Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
@alakotila.bsky.social
Hi! I'm Alakotila! 🌈 🏳️⚧️ they/he
Enthusiastic about flowers, elves, armor, fantasy thieves, and satyrs
🌻 Read my webcomics: SPIDERSILK, Fell Swoop
🌻 Be warned: sometimes NSFW 🔞
🌻 Freelance Editor, BG artist
Enthusiastic about flowers, elves, armor, fantasy thieves, and satyrs
🌻 Read my webcomics: SPIDERSILK, Fell Swoop
🌻 Be warned: sometimes NSFW 🔞
🌻 Freelance Editor, BG artist
Pinned
Hey! I'm an artist and writer. I make queer fantasy and lots of fancy clothes and flowers. Probably too many elves and satyrs.
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✨💖⚔️🌻
Webcomics: Spidersilk (ongoing), Fell Swoop (complete)
Novels: The Bard and the Messenger (coming this fall)
linktr.ee/alakotila
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✨💖⚔️🌻
Webcomics: Spidersilk (ongoing), Fell Swoop (complete)
Novels: The Bard and the Messenger (coming this fall)
linktr.ee/alakotila
There are a lot of good graphic novels and comics to follow up on in this thread! And if you have recommendations, pop those into the original thread!
Hey, I'm looking for comics and graphic novels *by* Indigenous writers and/or illustrators, especially in the Americas. Doesn't have to be a recent book. Any genre! Any topic, any themes, does not have to be a memoir or history, though that is welcome too!
November 28, 2025 at 3:00 AM
There are a lot of good graphic novels and comics to follow up on in this thread! And if you have recommendations, pop those into the original thread!
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
November 27, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Hey, I'm looking to take on one short story or novella as a freelance editor. (less than 50K words)
Especially interested in fantasy, romance, queer, and trans stories. Experienced in localization as well. More details to follow.
Especially interested in fantasy, romance, queer, and trans stories. Experienced in localization as well. More details to follow.
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Hey, I'm looking to take on one short story or novella as a freelance editor. (less than 50K words)
Especially interested in fantasy, romance, queer, and trans stories. Experienced in localization as well. More details to follow.
Especially interested in fantasy, romance, queer, and trans stories. Experienced in localization as well. More details to follow.
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
I had to copyright strike 15 listings with stolen pins in them on aliexpress alone, and I do a sweep every few months 😭
their IP protection platform makes it easy, but wiping these bootleg pins out on other platforms is going to be a PAIN
their IP protection platform makes it easy, but wiping these bootleg pins out on other platforms is going to be a PAIN
Ugh, here's another reminder to never shop for pins at Shein, they keep stealing my (and many other artists) work 💀💀💀
Time to file some copyright takedowns on my day off 😔
Time to file some copyright takedowns on my day off 😔
November 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I had to copyright strike 15 listings with stolen pins in them on aliexpress alone, and I do a sweep every few months 😭
their IP protection platform makes it easy, but wiping these bootleg pins out on other platforms is going to be a PAIN
their IP protection platform makes it easy, but wiping these bootleg pins out on other platforms is going to be a PAIN
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
For graphic novels, especially adult genre fiction, it's incredibly helpful to review it online, talk about it, recommend it to a friend—adult fiction in the graphic novel space is difficult to place, and nothing convinces readers that they'll like a book more than the personal testimonial.
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
A reminder that the median book deal for a debut author in the UK is £7000, paid over 12-18 months. (from 2022 Society of Authors report). Some of your favourite writers are struggling. societyofauthors.org/2022/12/06/a....
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
For graphic novels, especially adult genre fiction, it's incredibly helpful to review it online, talk about it, recommend it to a friend—adult fiction in the graphic novel space is difficult to place, and nothing convinces readers that they'll like a book more than the personal testimonial.
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
Get this fancy fantasy guys coloring book if you love coloring clothes! Also satyrs. There are a lot of those.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
November 22, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Get this fancy fantasy guys coloring book if you love coloring clothes! Also satyrs. There are a lot of those.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
Get this fancy fantasy guys coloring book if you love coloring clothes! Also satyrs. There are a lot of those.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
November 22, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Get this fancy fantasy guys coloring book if you love coloring clothes! Also satyrs. There are a lot of those.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fabulous-a...
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
allegiance always to the pornographers and the freaks. consider making a call to mastercard, visa etc in the run-up to big spending season, more info about how to do this at the link
November 14, 2025 at 12:27 AM
allegiance always to the pornographers and the freaks. consider making a call to mastercard, visa etc in the run-up to big spending season, more info about how to do this at the link
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
Star Trek is always so relatable. I’m human and I also don’t have any money…
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Star Trek is always so relatable. I’m human and I also don’t have any money…
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
I know several of my friends and colleagues use Scrivener for their writing projects so heads up! 👇🏾
Unlike most apps these days, Scrivener does not use AI in any way. However, if you’re on a Mac, you may see an AI prompt.
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
November 20, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I know several of my friends and colleagues use Scrivener for their writing projects so heads up! 👇🏾
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a Haida cartoonist who popularized the term "Haida manga," which might get you some additional hits!
Haida manga - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a Haida cartoonist who popularized the term "Haida manga," which might get you some additional hits!
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
I would suggest A Howl, which is a graphic anthology about werewolves made by only Indigenous writers and artists. You can find A Howl and many many many others Indigenous comics and graphic novels at atcgbooksandcomics.com An Indigenous store and publisher focused on sequential art.
ATCG Books and Comics - Keep Calm and Decolonize!
The original Indigenous comic shop! Featuring comics, books, games, toys and collectibles, including exclusive retails items not found in any other stores.
atcgbooksandcomics.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I would suggest A Howl, which is a graphic anthology about werewolves made by only Indigenous writers and artists. You can find A Howl and many many many others Indigenous comics and graphic novels at atcgbooksandcomics.com An Indigenous store and publisher focused on sequential art.
