j.m. avants
@jmavants.bsky.social
Writer, lit and specfic | Words in Snowflake Magazine | papa to 2 young kiddos
My #WIPSnips for tonight is a little scene when Sav's father prepares to depart for somewhere dangerous, and tries to instill some faith in his daughter. From a previous draft, about three years old.
November 26, 2025 at 11:13 AM
My #WIPSnips for tonight is a little scene when Sav's father prepares to depart for somewhere dangerous, and tries to instill some faith in his daughter. From a previous draft, about three years old.
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
Man, there are a lot, but I might pick this one. Just sheer joy to listen to. Sonic bliss. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
Man, there are a lot, but I might pick this one. Just sheer joy to listen to. Sonic bliss. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
November 17, 2025 at 8:07 AM
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
Man, there are a lot, but I might pick this one. Just sheer joy to listen to. Sonic bliss. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
Man, there are a lot, but I might pick this one. Just sheer joy to listen to. Sonic bliss. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
Finally broke 20k+ in total word count for my rewrite draft of my high fantasy single pov WIP. So, about three weeks to get here, means if I keep up this pace it’ll be complete by Valentine’s Day. Yes. I like that goal. 🥰
Here’s an old mood board I made years ago of my mc. 👻
Here’s an old mood board I made years ago of my mc. 👻
November 14, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Finally broke 20k+ in total word count for my rewrite draft of my high fantasy single pov WIP. So, about three weeks to get here, means if I keep up this pace it’ll be complete by Valentine’s Day. Yes. I like that goal. 🥰
Here’s an old mood board I made years ago of my mc. 👻
Here’s an old mood board I made years ago of my mc. 👻
Sharing my first traditionally published creative non-fiction flash piece, because I’m in the mood 🧡 ~
Published by Snowflake Magazine, in The Lore Issue
Published by Snowflake Magazine, in The Lore Issue
November 9, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Sharing my first traditionally published creative non-fiction flash piece, because I’m in the mood 🧡 ~
Published by Snowflake Magazine, in The Lore Issue
Published by Snowflake Magazine, in The Lore Issue
I use one by KM Weiland!
November 3, 2025 at 4:12 AM
I use one by KM Weiland!
So upset. Please, pick up a book, find a nice cafe and relax
November 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
So upset. Please, pick up a book, find a nice cafe and relax
HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE x FREIREN
When her father disappears, Sav must navigate the aftermath: her village’s abandonment, her mother's blame, and her own depression. Entering a magical tourney to win audience with a powerful mage might restore her people’s faith…or break her own. #GhostPit #A #F #W
When her father disappears, Sav must navigate the aftermath: her village’s abandonment, her mother's blame, and her own depression. Entering a magical tourney to win audience with a powerful mage might restore her people’s faith…or break her own. #GhostPit #A #F #W
October 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
It’s a glossy-black scaled snake, special for the passive magical effect it has on humans in its vicinity. It is misunderstood and viewed as evil by many on the continent Sav ventures through. Here’s a cropped commission of the creature in her hand.
October 29, 2025 at 1:15 AM
It’s a glossy-black scaled snake, special for the passive magical effect it has on humans in its vicinity. It is misunderstood and viewed as evil by many on the continent Sav ventures through. Here’s a cropped commission of the creature in her hand.
Howl’s Moving Castle x Freiren
The WIP: an adult fantasy, single pov, cozy psychological horror tale, featuring a nonviolent tournament plot arc and a celestial magic system. Theme of post-coming-of-age discontent amidst the search for personal faith. Currently in the midst of a rewrite draft. 🫡
The WIP: an adult fantasy, single pov, cozy psychological horror tale, featuring a nonviolent tournament plot arc and a celestial magic system. Theme of post-coming-of-age discontent amidst the search for personal faith. Currently in the midst of a rewrite draft. 🫡
October 28, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Howl’s Moving Castle x Freiren
The WIP: an adult fantasy, single pov, cozy psychological horror tale, featuring a nonviolent tournament plot arc and a celestial magic system. Theme of post-coming-of-age discontent amidst the search for personal faith. Currently in the midst of a rewrite draft. 🫡
The WIP: an adult fantasy, single pov, cozy psychological horror tale, featuring a nonviolent tournament plot arc and a celestial magic system. Theme of post-coming-of-age discontent amidst the search for personal faith. Currently in the midst of a rewrite draft. 🫡
Happy Ukraine independence day. Photo 1991. Sister-in-law was there. Wife was only 3 years old but remembers it faintly.
August 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Happy Ukraine independence day. Photo 1991. Sister-in-law was there. Wife was only 3 years old but remembers it faintly.
Attended a Taiwanese lantern festival near the coast just outside my city this evening. Kids loved it. We went to the beach, a fruit picking park (blueberries!), and a horse ranch beforehand too.
August 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Attended a Taiwanese lantern festival near the coast just outside my city this evening. Kids loved it. We went to the beach, a fruit picking park (blueberries!), and a horse ranch beforehand too.
Last Jedi (Luke) x Paladin of Souls
To guide the soul of his deceased lover through a treacherous darkland to her final resting place, Karnen must fulfill his Goddess' tenet to honor all shapes of faith. But honoring all faiths requires a test: learning to let go of his own.
#questpit #A #SFF #W
To guide the soul of his deceased lover through a treacherous darkland to her final resting place, Karnen must fulfill his Goddess' tenet to honor all shapes of faith. But honoring all faiths requires a test: learning to let go of his own.
#questpit #A #SFF #W
August 6, 2025 at 5:26 AM
To safely guide the soul of his deceased lover through a magical, dangerous darkland and to her final resting place, guardian Karnen must fulfill his Goddess' tenet to honor all shapes of faith. But honoring all faiths requires the hardest test: learning how to let go of his own.
#bluepit 📖 #A #F #W
#bluepit 📖 #A #F #W
July 13, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Here's the set of protagonists/deuteragonist of my fantasy novel, all art by Neynanyan.
June 8, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Here's the set of protagonists/deuteragonist of my fantasy novel, all art by Neynanyan.
Snowflake Magazine shared a reel on instagram of my flash piece they published a couple years back 😭🧡
www.instagram.com/reel/DI9AKOv...
www.instagram.com/reel/DI9AKOv...
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Snowflake Magazine shared a reel on instagram of my flash piece they published a couple years back 😭🧡
www.instagram.com/reel/DI9AKOv...
www.instagram.com/reel/DI9AKOv...
My mother-in-law’s baking and sewing group in Kyiv, with foreign visitor volunteers, preparing dry meals and desserts for soldiers and folk living at the frontline. These volunteers come from several countries - the USA, Switzerland, Australia, more.
April 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
My mother-in-law’s baking and sewing group in Kyiv, with foreign visitor volunteers, preparing dry meals and desserts for soldiers and folk living at the frontline. These volunteers come from several countries - the USA, Switzerland, Australia, more.
Visited the river of a thousand cherry blossom trees today, with my daughter.
April 13, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Visited the river of a thousand cherry blossom trees today, with my daughter.
If you see this, post a knight.
February 15, 2025 at 8:57 AM
If you see this, post a knight.
To guide the soul of his deceased bondmate through a magical, dangerous darkland and to her final resting place, guardian Karnen must fulfill his Goddess' tenet to honor all shapes of faith. But honoring all faiths requires a test: learning how to let go of his own.
#WIP #A #F #YouDeservepIt
#WIP #A #F #YouDeservepIt
January 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM
To guide the soul of his deceased bondmate through a magical, dangerous darkland and to her final resting place, guardian Karnen must fulfill his Goddess' tenet to honor all shapes of faith. But honoring all faiths requires a test: learning how to let go of his own.
#WIP #A #F #YouDeservepIt
#WIP #A #F #YouDeservepIt
Good morning. Finished watching Ratatouille with the kids last night. I had forgotten how many brilliant lines chef skinner has. Nearly every word out his mouth is delivered so brilliantly. Best villain.
January 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Good morning. Finished watching Ratatouille with the kids last night. I had forgotten how many brilliant lines chef skinner has. Nearly every word out his mouth is delivered so brilliantly. Best villain.
Camouflage net my mother in law and her volunteer group sewed, in action. She works on them all day, every day.
December 17, 2024 at 9:15 AM
Camouflage net my mother in law and her volunteer group sewed, in action. She works on them all day, every day.
Mother-in-law in Kyiv shared photos of her sewing group’s work. Camo nets for her soldiers at the front, and baked goods for anyone still living near the front line. This is her Christmas, again. Unwavering resolve in the face of Putin’s murderous campaign.
December 1, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Mother-in-law in Kyiv shared photos of her sewing group’s work. Camo nets for her soldiers at the front, and baked goods for anyone still living near the front line. This is her Christmas, again. Unwavering resolve in the face of Putin’s murderous campaign.
The art in some recent sets has let me down, as the company seems to have leant toward homogenous fantasy realism. Bloomburrow bucked that trend totally though. A lot of brilliant art in that set.
October 31, 2024 at 12:31 AM
The art in some recent sets has let me down, as the company seems to have leant toward homogenous fantasy realism. Bloomburrow bucked that trend totally though. A lot of brilliant art in that set.
I think my composition is ok. I know how to format an mtg card. I like my flavor text. On the other end, I have no clue how to color, add shade, shadows, lighting, etc. Even following tutorials did not turn out as hoped. That’s ok! Planning to practice each a bit before trying to make my next one.
September 26, 2024 at 8:09 AM
I think my composition is ok. I know how to format an mtg card. I like my flavor text. On the other end, I have no clue how to color, add shade, shadows, lighting, etc. Even following tutorials did not turn out as hoped. That’s ok! Planning to practice each a bit before trying to make my next one.