Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Rachel Aaron

@rachel-aaron.bsky.social

It boggle my mind how some people think the author approves of every word that comes out of their characters' mouths.

Y'all, villains say villainous things. Making sure they have good arguments is just quality characterization, not me trying to convince you they're right. #booksky #amwriting

November 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

If you see this, quote with the energy you bring to Bluesky:

November 22, 2025 at 7:44 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Sophie Labelle

@assignedmale.bsky.social

Trans day

November 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Jasmine W.

@mythjae.bsky.social

I've been thinking on this for a while, and instead of a holiday season sale, Bonedust Press will instead dedicate 10% of all direct sales to the San Diego Food Bank.

Times are tough and since I have to do the marketing song and dance anyway, I'd like to accomplish a little good with it.
#booksky

Bonedust Press @bonedustpress.bsky.social · 12d

Shop small for the holidays, support independent publishing, and do some good!

From now until Dec. 31, we will donate 10% of every single direct sale from our site to local food banks.

Treat yourself to our debut title, The Traitor & The Wretch, or gift it to a friend!
www.bonedustpress.com/shop

A trope map image for The Traitor & The Wretch (cover art by Amy Phillips) written by Jasmine Walls and illustrated by Rowan MacColl.

It reads: Minor villains dungeon-crawling their way to a happy ending.

On the run from an entire kingdom that wants them both dead.

This guy (the wretch) helped raise a Chaos God to bring about the end times (he's not coping well)

This guy (the traitor) tried to kill the Prophesized Hero (it ended badly)

Enemies-to-Lovers

Mutated cave creatures! Undead horrors! Endless pitch black caves! Somehow, it's a romance!

November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

The Transfeminine Review

@thetransfemininereview.com

Remembering today that writing a novel is a slow descent into insanity.

November 21, 2025 at 8:59 PM

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

Lil peek at one of the stories I'm working on for my upcoming MM holiday romcom project. Pre-order & get all the bonuses + grab my other books
👉 suncatcherpress.com/Kickstarter

#🌈📚 #mmromance #GayRomance #MMReaders #gaybooksky #mmromancebooks #lgbtbooks #mmbooksky #lgbtqwriters #cozybooks #wipsnips

Two ereaders with book covers for Happy Holigays: What Are You Doing New Queer's Eve? by CJ Pines, below a snippet of light text on a dark background & the word 'direction' highlighted:

Zach swallowed against the knot that was forming in his throat as Owen leaned closer. The intensity in those cinnamon-flecked eyes sent a shiver down his spine, the way they were locked on his; searching, watching. Alert for any sign of rejection, the slightest hesitancy as Owen's hands settled on either side of Zach’s waist.
There was no denying his nervousness. Here on the precipice, it was like he was a teenager again; all awkward angles and sweaty palms.
Calm down, it's just a fucking kiss.
Such a simple thing. Stupid to get this worked up over it, really. But after so many years spent denying himself exactly this? His mind was caught in a tailspin; anxieties buffeting him from every direction.
What if it's not any good?
What if I'm not any good?
What if I like it, and everything changes?
What if I'm wrong, and nothing does?
What if — What if — What if —
Drawing a deep breath, Zach pushed away the thoughts crowding into his skull, sending them scattering like so many startled birds.
Here could be the answer he'd always secretly needed, the answer he'd never allowed himself to seek out before. Hope fluttered inside him like a golden thing, caught fast within that liminal space; cradled between his ribs as Zach reached out to cup Owen’s jaw in his hand, so solid and warm, stubble rough against his palm.
After all his years of questioning, at this moment he could only cling to one certainty, one truth —
There's no way to know unless…until I try.
"You okay there, darlin'?" Owen whispered, eyes flicking to Zack's lips and back.
Mm, think I'm about to be.

November 21, 2025 at 11:24 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Delilah S. Dawson

@delilahsdawson.bsky.social

Art is an act of hope. Writing is an act of rebellion. The world will always need more stories--from real human beings, not bullshit plagiarism machines. Every book is a love story from the author, and every reader is fighting the war against cruelty, ignorance, and hopelessness. We are fighting.

