James Downe
LightNews LightNews
banner
james-downe-author.bsky.social
James Downe
@james-downe-author.bsky.social
250 followers 200 following 340 posts
James is a fantasy writer and graphic designer in Toronto, Ontario. 🇨🇦 He is the author of the Sisters of Jade Trilogy ('Sisters of Jade', 'Sorrow & Shroud', 'The Gorgon Court'), and the short story collection 'Salt & Cinder'.

www.jamesdowne.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
james-downe-author.bsky.social
What we don't know keeps the contracts alive and movin'
They don't gotta burn the books they just remove 'em
While arms warehouses fill as quick as the cells
Rally 'round the family, pockets full of shells
Pope Leo rapping some classic RATM beats into a microphone with a mad crowd surging behind him... ha! Joking aside... popey holds a microphone, with photographers and other religious dudes behind him.
November 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
If you want a dark action/adventure fantasy tale, my book, Sorrow & Shroud, is full of zombies, necromancers, and a few other undead beasties.

#IndieAuthor #Werehyena

www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW3JDS3B
Cover for my book 'Sorrow & Shroud'. Stylized green, two warriors face each other above a city. Below, a priestess wearing a necklace of skulls stands by a young girl. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below.
November 18, 2025 at 12:59 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I'm James and I fucking love writing. I'm very proud of my completed Sisters of Jade Trilogy, but my short story collection Salt & Cinder has some really fantastic stories.

If you like action & adventure fantasy with badass women and a lot of heart, check out my books!

www.jamesdowne.com/books
Cover for my book 'Sisters of Jade'. Stylized green, a female warrior with a mace looms above a city. Below are 3 other women. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'Sorrow & Shroud". Stylized green, two warriors face each other above a city. Below, a priestess wearing a necklace of skulls stands by a young girl. All are in silhouette. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'The Gorgon Court'. Stylized green, a priestess with a necklace of skulls raises her arms above a city silhouette. Below, a werehyena, a girl, and a swordswoman are posed. Title is above, and my name, James Downe, is below. Cover for my book 'Salt & Cinder'. Stylized blue, a male legionary with a sword rises up from tentacles and distant spears. Title is above. My name, James Downe, is below.
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Making some chicken and root veggie stew, and it is definitely time for a beer. Tonight is a rye pale ale from Gateway City Brewery.

Cheers!

What are you drinking?
A pint of rye pale ale from Gateway City Brewery sitting on a cutting board. Before the beer is a knife that just cut up some parsnips amd rutabaga.
November 6, 2025 at 1:59 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I am having the best time at #CanCon2025. There are so many writers this year and the panels are terrific!

I moderated a panel Friday evening about Non-Logical Worldbuilding that went great. Today, I moderate one on Writing Sibling Relationships. Really looking forward to it!
4 people having a disscussion, sitting behind a table. 1 person, not me, is wearing an incredible hat. 4 smilimg people standing behind a table covered in books 4 smiling people standing, looking at the camera 2 people standing behind a table full of books
October 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Having a blast at Can*Con!

@canconsffh.bsky.social
2 people standig behind a table full of books 4 people stading behind a table full of books
October 18, 2025 at 5:45 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I'm loving 'The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn' by Tri Vuong. Half done but it's sooooo good.
A graphic novel 'The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn' on a table. The cover shows a floating skull wearing a hat and trench coat standing in a pond with tentacles around.
October 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Hey! Psst, yeah you! Want a free ebook?

Both SISTERS OF JADE and SORROW & SHROUD are free this weekend. If you haven't picked them up, now's yer chance!

SISTERS OF JADE: www.amazon.ca/dp/B09PX3G65C
SORROW & SHROUD: www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BW3JDS3B

#IndieAuthor #FreeEbook #Fantasy
The book cover for SISTERS OF JADE by James Downe is in the centre, surrounded by thematic points with arrows pointing at the cover. The points are: Action & Adventure Strong Female Characters No Romance Sword Fights Werehyena Found Family Daring Rescues Greedy Politicians The book cover for SORROW & SHROUD by James Downe is in the centre, surrounded by thematic points with arrows pointing at the cover. The points are: Lost Treasure Epic Sword Fights Bounty Hunters Found Family Adventure Zombies Ancient Kingdoms Werehyena
October 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Hey look! A new review for Sisters of Jade! This made my day.
October 9, 2025 at 3:10 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Today's book haul! There will be more tomorrow. I would never have found these if not for Word on the Street and getting to meet and talk with people.

#wots2025
Books displayed on a brown field.
September 28, 2025 at 3:15 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Word on the Street is underway! Having fun and selling books.

#WotS2025
A range of books on a table Three men standing in front of a table full of great books. A book both with people buying and selling Books displayed on a table
September 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
friendly reminder that antifa are the good guys
The main cast of Star Trek: TNG, all facing forward, with the word "Antifa" below, reminding everyone that Anti-Facists are the good guys.
September 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Next weekend (Sept 27-28) I'll have my books set up at Word on the Street in Toronto! It's a great event with lots of options for readers of all types. Come down and find your next favourite author. 🤩

#WotS2025 #BookSky #CanadianWriters
A map layout for Word on the Street. Various numbered booths show how the event will be arranged, with B32 cirlced with the words "I am here!".
September 20, 2025 at 4:35 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
SISTERS OF JADE is the 1st book in my completed fantasy trilogy!

