Emily Smiley (is on sub)

High praise from my critique partner on my current WIP. 🥀🖤

In Red is over half way done. Y’all get your mind right.

Me on the patio of my hotel room with my laptop, showing off the ginchy new transparent MacOS 26 app icons

I have updated my laptop to MacOS 26. Surely this system update is the thing that will heal us as a nation.

I’ve discovered that the key to writing a respectable daily word count is to set my expectations extremely low, and then surprise myself when I exceed those expectations on a regular basis. #writersky

Kaitlin edited my book before I queried and I know for a fact that it played a huge part in my landing an agent. Highly recommend!!

My husband 3D printed these Koroks, and for the past few weeks we’ve been hiding them around the house for the other person to find. Where should I put this little guy today?

What Sewing Can Teach Us About Drafting Novels I always get the bug for drafting in the summer.

I finished the first draft of my WIP right before WorldCon and it got me thinking about the parallels with my other hobby: sewing. Check out 4 things I've learned from sewing and applied to drafting a novel.

open.substack.com/pub/crkellog...

My critique partner perfectly summarized the vibe of my current WIP in one Google Doc comment… #writersky

#WorldCon is over, which means I’ll be potato’ing on the couch for the next 2-5 business days. Kthnxbyeeee

I was just thinking about context in horror and how the MC’s personality can change the vibe of what is horror and what is romance. And I realized, Belle preferred to live in with a humanoid bison with claws and his haunted flatware than put up with Gaston’s bullshit. You guys, she chose the bear.

Last day of #worldcon2025. Struggling to get out of bed. It’s been a great con, but holy cow am I tired.

Anyhoo, I’m on a horror and romance panel today! Come hang out if you’re still around!

Movie poster. Image of a woman with a cybernetic arm. Text: A Palm Edge Like a Knife.If you could heal with a touch, what would you give up? What would you forget? A hopepunk novella by Rhysling finalist A.J. Van Belle. Represented by Lauren Bieker of Fineprint Lit

#PosterPit #AG #SF #A

If you could heal with a touch, what would you give up? And what would you forget?

It's too much fun making visuals for my sci-fi novella #APalmEdgeLikeAKnife 🚀🖤

Movie poster with a woman holding a gun against a starry sky backdrop. Text: A Billion Paper Stars. Firefly meets Outlander in space. The galaxy’s not ready to meet Eleanor Close. "Beautiful." -a reader. A novel by Rhysling finalist A.J. Van Belle. Represented by Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Lit.

#PosterPit #AG #SF #A

150 years from now, a girl notices a boy living on the streets. She feeds him, teaches him, and eventually loves him.

35 years later, the girl is a criminal wanted by the interstellar military, and the boy is the veteran soldier sent to terminate her.

Movie poster that's an image of a warrior woman carrying a sword that rests on her shoulder. The text is: By Rhysling finalist A.J. Van Belle. A feminist retelling of Beowulf. Peril in modern academia. Rage against the silencing of women. "A masterpiece." - A close friend of the author’s who has excellent taste. Badass women, past and present. We Blame the Wild Things. In this dual-timeline upmarket novel, a feminist retelling of Beowulf is intertwined with modern scholars uncovering the truth behind the legend. On submission.

#PosterPit #AG #C #HF

In this dual-timeline novel, a feminist retelling of Beowulf is intertwined with modern scholars uncovering the truth behind the legend.

A fast-paced literary puzzle that rages against the silencing of women.

#WeBlameTheWildThings #OnSubmission

Dallas London’s brother drowned off the coast of Maui. Oddly enough, her diet of whiskey, cigarettes, and Twinkies is not helping her cope. But when she hallucinates demons—and they try to kill her—what’s a train wreck with a death wish to do?
Deny… Deny… Deny…

#posterpit #H #A #onsubmission

Anyone else already have their World Con schedule downloaded to their calendar or is it just me? #writersky

Art of sailor moon with the words 'my tummy hurts and I'm mad at the government'

morning mood

I have never hated writing a chapter more than this one.

Became a @sgj.bsky.social convert after reading The Only Good Indians. I’m positive the POV switches in that book were literary magic. Thanks for signing my new book tonight! It was a great to meet you!

Me: Ugh, this chapter is too long.

*Writes another 1,000 words in said chapter.*

Me: There that’s better.

🤦‍♀️

The Most Anticipated Indie Book Releases of July 2025 | Barnes & Noble Press Blog Discover the most anticipated indie book releases of July 2025! From thrilling suspense to heartwarming romance, explore new must-read indie titles hitting the shelves this month.

My friend the INCREDIBLE @serenabellbooks.bsky.social has a book coming out 7/14 "Running Hott" and Barnes and Noble just listed it as one of the most anticipated indie July releases!!!!!!

press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog...

Almost 3 full months after I signed with my agent and I’m still getting Query Tracker response emails even though I closed all outstanding requests. 🫠

Actually hit my daily word count today. First time in probably a week and a half. So, that’s exciting. #writersky

This week’s must listen story-based horror pods are: Radio Rental and Don’t Mind’s Sealskin Rock. Sweet dreams!

Man I love late birthday presents

Happy late birthday to meeeee

😂😂😂😂

It makes sense that I have insomnia tonight. My brother died a month and a half before his 38th birthday. Today, I turn 38–which means I’m older than my big brother will ever be. It’s weird and sad and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. Anyway, this year’s for you, Joe. Bangarang.

A visual showing the book as a paperback and ebook, and text reading "Preorder now for June 30, 2025; Available everywhere books are sold"

COVER REVEAL + PREORDERS AVAILABLE!

Only $1.99 for 120 pages of formicapunk, murderous whales, corrupted cops, a greedy CEO, and a jaded bi butch questioning her life choices!

Coming June 30, 2025 at Polymath Press.

millieabecassis.com/buy-bright-c...

Happy camper

Another rejected new yorker comic

Hiked the Dolomites today. More pictures coming in a few days when my body has recovered.