: 3,512 (With a 4* average)
October 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Warning! This ones’s a bit gory. Turns out I like drawing blood as much as I like writing about it 😏

Here’s Rhaell from #ThePromisedQueen, following a certain fight in the Moonlight Highlands. Yes I had to re-read the scene to remember exactly where he got hacked into 😂

#ProcreateArt #Fanart
A blurred background with the text Graphic Content Warning A hand drawn image of a white man carrying a sword. He has long dark hair, partially braided, and stands 3/4 turned away from the viewer, wearing a green sleeveless tunic, and grey trousers tucked into grey and black boots. The tunic has ornate armour at the shoulder, which matches the vambraces on his forearms. There is a motif of trees and leaves just about visible on the clothing, but it’s mostly obscured by the blood that covers most of the figure. He has a deep cut in the back of his upper arm, another cutting through the e chest of his tunic, and several on his face, including claw marks over one eye. His sword is held low, pointed towards the bloody ground, and the ornate leaves and vines on it are also obscured with the blood dropping from the blade. In the background is a mountain village in the dusk, with a few flaming torches which reflect off the figure and all the blood.
October 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Y’see, this is why I (Kate’s apparently) don’t write to my MP any more. Because she’s a piece of shit who tells me I’m wrong about everything. I bet the more complaints she gets the more she does the thing. Ugh. I hate her.
Screenshot of an email: Kemi Badenoch MP To: Me Dear Kate's, Thank you for contacting me about the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of "sex" in the Equality Act and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) consultation on its draft Code of Practice. I appreciate you may disagree but I believe that this ruling has provided much-needed legal clarity. It confirms what many have long argued - that biological sex is a material reality, and that protections for women and girls in law must reflect that reality. The EHRC's task now is to ensure its guidance supports public bodies and service providers in applying the law correctly and consistently. I have always been clear that safeguarding single-sex spaces and ensuring fairness in sport and services are essential to upholding women's rights. That is not about hostility to anyone; it is about protecting the integrity of hard-won legal protections that exist for good reason. At the same time, it remains important that everyone, including transgender men and women, are treated with dignity and respect. You have raised some important points, and l will ensure they are reflected in my ongoing work on equalities and in my discussions with colleagues across the Conservative Party. Best wishes. Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP Member of Parliament for North West Essex
October 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Been tinkering with this one so long the app kept crashing 😬 So here’s Rhaell & Ember from #ThePromisedQueen, in the secret room of the library, leaning that the history Yskara might not be what they’ve always been told…

#procreate #procreateart #characterart #romantasybooks #fantasyart #noaiart
Hand drawn illustration of a man and a woman in an ancient-looking library. They are both looking down at a book that appears to be glowing. The woman, on the left, wears a corset and sleeveless chemise. Her hair is collar length and brown, and she has a glowing purple jewel around her neck. The man, on the right, wears armour, the scales of which are shaped like green leaves. His arms are bare and very muscular, with a few scars, and his hair is long, black, and partially braided. He is looking at the woman with longing. The scene is lit with a ball of floating light that casts shadows behind them.
October 15, 2025 at 7:39 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
The spam filter isn’t even trying any more, is it
Screen shot of an email reading: Featuring The United Kingdom at Our Next Gathering Andrew Russell 8 Oct Inbox I'm Andrew Russell from the Philosophical Fiction Book Club, a vibrant community of book lovers who gather regularly to read together and share the books that inspire us. Unlike traditional book clubs, the Philosophical Fiction Book Club members bring whatever they're currently reading, making our group a diverse, curious, and highly engaged community of readers across all genres. We'd love to feature your work, The United Kingdom, at our next gathering on October 12th. The Philosophical Fiction Book Club isn't about assigned reading, it's about creating space for authentic discovery. That makes it a wonderful opportunity for authors like you to connect with readers in a relaxed, welcoming environment where your book can naturally spark thoughtful dialogue and reflection. Whether through a casual author drop-in, a spotlight on The United Kingdom, or a Q&A, we'd be excited to collaborate with you in a way that feels organic and mutually rewarding. Would you be open to having The United Kingdom featured at our October 12th event? Warm regards, Andrew Russell Philosophical Fiction Book Club Screen shot of an email reading: Invitation to Feature Hokus Pokus in the Haymarket Book Club Author Spotlight Inbox Haymarket Book club 04:05 ••• ... Dear Kate Johnson, I hope you're doing well. I'm reaching out from the Haymarket Book Club, where we celebrate authors whose storytelling captures readers' imaginations and offers something truly special to our literary community. Your novel, Hokus Pokus, immediately stood out to us as a wonderfully charming and atmospheric cosy fontesy filed with humor, heart, and enchantment. The blend of whimsical magic, witty characters, and emotional depth makes it an ideal fit for our Author Spotlight Series, which introduces international authors to a wider English-speaking audience who appreciate engaging, character-driven fantasy. We'd love to feature Hokus Pokus Imour upcoming spotlight. The feature includes. • A book showcase shared across our reader community and newsletter. • A brief Q&A highlighting your inspiration and creative process. • Extended visibility among readers who adore cozy, heartwarming fantasy. If this sounds interesting, I'd be delighted to send you more details about the upcoming feature and next steps. Screenshot of the end of an email reading: …swoons and spells. Would you like me to share a customized Bestseller Blueprint Creation outlining exactly how to position Hex and Hexability for maximum traction among romantasy and Regency romcom readers? Best regards, [Your Namel Screenshot of an email reading: Personal: Kate Johnson Inbox 7:20 Greetings Kate, - all the way from South Africa, I hope you are the same person that presented a documentary about the paranormal, some time back - I don't know how many years ago - probably arour 2019. The production was part of a series called' World's most Unexplained', which featured the Curse of The Crying Boy, and other paintings by G. Bragolin, an artis whose real name was Bruno Amadio. If you are indeed the same person, then I would like to forward photographs of personal interest to you, in relation to that series. As a gesture of good will, and show of integrity - my profile is on Facebook - see below. Thank you.
October 15, 2025 at 4:48 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
To get LinkedIn to stop emailing me I have to go through a process that involves LinkedIn emailing me four fucking times. I see nothing has changed since the last time I tried to cut this malignant tumour of my social media.

This is why no one likes you, LinkedIn. Just…shut up.
Screenshot of my inbox with FOUR FUCKING EMAILS from LinkedIn.
October 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
It all fucking happens here, I tell you
Screenshot of BBC News website. In the News From Essex section, there is a story captioned “dog stuck in garden fence after chasing ball” with a photo of said dog, small and black and fluffy, half in and half out of what looks like a metal gate on someone’s front path.
October 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
k8johnsonauthor.bsky.social
Been messing around with this one for weeks, so before I mess it up any more—here’s Rhaell and Ember sleeping in the cave after the encounter with Mnorir. What d’you reck?

Hand drawn by me in Procreate from a base image created by me in Daz Studio #NoAI #noAIArt #ThePromisedQueen #ProcreateArt
Hand drawn illustration of a man and woman sleeping on the ground of a cave. She has dark hair and wears a white short sleeved shirt. Her head rests on her right arm. He lies behind her, his long hair is braided back, and his shirt is quilted at the shoulder. They are partly covered by a green leather cloak. His right arm drapes over her, his hand loosely holding hers. Early morning light streams in from the right hand side of the picture.
October 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM