Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland
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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland
@nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social
1.1K followers 1.7K following 1K posts
Nicole L. Soper Gorden: fantasy & science fiction 📚
Nicole Leland: fantasy romance 💜
Lover of plants. 🌿
Drinker of tea. ☕
(she/her)
https://linktr.ee/nicolelsopergorden
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nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social
Love a good touch-him-and-die moment? Kvisti's got you covered 😘

Hearts of Bark and Scale, a sweet romance set in a dark fantasy world - out now!

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November 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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There, uh...might be a dinosaur nearby? 😅

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“I don’t care what tests you haven’t run,” Tennyson snapped. “We need to leave.” And he made a grab for the END. “Hey!” Poe said, pulling the END back farther. “This is sensitive equipment.” “Hardly seems sensitive when all you’ve got to do is push the big red button,” Tennyson said, making another grab. “I’d rather not strain the emergency evacuation system. All I need is ten seconds to plug in our home coordinates and—” But Tennyson gave up on trying to grab the END and grabbed Poe by the front of the shirt instead, pulling him close enough to snatch the device from Poe’s hand and then giving the black-haired boy a shove that sent him sprawling backwards on his butt in the leaf litter.
November 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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A product launch has the same vibes as a debut, right?

From Poe's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“Is that—” He pointed at the man’s watch. “Does your watch have Bluefang?” “What?” the man asked, looking down at his watch. “Oh. No, it’s just using Bluetooth now. They haven’t released it to the general public yet. But I just bought this watch, and it’s prepped and ready for when Bluefang launches, so I won’t need to switch over.” Poe’s mind raced. Did that mean the watch had blufanglite? And if not, where in this world would he need to go to find the rare proprietary metal? Had he finally found their ticket home?
November 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
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It's not easy convincing someone that interdimensional travel is real...

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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Cora was shaking her head. “No,” she said. “No, that’s…wishful thinking. Your way of dealing with the stress of an ongoing global pandemic. A delusion to help you deal with the unmanageable nature of the world.”
November 23, 2025 at 5:48 PM
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If anyone else had said this, they would have said "crystal" - but because it's Poe, we get optical sapphire instead 😂

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“No signs of civilization,” Cora added. “Some cool looking rock spires in the distance, though!” Kip added. “I already said no,” Byron said. “What?” Kip said, near to bursting with false innocence. “I didn’t ask to climb them again. Just mentioning landmarks. You know, for the sake of local interest.” “Kip, you’re as transparent as optical sapphire,” Poe said. “No one here believes for a second that you’re not itching to race over there and climb those rock pillars.” Kip made a pouty face, all big eyes and exaggerated hurt. “Oh, here come the puppy eyes,” Cora said with a laugh. “I already said no,” Byron said again. “Why do you think I haven’t taken my eyes off you all morning?” “No trust,” Kip muttered. “No,” everyone else around the campfire said in unison.
November 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
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Yet more proof Kip is basically an energetic golden retriever puppy (and Tennyson is a black cat 😂)

From Poe's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“Hey Tennyson,” he yelled, starting to run back the way he’d come from originally. “Catch!” He threw the tennis ball in Tennyson’s direction. It was a pretty good throw, he thought, considering he was making it while running. Tennyson could have easily caught it, if he’d wanted to. But instead, his brother stepped to the side with a scowl, letting the tennis ball fly harmlessly past. “Nope,” Tennyson said. “Aw, Ten – why won’t you play with me?” “What are you, a fucking puppy? Go play fetch with yourself if you have to, but I’m here for Byron’s walkthrough or whatever. Remember the reason we’re here?”
November 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
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Looking for a fantasy romance that's cozy, sweet, and a quick read? Check out my novella Against an Alpine Sky! It has pretty mountains, a winged man made of stone, an owl gryphon companion, and lots of strawberries. ❤️

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Photograph of a mountain landscape with a hand holding a copy of Against an Alpine Sky by Nicole Leland. Text reads: Cozy, sweet fantasy romance novella
November 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
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Kip's usually a handful, but at the moment he's more like an entire circus's hands full. 😅

From Poe's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“Fucking hell,” Tennyson muttered. “Why is Kip such a disaster?” Kip had been unusually chaotic and unpredictable and mopey since Poe’s disappearance. It was unnerving and also extra hard to rein in. Tennyson couldn’t help but wonder if Kip had been the same way when Tennyson was the one missing, or if this was some extra special brand of twin distress. Either way, it made his youngest brother nearly unmanageable. Emmanuel put a hand on his arm, drawing his attention away from Kip. “You know he’s just worried about Poe, right?” And hell, of course he knew that. Tennyson was worried, too.
November 20, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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Something's out there...

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“Did you hear that?” he asked. But Emmanuel was mostly asleep, no doubt on an adrenaline crash, and his only response was a mumbled inquisitive grunt. Tennyson studied the bushes, trying to peer between tree trunks. They had no idea what kind of creatures or people might live in this dimension. There could be monsters here, hiding in the woods, waiting for a chance to eat them alive. Or there could be some sentient species out hunting. For all they knew, humans might be on the menu. He shivered, his skin prickling with nerves. The clicks sounded a third time, and there was an almost imperceptible movement somewhere to his right. He stared, narrowing his eyes, trying to figure out what was out there. A moment later, a pair of eyes blinked back at him.
November 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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Here's this week's #WritingPrompt for all your inspiration needs! How would you use this prompt to inspire a scene or story? Share your ideas below 😉

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Decorative leaf wreath with writing prompt text: "Catbirds for sale! Treat yourself to a real Earth pet for your spaceship! They chirp, they purr, they'll hunt your snake mice! Get your catbird today!" @NicoleLSoperGorden
November 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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From a couple lines later:
Manny laughed good naturedly. “Funny thing, but you don’t always have much control over who you like.”

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“I don’t understand why you choose to spend time with him,” Poe said, annoyed at his brother’s prickly behavior. Manny looked amused, settling himself in one of the empty chairs at the table. “You do know your brother and I are dating, right? Hard to be in a relationship if you never spend time together.”
November 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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Byron is getting Cora's help to gather some birthday supplies for the twins. You can really tell Byron knows his brothers well, based on his planned gifts 😂

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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She flipped the list over to see the last few items on his checklist, cocking her head in surprise. “These are new,” she said, tapping them. “Notebooks and pens and sample vials – for Poe, I assume?” Byron nodded. “And marshmallows and chocolate. I would guess those are for Kip?” “That kid eats sugar like it’s what keeps him alive,” Byron mumbled. “And the condoms?” she asked, with that crooked grin of hers. “Getting ideas, are you?” He blushed harder than he had yet. “No, those are for Kip, too. He’s…very social.” He cleared his throat, trying to get back the heat of his blush. “I just want him to be safe.” “You know they give out condoms for free at the medical center, right?” “In this dimension they do. Besides, they’re meant as a gift.” “Ah, yes. And the cake – is that for Tennyson?” Byron snorted. “The twins’ birthday is next week. I’m trying to plan ahead.”
November 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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When Poe introduces his brothers to the dimensional spacetime ordination unit (aka The Absolute Unit). The things Poe thinks of as simple... 😂

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“It must use power, right?” Tennyson asked. “So why can’t it run out?” “Oh yes, it needs a ton of power. But it’s running on half a cup of uranium. That’s enough to keep it running for the next three centuries. We’ll be fine.” “Uranium?” Byron asked, and all three of Poe’s brothers took a big step away from the large machine. “We were carrying that thing.” “Don’t worry – it’s shielded,” Poe said, then scowled when his brothers all took another step away. Apparently, they couldn’t even trust him to do something as simple as build a radiation shield. “Who the fuck gave Poe access to uranium?” Tennyson asked, looking absolutely horrified.
November 13, 2025 at 3:47 PM
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Tennyson, once again proving the one person he really can't figure out is himself. 🙄😂

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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A moment later, Emmanuel re-emerged and tossed something at Tennyson. He caught it, realizing it was a t-shirt. “The hell is this?” he asked, letting it unfurl in his hands. It was dark blue and printed with information about some 5k charity run that had happened a few years ago. “A t-shirt,” Emmanuel said. “Obviously.” Asshole. “And what am I supposed to do with it?” “Wear it, I would think,” Emmanuel said. “Unless you like parading around with fist-sized holes in your shirt.” He stretched a hand out quick as a viper, reaching behind Tennyson’s back, fingers slipping through a large hole in the cotton to prove his point. His fingers skittered across Tennyson’s lower back, fingertips smooth and hot against his skin. Tennyson’s breath hitched, and his traitorous instinct was to lean into the touch. Instead, he jerked away with a scowl. “Why would I want to wear your clothes?”
November 12, 2025 at 2:13 PM
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Enjoy this week's #WritingPrompt - a new random word list! How would you use this list to inspire a scene or paragraph? Bonus points for including all six words in one sentence!

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingInspiration #WritingInspo
Decorative leaf wreath with writing prompt text: Use the following words in a scene or paragraph: wine, migrate, slide, arrogant, stream, kidney. @NicoleLSoperGorden
November 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
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All subscribers will have the chance to vote for a free story for the holidays in my Nov. 15 newsletter. Which will you vote for? 👀

PLUS all subscribers get my story Sweetening the Deal for free just for joining! Linktree in bio 🙂

#BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #FreeStory
Background image of a forest lit from behind. Text reads: Join my newsletter before Nov. 15 and help pick what free story you'll get for the holidays! - A humorous story about an assassin who's terrible at his job and a praying mantis-themed trickster god - A horror short story about about a couple trapped in an eldritch abomination escape room - A story about a strange being trying to experience human love - A loose story with a non-traditional format, written as excerpts from a field guide to seed magick - Surprise me! Which will you vote for?
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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I do technically have one burger, but it comes in a very spoilery scene - so you get Kip's abominable sandwich preferences instead 😂

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“Hey Tennyson!” Kip yelled. “No,” Tennyson yelled back. “What’s for lunch?” “I said no.” “Aw, come on. I’m hungry!” Tennyson stuck his head into the dining room with a scowl. “Why do you just assume I’m going to make lunch for you. Last time I checked, you have two working hands and the ability to make a ham sandwich for yourself.” “I wouldn’t count on it,” Poe said. “Last time Kip made a ham sandwich, it had both ketchup and marshmallow fluff on it, plus blue cheese and honey roasted peanuts.” “Hey, that was a good sandwich,” Kip said defensively. “That was a culinary abomination and an insult to pigs in any dimension,” Tennyson said. “But that doesn’t mean you should assume I’m making you food.”
November 11, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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🥺 He hoped she never left. 🥺

A snippet from Hearts of Bark and Scale, a sweet romance set in a dark fantasy world. Out now!

Character art by shayndl_art 💜

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November 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
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I'm sure it's the dancing Kip misses... 😂

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“The dimensions leading up to this one have all be dimensions without human civilization,” Poe said thoughtfully. “This dimension seems stable and relatively safe. If we don’t find blufanglite here, maybe we should set this up as a local base camp while we explore nearby dimensions, so we have somewhere safe to return to.” “Oh, please!” Kip said. “I’ve missed people.” “We’re people too, asshole,” Tennyson muttered. “Sure, but I know all of you,” Kip said. “And I don’t think any of you would dance with me, except maybe Cora – but Byron probably wouldn’t like that.”
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
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That surreal moment when you're presented with evidence of the alternate version of you that lives in a different dimension...

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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With a flourish, Alex turned the tablet around to show the screen to Cora. She sat up, snatching the tablet. Byron leaned close enough to look at the tablet with her. On the screen, a photo of Byron smiled back. It looked like a high school graduation photo, taken directly from a yearbook, with Byron wearing a letterman jacket. His hair in the picture was longer than Byron had ever worn his, brushing his shoulders, and he was clean-shaven. The small scar Byron had through his left eyebrow, an injury from his high school football days, was missing in the photo. While the boy in the picture was smiling, it was restrained and a little harsh around the edges. The entire effect was disorienting for Byron, an uncanny valley creepiness that seemed to climb his spine. It wasn’t helped by the name under the photo: “Frederick “Freddie” Byron Atlas.” So close to his name, but with first and middle names swapped. The high school name and graduation year were correct, but the senior quote underneath wasn’t anything Byron had seen before.
November 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
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Poe is 19 (and already working on his PhD), just for context.

From Byron's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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Poe tilted his head to one side, and Byron could see that calculating look in his eyes. “Are you familiar with Dr. Chary’s work with the cosmic microwave background? Or the Singh-Albrecht M-space equations?” Anil gave an amused snort. “Can’t say I’ve heard of either. Theoretical physics? Been a couple decades since my last physics coursework, theoretical or otherwise.” Poe gave a slightly disappointed nod. “Suffice it to say this device is a practical test of the Singh-Albrecht theory.” “Aren’t you a little young to be trying to solve unified field theory or whatever?” Anil asked with a good-natured chuckle. “It’s not an age thing,” Byron said, tone tighter than he had intended. “Poe’s been making his professors feel stupid for years.”
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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Being rushed by a group of men in postapocalyptic armor right after talking about zombies is fine, right? 😬

From Tennyson's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“There better not be any fucking zombies here, Poe. Can’t you check your stupid END?” “The extradimensional navigation device isn’t some kind of science fiction scanning device,” Poe said, waving the END in Tennyson’s direction in annoyance. “It’s just the thing that lets us travel between dimensions and—” He was cut off by a sudden rush of movement and roaring of voices. A group of men dressed in leather and metal rushed out of a nearby alleyway right at their group, yelling and waving assorted weapons.
November 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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Tough word today, so we're going ✨vibey✨. Here are the opening lines of the penultimate arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse (aka Poe's arc).

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Poe Atlas wondered sometimes if bad luck was part and parcel of being a genius. Or maybe it was less bad luck, and more a tendency to make stupid mistakes. Yes, geniuses can be stupid, and yes they can make the kind of big mistakes that changed – and possibly ruined – lives. He’d certainly been collecting those.
November 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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In a quiet postapocalyptic dimension...

From Poe's arc of The Atlas Brothers Break the Multiverse

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“Do you think all of the people in that city died?” Annie asked. To be honest, Poe hadn’t wanted to think about that possibility. If they combed through the streets and buildings down there, would they find signs of death? Skeletons, maybe? Or had all the people evacuated before the city fell? Either way, there was no sign of human life at all now, so it likely didn’t matter. Or maybe it mattered to Annie, he amended, seeing the worry on her face as she studied the overgrown city below. “Maybe they all left,” he offered. “An evacuation.” Annie didn’t reply, but her gaze stayed on the city until their trail led away from the cliff edge and into the woods again.
November 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
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New prompt for Writing Prompt Wednesday! What do you think about this one? What kind of story or scene does it inspire for you? Share your ideas below!

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Decorative leaf wreath with writing prompt text: The bigger the clouds got, the more he realized they were talking to each other. @NicoleLSoperGorden
November 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM