Tessera

C M Debell

@cmdebell.bsky.social

She/her. Writer and reader of stories. Fantasy forever. Lymond ❤️. Freelancer by day. SPFBO9 semi-finalist. Free book via my newsletter https://www.andeira.net/newsletter linktr.ee/cmdebell

410 Posts912 Follower 747 Folgt

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 4h ago

As promised, the first story of August just went up. It's...sad and dark and I don't know how to feel about it except to say I probably need a hug. Or a drink. www.aaronccross.com/stories-your...

Immortality Ain't What It's Cracked Up to Be

Here’s the thing about immortality: you need specificity. Say you encounter a genie (as one does these days) and you wish to be immortal. Okay, but what does that mean? Does it mean you grow...

aaronccross.com

C M Debell @cmdebell.bsky.social · 10h ago

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is 'pass'. Here's a snippet from Silver Dawn, the second book in my epic fantasy duology The Long Dream. #writingcommunity #writesky #bookqw #indiefantasy 💙📚🪐

Front cover of Silver Dawn by CM Debell and snippet for Book Quote Wednesday prompt 'pass'.

Through a break in the cloud, he saw it, a sleek, dark shape passing silently overhead.
Men around him muttered prayers; some were weeping. No one ran. There was nowhere to run.
Beside him, Aarin was gripping the parapet with his free hand, eyes tracking that deadly shadow from a face that still bore the fading scars of its fire.
The moments stretched, unbearable.
Somewhere in the city, someone was screaming, a strident wail that cut through the eerie silence. Aarin flinched, his fingers curling tighter around the parapet. But his eyes never blinked, his attention never wavered.
This time, the dragon flew low enough that Kallis could feel the pulse of its wings and see the scars on its scaled underbelly. It rolled as it passed, regarding them from one unblinking black eye. Such a tempting target. He reached out and placed a restraining hand on the tip of the bow nearest him.

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · 10h ago

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is PASS THE WALLED CITY has battles and the aftermath of battles. And for some characters there's a first battle... #bookqw #WritingCommunity

Left side of image is the cover of THE WALLED CITY, fifth book of the Triempery Revelations series by L.L. Stephens. Cover is silver gray and white and shows a man facing a distant, fantastic city.

Right side of image is a text excerpt from THE WALLED CITY:

Hans darted to the nearest structure of any size, the high grand steps of a nearby building. A bronze bull, life-size and imposing, stood guard upon an impressive stone plinth. Good. Dropping to his knees behind the plinth, he heaved over and vomited onto the flagstones. Wet and hot, bile splashed onto his trousers.
The stain mingled with the blood of men he had killed.
A shadow fell upon Hans. “Well aren’t you a pretty sight! A damn king who can’t stand battle gore.”
From his knees, Hans glanced up at Nalf. Battered and blood-streaked, the Thegnard wore a frown like a condemning judge. Hans’s stomach rebelled again and he bent over, heaving, then catching back his breath. To his surprise, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Firm. Reassuring.
“First battle?”
Hans nodded. His sickness seemed to have passed. He hoped it had passed. Maybe it would if he could just close his mind to the gore. Tentatively, he wiped his sleeve across his mouth. Blood... and now vomit. The blood was someone else’s; he had taken no wounds.
“So you’re alive and they’re not. You could look happier about it.” Nalf gave Hans’s shoulder a final squeeze. “Pull yourself together, lad. Say you’ve seen all seven hells and be done with that. But find your balls and get on your feet!”

Read Indie Fantasy.com @blog.readindiefantasy.com · yesterday

Are you a self-published/indie SFFH author with a new book release coming up or are you launching a crowdfund? We can feature it in our new monthly release round-ups from September onwards! Just fill out this form: www.readindiefantasy.com/new-releases/

Angela Boord @angelaboord.bsky.social · last wk.

New pinned post! You can now follow TO DREAM A DARKER REALM, my 80's portal fantasy with Stranger Things vibes, on Kickstarter! 🐺 Flawed MC who will do anything to save his family 🐺 Magic book of clues 🐺 Haunted library 🐺 Disaster bromance www.kickstarter.com/projects/ang... 💙🪐📚 #BookSky

To Dream a Darker Realm by Angela Boord, Rai Ascendant 1: A crow descends in a flurry of feathers over an Arctic lake, a distant pack of wolves, and a grove of birch trees, surrounded by a frame of Gothic architecture and swords

trope graphic: To Dream a Darker Realm by Angela Boord, Rai Ascendant 1: A family struggling with parental loss, Slavic culture, A bromance in need of repair, Dark urban legends in an 80's college town, Nightmares bleeding into reality, Romance subplot with a FMC in STEM, Creepy abandoned library, Dubious government experiments

"What if I told you there is a place somewhere outside your dream, a place your mother might have gone. A place someone is keeping her... for now."

