Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 11h

Here's A Place For All My Books, which is tied with Saltfjord and Vantage as my favorite solo of 2025.

This game is so tactile, puzzly, and wonderfully smooth to run solo. The theme is aces and it basically puts itself away during scoring. Simply wonderful.

#boardgames

The final board state of A Place For All My Books set up on a red playmat.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 1d

Now that my kid lit manuscript is with my agent, I can return my attention to my next book project: a series of creative nonfiction essays about how board games make life better.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 2d

Today's the day. My fiction debut is officially out in the world. I spent the last 10 years publishing creative nonfiction. I didn't think I had fiction left in my bones, but SHOULDN'T WE DANCE? proved me wrong. I love this story. I hope you'll love it as well.

www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

A book held up on a balcony railing at sunrise. The book is titled SHOULDN'T WE DANCE?

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 2d

My book is very pretty. It's also well-written! It also comes out tomorrow!

SHOULDN'T WE DANCE? from @stanchion.bsky.social is about male friendship, grief, storytelling, and tripping into your bar cart in the wee hours of the morning.

Get a copy here: www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

A copy of SHOULDN'T WE DANCE? held up against a ray of sunrise light.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 4d

Holding your book in your hands never gets old. Infinite gratitude to @stanchion.bsky.social for believing in this story. SHOULDN'T WE DANCE? comes out next week.

A hand holding a book called SHOULDN'T WE DANCE?

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 5d

Last game of the day: River Valley Glassworks with my wife. I won with my best score ever at 89. She put up at valiant effort at 81. I love this welcoming game anyone can learn, and get a lot of mileage out of introducing it to newer gamers.

#boardgames

A woman holding a glass of wine, seated at a board game table. The game set up is River Valley Glassworks.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 5d

Dreadful Meadows solo: an utter delight. This game is everything I love from the quick time to table and the easy to run and understand bot.

Resource management, contract fulfillment, and a great theme here. I also love this game at 2p.

#boardgames

The final board state of a solo game of Dreadful Meadows.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 5d

Wroth solo: beautiful game and challenging puzzle. I'm not good at area control games but the package and CTG production called to me.

It is as hard as folks say solo, but I really don't mind. I would be keen to keep exploring factions and see if I can actually develop strategy.

#boardgames

The final board state of a loss of Wroth played solo.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 6d

Presenting: my worst play of Hispania. I didn't play with tempo well and only focused on preventing loss instead of advancing my win condition. Lost anyway. Great amount of brain burn in a tiny box!

#boardgames

The final board state of a losing game of Hispania.

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Reposted by Donna-Claire - Author

Split Lip Magazine @splitlipthemag.bsky.social · 24d

Let's welcome ACCOMPLISHMENT SUNDAY with some book news ❤️ Contributor @writesloud.bsky.social was interviewed about her new collection FIRST KICKING, THEN NOT from @stanchion.bsky.social in @wirobooks.bsky.social 👏 buff.ly/PzLiHUC

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Reposted by Donna-Claire - Author

Stanchion @stanchion.bsky.social · 7d

The debut of a Stanchion x Street Cats appearance! Come say hi at Booth 166 of the Collingswood Book Fest on Saturday!

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Reposted by Donna-Claire - Author

camerooned somewhere @camerooned.bsky.social · 6d

Get it yourself here: www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

Shouldn't We Dance? | Stanchion

The novelette Shouldn't We Dance? follows Hank, a 20-something coping with the sudden loss of his lifelong best friend, Doug. When Hank goes through Doug's old notebooks, he finds a sense of purpose i...

www.stanchionzine.com

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 6d

Ahhh people getting my books! Ahhhh

camerooned somewhere @camerooned.bsky.social · 6d

a shipping notification for @donnacwrites.com’s latest work is a great way to start the day

Order page for Donna-Claire Chesman’s novel Shouldn’t We Dance

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Reposted by Donna-Claire - Author

camerooned somewhere @camerooned.bsky.social · 6d

a shipping notification for @donnacwrites.com’s latest work is a great way to start the day

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 7d

My fiction debut comes out in 5 days.
My fiction debut comes out in 5 days!

SHOULDN'T WE DANCE? is the book of my heart. There's still time to pre-order a discounted copy and support my small press @stanchion.bsky.social. It is a beautiful thing to be able to share writing.

The title page of a book called SHOULDN'T WE DANCE?

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 7d

Played The Four Doors at 2p tonight. This crunchier iteration of the Forbidden series is quickly rising as one of my favorites of 2025. It is also cat approved.

#boardgames

A woman reading a card at a board game table with a black cat in her lap.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 8d

55 hours of daily revisions.
21,540 words cut.
1,100 new words daily on average.
42,890 words total.
I finally typed THE END on the second draft of my kid lit manuscript. What a marathon.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 8d

Here's all 12 games I played this month. Tea Witches was my most-anticipated play of the month. Spirit Island is my all-time favorite game at 2p with my wife.

Vantage is a masterpiece and The Four Doors has replaced the Forbidden series for me. A good month overall!

#boardgames

A 3x4 grid of board game covers. Games range from Diatoms to Vantage to Waddle to Spirit Island.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 8d

Thank you! See, I *know* that in my mind but my heart always takes me in the wrong direction. Appreciate the reply, big fan of Incredible Dream.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 9d

I added 1,467 words to my kid lit manuscript this morning. I'm approximately two scenes away from finishing the second draft. This revision has taught me so much about plot, urgency, and storytelling. I cannot wait to type THE END.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 9d

A quick game of A Gentle Rain. I find this game soothing and also very frustrating because I constantly back myself into corners. Skill issue. Still a sweet game.

#boardgames

The final board of a game of A Gentle Rain.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 9d

My first solo play of The Four Doors. The puzzle is dynamic as you try to tinker with swapping powers and maximizing your 3 actions.

The escalation is very much so Matt Leacock. This game is bigger than its box! I consider that the greatest win for a weeknight play. This one is a gem.

#boardgames

The final board for a game of The Four Doors set out on a board game table with a red mat.

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 9d

My fiction debut comes out in one week and one day with @stanchion.bsky.social! To say I am proud would be an understatement. I'm also a potent mix of thrilled and terrified. It would me a good deal if you gave my little story a chance.

www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

Shouldn't We Dance? | Stanchion

The novelette Shouldn't We Dance? follows Hank, a 20-something coping with the sudden loss of his lifelong best friend, Doug. When Hank goes through Doug's old notebooks, he finds a sense of purpose i...

www.stanchionzine.com

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Reposted by Donna-Claire - Author

Ell Huang 🖤🤍💜 @nocturnalxlight.bsky.social · 12d

This sounds wonderful. ❤️

Stanchion @stanchion.bsky.social · 12d

I'm publishing a book in a week called Shouldn't We Dance? by @donnacwrites.com that's the antidote to toxic masculinity. The novelette beautifully frames male friendship, vulnerability & love. It's tender, funny & heartbreaking. & I could use some love for it. www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

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Donna-Claire - Author @donnacwrites.com · 11d

Once I finish my current read, and before I dive into my next Robin Hobb books, I would like to read your favorite cozy books and favorite middle grade books of the year. Send recommendations!