C. Jean Downer
@cjeandowner.bsky.social
🏳️🌈Poet and novelist of sapphic stories with diverse characters because we all deserve to escape into the pages of a book and find our truths.
https://www.cjeandowner.com/
Author with @bellabooks.bsky.soci
https://www.cjeandowner.com/
Author with @bellabooks.bsky.soci
Another essential book from my library. This collection, from 1997, originated at the 1994 “Race Matters” conference at Princeton U. 31 years ago. 31. Years. Ago.
Scholars to read and know.
Scholars to read and know.
December 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Another essential book from my library. This collection, from 1997, originated at the 1994 “Race Matters” conference at Princeton U. 31 years ago. 31. Years. Ago.
Scholars to read and know.
Scholars to read and know.
I spent the last several mornings with LEAF: Journal of the Daily Haiku, issue 8. What an unbelievable treasure trove of haiku, senryu, and haiga, featuring so many of my favourite poets and insightful commentary!
Deeply grateful to Editor Ravi Kiran for including my poems ❤️
#haiku
Deeply grateful to Editor Ravi Kiran for including my poems ❤️
#haiku
December 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I spent the last several mornings with LEAF: Journal of the Daily Haiku, issue 8. What an unbelievable treasure trove of haiku, senryu, and haiga, featuring so many of my favourite poets and insightful commentary!
Deeply grateful to Editor Ravi Kiran for including my poems ❤️
#haiku
Deeply grateful to Editor Ravi Kiran for including my poems ❤️
#haiku
I finished reading Enchanted Garden Haiku Journal #14 this morning. It is a sensory delight! Congratulations to all the poets. Many thanks to Editor Steliana Voicu for including my piece and translating it into Romanian.
enchanted-garden-haiku.blogspot.com/2025/11/ench...
#haiku
enchanted-garden-haiku.blogspot.com/2025/11/ench...
#haiku
December 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I finished reading Enchanted Garden Haiku Journal #14 this morning. It is a sensory delight! Congratulations to all the poets. Many thanks to Editor Steliana Voicu for including my piece and translating it into Romanian.
enchanted-garden-haiku.blogspot.com/2025/11/ench...
#haiku
enchanted-garden-haiku.blogspot.com/2025/11/ench...
#haiku
I finished savouring #FemkuMag issue 40 this morning.
It is splended! My sincere gratitude to Editor Rowan Beckett Minor and Co-editor Kelly Sargent for including three of my pieces. Congratulations to all the poets.
#FemkuMag #haiku #senryu #haibun #cherita #shortformpoetry #poetry
It is splended! My sincere gratitude to Editor Rowan Beckett Minor and Co-editor Kelly Sargent for including three of my pieces. Congratulations to all the poets.
#FemkuMag #haiku #senryu #haibun #cherita #shortformpoetry #poetry
November 27, 2025 at 6:50 PM
In these times, I find comfort in my books. THE reason I had to unpack so many of them despite our realtor's advice.
These literary and philosophical greats comfort me. They make me think. They help me on my journey.
#mayaangelou #misogyny #womensupportingwomen
These literary and philosophical greats comfort me. They make me think. They help me on my journey.
#mayaangelou #misogyny #womensupportingwomen
November 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
In these times, I find comfort in my books. THE reason I had to unpack so many of them despite our realtor's advice.
These literary and philosophical greats comfort me. They make me think. They help me on my journey.
#mayaangelou #misogyny #womensupportingwomen
These literary and philosophical greats comfort me. They make me think. They help me on my journey.
#mayaangelou #misogyny #womensupportingwomen
Dystopian literature asks us, “What if?” And wow, did the question in The Wilding of Em’s Path seize the kairos of our moment. Wrenn's story of resistance and hope is a must-read and must-have addition to your library!
#bookrecommendations #sapphicbooks
#bookrecommendations #sapphicbooks
November 15, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Dystopian literature asks us, “What if?” And wow, did the question in The Wilding of Em’s Path seize the kairos of our moment. Wrenn's story of resistance and hope is a must-read and must-have addition to your library!
