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mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
@mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
2.7K followers 1K following 5.5K posts
Writer of epic fantasies. Lover of cities and odd words. Just here to tell stories.
NO AI
🏳️‍⚧️they/ him
https://mcburnell.itch.io/
https://books2read.com/mcburnell
https://payhip.com/AuthorMCBurnell
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mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd @mcburnellauthor.bsky.social · 6d
THE TIPPING WORLD IS FINISHED
and it has everything you want in an epic

✨political intrigue
✨big battle sequences
✨new heroes coming into their own
✨morally gray ancient adepts
✨unique magic system
✨complex plot
✨vivid worldbuilding
✨terrifying villains

🌈📚🪐 #Booksky
books2read.com/Symbols-End
Cover of a book called Symbols’ End by MC Burnell depicting a slender young woman seated on a bench in a fine gown in the rain; the walls of the garden are close and too tall. Text reads: THE GRAND FINALE. Symbols’ End, Vol. 9 of The Tipping World.
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
sharkiatwrites.bsky.social
Thank you to the people who have already filled the form! Some interesting answers so far, but it needs more data to draw good conclusions.

If you buy itch bundles - or at least consider them, and have wriggled out of hitting the buy button before, please take a moment to fill this out.

💙📚📦
November 25, 2025 at 9:34 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'system'
yikes
Ramsu opened his mouth to respond, and he was back in Pathmelon beneath a hotter sun with a dry wind scraping across his skin. He felt a horrible jolt like a shock to his entire nervous system when he took in the body right in front of him, almost close enough to touch, sprawled in a puddle of blood that still had a wet sheen to it. Cursing, he scrambled to his feet. He had fleetingly forgotten about this, but here he was, returned to the middle of a massacre that was his fault. He slapped both hands on the top of his head as he turned in a circle, taking it in again. Reminding himself how awful it was and how totally he was responsible. Then he set off north at a brisk walk.
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
I don't want to go out of town and leave my kitties
November 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
THE TIPPING WORLD IS FINISHED
and it has everything you want in an epic

✨political intrigue
✨big battle sequences
✨new heroes coming into their own
✨morally gray ancient adepts
✨unique magic system
✨complex plot
✨vivid worldbuilding
✨terrifying villains

🌈📚🪐 #Booksky
books2read.com/Symbols-End
Cover of a book called Symbols’ End by MC Burnell depicting a slender young woman seated on a bench in a fine gown in the rain; the walls of the garden are close and too tall. Text reads: THE GRAND FINALE. Symbols’ End, Vol. 9 of The Tipping World.
November 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#NovemberWorldbuilders 23
A few get mentioned but I had to reach for Tisirat because I love this moment: Sathriel is watching a major city be destroyed around him by mysterious means. Tisirat razed a city. Modern Barrachites tend to glorify the bloodthirstiness of their antecedents. The power of
“‘The children screamed and the women wailed and the men fell to their knees,’” Habera quoted, “‘as the city of Op disintegrated before the anger of Tisirat.’” Feeling as if he had been punched in the gut, he finished for her, “‘And the emperor said: you rebelled against my will, let the flames rise and the stones of your houses separate one from the next until there is nothing built by your pride left.’” “Never knew what that might look like ‘til now.” Her tone was wry, but Sathriel couldn’t share her clinical interest in this catastrophe. She had mentioned the fate of Op offhandedly, she didn’t know how right she was. But Sathriel knew what was happening now, and so he knew that it was happening for him. There weren’t earthquakes in this part of the world, but there was something else here, Habera had brought it within the walls herself. As they started down the stairs to the street, he told her, “Please remember this moment. Promise me.” “I’m not likely to forget.” She glanced at him sidelong, and all humor left her. “I promise.”
November 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
zprospero.bsky.social
GOOD OMENS X THE OFFICE

Virgil Mora, Hell's consultant, must restore Heaven's faith in Hell to save the angel he's fallen for.

