Marisa Billions
@marisabillions.bsky.social
Sapphic psychological thriller author, English teacher, wife 🏳️🌈, mom, liberal, ⚜️ Saints fan, Navy Veteran ⚓️, aspiring vegetarian and yogi 🧘
www.authormarisabillions.com
https://substack.com/@marisabillions
www.authormarisabillions.com
https://substack.com/@marisabillions
Pinned
I came up with the idea of Like Sapphire Blue while I was camping in South Lake Tahoe with my wife. It was a short story I made up while we were sitting outside with a glass of wine and the campground was eerily vacant and quiet. It turned into 2 books with a third on the way.
#sapphicbooks
#booksky
#sapphicbooks
#booksky
For my wip, I had to research if bodies get stored in local funeral homes and how long before a body pending identification sits without being lightly preserved.
I swear my search history is gonna get me flagged in some data base.
#wippitstickynotequestions
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
I swear my search history is gonna get me flagged in some data base.
#wippitstickynotequestions
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Day 6 of #WIPPITStickyNoteQuestions. You can answer in the comments or quote. I can't wait to see all of your answers. Make sure to # us so we & everyone else can see them and have fun with it. 🥰📇✍️
Food 4 thought: How has this shaped your story/character? (You don't have to post)
Food 4 thought: How has this shaped your story/character? (You don't have to post)
May 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
For my wip, I had to research if bodies get stored in local funeral homes and how long before a body pending identification sits without being lightly preserved.
I swear my search history is gonna get me flagged in some data base.
#wippitstickynotequestions
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
I swear my search history is gonna get me flagged in some data base.
#wippitstickynotequestions
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Macy falls hard for Parker- Parker doesn’t do relationships - until she meets Calypso.
Calypso hates Macy. Macy hates Calypso.
Calypso’s history is revealed- Parker leaves Calypso and ends up with Macy. Until Parker learns the truth about Macy
It’s all very messy.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
Calypso hates Macy. Macy hates Calypso.
Calypso’s history is revealed- Parker leaves Calypso and ends up with Macy. Until Parker learns the truth about Macy
It’s all very messy.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
#MayWeDance Day 5
How quickly or slowly do the MC and their LI in your WIP develop feelings for each other? And how quickly or slowly do they enter a relationship?
#WritingCommunity #WriterSky #WritingPrompt #Romancelandia
How quickly or slowly do the MC and their LI in your WIP develop feelings for each other? And how quickly or slowly do they enter a relationship?
#WritingCommunity #WriterSky #WritingPrompt #Romancelandia
May 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Macy falls hard for Parker- Parker doesn’t do relationships - until she meets Calypso.
Calypso hates Macy. Macy hates Calypso.
Calypso’s history is revealed- Parker leaves Calypso and ends up with Macy. Until Parker learns the truth about Macy
It’s all very messy.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
Calypso hates Macy. Macy hates Calypso.
Calypso’s history is revealed- Parker leaves Calypso and ends up with Macy. Until Parker learns the truth about Macy
It’s all very messy.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
Currently in my Hozier era and honestly? Not mad about it. His music has become the soundtrack to everything I write lately. Every lyric, every haunting chord just cracks something open creatively. If my next project feels a little more devastating, you know who to thank.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
May 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Currently in my Hozier era and honestly? Not mad about it. His music has become the soundtrack to everything I write lately. Every lyric, every haunting chord just cracks something open creatively. If my next project feels a little more devastating, you know who to thank.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
What no one tells you when you become an indie or small press author:
You need to learn marketing, social media management, graphic design, have an aesthetic, and still find time for your day job and to keep writing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
You need to learn marketing, social media management, graphic design, have an aesthetic, and still find time for your day job and to keep writing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
May 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
What no one tells you when you become an indie or small press author:
You need to learn marketing, social media management, graphic design, have an aesthetic, and still find time for your day job and to keep writing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
You need to learn marketing, social media management, graphic design, have an aesthetic, and still find time for your day job and to keep writing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
A brief post on using AI to create any part of a book: don’t.
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
May 2, 2025 at 3:41 PM
A brief post on using AI to create any part of a book: don’t.
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
Reviews are meaningful and purposeful for many reasons.
They help sell books- even the negative ones.
Sometimes they can help you improve your writing.
They help others decide if a book is for them.
What they shouldn’t be and in most cases are not- is personal.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
They help sell books- even the negative ones.
Sometimes they can help you improve your writing.
They help others decide if a book is for them.
What they shouldn’t be and in most cases are not- is personal.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
April 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reviews are meaningful and purposeful for many reasons.
They help sell books- even the negative ones.
Sometimes they can help you improve your writing.
They help others decide if a book is for them.
What they shouldn’t be and in most cases are not- is personal.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
They help sell books- even the negative ones.
Sometimes they can help you improve your writing.
They help others decide if a book is for them.
What they shouldn’t be and in most cases are not- is personal.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
My struggle when I finish writing a novel is the characters who caused me nothing but stress, late nights, and emotional damage, are now gone. I miss them like you miss a toxic ex: the emotions were all so real and the attachment, but it was all in my head.
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
April 28, 2025 at 12:43 PM
My struggle when I finish writing a novel is the characters who caused me nothing but stress, late nights, and emotional damage, are now gone. I miss them like you miss a toxic ex: the emotions were all so real and the attachment, but it was all in my head.
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
Happy #SapphicSaturday in the midst of lesbian visibility week!
In honor of Lesbian Visibility - these two novels are discounted for $0.99.
There’s also hundreds more listed on iheartsapphfic.com
In honor of Lesbian Visibility - these two novels are discounted for $0.99.
There’s also hundreds more listed on iheartsapphfic.com
April 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Happy #SapphicSaturday in the midst of lesbian visibility week!
In honor of Lesbian Visibility - these two novels are discounted for $0.99.
There’s also hundreds more listed on iheartsapphfic.com
In honor of Lesbian Visibility - these two novels are discounted for $0.99.
There’s also hundreds more listed on iheartsapphfic.com
April 26, 2025 at 12:50 AM
My imposter syndrome is undefeated. I’ve got two award-winning novels, and my brain still whispers, “you are such a poseur.”
I’ve won over literary committees with two different books, you’d think my inner critic could at least stfu. But no. It’s too busy suggesting I was just lucky.
#writersky
I’ve won over literary committees with two different books, you’d think my inner critic could at least stfu. But no. It’s too busy suggesting I was just lucky.
#writersky
April 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
My imposter syndrome is undefeated. I’ve got two award-winning novels, and my brain still whispers, “you are such a poseur.”
I’ve won over literary committees with two different books, you’d think my inner critic could at least stfu. But no. It’s too busy suggesting I was just lucky.
#writersky
I’ve won over literary committees with two different books, you’d think my inner critic could at least stfu. But no. It’s too busy suggesting I was just lucky.
#writersky
I’ve officially gotten the rights back for Like Sapphire Blue! No beef with my publisher. We just didn’t see eye to eye on distribution. This is the first of my books I’ve brought back. It’s available beyond the ‘Zon.
Here’s the link:
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...
#lesfic #sapphicbooks
Here’s the link:
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...
#lesfic #sapphicbooks
Like Sapphire Blue
'Your eyes are amazing. I've never seen a blue like that.'
Emma Landry is tough, independent, beautiful, and smart. Being an outcast unable to identify with her classmates, she was willing to do what...
shop.ingramspark.com
April 24, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I’ve officially gotten the rights back for Like Sapphire Blue! No beef with my publisher. We just didn’t see eye to eye on distribution. This is the first of my books I’ve brought back. It’s available beyond the ‘Zon.
Here’s the link:
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...
#lesfic #sapphicbooks
Here’s the link:
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...
#lesfic #sapphicbooks
Balancing writing, working, marketing, family time, self care, and having fun is its own unique challenge.
But anyway, I wrote almost a thousand words yesterday (only to delete half because I don’t love them).
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
But anyway, I wrote almost a thousand words yesterday (only to delete half because I don’t love them).
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
April 23, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Balancing writing, working, marketing, family time, self care, and having fun is its own unique challenge.
But anyway, I wrote almost a thousand words yesterday (only to delete half because I don’t love them).
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
But anyway, I wrote almost a thousand words yesterday (only to delete half because I don’t love them).
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Building readership is posting into the void on various social media sites to build authentic engagement and an aesthetic and a brand…
Sleeping is optional.
And forget about time to write your damn novel.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Sleeping is optional.
And forget about time to write your damn novel.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
April 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Building readership is posting into the void on various social media sites to build authentic engagement and an aesthetic and a brand…
Sleeping is optional.
And forget about time to write your damn novel.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Sleeping is optional.
And forget about time to write your damn novel.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
FYI- Like Sapphire Blue is free today in preparation for the final book in the series being released.
Like Sapphire Blue a.co/d/h6t6Cvj
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#booksky
#freebooks
Like Sapphire Blue a.co/d/h6t6Cvj
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#booksky
#freebooks
April 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
FYI- Like Sapphire Blue is free today in preparation for the final book in the series being released.
Like Sapphire Blue a.co/d/h6t6Cvj
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#booksky
#freebooks
Like Sapphire Blue a.co/d/h6t6Cvj
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#booksky
#freebooks
I recently when on Instagram to redo my author page.
Maintaining an aesthetic on Instagram to sell books is a full time job.
I just want to write books and be perceived as mildly unhinged. There’s no time for aesthetics.
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#lesfic
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
Maintaining an aesthetic on Instagram to sell books is a full time job.
I just want to write books and be perceived as mildly unhinged. There’s no time for aesthetics.
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#lesfic
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
April 21, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I recently when on Instagram to redo my author page.
Maintaining an aesthetic on Instagram to sell books is a full time job.
I just want to write books and be perceived as mildly unhinged. There’s no time for aesthetics.
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#lesfic
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
Maintaining an aesthetic on Instagram to sell books is a full time job.
I just want to write books and be perceived as mildly unhinged. There’s no time for aesthetics.
Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.
#lesfic
#writersky
#sapphicbooks
Back in the PNW for the week, and since my first trip here, it feels like coming home. The mountains, mist, shore all coming together… it’s the soul of my newest novel coming out soon.
I am so happy to be back in the place I consider home!
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
#lesfic
#PNW
I am so happy to be back in the place I consider home!
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
#lesfic
#PNW
April 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Back in the PNW for the week, and since my first trip here, it feels like coming home. The mountains, mist, shore all coming together… it’s the soul of my newest novel coming out soon.
I am so happy to be back in the place I consider home!
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
#lesfic
#PNW
I am so happy to be back in the place I consider home!
#sapphicbooks
#writersky
#lesfic
#PNW
Every writer has a soundtrack. These songs built my characters, broke them, and put them back together…
I think music helps you feel the story.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
open.spotify.com/playlist/6hj...
I think music helps you feel the story.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
open.spotify.com/playlist/6hj...
Out of the Blue
Playlist · Marisa Billions · 23 items · 1 saves
open.spotify.com
April 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Every writer has a soundtrack. These songs built my characters, broke them, and put them back together…
I think music helps you feel the story.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
open.spotify.com/playlist/6hj...
I think music helps you feel the story.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
open.spotify.com/playlist/6hj...
Writing is therapy.
You slay the demons you couldn’t touch in real life.
You name the pain, rewrite the ending, and call it art.
That’s healing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
You slay the demons you couldn’t touch in real life.
You name the pain, rewrite the ending, and call it art.
That’s healing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
April 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Writing is therapy.
You slay the demons you couldn’t touch in real life.
You name the pain, rewrite the ending, and call it art.
That’s healing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
You slay the demons you couldn’t touch in real life.
You name the pain, rewrite the ending, and call it art.
That’s healing.
#writersky
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
“If your characters do diabolical shit, that means you had to think of it.”
Yeah. I imagined it. Justified it. Wrote it like I meant it.
Doesn’t mean I’d do it—
Just means I understood how someone could.
#writersky
#booksky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
Yeah. I imagined it. Justified it. Wrote it like I meant it.
Doesn’t mean I’d do it—
Just means I understood how someone could.
#writersky
#booksky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
April 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
“If your characters do diabolical shit, that means you had to think of it.”
Yeah. I imagined it. Justified it. Wrote it like I meant it.
Doesn’t mean I’d do it—
Just means I understood how someone could.
#writersky
#booksky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
Yeah. I imagined it. Justified it. Wrote it like I meant it.
Doesn’t mean I’d do it—
Just means I understood how someone could.
#writersky
#booksky
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
Woke up at 3 a.m. with a brilliant idea for my book… but I was warm, comfy, and perfectly cuddled up with my Boston terrier, so I told myself I’d remember it in the morning. Now I’m staring into my coffee like it owes me answers.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
April 16, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Woke up at 3 a.m. with a brilliant idea for my book… but I was warm, comfy, and perfectly cuddled up with my Boston terrier, so I told myself I’d remember it in the morning. Now I’m staring into my coffee like it owes me answers.
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
“What are you doing here?” Disgust and fear filled Sophia. Eli was standing too closely. Too intimately.
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
April 15, 2025 at 5:14 PM
“What are you doing here?” Disgust and fear filled Sophia. Eli was standing too closely. Too intimately.
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
Me: writes a woman who left a cult, moved to a small town not to catch feelings
Meets the hot, soft butch mortician.
Readers: ‘Omg they’re so cute together!’
Me: ‘bodies are turning up. the mortician has alibis that are sus.’ Readers: ‘Ok but she can’t be the suspect. I want one of her irl’
#lesfic
Meets the hot, soft butch mortician.
Readers: ‘Omg they’re so cute together!’
Me: ‘bodies are turning up. the mortician has alibis that are sus.’ Readers: ‘Ok but she can’t be the suspect. I want one of her irl’
#lesfic
April 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Me: writes a woman who left a cult, moved to a small town not to catch feelings
Meets the hot, soft butch mortician.
Readers: ‘Omg they’re so cute together!’
Me: ‘bodies are turning up. the mortician has alibis that are sus.’ Readers: ‘Ok but she can’t be the suspect. I want one of her irl’
#lesfic
Meets the hot, soft butch mortician.
Readers: ‘Omg they’re so cute together!’
Me: ‘bodies are turning up. the mortician has alibis that are sus.’ Readers: ‘Ok but she can’t be the suspect. I want one of her irl’
#lesfic
“So, Eli will have to chill in his cell for a week or two until you wash ashore. But, Zach is giving me the pleasure of taking care of you two myself.”
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips!
The #WIPSnips word for April 14 is "chill"
#WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
The #WIPSnips word for April 14 is "chill"
#WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity
April 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
“So, Eli will have to chill in his cell for a week or two until you wash ashore. But, Zach is giving me the pleasure of taking care of you two myself.”
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
#wipsnips
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
I love writing. I could write for 10 hours straight, lost in fictional scenarios, building characters from scratch like the Goddess with a word doc.
The second someone says ‘you should market your book’ I lose the ability to formulate coherent sentences.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
The second someone says ‘you should market your book’ I lose the ability to formulate coherent sentences.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
April 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I love writing. I could write for 10 hours straight, lost in fictional scenarios, building characters from scratch like the Goddess with a word doc.
The second someone says ‘you should market your book’ I lose the ability to formulate coherent sentences.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
The second someone says ‘you should market your book’ I lose the ability to formulate coherent sentences.
#sapphicbooks
#lesfic
Me: writing a spicy scene that’s absolute FIRE
Also me: “Tone it down. You’re not just an author—you’re Mrs. Billions, from 3rd period English.”
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Also me: “Tone it down. You’re not just an author—you’re Mrs. Billions, from 3rd period English.”
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
April 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Me: writing a spicy scene that’s absolute FIRE
Also me: “Tone it down. You’re not just an author—you’re Mrs. Billions, from 3rd period English.”
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks
Also me: “Tone it down. You’re not just an author—you’re Mrs. Billions, from 3rd period English.”
#lesfic
#sapphicbooks