KJ Aiello
@kjaiello.bsky.social
Award-winning writer ✍️ | author of THE MONSTER AND THE MIRROR (@ecwpress 2024) | bibliophile 📚 | gamer 🎮
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KJ Aiello
@kjaiello.bsky.social
· Nov 16
The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell
A unique blend of memoir, research, and cultural criticism, this is a searing and incisive examination into how we tell stories about mental illness, how that affects how we treat it, and how those wi...
ecwpress.com
So, I wrote a book. It’s was cool. Some like it. Some don’t. That’s also cool cuz I’m proud of myself.
Anywho, if u fancy a weirdo like me rambling about fantasy & books & TTRPGs & video games & films & TV & mental illness, well, u might like my book 😉
ecwpress.com/products/the...
Anywho, if u fancy a weirdo like me rambling about fantasy & books & TTRPGs & video games & films & TV & mental illness, well, u might like my book 😉
ecwpress.com/products/the...
Reposted by KJ Aiello
Today! At @gritlitfestival.bsky.social! With @kjaiello.bsky.social and @teresempierre.bsky.social. Looking forward to this 🖤
April 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Today! At @gritlitfestival.bsky.social! With @kjaiello.bsky.social and @teresempierre.bsky.social. Looking forward to this 🖤
Reposted by KJ Aiello
We are thrilled to see @uguelphcwmfa.bsky.social student @kjaiello.bsky.social's debut memoir, The Monster and the Mirror @ecwpress shortlisted for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writers Prize for nonfiction. Congratulations, KJ! www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...
11th Annual Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize
Founded in 2015, the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize endeavours to raise the profile of debut Canadian authors in three categories with an annual award.
www.kobo.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:25 AM
We are thrilled to see @uguelphcwmfa.bsky.social student @kjaiello.bsky.social's debut memoir, The Monster and the Mirror @ecwpress shortlisted for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writers Prize for nonfiction. Congratulations, KJ! www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...
Reposted by KJ Aiello
The Monster and the Mirror by @kjaiello.bsky.social
is a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo 2025 Emerging Writer Prize 🎉 www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...
is a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo 2025 Emerging Writer Prize 🎉 www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...
April 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The Monster and the Mirror by @kjaiello.bsky.social
is a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo 2025 Emerging Writer Prize 🎉 www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...
is a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo 2025 Emerging Writer Prize 🎉 www.kobo.com/media-hub/ra...
Pals, it’s been a minute. I need some bookish/book industry podcast recommendations. Bonus if they have author interviews. 👇🏻
April 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Pals, it’s been a minute. I need some bookish/book industry podcast recommendations. Bonus if they have author interviews. 👇🏻
Thank you!
Added this to my list last week: The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell by @kjaiello.bsky.social ! Also, the mirror on the cover is shiny/reflective, in case you can't tell - it's a gorgeous cover; I can't wait to dive in!
February 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Thank you!
Just reminding myself that, on this cold day in hell, I wrote something cool and dedicated it to my cats.
February 3, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Just reminding myself that, on this cold day in hell, I wrote something cool and dedicated it to my cats.
I’m really bad at not posting here so I’m going try harder to not neglect the non-meta. Anyways, here’s some bookshelves I built from scratch because I thought pain and agony would be cute.
(It was, in fact, not cute.)
(It was, in fact, not cute.)
February 2, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I’m really bad at not posting here so I’m going try harder to not neglect the non-meta. Anyways, here’s some bookshelves I built from scratch because I thought pain and agony would be cute.
(It was, in fact, not cute.)
(It was, in fact, not cute.)
Friday tip: if you loved a book, tell the author! Post about it!
If you loved a piece of art, tell the artist! Post about it!
If you loved a song or composition, tell the musician! Post about it!
Trust me, as an author, I will never not want to hear from readers who loved my work.
If you loved a piece of art, tell the artist! Post about it!
If you loved a song or composition, tell the musician! Post about it!
Trust me, as an author, I will never not want to hear from readers who loved my work.
January 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Friday tip: if you loved a book, tell the author! Post about it!
If you loved a piece of art, tell the artist! Post about it!
If you loved a song or composition, tell the musician! Post about it!
Trust me, as an author, I will never not want to hear from readers who loved my work.
If you loved a piece of art, tell the artist! Post about it!
If you loved a song or composition, tell the musician! Post about it!
Trust me, as an author, I will never not want to hear from readers who loved my work.
Getting invites to cool literary events and festivals will never cease to amaze me.
Like, you want ME? At your party? With, like, cool AF people?
Are you sure?? HAVE YOU MET ME?!?
Like, you want ME? At your party? With, like, cool AF people?
Are you sure?? HAVE YOU MET ME?!?
January 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Getting invites to cool literary events and festivals will never cease to amaze me.
Like, you want ME? At your party? With, like, cool AF people?
Are you sure?? HAVE YOU MET ME?!?
Like, you want ME? At your party? With, like, cool AF people?
Are you sure?? HAVE YOU MET ME?!?
I’m so excited to be chatting with one of my favourite authors @mklobb.bsky.social over on Instagram Live on 01/20 about her upcoming YA novel, TO STEAL FROM THIEVES!
Lobb is the author of SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS and DISCIPLES OF CHAOS.
Lobb is the author of SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS and DISCIPLES OF CHAOS.
January 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I’m so excited to be chatting with one of my favourite authors @mklobb.bsky.social over on Instagram Live on 01/20 about her upcoming YA novel, TO STEAL FROM THIEVES!
Lobb is the author of SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS and DISCIPLES OF CHAOS.
Lobb is the author of SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS and DISCIPLES OF CHAOS.
I decided to start something that has been percolating in my mind for a LONG time. I’m so excited to be chatting with these incredible authors & industry professionals in this Instagram live series!
If you’re interested in chatting, email me (contact@kjaiello.ca) or DM (kjaiello_writer)
If you’re interested in chatting, email me (contact@kjaiello.ca) or DM (kjaiello_writer)
January 8, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I decided to start something that has been percolating in my mind for a LONG time. I’m so excited to be chatting with these incredible authors & industry professionals in this Instagram live series!
If you’re interested in chatting, email me (contact@kjaiello.ca) or DM (kjaiello_writer)
If you’re interested in chatting, email me (contact@kjaiello.ca) or DM (kjaiello_writer)
Did someone add me to a starter pack? I woke up to like 100+ notifications 😂
Anywho, hi ya, new folks. Welcome to my chaos. You’re stuck now! 😈
Anywho, hi ya, new folks. Welcome to my chaos. You’re stuck now! 😈
January 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Did someone add me to a starter pack? I woke up to like 100+ notifications 😂
Anywho, hi ya, new folks. Welcome to my chaos. You’re stuck now! 😈
Anywho, hi ya, new folks. Welcome to my chaos. You’re stuck now! 😈
The 2nd time I was in a psych hospital I met one of the patients who happened to be a year above me in high school. He was my lifeline to the outside world.
He begged me not to tell anyone he was there.
I’ve new thinking about him a lot lately. Is he ok? Did he survive? Did he make it at all?
He begged me not to tell anyone he was there.
I’ve new thinking about him a lot lately. Is he ok? Did he survive? Did he make it at all?
December 22, 2024 at 8:53 PM
The 2nd time I was in a psych hospital I met one of the patients who happened to be a year above me in high school. He was my lifeline to the outside world.
He begged me not to tell anyone he was there.
I’ve new thinking about him a lot lately. Is he ok? Did he survive? Did he make it at all?
He begged me not to tell anyone he was there.
I’ve new thinking about him a lot lately. Is he ok? Did he survive? Did he make it at all?
Tomorrow I’m going back to the little village my dad grew up in. I haven’t been there in 25 years and nor do I speak to my dad anymore. I’m a little nervous but I know it’s something I need to do.
But also, I’ll be driving in the UK and … WTF did I get myself into?!? 😬
But also, I’ll be driving in the UK and … WTF did I get myself into?!? 😬
December 16, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Tomorrow I’m going back to the little village my dad grew up in. I haven’t been there in 25 years and nor do I speak to my dad anymore. I’m a little nervous but I know it’s something I need to do.
But also, I’ll be driving in the UK and … WTF did I get myself into?!? 😬
But also, I’ll be driving in the UK and … WTF did I get myself into?!? 😬
Thanks for the shoutout!
Nice to see @kjaiello.bsky.social 's THE MONSTER AND THE MIRROR on CBC's must-read nonfiction books of 2024! www.cbc.ca/books/the-be...
The best Canadian nonfiction of 2024 | CBC Books
Here are the CBC Books picks for the top Canadian nonfiction of the year!
www.cbc.ca
December 15, 2024 at 5:12 PM
Thanks for the shoutout!
Holy shit, CBC just named my little book as one of the best 2024 nonfiction titles. 😯 www.cbc.ca/books/the-be...
The best Canadian nonfiction of 2024 | CBC Books
Here are the CBC Books picks for the top Canadian nonfiction of the year!
www.cbc.ca
December 12, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Holy shit, CBC just named my little book as one of the best 2024 nonfiction titles. 😯 www.cbc.ca/books/the-be...
Pals! I just finished my first semester of grad school! 😁🥱
November 30, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Pals! I just finished my first semester of grad school! 😁🥱
I know it’s important to celebrate wins as an author. I get it. And I celebrate them all & am glad so many of my friends and colleagues have them.
But just for a moment can we talk about the failures & hard times? Tell me about them. Help me feel less alone & all up in my own head.
K, thanks.
But just for a moment can we talk about the failures & hard times? Tell me about them. Help me feel less alone & all up in my own head.
K, thanks.
November 25, 2024 at 5:07 PM
I know it’s important to celebrate wins as an author. I get it. And I celebrate them all & am glad so many of my friends and colleagues have them.
But just for a moment can we talk about the failures & hard times? Tell me about them. Help me feel less alone & all up in my own head.
K, thanks.
But just for a moment can we talk about the failures & hard times? Tell me about them. Help me feel less alone & all up in my own head.
K, thanks.
I’ve finally started a project I’ve been wanting to do for nearly a year now:
An IG Live author series where I go live with incredible, inspiring, talented, and super cool authors, for writerly chats, writing practice, their books, all the things. (1/2)
An IG Live author series where I go live with incredible, inspiring, talented, and super cool authors, for writerly chats, writing practice, their books, all the things. (1/2)
November 23, 2024 at 6:03 PM
I’ve finally started a project I’ve been wanting to do for nearly a year now:
An IG Live author series where I go live with incredible, inspiring, talented, and super cool authors, for writerly chats, writing practice, their books, all the things. (1/2)
An IG Live author series where I go live with incredible, inspiring, talented, and super cool authors, for writerly chats, writing practice, their books, all the things. (1/2)
No matter what I do, this little guy ends up glued to my side. Not that I’m complaining really. 😉
November 21, 2024 at 2:15 AM
No matter what I do, this little guy ends up glued to my side. Not that I’m complaining really. 😉
I’m an MFA student in an incredible (and competitive) program, and I’m so proud to be here.
HOWEVER, this comes with massive downsides.
I truly feel so out of my depth. I feel unintelligent, drowning, basic, all the shitty things. It’s a ride & I’m exhausted.
HOWEVER, this comes with massive downsides.
I truly feel so out of my depth. I feel unintelligent, drowning, basic, all the shitty things. It’s a ride & I’m exhausted.
November 19, 2024 at 6:14 PM
I’m an MFA student in an incredible (and competitive) program, and I’m so proud to be here.
HOWEVER, this comes with massive downsides.
I truly feel so out of my depth. I feel unintelligent, drowning, basic, all the shitty things. It’s a ride & I’m exhausted.
HOWEVER, this comes with massive downsides.
I truly feel so out of my depth. I feel unintelligent, drowning, basic, all the shitty things. It’s a ride & I’m exhausted.
This.
THANK YOU!! I don't find that a lot of the folks who style themselves as disability activists even see those mental illnesses as a disability, much less offer meaningful solidarity to us. Particularly if we are in active crisis.
(Took so much willpower to not say "patti" loooool)
(Took so much willpower to not say "patti" loooool)
November 19, 2024 at 5:49 PM
This.
Going to put this out there. I find that “disability communities” (however that shapes to you) is still a concept that excludes mental illness as a sole disability. Patti for far more stigmatized MIs like bipolar & schizophrenia.
1/2
1/2
November 19, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Going to put this out there. I find that “disability communities” (however that shapes to you) is still a concept that excludes mental illness as a sole disability. Patti for far more stigmatized MIs like bipolar & schizophrenia.
1/2
1/2
Can confirm, Mark is awesome to work with.
I used to do this over on X, so should do it here. The @theglobeandmail.com’s Saturday Opinion section, which regularly publishes some of the leading writers in the world, is always looking for pitches: Anything from 700-word columns to 7,000-word reported essays. I’m at mmedley@globeandmail.com
November 17, 2024 at 9:15 PM
Can confirm, Mark is awesome to work with.