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Dierdre Cieran

@dmcieran.bsky.social

180 followers 480 following 75 posts

I write fantasy for all ages, exploring themes of resilience and perseverance. I have two kids and two cats. Outside of writing, I like to garden, crochet, draw and paint.

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Dierdre Cieran @dmcieran.bsky.social · Aug 6

ENCANTO VIBES IN A POST-MODERN SETTING

UNDER THE BRIGHT SUN is about a girl with the ability to see the future in an isolated village who must uncover the secret of a stranger's arrival to recover lost magic before everyone falls to an endless sleep from magic withdrawal.

#QuestPit #Q #MG #F #S

mages of a desert with mountains in the background and saguaro cacti in the mid ground

pictures of book covers for "The Alchemy of Letting Go," "The Stars of Whistling Ridge," and the movie poster for Disney's "Encanto."

A picture of a saguaro cactus and a pink backpack.

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Dierdre Cieran @dmcieran.bsky.social · 2h

Happy Caturday! My girls Nimbus and Stratus. Two years old and queens of the house.

#caturday #writingbuddies #revspirations

Two cats side by side in the top of a cat tree. Left cat is a fluffy void, right cat is a panda.

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Dierdre Cieran @dmcieran.bsky.social · 12h

"I just entered #RevPit #10Queries. Enter now for a chance to win free feedback on your query and 1st 5 pages"

Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Catherine “Halloween meme participant” Winters @catherinewinters.com · Aug 6

Nia Moredi just wants to look out for her little brother. Miss Laval needs to attend a governess-teacher meeting. Baarsin Dorvierre's being watched. Wren the pickpocket needs to recharge her misdirection charm. If only Nia could remember which of them she's supposed to be today. #QuestPit #YA #F #W

A mood board of eight tiles and a centre square with lockpicking tools and ancient writing:
1. Always have an escape plan.
2. A swindler never lets herself feel like a fraud.
3. Don't look for the easy grab, look for the easy mark.
4. Never get involved with golems.

The pictures depict, clockwise from upper right:
A) A city of canals and towering footbridges. There are minarets and steeples and red-tiled roofs.
B) A market selling elaborate lanterns, all aglow.
C) A porcelain and gold hand, reaching upwards.
D) Two figures leaping across rooftops against the coming dawn.
E) A pocketwatch--or is it? Constellations and continents cover the front, the body of the watch engraved with runes. It's sitting on ancient parchment.
F) A wax stamp with removable chits that function as coins in a card game.
G) The lords of the city overlooking grand canals and issuing edicts. They are dressed in fine red robes and silks.
H) Assorted bones and shells used for divination and more.

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

allison e. crisostomo @aecwrites.bsky.social · Aug 6

When the fates of a genius artificer and a ghostly warrior collide, they must outmaneuver seductive half-truths trying to keep them apart. Otherwise a brewing rebellion, demonic beasts, and betrayal will lead them to destroy the land and the people they’ve both sworn to protect.

#W #A #F #questpit

10-photo collage featuring a bright light, an engine, a lighthouse, agates, birch wood, a dock, a bicycle, a tall ship, weapons including a blade and kali sticks, and a crystal.

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Sophie Pinkoski @sophiemlpink.bsky.social · Aug 6

UMBRELLA ACADEMY x HILL HOUSE
For rockstar Aster Maddox, dying is as easy as breathing.Staying dead is the hard part.Eager to uncover the truth behind his divine intervention, he crashes an artists retreat.But the demon queen who has his answers is about to rock his every belief. #QuestPit #A #Q #H

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Neѕѕα @nessamoulay.bsky.social · Aug 6

CITY OF BRASS x the Scorpion & the Night Blossom

A girl with dormant magic infiltrates a gilded empire to save her best friend—only to uncover a court built on ancient blood oaths, the boy she once mourned, and a lost heiress no one wants found.

#YA #F #wip #questpit

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Dierdre Cieran @dmcieran.bsky.social · Aug 6

Thank you!

Dierdre Cieran @dmcieran.bsky.social · Aug 6

that's not what the post is about

Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Sam Peil 🧟 @sampeil.bsky.social · Aug 6

DON'T NAME THE DEAD in which three bi disasters navigate the zombie apocalypse.

#horror, headshots & hookups 🏳️‍🌈🧟‍♂️🥼

#H #na #a #q #agentsguide #sf #questpit #lgbt

yellowed background with red blood splatter and top of zombie head in lower corner. George Washington head faintly visible (Mount Rushmore) along left. Text says: AN AGENT'S GUIDE TO DON'T NAME THE DEAD By Sami Peil 90 words Adult/NA HORROR

yellow background with light red blood splatter. Torn out page from a journal, along bottom of screen you can see rocks from mount rushmore

text says: Reader Comments
“Obsessed”
“I'm hooked. so hooked on this book. I need it on my shelf.“
“Love this description. Impeccable delivery,
so cinematic”
“OMINOUS”
“VICERAL”
“I literally cackled”
“I was not prepared”
“Sharp, shocking, love it”
“Seriously this is so fucking cinematic wth”
“I love him”
“IF YOU EVER CHANGE THIS FIRST LINE I WILL FIGHT YOU”
Sami Peil @sampeil
FROM THE JOURNAL OF STETSON JOHN MATTHEWS

April 27, 2025 Donner party @ Black Hills bunkers, current population 280ish.
don’t name the dead

yellow background with red blood splatter, along top right is a zombie with open mouth teeth growling

3 images of book covers: sister maiden monster has tentacles, orange, knife; the z word has an image of a brain, two femmes kissing, teal hands reaching up, a piece of pizza, an axe; the last of us has a man and a girl turned toward the camera as they walk toward ruins; along the right, text reads: If three queer 20-somethings manage to not get eaten by the pandemic zombies, they’ll still have to dodge a preacher bent on building his post-apocalyptic flock.
Love triangle
Survival shenanigans
Headshots
Hookups
Busted bunker

close up of mount rushmore presidents with light red splatter across the image. text reads: Sami Peil @sampeil
don’t name the dead
Vivvi was getting wasted for her 21st until she woke up in a drunk tank, which was the only protection from the cop zombies trying to eat her brains.

Stetson was painting his nails and avoiding his family's far right extremist bunker party, unaware that the virus they all ignored would mutate, and he’d have to fight his way out.

Dove was home alone in a post-wisdom tooth coma, still dreaming about her hot dentist, while infected people turned and began to eat immune survivors.

The Dentist was doing an after-hours call, where a patient bite transformed him into a flesh craving monster.

They all want each other—but not in the same way.
And they really need to stay the hell away from the Preacher.

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Kim Cayley @kimcayley.bsky.social · Aug 6

✨FATED FAKES✨ facts:

🔮 terrible psychic FMC

🙅‍♂️ science teacher / skeptic MMC

👻 a haunted school

🛌 disturbing, nonsensical prophesies

📖 it was supposed to be fake; turns out it was fate

#QuestPit #W #R #PR #QueryingSoon

Image is a photo collage depicting the vibes of FATED FAKES by Kim Cayley. Thumbnail images include a journal, an amphibious vehicle, Halifax's Old Town Clock, a person's hands on a steering wheel, a three-diamond ring, tarot cards, palm reading, a classroom, and a rain storm

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Sophie Pinkoski @sophiemlpink.bsky.social · Aug 6

DAISY JONES x ROMEO + JULIET x PENNY DREADFUL
Demon queen, Helene Saturnine has been separated from her cosmic lover again & again. It doesn’t stop her from gathering sacrifices to bring him home to her every time. But one day, their lost child might just be among them…🥀 #QuestPit #A #H #DF

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Jade Mason @jademasonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 6

I HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL x HAPPY PLACE x THE WEDDING PEOPLE

My #ownvoices adult coming-of-age novel (82k words) explores job struggles, grief, identity, and love while showing the quiet strength it takes to want something better. #questpit #q #a #wf w/ #r #agentsguide 📌 #bookclubread

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

kj is ✨querying✨ @kjsilver.bsky.social · Aug 6

❤️‍🔥 THE HEALER WITCH ❤️‍🔥

Some of my favourite quotes, from some of my favourite characters.
🌙Morally grey FMC
🔥Elemental magic
🌸Meddling Gods
✨Multi POV
❤️The slowest flame to ever burn
🍒Spanish+Gaelic Folklore

#questpit #Q #A #F

Image of Deva Cassel in her role in The Leopard, I have used Canva to put a mask over her eyes and edit the image. Text reads. Lunaryn M. Redwood "I got a bit carried away and used my fire. They kind of...um, how should I say this...combusted"

Image of Orlando Bloom, unsure in which role. Text reads: Onwyn Storm "Listen here, you little shit. I've had enough of your attitude. You will talk to her with respect, or I'll have you spending a couple of nights in jail for insubordination."

Image of a black model, unfortunately I couldn't find out who it is. Text reads: Damian Maghanty "I must look horrendous if you'd give up your virtue for me. Although, now that I think about it, it would do you good to get laid. Always working so hard and for what? You have no time for fun"

Image of Jessica Chastain in The Huntsmen. Text reads: Ignis Silver "Oh, sure. Because our friend can't be trusted but a random daimon from the biggest illegal market in Melya can be? Are you insane?"

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Ivy T. Woods @ivytwoods.bsky.social · Aug 6

PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN X A bisexual BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL

Pirates of the Caribbean but if Elizabeth was a bisexual mage, Will was a lesbian monster/pirate, and James Norrington was an age-appropriate hottie that didn’t suck. Then add more angst and a cult

#A #F #R #FR #W #LGBT #OV

A moodboard that says “Sculptor of the Waves”
There are pictures of:
Waves in the top-left
A tall ship anchored in the bottom-left
An octopus writhing in the bottom-left-middle
Lightning on a dark blue sky in the bottom-right-middle
Cliffs overlooking a body of water in the top-right
In the bottom-right “Pirates of the Caribbean X A bisexual Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil”

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Katie Knightley @katieknightley.bsky.social · Aug 6

SHIPPED X THE LOVE HATERS

💕 A romantic who doesn’t trust guys
+
😎 A walking red flag who’s only had 1 night stands
=
🤝 Teammates in a work competition where the stakes are high but the tension is higher.

Goal: win the promotions with their hearts intact.

🏝️🛥️🤿🌊🫶

#QuestPit #Q #A #R

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Catherine “Halloween meme participant” Winters @catherinewinters.com · Aug 6

WAYFARERS x MURDERBOT x SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN

Everything fell apart when the human came aboard. Instead of nice meals and quiet cargo runs, Tai's stuck with bickering crewmates, sinister criminals, explosions, and worse, a human who wants to be friends. #QuestPit #A #Q #R #SF #OV #LGBTQ

Mood board/Agent's guide for my novel CARGO - a queer SF/heist/romance - 110,000 words

"Did you hear? There's a human on board."
A graphic of the wall of a spaceship with sticky notes and polaroid photos taped up. There are twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling.
alien ship's cook (fussy, anxious) + terrifying monster (ordinary human)

PITCH:
Tai’s terrified of humans. Everyone is. Violent pack hunters, humans are notorious for their strength, sharp teeth, and carnivorous appetites. But the ship’s cook is safe among the multispecies crew of the cargo hauler Coreward Baker: everyone knows the warrior species rarely leave their own space. Then Captain Raz hires Clarke, a human horticulturist.
Even after Tai overcomes their fear, they can’t stand Clarke. She’s bossy. Annoying. Useless in the galley, bad in a space suit. She might as well be cargo. Worse, she’s intent on befriending Tai—and why can’t they stop thinking about her, anyway?
That’s when things go wrong. As Tai starts to realize their feelings for Clarke, they’re horrified to learn that nobody on their crew of dropouts and runaways is quite who they seem, least of all Clarke. And it’s no coincidence. Raz reveals they’ve each been handpicked for a heist he’s spent years planning—and no one’s allowed to say no.

PRIORITIES:
make dinner
remain cozy
haul cargo
go for drinks
pull off one last score
try not to fall in love

FIRST PAGE:

“Did you hear? There’s a Human on board.”
I choked on my noodles and turned to stare at the diners at the next table. Like most of the restaurant’s patrons, the pair had hidden their profiles, a halfhearted attempt at anonymity.
“Gross,” the speaker’s crewmate said, oblivious to my alarm. “I hope it leaves soon.”
“Don’t let it hear you say that,” the first worker laughed. She made a show of looking for Humans, her eyes darting from table to table.
It. I frowned. I knew the workers’ language distinguished between people and things, and ‘it’ was an unkind choice of words at best.
The second worker shuddered. “I don’t know why we let themcome here.”
The first laughed. “Are you going to stop them?”

COMPS:
Murderbot by Martha Wells
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wisewell
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

TROPES:
Non-binary narrator masking anxiety with sarcasm
lying to themselves
non-human perspective (afraid of humans)
neurodivergent main characters
metaphorically disabled protagonist
slow-burn friends-to-lovers and enemies to lovers in the same relationship
disabilitynorm and queernorm setting
found family
loveable pet/terrifying monster

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Gert Ramm 🦋 @rammwriter.bsky.social · Aug 6

Here's a summary of my #questpit pitches from today.

bsky.app/profile/ramm...

bsky.app/profile/ramm...

bsky.app/profile/ramm...

bsky.app/profile/ramm...

