Mark Johnston 🍁
@markjohnston905.bsky.social
Dad, teacher, author (author.mrjohnston.ca)
Pinned
My books
🐉 Dragon Tongue (YA) — Lost language links humans & dragons
🚀 Generations (YA) — Teen wakes mid-voyage to truth
☀️ Solar Umbrella — Visionaries race to save Earth
🌑 The Travelers — Asteroid hides secrets that could change us
👉 author.mrjohnston.ca
#booksky #indieauthor #fantasy #scifi #ya
🐉 Dragon Tongue (YA) — Lost language links humans & dragons
🚀 Generations (YA) — Teen wakes mid-voyage to truth
☀️ Solar Umbrella — Visionaries race to save Earth
🌑 The Travelers — Asteroid hides secrets that could change us
👉 author.mrjohnston.ca
#booksky #indieauthor #fantasy #scifi #ya
Must be good luck when you write a chapter 1337 words. My 1998 self would be proud! Another 1431 in the previous for 2768 total for the day. Not bad!
Four chapters up (partially edited) if you're curious: www.royalroad.com/fiction/1398...
#amwriting #dragons #indieauthor #booksky #leet #fantasy
Four chapters up (partially edited) if you're curious: www.royalroad.com/fiction/1398...
#amwriting #dragons #indieauthor #booksky #leet #fantasy
1: The Dragon Tongue - Peace Through Fire
THE PRIMAL ROAR could be heard in the deepest corners of Wyrmgate.
The bridge to the castle shook with the feet of tens of heavily armored knights stampeding across it. The screams of those already lo...
www.royalroad.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Must be good luck when you write a chapter 1337 words. My 1998 self would be proud! Another 1431 in the previous for 2768 total for the day. Not bad!
Four chapters up (partially edited) if you're curious: www.royalroad.com/fiction/1398...
#amwriting #dragons #indieauthor #booksky #leet #fantasy
Four chapters up (partially edited) if you're curious: www.royalroad.com/fiction/1398...
#amwriting #dragons #indieauthor #booksky #leet #fantasy
Wrote a scene that includes a bawdy (for YA) puppet show of the events earlier in the story while the characters watch in horror. Lots of fun. Chapters getting long in this book though, but whatever. Can edit later. 1610 words, chapter 5.
#amwriting #fantasy #dragons #puppets #booksky #indieauthor
#amwriting #fantasy #dragons #puppets #booksky #indieauthor
November 22, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Wrote a scene that includes a bawdy (for YA) puppet show of the events earlier in the story while the characters watch in horror. Lots of fun. Chapters getting long in this book though, but whatever. Can edit later. 1610 words, chapter 5.
#amwriting #fantasy #dragons #puppets #booksky #indieauthor
#amwriting #fantasy #dragons #puppets #booksky #indieauthor
1631 words, chapter 4 complete (unedited at all). Happy with the start so far. My MC uses a fake name in this chapter to get past a guardhouse and it's so fucking stupid, I love it.
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #YA #dragons #peacethroughfire
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #YA #dragons #peacethroughfire
November 21, 2025 at 1:45 AM
1631 words, chapter 4 complete (unedited at all). Happy with the start so far. My MC uses a fake name in this chapter to get past a guardhouse and it's so fucking stupid, I love it.
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #YA #dragons #peacethroughfire
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #YA #dragons #peacethroughfire
@cmdr-hadfield.bsky.social spotted today in my school staff room. Not sure who's reading it. I already did, but still need the new one 👍
November 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
@cmdr-hadfield.bsky.social spotted today in my school staff room. Not sure who's reading it. I already did, but still need the new one 👍
Only 452 words tonight. My dog decided to get sprayed by a skunk in the backyard. Too bad. I was cooking! Poor pup. Took the clean-up like a champ.
#amwriting #booksky #indieauthor #skunk #dragons #fantasy
#amwriting #booksky #indieauthor #skunk #dragons #fantasy
November 18, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Only 452 words tonight. My dog decided to get sprayed by a skunk in the backyard. Too bad. I was cooking! Poor pup. Took the clean-up like a champ.
#amwriting #booksky #indieauthor #skunk #dragons #fantasy
#amwriting #booksky #indieauthor #skunk #dragons #fantasy
First real chapter of the 2nd book in my series. Great to be back at it. Strange to remember who is where, what they're wearing, etc. Love dark mode Scrivener as well.
1751 words for chapter 2. Longer than I like, but lots to remind readers of.
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #indieauthor #scrivener
1751 words for chapter 2. Longer than I like, but lots to remind readers of.
