Delilah S. Dawson
@delilahsdawson.bsky.social
NYT-bestseller, Stoker and Thriller award finalist, writer of horror, fantasy, YA, MG, romance, and Star Wars. Cowriter of the Tales of Pell. Also comics. Olympic lifter. She/her. aka Lila Bowen & Isla Jewell.
Links: https://linktr.ee/delilahsdawson
Links: https://linktr.ee/delilahsdawson
Pinned
Hi! I'm Delilah S. Dawson & Lila Bowen. I'm a NYT-bestselling author of over 30 books and dozens of comics for adults, YA, and middle grade. I love Star Wars, weird taxidermy, Olympic lifting, and gluten free baking. I will answer any non-googleable question about writing, publishing, or my work.
If you've got a middle grade Horror lover in your life, I've got a gruesome threesome of books that would make an impressive gift! RIDE OR DIE, CAMP SCARE, and MINE are available wherever books are sold, in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
November 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
If you've got a middle grade Horror lover in your life, I've got a gruesome threesome of books that would make an impressive gift! RIDE OR DIE, CAMP SCARE, and MINE are available wherever books are sold, in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
I'm just a girl
staring at a screen
begging my favorite bands to have actual concerts instead of only doing crappy festivals in 102 degree summer heat that are standing pit only with rows of stank-ass portapotties and $12 Dasani water.
staring at a screen
begging my favorite bands to have actual concerts instead of only doing crappy festivals in 102 degree summer heat that are standing pit only with rows of stank-ass portapotties and $12 Dasani water.
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I'm just a girl
staring at a screen
begging my favorite bands to have actual concerts instead of only doing crappy festivals in 102 degree summer heat that are standing pit only with rows of stank-ass portapotties and $12 Dasani water.
staring at a screen
begging my favorite bands to have actual concerts instead of only doing crappy festivals in 102 degree summer heat that are standing pit only with rows of stank-ass portapotties and $12 Dasani water.
I feel so embarrassed for Black Friday. Like, it used to be a nice TV so cheap that you would camp outside of the store overnight and kill a man with a toilet plunger, and now it's like, SURPRISE BESTIE, 10% OFF RETURN ADDRESS LABELS IF YOU GIVE US YOUR PHONE NUMBER!!!! Have some dignity.
November 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I feel so embarrassed for Black Friday. Like, it used to be a nice TV so cheap that you would camp outside of the store overnight and kill a man with a toilet plunger, and now it's like, SURPRISE BESTIE, 10% OFF RETURN ADDRESS LABELS IF YOU GIVE US YOUR PHONE NUMBER!!!! Have some dignity.
When submitting a short story to a magazine, how long do you give them the exclusive? Just today remembered one I submitted in February and realized I haven't heard back.
November 22, 2025 at 1:57 PM
When submitting a short story to a magazine, how long do you give them the exclusive? Just today remembered one I submitted in February and realized I haven't heard back.
Fun career first: When answering the publisher's audiobook questions regarding whether the narrator needs to know any other languages, I had to answer, "Must be able to make realistic parrot noises."
November 22, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Fun career first: When answering the publisher's audiobook questions regarding whether the narrator needs to know any other languages, I had to answer, "Must be able to make realistic parrot noises."
Reposted by Delilah S. Dawson
Authors beware: ClaimsHero is urging authors to opt out of the Anthropic settlement in order to file their own separate lawsuit. Except this outfit has no federal or state court experience with class-action suits. And the judge has called them a fraud.
Predatory Opt-Out Scheme ClaimsHero Targets Anthropic Settlement Participants: What Authors Need to Know - The Authors Guild
In recent weeks, a third-party law firm, ClaimsHero, has launched an aggressive online campaign urging authors to opt out of the Bartz v. Anthropic copyright settlement. ClaimsHero—which has no litiga...
authorsguild.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Authors beware: ClaimsHero is urging authors to opt out of the Anthropic settlement in order to file their own separate lawsuit. Except this outfit has no federal or state court experience with class-action suits. And the judge has called them a fraud.
Reposted by Delilah S. Dawson
I think one of the hardest things about being a career writer in traditional publishing is that writing attracts the neurodivergent brain while the variable reinforcement schedule punishes it. We are all the rat at the water bottle, waiting for the hit of cocaine. You get one win, and you need MORE.
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I think one of the hardest things about being a career writer in traditional publishing is that writing attracts the neurodivergent brain while the variable reinforcement schedule punishes it. We are all the rat at the water bottle, waiting for the hit of cocaine. You get one win, and you need MORE.
Reposted by Delilah S. Dawson
This Saturday, find me at B&N Perimeter in ATL to defend romance with @runwithskizzers.bsky.social @julianwinters.bsky.social @delilahsdawson.bsky.social and Vanessa Riley! 2pm! Go or else I'll stop posting dog pictures!
November 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM
This Saturday, find me at B&N Perimeter in ATL to defend romance with @runwithskizzers.bsky.social @julianwinters.bsky.social @delilahsdawson.bsky.social and Vanessa Riley! 2pm! Go or else I'll stop posting dog pictures!
Reposted by Delilah S. Dawson
Are you mad at billionaires? Me, too. That's why I wrote this book about punishing them in inventive ways.
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
November 20, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Are you mad at billionaires? Me, too. That's why I wrote this book about punishing them in inventive ways.
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
I tell people that if you can do literally anything else as a job, something steady, do that and write for fun. If not, try this, but don't quit your day job until you have a year of living expenses saved up and a good source for insurance. I am fortunate to have a supportive partner.
I heard someone talk about his granddad who always said the best surfers are the ones sitting at the beach, and you know, I would like to ask you if you think not going down this path that you‘re on if you would be happy with that decision.
Or would you long even for the cold of the water?
Or would you long even for the cold of the water?
November 20, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I tell people that if you can do literally anything else as a job, something steady, do that and write for fun. If not, try this, but don't quit your day job until you have a year of living expenses saved up and a good source for insurance. I am fortunate to have a supportive partner.
I think one of the hardest things about being a career writer in traditional publishing is that writing attracts the neurodivergent brain while the variable reinforcement schedule punishes it. We are all the rat at the water bottle, waiting for the hit of cocaine. You get one win, and you need MORE.
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I think one of the hardest things about being a career writer in traditional publishing is that writing attracts the neurodivergent brain while the variable reinforcement schedule punishes it. We are all the rat at the water bottle, waiting for the hit of cocaine. You get one win, and you need MORE.
Are you mad at billionaires? Me, too. That's why I wrote this book about punishing them in inventive ways.
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
November 20, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Are you mad at billionaires? Me, too. That's why I wrote this book about punishing them in inventive ways.
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
Guess why it's called Guillotine.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763731...
I'm honestly feeling kinda bleak lately, but seeing the Captain Cardinal helmet out in the world brings me joy. My tragic little cinnamon roll! www.disneystore.com/captain-card...
Captain Cardinal Electronic Helmet – Star Wars: The Black Series | Disney Store
Don the helmet of Captain Cardinal, who served as Armitage Hux's personal guard, as he was among the orphans that Brendol Hux took in to create the First Order. This electronic reproduction of the Cap...
www.disneystore.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I'm honestly feeling kinda bleak lately, but seeing the Captain Cardinal helmet out in the world brings me joy. My tragic little cinnamon roll! www.disneystore.com/captain-card...
I don't want to startle anyone but the Lindt and Ghirardelli dark chocolate bars at Publix are currently $5.69. It made me so mad that I didn't buy chocolate. And I am ALL ABOUT treating myself and DEEP in perimenopause, so that is how far spite can power me. Those bars should be 2/$5.
a man says i 'm sorry in front of a sign that says schitt 's creek
ALT: a man says i 'm sorry in front of a sign that says schitt 's creek
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I don't want to startle anyone but the Lindt and Ghirardelli dark chocolate bars at Publix are currently $5.69. It made me so mad that I didn't buy chocolate. And I am ALL ABOUT treating myself and DEEP in perimenopause, so that is how far spite can power me. Those bars should be 2/$5.
Just a reminder that:
1. House of Idyll is a rock star Horror book
🎸
2. It has lyrics and liner notes, plus this banger of a song
🦄
3. A signed special edition is available from Books-A-Million in the US and @forbiddenplanet.bsky.social in the UK
1. House of Idyll is a rock star Horror book
🎸
2. It has lyrics and liner notes, plus this banger of a song
🦄
3. A signed special edition is available from Books-A-Million in the US and @forbiddenplanet.bsky.social in the UK
November 19, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Just a reminder that:
1. House of Idyll is a rock star Horror book
🎸
2. It has lyrics and liner notes, plus this banger of a song
🦄
3. A signed special edition is available from Books-A-Million in the US and @forbiddenplanet.bsky.social in the UK
1. House of Idyll is a rock star Horror book
🎸
2. It has lyrics and liner notes, plus this banger of a song
🦄
3. A signed special edition is available from Books-A-Million in the US and @forbiddenplanet.bsky.social in the UK
tfw you want to write a big, sweeping, dark, weird trauma-dive of a Horrorromantasy novel that's just sitting in your heart, waiting to burst out like an alien, but instead you are contracted to write a sweet, cozy Romance.