~ Action & Adventure
~ Strong Female Characters
~ No Romance
~ Sword Fights
~ Werehyena
~ Found Family
~ Daring Rescues
~ Greedy Politicians

www.amazon.ca/dp/B09PX3G65C

#BookCommunity #IndieAuthor
The cover of the book SISTERS OF JADE (showing a female warrior wielding a mace) is surrounded by a watery green field and the bullet points: Action & Adventure Strong Female Characters No Romance Sword Fights Werehyena Found Family Daring Rescues & Greedy Politicians At the bottom it says SISTERS OF JADE and JAMES DOWNE. In the centre is a female warrior wielding a mace with a green background. And at the top is a quote that says '“Scholars believe that this world is destined to turn to dust, but before we crumble, we must first become stone.” Agriatta Kestrel, Senator of the Gorgon Court' Book cover for SISTERS OF JADE. Title is up top. Author name JAMES DOWNE is at the bottom. In the centre is a female warrior wielding a mace in green. Below here are 3 smaller silhouettes of other female warriors.
September 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
I'm going to be at this year's Word on the Street! I'll be one of 9 authors at the Toronto SFF Writers' table, where we'll be selling, signing, and generally being awesome.

Sat, Sept 27 – 11 AM – 6 PM
Sun, Sept 28 – 10 AM – 5 PM

David Pecaut Square

#WOTS2025 #MeetMeAtWOTS
A poster for Word on the Street. Confirmed Exhibitor is at the top, with the Word of the Street logo. In the middle is the Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' logo, around which are names of all the authors displayed at our table. David Pecault Square Sept 27 - 28, 2025 Free. All ages.
September 12, 2025 at 2:43 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Back from a few days camping/canoeing in Killarney Park. Had a blast, even with a wicked rainstorm Wed night.
Photo of a lake in Killarney Park, with trees rising up along the misty shores. Rocks on one side, clear on the other. A camp site in Killarney Park, with a blue camp chair and travel mug on rocky ground. In the distance by some trees is a tent.
September 7, 2025 at 4:22 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
SISTERS OF JADE has a new 5-star review that has absolutely made my day!
A screen shot of a 5-star Amazon review that reads: Loved reading this! The characters really shine, everyone's just so tortured (sometimes literally) and they have such depth and darkness to them. You don't always know who's good and who's bad, you just know who you're rooting for and who needs to get what's coming to them. The world is a character on its own as well, with corrupt governments and duelling factions and religion and mythology. It's a brisk read that keeps you engaged with an intriguing story led by compelling characters, and I can't wait to read the second one!
August 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
4 infamous adventurers sail across a dangerous strait to rescue the daughter of an old friend.

The Witcher X Pirates of the Caribbean.

www.amazon.com/Sisters-Lega...

#Fantasy #Books #IndieAuthor #IndieBooks #BookCommunity
A book cover, Sisters of Jade, is in the centre. 'Action & Adventure', 'Strong Female Characters', 'No Romance', 'Sword Fights', 'Werehyena', 'Found Family', 'Daring Rescues', and 'Greedy Politicians', are written around the cover.
August 9, 2025 at 2:23 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
THE GORGON COURT has been out a little bit, but we made it official with a Hot Ones' style book launch at the Imperial Pub, hosted by the impeccable Peter Reynolds. The wings were a complete surprise, and it was an epic afternoon I will never forget!

#GorgonCourtBookLaunch #IndieAuthor #Werehyena
Two men (me and my friend Peter) sitting at a table with hot wings and microphones. The one on the right (me) is holding up a book called THE GORGON COURT. Two men (me and my friend Peter) sitting in a pub at a table with hot wings. They are talking into microphones. Two men (me and my friend Peter) sitting in a pub at a table with hot wings. There are microphones, and they are cheersing their hot wings. A man (me) sitting at a table with books arranged before him.
August 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
My wife and I drove 2 hrs to pick blueberries and then got ice cream on the way home. Totally worth it.
A lot of blueberries on a bush, ready to be picked.
August 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Nice surprise when I came home. One of the caterpillars we found had changed into a lovely swallowtail butterfly. This little guy stayed with me about 10 min before flying off.
A swallowtail butterfly (mostly black with yellow spots down the sides of the wings and a few blue spots at the bottom) sits on my hand.
July 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
morning bike ride
Off kilter photo of trees, a morning sky, and a power line tower
July 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
Afternoon bevy. Refreshing... and pretty good.
A can of Blue Lobster Rocket, a vodka drink, next to the drink poured into a pint glass on a table with plants behind.
July 1, 2025 at 11:57 PM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
The Sisters are scattered and divided, but still fighting for each other. Returning home, they finally take on the dreaded Gorgon Court.

Get THE GORGON COURT and read the final instalment of THE SISTERS OF JADE TRILOGY!

www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F72J2H2D

#FantasyTrilogy #FantasyBook #IndieAuthor
Cover for my book, 'The Gorgon Court'. Stylized green, a priestess with a necklace of skulls raises her arms above a city silhouette. Below, a werehyena, a girl, and a swordswoman are posed. Title is above, and my name, James Downe, is below.
June 21, 2025 at 11:28 AM
james-downe-author.bsky.social
My copies have arrived! Most have already been requested, so I immediately have to order more. Yay!! I'm so excited to have finished this trilogy!

#WritingCommunity
A book, THE GORGON COURT, stands on top of other books in a box. The cover shows a woman, stylized in green, over an abstract city with her hands raised.
May 29, 2025 at 12:40 AM