Rowena @beneatha1kskies.bsky.social · 7d ago

The first of two reviews today. Last Night of Freedom by Dan Howarth was a compelling read that ultimately left me with mixed feelings. 💙📚

Book Review: Last Night of Freedom – Dan Howarth

Hello! The first of two reviews today, and I'm looking at Last Night of Freedom by Dan Howarth. A compelling read that ultimately left me with more mixed feelings than anything.

beneathathousandskies.co.uk

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · last wk.

After a slightly tiny viral post earlier, I may as well make use of it. New Patreon post open for everyone. It's a proof of concept for a story called Peristalsis Rust. Let me know what you think. www.patreon.com/aaronccross/...

Peristalsis Rust (Proof of Concept Ch. 1) | AC Cross

Chapter One: Case 9546 – The Ozuan The walls glisten wetly around me as I trudge deeper and deeper into what was charitably described to me

patreon.com

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · last wk.

Today is Book Quote Wednesday and the word is RIDE. There's a lot of riding, of various kinds, in the Triempery series. Most riding involves horses. This snip follows a violent game on horseback. It's about more than skill. It's about consequences. #bookqw #WritingCommunity

Left side of image is book cover of SORDANEON, first book of the Triempery Revelations series by L.L. Stephens. Cover is gold and brown and shows a young man looking at a fantastic city with a glowing core of power at its heart.

Right side is a text excerpt from SORDANEON:

Dorilian continued to ignore the healer. To Cullen he said, “Your sacrifice was not in vain. Your team won the match.”
“I saw, from the side.” Cullen gave him a weak smile. “Where’d you learn to ride like that?”
“Teremar.”
“Well, you sure made them sorry they hurt me out.”
“They deserve their losses. I hope you wagered on the outcome.”
Cullen’s eyes widened for a moment. “Sure. Didn’t you?”
Dorilian looked out the window. A steady stream of colorfully garbed noblemen and women trekked along the main path back to the Manor. He could still make it back ahead of them, avoiding stares and speculations. “No,” he said. “The last time I gambled, I lost.”

C M Debell @cmdebell.bsky.social · last wk.

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is 'ride'. This is a snippet from my short story Midnight in Flaeres that takes place directly before the start of The Many Shades of Midnight. #writingcommunity #writesky #bookqw #indiefantasy 💙📚🪐

Front cover of In Midnight's Shadow by CM Debell and excerpt for the Book Quote Wednesday prompt 'ride'.

Esar fretted. The creatures were out there still, he was sure of it, hidden behind the houses. If they left, they would be pursued. Stay and they would be trapped, and they couldn’t defend the inn and the stables. Which meant losing the horses. Which meant dying.
“Can you ride?” he asked Alyas. No horse could be asked to bear two adult riders for long, and when they went, they would go hard.
He watched Alyas think about it. Lives depended on an honest answer. “Not for long,” he said at last.
Esar nodded. That was his assessment. “Ride with Della. Take my horse.” Della was the lightest of them, his horse one of the strongest.
“Esar.”
He knew that tone. “What?”
“They’ll come after us.”
“I know.”
“We can’t let them.”
Esar knew he wasn’t going to like what was coming. “What do you want to do?”

AC Cross @aaronccross.bsky.social · 2w ago

Deal still stands. Currently at zero sold but there's still time left to ruin my dignity! www.amazon.com/stores/A.C.-...

AC Cross@aaronccross.bsky.social · last mo.

Let's make a deal. If I sell five books this month, I will post a new story to my site every week in August. If I sell ten books, I will doodle and autograph 10 blank cards and will hold a drawing for them. If I sell more than ten, I will post the first chapter of my first book (which I LOATHE).

Read Indie Fantasy.com @blog.readindiefantasy.com · 2w ago

Books. Books are nice. You should read more books. Today for Self-Published Author Appreciation Week, we share this guest post by @angelaboord.bsky.social about the importance of reading. www.readindiefantasy.com/guest-post-h... #SPAAW

Banner image for our article about reading, by Angela Boord.