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
I'd like to second the recommendation for Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen. The author is Mvskoke and Jewish, just like me, so this book made me feel so seen!
www.emilybowencohenauthor.com
www.emilybowencohenauthor.com
Emily Bowen Cohen Author | middle grade graphic novel
Website for Emily Bowen Cohen, Native American and Jewish graphic novel creator, the author of Two Tribes.
www.emilybowencohenauthor.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I'd like to second the recommendation for Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen. The author is Mvskoke and Jewish, just like me, so this book made me feel so seen!
www.emilybowencohenauthor.com
www.emilybowencohenauthor.com
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
New pack OUT NOW! ⚙💛
Jess is back again, and is channeling your fave sci-fi mechanic. (all of them)
Jess is back again, and is channeling your fave sci-fi mechanic. (all of them)
November 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
New pack OUT NOW! ⚙💛
Jess is back again, and is channeling your fave sci-fi mechanic. (all of them)
Jess is back again, and is channeling your fave sci-fi mechanic. (all of them)
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
Today's Art Tip is about drawing the head in perspective, and some shorthands to hopefully make that a little easier.
November 17, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Today's Art Tip is about drawing the head in perspective, and some shorthands to hopefully make that a little easier.
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
That frieren chin up head drawing has me tearing up a lil bit like the artist was brave enough to ask for advice on Reddit and got so many encouraging responses and suggestions from thousands all over the world that they made a thank you post 😭 that’s what art making is all about……
November 17, 2025 at 11:12 PM
That frieren chin up head drawing has me tearing up a lil bit like the artist was brave enough to ask for advice on Reddit and got so many encouraging responses and suggestions from thousands all over the world that they made a thank you post 😭 that’s what art making is all about……
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
Take a look at the Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection at the University of Manitoba Libraries libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/c.php?g=6519... The collection was originally created by @tahltanlibrarian.bsky.social and there is an annotated bibliography
LibGuides: The Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection: Home
This guide gives a brief overview of Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collections, its history and information on the collection.
libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca
November 18, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Take a look at the Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection at the University of Manitoba Libraries libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/c.php?g=6519... The collection was originally created by @tahltanlibrarian.bsky.social and there is an annotated bibliography
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
I can finally post this illustration now when the episode is out 🧜♀️
#dontenterthehousepool #housepool #horrorwebtoon #dethp #webtoon #mermaid #siren
#dontenterthehousepool #housepool #horrorwebtoon #dethp #webtoon #mermaid #siren
November 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I can finally post this illustration now when the episode is out 🧜♀️
#dontenterthehousepool #housepool #horrorwebtoon #dethp #webtoon #mermaid #siren
#dontenterthehousepool #housepool #horrorwebtoon #dethp #webtoon #mermaid #siren
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
It and Indiginerds are on sale right now store.ironcircus.com/products/ind...
Also I forget the name but guest editor for Woman in the Woods and editor of Indiginerds @alinapete.bsky.social recently drew a gn. Alina, what's the name of your book?
Also I forget the name but guest editor for Woman in the Woods and editor of Indiginerds @alinapete.bsky.social recently drew a gn. Alina, what's the name of your book?
Indiginerds
First Nations culture is living, vibrant, and evolving... ...and generations of Indigenous kids have grown up with pop culture creeping inexorably into our lives. From gaming to social media, pirate r...
store.ironcircus.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:13 AM
It and Indiginerds are on sale right now store.ironcircus.com/products/ind...
Also I forget the name but guest editor for Woman in the Woods and editor of Indiginerds @alinapete.bsky.social recently drew a gn. Alina, what's the name of your book?
Also I forget the name but guest editor for Woman in the Woods and editor of Indiginerds @alinapete.bsky.social recently drew a gn. Alina, what's the name of your book?
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
Hey, I'm looking for comics and graphic novels *by* Indigenous writers and/or illustrators, especially in the Americas. Doesn't have to be a recent book. Any genre! Any topic, any themes, does not have to be a memoir or history, though that is welcome too!
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Hey, I'm looking for comics and graphic novels *by* Indigenous writers and/or illustrators, especially in the Americas. Doesn't have to be a recent book. Any genre! Any topic, any themes, does not have to be a memoir or history, though that is welcome too!
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
#3157 A helpful tutorial
November 17, 2025 at 11:40 PM
#3157 A helpful tutorial
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
So I did the thing before I chickened out (or came to my senses) and threw up a GFM as a stop gap measure. I hate doing it more than anyone will hate seeing another fund raiser.
gofund.me/f5615787f
gofund.me/f5615787f
Donate to Chip in to help with the cost of existence while I job hunt., organized by Tanya DePass
Like many of those in the games industry, I was laid off back… Tanya DePass needs your support for Chip in to help with the cost of existence while I job hunt.
gofund.me
November 14, 2025 at 12:03 PM
So I did the thing before I chickened out (or came to my senses) and threw up a GFM as a stop gap measure. I hate doing it more than anyone will hate seeing another fund raiser.
gofund.me/f5615787f
gofund.me/f5615787f
I have a heck of a time understanding lyrics and I use subtitles for movies, so imagine my pain when I heard a song I needed to know on the radio 🫠 I was struggling to pick up a chain of 3+ words so I could look it up later. I was even gonna contact the radio station lmao
November 16, 2025 at 1:50 AM
I have a heck of a time understanding lyrics and I use subtitles for movies, so imagine my pain when I heard a song I needed to know on the radio 🫠 I was struggling to pick up a chain of 3+ words so I could look it up later. I was even gonna contact the radio station lmao