November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

⚔️High fantasy
🔥Huddling w/ ur enemy
🐺Dog dad
🌟Standalone
📚+More
☃Thrills & chills
✨On sale

👉 suncatcherpress.com/get-TSL-UGFM

#🌈📚 #mmfantasy #mmromance #mmsuspense #GayRomance #queersff #⚔️ #Novellavember #WeekendReads
#MMReaders #gaybooksky
#queerbookreviews #mmromancebooks #lgbtbooks #mmbooksky

November 8, 2025 at 1:06 AM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Ariella Elm

@ariellaelm.com

Why has everyone decided that they should START their political career in Congress?

When I tell people to “run for something,” I mean school board, city council, board of supervisors, town select board, water board, state house/assembly, maybe even mayor.
1/

November 20, 2025 at 10:11 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Gabby HC's books make ideal festive presents

@scriblit.bsky.social

If you guys are going to keep doing faintly haughty discourse about romantasy, I'm going to keep using it to market my romantasy flavoured romcoms, bluesky.

November 20, 2025 at 12:43 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Ela Bambust 🏳️‍⚧️ (Not very scary)

@ela-bambust.bsky.social

It would be very funny if a bunch of my considerable audience sent to this solo devs steam page and wishlisted this game and gave it a repost

Anaïs @anaiis.bsky.social · Oct 20

Hi Bluesky! 💙🦋

I am a solo developer currently working on "Nom Nom: Cozy Forest Café", a decoration game where you cook to the beat. Low stress gameplay so you can focus on creativity. Inspired by mid-2000s NDS and web games 💘

It's close to 40k wishlists! store.steampowered.com/app/2428800?...

November 20, 2025 at 12:13 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Suzan the chalant goth

@sillysyntax.bsky.social

My advice is to become unsummarizeable.

Hazel Anneke Dixon @hazelxd.bsky.social · 3d

Saw a post today that advised writers to stop writing as if a human will read it and start writing for an LLM that will be summarising.

As someone who really enjoyed trying to develop a peculiar but readable authorial voice, I find this incredibly depressing.

November 20, 2025 at 11:49 AM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Alexis Vandom

@vandomva.bsky.social

Today is the Trans Day of Rememberance.

We are still losing so many innocent souls to murder and suicide. Sadly, in this climate of genocidal hostility cultivated by public figures and governments alike, it isn't surprising.

We must fight back. For the fallen. And for those still with us. #TDOR

Mourn the dead, fight like hell for the living.

Transgender Day of Rememberance.
This is why we're so fucking angry.

November 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

James Bennett

@jamesbennett.bsky.social

Our inclusion has always been subject to political trends and perceived "popularity", because we're not seen as fully human. Society has been conditioned that way (including in rep that views us as a "trend".)

Include LGBTQ+ folks at every level of the industry.

That's how you fight exclusion. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Kelly Sue DeConnick @kellysue.bsky.social · 2d

"According to the report, [...]during the 2024-25 television season, queer characters increased across platforms by 4%, bringing the total to 489. However, the Thursday report found that 41% of those characters will not return." www.thewrap.com/glaad-where-...

Nearly Half of All LGBTQ+ Characters Will Disappear From TV Next Season, GLAAD Study Finds

The 2024-25 TV season recorded 489 queer characters across broadcast, cable and screenings, but cancellations and plot find a deep decline to come

www.thewrap.com

November 20, 2025 at 7:01 AM

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

Name a film with a forest.

Rogue One

(Can't remember if this scene is movie or Andor, tbh)

November 20, 2025 at 1:23 AM

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

A whole year of snackable 🏳‍🌈 holiday romcoms! Hurry & get ur early bird discount, or pick up ALL of my #🌈📚, stories, swag, & more on sale:

👉 suncatcherpress.com/Kickstarter

#mmromance #GayRomance #MMReaders #gaybooksky #mmromancebooks #lgbtbooks #mmbooksky #⚔️ #lgbtqwriters #WeekendReads #mmholiday

8 ereaders on a red bokeh background for the upcoming happy holigays series, featuring trope arrows calling out such favs as rockstar/rockstar, best friends to lovers, brother's best friend, single dads, open door

November 20, 2025 at 12:51 AM

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

Hailed as a medical miracle after surviving by 🤏 this much a construction accident doctors say should've killed you?