Feat.
❤️‍🔥 Grumpy X Sunshine
✍️ Magical Contracts
🦋 AuDHD Rep
🖤🐘🤍💜 Ace Romance
👨‍💼 Cosmic Power, Imposter Syndrome

#WIPPIT #CON #F #LGBT
A movie poster, at the top is the title “Hell Is Work” and underneath it a tag line “The Devil is in the details” The background is red with a light red graph showing a plummeting arrow representing a failing business. In the foreground is a three pronged Devil’s pitchfork with a halo around the central tine. Sitting on the curved crook of the right tine, nonchalant, with one arm wrapped around the tine is a black silhouette of a man wearing a suit and tie. His legs dangle casually above a field of flame. On the curved crook of the left tine, staring at the other man, is a white figure of a man with wings spread, casually playing footsie with the other man. At the bottom is the words “A novel by Zed Prospero”
November 23, 2025 at 6:08 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
so there's a pitch event on called wippit? Guess what song is now in my head
November 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
trudieskies.readindiefantasy.com
I have finally added a book to Itch.Io, and it's my short story collection for now, but I hope to add more in the coming months i.e. when my KU runs out!

trudieskies.itch.io/tales-from-a...
Tales From Across the Domains by Trudie Skies
A Cruel Gods Short Story Collection
trudieskies.itch.io
November 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
hcnewton.bsky.social
Saturday Miscellany—11/22/25: Book Clubs on the Rise; Don't Believe Cover Blurbs; Self-Pub Trends; a Couple of New Releases and more!

irresponsiblereader.com/2025/11/22/s...
Five facts about reading: Fact 1: Reading can make you a better conversationalist. Fact 2: Neighbours will never complain that your book is too loud. Fact 3: Knowledge by osmosis has not yet been perfected. You'd better read. Fact 4: Books have stopped bullets - reading might save your life. Fact 5: Dinosaurs didn't read. Look what happened to them.
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
jeffvandermeer.bsky.social
your bufflehead duck moment of lurching calm
November 23, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
valwrites.ca
This is what you hear when you complete the pilgrimage to the depths of the abyss, from a voice wrapped in darkness & frigid water, free not because it can float above a mountain but because no mountain can move it. Wisdom, not round but sharp. Truth not whispered poetically but stated plainly.
cheryllynneaton.bsky.social Cheryl Lynn Eaton @cheryllynneaton.bsky.social · 3d
You don't have to choose sides. You can dislike everybody. A true hater knows this.
November 23, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
ddwardiswriting.bsky.social
authorlaurynh.bsky.social Lauryn Hall @authorlaurynh.bsky.social · May 31
Book cover reveal!!!

Secrets of Battle is the 2nd book of my Secrets of Magic trilogy set to be out on July 30th! Filled with more action, higher stakes, drama, love, & heartbreak

A HUGE thank you to @nalou.bsky.social for designing the cover! It is absolutely breathtaking💜

#skywriter #bookreveal
A book cover reveal with the book at the center of a sword in a field. The background is a field with two white dragons flying around A synopsis page with a field as a background A sword in a middle of a field. The title Secrets of Battle, Book two, on it along with the author name, Lauryn Hall, A field in the background. Two white dragons flying around the text saying 'July 30, 2025'
November 23, 2025 at 1:13 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
making a list of geology questions to present to my dad over Thanksgiving
November 23, 2025 at 1:11 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
@booksthatburn.com This struck me at once as something that might be a good fit for your list
animalphotorefs.bsky.social Animal Photo Reference Repository @animalphotorefs.bsky.social · Jan 27
GenAI has polluted image search results, especially for animal pics. It’s now basically impossible to find accurate art references.

