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J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author

@jlhenker.bsky.social

Writer, blogger and host of the YouTube Channel: Women Fantasy Authors (focused on indies). I facilitate a support group for women fantasy writers. Queer. Wife. Grandma. Cat mom. https://jlhenker.com https://youtube.com/@womenfantasyauthors

235 Posts993 Follower 760 Folgt

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last wk.

Do you have a favorite indie author(s)? Ever wondered how to support them besides buying their books? My writing colleague, Margot Conor, shares a list of ways to help. Being an indie is challenging. We need all the support we can get! #author #books womenwritingotherworlds.com/2026/10/07/h...

How to Support Your Writer – Margot Conor

Yes, I am talking to authors too. We all need to support each other. It doesn’t matter if you read or write the same genre. Managing to get a book published is a huge accomplishment and it deserves…

womenwritingotherworlds.com

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last wk.

I had my book launch party a while ago, and what a celebration it was! There were dragon cakes, bling bags, and a room full of family & friends. I'm so grateful to everyone who came to eat cake and buy books!!!

Me sitting at a table covered with a blue cloth. My three books are on stands to the right. I'm sitting in my community center library with a big smile on my face, poised to sign one of my books.

A rectangular cake with bright red piping around the edge. The center contains a picture (on edible paper) of a red dragon sitting on the steps to a castle with a woman in a red gown standing below. The writing says, "Congratulations Janet!"

A round cake with chocolate frosting. Raspberries and a powdered sugar outline of a dragon breathing fire decorate the top.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 3w ago

Attention all North Bay (California) writers. A writers' conference is happening in Santa Rosa on October 17th. hosted by Redwood Writers with a great lineup of workshop presenters. You do not need to be a member to attend. For more info follow the link below. redwoodwriters.org/sonoma-count...

redwoodwriters.org

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 4w ago

Happy Hobbit Day!

Orkney Library & Archive@orkneylibrary.bsky.social · 4w ago

Today is #HobbitDay because Bilbo and Frodo Baggins were both born on September 22nd. Normally we'd shire a hobbit pun or two but it might just feel like a tolkien gesture and we don't want to embarrass our elves. Anyway it's a good day to come and boromir #Tolkien books. 📚

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last mo.

Sarah’s latest piece is an excellent take-down of AI & the harm it’s causing not just to authors but to the planet & our future. She’s brilliant. Please take a moment to read & keep refusing to buy-in to AI slop at every opportunity.

Sarah Kendzior@sarahkendzior.bsky.social · last mo.

New article! I am back with a piece on AI and the nightmare for writers -- or anyone who values life, love, and independent thought. sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/i-wandered...

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last mo.

I love this!

Rob Bignell, Editor/Author@inventingreality.bsky.social · last mo.

#Storytelling #writingcommunity #amwritingfantasy #mysterywriter #writerscorner

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I had a wonderful time at my family/friends book launch party this past Saturday. More people showed than up than expected & sold out of all 3 titles. I’m grateful for my amazing circle of friends. #author #books #dragons

Me with a big smile signing one of my books at a table with a blue tablecloth. My three books are on stands displayed to my left. Bookshelves are behind me.

A rectangle cake with white frosting and red piping. The center has a castle towere with a red dragon. Wording says ‘Congratulations Janet.’

A round cake with chocolate frosting & the image of a fire breathing dragon made with powdered sugar. This was the gluten-free cake I made for several friends who need to avoid gluten .

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This…

The Register@theregister.com · 3mo ago

Sci-fi authors Scalzi and Stross decry AI's dystopian impact on their craft

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 3mo ago

My friend & writing colleague Karen Lykkebo has a new release. She is an awesome writer, so support an indie author & check it out!

K Lykkebo 🖤 Fantasy author@karenlykkebo.com · 3mo ago

A soft and wholesome sapphic romance that celebrates silence, nature, and neurodiversity. A story of change, grief, and accepting love. A short read that’ll leave you warm around the heart. www.karenlykkebo.com/bearmyheart 💙📚

Ebook cover in green with the outline of a bear in the middle with mountains and a moon within the body. Surrounded by blue corn flowers, candles and a big pine cone

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 3mo ago

CAVE OF WHISPERS is currently available for 50% off at @Smashwords as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! Find my book on sale at www.smashwords.com/profile/view... through July 31st! You can also pick up the prequel, DAUGHTER OF THE DISPOSSESSED for 99¢! #SWSale2026 #Smashwords

The book cover for Cave of Whispers by J.L. Henker. The tag line across the top says, It was never about purity of blood, but purity of magic. The image shows a young woman with wavy black hair holding a walking staff, staring into a darkened cave where two glowing red eyes stare back. She is flanked by a large brown bear and a white wolf.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 6mo ago

I still have several seats available in my How to Create an Author Platform & Build Your Email List (Virtual), this coming Saturday, May 2, 10-11:30 AM PST. Learn the basics and build from there. More information here: jlhenker.com/2026/03/29/w...

Workshop for Authors: How to Create an Author Platform & Build Your Email List – May 2, 2026 – 10-11:30 AM (Virtual)

About a year ago, I realized I was answering the same questions again and again in my writers group forum. I decided that it made more sense to offer a class instead of repeating the same informati…

jlhenker.com

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 6mo ago

I was honored to serve as one of the contributing editors on his amazing anthology and also have a short story selected for inclusion. Don't miss the opportunity to download a FREE copy. Link below!

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author@jlhenker.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Women Writing Other Worlds has released their first #anthology. I'm thrilled my short story was selected for this amazing collection of stories from across all speculative fiction genres. Download a free copy now! #speculativefiction #fantasy #scifi www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remnants-j...

Ad announcing the release of Remnants an anthology by Women Writing Other Worlds. Heading says Recommended and Shop Now. The book cover is in tones of black and tans with fragments of old style fantasy maps. The map is split in the middle and an eye with a blue-green pupil peeks out from between the split.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 7mo ago

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Today's the big day--Cave of Whispers is launched. I'm so excited to have it published. The eBook is available now, and the paperback will be available in a couple of weeks. You can read the details & find purchase links here: mailchi.mp/jlhenker/jlh... #dragons #fantasy #author #booklaunch #books

A book cover with the title Cave of Whispers and a tag line "It was never about purity of blood, but purity of magic." The scene is a young woman with a hiking staff and a bear and wolf at her side. They are all staring into a dark cave at two glowing red eyes looking back at them. The text in the image says: Available at all major online distributors. Discounted through March 15th. Three women, three reasons--revenge, power, wisdom. They all answer the dragons call.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 8mo ago

I'm excited to announce that Cave of Whispers will be published soon. If you're an author, you know the work involved in writing and self-publishing. I'm grateful for everyone who has helped me bring this story to life. The prequel is still available for free on my webpage: jlhenker.com #fantasy

A graphic with a book cover and a header that says "Coming March 3rd! The book cover title is 'Cave of Whispers' and has an image of a young woman with black wavy hair holding a staff, flanked by a white wolf and a brown bear. They are both looking into a cave where two glowing red eyes stare back. The tag lines say "Three women, three reasons: wisdom, revenge & power. They all answer the dragon's call. "High fantasy with a touch of cozy."

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Here is an amazing essay that reinforces how we resist without losing our humanity, and stay sane and hopeful in the process. #resist #hope #community freewillastrology.com/beauty/archi...

Rob Brezsny’s Free Will Astrology - Beauty & Truth Lab - Archives - Our Aliveness Is a Threat to Them

freewillastrology.com

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Does anyone out there make fantasy maps in Inkarnate? I have a map I built for a novella that needs to be upgraded & expanded for a novel & I’m looking for some who could do that for me. Please email me directly at jlhenkerauthor@gmail.com.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 10mo ago

OMG I’m so there. Getting ready to publish & questioning everything, including my sanity.

Tom Cox@dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Note from my notebook (2018). Still relevant.

THE TEN STAGES OF BOOK WRITING:

1. Faffing.
2. Terror.
3. More faffing.
4. ‘SHIT I AM SO BEHIND.’
5. Zombie who can’t think about anything but book and dreams about book every night.
6. ‘This is awful.’
7. ‘This might be OK, and that faffing might have been of benefit after all.’
8. ‘Oh my god I hope I don’t die before I’m done.’
9. ‘DONE! Never doing that again.’
10. Write another book.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Cover reveal for CAVE OF WHISPERS, which releases on February 3rd! It hints beautifully at the adventure that awaits! This is the sequel to my novella, Daughter of the Dispossessed. Receive a FREE download of DAUGHTER OF THE DISPOSSESSED by signing up for my newsletter here: jlhenker.com #dragons

Book cover of Cave of Whispers by J.L. Henker. It features a young woman with dark, curly hair holding a walking staff with a decorative, curved top. She is facing a darkened cave. A shadowed face with two glowing eyes staring out. She is flanked by a large brown bear to her left and a white wolf on her right. The cave opening is surrounded by low-growing green bushes. The tag line at the top of the cover reads: It was never about purity of blood, but purity of magic.

