Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social
🇵🇷💗💜💙 Rep'd by @LitAgentSaritza WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON (@erewhonbooks, 2025), MANU FACES THE MUSIC (@onipress, 2026)
My opinion of Trump is best expressed through Buttercup’s words about Humperdinck from Rob Reiner’s “The Princess Bride”.
He is nothing but a coward with a heart full of fear. And when I say he’s a coward, that is only because he is the slimiest weakling ever to crawl the earth.
He is nothing but a coward with a heart full of fear. And when I say he’s a coward, that is only because he is the slimiest weakling ever to crawl the earth.
December 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
My opinion of Trump is best expressed through Buttercup’s words about Humperdinck from Rob Reiner’s “The Princess Bride”.
He is nothing but a coward with a heart full of fear. And when I say he’s a coward, that is only because he is the slimiest weakling ever to crawl the earth.
He is nothing but a coward with a heart full of fear. And when I say he’s a coward, that is only because he is the slimiest weakling ever to crawl the earth.
Thank you, @audible, for making WTTHTM a Best Listen of 2025! 🎉
“Performed beautifully by Lee Osorio and Joel de la Fuente, the audio brings every emotion, every quiet plea, and every moment of wonder to life. Hearing Spanish woven through the performance stopped me in my tracks, in the best way."
“Performed beautifully by Lee Osorio and Joel de la Fuente, the audio brings every emotion, every quiet plea, and every moment of wonder to life. Hearing Spanish woven through the performance stopped me in my tracks, in the best way."
December 10, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Thank you, @audible, for making WTTHTM a Best Listen of 2025! 🎉
“Performed beautifully by Lee Osorio and Joel de la Fuente, the audio brings every emotion, every quiet plea, and every moment of wonder to life. Hearing Spanish woven through the performance stopped me in my tracks, in the best way."
“Performed beautifully by Lee Osorio and Joel de la Fuente, the audio brings every emotion, every quiet plea, and every moment of wonder to life. Hearing Spanish woven through the performance stopped me in my tracks, in the best way."
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
🎨 Spotlight on Sarita Rich
Sarita's Illustrator Page
Sarita is represented by Lara Perkins and is open to picture books, board books, chapter books, and covers.
Sarita's Illustrator Page
Sarita is represented by Lara Perkins and is open to picture books, board books, chapter books, and covers.
December 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
🎨 Spotlight on Sarita Rich
Sarita's Illustrator Page
Sarita is represented by Lara Perkins and is open to picture books, board books, chapter books, and covers.
Sarita's Illustrator Page
Sarita is represented by Lara Perkins and is open to picture books, board books, chapter books, and covers.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Recently finished reading @venessakelley.bsky.social's
'When the Tides held the Moon' & if I could do nothing else but read beautiful gay merman/human romance novels forever I would not mind the slightest 😭
I'm not good with words so idk what to tell you guys?
U know I like FISH go buy the book?🫠🫶
'When the Tides held the Moon' & if I could do nothing else but read beautiful gay merman/human romance novels forever I would not mind the slightest 😭
I'm not good with words so idk what to tell you guys?
U know I like FISH go buy the book?🫠🫶
December 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Recently finished reading @venessakelley.bsky.social's
'When the Tides held the Moon' & if I could do nothing else but read beautiful gay merman/human romance novels forever I would not mind the slightest 😭
I'm not good with words so idk what to tell you guys?
U know I like FISH go buy the book?🫠🫶
'When the Tides held the Moon' & if I could do nothing else but read beautiful gay merman/human romance novels forever I would not mind the slightest 😭
I'm not good with words so idk what to tell you guys?
U know I like FISH go buy the book?🫠🫶
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Library Journal (@libraryjournal.bsky.social)’s best books of 2025 includes 3 ABLA titles!
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE by Lauren Kate
THE DATING PROHIBITION by Taj McCoy
Congratulations to all on this recognition! 🥳
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE by Lauren Kate
THE DATING PROHIBITION by Taj McCoy
Congratulations to all on this recognition! 🥳
December 6, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Library Journal (@libraryjournal.bsky.social)’s best books of 2025 includes 3 ABLA titles!
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE by Lauren Kate
THE DATING PROHIBITION by Taj McCoy
Congratulations to all on this recognition! 🥳
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE by Lauren Kate
THE DATING PROHIBITION by Taj McCoy
Congratulations to all on this recognition! 🥳
My heart is beyond full. When the Tides Held the Moon just made it onto @libraryjournal.bsky.social’s Best Books of 2025! I’m honored to see it included among so many incredible titles! 😭
www.libraryjournal.com/story/Stella...
www.libraryjournal.com/story/Stella...
Stellar Selections | Best Books 2025
Throughout the year, LJ’s expert reviewers consider thousands of books, reading titles across a myriad of genres and subjects. These are the nearly 800 works they judged as the best, most notable, sig...
www.libraryjournal.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:22 PM
My heart is beyond full. When the Tides Held the Moon just made it onto @libraryjournal.bsky.social’s Best Books of 2025! I’m honored to see it included among so many incredible titles! 😭
www.libraryjournal.com/story/Stella...
www.libraryjournal.com/story/Stella...
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
You like what you like. I, personally, don't like to read M/F...unless I know they're both queer and then somehow that fixes it in my head? LOL, talk about not making sense XD.
One of the best sex scenes I've ever read had no penetration (When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social).
One of the best sex scenes I've ever read had no penetration (When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social).
