James Downe
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James Downe
@james-downe-author.bsky.social
250 followers 200 following 340 posts
James is a fantasy writer and graphic designer in Toronto, Ontario. 🇨🇦 He is the author of the Sisters of Jade Trilogy ('Sisters of Jade', 'Sorrow & Shroud', 'The Gorgon Court'), and the short story collection 'Salt & Cinder'.

www.jamesdowne.com
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James Downe @james-downe-author.bsky.social · 14d
I'm James and I fucking love writing. I'm very proud of my completed Sisters of Jade Trilogy, but my short story collection Salt & Cinder has some really fantastic stories.

If you like action & adventure fantasy with badass women and a lot of heart, check out my books!

www.jamesdowne.com/books
Cover for my book 'Sisters of Jade'. Stylized green, a female warrior with a mace looms above a city. Below are 3 other women. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'Sorrow & Shroud". Stylized green, two warriors face each other above a city. Below, a priestess wearing a necklace of skulls stands by a young girl. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'The Gorgon Court'. Stylized green, a priestess with a necklace of skulls raises her arms above a city silhouette. Below, a werehyena, a girl, and a swordswoman are posed. Title is above, and my name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'Salt & Cinder'. Stylized blue, a male legionary with a sword rises up from tentacles and distant spears. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below.
james-downe-author.bsky.social
What we don't know keeps the contracts alive and movin'
They don't gotta burn the books they just remove 'em
While arms warehouses fill as quick as the cells
Rally 'round the family, pockets full of shells
Pope Leo rapping some classic RATM beats into a microphone with a mad crowd surging behind him... ha! Joking aside... popey holds a microphone, with photographers and other religious dudes behind him.
November 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Yay, it's Saturday!
Boo, I have to go into work today...
a man in a pink shirt is smiling and laughing while sitting on a couch .
Alt: A man in a pink shirt is smiling and laughing, but his laugh quickly turns to tears.
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:45 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
If you want a dark action/adventure fantasy tale, my book, Sorrow & Shroud, is full of zombies, necromancers, and a few other undead beasties.

#IndieAuthor #Werehyena

www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW3JDS3B
Cover for my book 'Sorrow & Shroud'. Stylized green, two warriors face each other above a city. Below, a priestess wearing a necklace of skulls stands by a young girl. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below.
November 18, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Reposted by James Downe
rachellovesfish.bsky.social
i’m gonna absolutely devour this Can*Con haul.

@clh2oars.bsky.social
@thescreambean.bsky.social
@donmiasek.bsky.social
@darkerthanvanta.bsky.social
@james-downe-author.bsky.social
@alexandernewcombe.bsky.social
@vincentmackay.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Yesterday, my writing group met for the last time at the Impetial Pub in Toronto. It's been a great spot to share our stories, but the pub is closing and we'll be moving to a new venue.

It was a happy/sad event, and I will 100% miss the Imperial, but am looking forward to new things on the horizon.
November 10, 2025 at 12:17 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I'm James and I fucking love writing. I'm very proud of my completed Sisters of Jade Trilogy, but my short story collection Salt & Cinder has some really fantastic stories.

If you like action & adventure fantasy with badass women and a lot of heart, check out my books!

www.jamesdowne.com/books
Cover for my book 'Sisters of Jade'. Stylized green, a female warrior with a mace looms above a city. Below are 3 other women. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'Sorrow & Shroud". Stylized green, two warriors face each other above a city. Below, a priestess wearing a necklace of skulls stands by a young girl. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'The Gorgon Court'. Stylized green, a priestess with a necklace of skulls raises her arms above a city silhouette. Below, a werehyena, a girl, and a swordswoman are posed. Title is above, and my name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'Salt & Cinder'. Stylized blue, a male legionary with a sword rises up from tentacles and distant spears. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below.
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Making some chicken and root veggie stew, and it is definitely time for a beer. Tonight is a rye pale ale from Gateway City Brewery.

Cheers!

What are you drinking?
A pint of rye pale ale from Gateway City Brewery sitting on a cutting board. Before the beer is a knife that just cut up some parsnips amd rutabaga.
November 6, 2025 at 1:59 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Hey, I finally got off my duff and wrote about Can*Con!

#CanCon25 #CanadianBookEvents #IndieAuthor

www.jamesdowne.com/post/can-con...
Can*Con - Ottawa 2025
Every year around mid-to-late October, something magical happens in Ottawa. Hundreds of writers gather to talk, share ideas, and develop their craft. It's called Can*Con, and I I love it. I wait all y...
www.jamesdowne.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I am having the best time at #CanCon2025. There are so many writers this year and the panels are terrific!

I moderated a panel Friday evening about Non-Logical Worldbuilding that went great. Today, I moderate one on Writing Sibling Relationships. Really looking forward to it!
4 people having a disscussion, sitting behind a table. 1 person, not me, is wearing an incredible hat. 4 smilimg people standing behind a table covered in books 4 smiling people standing, looking at the camera 2 people standing behind a table full of books
October 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Having a blast at Can*Con!

@canconsffh.bsky.social
2 people standig behind a table full of books 4 people stading behind a table full of books
October 18, 2025 at 5:45 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I stayed up far too late last night, reading "Let’s Go Exploring: Calvin and Hobbes" by Michael Hingston. Read it in one day, couldn't put it down.

If you're into deep dives of pop culture, 100% check this out.

ecwpress.com/products/let...
Let's Go Exploring: Calvin and Hobbes
In Let’s Go Exploring, Michael Hingston traces the story of Calvin’s creator to find out how Calvin and Hobbes became North America’s last great comic strip.
ecwpress.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by James Downe
patricksamphire.bsky.social
Have you read this yet? What else are you going to do on a Sunday?
October 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
"Make my logo bigger..."
kadoore.com K.A. Doore @kadoore.com · Oct 12
"I asked Copilot to..."
unenthusiast.com Marjorie James Keenan @unenthusiast.com · Oct 12
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.

rm -rf ~/
October 12, 2025 at 1:28 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I fucking hate AI. It sucks donkey balls. I used to feel some sense of wonder or joy when watching weird videos and shit. Now, I suspect everything is a lie. Fuck this timeline.

#AISucks
October 12, 2025 at 3:33 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I'm loving 'The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn' by Tri Vuong. Half done but it's sooooo good.
A graphic novel 'The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn' on a table. The cover shows a floating skull wearing a hat and trench coat standing in a pond with tentacles around.
October 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by James Downe
turned-the-page.bsky.social
More specifically, you want an amazing free ebook? How about two?
james-downe-author.bsky.social James Downe @james-downe-author.bsky.social · Oct 11
Hey! Psst, yeah you! Want a free ebook?

Both SISTERS OF JADE and SORROW & SHROUD are free this weekend. If you haven't picked them up, now's yer chance!

SISTERS OF JADE: www.amazon.ca/dp/B09PX3G65C
SORROW & SHROUD: www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BW3JDS3B

#IndieAuthor #FreeEbook #Fantasy
The book cover for SISTERS OF JADE by James Downe is in the centre, surrounded by thematic points with arrows pointing at the cover. The points are: Action & Adventure Strong Female Characters No Romance Sword Fights Werehyena Found Family Daring Rescues Greedy Politicians The book cover for SORROW & SHROUD by James Downe is in the centre, surrounded by thematic points with arrows pointing at the cover. The points are: Lost Treasure Epic Sword Fights Bounty Hunters Found Family Adventure Zombies Ancient Kingdoms Werehyena
October 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Hey! Psst, yeah you! Want a free ebook?

Both SISTERS OF JADE and SORROW & SHROUD are free this weekend. If you haven't picked them up, now's yer chance!

SISTERS OF JADE: www.amazon.ca/dp/B09PX3G65C
SORROW & SHROUD: www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BW3JDS3B

#IndieAuthor #FreeEbook #Fantasy
The book cover for SISTERS OF JADE by James Downe is in the centre, surrounded by thematic points with arrows pointing at the cover. The points are: Action & Adventure Strong Female Characters No Romance Sword Fights Werehyena Found Family Daring Rescues Greedy Politicians The book cover for SORROW & SHROUD by James Downe is in the centre, surrounded by thematic points with arrows pointing at the cover. The points are: Lost Treasure Epic Sword Fights Bounty Hunters Found Family Adventure Zombies Ancient Kingdoms Werehyena
October 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
John Carpenter's Barbie
jordankurella.com Jordan Kurella @jordankurella.com · Oct 10
John Carpenter's The Hunger Games
thomasha.bsky.social Thomas Ha @thomasha.bsky.social · Oct 10
John Carpenter's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
October 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Hey look! A new review for Sisters of Jade! This made my day.
October 9, 2025 at 3:10 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Last weekend, I attended Word on the Street in Toronto. Had an absolute blast! Word on the Street is a major book event here, with vendors, publishers, and more ready to (re)fuel your love of books.

#authorevents #wots2025 #LiteraryScene #torontoevents

www.jamesdowne.com/post/word-on...
Word on the Street - Toronto 2025
Last weekend (Sept 27-28), I attended Word on the Street in Toronto as a vendor. Had an absolute blast! Such a good time. Word on the Street is a major book event here, with vendors, publishers, and m...
www.jamesdowne.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:32 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
My writing group has a brand new website!

If you write sci-fi, fantasy, or any sort of spec fic and want to hang with like-minded authors, check this out!

#WriterCommunity #AuthorCommunity #Writing

www.torontosffwriters.com
Home | Toronto SFF Writers
Join Toronto's premier community for science fiction and fantasy writers. Discover writing events, critique sessions, and resources for aspiring and published SFF authors in the Greater Toronto Area. ...
www.torontosffwriters.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Today's book haul! There will be more tomorrow. I would never have found these if not for Word on the Street and getting to meet and talk with people.

#wots2025
Books displayed on a brown field.
September 28, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Reposted by James Downe
turned-the-page.bsky.social
Heading down to Word on the Street today to see a particularly awesome group of people. If you're in the area make sure to stop by the Toronto SFF Writers table!

#wordonthestreet #WOTS2025 #sffwriters #badassbooks #toronto
ympang.bsky.social Y.M. Pang @ympang.bsky.social · Sep 23
I'll be at Word on the Street this weekend, alongside my partners-in-crime from Toronto SFF Writers!

Sat, Sept 27 – 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun, Sept 28 – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street W, Toronto ON
Booth B32

#WOTS2025 #MeetMeAtWOTS #fantasybooks #sciencefiction #bookfestival
A poster for Word on the Street. Confirmed Exhibitor is at the top, with the Word of the Street logo. In the middle is the Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' logo, around which are names of all the authors displayed at our table. David Pecault Square Sept 27 - 28, 2025 Free. All ages. Biographies of 9 authors from Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers who are attending Word on the Street Photograph showing the book ALL THE BROKEN BLADES, alongside a mug and pen with the book title printed on them, a bookmark of the book cover illustration, and a set of four postcards. Map showing layout of Word on the Street, with an arrow pointing to Booth B32 with label "Find us here"
September 27, 2025 at 1:53 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Word on the Street is underway! Having fun and selling books.

#WotS2025
A range of books on a table Three men standing in front of a table full of great books. A book both with people buying and selling Books displayed on a table
September 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Reposted by James Downe
ympang.bsky.social
I'll be at Word on the Street this weekend, alongside my partners-in-crime from Toronto SFF Writers!

Sat, Sept 27 – 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun, Sept 28 – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street W, Toronto ON
Booth B32

#WOTS2025 #MeetMeAtWOTS #fantasybooks #sciencefiction #bookfestival
A poster for Word on the Street. Confirmed Exhibitor is at the top, with the Word of the Street logo. In the middle is the Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' logo, around which are names of all the authors displayed at our table. David Pecault Square Sept 27 - 28, 2025 Free. All ages. Biographies of 9 authors from Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers who are attending Word on the Street Photograph showing the book ALL THE BROKEN BLADES, alongside a mug and pen with the book title printed on them, a bookmark of the book cover illustration, and a set of four postcards. Map showing layout of Word on the Street, with an arrow pointing to Booth B32 with label "Find us here"
September 23, 2025 at 2:05 AM