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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland

@nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social

1K followers 1.7K following 900 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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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · Aug 21

Interested in reading a sweet romance story set in a dark fantasy world? ARC reader sign-ups for Hearts of Bark and Scale are open now! Check the linktree in my profile or comment "I'm in" and I'll provide the link.

#BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #ARCread #ReadingCommunity

The world is blood and pain, but still there’s love.

All Kvisti has ever wanted is to protect her desert village in a way that would make the Mother Tree proud. Unfortunately, an old injury has left her once-potent dryad powers broken, and she can’t even stop the ruthless magic poachers that invade her village for the scraps of magic she still holds.

Snake shifter Iason is bound to a criminal snake den for the sake of his rare healing magic. But the magic poachers want his magic, too. When the poachers throw Kvisti in the same magic-proof cell as Iason, the two are inexorably drawn together, bonding over past traumas. In their isolation, they begin to heal each other, finding a connection deeper than they imagined possible.

But when disaster strikes the poachers, Kvisti and Iason are abandoned in their cell with no hope for freedom.

In a world that thrives on cruelty and despair, love may be their only salvation. Can Kvisti and Iason break free of their prison and the pasts that haunt them before their connection is torn apart? Will the delicate new feelings taking root in their hearts bloom, or will the desert bury them? When blood and pain are a constant, love is a fragile thing—but one worth fighting for.

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 15h

Siblingcore action 😉

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“Thanks for making lunch,” Poe said. Tennyson grumbled something, not even turning to look at him, and Manny threw him an amused wink before following the other boy into the living room.
“He says you’re welcome,” Manny said, soto voce.
“I do not,” Tennyson snapped, and Manny just laughed.

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Reposted by Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland

Issy Waldrom @iwaldrom.bsky.social · 2d

Since it's #lesficfri where I am at least, here's an excerpt from Soul Flames vol 1. In this case, it's jumping for joy! ^^

books2read.com/u/bwNDBy

Cover of Soul Flames vol 1 by Issy Waldrom, with the following excerpt:

“Yes! Finally!”

Crystal let out a jubilant squeal as she did a victory jump. Ten orbs of light floated lazily around her, all with perfectly matching intensity.

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 1d

With Kip? Definitely a possibility... 😅

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 1d

To be fair, scavenger hunts are fun!

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 1d

What kind of prize entices a chaos gremlin? The kind likely to cause more chaos, obviously... 😬

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

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting

“What about a scavenger hunt?” Poe offered. “A list of things you have to find somewhere in the house in order to win.” That seemed like something safe enough, and if he set the rules to be contained within the house, Kip would have no reason to leave.
“Isn’t that a kids’ game?” Kip asked, sounding suspicious.
“Doesn’t have to be. I can make the list hard, if you want. No asking Manny, either.”
“And what happens when I win?”
Right, a prize. What would be enticing enough for Kip that he’d stick with the game and not give up or get distracted halfway through? “If you can find all the items on the list before Byron and Cora get home, I’ll let you push the button on the extradimensional navigation device for our next jump.”
“Really?” Kip asked, eyes wide.

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 1d

I'm signed up for my first ever in-person book signing event! If you're in NC, stop by and see me at Your Coffee Place in Troutman on Nov. 1, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm 😘

#BookSky #ReadingCommunity #BookCommunity #BookEvent #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Background image of a stack of books decorated like a Christmas tree. Text reads: Your Coffee Place's Holiday Author Signing event. 403 N. Main St., Troutman, NC 28166. When: Saturday, November 1, 2025 10am-3pm. Attending authors: Rebecca F. Kenney, Tricia Meyers, Laya Layne, Addie Bealer, Christy Healy, Hope Andersen, D.E. Chapman, Jeanette T. Queen, Tori Lewis, Taylor White, Mandy Castro, Lily Graison, Robyn Witherspoon, RD Moreno, CY Harold, TL Combs, Nicole Leland, Sierra Zinke, Alexa Loscalzo, John Deaver, Celaena Cuico

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 2d

Artists versus poets, but definitely a similar kind of theme 😂

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 2d

I love the moments in the story where they meet someone and the new person is like "wait you're all named for poets," so thanks for giving me that experience in real life now too 🤣🤣🤣

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 2d

Ninja turtles, huh? Maybe you've discovered my secret inspiration 🐢🐢🐢🐢😂

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 2d

Poe doesn't have the healthiest responses to stress (yet more evidence all these boys need therapy...) 😅

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

Poe was slipping into fanaticism, and that might be worrying him more than the other two combined. He kept forgetting to drink enough water and take breaks to eat. Byron wasn’t sure if he ever slept, especially after Kip found a battery-powered lamp that let Poe work late into the night. He always seemed to be hunched over the END, working with some intricate component that only he understood. He had sent Byron and the others out to look for other tools and materials a couple of times, but as far as Byron could tell, the new materials just set in a pile by his elbow as yet unused. Byron had caught Poe muttering to himself about margins of error and not being allowed to fail.
“No one blames you,” Byron had told him, more than once.
“Thanks,” Poe kept saying, but the response was more rote and halfhearted every time, his expression more tight and drawn with each repetition.

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

Sibling relationships, right?

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

Tennyson is trying to be nicer to Poe, he's just not very good at it...

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“Oh, hey Poe,” Emmanuel said. He was always so nice to Tennyson’s brothers; it warmed Tennyson’s heart, even when he wanted nothing more than to snipe at them himself. “Enjoying the party?”
“Poe doesn’t like parties,” Tennyson muttered, digging through the bags to look for springform pans. He glanced at Poe, still standing hesitantly by the coffee maker. He didn’t like parties, and yet here he was. How could Tennyson ask if Poe was ok without directly asking him? “I’m surprised you came up from the dungeon. Everyone knows you don’t like people.” He watched Poe for some sign of increased discomfort, some kind of wary glance, but he was already so twitchy and stiff it was hard to tell. “Shouldn’t you be hiding out somewhere with nothing but your lonely math for company?”
That made Poe flinch, and Tennyson almost kicked himself. It was so easy for him to turn anything he said to his brother into an insult, even when he didn’t intend to. Even if it was true. But if he was only flinching at Tennyson’s normal prodding, that probably meant he was ok otherwise – right?

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 3d

New weekly #WritingPrompt is ready! A little silly, maybe, but still ripe for all kinds of interesting stories. What kind of story would you write with this prompt?

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting #WritingInspo

Decorative leaf wreath with writing prompt text: Dez learned not to blindly trust GPS directions when she headed out for Poughkeepsie and ended up on Mars. @NicoleLSoperGorden

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

The perfect encapsulation of the relationship between Kip and Byron 😂

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“You can let go of the rope,” Kip called down. “I’m going to untie it from up here so we don’t leave it on the roof.”
“I didn’t approve that!” Byron called back up. “Come down the safe way, Kip!”
But the rope fell from above to coil at Poe’s feet then.
“Oops, sorry!” Kip said with a completely unrepentant grin. “Guess I’ll have to come down my way after all. Can everyone get inside? Don’t want anyone in the way.”
“Never listens to a word I say,” Byron grumbled.

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 This is not a drill! 🚨

This week is your last chance to sign up as an ARC reader for Hearts of Bark and Scale. Final eARC copies will be sent out over the weekend! Blurb in alt text. Linktree in my bio, or ask me to DM you a link.

#BookSky #WriteSky #ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity #ARCreader

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 5d

🌟 Calling all North Carolinian readers! 🌟

Fantasy romance author Cassie Swindon and other bookish vendors have several in-person book fairs coming up over the next month. Check Oak & Ink Bookish Boutiques mini book fairs to support local authors and find your next favorite read! 📚📚📚

#BookSky

Oak & Ink Bookish Boutiques Mini Book Fairs Schedule!
October 19 - Cotton House Craft Brewers, 307 S. Academy, Cary, NC.
October 24 - South Line Brewing Company, 2141 E. Williams St., Apex, NC.
Novebmer 7 0 R&D Brewing, 1323 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 5d

Tennyson has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease 🤭

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

“I’ve seen you on the court often enough, hotshot.”
“Fuck you. You never come to my games.”
Poe flinched, then frowned. “I go to a completely different school, Tennyson. But you know they stream your games online, right? I didn’t miss a single one of your games last year.” Then Poe turned away, stretching his stride to catch up with Jocie and leave Tennyson behind.
“Well fuck me,” Tennyson muttered under his breath. “Is he telling the truth?”
“Yup,” Byron said. “He actually called me when your first game of the season coincided with an exam, asking for advice about still watching you play. I pointed him to the streaming page.”
“Aw,” Cora said. “That’s awfully sweet.”
“Ouch,” Kip said, patting Tennyson’s shoulder. “Does it hurt to have your foot that far in your mouth?”
“Shut up,” Tennyson grumbled. “I’m still not a hotshot.”