#A #S #T #Q #litagents 🦋

Background is two sets of tracks disappearing into a stormy horizon. The top of an archaic, steampunk-esque clockface can be seen in the clouds. Text reads:
Out of Time

Below are five text statements surrounded by a circle of swirly arrows. Text reads:

More twists than a spiral staircase
Dialogues that slap!
Proper old school British
Spies vs time travel
1972 rocks, baby!

At the bottom of the picture, text reads:

Gert Ramm

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Gabriela is querying a dystomance @gabriela-stluke.bsky.social · Aug 6

Dear Citizen of Calasca,

Pack your bags! I am happy to extend an invitation for you to join us on LAST CHANCE MATCH, a new reality holovision program where LOVE ISLAND meets SQUID GAME and BLACK MIRROR. We promise you’ll find the one who’s to die for.

#W #NA #R #SF #S #QuestPit

Last Chance Match promotion picture for Cera: a 22-year-old realist from Luriel, Calasca.
Red-headed woman pictured smiling with blood splattered overtop and her eyes blacked out.

Last Chance Match promotion picture for Ryde: a 24-year-old jealous son of a bitch from Luriel, Calasca.
Brunette man pictured covering his face with blood splattered overtop and her eyes blacked out.

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Jennifer Luce @jenniferluce.bsky.social · Aug 6

Here's a moodboard for GUMIHO, my 76k Upmarket Horror Romance.

🇰🇷 Inspired by Korean folklore
🖤Told through the eyes of an anti-hero gumiho
🌧Set in modern-day PNW
🥀Dark, intimate prose
🌀Psychological unraveling & monstrous transformation
❤️Laced with a slow-burn romance

#questpit #A #H #R #Q

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Jennifer Luce @jenniferluce.bsky.social · Aug 6

Hi #questpit! Here's GUMIHO, an Upmarket Horror Romance that was recently selected as a finalist in the horror/paranormal category for the 2025 PNWA Writers Contest.

Inspired by Korean folklore, it explores the gradual descent into grief, madness, & monstrous transformation.
#A #H #R #Q

Cursed with a vengeful gumiho, Mina has spent centuries feeding it souls to become a god—and now she needs just one. But when she falls for her final target, wicked whispers invade her mind, visions of loved ones haunt her, and her body begins to change. As the gumiho consumes her from the inside out, Mina must face her demons and sever the curse—or achieve godhood and lose herself to become something monstrous.

Based on Korean folklore & mythology

Told through the eyes of an anti-hero gumiho

Set in modern-day PNW

Dark, intimate PROSE

Psychological unraveling

Blends the dread of physical transformation and emotional vulnerability

Laced with a slow-burn romance

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Sophie Pinkoski @sophiemlpink.bsky.social · Aug 6

DAISY JONES x MCR x GIDEON 9TH

4 bands arrive in New Orleans for an artistic retreat:

💅A girl punk band
❤️‍🔥An undead goth rock duo
💀a necromancer & their ghosts
🎪an ex-circus troupe

They don’t know they’ve been lured as ritual sacrifice & the house might just eat them alive… #QuestPit #A #H #Q

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Jade Mason @jademasonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 6

How’s Summer Going for Nellie Garcia?
🤐 Laid off, not telling anyone
🇵🇭 Determined not to disappoint her Filipino dad
💸 Can’t afford BFF's wedding
🏠 Rent’s going up
😏 Keeps running into her ex–work rival (the groom’s brother)
...She’s fine. (She’s not.) #questpit #q #a #wf #r #amquerying

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Jade Mason @jademasonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 6

FUNNY STORY x SUMMER ROMANCE + WHEN HARRY MET SALLY x THE WEDDING SINGER

✨Two Broken Hearts. One Pact. A Year to Rewrite Their Story.✨

*Same universe as MS I'm querying, Love, Lies, and Letting Go ( #agentsguide 📌) but works as a standalone
#questpit #a #wf #r

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Jade Mason @jademasonwrites.bsky.social · Aug 6

When Nellie’s career crashes, she must face harsh truths about starting over, confront her messy past, and figure out how to pay next month’s rent—while reluctantly reuniting with her former work rival.
#questpit #q #a #wf #r #bookclubread #agentsguide #filipinorepresentation

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Reposted by Dierdre Cieran

Sophie Pinkoski @sophiemlpink.bsky.social · Aug 6

DAISY JONES x HILL HOUSE
Finn’s band is about to take off. They accept an invitation to a prestigious artistic retreat, but find themselves sacrifice to a demon queen, hellbent on resurrecting her lost love.They could get the album of their lives from this…if they survive the summer. #QuestPit #H #A

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