Enter this: a repository of open-access, AI-free images of wild & exotic taxa. Artists creating *without AI* have blanket permission for derivative/transformative use.
Exotic Animal Photo Reference Repository
www.animal-photo-references.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:51 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
@mjqwrites.bsky.social I've mentioned the bottom-of-the-ocean district and the fact that cephalopods are welcome to come in to shop and sightsee. They would need a magic talisman to facilitate breathing, and in honor of you, I have decided this shall take the form of little hats.
#youre-welcome
November 23, 2025 at 12:18 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#AwesomeCharacters
Boden fucked off day one, no question. Dyafer and Ramsu are feeding the team not at all as if it's a competition and offering the occasional commentary.

You can guess who's actually doing all the work.
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social Charlie Delta 🦊🐐 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 2d
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

Your cast is assigned a group project to complete!

Who is doing all the work?

Who disappeared on the first day and hasn't been seen since?

Who is bringing snacks but otherwise hasn't contributed?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 23, 2025 at 12:15 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
Slightly tardy, but happy #Caturday y'all, have some toes!
If you're wondering, no, the new kitties aren't old. They're 2 and have so much energy it's shocking to us! All the pics are sleepy bc when they're awake, I'm interacting with them. Very social ppl!
A ginger with a banded tail and tiger stripes on his legs is fast asleep. His tummy and paws are white with orange freckles. He sleeps curled up on one side, leaning up against a throw pillow, all 4 legs extended. He has extra toes on his forepaws. The same ginger in the same place, bathed in sunlight now. He lies on his side/ partially on his back to show off his white tummy and beige chin. He is still blissfully asleep. His nose is a dark pink color, his (multitudinous) beans a paler pink. A little kitty whose fur is a mix of gray and beige with stripes of black and startling umber sleeps on a light-blue kitty bed. She is lying on her side but has her head turned so she's face-down. Her beans are a mix of pink and black. The same dilute tortie conked out on a bed still tangled in the hoodie-string she just wrestled to submission, showing off her belly-cowlick. Her face is turned up so you can see her chin is cream-colored, her nose a dark red. She also has extra toes on her forepaws!
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
aimeecozza.com
Incredible
sambeawesome.bsky.social Sam | Commissions Open @sambeawesome.bsky.social · 2d
I saw this AI image shared in a Discord I'm in & was inspired to make the real thing. There are a LOT of fake crochet patterns out there, I wanted to give (especially beginners) a real pattern instead. Support real artists making real work, not AI.

Get it FREE: ko-fi.com/s/cdf844790c

#noai #art
A real photo of a white person's hand holding up a crochet snake (light pink with blue and creme stripes, with a red tongue and blush, and brown eyes) in front of a nature background with bushes, a tree, branches, and a pond. The person is wearing an off-white knit sweater with light pale pink nail polish. The "disgusted meme" with the top being an AI generated image of a crochet snake that looks like garbage and the person being grossed out. Then the bottom image being the real thing with the person being interested. Support human artists!
November 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
I saw a post earlier linking a video, watched the vid, found it and OP's question thought provoking. Spent an entire load of dishes pondering it, typed out a huge 5-post thread in response, then bsky was just like nah get fucked that post doesn't exist or something 😭😂
November 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
jscottcoatsworth.bsky.social
It's time again for great deals on indie author / small press queer romances: today we have 12 books on sale:

www.queeromanceink.com/sales/

Join the QueeRomance Ink newsletter list, get 4 free books:

www.queeromanceink.com/join-our-ema...

#salessaturday #gayromance
November 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
shimaira.com
Aislinn is being hunted in her dreams by a demon, but her guardian angel should be arriving soon to save her…