a man in a white shirt is holding a key in front of a red van and says okay fine you win
ALT: a man in a white shirt is holding a key in front of a red van and says okay fine you win
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
tfw you want to write a big, sweeping, dark, weird trauma-dive of a Horrorromantasy novel that's just sitting in your heart, waiting to burst out like an alien, but instead you are contracted to write a sweet, cozy Romance.
Lunchtime poll: Do you support author Patreons, and if so, why? What do you like about them that is worth the investment? Short stories, input for future books? I've realized that I don't enjoy writing a newsletter, but that is in part bc I feel like most people don't want one + the metrics stink.
November 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Lunchtime poll: Do you support author Patreons, and if so, why? What do you like about them that is worth the investment? Short stories, input for future books? I've realized that I don't enjoy writing a newsletter, but that is in part bc I feel like most people don't want one + the metrics stink.
Idea: What if I edited a version of Bloom so that it was merely a sweet, sapphic, cottagecore Romance with a Happily Ever After and no violence at all? We could call it Blossom.
November 19, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Idea: What if I edited a version of Bloom so that it was merely a sweet, sapphic, cottagecore Romance with a Happily Ever After and no violence at all? We could call it Blossom.
If you're thinking about award nominations or end-of-year lists, I hope you'll think of my 2025 releases. It was a scary year for me in more ways than one.
November 19, 2025 at 1:53 PM
If you're thinking about award nominations or end-of-year lists, I hope you'll think of my 2025 releases. It was a scary year for me in more ways than one.
And for those asking HOW or BY WHAT METRIC...
I'm a traditionally published author.
My metric is: will an editor buy it? 😅
I'm a traditionally published author.
My metric is: will an editor buy it? 😅
Y'all, I think I wrote a middle grade Horror that's... TOO WEIRD?
November 19, 2025 at 12:53 AM
And for those asking HOW or BY WHAT METRIC...
I'm a traditionally published author.
My metric is: will an editor buy it? 😅
I'm a traditionally published author.
My metric is: will an editor buy it? 😅
Y'all, I think I wrote a middle grade Horror that's... TOO WEIRD?
November 19, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Y'all, I think I wrote a middle grade Horror that's... TOO WEIRD?
If you've noticed that stickers are currently my main swag, that's bc I learned that the guy who owns Sticker Mule is MAGA and found Sticky Brand instead. Here's a deal for 200 stickers for $59, if you'd like to try them, too: thestickybrand.com/products/200... Every order has been great so far!
Custom 3" Vinyl Stickers - Sticky Brand
Get 200, 3.0" custom stickers for only $59.00 normally priced at $135.00. Made from our signature Bombproof™ material and cut to the shape of your choice.
thestickybrand.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
If you've noticed that stickers are currently my main swag, that's bc I learned that the guy who owns Sticker Mule is MAGA and found Sticky Brand instead. Here's a deal for 200 stickers for $59, if you'd like to try them, too: thestickybrand.com/products/200... Every order has been great so far!
Perimenopause is wild because it's a gorgeous day and I find myself ANGRY at... literally nothing. I'm not angry. But my body is pretty sure I am, and I'm about to get in a fight. With whom? I DON'T KNOW. But I am so ANGRY. It's like I'm... holding the anger for someone else? And yes, I'm on HRT.
November 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Perimenopause is wild because it's a gorgeous day and I find myself ANGRY at... literally nothing. I'm not angry. But my body is pretty sure I am, and I'm about to get in a fight. With whom? I DON'T KNOW. But I am so ANGRY. It's like I'm... holding the anger for someone else? And yes, I'm on HRT.
Since Bluesky doesn't give me enough characters to truly express the depth of my hatred of the Soulless, Climate-Eating Plagiarism Machine:
November 18, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Since Bluesky doesn't give me enough characters to truly express the depth of my hatred of the Soulless, Climate-Eating Plagiarism Machine: