JG Duke
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JG Duke
@jgduke.bsky.social
620 followers 330 following 610 posts
Author, reader, grammarian.
#AmQuerying #IndieAuthor #EpicFantasy #📚💙
Black Lives Matter. All cops are bastards. AI is not art. Free Palestine. Trans rights are human rights.
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jgduke.bsky.social
“A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.”
– G.K. Chesterton

#books #novel #literature #booksky #modernAuthors #indieauthor #writingcommunity #reading #truth #quotes
January 28, 2026 at 12:56 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 27- how has this story changed from the original design?
Ready for another thread? (/7)

\\ 🧵1. When these books first started forming in my head 25 years ago, they were 2nd world portal stories.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 27, 2026 at 1:40 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 26- cherished memories

Jaris' earliest memory is while sailing to Sol, he sat near his mother's vanity and watched her put on her makeup.
Years later, after she has become Veema, he tells her "I still think you're beautiful, Mabi."

Jaris is a total mama's boy. Lol
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 26, 2026 at 8:12 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Reading lets us live in someone else’s shoes. Literature builds bridges; it makes our world larger, not smaller."
– R.F. Kuang

#reading #literature #books #booksky #writing #indieauthor #bridges #worldview #empathy
January 26, 2026 at 1:21 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”
— Anne Frank

It's a vile timeline, friends. Keep fighting; keep hoping; keep creating.

#writingcommunity #indieauthor #writers #art #courage #FightFascismWithHope #mordernlife #booksky #StoriesMatter
January 25, 2026 at 1:40 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary Day 24- #SaturdaySnippet
This is from mid-late in the book, when Junalee has about had it with the reverse culture shock of being back among "her people".
In this scene, she chastises Marvee for being so eager to re-assimilate, even when the cultural norm is immoral.
She tried not to cry. “I want to do the right thing. I want to be a good Ney, but I’m just so confused! I don’t know what to do.” Junalee had no more sympathy. “It’s sad, Marvee, that you’re a grown Ney and you still don’t know right from wrong.” “But I- I’m confused! I thought I did, but now I’m being told differently. So, I just don’t know anymore if-” “Have you ever once thought for yourself? Have you ever once come to a conclusion that wasn’t made for you?” “I-” She paused and thought. Had she? She couldn’t quite recall. “If today they told you the sea is orange, you’d believe them. ‘Why would they lie?’ you’d say. You’d trust their words before you’d trust your own eyes.” “But exactly: why would they lie?” “Why does anyone lie, Marvee?” She waited, assuming it was a rhetorical question. Junalee only repeated. “Why would anyone lie, Marvee?” “Oh, um- I don’t know. When I was little, I suppose I would lie because I was afraid of getting in trouble.” “And there you go.” “But- the Council isn’t in danger of that.” “Aren’t they?” “Who would they be in danger from? What authority is there above them?” “Truth. History. Facts. They lie because they’re afraid of the truth.” “I don’t understand, Junalee!” “And you don’t understand because you’ve never tried to before. You’re too willing to believe. You’ve never once doubted any one else’s intentions. Understanding comes from learning what you don’t know. You’re not interested in learning; you just want to be told the answers. “Even in Sol, you never once tried to learn the language beyond what you needed to say. You never once tried food you didn’t already know you liked. You never once spoke to Taifin who weren’t your hosts. You don’t care about learning; you want answers, not reasons.” “But I don’t need reasons. If the answer is right, that’s all anyone nee-” “If the answer is right, Marvee. If. And if it’s not- you would never even know. Right from wrong: you still don’t even know.” Pictures is a (temporary) book cover for "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu", by JG Duke. It shows a large ship on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Picture is a list of daily prompts through the month of January for authors to share various aspects of their works in progress. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary
January 24, 2026 at 3:32 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 23- Free Friday

Ok but for real, how the fuck do I get a #CoverArtist that matches my ideal style?
I've sat on these books for YEARS just needing the #art!
I feel so rude telling ppl who offer they're not what I need, but I don't know how to instigate what I DO need. 😭😭
January 23, 2026 at 9:28 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 22- my inspo

Oof. For this book, honestly, Maga.
The hypocrisy, the entitlement, the incompetence coupled with gross egos...
Originally, it was the story of me coming home from a study abroad in China to christians' obsession with proselytizing. Disturbingly officious.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 22, 2026 at 6:12 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth."
- William Faulkner

#quotes #voice #truth #compassion
#books #reading #writingcommunity #author #indieauthor #📚💙
January 22, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by JG Duke
jgduke.bsky.social
No throne is claimed without consequence.

#LongLivetheQueen #AStoryOfDainu #books #indieauthor #amquerying #epicfantasy #readers #writingcommunity #booksky 📚💙
Black background with a golden crown centered. White text reads "Long Live the Queen, a Story of Dainu, by JG Duke"
March 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 21- role models?

I'd say Jaris looks up to his mother more than anyone. She instilled in him the love of academia+adventure. But he also definitely admires his Kataloy. (As most beings do, I suspect.) Which is cute that they're both kinda his "makers" in a sense. Ha
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 21, 2026 at 6:40 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
“So while our art cannot, as we wish it could, save us from wars, privation, envy, greed, old age, or death, it can revitalize us amidst it all.”
- Ray Bradbury

#art #books #poetry #drawing #painting #creativity
#booksky #writingcommunity #indieauthor
#war #greed #capitalism #SaveUs #quotes
January 21, 2026 at 1:01 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 20- #hobbies

I piddle on the uke and am slowly teaching myself piano 🎹
I love all my house plants and watching green things grow 🪴
Reading and writing are passions of mine 📚
I've recently gotten into bird watching from my front window 🐦‍⬛
Language learning is fun too 🈶
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary.
January 20, 2026 at 6:58 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
“A good story is a dream shared by the author and the reader. Anything that wakes the reader from the dream is a mortal sin.”
― Victor J. Banis

#books #booksky #indieauthors #authors #writingcommunity #readers #quotes #writer #📚💙 #story #sin
January 20, 2026 at 12:57 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary Day 19- Weaknesses

Jaris' weakness is a false sense of politeness; a people pleaser. Meanwhile Junalee learns to assert herself, but doesn't learn how to pick her battles, definitely to her detriment.
Marvee is a push over. And Menther: indulgence is his weakness, for sure.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 19, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by JG Duke
jgduke.bsky.social
👑 Royal family drama
💍 Arranged marriage
⚔️ War and strategy
✨ Magic
🔥 Original mythology
Come join Dokiro, Ambea, Danola, and others as they set to put the right family back on the throne- whatever the cost.
Book 1/10 of the series #AStoryOfDainu
#IndieAuthors #📚💙 #WritingCommunity #EpicFantasy
Picture of a temporary book cover. Black background with a golden crown centered. White text reads "Long Live the Queen, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
September 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
Had company over today, so I didn't get to my regular online updates.
Instead, let me just leave this Saturday nugget of wisdom:
Keep the humanities human.
Art, literature, dance, song, music, poetry... Never let them give our souls away to algorithmic computation.
The arts are of/for/by PEOPLE.
January 18, 2026 at 12:39 AM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 16- #FreeFriday

You guuuuuuuuys!!! 🤩🥰❤️😭🥳
Seriously, #IndieAuthors, #Booksky, and the #WritingCommunity are the absolute best!! So excited to meet more of you, and go on these adventures together!!
Picture is a screenshot of OP's profile, highlighting 600 followers. Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary.
January 16, 2026 at 6:29 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Where there is no human connection, there is no compassion. Without compassion, community, commitment, loving-kindness, human understanding, and peace all shrivel. Art and literature are antidotes to that."
- Susan Vreeland
#art #literature #readers #writingcommunity #connection #LifeIn2026
January 16, 2026 at 12:56 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 15- recent reads

Last: 铜钱龛世 vol 2. It's cute, but like- everyone said My Su Li's THE author to read...It's a children's book.
Current: Forcing myself to pause 将进酒 bc it's so damn good, and I'll be devastated when it's over!
Next: I'm excited for the next volumes of 天宝伏妖录.
January 15, 2026 at 2:56 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations."
― Ray Bradbury

#writingcommunity #authors #characters #books #stories #booksky #indieauthor #ForThePlot #quotes
January 15, 2026 at 1:06 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 14- What do I hope to improve this year?

It's fascinating to me that when I first started writing these books 20yrs ago, the prose was heavy and elevated and expressed emotion so well! Now, it feels very YA. I want to vamp up my prose...
Without being suicidal again, though.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a woman saying "That's the hardest part"
January 15, 2026 at 12:14 AM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Authors must spend months, years making fantasy believable in a single work, while reality runs rampant in complete chaos elsewhere."
- Don Roff

How hard it must be to write dystopian literature these days!

#writingcommunity #indieauthor #writesky #reading #books #booksky #quotes #📚💙
January 14, 2026 at 1:11 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
#FantasyIndiesJanuary 13- Character #PetPeeves

Jaris quickly learns he hates alcoholics.
Junalee comes to despise hypocrisy.
Menther is easily peeved by any inconvenience. He also hates being corrected.
And Marvee will rip on anything that's fashionable to rip on.
Picture is a daily prompt for fantasy authors to share miscellaneous aspects of their works in progress throughout the month of January. The associated hashtag is #FantasyIndiesJanuary. Picture is of a (temporary) book cover. A ship is on the open sea, with giant white wings for sails. Text reads "High Winds and Low Whispers, a story of Dainu, by JG Duke".
January 13, 2026 at 11:03 PM
jgduke.bsky.social
"Don't just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person."
- Epictetus

#books #reading #learning #discriminating #literature #quotes #ThinkBetter #ImproveYourself #EducateYourself #booksky #writingcommunity
January 13, 2026 at 12:50 PM