Phineas Gage gap.

Sandra is cheering you on! @sgwong.com · 3d

Wizard keeps throwing fireballs like confetti every combat while sorcerer keeps spending sorcery points trying to perfect subtle spells?

Problematic mage gap.

Abra, The Everwife 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇲🇽🌼👻 @pairofclaws.bsky.social · 3d

Prisoners keep escaping because you put the bars too far apart? Problematic cage gap.

November 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

Merriam-Webster

@merriam-webster.com

Autocorrect has become our worst enema.

November 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

If you see this, share a Western 🤠🐴

Space Western 🤜🤛 Space Western

November 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

SpryOldLorax

@spryoldlorax.bsky.social

Some amazing gay history. Listen up kids.

I'm watching that documentary "Before Stonewall" about gay history
pre-1969, and uncovered something which I think is interesting.

The documentary includes a brief clip of a 1954 televised newscast
about the rise of homosexuality. The host of the program interviewed
psychologists, a police officer, and one "known homosexual". The
"known homosexual" is 22 years old. He identifies himself as Curtis
White, which is a pseudonym; his name is actually Dale Olson.
So I tracked down the newscast. According to what I can find, Dale
Olson may have been the first gay man to appear openly on television
and defend his sexual orientation. He explains that there's nothing
wrong with him mentally and he's never been arrested. When asked
whether he'd take a cure if it existed, he says no. When asked whether
his family knows he's gay, he says that they didn't up until tonight, but
he guesses they're going to find out, and he'll probably be fired from
his job as well. So of course the host is like ... why are you doing this
interview then? and Dale Olson, cool as cucumber pie, says "I think
that this way I can be a little useful to someone besides myself."

1954. 22 years old. Balls of pure titanium.

Despite the pseudonym, Dale's boss did indeed recognize him from
the TV program, and he was promptly fired the next day. He wrote into
ONE magazine six months later to reassure readers that he had gotten
a new job at a higher salary.
Curious about what became of him, I looked into his life a little further.
It turns out that he ultimately became a very successful publicity
agent. He promoted the Rocky movies and Superman. Not only that,
but get this: Dale represented Rock Hudson, and he was the person
who convinced him to disclose that he had AIDS! He wrote the
statement Rock read. And as we know, Rock Hudson's disclosure had
a very significant effect on the national conversation about AIDS in the
U.S.

September 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

If you see this, QTP with a video game that transports you back to your childhood!

November 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

@suncatcherpress.com

Know I've been quiet the last few days. Been trying to prep the Secret Project in time

Go see!👉 suncatcherpress.com/Kickstarter

(Now to go pass out b4 the sun comes up)
#🌈📚 #mmromance #GayRomance #MMReaders #gaybooksky #mmromancebooks #lgbtbooks #mmbooksky #⚔️ #lgbtqwriters #WeekendReads #mmholiday

🌈🎄💝 LGBT+ MM Holiday Romance Collection: 12 Gays of XMAS

Get your queer cheer on with 7+ festive tales full of hope, heat, & heaps of holiday love sure to melt even the Scroogiest of hearts!

suncatcherpress.com

November 19, 2025 at 4:08 AM

Reposted by 🌈📚 CJ Pines + J.A. Skald 🏳️‍🌈 MM Author

CL Hellisen

@clhellisen.bsky.social

Self promo is my bane; it makes me feel like an immense tit when I post stuff about my writing (thanks to upbringing - never blow your own horn), but it is increasingly apparent that all it means is that I'm utterly invisible as a writer...

So, anyway.

I have books and stories out there.

November 19, 2025 at 9:05 AM