Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
@tempestteapot.bsky.social
680 followers 970 following 270 posts
Tempest Teapot: energy coiled in small space Epic Fantasy novel Demon’s Bargain #AmQuerying #F #R #YA #A Kahyla Tamrin faces a demon’s bargain where all the options are bad: fight with soul-destroying magic or lose her family, her beloved, and her life.
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tempestteapot.bsky.social
A bastard gentrywoman, Kahyla protects her siblings against assassins, demon-eaten mages, and rivals intent on the throne. She faces a DEMON’S BARGAIN where all the options are bad: fight with soul-destroying magic or lose her family, her beloved, and her life.

#BluePit 📖 #F #R #YA #A #Q
Graphic shows silhouette of couple filled with courtyard, leather armor, and a structure consumed by flames. Six of Crows X Witch King Demon's Bargain A bastard gentrywoman, Kahyla struggles to protect her siblings against assassins, demon-eaten mages, and political rivals intent on the throne. She faces a demon's bargain: fight with soul-destroying magic or lose her family, her beloved, and her life. 120k Epic Fantasy Novel. Tropes list: Deliberate values dissonance Feminist within patriarchy Heel-face turn Slow burn Forbidden love Powers via Possession Coming of Age Quiet girl finds her voice Target markets: adult fantasy for darker themes, detailed world-building, and a blend of magic and political intrigue. YA for coming-of-age story and slow burn romance, while skewing older for the consequences of difficult life choices.  #F #R #YA #A #Q Body count 11, proposals 4, weddings 2
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
smallwondersmag.com
Granny would grin, teeth like neglected gravestones, activating all her laugh lines. “Don’t get old, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

So begins Wen Wen Yang's story, "Granny's Spider," which goes places very quickly.
Granny’s Spider - Small Wonders
Granny would grin, teeth like neglected gravestones, activating all her laugh lines. “Don’t get old, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
smallwondersmag.com
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
writerlythings.bsky.social
Trying to distract myself from Phoenix Rises Dragon Soars coming out tomorrow by editing Book 2. And of course it's not working, but at least I can share this snippet from a scene I edited yesterday 😁
#amediting #writingcommunity #writers #writesky #writingprompts #fantasywriters #WIPSnips #sff
Nobody spoke. Instead, firm hands gripped his shoulders and pushed him to his knees, searched him, took his dagger—the key to the secret passages below the Imperial Palace—from him. He fought the urge to resist, let them cuff his hands behind his back and fasten a steel collar around his neck.
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
sffreview.bsky.social
Exciting times! 🌟 Can't wait for Phoenix Rises Dragon Soars! Your editing must be magic! ✨ Keep shining, and happy writing! #AmEditing #FantasyWriters #WIPSnips
writerlythings.bsky.social
Trying to distract myself from Phoenix Rises Dragon Soars coming out tomorrow by editing Book 2. And of course it's not working, but at least I can share this snippet from a scene I edited yesterday 😁
#amediting #writingcommunity #writers #writesky #writingprompts #fantasywriters #WIPSnips #sff
Nobody spoke. Instead, firm hands gripped his shoulders and pushed him to his knees, searched him, took his dagger—the key to the secret passages below the Imperial Palace—from him. He fought the urge to resist, let them cuff his hands behind his back and fasten a steel collar around his neck.
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky #epicfantasy 💙📚 🪐📚

From my Epic Fantasy novel Demon’s Bargain. A little action from an ambush.
	Abber hugged the right wall as Despard threw. Knives hitting spine and shoulder, the bowman collapsed, twitching with red blossoms of blood on his back.
	Pushing past Niklos, Vetal rushed to keep another stocky Grath soldier out of the bottleneck where the passage only allowed two abreast. As he looked up the passage, his muscles tensed and he shoved Niklos toward the passage wall. An arrow flew past, smacking against the alley wall instead of into the Blue’s skull.
	With Vetal evading the archer, the stocky Grath soldier slipped into the narrow crossing square. A thick black leather chest piece with purple side buckles protected him while a dark metal helmet framed his grim face.
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky #epicfantasy 💙📚 🪐📚

From my Epic Fantasy novel Demon’s Bargain. Only a Silvern land-holder can marry the princess. Kahyla has a scrap of land, if she were desperate enough to accept a deal.
	A splotch of goose-poop green wound through the tables. Baron Gooseport’s short jacket concealed as little from the front as it had from the back. Complex knots decorated his codpiece over his opaque woolen hose while navy braids hung at the nape of his neck. A muscular frame suggested time aboard his father’s ships rather than a courtier’s softness.
	“Baron Gooseport, a moment of your time.” Kahyla hoped her guess was right, that since Tav had come from Gooseport Barony, perhaps his master did, too.
	Although his path took him in front of her, Gooseport shrunk away. “Please, no more false pity for hopeless love. The other Bizal ladies have been cruel enough. Leave your mischief to the demons.” Kahyla’s mouth dropped. A baron, yet bullied by his peers? Gooseport struggled to compose himself before bowing formally. “May Parkith bless our meeting with friendship…” He focused on the Tamrin stag stitched into her maroon forepanel. “Gentlemistress Tamrin!” His eyes leapt hungrily. “Tamrin Manor lies in Silvern Barony, correct? Have you considered marriage?”
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky #epicfantasy 💙📚 🪐📚

From my Epic Fantasy novel Demon’s Bargain. Desparation forces Kahyla to bargain with her enemy.
	Wrapping anger around her grief, her breath shuddered as Kahyla stepped through the noble's arch to the Council chamber. Faces turned and conversations stopped.
	I fought a demon-mage and won. I can win the next fight.
	Spotting Bizal near the petitioner’s circle, Kahyla descended the stairs. Tapping a Gooseport sword cane, Despard limped behind her. Heavy and unfamiliar, Grath’s long sword clonked loudly against the step before she balanced it with her forearm. She threaded her way through the desks, the other barons moving back amid a murmur of speculation. Wearing minstrel blue with a turquoise ribbon pin, Malgrim pointed Bizal in Kahyla’s direction. Bizal’s attention bounced from her sword, to her Grath purple jacket, to Despard beside her.
	“May Parkith welcome your [redacted] into His Eternal Summer,” Bizal drawled lazily.
	Her illusion of strength slipped and she stumbled, steadied by Despard’s arm.
	“By His Flame, may it be so,” she choked.
	“I release you from your oath, child.” Bizal waved a lavender-soaked handkerchief at her. “If you wish, you may validate your father’s marriage and claim the Grath title.”
	Despite the Grath household thirsting for new leadership, she couldn’t give it to them. Not when Tamrin was her last bargaining chip.
	“I wish to hold you to your oath,” Kahyla said. “To protect my household.”
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky 💙📚 🪐📚 Ghost story vibes & feminist journey, “Haint Blue” in VOICES LIKE THESE @story-forge.bsky.social When you work in a haunted house, the fake monsters are your family and real props open dimensional windows. Buy indie bit.ly/4mLwQSw
Prize = grant
	Stupid, stupid, Lizzie must think I’m so stupid, going back to Todd again and again.
	Lizzie broke the awkward silence. “You can stay on our couch as long as you need to, Cassie. You don’t have to go back alone to the apartment for your stuff.”
	“How am I going to afford a new place? I don’t have anything lined up after Nightmare Farm closes down in November. I don’t even know what rent costs!”
	Let me handle the rent, Cassie. No one expects a theater major to understand finances. A few more semesters and Dr. Slava will make me his assistant. When he has a working prototype, he’ll take us all to Berlin with a huge research grant.
	Lizzie rolled her eyes. “You’ll figure it out. What about that year-round haunt in Vegas?”
	Cassie picked at the corpse-blue paint on her bare arm. “I’d never get that. Who’d believe I could manage a real team? I can’t even keep Todd from sabotaging my haunt family.”
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
trailofleaves.bsky.social
ICYMI, new story this week! Last of the year (probably). Features a hot shot pilot, a retired but persistent ambulance, and snacks.
trailofleaves.bsky.social
Out today, in the autumn issue of @kaleidotrope.bsky.social, my story of a space pilot dealing with her first clone resurrection, with a little help from the rescue ship's AI and several kinds of cheese.

The Nine Crashes of Flight Lieutenant Hilla Quinn

www.kaleidotrope.net/autumn-2025/...
“The Nine Crashes of Flight Lieutenant Hilla Quinn” by Louise Hughes
www.kaleidotrope.net
tempestteapot.bsky.social
Stubborn AF. Kahyla has a nickname of redbird, like a barn swallow that divebombs to protect her nest. Great when her cause is right but she doesn’t have all the answers. She‘s learning to make room for other worldviews but the story throws her a lot of curveballs.
gunsmile.bsky.social
#PlotTober Day 9: MC personality & behaviors

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

9. What are some personality traits and behaviors, both positive and negative, that you think would suit your main character(s)? How do these traits affect your main character's goals and motivations?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
gunsmile.bsky.social
#PlotTober Day 9: MC personality & behaviors

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

9. What are some personality traits and behaviors, both positive and negative, that you think would suit your main character(s)? How do these traits affect your main character's goals and motivations?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!
tempestteapot.bsky.social
Thanks! I had someone who was an astronaut candidate look at it. I changed this scene a lot in later drafts. Hooray for more grab bars!
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
taylordahlin.com
hi star tribune, please read this! i explain it all and why this is so bad! just because it wasn't in the decision that was emailed to you as part of the press release doesn't mean you shouldn't do your own research on top of it, right? right? 😔

taylordahlin.com/f/john-walls...
John Wall's Testimony Raises Questions About His Role in Ward 2
An evidentiary hearing was held on September 25th for the Robin Wonsley and Michael Wilson vs. John Wall case after Judge Christa Moseng found there was probable cause to believe the violations allege...
taylordahlin.com
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
glenweatherhead.bsky.social
My noble dark fantasy short story, "Shadows of the Mountain", is now published via StoryForge in their first anthology!

This story means a lot to me personally, and has some important lore moments that tie in to my WIP novel 👀

Check it out alongside a bunch of other amazing authors! 👇
Voices Like These: A Short Story Anthology — StoryForge
StoryForge has published our first book! 20 short stories compiled into one anthology. Every story is a window to a different world. Which window will you open first?
storyforge.com
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky

From my short story “My Body as a Spacesuit.” Pim tries to repair her jumpship.
	Pim resumed cranking until it opened wide enough for her thin frame. Instead of a giant backpack, batteries and oxygen tubing lined her legs to keep the profile as slim as possible for wriggling through methane ice tubes. Claim jumpers and inspectors couldn't follow her. Damn Yanks might have built the ships but only a 40 kilo Thai woman could lift with almost no fuel, crawl through cave gaps no bigger than her helmet, and bring back a full load of methane icicles.
	Pim clicked the carabiner for her tether line to the hatch and slithered through the opening. Her elbow nudged and she drifted, spreading her body forward. She floated weightless through the warped remains of the blasted airlock, twisting to look out. The planet blazed bright, reflected sunlight in the prism of her helmet's faceplate. A whitish polar cap might be ice, greenish swirls might be methane warm enough to swim.
	Not Neptune. Not in Earth system. Skelig gang meant no going back, no matter how much methane she found.
	Pim sighed. Goal for the day - not die. Deal with the rest later.
	Her toe bumped against the battery compartment. She hooked her foot under the grab bar and pulled herself to the panel. Slamming the heel of her palm against the switch, she engaged the backup. The failure light clicked off. The top bar on the battery level display blinked, but the bottom bar remained solid green.
tempestteapot.bsky.social
A fastidious villain just makes me dislike them more.
tempestteapot.bsky.social
Kahyla loves Despard and knows he’s sacrificing a lot for her. She’s fighting against the teachings of the priests who say all Ferruthans and mages are evil. Use her magic and her own crew would turn against her. Do nothing and her people die, helpless against the demonflood.
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#PlotTober

Despard’s father told him he’s weak for caring about others. His Da wanted him to come home a rich and fearsome pirate. Most pirates in Ferruth pretend to privateering against Huxen. Now he’s oath-sworn to the junior queen of Huxen, his beloved Kahyla. War breaks and his country calls.
gunsmile.bsky.social
#PlotTober Day 8: Conflicts for the MC

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

8. What are some potential reasons the main character(s) haven't, couldn't, and/or can't pursue these goals yet? Consider other characters, backstory events, circumstances, environmental factors, etc.

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
woodenvelt.bsky.social
Wren is hiding in a wardrobe while Spencer's aunt and her best friend change the sheets on his bed.

From my romantasy wip about a priest of the dead and a thief with a heart of gold.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity #Wrencer
 “There has been a blanket in my mum’s wingback chair on two separate occasions in the last few days,” Sylvia’s words were crisp and confident. “And a stack of books beside it today.”

“And that’s important because?” 

“Because Spencer never sits in Mum’s chair. He’s too tall for it.” 

Wren felt oddly conflicted. On one hand, Sylvia’s suspicious nature endeared her to Wren as a kindred spirit. On the other, she couldn’t exactly spring out of the wardrobe and congratulate the woman on her powers of deduction. 

“Sylvia.” A sigh as deep as Saltbeard’s dungeons rattled out of Mrs. Privens. “I have known you since we were both running around with dirt on our knees and pigtails in our hair.”

“Your point being, Etta?” 

	“No point,” Mrs. Privens insisted. “I just want you to remember all those years between us before I say my piece and you get your back up.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” Having never seen Spencer’s aunt, Wren couldn’t judge whether they looked anything alike, but there was undoubtedly a strong resemblance in the way Sylvia’s voice turned frosty and stiff.

“I’ll spell it out plain, then. Ever since you retired, you’ve had your nose so far into Spencer’s business the boy can’t break wind for fear you’ll pass out.”

A surprised chuckle caught behind Wren’s teeth, only held in check by years of practice and the hand she clamped over her mouth. Mrs. Privens had more brass under her starched skirts than Wren had given her credit for. She suddenly didn’t care that her leg was starting to fall asleep or that a stray belt buckle was digging uncomfortably into her back. This was a better show than the Quintisday Follies on opening night.   

“Etta May Privens, I never…”
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky #epicfantasy 💙📚 🪐📚

From my Epic Fantasy novel Demon’s Bargain. Falsely accused, Despard rots in a cell. The Baron could help, but his price is an alliance marriage to Kahyla. Redbird is Despard’s nickname for his beloved Kahyla.

Dungeon = cell
	A clatter of doors, a dance of candlelight, and a startlingly fresh breeze warned Despard that someone had arrived outside his cell. His door opened and the jailer placed a three-legged stool inside.
	“Give a knock when you’re done, Your Grace,” said the jailer.
	Blocking the light from the other room, Baron Gooseport entered and sat carefully on the stool. His trousers were an imperceptible dark color, but his jacket was brilliant white. A silver goose quill formed the clasp of his dark green woolen capelet. Blond hair drooped around his face.
	The door rattled and shut, latched but not locked. The silence stretched awkwardly.
	Was that whisper the beating of redbird wings or his heart?
	Dammit I won’t beg, not if it hurts her.
	“I’m not going to bow, if that’s what you’re waiting for,” said Despard.
	“There isn’t room,” said Gooseport with a snort. “But not the welcome I expected for someone who could help you. You’re drowning in trouble but refuse a rope?”
	Despard tried to read the other man’s eyes in the shadows. “Is Kahyla married?”
	Gooseport shook his head. “Not without permission from her Paer.”
	“But did she agree? Did she promise you anything to help me?”
	“Not yet,” said Gooseport, leaning into a shaft of light. “But I can’t keep spending favors on maybe. I’ve already lost standing by arguing for you. As a Ferruthan, their suspicion runs heavily against you. The patricians are convinced you took advantage of her and then pressured her into naming you her Paer.”
	“Because an evil Ferruthan would do that, not a pious Huxen like Bizal.” Despard scooted back against the wall.
tempestteapot.bsky.social
For Despard, it’s primarily love for Kahyla. He‘s seen what a demon-mage can do and almost lost her, so he knows the danger of demons on the loose. But he doesn’t have the same cultural revulsion for mages that Kahyla does and has his own loyalty to his home country and father-issues of his own.
gunsmile.bsky.social
#PlotTober Day 7: Main character motivations

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

7. Now that you've come up with some goals for your main character, ask yourself: why do they care? What are some potential motivations for pursuing these goals, even against their better judgment or self-interest?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
trailofleaves.bsky.social
Out today, in the autumn issue of @kaleidotrope.bsky.social, my story of a space pilot dealing with her first clone resurrection, with a little help from the rescue ship's AI and several kinds of cheese.

The Nine Crashes of Flight Lieutenant Hilla Quinn

www.kaleidotrope.net/autumn-2025/...
“The Nine Crashes of Flight Lieutenant Hilla Quinn” by Louise Hughes
www.kaleidotrope.net
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky 💙📚 🪐📚 With ghost story vibes and a feminist journey, “Haint Blue” in VOICES LIKE THESE from @story-forge.bsky.social When you work in a haunted house, the fake monsters are your family and real props open dimensional windows. More at bit.ly/46BBttP
	“You can trust Lizzie. She can hide you from angry Daddy.” Sharing beers after the haunt closed, Lizzie had slurred through a song she sang to calm her patients in the pediatric ER. “She knows Momma’s lullaby - the Water’s Wide.” Cassie only sang the first verse, skipping the later verses about love betrayed.
	The boy turned, starting to hum. Cassie licked her dry lips and sang.
	The water’s wide, I can’t cross o’er
	The child’s pale legs crawled.
	And neither have I wings to fly.
	Smoke swirled as he opened the actor’s door.
	Give me a boat that can carry two.
	The door closed behind him.
	And we shall cross, my love and I.
	Cassie wiped another smoky tear from her eyes. Safe, he was safe with Lizzie. She stared at the blank wall as the light died away and the device faltered into silence. A persistent buzzing sounded from her shoulder.
	Cassie picked up the fallen earpiece and mashed it into her ear.
	“Cassie, do you copy?” Lizzie’s voice bounced through the line. “Cassie, where are you?”
	Cassie keyed the mic. “Cassie here.”
	Her thumb fell away from the button. Where was she? Right where she was needed. By November, long gone from Todd and building a new life.
Reposted by Carla Hennes ❌ 👑 aka Radiation Rosie
kaylee-scott.bsky.social
Today’s #wipsnips word is “safe”. #writingcommunity #writingprompts #writersky #writesky #parenting #babies #parenthood
I always wanted to be a mom. Okay, that’s not true. There was a period in my life where I could not understand anyone wanting that kind of responsibility and being financially, physically, and emotionally tied down like that. It seemed so suffocating to me. What happens if you have a baby and realize “eh, this just isn’t for me?”  You can’t return them. I mean, okay, there are Safe Havens. And they serve their purpose. But they’re also for extreme scenarios and you can’t drop off a teenager there. This isn’t like buying a pair of expensive shoes and realizing they pinch your toes so you bring them back. This is a human. This is growing a human, birthing a human, naming a human, and literally being the only way that human survives day in and day out for a really long ass time. It is not sunshine and rainbows. It’s not adorable onesies and lullabies. It is up-the-back and into the hair shit explosions covering those adorable onesies while you sing made up songs about how you wish this screaming banshee would just stop crying for seemingly no reason so you can get some sleep for the first time in months. It is a war zone that you are entering, essentially, unarmed. 
tempestteapot.bsky.social
That’s why I decided to do this story for #plotober. I have great ideas for before the pirates (marriage is what bwings us together) and the pirate attack itself and the fallout (navy won’t pay the prize money? Let’s steal the ship back!). But the final climax is a vague fog.