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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

I spent the day doing a BUNCH more character portraits ... and now my Instagram (necessary evil that it is) has this as a landing layout to promote Adjustments!

#LinesofPower #FromTheDeskofBusterHeywood #Adjustments #ModernFantasy #Thriller #SelfPublished #AuthorSky #TransAuthors #AutisticMC

A 3x3 grid of Lines of Power character portraits with a vintage postcard for the fictional town of Aviario, Connecticut in the center. It is watermarked to prevent AI scraping or other art theft.

July 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Why share one when I can share all four? 😅 #LinesofPower #ModernFantasy

Cover of From the Desk of Buster Heywood, a thriller by A.K. D'Onofrio

Cover of In The Cards, a modern fantasy thriller by A.K. D'Onofrio

Cover of The Proper Bearing, a modern fantasy thriller by A.K. D'Onofrio

Cover of Adjustments, a modern fantasy thriller by A.K. D'Onofrio

June 11, 2025 at 12:32 PM Everybody can reply

Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

The Proper Bearing is now officially in print, and I'm SO excited to drop the cover and release date for #LinesofPower Vol. 4: Adjustments!!!
#WIPSnips #SelfPublishing #ReleaseDate #PreOrder #ModernFantasy #UrbanFantasy #Thriller

The front cover of "Adjustments" which depicts Buster Heywood and Troy McLaren on either side of a pine tree, looking concerned about something out of sight. The back copy reads: "A year and a half after what most residents simply refer to as “That Nasty Business With Selectman Jarvon”, Buster Heywood has cobbled his life back into the same, simple order he’d enjoyed before the gun showed up on his oorstep. His circle of friends is growing, and he's becoming a force for good in theircorner of town. So when Officer Troy McLaren shows up on his doorstep, Buster’s heart leaps into his throat.

It’s not Buster’s past Troy is after: it’s his future, and his keen observation of things around town. A young Seneca girl has been earmarked for induction into The Organization, and she needs to be kept safe from those who would rather exploit her abilities. Skeptical about the existence of magic, but worried for the child’s safety, Buster makes his way back into the deep end of Aviario. As he and Troy both test their boundaries, clues to a larger mystery begin to float to the surface..."

To pre-order your copy, visit www.grindark-studio.com/linesofpower!

June 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

This is one of the last #WIPSnips from #Adjustments... the release date is coming soon! #LinesofPower

"It's gonna be instant, is that cool? My Keurig's on the fritz. I think I need a new pump. Or something."
Buster surveyed the array of parts on Cameron's shelf, and chuckled. "That's fine. You're not going to try to fix it yourself?"
"I miiiiight."
"A coffee pot is not a computer, Cameron."
"Part of it is."
"At some point you'll have to admit that you can't fix everything," Buster argued, picking up a half-demolished Game Boy Color to examine it.
"And I am very sure that on that day, you will be patiently waiting at my shoulder to enjoy that moment, but tactfully refrain from commenting. Aside from that little smirk you get."
Buster smirked. "Patience is a virtue."

June 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

The 3rd novel in my #ModernFantasy series, #LinesOfPower, gets its re-release glow-up this Sunday, June 1st! It's a coming of age story set in a British public school in 1979. Watch this space:
www.grindark-studio.com/linesofpower...

Lines of Power - Grindark Studio

The modern supernatural series by A.K. D'Onofrio: fit for readers from 15 to 5,000! Follow a growing cast of unforgettable characters on adventures that start in small-city Connecticut. As they all ...

www.grindark-studio.com

May 30, 2025 at 11:23 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

No carts in Adjustments, so a partial match gets you J.C trying to have a teachable moment ... #LinesofPower #WIPSnips #ModernFantasy

"Compared to most sixteen-year-olds I know? Heh. You should be Marc Summers and you're Alex Trebek."

Annick tilted her head at J.C. "I don't get that."

"Dammit! Double Dare was a national treasure. You were born far too late." He sighed. "Okay, let's try this again: instead of watching cartoons and chowing down on artificially colored sugar bits, what do you usually do on Saturday mornings? I'm gonna make an educated guess: shaman lessons." When she started to frown, he held up a hand. "Now, hold on, hold on. I'm not dissing them. They're important. What I am saying is ... now that you don't have to cram anymore ..."

"J.C!" Christine bellowed, barreling into the kitchen. "The police are here!"

May 29, 2025 at 4:11 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Volume 3 of #LinesofPower has an official release date: June 1st! Mark your calendars and bookmark the site:
www.grindark-studio.com/linesofpower...
#ModernFantasy #ComingOfAge #BookBirthday #SelfPublishing

(This image shows the cover of the book, along with the release date.)

May 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM Everybody can reply

Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

After the events of the first #LinesofPower novel, Buster just wants some peace and quiet. Too bad he isn't going to get it... #WIPSnips #modernfantasy

May 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Some shots from a weekend at Hammonassett State Park in CT ... got those #LinesofPower vibes and some much-deserved down time.

May 28, 2025 at 5:27 AM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Does Beatrice from "In The Cards" count as a prophet for today's #WIPSnips? Troy doesn't think so. And maybe she isn't... yet ...
#LinesofPower #modernfantasy #InTheCards #Adjustments

"Sounds like the start of a solid scientific paper if you ask me." Troy spread his hands, setting up an invisible masthead. "The correlation between earworms and romantic attraction. Seriously, though, I know you're not exactly a party animal, Buster, but she seems like she's pretty into you. The fact that she's a fancy-pants lawyer doesn't matter any more than the fact that the girl I'm interested in tells fortunes and knows honest-to-God magic."

May 21, 2025 at 12:54 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Missed yesterday's #WIPSnips, so here are two of JC's kiddos while I catch up ...

For the record, the #LinesofPower quote I really wanted to use from book 4 is a minor spoiler for From the Desk of Buster Heywood ... but I behaved. ;)

#modernfantasy #thriller #sequel #series

Christine had already pulled a cabinet open, and paused as her fingers brushed a neon green cereal box. "Are you seriously making me breakfast?"

"Why not? We live together."

"But you don't even know me yet."

"I know you need to eat." Annick swept the carton of eggs and the milk out of the fridge and onto the counter. "So, veggies."

"Ew."

May 21, 2025 at 12:46 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

This review just made my entire May. If you need your first #SummerRead, you can go get it here: www.grindark-studio.com/linesofpower... #SelfPublishing #fiction #thriller #LinesofPower

"From the Desk of Buster Heywood was really good. Like 'staying up to read it, reading at dinner/in the car/while doing literally anything else need to know what happens' good. There are LAYERS!!!! This is your sign to get it if you haven't read it yet!" - Alexandra Kate, illustrator & tarot artist, via the Queerlective.com Discord server

May 20, 2025 at 12:37 AM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Troy's learning that black-and-white isn't exactly the best choice after all. You'd think Janus knew exactly what he was doing, or something... #WIPSnips #LinesofPower #Adjustments #TricksterArchetype

Troy sucked in a breath and reached for the box of mints in his center console, popping two. "And you do - just asking, now - remember that you're speaking to an officer of the law right now."
Janus' tone was serene as his smile. "I do. But that officer of the law is jointly in my employ as a keeper of the natural balance of the world."
Troy cut down through the South End, noting with wry amusement that the route to the Organization took him past both schools. His already beleaguered conscience groaned under the strain. "And suppose I, in that dual capacity, were beginning to suspect that someone was not quite so innocent and squeaky clean as he looked on the outside?"

May 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Buster's co-worker, Charleen, would like you all to know ... uh ... *everyone's* business, really. (She is a horrible bricolage of several of my own past co-workers. I had far too much fun making her outfit that hideous.) #LinesofPower #illustration #CharacterPortraits

An illustration of a middle-aged blond woman in a patchwork blazer, wearing a cross and square glasses, happily gossiping about things that are none of her business.

May 12, 2025 at 11:51 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Shamelessly: if you like my #WIPSnips, the first two #LinesofPower volumes are already out, and #3 is coming soon... maybe as soon as the end of the month! #urbanfantasy #modernfantasy
www.grindark-studio.com/linesofpower...

Lines of Power - Grindark Studio

The modern supernatural series by A.K. D'Onofrio: fit for readers from 15 to 5,000! Follow a growing cast of unforgettable characters on adventures that start in small-city Connecticut. As they all ...

www.grindark-studio.com

May 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

That awkward moment when you get more support from a #charity event than you meant to provide by going...
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #LinesofPower

From "Adjustments", Chapter 1:

J.C. led the way out into an open, comfortable space flanked with mismatched couches and chairs, its two coffee tables hidden under a litter of pamphlets and magazines. Hanging racks by the door held countless brochures and paperwork. He went straight to the water cooler in the corner and filled a paper cone. "Sit down if you need to. Here."

"That hasn't happened in ..." Buster shook his head, clearing the last of the memory as he accepted the cup. "Thank you. I'm so sorry. This is embarrassing." He sank into a chair, feeling its springs creak, even under his slight weight.

"Like I said. Volunteers. You're not at work. Nobody's gonna judge you here. We have residents who wake up screaming some nights. This is life. I'm surprised more people don't freak out about it daily. There's some scary stuff out there." J.C. perched on the arm of the couch beside him. "I like to think that everyone who volunteers here gets that in one way or another. You just gave me a little proof that you do, that's all."

May 8, 2025 at 10:48 AM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

I haven't decided on a release date just yet, but volume 4 of #LinesofPower will be out this year!

#ModernFantasy #SelfPublishing #AutisticCharacters #WIPSnips #WriteSky

Buster took his first sip of his rum and Coke and made a mental note to thank Charlie on the way out. He remembered the first drink he'd had there, on a night that had started a journey he never would have believed himself capable of, and some small door of possibility unlocked itself in his mind. "Maybe it's true," he conceded. "But I still don't understand what it has to do with what happened last year. Why would these people want me? I'm about as magical as a piece of toast."

April 24, 2025 at 3:16 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Me, trying to consolidate 3 writing notebooks filled over the last decade into one cohesive outline and reference book for #LinesofPower

That one meme of Charlie from Always Sunny in front of a conspiracy board

March 20, 2025 at 3:02 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Been a few since I posted anything, life's been crazy. But here's the first in a long series of #LinesofPower character portraits ... my #AutisticMC Buster Heywood.

February 25, 2025 at 1:37 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

#ArtDump #MemeRedraw #LinesOfPower
There were four pictures. I have four villains that fit every single one. It had to be done. (Sorry, watermarks stay - I'm overprotective of my #OriginalCharacters).

February 8, 2025 at 9:28 PM Everybody can reply

Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

Today's work (after some fanart for fun) involves fighting with the disparities between what I formatted in Word and how it actually imports to @draft2digital.bsky.social ... not sure why it hates separate paragraph formatting but we're working with it. #AuthorProblems #SelfPublishing #LinesOfPower

February 1, 2025 at 8:46 PM Everybody can reply

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Hazel

@grindarkstudio.bsky.social

I've had this #sticker design in my head for a while now, but Tumblr finally got me off my ass. Dr. Jon Knight has spoken.

#OminousPositivity #OriginalCharacters #LinesOfPower #Watermarked

January 26, 2025 at 1:01 AM Everybody can reply

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