#bookrecommendations #sapphicbooks
#bookrecommendations #sapphicbooks
Week 2 Update for #swag4gcls!
Please help me keep my derrière in the chair!
Your fundraising donation benefits @goldencrownls.bsky.social
to continue their remarkable support of sapphic fiction!
Thanks to everyone for supporting me and all the participating authors!
Link in comments 🙏❤️
Please help me keep my derrière in the chair!
Your fundraising donation benefits @goldencrownls.bsky.social
to continue their remarkable support of sapphic fiction!
Thanks to everyone for supporting me and all the participating authors!
Link in comments 🙏❤️
November 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Week 2 Update for #swag4gcls!
Please help me keep my derrière in the chair!
Your fundraising donation benefits @goldencrownls.bsky.social
to continue their remarkable support of sapphic fiction!
Thanks to everyone for supporting me and all the participating authors!
Link in comments 🙏❤️
Please help me keep my derrière in the chair!
Your fundraising donation benefits @goldencrownls.bsky.social
to continue their remarkable support of sapphic fiction!
Thanks to everyone for supporting me and all the participating authors!
Link in comments 🙏❤️
It's tattered, yellowed, and pages have been lovingly tucked back in place. Just the signs that I've treasured this collection since buying it in 1986. I hope you feel inspired by Walker's always sublime and timely poetry ❤️
#amreading #poetrylovers
#amreading #poetrylovers
October 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
It's tattered, yellowed, and pages have been lovingly tucked back in place. Just the signs that I've treasured this collection since buying it in 1986. I hope you feel inspired by Walker's always sublime and timely poetry ❤️
#amreading #poetrylovers
#amreading #poetrylovers
Our realtor asked me to box up my books last year. I did. But I couldn't take being without them any longer, so my daughter helped me open over twenty boxes in storage and reclaim my favourites. I feel happier ❤️
#booksbooksbooks #poetrylovers #writerslife📚 #reading
#booksbooksbooks #poetrylovers #writerslife📚 #reading
October 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Our realtor asked me to box up my books last year. I did. But I couldn't take being without them any longer, so my daughter helped me open over twenty boxes in storage and reclaim my favourites. I feel happier ❤️
#booksbooksbooks #poetrylovers #writerslife📚 #reading
#booksbooksbooks #poetrylovers #writerslife📚 #reading
Wow. The sixth book of the Robert Langdon series was a thrilling ride and reads like a uni lecture about the nature of consciousness and Noetic science. Fabulous setting in Prague. Incredible characters. Made me want to dive into Noetics 👏❤️
#bookrecommendation
#bookrecommendation
October 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Wow. The sixth book of the Robert Langdon series was a thrilling ride and reads like a uni lecture about the nature of consciousness and Noetic science. Fabulous setting in Prague. Incredible characters. Made me want to dive into Noetics 👏❤️
#bookrecommendation
#bookrecommendation
Like Charmed? Dresden Files? Then start the Sloane West Mystery Series today. Book one on sale now at @bellabooks.bsky.social
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#booksale #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasyseries #mysterybooks #wlw #lesfic #sapphicbooks
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#booksale #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasyseries #mysterybooks #wlw #lesfic #sapphicbooks
October 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Like Charmed? Dresden Files? Then start the Sloane West Mystery Series today. Book one on sale now at @bellabooks.bsky.social
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#booksale #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasyseries #mysterybooks #wlw #lesfic #sapphicbooks
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#booksale #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasyseries #mysterybooks #wlw #lesfic #sapphicbooks
Deep appreciation to Allyson Whipple, founding editor, and Kelly Barnes Sargent, guest editor, of Haiku Summer Girl, for nominating my poem for a 2025 Touchstone Award. I’m honoured and grateful for the kind recognition. Congratulations to all the nominees for this year’s award.
October 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Deep appreciation to Allyson Whipple, founding editor, and Kelly Barnes Sargent, guest editor, of Haiku Summer Girl, for nominating my poem for a 2025 Touchstone Award. I’m honoured and grateful for the kind recognition. Congratulations to all the nominees for this year’s award.