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #indieauthor #scrivener
November 17, 2025 at 1:21 AM
First real chapter of the 2nd book in my series. Great to be back at it. Strange to remember who is where, what they're wearing, etc. Love dark mode Scrivener as well.
1751 words for chapter 2. Longer than I like, but lots to remind readers of.
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #indieauthor #scrivener
1751 words for chapter 2. Longer than I like, but lots to remind readers of.
#amwriting #booksky #fantasy #indieauthor #scrivener
When you suddenly realize one of the letters on your book spine is uppercase and it's all you can see now.
#booksky #indieauthor #writingcommunity #fantasy #fantasybooksky #canlit
#booksky #indieauthor #writingcommunity #fantasy #fantasybooksky #canlit
November 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
When you suddenly realize one of the letters on your book spine is uppercase and it's all you can see now.
#booksky #indieauthor #writingcommunity #fantasy #fantasybooksky #canlit
#booksky #indieauthor #writingcommunity #fantasy #fantasybooksky #canlit
What are your thoughts on multiple POV characters (I'm thinking just two) for YA fantasy? I'm working on a second book and the first was just main character POV. I'm talking about switching regularly, not just like half a book or whatever. Too much for that age?
#bookysky #amwriting #YA #fantasy
#bookysky #amwriting #YA #fantasy
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
What are your thoughts on multiple POV characters (I'm thinking just two) for YA fantasy? I'm working on a second book and the first was just main character POV. I'm talking about switching regularly, not just like half a book or whatever. Too much for that age?
#bookysky #amwriting #YA #fantasy
#bookysky #amwriting #YA #fantasy
'tis the season where the start of school is finally slowing down and I can think about writing again.
Wrote the first chapter of the second book in my YA fantasy series. Mocked up a cover and title, but I'll likely change both.
Off we go!
#fantasy #indieauthor #booksky #amwriting
Wrote the first chapter of the second book in my YA fantasy series. Mocked up a cover and title, but I'll likely change both.
Off we go!
#fantasy #indieauthor #booksky #amwriting
November 12, 2025 at 10:11 PM
'tis the season where the start of school is finally slowing down and I can think about writing again.
Wrote the first chapter of the second book in my YA fantasy series. Mocked up a cover and title, but I'll likely change both.
Off we go!
#fantasy #indieauthor #booksky #amwriting
Wrote the first chapter of the second book in my YA fantasy series. Mocked up a cover and title, but I'll likely change both.
Off we go!
#fantasy #indieauthor #booksky #amwriting
Wow, gang!
The actual, for-real, author of Bridgerton loves my writing. What a great day!
Clicked her name and it was all totally legit!
Can't wait til my books are turned into Netflix series!
#bridgerton #indieauthor #scam #booksky
The actual, for-real, author of Bridgerton loves my writing. What a great day!
Clicked her name and it was all totally legit!
Can't wait til my books are turned into Netflix series!
#bridgerton #indieauthor #scam #booksky
November 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Wow, gang!
The actual, for-real, author of Bridgerton loves my writing. What a great day!
Clicked her name and it was all totally legit!
Can't wait til my books are turned into Netflix series!
#bridgerton #indieauthor #scam #booksky
The actual, for-real, author of Bridgerton loves my writing. What a great day!
Clicked her name and it was all totally legit!
Can't wait til my books are turned into Netflix series!
#bridgerton #indieauthor #scam #booksky
I've noticed John Gwynne uses this strange verb tense often in the "...of the Gods" series. It's almost always within the first few paragraphs of a new chapter.
I don't exactly dislike it, but I find it jarring at times, at least in the sense that I always take note of it.
Thoughts?
#booksky
I don't exactly dislike it, but I find it jarring at times, at least in the sense that I always take note of it.
Thoughts?
#booksky
September 21, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I've noticed John Gwynne uses this strange verb tense often in the "...of the Gods" series. It's almost always within the first few paragraphs of a new chapter.
I don't exactly dislike it, but I find it jarring at times, at least in the sense that I always take note of it.
Thoughts?
#booksky
I don't exactly dislike it, but I find it jarring at times, at least in the sense that I always take note of it.
Thoughts?
