Kris Arden
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karden.bsky.social
Kris Arden
@karden.bsky.social
230 followers 220 following 150 posts
spec fiction writer, aussie, silly owl, she/they 🏳️‍🌈
#amquerying depressed nonbinary vampires, #amwriting disaster sapphics in a floating bird world
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karden.bsky.social
Kris Arden @karden.bsky.social · 18d
My two babies for #bluepit / #bluepit📖 below. Please click to like the individual posts, thank you kind folks!
karden.bsky.social Kris Arden @karden.bsky.social · 19d
Sapphic HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE x LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA
☁️In a floating land founded on kindness
🐦‍⬛that prays to birds
🚲an ex-con bike mechanic
👗collides with an outrageously femme amnesiac
👑running from nobles who want her divine magic
⛓️and learns their kind kingdom is a lie
📖 #BluePit #W #LGBT #A #F #R
A large drawing of colourful birds, surrounded by (top right corners) heart-shaped lockets, (bottom right corners) chains over forest, (top and bottom) a vintage yellow bicycle, (sides) a spinning wheel.
Reposted by Kris Arden
diabolicalplots.com
New collaboration between The Submission Grinder and @dreamfoundry.bsky.social : The Dream Foundry Market Report, a monthly report of speculative fiction/poetry publication updates
dreamfoundry.org/2026/01/26/j...
January 2026 Monthly Market Report
Hello, and welcome to a new Dream Foundry project. Every month we’ll be publishing a market report with data pulled from The Submission Grinder about market openings, closings, and other chan…
dreamfoundry.org
January 27, 2026 at 1:37 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
jamberee13.bsky.social
She’s a ten but also something else, there is something that seems to writhe under her skin. She’s a ten but you know that she isn’t anything, not really, that she appeared suddenly, and can disperse the same way, between pines and ferns, a pale hand dragging against sharp bark before disappearing
December 9, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
jessothomson.co.uk
It cannot be made clearer.

If you continue to support the Harry Potter franchise in any way, you are directly funding the removal of trans people's human rights in the UK.
JK Rowling pledges to keep up fight against SNP trans policies Author vows to bankroll campaigners after Scottish government fails to pay group's legal fees in Supreme Court equality case
October 9, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
cursedmorsels.bsky.social
Less than two weeks before we open for horror/Weird fic zine submissions. Get your piece(s) ready! We pay 10 cents per word.
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
Submission Calls
OPEN Zine call (February 1st through 7th) Zine PromptsFor this zine bundle, I’m looking for written pieces about these five prompts: -Cunty Horrors (cunty horror microfiction and mini-essays …
cursedmorsels.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
strangehorizons.bsky.social
Strange Horizons fiction submissions open next Monday!

The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.

There will be no cap.

More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
2026 Fiction Submissions Strange Horizons January 19 to 21
January 12, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
smallpitch.org
The #SmallPitch submission window is now OPEN for 48 hours!

Reminders:
- Underrep writers only
- Finished manuscripts only
- One pitch per manuscript
- Up to 3 manuscripts per writer
- No hashtags in your pitch
- Comps & emojis are ok

Once submitted, check your pitch here: database.smallpitch.org
#SmallPitch Submission Form
Please use this form to submit your pitch. A few reminders: You can pitch up to three manuscripts, with a limit of one pitch per manuscript. Finished manuscripts only. No WIPs allowed! One pitch per ...
docs.google.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
bvbodegom.bsky.social
MUPPETS × SIN CITY × HAPPYTIME MURDERS

The plush citizens of New Feltwood live in fear—a serial slasher is ripping them apart. Up to gritty stuffed sloth detective Simon Sinner to stitch the case together. But when his brother is found defluffed, stuffing gets personal.

#BluePit 📖 #A #C #M #W #DIS
A noir setting of a grimy alley with fire exits, a drawing in ink of a stuffed toy animal sloth dressed as a noir detective, smoking, looking world-weary, paws in pockets of trenchcoat. Top title says the detective's name SIMON SINNER. Below that in red retro neon the title THE COTTON CASE. At the bottom it says 'A crime novel by B. van Bodegom'.
January 14, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
fantasyscience.bsky.social
Bats are dying, humanity faces mass starvation, and no one seems to care.

