Shantell Powell
@shanmonster.bsky.social
Author, artist, poet, & Indigiqueer swamp hag. Grew up on the land & off the grid. Work appears in The Deadlands, Augur Magazine, Nightmare Magazine, Strange Horizons, On Spec, etc. Aurora finalist and total weirdo.
shanmonster.dreamwidth.org
shanmonster.dreamwidth.org
Reposted by Shantell Powell
THIS IS NOT A DRILL! THE LEGACY BLANKET IS BACK IN STOCK! It's also on sale at eighthgeneration.com/products/leg...
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
THIS IS NOT A DRILL! THE LEGACY BLANKET IS BACK IN STOCK! It's also on sale at eighthgeneration.com/products/leg...
Reposted by Shantell Powell
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I'm grateful my husband is able to support me while I write. I am very lucky in this. I supplement this by applying for a lot of grants, which is in itself a big job. I also pick up voiceover work when I can. I had to retire from being a professional dancer because of disability.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I'm grateful my husband is able to support me while I write. I am very lucky in this. I supplement this by applying for a lot of grants, which is in itself a big job. I also pick up voiceover work when I can. I had to retire from being a professional dancer because of disability.
Can you afford to help? No one should have to live like this.
November 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Can you afford to help? No one should have to live like this.
Reposted by Shantell Powell
Libraries are free for you to use, serve the public good, are great, support creators financially and, I cannot be clear enough about this-- ARE FREE FOR YOU TO USE-- so pirating books makes you kind of an asshole, not some Marxist revolutionary.
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
November 25, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Libraries are free for you to use, serve the public good, are great, support creators financially and, I cannot be clear enough about this-- ARE FREE FOR YOU TO USE-- so pirating books makes you kind of an asshole, not some Marxist revolutionary.
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
If the book you want isn't there *request it.*
Reposted by Shantell Powell
Spiritualism skyrocketed in the US after its brutal Civil War killed roughly 750,000 people - and now in the wake of Covid’s million+ death toll, modern Americans are using ChatGPT to speak with the spirits. In this paper I will
I'm literally just living a normal life while also experiencing a theophany via communication with the satellite called VALIS.
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Spiritualism skyrocketed in the US after its brutal Civil War killed roughly 750,000 people - and now in the wake of Covid’s million+ death toll, modern Americans are using ChatGPT to speak with the spirits. In this paper I will
Reposted by Shantell Powell
95% of authors are not making a living through book publishing. The public needs to understand this.
November 25, 2025 at 2:24 AM
95% of authors are not making a living through book publishing. The public needs to understand this.
I used to be a professional dancer, and I made most of my own costumes. Here's my old dance partner Sephira wearing a ghawazee coat I made in the 90s.
November 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I used to be a professional dancer, and I made most of my own costumes. Here's my old dance partner Sephira wearing a ghawazee coat I made in the 90s.
Reposted by Shantell Powell
It costs next to nothing to wear a mask
It’s one of the best investments you can make in your long term health
Covid is still here & still disabling
It only takes one infection to change your life forever
Masks, especially N95s, are great protection!
If you can’t afford one try a mask block:
It’s one of the best investments you can make in your long term health
Covid is still here & still disabling
It only takes one infection to change your life forever
Masks, especially N95s, are great protection!
If you can’t afford one try a mask block:
Worldwide Mask Bloc Directory – Find your local Mask Bloc
MaskBloc.org lists active Mask Blocs around the world. Free high-quality masks, COVID-19 tests and other equipment for your community. Mutual Aid & We Keep Us Safe.
maskbloc.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:11 AM
It costs next to nothing to wear a mask
It’s one of the best investments you can make in your long term health
Covid is still here & still disabling
It only takes one infection to change your life forever
Masks, especially N95s, are great protection!
If you can’t afford one try a mask block:
It’s one of the best investments you can make in your long term health
Covid is still here & still disabling
It only takes one infection to change your life forever
Masks, especially N95s, are great protection!
If you can’t afford one try a mask block:
Reposted by Shantell Powell
it's here! the final book in the fireborn series is available everywhere now! want to see three generations of powerful, firebending women (and friends) kicking a whole lot of ass? get it now!🌈📚 #CompleteSeries #QueerAdultSFF #booksky
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
it's here! the final book in the fireborn series is available everywhere now! want to see three generations of powerful, firebending women (and friends) kicking a whole lot of ass? get it now!🌈📚 #CompleteSeries #QueerAdultSFF #booksky
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8
Do you write about disability and illness? Here are some places which publish such things. sickmagazine.org/resources
resources — sickmagazine.org
RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS Print & digital publications with a chronic illness/disability focus Able Zine: a publication and creative agency based in London,...
sickmagazine.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Do you write about disability and illness? Here are some places which publish such things. sickmagazine.org/resources
I was so out of it last night that I accidentally used @daybreakoak.bsky.social 's toothbrush instead of my own.
