Tessera

GorlStreamTeam @gorlstream.team · 17h ago

No more Sims games for us. No more EA games either, for that matter. Some words on why.

Our Sims series retrospective is now on indefinite hiatus. This is due to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia coming into majority ownership of the series publisher, Electronic Arts. Consequentially, we will not feature any EA games on our channel going forward.

Our reasons for this are simple. Saudi Arabia's record on human rights is, in a word, abysmal. As EA is now owned by the same people running Saudi Arabia, we can't in good conscience promote their games in any way. We would have the same issues if EA came into ownership of the governments of the US, UK, or any number of other nations.

We recognise this is a small act. Not playing a video game, or a bunch of videogames is extremely easy. But it's something we can do, and hopefully in talking about it, we've also made some of you aware of the situation. And maybe you'll tell others.

At the end of the day, it comes down to this. It doesn't sit right with us to talk as we do on stream about human rights, worker rights, queer rights, and then turn around and play publicist for a company owned by a government that would imprison us for our words.

None of us are free until we are all free.

Michael Bain @mikejbain.bsky.social · yesterday

Unemployment is the worst since 2015 (under John Key). In Sept 2023 it was 3.9%; now it is 5.6%! Even at the height of the COVID pandemic, unemployment wasn't as bad. This coalition has made things worse for Kiwis. They are bad economic managers. #nzpol #votethemout www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...

Unemployment rises to 11-year high of 5.6%

Unemployment rose to its highest level in nearly 11 years as the growth in the workforce outpaced the number of jobs being created.

rnz.co.nz

Freya Faust @freyafaust.bsky.social · yesterday

1k words are better than no words. 600 words are better than no words. (<- I am here) 100 words are better than no words. 20 words are better than no words.

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · 3d ago

All but one of my books are sapphic! Fantasy, urban fantasy, with trans leads as well. www.amazon.com/stores/Issy-... (Amazon) books2read.com/issy-waldrom (universal) issy-waldrom.itch.io (itch) inkcolors.shop/author/autho... (Inkcolors)

A chart showcasing a little bit about my (being Issy Waldrom) books:
In the Urban fantasy bracket:
Heart's Claim (dragon shifter, trans, lesbian)
Heart's Whisper (wolf shifter, lesbian)
Best Friends' Promise (vampires, trans, lesbian)
Esper and the Witch (litrpg lite, trans, lesbian)
What Lies Within (FMFF poly, trans, lesbian, pansexual)
and in the Epic Fantasy bracket, we have the Soul Flames series, which also has dragons, foxes, and vampires too. Rep is trans and lesbian for the mc's.
Finally in the new Fantasy Romance bracket (technically Romantasy, I guess ^^) is my upcoming release The Princess's Dragon (trans and lesbian).

Ian Haramaki 🏳️‍⚧️✨ @ Megaplex C9@cometkins.bsky.social · 3d ago

How about we get a Yuri promo day going today? If you’ve got Yuri tell people about it and where to buy it! #WritingPrompt

dreamn @dreaminerryday.bsky.social · 3d ago

full color commission

Beedok/Fern 🏳️‍⚧️🇨🇦@beedokfern.bsky.social · yesterday

Moving cities is expensive, so... if anyone wants to buy my books I'd be very thankful. And you get some fun gay and/or trans stories! www.amazon.com/stores/Fern-... beedok.itch.io www.patreon.com/c/beedok/shop books2read.com/ap/xolebm/Fe...

Ryan CrawCour @ryan.crawcour.social · 2d ago

There's a clear double standard. Chloe has been sanctioned by Brownlee for incinuating someone was lying, yet Peters outright calls something a lie and nothing happens, and then when Chloe points this out, she is removed? This govt is an utter joke. #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

Chlöe Swarbrick kicked out of House after challenging Speaker's 'double standards'

The Greens co-leader has been kicked out of the House, after challenging what she called the Speaker's "double standards".

rnz.co.nz

Autumn Wolff | Lesbian Author & Narrator @autumnwolff.bsky.social · 2d ago

Want to read one of my books but can't afford it right now? You've got options! 1. Ask your local library to pull one of my books. 2. Look at a Kobo Plus subscription. It's $0.99 for the first month and lets you read ALL my books. 3. DM me! I'll trade a free ebook for a review.