December 5, 2025 at 10:27 PM
You like what you like. I, personally, don't like to read M/F...unless I know they're both queer and then somehow that fixes it in my head? LOL, talk about not making sense XD.
One of the best sex scenes I've ever read had no penetration (When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social).
One of the best sex scenes I've ever read had no penetration (When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social).
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Last day to vote for I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN and WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON in the GoodReads Choice Awards!!
For those keeping up with the GoodReads Choice Awards, Ann Liang’s I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN and Venessa Vida Kelley’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON made it through to the final voting round.
You know what to do.
You know what to do.
November 30, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Last day to vote for I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN and WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON in the GoodReads Choice Awards!!
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
For those keeping up with the GoodReads Choice Awards, Ann Liang’s I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN and Venessa Vida Kelley’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON made it through to the final voting round.
You know what to do.
You know what to do.
November 25, 2025 at 4:59 AM
For those keeping up with the GoodReads Choice Awards, Ann Liang’s I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN and Venessa Vida Kelley’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON made it through to the final voting round.
You know what to do.
You know what to do.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Do the thing, people! @venessakelley.bsky.social’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON has made it through the final voting round but they need YOUR vote to win in their Debut category. Let’s gooooo!!
www.goodreads.com/choiceawards...
www.goodreads.com/choiceawards...
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Do the thing, people! @venessakelley.bsky.social’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON has made it through the final voting round but they need YOUR vote to win in their Debut category. Let’s gooooo!!
www.goodreads.com/choiceawards...
www.goodreads.com/choiceawards...
I’m so honored to see When the Tides Held the Moon included among WIROBooks’ Favorite books of 2025!! Thank you!!
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I’m so honored to see When the Tides Held the Moon included among WIROBooks’ Favorite books of 2025!! Thank you!!
Someone hold me…
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is having an incredible week of year-end accolades, and I’m simply overwhelmed with gratitude! Thank you to everyone who read and uplifted my book to send a message that queer, BIPOC Latine stories matter!
😭🇵🇷🎡🗽🧜🏼♂️🌊🌙
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is having an incredible week of year-end accolades, and I’m simply overwhelmed with gratitude! Thank you to everyone who read and uplifted my book to send a message that queer, BIPOC Latine stories matter!
😭🇵🇷🎡🗽🧜🏼♂️🌊🌙
November 20, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Someone hold me…
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is having an incredible week of year-end accolades, and I’m simply overwhelmed with gratitude! Thank you to everyone who read and uplifted my book to send a message that queer, BIPOC Latine stories matter!
😭🇵🇷🎡🗽🧜🏼♂️🌊🌙
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is having an incredible week of year-end accolades, and I’m simply overwhelmed with gratitude! Thank you to everyone who read and uplifted my book to send a message that queer, BIPOC Latine stories matter!
😭🇵🇷🎡🗽🧜🏼♂️🌊🌙
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Still celebrating that these 3 titles are Amazon's best books of 2025!
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Still celebrating that these 3 titles are Amazon's best books of 2025!
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
🧵/2
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
November 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
🧵/2
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
QotD: So you have a favorite sea creature?
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
November 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
QotD: So you have a favorite sea creature?
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social has written “When the Tides Held the Moon,” a lovely Boricua gay sideshow merman romance set on Coney Island in 1911. It’s full of freaks and longing, found family and villains, and finding one’s power even within powerlessness. Very satisfying. #book
November 17, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social has written “When the Tides Held the Moon,” a lovely Boricua gay sideshow merman romance set on Coney Island in 1911. It’s full of freaks and longing, found family and villains, and finding one’s power even within powerlessness. Very satisfying. #book
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
The Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 is open and these ABLA titles are in the running!
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
November 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 is open and these ABLA titles are in the running!
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
✨Happy Asexual & Aromantic Awareness Week!✨
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
October 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
✨Happy Asexual & Aromantic Awareness Week!✨
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Love seeing @venessakelley.bsky.social’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON in Swoon’s list of sexy and spellbinding paranormal romance books!
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
10 Paranormal Romances to Read in 2025: Our Sexy and Spellbinding Recommendations
These romances include a merman, an alien abduction, and stories that will make Twihards swoon.
www.swooon.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Love seeing @venessakelley.bsky.social’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON in Swoon’s list of sexy and spellbinding paranormal romance books!
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social is so beautiful I’m actually weeping
October 3, 2025 at 6:38 AM
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social is so beautiful I’m actually weeping
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social absolutely slammed me would be a gross understatement. Please, read it!
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
October 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social absolutely slammed me would be a gross understatement. Please, read it!
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
A book that helped get me through a particularly dark few days in American life: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social. Rich prose, vivid detail, grounded in the actual world we live in but with a tidal pull of solidarity and hope. Oh, also it’s a boricua merman romance.
September 16, 2025 at 5:13 PM
A book that helped get me through a particularly dark few days in American life: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social. Rich prose, vivid detail, grounded in the actual world we live in but with a tidal pull of solidarity and hope. Oh, also it’s a boricua merman romance.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
🌈COVER REVEAL🌈
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
September 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
🌈COVER REVEAL🌈
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social I've just finished When the Tides Held the Moon and I can only say "Thank you" with my whole heart. I love everything about it: the way ALL the characters are portrayed, the historical setting, the beautiful love story, the drawings (just gorgeous and sooo moving).
August 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
@venessakelley.bsky.social I've just finished When the Tides Held the Moon and I can only say "Thank you" with my whole heart. I love everything about it: the way ALL the characters are portrayed, the historical setting, the beautiful love story, the drawings (just gorgeous and sooo moving).