Antagonistic colleagues Nat and George reluctantly team up to save the world, but face greedy corporations, doomsday cults, and their own explosive chemistry.

#BluePit #BluePit📖 #Q #R #SF #A
Moodboard. Text: "ChemPortal," "Fay Irwin," "Sci-fi romcom." Central image: a steaming pressure cooker Outer images (clockwise from top left): - a table set with food and two colourful cocktails - printed text with "chemistry" bolded - a woman working on a car engine - the Toronto skyline - a colourful stack of books - bright light shining through a partially opened door - a bat hanging from a tree branch - latkes on a plate
January 13, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
drealaj.bsky.social
When a new murder reveals vampires stalk her city, homicide detective Maggie must solve the case that could exonerate - or damn - her escaped convict sister and protect her niece from becoming the latest victim.

#bluepit #a #m #pn #q
Movie style poster. A red figure centered over a silhouette of a woman over the skyline of Vancouver, Canada. With the text: when a new murder reveals that vampires stalk her city, Homicide detective Maggie must choose between the case that could undo her past mistakes or the girl who needs her help. At the bottom of the poster is the title: Bloodless. A book by Drea Laj. Canadian setting | can't let go | female detective. Coming soon to the query trenches
January 14, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
jundlife.bsky.social
THE EXORCIST X THE BABADOOK
Plagued by Shadow People since almost dying as a child, Chris seeks to rid himself of his curse. Now, the Shadows are increasing, the Red Eyed God in the woods speaks of change, and a new Shadow wearing a hat awakens something inside him.
#W #BluePit #H #AgentsGuide
"Hat" or "Children of the Void" 84K Cosmic Horror, Betas Welcome, Querying Soon. Pitch: Chris is cursed to see Shadow people since almost dying as a child. Now, as the new MILLENNIUM dawns they are INCREASING in FREQUENCY and GAINING power. His peers think he is psychotic, The Red Eyed God in the woods speak of a great change, and a HATEFUL shadow wearing a hat seeks to use him for his own ends.
January 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
jcmedwrites.bsky.social
CONFORM x THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS

A guardian to Elevation—or how to rewrite one's fate—must find her heart again or lose any Elevation hopes when two men from opposite worlds crash into hers.

❤️ Love triangle
🔥 Slow burn
🌓 Opposites attract
🎭 False utopia
🌀 Modified reality

#BluePit📖 #W #A #SF #F
Elevation novel pitch for blue pit. A woman with long dark hair and a blue cape crosses her arms in a desert with a futuristic city in the background under clouds. Central quote: "You only have three lives to make it right".
January 13, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
erinabecca.bsky.social
18-year-old Vreta isn’t sure where she belongs in the world. But when she sets out to restore the stolen memories of her beloved’s sister, she must learn to accept, value and trust herself—or risk losing her own identity to a ruthless duchess.

#BluePit #Q #YA #F #ND
Mood board created by @trutherford! Features a couple embracing, a close up of a painter working, a dazzling golden light, a woman making a “shh” gesture, a carriage on a dirt road, a girl having her hair braided, and dangling wisteria blossoms. The text on the image says “Stolen Magic” and “R. Ehrick.”
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
jundlife.bsky.social
DUNE X THE UNBROKEN
Those born with psychic gifts are conscripted into a guild to defend their home mysterious strangers prophesied in visions. Even if it means submitting to a Guildmaster who would rather the city burn than admit defeat.
"Monsters make Monsters"
#Q #BluePit #F #AgentsGuide
The Stranger's War - 94K Crossover Fantasy. Those born with psychic gifts are conscripted in a brutal guild to defend their home from a mysterious enemy only known as strangers. Sylin wants to survive and find her place, Nahara wants to reject his assigned life, and Viktus the guildmaster would burn the city to the ground rather than face defeat.
January 13, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
catherinewinters.com
Nia Moredi just wants to look out for her little brother. Miss Laval needs to attend a governess-teacher meeting. Baarsin Dorvierre’s being watched. Pickpocket Wren needs to recharge her misdirection charm. If only Nia could remember which of them she’s supposed to be today. #BluePit #YA #F #LGBT
A mood board of eight tiles and a centre square with lockpicking tools and ancient writing: 1. Always have an escape plan. 2. A swindler never lets herself feel like a fraud. 3. Don't look for the easy grab, look for the easy mark. 4. Never get involved with spirits. The pictures depict, clockwise from upper right: A) A city of canals and towering footbridges. There are minarets and steeples and red-tiled roofs. B) A market selling elaborate lanterns, all aglow. C) A porcelain and gold hand, reaching upwards. D) Two figures leaping across rooftops against the coming dawn. E) A pocketwatch--or is it? Constellations and continents cover the front, the body of the watch engraved with runes. It's sitting on ancient parchment. F) A wax stamp with removable chits that function as coins in a card game. G) The lords of the city overlooking grand canals and issuing edicts. They are dressed in fine red robes and silks. H) Assorted bones and shells used for divination and more.
January 13, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
rammwriter.bsky.social
Slow Horses x Life on Mars

🔫 High-stakes thriller
🔫 Time travel twist
🔫 Stale beer espionage
🔫 Weird Science
🔫 Cold War subterfuge
🔫 Working class hero
🔫 Hunter to hunted
🔫 Antagonist from the future
🔫 Enemy turned ally
🔫 Proles vs privilege

#BluePit #Q #A #T #SP #HS 📖 🦋
January 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Reposted by Kris Arden
carosas.bsky.social
A STUDY IN DROWNING meets ALL THAT CONSUMES US in a south-american inspired world:

"A grieving sister’s scavenger hunt through her dead sibling’s journals uncovers a secret society, a vanished prodigy, and ghosts that won’t let her graduate alive."

#BluePit 📖 #Q #YA #OV #LGBT #F #H
January 13, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
drealaj.bsky.social
When vampire chef, Corrine enters a cooking competition, the last thing she expects to win is the heart of the human reporter assigned to the competition.

#bluepit #w #a #pn #r
Retro style poster with a strawberry milkshake. Implied blood drop runs down the side. Text: everything changes, except me
January 13, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
gabriela-stluke.bsky.social
A reality dating show gives Cera hope to escape soulmateless extermination in 2 yrs until another contestant is killed by the robot host, forcing her to work alongside the irritatingly attractive Ryde for her happily ever after—and to make it out alive.

#bluepit📖 #bluepit #A #R #SF #H #W #Revising
January 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
trutherford.bsky.social
Meet the characters from ANTI-CHARTER CAMPAIGN
These four must band together to defeat the monsters in D&D and to save their school from a charter takeover in a speculative fiction that's Jumanji X Abbott Elementary.
Querying Soon 📆
#BluePit #BluePit📖 #A #W #F
Quadrant of four characters: Angelo, a PE teacher who plays a rogue with a circus past; Susanne, a chemistry teacher who plays a paladin; Catherine, a first-grade teacher who plays an elf sorcerer; Britt, a librarian who's the DM
January 13, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
aecwrites.bsky.social
Longtime superheroes Aura-Man and The Diplomat are ready to retire. Together. But when revealing their new relationship to the media causes panic, they’re thrust into one last mission: save the multiverse from a collapse of their own making.

#A #F #POC #LGBT #BluePit📖#BluePit
The text THIS REALITY AND THE NEXT overlaid on images of a hockey skate, a chef putting finishing touches on a plate, a knight, and a camera and typewriter. Background image is Manhattan.
January 13, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
dmcieran.bsky.social
ENCANTO vibes in a post-modern setting!

✨Varied magical gifts
🎤Finding Your Voice
🧐Uncovering Hidden Truths
🧵Fixing Broken Magic
🌎Sustainability
🏘️Small Town
🌵Sonoran Desert

☀️UNDER THE BRIGHT SUN☀️
2025 RevPit Runner Up

#BluePit📖 #Q #MG #F #SP
image is of a desert with a cliff and canyon in the background. In the foreground is a girl wearing a backpack with long dark brown hair and looking over her shoulder toward the camera.
January 13, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
vanessagrossmann.bsky.social
ADVENTURES IN SKILLED NURSING -
When Pax finds a mechanical woman locked away in her new employer’s home, it is the least unusual part of her new life. Whether it’s fighting off shadowy govt. agents or dodging her disaster ex, she won’t let anything threaten her newfound family. #Bluepit #WIP #SFF
January 13, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
victoriajayneoh.bsky.social
Drafted into a ridiculous magical military academy, Posey develops a list of ways to get expelled—without committing murder. Lookin’ at you, Amelia.

As she fails, questions rise. Will Posey have to kill? Is getting expelled what she really wants? And why is that girl so damn pretty?
#bluepit #ya #f
75k YA Satirical Dystopian Fantasy 99 WAYS TO GET EX-SPELLED (WITHOUT COMMITTING MURDER By Victoria Jayne 星星亚 The Pitch Anarchocommunist, OCD-ridden Posey Peabody has been drafted into the American Army Academy for Powerful Witches. By entry stats she's the Winner--First Rank of her class. All is well as can be until Amelia Appleton takes her Rank with reckless, dangerous, wrong magic. And then Appleton doesn't get expelled. Competitive streak activated, Posey and Appleton engage in reckless, rule-breaking acts of magic and mischief. While trading First Rank between each other, Posey realizes that Appleton might not be such a weirdo after all. In fact, she's annoyingly pretty. That said, Appleton's got her eye on that government position through all this, and Posey would rather die than work for the fascists in charge. Posey's intention is to truly get expelled. She wants to be the first one to do it. Meanwhile, an underground betting ring rises up, classmates betting on whether or not Posey will have to kill someone to get expelled. Posey hopes it's not true, but whether or not she finds out is entirely up to her. & FIRST LINE SNIPPET Somewhere behind the stage, Headmaster Josephus Crimble is puking his guts out. I remind myself that it's okay if I start to count and stop myself after the limit, so long as I don't make it to ten. If you make it to ten, the limit goes down by one, Posey. Don't forget. I started at five hundred. Drifting through the rest of the day in this half-there state, I sit with my feelings locked tight in a jar of my own design. Ґ1l preserve my emotions like lemons, until they're laden with salt and mellowed in their sourness. That feeling, or lack thereof, feels warm as home to me, and my deep yearning for Nukeville ebbs into a soft ache that gently rubs my heart into a smoother, steadier rhythm. There will be no need for counting when there's no feeling to (dis)regulate.
January 13, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Reposted by Kris Arden
catherinewinters.com
“Humans. I’d seen them before: one or two here and there over the years, a small pack once. It was always the same: crowds silently parting to make way for a lone hunter, dock workers going out of their way to avoid a human ship’s berth. But this one wanted to talk to me.” #BluePit #Q #SF #LGBT #A
An orange, black, and white movie poster for my manuscript Cargo, inspired by Saul Bass's famous vintage posters for Vertigo and The Man With the Golden Hand: "Tai's terrified of humans. Everyone is. So why did their captain just hire one, and why can't Tai stop thinking about her?" Now Querying: Cargo The credits section is as follows: CATHERINE WINTERS AND COREWARD BAKER PRODUCTIONS LTD PRESENT A CATHERINE WINTERS NOVEL ‘CARGO’ STARRING TAI OF MICAPA THYLLIS CHAUMEDEROT TALATAGARI QUIRIN TALATAGARI ANENTO FRANK THE CAT JEREL BESKROS CHOST MOL RAZIK FEATURING COOL MOSS ABOVE STILL WATER AND INTRODUCING CLARKE SHIPS BY SETEBO-URANQ AND CONSTANT VERIDITY INTERSTELLAR COSTUMES BY UPPER CORE ATELIER “HUMAN” CREATURE EFFECTS BY 3.8 BILLION YEARS OF EVOLUTION CASTING BY THE TRADE AUTHORITY WRITTEN BY CATHERINE WINTERS DIRECTED BY CATHERINE WINTERS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CATHERINE WINTERS WITH APOLOGIES TO SAUL BASS Catherine Winters dot Com
January 13, 2026 at 7:23 PM