Chloé Stawski @chlowski.bsky.social · 2d ago

summer heat

drawing of a woman sitting in squat in the evening summer light, visibly sweating, her long curly pink and blonde hair on her shoulders
she's wearing pink heels, an oversize white t-shirt/dress with flower pattern on it
she's holding some sort of cold drink with a straw in the right hand and her phone in the left
her gaze is lost in the distance, kinda tired

Effie Calvin @effiecalvin.bsky.social · 4d ago

The Queen of Ieflaria is now just $1.99 until Daughter of the Sun's release on Sept 1st! If you've been holding off on checking out the series, this is the perfect time to jump on! My books are sapphic romances set in a fun, hopeful fantasy world filled with magic and monsters. 🧡🦄📚💜🌈📚

Mariah Rae Birch 🌈 Author @mariahraebirch.bsky.social · 2d ago

SUNCATCHER, the first book in my new Sapphic Western Wanderers series, is releasing in ebook and paperback on August 11, 2026! Thank you to @kejart.bsky.social and @42fold.studio for this gorgeous cover! a.co/d/0f1a4U6z #booksky #sapphicromance #wlwbooks #sapphicwestern

Coming August 11. The illustrated cover of SUNCATCHER by Mariah Rae Birch, showing a human dressed in a broad hat and long coat mirrored by a gargoyle. Surrounding the cover is a trope map that includes: Sapphic Western, gargoyle x human, magic monsters and firearms, sheriff's daughter, forbidden love, opposites attract, takes her flying, touch scarved, spice.

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · 3d ago

All but one of my books are sapphic! Fantasy, urban fantasy, with trans leads as well. www.amazon.com/stores/Issy-... (Amazon) books2read.com/issy-waldrom (universal) issy-waldrom.itch.io (itch) inkcolors.shop/author/autho... (Inkcolors)

Ian Haramaki 🏳️‍⚧️✨ @ Megaplex C9@cometkins.bsky.social · 3d ago

How about we get a Yuri promo day going today? If you’ve got Yuri tell people about it and where to buy it! #WritingPrompt

Celia Thorn @celiathorn.bsky.social · 3d ago

My books are about sword-wielding buff vampire women falling in love while also trying to save the world. Mystery, sweet romance, and some demon-killing. 🖤 They're on Itch (celiathorn.itch.io/the-rising-d...) or Amazon (boo hiss www.amazon.com/Rising-Dark-...)

Covers of The Rising Dark and The Gathering Shade by Celia Thorn. The covers are in tones of red and black. Both feature two women embracing

Ian Haramaki 🏳️‍⚧️✨ @ Megaplex C9@cometkins.bsky.social · 3d ago

How about we get a Yuri promo day going today? If you’ve got Yuri tell people about it and where to buy it! #WritingPrompt

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · 6d ago

Happy #lesficfri! A story within a story, the words that Elara pens a manifestation of her wish. Little does she know, though, that it's the start of something more... ^^ (and she'll be smiling a lot later on) books2read.com/u/4AABOo issy-waldrom.itch.io/heart

Cover of Heart's Claim by Issy Waldrom, with the following excerpt:

Just a glance. A look. Stolen across the room, at a stranger sitting there. Alone, glass held in their hands, half full, the liquid a deep red, almost glinting in the sunlight as a stray ray danced in front of them. Silky black hair, deep brown eyes, lips painted in a ruby red. Moist lips curled into the sort of SMILE that you could drown in. Entrancing and beautiful. Their eyes catching, for but a moment, darting away just as quickly. A spark, a feeling. Intrigue? Perhaps something more? She could feel herself blush, heat rising to her cheeks as she fumbled with her own glass, trying to take a drink, but instead managing to spill some on the table in front of her. A red stain that slowly spread out, marring the pure white...

Ocean@oceanwrites.bsky.social · 6d ago

Happy Thurs #lesficfri Friends! 🤗 I screwed up again! I started a new job and was out of town training. And forgot promise it this morning AND it had the wrong date! 😫 Anyway, if you want to play, tomorrows word is ****SMILE**** Something I could use right about now! 😊☺️😁😀😉

Geist @rattlegeist.bsky.social · 4d ago

Small town bird with nowhere to go

A muscular ex-pilot walks towards the viewer, taking off her jacket. Behind her is a foggy wooded area, and her red truck. She wears a hat from a fishery.

Britney Jackson 🏳️‍🌈⚔️🏴‍☠️@britneyjackson.com · 5d ago

…as do some of their friends, parents, and mentors, and I personally think it would be less realistic, if they didn’t. Happy Disability Pride Month! 🖤 (2/2) #sapphicbooks

Britney Jackson 🏳️‍🌈⚔️🏴‍☠️@britneyjackson.com · 5d ago

On the last day of Disability Pride Month, I’m here to remind you, as a fantasy author with multiple disabilities, the idea that disabled people can’t be in fantasy is silly (and harmful). Both main characters of my Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons series have disabilities… (1/2)

The covers of Pirates of Aletharia (Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons: Book 1) and Goddess of the Sea (Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons: Book 2) by Britney Jackson on the disability pride flag.

Text: Disability Pride Month.
Disability Representation in Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons:
Main Characters: Autism, C-PTSD, and PTSD.
Minor Characters: Mutism, Autism, and Chronic Pain (Book 2).

Britney Jackson 🏳️‍🌈⚔️🏴‍☠️@britneyjackson.com · 5d ago

During one of the weeks I was offline for mental health reasons, Goddess of the Sea (Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons: Book 2) was featured in the Sapphic Book Bingo category: books set on a ship or boat! 💙 You can find more sapphic nautical books on @jaeauthor.bsky.social’s website! 💙

Image: Rainbow flag background and a ship.
Text: Sapphic Book Bingo 2026.