Want a free horror fantasy novelette? Just subscribe to my newsletter to claim this ebook 😁

shimaira.eo.page
(🔞 CW in third image)
~
🩸📚😱📢📚💙🌶️📚 #DiscountBooks
Excerpts from Millennium, by Shimaira. The image shows a blue fractal background with a blue sketch character with pointy ears and feathery wings. The demon’s three-toed feet came into view, and he placed one foot on her head, pushing her face into a musty towel. “That was fun,” he said. “Let’s play again tomorrow.” He took a step back. Aislinn tried to move, but her arms were now paralysed too. What did he do to me? Tears streamed down her face. Blue? Blue, where are you? Save me! The demon crouched down in front of her. He grabbed her by the hair and lifted her head up so he could see her face. Their gazes met, his red eyes full of sinister joy, and he grinned, exposing multiple rows of sharp teeth. Oh, fuck… 🔞 This story contains graphic violence, gore, (attempted) murder and explicit sexual content (human x non-human). Two characters are shown standing back to back. The first has black skin, ram horns, no hair, red eyes and an arrow headed tail. Along his spine and on his elbows and knees are spikes. The other character appears human aside from blue skin. His hair is short and also blue. A fractal image in purple hues is their background. ~ Character line art by NightmareWeaverz ~ Fractal and character colouring by Shimaira
November 22, 2025 at 8:04 AM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#AwesomeCharacters
Touching is the next thing to taboo for mages bc it makes their awareness of other's physical state and emotions much more intense for both people.
Mairid doesn't care about the rules but has to be careful of people's personal boundaries
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social Charlie Delta 🦊🐐 @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 3d
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters

How does your character feel about physical touch?

Are they fans of a handshake, hug, pat on the back, etc?

Do they prefer to keep their distance?

Does it matter how close they are to the other person?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
November 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Pixies a/k/a Map Nerd
vriccithode.bsky.social
Ready for a completed series? Pick up Favour Fire now! It’s got:
🔥 sword lesbian (bi)
🔥 axe lesbian
🔥 disaster bi
🔥 everything’s on fire
🔥 oh shit!
🔥 shenanigans with a volcano
🔥 intergenerational team-up
🔥 international team-up
🔥 queer firebending dragon riders
🌈📚
Available now at your favorite digital store!
Favour Fire by Vanessa Ricci-Thode
books2read.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 'crystal'

Ramsu, returned to the site of The Dream. Sadly, not with Mairid on his arm this time
When he reached the tower’s foot, he looked up at it, taking in the stolid mundanity of the structure. In the dream, he had felt impressions about this place, as if the building had an aura, and that was no longer the case. Now, it was a pile of stone, remarkable only for its presence way the hell out wherever this was, not in company of any people who might have built it. He crossed his arms and tugged at the lobe of one ear as he remembered something interesting: it had not been a tower in truth but a disguise. Something strange and unexplained hidden inside. “Threads,” he muttered, and like that, the mass of stone was gone. He looked upon the vibrant lines of [um, something], but they were not as he recalled. Familiar strands of thick, straight, textured, luminous mystery like impossibly thick thread made out of light-catching crystal, as before, but the cables had strayed off each in their own direction; now, they were roped together. This man-thick braid of [honestly, what even?] rose unerringly into the heavens, straight as a rule. Again, that unwelcome conclusion formed, that he was looking on something more complete than it had been when last he witnessed it. He hated the idea but couldn’t think how he might have been to blame, for what comfort that might be.
November 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM
mcburnellauthor.bsky.social
#NovemberWorldbuilders 22
🤣Omg I want to answer this question for literally any other series I've written. I could teach classes on lost civilizations!

For the new project, tho, it doesn't seem that we're getting any. Fae folk are very long-lived and never lost contact with their antecedents
kiraofthewind.com Kira of the Wind (Erika McCorkle) @kiraofthewind.com · 3d
It's our next week, #NovemberWorldbuilders! The theme this week is HISTORY in your fictional worlds. To start off with: does your world have any ancient (perhaps long-lost) civilizations? Did they leave ruins behind? Does anyone know what happened to them?
#NovemberWorldbuilders prompt card Hosted by Kira of the Wind Week 4: HISTORY 22: Any ancient civilizations The image in the background is a blurred picture of a foresty/rocky landscape with lightning and a mountain in the background A very faded and transparent image of the guy with the hair from Ancient Aliens is in the background as a joke
November 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM