Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social
🇵🇷💗💜💙 Rep'd by @LitAgentSaritza WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON (@erewhonbooks, 2025), MANU FACES THE MUSIC (@onipress, 2026)
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Still celebrating that these 3 titles are Amazon's best books of 2025!
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Still celebrating that these 3 titles are Amazon's best books of 2025!
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
THE SNIPS: A BAD BUZZ DAY by Raúl the Third @raulthethird.bsky.social
FISH DON’T GO TO SCHOOL by Deb Pilutti @dpilutti.bsky.social
WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
🧵/2
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
November 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
🧵/2
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
There's struggles with identity, found family, falling in love with a merman while also learning to live oneself. What are you doing reading this post? Go read When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social instead, then come scream about it with me 😁🙌🏼
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
QotD: So you have a favorite sea creature?
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
November 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
QotD: So you have a favorite sea creature?
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
Hola readers!
I just learned last minute that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, so here's a book by a Puerto Rican nonbinary author that's been living rent free in my head since Mermay that you should definitely be reading!
🧵/1
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social has written “When the Tides Held the Moon,” a lovely Boricua gay sideshow merman romance set on Coney Island in 1911. It’s full of freaks and longing, found family and villains, and finding one’s power even within powerlessness. Very satisfying. #book
November 17, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Venessa Vida Kelley @venessakelley.bsky.social has written “When the Tides Held the Moon,” a lovely Boricua gay sideshow merman romance set on Coney Island in 1911. It’s full of freaks and longing, found family and villains, and finding one’s power even within powerlessness. Very satisfying. #book
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
The Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 is open and these ABLA titles are in the running!
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
November 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 is open and these ABLA titles are in the running!
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
Science fiction: LOCAL HEAVENS by K.M. Fajardo
Horror: YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White
Debut: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by Venessa Vida Kelley
YA fiction: I AM NOT JESSICA CHEN by Ann Liang
✨Happy Asexual & Aromantic Awareness Week!✨
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
October 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
✨Happy Asexual & Aromantic Awareness Week!✨
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
Though “Demisexuality” as a term didn’t exist in 1911, there are a number of scenes scattered throughout WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON that articulate Benny’s experience of being on the gray-asexual spectrum. This one might be my favorite.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Love seeing @venessakelley.bsky.social’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON in Swoon’s list of sexy and spellbinding paranormal romance books!
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
10 Paranormal Romances to Read in 2025: Our Sexy and Spellbinding Recommendations
These romances include a merman, an alien abduction, and stories that will make Twihards swoon.
www.swooon.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Love seeing @venessakelley.bsky.social’s WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON in Swoon’s list of sexy and spellbinding paranormal romance books!
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
www.swooon.com/book-list/pa...
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social is so beautiful I’m actually weeping
October 3, 2025 at 6:38 AM
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social is so beautiful I’m actually weeping
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social absolutely slammed me would be a gross understatement. Please, read it!
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
October 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social absolutely slammed me would be a gross understatement. Please, read it!
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
#whenthetidesheldthemoon #fanart #digitalfanart #illustration #queerlit #historical #romantasy #lgbtq #merman #mermanart #commissionsareopen #queerartist #lgbtartist
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
A book that helped get me through a particularly dark few days in American life: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social. Rich prose, vivid detail, grounded in the actual world we live in but with a tidal pull of solidarity and hope. Oh, also it’s a boricua merman romance.
September 16, 2025 at 5:13 PM
A book that helped get me through a particularly dark few days in American life: WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON by @venessakelley.bsky.social. Rich prose, vivid detail, grounded in the actual world we live in but with a tidal pull of solidarity and hope. Oh, also it’s a boricua merman romance.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
🌈COVER REVEAL🌈
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
September 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
🌈COVER REVEAL🌈
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss and A Gentleman's Gentleman comes a riotous Regency romp, featuring a charming and unforgettable genderfluid lead.
A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS is out March 10.
Preorder & full synopsis: tjalexander.com#books6
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social I've just finished When the Tides Held the Moon and I can only say "Thank you" with my whole heart. I love everything about it: the way ALL the characters are portrayed, the historical setting, the beautiful love story, the drawings (just gorgeous and sooo moving).
August 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
@venessakelley.bsky.social I've just finished When the Tides Held the Moon and I can only say "Thank you" with my whole heart. I love everything about it: the way ALL the characters are portrayed, the historical setting, the beautiful love story, the drawings (just gorgeous and sooo moving).
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
I'm so glad I requested that my library buy When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social - it's a fantastic story and has gorgeous illustrations!
August 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I'm so glad I requested that my library buy When the Tides Held the Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social - it's a fantastic story and has gorgeous illustrations!
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
I CANNOT stop reading When The Tides Held The Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social. It’s so good I wanna scream and run thru walls like the Kool-Aid man.
August 20, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I CANNOT stop reading When The Tides Held The Moon by @venessakelley.bsky.social. It’s so good I wanna scream and run thru walls like the Kool-Aid man.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
This was a great event today with @rrvirdi.bsky.social, @kcsmithbooks.bsky.social, @venessakelley.bsky.social, @chelsabdullah.bsky.social and @clydeboyer.bsky.social. Good folks and talented writers all. Do yourself a favor and check ‘em out!
August 10, 2025 at 12:51 AM
This was a great event today with @rrvirdi.bsky.social, @kcsmithbooks.bsky.social, @venessakelley.bsky.social, @chelsabdullah.bsky.social and @clydeboyer.bsky.social. Good folks and talented writers all. Do yourself a favor and check ‘em out!
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
I just finished Tides and it's so, so good. A beautiful physical object as well as story. It's healing to see a queer book crafted with that level of care and respect.
Hey last month I really enjoyed @tjalexandernyc.bsky.social's A Gentleman's Gentleman and @venessakelley.bsky.social's When The Tides Held The Moon and if you like lovely men (of various definitions) kissing across time you should read these books.
August 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I just finished Tides and it's so, so good. A beautiful physical object as well as story. It's healing to see a queer book crafted with that level of care and respect.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
At @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social for the release of The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by @jrdawson.bsky.social (which I'm very excited to read), and I spotted another great book as well! Always happy to see work by @venessakelley.bsky.social out in the wild.
July 30, 2025 at 12:29 AM
At @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social for the release of The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by @jrdawson.bsky.social (which I'm very excited to read), and I spotted another great book as well! Always happy to see work by @venessakelley.bsky.social out in the wild.
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
I recently finished @venessakelley.bsky.social’s amazing debut, an illustrated historical adult romantasy called When the Tides Held the Moon. Hot damn, Venessa. What a beautiful story of queer love, found family, and the tug of war between caring solidarity and corrupting greed. Well done.
July 27, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I recently finished @venessakelley.bsky.social’s amazing debut, an illustrated historical adult romantasy called When the Tides Held the Moon. Hot damn, Venessa. What a beautiful story of queer love, found family, and the tug of war between caring solidarity and corrupting greed. Well done.
Of course I saw K-Pop Demon Hunters and lost my chill just like everyone else who’s seen it. Between the music, art design, romance, humor, and all that blessed bisexual lighting, I fell back on my old coping mechanisms.
[Close-ups & Timelapse in thread]
[Close-ups & Timelapse in thread]
July 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Of course I saw K-Pop Demon Hunters and lost my chill just like everyone else who’s seen it. Between the music, art design, romance, humor, and all that blessed bisexual lighting, I fell back on my old coping mechanisms.
[Close-ups & Timelapse in thread]
[Close-ups & Timelapse in thread]
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
🌈📚
📖 When the Tides Held the Moon
by Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social
beautifully illustrated queer historical cozy fantasy
Affiliate Link
bookshop.org/a/100590/978...
#booksky #queerbooks #fantasy #merman #romance
📖 When the Tides Held the Moon
by Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social
beautifully illustrated queer historical cozy fantasy
Affiliate Link
bookshop.org/a/100590/978...
#booksky #queerbooks #fantasy #merman #romance
When the Tides Held the Moon
Check out When the Tides Held the Moon - <b><i>The Shape of Water </i>meets <i>The Greatest Showman </i>in this beautifully illustrated queer historical cozy fantasy, as a young Puerto Rican immigrant...
bookshop.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:34 AM
🌈📚
📖 When the Tides Held the Moon
by Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social
beautifully illustrated queer historical cozy fantasy
Affiliate Link
bookshop.org/a/100590/978...
#booksky #queerbooks #fantasy #merman #romance
📖 When the Tides Held the Moon
by Venessa Vida Kelley
@venessakelley.bsky.social
beautifully illustrated queer historical cozy fantasy
Affiliate Link
bookshop.org/a/100590/978...
#booksky #queerbooks #fantasy #merman #romance
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
To share, for those in DC area, @loyaltybooks.bsky.social will host convo between myself and @venessakelley.bsky.social on Thurs., July 10 at 7pm, at the DC Pop-Up as we discuss The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery and When the Tides Held the Moon. For free RSVP, visit loyaltybookstores.com/gwendolyn
June 30, 2025 at 6:01 PM
To share, for those in DC area, @loyaltybooks.bsky.social will host convo between myself and @venessakelley.bsky.social on Thurs., July 10 at 7pm, at the DC Pop-Up as we discuss The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery and When the Tides Held the Moon. For free RSVP, visit loyaltybookstores.com/gwendolyn
On this last day of Pride and Caribbean Heritage Month, I figured I’d remind old & new friends that I’m already hard at work on my next book: MANU FACES THE MUSIC (@onipress.bsky.social, 2026) 🎶🇵🇷
Get ready to see a lot more about this sapphic urban fantasy in the coming months!
Get ready to see a lot more about this sapphic urban fantasy in the coming months!
June 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM
On this last day of Pride and Caribbean Heritage Month, I figured I’d remind old & new friends that I’m already hard at work on my next book: MANU FACES THE MUSIC (@onipress.bsky.social, 2026) 🎶🇵🇷
Get ready to see a lot more about this sapphic urban fantasy in the coming months!
Get ready to see a lot more about this sapphic urban fantasy in the coming months!
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
Loving “When the Tides Held the Moon” by @venessakelley.bsky.social . Listening to the amazing audiobook narrated by Michael Crouch and Christopher Salazar. Beautiful writing set in an early 1900s Coney Island side show. Love all the characters that make up this chosen family. #booksky #queersff
June 29, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Loving “When the Tides Held the Moon” by @venessakelley.bsky.social . Listening to the amazing audiobook narrated by Michael Crouch and Christopher Salazar. Beautiful writing set in an early 1900s Coney Island side show. Love all the characters that make up this chosen family. #booksky #queersff
Reposted by Venessa Vida Kelley
“This ailment is a part of you that you did not choose and cannot help. You are not your body, Benigno.” Living with multiple invisible disabilities, I take such solace in these words. @venessakelley.bsky.social , thank you for treating all bodies with kindness and dignity. You are so cherished 🧜🏼♂️📖🎵💙
June 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
“This ailment is a part of you that you did not choose and cannot help. You are not your body, Benigno.” Living with multiple invisible disabilities, I take such solace in these words. @venessakelley.bsky.social , thank you for treating all bodies with kindness and dignity. You are so cherished 🧜🏼♂️📖🎵💙