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 6d

It doesn't work for everyone, but I find it motivating, personally! 😊 If you try it, start small - just a few words a day. You can work up to larger counts later, but even on really busy days when you only write a word or two, that still counts! My lowest word count day was only 2 words 😂

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 6d

Somehow I've managed to write at least a few words every day for 500 days in a row, and that seems worth celebrating. 🎉🎉🎉

What's the longest you've done something on a streak?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #BookSky #AmWriting

Image of someone writing in a notebook with a pen. Text reads: 500 day writing streak! 412,946 words. Average 826 words/day. Range 2 to 3712 words/day.

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 6d

Instance #2,845,673,975 of a "where's Kip?" moment 😂😂😂

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

By the time they managed to escape the chatty man, Tennyson was ready to be done with shopping for the whole day. Too bad they still have at least four more stores to go to.
The automatic doors slid shut behind them as they left the pharmacy. Tennyson stared, blinking dumbly at the empty bench.
“Holy fucking hell, we lost Kip,” he said, looking around for his brother. “Byron is going to murder me.”
“He was just out here,” Emmanuel said, casting his gaze around. “He can’t have gotten too far.”
“Clearly you don’t know Kip that well,” Tennyson muttered.

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 6d

Little excerpt of Talos hearing Maelle sing for the first time in Against an Alpine Sky 💜

Sweet fantasy romance between a human woman and a lithander (stone man). Available now!

#BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #Excerpt #Romance #FantasyRomance

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 7d

😏

Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 7d

Out-of-context quote for this prompt, to avoid spoilers:

“Show Byron your scavenger hunt taser camera!”

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

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting

✨#WIPSnips✨ A Daily Writing Share Tag @wipsnips.bsky.social · 8d

The #WIPSnips word for October 4th is "hunt"

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

#WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag
October 4 - hunt
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 black with stars with a light blue rectangle highlighted by a fuchsia line. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner

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Reposted by Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland

Shimaira ⛥ @shimaira.com · 9d

Only this weekend (Oct 3-5): grab @jheijndermans.bsky.social & my book in these special bundles 😁

- Bloodlovers (2📚) itch.io/b/3278/blood...
- Beautiful Beasts (3📚) itch.io/s/159482/spi...
- All 4 📚 itch.io/b/3279/spicy...

& for just MY LORD itch.io/s/160164/spi...

~
🖤📚😱🌈📚💙📢📚🌍🌶️📚🩸🌈💜 #DiscountBooks

My Lord by L. B. Shimaira (standalone, sapphic, kinky lord, blood drinking, cannibalism, overcoming trauma, kill your abusers, polyam F/F/M, hurt/comfort)

$The nightstalker's mark by Joachim Heijndermans (vampire smut, friends to lovers, disability \& blindness, vampire violence, emotional abuse, LGBTQ romance, shape changing, mind control, blood drinking)$ $Return the rose by Joachim Heijndermans (romance in the rain, beauty \& the beast, preferring the beast, romantic scars, broken beds, magical genitalia, predator role play, sapphic experiment, prisoner to lover)$ Cover of the fisherman's wife by Joachim Heijndermans (consensual tentacles, literal foxy lady, slightly benevolent monster, secret sex worker, protective surrogate mother, evil ronin, brutal revenge, octopus yokai, sengoku jidai-era Japan)

Cover of the fisherman's wife by Joachim Heijndermans (consensual tentacles, literal foxy lady, slightly benevolent monster, secret sex worker, protective surrogate mother, evil ronin, brutal revenge, octopus yokai, sengoku jidai-era Japan)

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Nicole L. Soper Gorden / Nicole Leland @nicolelsopergorden.bsky.social · 8d

Still think I'm picking illusion ✨