Image: Cover of Goddess of the Sea (Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons: Book 2) by Britney Jackson on rainbow flag background with a white dragon beside the text.
Text:
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO:
Goddess of the Sea (Lesbians, Pirates, & Dragons: Book 2):
• Autistic Main Character
• Tattooed Main Character
• Character with a Disability
• Takes Place on a Ship or Boat
• Established Couple
Hidden Gems:
• Pirates
• Unusual Pet(s)

Punk Rock Loser @grs22.bsky.social · 5d ago

Top or Bottom?

SimzArt @simzart.bsky.social · 5d ago

Breach. 🌿

A character sitting in the grass drinking tea, there's a school bag next to the character and a copper/bronze container. In the background a ghost cat is watching the character from a dark corner between the bushes.

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · 6d ago

Happy #lesficfri! A story within a story, the words that Elara pens a manifestation of her wish. Little does she know, though, that it's the start of something more... ^^ (and she'll be smiling a lot later on) books2read.com/u/4AABOo issy-waldrom.itch.io/heart

Ocean@oceanwrites.bsky.social · 6d ago

Happy Thurs #lesficfri Friends! 🤗 I screwed up again! I started a new job and was out of town training. And forgot promise it this morning AND it had the wrong date! 😫 Anyway, if you want to play, tomorrows word is ****SMILE**** Something I could use right about now! 😊☺️😁😀😉

Ocean @oceanwrites.bsky.social · 6d ago

Happy Thurs #lesficfri Friends! 🤗 I screwed up again! I started a new job and was out of town training. And forgot promise it this morning AND it had the wrong date! 😫 Anyway, if you want to play, tomorrows word is ****SMILE**** Something I could use right about now! 😊☺️😁😀😉

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · 4w ago

Updated chart for my books (and where you can get them), including my now announced upcoming book. And a reminder that all my books are DRM free. www.amazon.com/stores/Issy-... (Amazon) books2read.com/issy-waldrom (universal) issy-waldrom.itch.io (itch) inkcolors.shop/author/autho... (Inkcolors)

Sarah Andersen @sarahseeandersen.bsky.social · last wk.

The image is of a four panel comic.
The title for the first two panels reads “dog domestication”.
The first panel shows a wolf running with a pack. The text reads “we changed form, size, personality…”
The second panel shows a chihuahua in a dog bed. The text reads “…lifestyle, instinct, our entire way of being.”
The title for the last two panel reads “cat domestication.”
The third panel shows an image of a cat outside.
The fourth panel shows the exact same cat indoors. The text reads “we went inside.”

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · last wk.

Speculative and contemporary romance are separated. From there, book size/height, series are first (sorted by author), then standalones (also by author). It works, and looks decent enough ^^

Immigrant Punk@porcupunk.eurosky.social · last wk.

Enough of the horrors and doom scrolling. Let's talk about something fun. How do you arrange your books?

Chloé Stawski @chlowski.bsky.social · last wk.

love under green light 💚

fanart of the two main character from the lesbian romance The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All by Sumiko Arai
they are lying on a bed, cuddled up together, sharing earbuds & listening to rock music on Mitsuki's phone
they are bathed in green light and the whole scene looks very sweet & tender

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · 2w ago

I should probably restate for the record, that I never have, and never will, use AI in the creation of my books. Human creativity is paramount in the writing of the stories, the art, the voices (though sadly, no audiobooks for me yet). And yes, that means the writing is going to take me a while.

Issy Waldrom@iwaldrom.bsky.social · 4w ago

Updated chart for my books (and where you can get them), including my now announced upcoming book. And a reminder that all my books are DRM free. www.amazon.com/stores/Issy-... (Amazon) books2read.com/issy-waldrom (universal) issy-waldrom.itch.io (itch) inkcolors.shop/author/autho... (Inkcolors)

Andi @andiwrites.bsky.social · last wk.

It's release day! Like sea magic? Ghostly ships? A queer protag with ADHD? Tides of Time has all this and more. It's available on all the usual platforms at: books2read.com/b/tides3 Or start the series at books2read.com/b/tides1

Cover of Tides of Time by Andi R. Christopher. Cover shows a young woman in a leather jacket with magic like turquoise swirls around herand an old ship in the background.

Ana Solti ☾ working on comms @chronasolti.bsky.social · last wk.

Another one of the comms I made sometime ago ~ I rarely get to draw something sfw and romantic and I loved every second of working on this piece! 💜

Gwen's gotta find her road @darksideofthegwen.bsky.social · last wk.

Been having a rough time lately, and decided to revisit one of my favorite trans romance novels, Best Friends' Promise by @iwaldrom.bsky.social and Mackenzie Sutton. This book is an all time best imo. Odette and Miyako's journey is so lovely and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book 💜