November 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I was so out of it last night that I accidentally used @daybreakoak.bsky.social 's toothbrush instead of my own.
Reposted by Shantell Powell
Very honoured to be in such a stellar package 🖤
Day 3 of our Buy Direct sale!
Today and all this week: grab @anna-orridge.bsky.social's cosmic eco-horror PHENGARIS from our ebook store... and get 50% off Black Mirror-with-cryptids novel SALTBLOOD!
Support small presses - we need you!
Today and all this week: grab @anna-orridge.bsky.social's cosmic eco-horror PHENGARIS from our ebook store... and get 50% off Black Mirror-with-cryptids novel SALTBLOOD!
Support small presses - we need you!
November 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Very honoured to be in such a stellar package 🖤
Reposted by Shantell Powell
BREAKING: Pipelines only bad when Conservatives do it
November 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
BREAKING: Pipelines only bad when Conservatives do it
Reposted by Shantell Powell
one of the BEST covers!
Check out this COVER for Volume 5 by Kamille Rodriguez!!
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
one of the BEST covers!
Reposted by Shantell Powell
![[Scene is a MEDIEVAL PLAGUE PIT with all the bodies inside it. On the edge of it is a young peasant woman, in a sack cloth dress, covered in boils. She is lounging glamorously next to the pit. Her boyfriend is standing a few feet away, photographing her with an anachronistic mobile phone]
GIRL:
OK so I'll sit here...
With my hair like this…
Rubbing my cyst with the corpse's hand.
[She produces a whithered severed hand and starts rubbing it on her face.]
[We are treated to a revolting close up of her rubbing the severed hand on her disgusting massive cyst.]
[Her boyfriend takes a photo of her.]
SNAP
GIRL:
OK, now write this:
"Hanging out at the burial pit, rubbing my sebaceous cyst with a severed corpse hand from
#BurtsGraverobbers…”
And then: #selfcare, #metime, #BurtsGraverobbers…
... nails emoji, heart emoji, cyst emoji.
BOYFRIEND:
Um...
Should we really be promoting this?
I mean… does rubbing a corpse's hand on a cyst actually work?
GIRL:
Look, Burt's done research, OK?
And he's paying us four groats.
BOYFRIEND:
Hmm.
[Boyfriend dutifully taps out the post on his phone]
TAP TAP TAP
BOYFRIEND:
Cyst emoji?
GIRL:
Just use a fried egg.
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreifyvq2vzehtutrj7ild2dd7kkljmkbcby7yompicekbbpa2bqpluq@jpeg)
Preorders are now open for the first issue of Slugger. I'm happy to say my bonkers story The Butcher of Mazdin, is in it: An illiterate, disabled beggar must survive a bloody, Conan-style world, and possibly change things for the better. ko-fi.com/sluggerficti...
Visit Slugger Fiction's Shop!
I've opened a shop. Come take a look!
ko-fi.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Preorders are now open for the first issue of Slugger. I'm happy to say my bonkers story The Butcher of Mazdin, is in it: An illiterate, disabled beggar must survive a bloody, Conan-style world, and possibly change things for the better. ko-fi.com/sluggerficti...
Reposted by Shantell Powell
I just announced my lineup of short humor workshops for January 2026!
I've got a class for beginners looking to learn the essentials of short humor and classes for more advanced writers looking to get in reps, meet other funny folks, and get helpful feedback on their drafts.
Check 'em out here:
I've got a class for beginners looking to learn the essentials of short humor and classes for more advanced writers looking to get in reps, meet other funny folks, and get helpful feedback on their drafts.
Check 'em out here:
Upcoming Workshops
Let’s Write MORE Short Humor Pieces - Tuesday Nights in January (5 Spots Left)
Tuesday, 1/06/26, 7:00-8:30PM Eastern via Zoom
Tuesday, 1/13/26, 7:00-8:30PM Eastern via Zoom
Tuesday, 1/20/26,...
lukevburns.tumblr.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I just announced my lineup of short humor workshops for January 2026!
I've got a class for beginners looking to learn the essentials of short humor and classes for more advanced writers looking to get in reps, meet other funny folks, and get helpful feedback on their drafts.