Book cover for Daughter of the Dispossessed by J.L. Henker. It shows a young woman looking out toward the horizon with a mountain and a castle perched on top. A dragon flies overhead. She has long white hair in a braid down her back, and she wears a bright red/burgundy robe. She is standing on a ledge of rocks with trees creating a canopy overhead.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Just received Robyn Dabney’s sequel to The Ascenditure. I’m so excited! I interviewed Robyn last year about her first book & the inspiration behind it. She is a rock climber & outdoor adventurer, which shines through in her writing—highly recommended. LInk to Interview: youtu.be/GVSUxb8Af4U

Book cover titled Finding Ramanata by Robyn Dabney. It shows a dramatic scene with a young woman with long dark hair and a flowing skirt climbing the steep stide of a snow, rocky mountain. A brilliant yellow orange sunet is in the background, highlighting the snow mountains. Order at: https://regal-house-publishing.mybigcommerce.com/finding-ramanata/

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Just pre-ordered. Let’s jump in & make this a reality for Seanan!

Seanan McGuire@seananmcguire.bsky.social · 12mo ago

If we can sell between 5,000 and 10,000 copies of OMENS OF CHAOS, we will debut comfortably on the New York Times Bestseller list, which is a very normal thing for a book to want (and will send a very clear message about what we want as a community). We won't, but a girl can dream.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

November is fast approaching, so I signed up for the free Novel November being hosted by ProWritingAid. Hopefully, it will help fill the hole left by the closing of NaNoWriMo. I hope to see some of you there. #writing #nanowrimo #authors #books Here's the info: prowritingaid.com/novel-november

Novel November: A 30 Day Writing Challenge

Join the only writing challenge that takes you from blank page to first draft in just one month with the help of bestselling authors.

prowritingaid.com

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

I had a great time talking with Benjamin Gorman on his podcast, Writers Not Writing. Thanks Ben! #authors #podcasts #fantasy

Not a Pipe Publishing Ink-Corporated LLC@notapipe.bsky.social · last yr.

On this episode, @benjamingorman.bsky.social gabs with @jlhenker.bsky.social, author of DAUGHTER OF THE DISPOSSESSED, the short story “Corporate Baby” in the @antifalit.bsky.social Journal, and the forthcoming CAVE OF WHISPERS. Show: bit.ly/WNWHome Ad-free: bit.ly/PatreonBG

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

Are you an author in need of an author platform & don't know where to start? I'm teaching an on-line workshop on just that, Saturday, August 9th from 2-3:30PM PST. This will be a small class (10-12 participants). Only a couple spots left. More detail in alt text. #authors #marketing

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

My writing colleague @kareneisenbrey.bsky.social released A Quest for Hidden Things (my favorite fantasy read so far this year). I interviewed her on my YouTube Channel: Women Fantasy Writers, & we discussed the novel, its characters, and magic. Enjoy. youtu.be/REaX0D2hj4A?... #fantasy #authors

Karen Eisenbrey 04 24 25

YouTube video by Women Fantasy Authors

youtu.be

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

I have a short story in the upcoming Antifa Lit Journal Vol. 1. You can pre-order anywhere books are sold or get your copy by backing the Kickstarter for Volume 2 so we can continue to speak out against the rise of fascism in the US and around the world. bit.ly/ALJKick #authors #anthologies

Book cover for the antifa Lit Journal, Vol. 1. There is a burst of color from he center radiating out in shades of red and grey. Two white and black orcha whales arch togehter to pump noses. The book title is; What If We Kised while Sinking a Billionaire's Yacht? There is a cut-out of a yacht in the background and across the bottom are all the authors who have contributed to this volume. My contribution is a dystopian piece with corporations controlling reproduction and women fighting back.

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

Do you write #Fantasy that includes #dragons? Are you on StoryOrigin? I'm doing a newsetter builder promo. If your story includes dragons, I invite you to join. It is a giveaway--they download your free book in exchange for signing up for your newsletter. Email questions to jlhenkerauthor@gmail.com

A banner with background of dark gray and tourquoise rugged peaks. In front are two white fantasy dragons on either side facing a header that says 'Dragon Tales Await' and Free stories all July!

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

Now that Goodreads is owned by Amazon, is there an alternative platform?

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

My quote for the day is from Lynda Obst. “There is a fine line between persistence & madness.”As a writer trying to juggle all the necessary pieces to self-publish, I’m leaning a bit toward the madness side. #writing #author #publishing #books

J.L. Henker - Fantasy/Sci-fi Author @jlhenker.bsky.social · last yr.

This is both poignant and powerful. Thank you, Bruce. #democracy youtu.be/n-kODkdNSgs?...

Bruce Springsteen’s Message to America: A Protest. A Prayer. A Wake-Up Call.

YouTube video by The Seneca Project

youtu.be