May you watch the moon rise today and feel life's abundance... 🌕❤️
#haiku
#shortformpoetry
#supermoon
#harvestmoon
#moonology
#haiku
#shortformpoetry
#supermoon
#harvestmoon
#moonology
October 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
May you watch the moon rise today and feel life's abundance... 🌕❤️
#haiku
#shortformpoetry
#supermoon
#harvestmoon
#moonology
#haiku
#shortformpoetry
#supermoon
#harvestmoon
#moonology
"Censorship is the mother of metaphor” ~ Jorge Luis Borges.
Our pens, our words, our stories, our lives will continue to create a deeper understanding of our world.
I stand with @goldencrownls.bsky.social and @s-a-s-s.bsky.social against book bans.
#bannedbooksweek
#SapphicsWithTheBanned
Our pens, our words, our stories, our lives will continue to create a deeper understanding of our world.
I stand with @goldencrownls.bsky.social and @s-a-s-s.bsky.social against book bans.
#bannedbooksweek
#SapphicsWithTheBanned
October 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM
"Censorship is the mother of metaphor” ~ Jorge Luis Borges.
Our pens, our words, our stories, our lives will continue to create a deeper understanding of our world.
I stand with @goldencrownls.bsky.social and @s-a-s-s.bsky.social against book bans.
#bannedbooksweek
#SapphicsWithTheBanned
Our pens, our words, our stories, our lives will continue to create a deeper understanding of our world.
I stand with @goldencrownls.bsky.social and @s-a-s-s.bsky.social against book bans.
#bannedbooksweek
#SapphicsWithTheBanned
A beautiful and poignant story that I immensely enjoyed. Potter’s deeply emotive writing draws you in and brings you along on Amelia, Charlie, Lindsey, and Teri's journeys of loss, grief, love, and hope before, during, and after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. ❤️
#bookrecommendations
#bookrecommendations
October 3, 2025 at 12:15 AM
A beautiful and poignant story that I immensely enjoyed. Potter’s deeply emotive writing draws you in and brings you along on Amelia, Charlie, Lindsey, and Teri's journeys of loss, grief, love, and hope before, during, and after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. ❤️
#bookrecommendations
#bookrecommendations
Available at @bellabooks.bsky.social and other book sellers.
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#romanticsuspense #suspensethriller #lesfic #wlwbooks #pacificnorthwest #smallpress
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#romanticsuspense #suspensethriller #lesfic #wlwbooks #pacificnorthwest #smallpress
October 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Available at @bellabooks.bsky.social and other book sellers.
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#romanticsuspense #suspensethriller #lesfic #wlwbooks #pacificnorthwest #smallpress
www.bellabooks.com/product/9781...
#romanticsuspense #suspensethriller #lesfic #wlwbooks #pacificnorthwest #smallpress
Always delighted to be in Haiku Canada's Members' Anthology. The 2025 issue is filled with beautiful, touching, and whimsical pieces, a true delight to read.
Thank you to Editors Maxianne Berger and Mike Montreuil ❤️
#haiku #haikucanada
Thank you to Editors Maxianne Berger and Mike Montreuil ❤️
#haiku #haikucanada
September 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Always delighted to be in Haiku Canada's Members' Anthology. The 2025 issue is filled with beautiful, touching, and whimsical pieces, a true delight to read.
Thank you to Editors Maxianne Berger and Mike Montreuil ❤️
#haiku #haikucanada
Thank you to Editors Maxianne Berger and Mike Montreuil ❤️
#haiku #haikucanada
Truly enjoyed Gilles Fabre’s translation and adaptation of the Japanese Saijiki, the Japanese Poetic Almanac. This English-language saijiki features hundreds of kigo (season-words) and example haiku divided into five sections. A definite must-have resource!
#bookrecommendations #haiku
#bookrecommendations #haiku
September 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Truly enjoyed Gilles Fabre’s translation and adaptation of the Japanese Saijiki, the Japanese Poetic Almanac. This English-language saijiki features hundreds of kigo (season-words) and example haiku divided into five sections. A definite must-have resource!
#bookrecommendations #haiku
#bookrecommendations #haiku
Join us this Saturday for @thelesbianreview.com’s Big Online Event: Nice Genres. Big Stories. 10-2pm Pacific Time, Four Panels. I’ll be discussing the Sloane West Mysteries during the 12pm and 1pm panels. Looking forward to talking with you live!
Tickets: ticketstripe.com/events/30801...
#BookEvent
Tickets: ticketstripe.com/events/30801...
#BookEvent
September 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Join us this Saturday for @thelesbianreview.com’s Big Online Event: Nice Genres. Big Stories. 10-2pm Pacific Time, Four Panels. I’ll be discussing the Sloane West Mysteries during the 12pm and 1pm panels. Looking forward to talking with you live!
Tickets: ticketstripe.com/events/30801...
#BookEvent
Tickets: ticketstripe.com/events/30801...
#BookEvent
It’s the final read-through for book three of the Sloane West Mystery series! Then she’s off to my publisher, @bellabooks.bsky.social I’ve loved every minute I've spent in Sloane's worlds this year!
#urbanfantasy #witches #paranormal #mystery #lesfic #slowburn #wlw #sapphic
#urbanfantasy #witches #paranormal #mystery #lesfic #slowburn #wlw #sapphic
September 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
It’s the final read-through for book three of the Sloane West Mystery series! Then she’s off to my publisher, @bellabooks.bsky.social I’ve loved every minute I've spent in Sloane's worlds this year!
#urbanfantasy #witches #paranormal #mystery #lesfic #slowburn #wlw #sapphic
#urbanfantasy #witches #paranormal #mystery #lesfic #slowburn #wlw #sapphic
Many thanks to Julie and the rest of the editors at the Heron's Nest for including my haiku in this wonderful issue! It's a pleasure to read.
Full access here:
theheronsnest.com/September202...
#haiku #smallpoems
Full access here:
theheronsnest.com/September202...
#haiku #smallpoems
September 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Many thanks to Julie and the rest of the editors at the Heron's Nest for including my haiku in this wonderful issue! It's a pleasure to read.
Full access here:
theheronsnest.com/September202...
#haiku #smallpoems
Full access here:
theheronsnest.com/September202...
#haiku #smallpoems
Available in paperback, eBook, and audio.
Support small presses and get your copy from @bellabooks.bsky.social ❤️
#romanticthriller #thrillerbooks #lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Support small presses and get your copy from @bellabooks.bsky.social ❤️
#romanticthriller #thrillerbooks #lesfic
#sapphicbooks
September 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Available in paperback, eBook, and audio.
Support small presses and get your copy from @bellabooks.bsky.social ❤️
#romanticthriller #thrillerbooks #lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Support small presses and get your copy from @bellabooks.bsky.social ❤️
#romanticthriller #thrillerbooks #lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Congratulations, Celia H.! You won an audiobook of Trailhead🎉❤️
August 17, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Congratulations, Celia H.! You won an audiobook of Trailhead🎉❤️
Congratulations, Kathy N.! You won an audiobook of Trailhead! 🎉❤️
August 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Congratulations, Kathy N.! You won an audiobook of Trailhead! 🎉❤️
Audiobook enthusiast? Romantic suspense devotee? Enter to win my new release, Trailhead, on audio! 📚🌈🎧
To enter:
📨Message me here with the last National Park you visited or want to visit.
🎟️Your name will be included in a drawing for a Trailhead audiobook.
🎉I’ll spin for two winners on August 16th!
To enter:
📨Message me here with the last National Park you visited or want to visit.
🎟️Your name will be included in a drawing for a Trailhead audiobook.
🎉I’ll spin for two winners on August 16th!
August 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Audiobook enthusiast? Romantic suspense devotee? Enter to win my new release, Trailhead, on audio! 📚🌈🎧
To enter:
📨Message me here with the last National Park you visited or want to visit.
🎟️Your name will be included in a drawing for a Trailhead audiobook.
🎉I’ll spin for two winners on August 16th!
To enter:
📨Message me here with the last National Park you visited or want to visit.
🎟️Your name will be included in a drawing for a Trailhead audiobook.
🎉I’ll spin for two winners on August 16th!