Check 'em out here:
I've got a class for beginners looking to learn the essentials of short humor and classes for more advanced writers looking to get in reps, meet other funny folks, and get helpful feedback on their drafts.
Check 'em out here:
Reposted by Shantell Powell
This Saturday at 8pm via Zoom is our next online lecture
Rich Blackett, @ofwolfandmanbook.bsky.social will be discussing werewolves in folklore and myth, from early wolf cults to today
Tickets are £5 and include video replay access if you can’t be there live
Order now at bit.ly/flaevents
Rich Blackett, @ofwolfandmanbook.bsky.social will be discussing werewolves in folklore and myth, from early wolf cults to today
Tickets are £5 and include video replay access if you can’t be there live
Order now at bit.ly/flaevents
November 24, 2025 at 2:08 PM
This Saturday at 8pm via Zoom is our next online lecture
Rich Blackett, @ofwolfandmanbook.bsky.social will be discussing werewolves in folklore and myth, from early wolf cults to today
Tickets are £5 and include video replay access if you can’t be there live
Order now at bit.ly/flaevents
Rich Blackett, @ofwolfandmanbook.bsky.social will be discussing werewolves in folklore and myth, from early wolf cults to today
Tickets are £5 and include video replay access if you can’t be there live
Order now at bit.ly/flaevents
Reposted by Shantell Powell
Folks seem to be misconstruing my point about book pirates being shitty people. I know me railing about piracy won’t change anything. I know you’ll keep doing it. It’s just important to me you know me and every other author who does the thing you want and can’t do thinks you’re a shitty human being.
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Folks seem to be misconstruing my point about book pirates being shitty people. I know me railing about piracy won’t change anything. I know you’ll keep doing it. It’s just important to me you know me and every other author who does the thing you want and can’t do thinks you’re a shitty human being.
Reposted by Shantell Powell
We're officially OPEN TO NONFICTION AND REPRINT SUBMISSIONS! We are looking for full nonfiction pieces (not pitches) and reprints of stories currently unavailable for free online.
🪐See our guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines
🗡️Submit here: hybrispress.moksha.io/publication/...
🪐See our guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines
🗡️Submit here: hybrispress.moksha.io/publication/...
November 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We're officially OPEN TO NONFICTION AND REPRINT SUBMISSIONS! We are looking for full nonfiction pieces (not pitches) and reprints of stories currently unavailable for free online.
🪐See our guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines
🗡️Submit here: hybrispress.moksha.io/publication/...
🪐See our guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines
🗡️Submit here: hybrispress.moksha.io/publication/...
A big congratulations to Kyle Edwards. He gave me lovely feedback on my writing, and has just won the Governor General's Award for his book Small Ceremonies. ggbooks.ca/small-ceremo...
Small Ceremonies
The 2025 GGBooks winner for Fiction (English) is Kyle Edwards’ Small Ceremonies.
ggbooks.ca
November 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A big congratulations to Kyle Edwards. He gave me lovely feedback on my writing, and has just won the Governor General's Award for his book Small Ceremonies. ggbooks.ca/small-ceremo...
Reposted by Shantell Powell
A visual prompt to kick off your creative weekend: what creature-ific worlds can you conjure from this image?
And if that whets your appetite, join us online for Writing the Occult: Creatures & Cryptids THI⬇️S SATURDAY (!) when we’ll peer into the murky world of creatures & cryptids. 🧵
And if that whets your appetite, join us online for Writing the Occult: Creatures & Cryptids THI⬇️S SATURDAY (!) when we’ll peer into the murky world of creatures & cryptids. 🧵
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A visual prompt to kick off your creative weekend: what creature-ific worlds can you conjure from this image?
And if that whets your appetite, join us online for Writing the Occult: Creatures & Cryptids THI⬇️S SATURDAY (!) when we’ll peer into the murky world of creatures & cryptids. 🧵
And if that whets your appetite, join us online for Writing the Occult: Creatures & Cryptids THI⬇️S SATURDAY (!) when we’ll peer into the murky world of creatures & cryptids. 🧵
Oh my gosh. Woke up to a request for the full manuscript of my novel The Everwhen. I've been working on this thing for years and would love to see it out in the world.
#WritingCommunity
#WritingCommunity
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Oh my gosh. Woke up to a request for the full manuscript of my novel The Everwhen. I've been working on this thing for years and would love to see it out in the world.
#WritingCommunity
#WritingCommunity