#booksky
My books
🐉 Dragon Tongue (YA) — Lost language links humans & dragons
🚀 Generations (YA) — Teen wakes mid-voyage to truth
☀️ Solar Umbrella — Visionaries race to save Earth
🌑 The Travelers — Asteroid hides secrets that could change us
👉 author.mrjohnston.ca
#booksky #indieauthor #fantasy #scifi #ya
🐉 Dragon Tongue (YA) — Lost language links humans & dragons
🚀 Generations (YA) — Teen wakes mid-voyage to truth
☀️ Solar Umbrella — Visionaries race to save Earth
🌑 The Travelers — Asteroid hides secrets that could change us
👉 author.mrjohnston.ca
#booksky #indieauthor #fantasy #scifi #ya
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
My books
🐉 Dragon Tongue (YA) — Lost language links humans & dragons
🚀 Generations (YA) — Teen wakes mid-voyage to truth
☀️ Solar Umbrella — Visionaries race to save Earth
🌑 The Travelers — Asteroid hides secrets that could change us
👉 author.mrjohnston.ca
#booksky #indieauthor #fantasy #scifi #ya
🐉 Dragon Tongue (YA) — Lost language links humans & dragons
🚀 Generations (YA) — Teen wakes mid-voyage to truth
☀️ Solar Umbrella — Visionaries race to save Earth
🌑 The Travelers — Asteroid hides secrets that could change us
👉 author.mrjohnston.ca
#booksky #indieauthor #fantasy #scifi #ya
I love getting a fat stack of books ♥️
Three were all bent and messed up though 😭
a.co/d/f6kdisl
#booksky #amwriting #indieauthor #Canadianauthor #ya #fantasy
Three were all bent and messed up though 😭
a.co/d/f6kdisl
#booksky #amwriting #indieauthor #Canadianauthor #ya #fantasy
September 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I love getting a fat stack of books ♥️
Three were all bent and messed up though 😭
a.co/d/f6kdisl
#booksky #amwriting #indieauthor #Canadianauthor #ya #fantasy
Three were all bent and messed up though 😭
a.co/d/f6kdisl
#booksky #amwriting #indieauthor #Canadianauthor #ya #fantasy
🐉 My new YA fantasy novel Dragon Tongue is out now!
Ancient languages, uneasy truces with dragons, and a boy who might change everything.
📖 a.co/d/abt1SAR
#indieauthor #fantasy #ya #booksky #amwriting #canadianauthor #yafantasy #newrelease
Ancient languages, uneasy truces with dragons, and a boy who might change everything.
📖 a.co/d/abt1SAR
#indieauthor #fantasy #ya #booksky #amwriting #canadianauthor #yafantasy #newrelease
August 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🐉 My new YA fantasy novel Dragon Tongue is out now!
Ancient languages, uneasy truces with dragons, and a boy who might change everything.
📖 a.co/d/abt1SAR
#indieauthor #fantasy #ya #booksky #amwriting #canadianauthor #yafantasy #newrelease
Ancient languages, uneasy truces with dragons, and a boy who might change everything.
📖 a.co/d/abt1SAR
#indieauthor #fantasy #ya #booksky #amwriting #canadianauthor #yafantasy #newrelease
"...Mark Lawrence said after pitting AI writing against flash fiction written by award-winning authors and finding that not only can readers not reliably tell the difference in a blind test, they also preferred the AI-written stories."
www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/...
Great 😭 #booksky #amwriting
www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/...
Great 😭 #booksky #amwriting
Oh great, readers preferred AI-written short stories over one by my favorite author in a blind test
We're collectively awful at identifying AI writing.
www.pcgamer.com
August 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
"...Mark Lawrence said after pitting AI writing against flash fiction written by award-winning authors and finding that not only can readers not reliably tell the difference in a blind test, they also preferred the AI-written stories."
www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/...
Great 😭 #booksky #amwriting
www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/...
Great 😭 #booksky #amwriting
Always a fun day for an indie author! Time to see how many chapters end with like 2 words on a page and how many hilarious errors.
www.royalroad.com/profile/7551... if you want to read some semi-edited chapters
#indieauthor #booksky #ya #fantasy
www.royalroad.com/profile/7551... if you want to read some semi-edited chapters
#indieauthor #booksky #ya #fantasy
August 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Always a fun day for an indie author! Time to see how many chapters end with like 2 words on a page and how many hilarious errors.
www.royalroad.com/profile/7551... if you want to read some semi-edited chapters
#indieauthor #booksky #ya #fantasy
www.royalroad.com/profile/7551... if you want to read some semi-edited chapters
#indieauthor #booksky #ya #fantasy
It's editing time! 80k, YA fantasy. Really happy with how it turned out. Now to clean it up!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1211... if you want to read partially edited parts!
#booksky #IndieAuthors #amwriting #fantasy #canadianauthors #shortchapters
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1211... if you want to read partially edited parts!
#booksky #IndieAuthors #amwriting #fantasy #canadianauthors #shortchapters
August 15, 2025 at 11:48 PM
It's editing time! 80k, YA fantasy. Really happy with how it turned out. Now to clean it up!
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1211... if you want to read partially edited parts!