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · 2w ago

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is DECIDE. In SORDANEON, first book of the Triempery series, Dorilian and Stefan both make decisions that prove unfortunate. They didn't have to be enemies. They just didn't prevent it. #WritingCommunity #Triempery #bookqw

Left side of graphic is the book cover of SORDANEON, first book of the Triempery Revelations series by L.L. Stephens. Cover is brown and gold, showing a young man looking at a mighty fantasy city with a glowing core of power.

Right side of image is a text excerpt from SORDANEON:

“You don’t fool me.” This was Stefan’s family’s house, his family’s domain, and when it came to Dorilian he was determined to have the last word. “You hate Essera’s aristocracy even more than I do. You would bring this land to ruin if you could and rejoice over the corpses. But I won’t let you do that. I’m going to stand in your way, because I care what happens to all of them. Remember that.”
“What if I care, too, Stefan—what will you do then? What will any of you do, if I decide to bring the World to ruin… or save it? Because men like you are so filled with fear, you deal with phantoms of your own making, not even with reality. Which means someday, I am sure of it, you are going to create exactly what you fear most.”
He watched Dorilian walk away. The bastard never looked back. Within moments all that remained was that fear, filling Stefan’s heart and constricting his lungs and making him pull his hands into fists. Every time he was with Dorilian, he felt like he was being attacked. That was why he knew what he would do when the day finally came.
He would attack first.

C M Debell @cmdebell.bsky.social · 2w ago

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is 'decide'. Here's a snippet from The Siege of Druine, a book full of difficult decisions. You can get an ebook copy free by signing up to my newsletter: www.andeira.net/newsletter #writingsky #bookqw #indiefantasy 🪐📚💙

Front cover of The Siege of Druine by CM Debell and excerpt for Book Quote Wednesday prompt 'decide'.

Alyas slammed his back against the cliff and pinned him there. “A good man just bought your life with his own,” he snarled over the outraged protest. “And you don’t deserve his sacrifice.”
Fear paled the skin around the man’s eyes. Fear and anger. “The Qidan traitor?”
The devastating brightness of the Isyr dagger was at his throat before he could blink. “Say that again.”
The man shot a terrified, pleading look in Esar’s direction, but Esar, who had decided he’d interfered enough for one day and had taken a dislike to this man already, merely crossed his arms and waited to see what would happen.

Read Indie Fantasy.com @blog.readindiefantasy.com · 2w ago

This week is Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week, so give a shout out to your favourite self-published authors and those you appreciate! 🙌 We've featured many self-published authors on our blog! www.readindiefantasy.com #SelfPublishedAuthorsAppreciationWeek #SPAAW #booksky

W&S_BOOKCLUB @wsbookclub.bsky.social · 2w ago

There's a new feature on my blog: Awesome Author Alert! There are some stabdout authors that I think need to be shouted about. The first author is Rebecca Crunden! @bookspotlight.bsky.social #SelfPublishedAuthorsAppreciationWeek #SPAAW #SuperSP #booksky

Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week: Awesome Author Alert: Rebecca Crunden

I have a new feature up on my blog, and what better time to debut it than during Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week? This alliterative new blog post is just what it sounds like: me ranting an…

wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog

C M Debell @cmdebell.bsky.social · 3w ago

The #StuffWithFantasy summer sale is on today (17 July) - more than 100 ebooks for 0.99, including The Many Shades of Midnight. Check it out here: stuffwithfantasy.com/event/69fc11... #booksale #indiefantasy #booksky

Collage of front covers of fantasy ebooks in the Stuff With Fantasy Summer Solstice 0.99 sale on 17 July 2026

C M Debell @cmdebell.bsky.social · 3w ago

Jamedi @jamreads.com · 3w ago

The Revenant of Surolifia, by @florencechien.com (pub by Rising Action Publishing) is an excellent self-contained political fantasy which could be summed up as two idiots trying to change the system with totally different methods. Full review: jamreads.com/reviews/the-... 💙📚

JamReads - Making your TBR closer to infinite

In JamReads you will find content about books, and why you should read them more. This content may include reviews, interviews and occasionally, some news of the literary world

jamreads.com

KD Edwards @kdedwardsnc.bsky.social · 4w ago

For anyone curious.... Happy Friday -- KD

Stephanie Burgis @stephanieburgis.bsky.social · 3w ago

It's Book Quote Wednesday! This week's word is *change*, & here's a snippet from my gothic romantasy House of Secrets, which you can find in my comfort-read of a short story collection, Touchstones. Snap it up now in ebook, paperback or hardcover: books2read.com/touchstones #romancelandia #bookqw

The illustrated front cover of Stephanie Burgis’s short story collection, Touchstones, shows an elven woman sitting by a large oak tree in an enchanted woodland, reading a book of magic. Above and around that image is this snippet of text:
Life would be far better in town, of course. Bessie had always said so. It would be a glittering, glamorous improvement, and any young lady ought to be grateful for the change in her circumstances…especially a young lady who owed so very much to her father’s generosity already.
I would have to work very hard to repay him and to make him proud of me somehow. I had no idea how I would do it.
But I tried my best to feel hopeful instead of frightened as my father’s carriage rattled along the road, joining more and more vehicles along the way, while my head ached more and more with every passing mile. The thick smoke that filled the air of Manchester, belching from the chimneys of the hulking factories, was not the most promising of welcomes.

C. J. Daley 👻 Horror & Crime Thriller author @cjdaleywrites.bsky.social · 3w ago

So you’ve been meaning to check out more indie authors. You may have mentioned this online or in person, but you’re not sure where to start. Well, boy, do I have a list for you! fanfiaddict.com/so-you-want-...

So You Want to Read More Indie Authors | FanFiAddict

So you've been meaning to check out more indie authors. You may have mentioned this online or in person, but you're not sure where to start. Well, ...

fanfiaddict.com

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · 3w ago

#WIPSnips The word for July 15 is COACH I thought there wouldn't be a "coach" but there was one. In this snip Kate and Kharys are both responding to Oandah's nuptial phase, which permeates and commands the nom and its inhabitants. Nice to have a pool nearby... #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SFF

Text excerpt from NOMARA, a science fiction WIP by L.L. Stephens. Snip shows two characters responding to a ruling nomari Queen's nuptial phase... and also to each other:

“You’re beautiful.”
He meant it, and not just the words. The heat in his gaze spoke loudly that Oandah’s phase was affecting him, too—and probably more than it affected her. Kate at least could count on the contraceptive implant to tone down her hormonal response. Kharys had nothing. If only he would stop looking so damned attractive . . . and hurt. What the hell. Kate had always meant to improve her free water skills. The day was hot, and the pool would be cool at least. Plus she was already wet.
She waded to the broad stone steps carved into the nearest corner and sat down. Taking off her boots, she tossed them one by one onto the terrace, then stripped off her belt pouch and threw it after. “Show me,” she said, walking back down into the water as Kharys watched her apprehensively.
“What?”
She smiled at his confusion. “Show me how to swim.”
It helped that she knew the basics. She had always worn a flotation unit for the simulations, of course, and it had been the lack of one that had led her to panic. Now, as Kharys placed her on her back and held her in a floating position, she looked up at the domed stone ceiling laced with reflections of gold and relaxed into his hands. He had never before been so near, near enough that she sensed his heady warmth and felt the soft vibrations of his voice as he coached her.
“There, you see, just let your body find its level. You will always be lighter. It’s easy.”
“For you. Don’t let me go.”
But he already had. His hands drifted from her and her body start to sink. Reacting, Kate flung up her arms and legs, and the water closed in over her again. But Kharys was there as he had promised, his hands at her waist, pulling her up.

✨#WIPSnips✨ A Daily Writing Share Tag@wipsnips.bsky.social · 3w ago

The #WIPSnips word for July 15th is "coach" #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag
July 15 - coach
Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration
Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics
Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine.
Support others on the #WIPSnips tag!
Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social

The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · 3w ago

Today is Book Quote Wednesday and the word is CHANGE. "Change" is a core theme of the Triempery Revelations series and, especially, of the final book, THE RILL LORD. All characters confront change: in the World, in others, and in themselves. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #bookqw

Left side of image is the book cover of THE RILL LORD, sixth and final book of the Triempery Revelations series by L.L. Stephens. Cover is stormy gray and white with a red-robed sorcerer wielding magic against a distant, powerful Entity.

Right side of image is a text excerpt from THE RILL LORD:

All things happen in the same moment. The Malyrdeons were fond of saying this, Quirin recalled, though he no longer could bring to mind whether Leur had said it first. Probably. It was a Leur sort of thing to say.
While he waited beneath Averrn’s cold towers and prisons, Quirin pondered how much his life had changed or whether it had changed at all. Perhaps he had always been like this, a cowering creature, a slave to dark forces. Only the Rill, his Entity, remained bright, though now Quirin saw that it too was chained.
Manacled, as he was.

C M Debell @cmdebell.bsky.social · 3w ago

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is 'change'. Here's a snippet from a conversation between Alyas and Cassana from one of my favourite stories in In Midnight's Shadow, a collection of stories that fills in the background to The Many Shades of Midnight. #writingsky #bookqw #indiefantasy 🪐📚💙

Front cover of In Midnight's Shadow by CM Debell and extract for Book Quote Wednesday prompt 'change'.

“There were things he wanted. I knew that. I didn’t think he wanted them so much that he would take everything else because he couldn’t have them. But I no longer trust my judgement where Raffa is concerned.”
That surprised her. “What things?”
He didn’t answer, but his eyes slid to the tree from which he had hung the Isyr blades that had been his father’s.
“Would you have given them to him?”
“I would have killed him.” The admission was stark, unadorned. Perhaps the most honest thing he had ever said to her. It was her first glimpse of the hold the blades had on him; it wouldn’t be the last. She had no idea then what it was they did to him, or the strength of will it took to remain himself. She didn’t understand all the ways they had already changed him or the price they would take.
I would have killed him.
If she had known, would she still have let that go unchallenged?

Rowena @beneatha1kskies.bsky.social · 3w ago

Tiptoeing back into blogging after being ill for the whole of June, with a review of Receipts from the Bookshop by Katie Clapham which was a fun read for the most part, apart from one element that bugged me. 💙📚 beneathathousandskies.co.uk/2026/07/13/b...

Book Review: Receipts from the Bookshop: A Bookseller’s Year – Katie Claphan

Hello! Finally getting back into it, after losing June to being ill with Covid, and a cough that just did not want to abandon ship (and lingers still). I’ve not read as much as a result, but …

beneathathousandskies.co.uk

Narratess @narratess.com · 3w ago

Invitations for the August sale have been sent out to our existing list! If you want to receive one, sign up here: signup.ymlp.com/xgybwuuegmgw

signup.ymlp.com

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · 4w ago

#FantasyIndiesJuly 10: Show off a new to you author I'm reading this book by a completely new to me author, CM Debell. My favorite books recently have been by indie authors, so I often pick up new ones in my search for new, interesting fantasy or science fiction.

Book cover of THE MANY SHADES OF MIDNIGHT, the Tales of Isyr, by CM Debell. A young man holding a sword stands upon an outcropping overlooking a stormy landscape and troubled sky. Shades of grays, white, and black.

L.L. Stephens @triempery.bsky.social · 4w ago

I post free short stories (of various kinds) on my website. I neglected to put up notice about "Duet," a post-series Triempery story about, among other things, music and creation. It has spoilers for the series and especially THE RILL LORD. www.triempery.com/post/_duet

Duet

Often when writing novels I explore characters and concepts in isolation. In this case those characters are Dorilian and Hans, and the concepts being explored are permutations of events that happened ...

triempery.com

Angela Boord @angelaboord.bsky.social · 4w ago

Another #WIPSnips from To Dream a Darker Realm, book 1 of my Stranger Things X Robin Hobb series... 💙🪐📚 #BookSky #WriteSky #amwritingfantasy

“I wasn’t talking about the other boys, Seryozha. I’m sure they deserved whatever you gave them. But I think the fights you’re getting into are a substitute for lashing out against the people who really deserve it.”

✨#WIPSnips✨ A Daily Writing Share Tag@wipsnips.bsky.social · 4w ago

The #WIPSnips word for July 10th is "substitute" #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag
July 10 - substitute
Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration
Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics
Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine.
Support others on the #WIPSnips tag!
Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social

The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner

Dani Finn 🐙 🏳️‍⚧️ 📚@danifinnwrites.bsky.social · 4w ago

🌸 Re-intro time 🌸 I’m Dani Finn (they) 🏳️‍⚧️ I write love stories about women & other creatures 🐙 Disposable Magic 🪽 Grey Angel 🧘‍♀️ The World Within 🐦 Women & Other Creatures 🧟‍♀️ Ghoul Girls 🪐 Terra Flux & more! Find them DRM-free on itch: danifinn.itch.io Or elsewhere: books2read.com/ap/nAApPp/Da...

Graphic showing 7 books in 5 categories

DANI FINN
STARTER PACK
Fantasy
Romance
DISPOSABLE magic
Unpainted
The World within
women AND OTHER creatures
DANI FINN
Horrir
Ghoul Girls
DAnl
STORIES
sci-fi
TERRA FLUX
Winnie 6 Crela #1-5
always queer
dani finn