Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Y. R. Liu

@yrliu.bsky.social

390 followers 68 following 76 posts

Fantasy writer. Storyteller. Author of Hallowed, The Whisperer in White, and more. 📖 yrliu.com Personal account: @rosefae.bsky.social

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jul 14

Trying to keep my internet identity tidy by making a new account just for my writing things.

Anyway, for those who don't know me, I'm Y. R. Liu and I write dark fantasy. You can check out my stuff at yrliu.com

Y. R. Liu — Fantasy Author

Y. R. Liu, fantasy writer. Author of Hallowed, The Godsfang and more.

yrliu.com

2 12

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · 7d

Hi readers, October's newsletter is now here!

Y. R. Liu's October newsletter

preview.mailerlite.io

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · 19d

Had a lot of fun doing this episode of the Instant Ink podcast! We had a really good conversation with fun tangents that got surprisingly deep at times. Check it out!

Adriano | Pesto Comics | From Parts Unknown #4 - LIVE NOW! @pestocomics.bsky.social · 19d

A rare three-part interview for the latest episode of the Instant Ink Comic Book Podcast with guest, @yrliu.bsky.social

You can watch Part One today!

youtu.be/ETH11RR5XMo?...

True Friendship The Stars | Part 1 of 3 | Y. R. Liu - Episode 064

In Part 1 (of 3) with our conversation with Y.R. Liu, we dive into her writing process and the allure of dark fantasy. We also dive deep into the impact of social media and AI-generated content in the publishing industry, its environmental impact, and how it influences contemporary literary tastes and trends. You can find more about Y.R. Liu at https://yrliu.com 00:00 Welcome to the Instant Ink Comic Book Podcast 03:16 Generating Ideas for the Comic 15:31 Diving into Dark Fantasy 27:51 The Realness in Fiction Writing 30:04 Prose vs. Comics: Flexibility in Writing 36:26 The Impact of Book Trends and Social Media 44:15 The Globalization of Book Culture 48:19 Challenges in the Indie Market 53:29 The Rise of AI in Publishing -- Get the finish pages straight to your inbox at: http://instantinkpodcast.xyz Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instantinkpodcast/ Follow the hosts on their many socials: Adriano Ariganello - Pesto Comics...

youtu.be

1 2

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · 19d

Thank you for having me! This was a lot of fun!

1 1

Reposted by Y. R. Liu

BBNYA @bbnya.bsky.social · 20d

Congratulations to The Whisperer Y.R. Liu

You are through to the #BBNYA2025 final!!!

6 13

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · 24d

The New Worlds, New Adventures bundle of secondary-world SFF is ongoing on Itch until Sunday! For $25, come escape with us to another world.

Graphic depicting 23 book covers (list below). Text reads: "New Worlds, New Adventures. September 16-22. 23 books - $25. itch.io"

Books:
The Kalista Chronicles: A Brave Sacrifice
The Spider's Friend
Shadows Dark and Deadly
War Heart
A Light for the Dead to Follow
The Dragon Next Door
Undine's Blessing
Love Tales from the Borun-Ma
First Snow
Usurper
Thief, Acolyte, Consort
The Warm Machine
The Star-Crossed Empire
Structural Integrity
Structural Strain
Inarora's Excursion
Song of the Wolf
Hallowed
1# Cosmonaut
In Spite of the Inevitable
The Healer: Tales of Pern Coen
The Sarcophagus of Lamia
The Flame of the Dragon's Oath

Reposted by Y. R. Liu

Adam Bassett @adamcbassett.com · Aug 24

As part of @narratess.com's Indie Book Sale this weekend, you can grab these eBooks on sale for $0.99–1.99 each through August 25th!

Find them in Campfire's online bookstore or on the mobile reading app. Some of them include or offer bonus reading and artwork!

🔗 www.campfirewriting.com/explore

2 14 18

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Aug 23

We also have itch bundles! The Whisperer in White can be found in Fantasy Bundle 3 and the Short Novels Bundle! 📚📦
itch.io/b/3240/narra...
itch.io/b/3244/narra...

A graphic with 23 covers with text "Narratess Indie Book Sale August 2025. Short Novels Bundle”

Witch Test by Katie L. Carroll
Whispers in the Dark by Niranjan
The Dream Haunters: A Metaphysical Mystery of Magick by Megan Mary
Carp in the Pond, Crane on the River by Ruth Miranda
Thief, Acolyte, Consort by James Robert Paige
The Devil in the Woods by S. Jean
Over the Dragon’s Gate by Juliana Jones
The Whisperer in White by Y. R. Liu
Soultaming the Serpent by Tar Atore
Once Upon A Wave of Witches by Helen Whisberry (and Eli Belt)
The Warm Machine by Aimee Cozza
Skin Deep by Marie Blanchet
Mechanical Heart by Beverly Anne Michel
The Sunset Sovereign: A Dragon’s Memoir by Laura Huie
Riyati Rebirth by Kai Zeal
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
The Moss Dragon of Brittlekeep by Ashley Capes
Prophecy Trilogy: New Moon by Liz Bullard
Higanbana by Jake Vanguard
The Lion by Lee Burton
Prince Ewald the Brave by Dylan Madeley
Ghosts of the Catabombs by Janna Ruth
Blood by D.C. Hart

A graphic with 24 covers with text "Narratess Indie Book Sale August 2025. Fantasy Bundle #3”

The Whisperer in White by Y. R. Liu
Higanbana by Jake Vanguard
Dame Ophis by Merlina Garance
The Lion by Lee Burton
Grey Angel by Dani Finn
Children of the Dragon by Melissa Stone
The Grand Duke’s Masseur by Rori Thornton
Ghosts of the Catabombs by Janna Ruth
Children by Bjørn Larssen
An Uncommon Curse by Devan Barlow
The Dragon Next Door by Vanessa Ricci-Thode
Flooded Secrets by Claudie Arseneault
Carp in the Pond, Crane on the River by Ruth Miranda
Tales of Yamato by Odessa Silver
Far Removed by C. B. Lansdell
Blood by D.C. Hart
A Path of Endless Crossroads by M.C. Burnell
Soultaming the Serpent by Tar Atore
Durga by Geetha Krishnan
Blind the Eyes: Enter the City of Nightmares (Threads of Dreams 1) by K.A. Wiggins
How Six Saved the Frogs by Blaine D. Arden
Dirt-Stained Hands, Thorn-Pierced Skin by Tabitha O’Connell
Between Starfalls by S. Kaeth
When the Stars Alight by Camilla Andrew

1 2

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Aug 23

The Narratess sale is back! 300+ books are sale this time, including The Whisperer in White! indiebook.sale

Banner for the Narratess Indie Book Sale. A chonky dragon reads a book at the bottom, a pile of skulls with a candle and ghost sit on the left of the text, and a space ship flies by a planet on the right of the text.

Text: Indie Book Sale

indiebook.sale

Fantasy, Sci FI & Horror

August 23 - 25

Banner designed by Arden Powell

1 3 6

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Aug 8

Hi readers, August's newsletter is now here!

Y. R. Liu's August newsletter

preview.mailerlite.io

1 1

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Aug 1

Less than a week left on the Canadian Wildfires Fundraiser bundle! Get a bunch of cool content for $10 USD and help with wildfire relief itch.io/b/3125/canad...

Canadian Wildfires Fundraiser by Beedok and 53 others

Canadian Wildfires Fundraiser: 81 items for $10.00

itch.io

2 2

Reposted by Y. R. Liu

Adam Bassett @adamcbassett.com · Jul 31

Some excellent reads this month!
• PARALLAX by Amber Toro: Sci-fi romance with lots of action.
• CITADEL by @yrliu.bsky.social: Fast-paced fantasy novella.
• ENVOYS by @dlawsonauthor.bsky.social: Fantasy adventure with humor and heart.

Reviews of all three are up
🔗 fanfiaddict.com/author/adam-...

A graphic showing the cover art for PARALLAX by Amber Toro, THE CITADEL AT THE END OF THE WORLD by YR Liu, and THE ENVOYS OF WAR by Dave Lawson.

2 5

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jul 23

Honored to be chosen, and congrats to the others!

BBNYA @bbnya.bsky.social · Jul 22

Congratulations to The Whisperer in White by YR Liu

You are through to round 2 of #BBNYA2025!!

4 4

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jul 16

Thank you Adam for the review!

Adam Bassett @adamcbassett.com · Jul 14

Book review: THE CITADEL AT THE END OF THE WORLD by @yrliu.bsky.social is a masterful but incredibly fast-paced novella that explores the cost of power and the lies surrounding it. However, if you're looking for a quick fantasy read, I can't recommend it enough.

🔗 fanfiaddict.com/review-the-c...

A graphoc showing the cover of THE CITADEL AT THE END OF THE WORLD, with art of a large citadel on an island.

1 1 3

Reposted by Y. R. Liu

Beedok/Fern 🏳️‍⚧️🇨🇦 @beedokfern.bsky.social · Jul 13

We blew past our initial goal in under a week, so we're doubling the goal. ✨
Shall we see if we can pass that just as quickly and help more folks in need from what's shaping up to be the second worst fire season in Canadian history?

itch.io/b/3125/canad...

Canadian Wildfires Fundraiser
New goal: $2000

1 41 33

Reposted by Y. R. Liu

Claudie @clh2oars.bsky.social · Jul 11

The Deal:

YOU: get 81 cool books/games, many of which are very very queer

WE: get Canadian Wildfire Relief money to redistribute to the affected communities via the Nii'kinaaganaa Foundation

itch.io/b/3125/canad...

Canadian Wildfires Fundraiser by Beedok and 53 others

Canadian Wildfires Fundraiser: 81 items for $10.00

itch.io

51 39

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jul 8

The Body of Theseus is in this charity bundle! Also in the bundle are games, comics, TTRPGs, game assets, and books. $10 gets you everything, and 100% of your money will go to charity!

Beedok/Fern 🏳️‍⚧️🇨🇦 @beedokfern.bsky.social · Jul 7

2025 is shaping up to be the 2nd worst fire season in Canadian history.
Already, tens of thousands have evacuated + over 4 million hectares have burned.
To help we're running a fundraising bundle on itch with 100% of revenue going to charity via the Nii'kinaaganaa Foundation:
itch.io/b/3125/canad...

Denare Beach in Saskatchewan, one of the worst hit northern communities.

3 3

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jul 7

Just a few more hours for this bundle!

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jun 30

To celebrate Canada Day, here's an itch bundle featuring 16 Canadian fantasy and sci fi books. Check it out! 🇨🇦📚
itch.io/b/3114/the-c...

A red-tinted image of a stack of books beside some text.
The text reads: The Canadian Science Fiction & Fantasy Bundle. June 30 to July 6. $20 USD for 16 Great Reads.

3 2

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jul 4

Hi readers, July's newsletter is now here!

Y. R. Liu's July newsletter

preview.mailerlite.io

1 1

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jun 30

To celebrate Canada Day, here's an itch bundle featuring 16 Canadian fantasy and sci fi books. Check it out! 🇨🇦📚
itch.io/b/3114/the-c...

1 3 4

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jun 24

Me: "You can have one cookie."
My toddler: "Two cookie."
Me: "One."
Toddler: "Three cookie."

Anyway please buy my books so I can buy this child more cookies. Or buy the #PrideBookFair itch bundle! itch.io/b/3076/pride...

Pride Book Fair - Fantasy by Claudie Arseneault and 18 others

Pride Book Fair - Fantasy: 18 books for $35.00

itch.io

1 2 5

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jun 24

It unfortunately is as I already set up the bundle on Thursday. Sorry about that!

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jun 24

The #PrideBookFair itch bundles are here! My book The Godsfang is in the fantasy bundle, or you can buy all the books with the Big Bundle of Queer Awesomeness which features a whopping 110 books! 📚🌈✨

Fantasy: itch.io/b/3076/pride...
Big bundle: itch.io/b/3084/pride...

Pride Book Fair - Fantasy by Claudie Arseneault and 18 others

Pride Book Fair - Fantasy: 18 books for $35.00

itch.io

2 4

Reposted by Y. R. Liu

Dax, sapphic fantasy author @daxaeterna.ink · Jun 23

The #PrideBookFair book bundle is LIVE! My novel "A LAKE OF FEATHERS AND MOONBEAMS" is featured in the Fantasy bundle! 18 books for $35!

Highlights Include:

The Godsfang by Y. R. Liu
Chai and Cat Tales by Lynn Strong
The Edge of the World by JD Rivers

Get it now: itch.io/b/3076/pride...

🌈📚🪐🌈🚀💫

27 32

Reposted by Y. R. Liu

Beedok/Fern 🏳️‍⚧️🇨🇦 @beedokfern.bsky.social · Jun 16

Opened up a jam on itch to get entries for the Canadian Wildfires Fundraiser Bundle I'll be running. 100% of proceeds will be going to donations.

Sign ups are open for the rest of the week:

itch.io/jam/canadian...

An image of one of this year's wildfires burning in the northern forests.

1 110 110

Y. R. Liu @yrliu.bsky.social · Jun 17

Ooh I don't think I knew you're Canadian!

1 2