#booksky #IndieAuthors #amwriting #fantasy #canadianauthors #shortchapters
www.royalroad.com/fiction/1211... if you want to read partially edited parts!
#booksky #IndieAuthors #amwriting #fantasy #canadianauthors #shortchapters
August 4, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Writing about a pagan-esque celebration for a YA fantasy novel and it sounds pretty dope. As a massive introvert, I think I could get down if I was allowed to hide under antlers or something.
That qanon shaman kinda ruined that look, but I think it's time to take it back.
#amwriting
That qanon shaman kinda ruined that look, but I think it's time to take it back.
#amwriting
July 28, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Writing about a pagan-esque celebration for a YA fantasy novel and it sounds pretty dope. As a massive introvert, I think I could get down if I was allowed to hide under antlers or something.
That qanon shaman kinda ruined that look, but I think it's time to take it back.
#amwriting
That qanon shaman kinda ruined that look, but I think it's time to take it back.
#amwriting
Basically the plot to my second book, The Travelers, no not really. Sort of.
sites.google.com/view/mark-jo...
sites.google.com/view/mark-jo...
July 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Basically the plot to my second book, The Travelers, no not really. Sort of.
sites.google.com/view/mark-jo...
sites.google.com/view/mark-jo...
not sure why I took so long to switch to dark mode, but I like it much better. Highly recommend for al the Scrivener people out there.
Hoping to knock out a couple of chapters today. I'm about halfway, love this time in the story!
#indieauthors #booksky #canadianauthors #amwriting #shortchapters
Hoping to knock out a couple of chapters today. I'm about halfway, love this time in the story!
#indieauthors #booksky #canadianauthors #amwriting #shortchapters
July 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
not sure why I took so long to switch to dark mode, but I like it much better. Highly recommend for al the Scrivener people out there.
Hoping to knock out a couple of chapters today. I'm about halfway, love this time in the story!
#indieauthors #booksky #canadianauthors #amwriting #shortchapters
Hoping to knock out a couple of chapters today. I'm about halfway, love this time in the story!
#indieauthors #booksky #canadianauthors #amwriting #shortchapters
www.forbes.com/sites/jamiec...
Parker probe just outside 6 million km from the sun. Insane.
I named the main character of my first book after this probe 👍 which makes sense for a book called Solar Umbrella. Check it out if you're into climate scifi with a hopeful spin.
Parker probe just outside 6 million km from the sun. Insane.
I named the main character of my first book after this probe 👍 which makes sense for a book called Solar Umbrella. Check it out if you're into climate scifi with a hopeful spin.
NASA Spacecraft ‘Touches Sun’ For Final Time In Defining Moment For Humankind
NASA's Parker Solar Probe has made its final close approach to the sun, reaching 3.86 million miles as it seeks to understand the solar corona and space weather.
www.forbes.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
www.forbes.com/sites/jamiec...
Parker probe just outside 6 million km from the sun. Insane.
I named the main character of my first book after this probe 👍 which makes sense for a book called Solar Umbrella. Check it out if you're into climate scifi with a hopeful spin.
Parker probe just outside 6 million km from the sun. Insane.
I named the main character of my first book after this probe 👍 which makes sense for a book called Solar Umbrella. Check it out if you're into climate scifi with a hopeful spin.
@jkamckenzie.bsky.social congrats on your upcoming book Julian! I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but I'm looking forward to yours. Have learned quite a bit about Willie O'Ree, but ready to learn more about black players and people in hockey. 100 percenter considers this part of the 100 👍
June 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
@jkamckenzie.bsky.social congrats on your upcoming book Julian! I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but I'm looking forward to yours. Have learned quite a bit about Willie O'Ree, but ready to learn more about black players and people in hockey. 100 percenter considers this part of the 100 👍
Best time of year for teachers! Reports done. My students are playing DnD while we pretend to do Math. I’m basically done work—except the going part. Time to get back to Dragon Tongue. 23k words in. First draft goal: 60k by summer’s end. Chapter 5’s up on Wattpad. www.wattpad.com/myworks/3922...
Dragon Tongue - Mark Johnston - WattpadWpReadWpRead
WORK IN PROGRESS (will upload chapters now and then)
The dragons are restless. The truce is breaking. And Bertram Lorne is caught in the middle.
Orphaned and a...
www.wattpad.com
June 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Best time of year for teachers! Reports done. My students are playing DnD while we pretend to do Math. I’m basically done work—except the going part. Time to get back to Dragon Tongue. 23k words in. First draft goal: 60k by summer’s end. Chapter 5’s up on Wattpad. www.wattpad.com/myworks/3922...