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alychelms.bsky.social
Alyc Helms
@alychelms.bsky.social
1.2K followers 380 following 140 posts
1/2 of M.A. Carrick. Author, gamer, dreamstress, queer/genderqueer person in tech, they/them
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Reposted by Alyc Helms
marleyroseteter.bsky.social
Changelings have always had a special place in my heart, so of course I jumped at the chance to write about them for Reactor! Featuring fabulous changeling stories by @franceshardinge.bsky.social, @hgparry.bsky.social, @kimberlybea.bsky.social, Ivelisse Houseman, and @macarrick.bsky.social!
reactorsff.bsky.social Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · 6d
Changelings have been long maligned as monstrous within faerie folklore, but are we so limited in our imaginations? @marleyroseteter.bsky.social (The Bone Brides) recommends 5 books that offer a different spin on the changeling story:
Five Unique Takes on Faerie Changelings - Reactor
These changelings get to be more than just monsters...
reactormag.com
September 29, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
Exploring the battle between the monstrous and the mundane, V. Gagnon is the perfect artist (and definitely not serial killer) for this fan!

Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net to receive the full season announcement in a few weeks!

@wyrmsfornerves.bsky.social
Picture of V. Gagnon. Text: Artist Spotlight V. Gagnon, I Am Not a Serial Killer. V. Gagnon is an illustrator and comic creator based in Philadelphia, PA, with a passion for all things monstrous and vibrantly colored. They love researching and designing unique worlds for the stories they illustrate. When not at the drawing tablet, they like covering their planners in washi tape and perusing antique stores for cool things to draw later. Illustration of two colorful medusae clubbing, cuddling, and loving life. Artwork used with permission of artist. Text: Monsters in Love, by V. Gagnon. Illustration of a mounted knight and their liege fighting a hydra. Artwork used with permission of artist. Text: My Leige, by V. Gagnon.
October 1, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
A fan is not a cleaver, but it can deliver a pretty serious paper cut! Besides, YOU are not a serial killer, right? ... Right?!

Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net to receive the full season announcement in a few weeks!
Author Spotlight: Dan Wells, I Am Not a Serial Killer. Dan Wells writes horror, science fiction, and fantasy. He is the author of the bestselling Partials Sequence, the bestselling Zero Chronicles, and the I Am Not A Serial Killer series, now adapted into an award-winning movie. Dan lives in Utah with his wife, 6 children, 2 dogs, and 500 boardgames.
September 29, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
Open up our I Am Not a Serial Killer fan… see what’s inside!

Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net to receive the full season announcement in a few weeks!

I'm a Fan! First season launching December 2026 at Dragonsteel Nexus and online in 2027.
Picture of a cleaver. Text: Season One Fandom Reveal: “The thing about boxes… is that you can open them up. Even though they're completely boring on the outside, there might be something interesting inside. So while you're saying all of these stupid, boring things I'm imagining what it would be like to cut you open and see what you've got in there.” Picture of Dan Wells and covers of six books for I Am Not a Serial Killer, Mr. Monster, I Don’t Want to Kill You, other three covered up. Text: Dan Wells, I Am Not a Serial Killer.
September 28, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
Bringing her architectural vision to a city out of legend, I'm a Fan's multi-talented art director, Megan Lloyd, is creating the art for our Daevabad fan!

Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net to receive the full season announcement!

@shannonchakraborty.bsky.social
@thirdchildart.bsky.social
Picture of Megan Lloyd. Text: Artist Spotlight, Megan Lloyd, The Daevabad Trilogy. Megan Lloyd is one of the first wizards on-call when it comes to movie magic. As a professional storyboard artist, she’s worked on shows for Netflix, Dreamworks, Marvel, and Nickelodeon. She also directed on seasons 4 and 5 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, including the Hugo award-winning series finale. Alt text: Close-up of a tiny humanoid figure cowed before the massive cosmic void of the King in Yellow. Artwork used with permission of artist. Text: Artwork by Megan Lloyd. Alt text: Tiny humanoid figure cowed before the massive cosmic void of the King in Yellow. Artwork used with permission of artist. Text: Artwork by Megan Lloyd.
September 25, 2026 at 2:01 PM
alychelms.bsky.social
Discussing SFOpera's Simon Boccanegra with a friend, and said I hoped next week's Mary Queen of Scots would be more exciting. My argument: "I don't know how you can make it dull... Mary is basically three husbands and an explosion in a farthingale." Which... I'm rather proud of as a description.
September 24, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
Our Daevabad-inspired fan might not give you mastery over the wind, or let you banish flames with a wave of your hand… but it will let you show your love for this epic series!

Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net to receive the full season announcement.
@shannonchakraborty.bsky.social
Picture of S.A. Chakraborty. Text: Author Spotlight - Shannon Chakraborty, the Daevabad Trilogy. Shannon Chakraborty is the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of The Daevabad Trilogy and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. Her work has been translated into over a dozen languages and nominated for the Hugo, Locus, World Fantasy, Crawford, and Astounding awards. Author photo credit: Melissa C. Beckman.
September 24, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
Cross the lake and pass through the ancient gates to enter the fabled city of the Djinn, with a fan inspired by S.A. Chakraborty’s sumptuous Daevabad Trilogy.
I’m a Fan logo over a picture of a souq. Text: Season One Fandom Reveal: A city of gilded brass. A conwoman discovering her heritage and her power. Creatures of fire, magic, and brutal power. But the true danger is in who you trust… and who you love.
September 23, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
bryancamp.bsky.social
Icarus was the first dude who mistakenly believed he was wearing plot armor.

Sun Wukong from Journey to the West was the first himbo...
September 18, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
An accessory may not help you kill mobs, but looking snazzy with this fan favorite might just improve your odds of staying alive until the next level.

I'm a Fan! First season launching December 2026 at Dragonsteel Nexus and online in 2027. Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net.
Blank fan #6. Text: Name that Hand Fan - Can you name this season 1 book fan? I’m a Fan logo over a picture of a fluffy cat, with inset pictures of boxer shorts hanging from a wire, and a mysterious curved staircase. Text: Achievements. Apocalypse. Boxer shorts.
September 17, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
reactorsff.bsky.social
M. A. Carrick's The Eye of Leviathan reimagines the Spanish Golden Age in rich detail, folding the fae into a story of magic, religion, and brutal colonization. @vanessa-armstrong.com reviews a new series from the authors of The Mask of Mirrors:
Changelings, Catholicism, and Conquistadors: The Eye of Leviathan by M.A. Carrick - Reactor
Vanessa Armstrong reviews a fantasy-imbued alternate history of the Spanish Golden Age.
reactormag.com
September 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
Next in our season 1 lineup! This is not a teaser. This is not a fan.

Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net to receive the full season announcement in a few weeks!

I'm a Fan! First season launching December 2026 at Dragonsteel Nexus and online in 2027.
Blank fan #5. Text: Name that Hand Fan - Can you name this season 1 book fan? I’m a Fan logo over a picture of a butcher’s cleaver, with inset pictures of a morgue and a medical diagram of human musculature. Text: Murder? Sociopath. Morticians. Demons.
September 16, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
We’re back from LACon, and it’s time for round 2 of our first season teasers. Are you a fan of lost cities and arcane histories?

I'm a Fan! First season launching December 2026 at Dragonsteel Nexus and online in 2027. Sign up for our mailing list at imafan.net.
Blank fan #4. Text: Name that Hand Fan - Can you name this season 1 book fan? I’m a Fan logo over a picture of a souq, with inset pictures of a map of the Middle East and a palm reading. Text: Magic. Djinn. Escapes. Betrayals.
September 14, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
macarrick.bsky.social
Our #AMA at @redditfantasy.bsky.social is still going on! @alychelms.bsky.social is about to get out of meetings and return to posting answers, so get your questions in!

www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/co...
From the Fantasy community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Fantasy community
www.reddit.com
September 8, 2026 at 8:56 PM
alychelms.bsky.social
Marie and I are doing an AMA on Reddit today, come by and ask us some questions!

www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/co...
From the Fantasy community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Fantasy community
www.reddit.com
September 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM
alychelms.bsky.social
Finally put together my LACon schedule sheet. It's gonna be a busy one! Drop by our table and say hi if you can!
Where to find Alyc Helms at Worldcon. Graphic with full schedule. LAcon.org, August 27-31, Anaheim Convention Center.
August 24, 2026 at 5:03 PM
alychelms.bsky.social
I finally posted the video of our Copperfield's reading road trip!

www.tiktok.com/@alychelms/v...
Come with us on an epic(?) road trip to the SEA BEYOND! The Eye of Leviathan, M.A. Carrick Many thanks to Copperfield's Books, Sebastopol, CA #booktok #macarrick #theseabeyond #eyeofleviathan #fantasy...
TikTok video by alychelms
www.tiktok.com
August 23, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
"I have my compass, my edge, my chalk, myself..."

And I'm a Fan has our incredible art director, Megan Lloyd, stepping up to do the art for our Rook & Rose fan!

@alychelms.bsky.social @swantower.bsky.social @macarrick.bsky.social @thirdchildart.bsky.social
Picture of Megan Lloyd. Text: Artist Spotlight, Megan Lloyd, Rook & Rose. Megan Lloyd is one of the first wizards on-call when it comes to movie magic. As a professional storyboard artist, she’s worked on shows for Netflix, Dreamworks, Marvel, and Nickelodeon. She also directed on seasons 4 and 5 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, including the Hugo award-winning series finale. Closeup of artwork of a fairy in a dark forest, cupping a pixie in their hands. Artwork used with permission of artist. Text: Artwork by Megan Lloyd.
August 21, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
swan-tower.wandering.shop.ap.brid.gy
Another behind-the-scenes look at THE EYE OF LEVIATHAN, about writing historical Catholicism!

https://www.macarrick.com/2026/08/13/writing-religion/
www.macarrick.com
August 14, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
adventitiouswords.bsky.social
If you’re interested, there’s a prequel novelette that’s also fantastic (and free to read):

www.adventitious.net/stories/non-...
Non Plus Ultra by M.A. Carrick
1492. A ship sails through the Pillars of Hercules into the Sea Beyond. Novella by M.A. Carrick. Read the prequel of The Eye of Leviathan.
www.adventitious.net
August 19, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
swan-tower.wandering.shop.ap.brid.gy
Have you ever heard of cosmography? (Not the astrophysics kind.) Neither had we, until we started work on THE EYE OF LEVIATHAN!

https://www.macarrick.com/2026/08/19/cosmography/
www.macarrick.com
August 19, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
"May you see the Face, and not the Mask"

But only Marie and Alyc know which one of them is which!

I'm a Fan! First season launching December 2026 at Dragonsteel Nexus and online in 2027. Sign up for our newsletter at imafan.net!
@alychelms.bsky.social @swantower.bsky.social @macarrick.bsky.social
Picture of Alyc Helms and Marie Brennan. Text: Author spotlight, M.A. Carrick, Rook & Rose. Text: M.A. Carrick is the joint pen name of Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms. The two met in 2000 on an archaeological dig in the town of Carrickmacross, and have built their friendship through two decades of anthropology, writing, and gaming. They are the authors of the Rook and Rose trilogy, the Sea Beyond duology, and hopefully many future collaborations.
August 19, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
swan-tower.wandering.shop.ap.brid.gy
I hate that the 21st-century American safety net is GoFundMe, but here we are. My friend
@strangetree needs help staying in her apartment post-surgery until disability insurance comes through, so I have set up a campaign on her behalf:

https://gofund.me/95d0d4cd2
Donate to Keep Emily Dare Housed Post-Surgery, organized by Marie Brennan
I'm Marie Brennan, and I'm asking for your help on behalf of a friend. Emily Dare,… Marie Brennan needs your support for Keep Emily Dare Housed Post-Surgery
www.gofundme.com
August 18, 2026 at 7:34 PM
alychelms.bsky.social
You all knew this had to be coming!
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social I'm a Fan! @imafan-of-fans.bsky.social · Aug 17
"Trust is the thread that binds us… and the rope that hangs us."

With our Rook & Rose fan, you can hide a knowing smile, send secret messages across a ballroom, even initiate and fight a duel! Sign up for news at imafan.net
@alychelms.bsky.social @swantower.bsky.social @macarrick.bsky.social
Picture of a venetian mask with peacock feathers. Text: Fandom reveal, Season One. Darkly magical and beautifully imagined, the Rose & Rook trilogy is a rich and dazzling fantasy adventure in which a con artist, a vigilante, and a crime lord must unite to save their city. Picture of M.A. Carrick duo Alyc Helms and Marie Brennan. Underneath that, pictures of three book covers with an ornate blue mask, an ornate red mask, and an ornate purple mask. Text: M.A. Carrick, Rook & Rose. The Mask of Mirrors. The Liar's Knot. Labyrinth's Heart.
August 17, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Alyc Helms
imafan-of-fans.bsky.social
“The clan is my blood, and the Pillar is its master."

Green Bones pledge their clan loyalty with their jade, while Lantern Men show affiliation with paper and wood. We can't afford jade (yet), but we gotcha covered for the paper and wood!
@fondalee.bsky.social
Picture of Fonda Lee. Text: Author Spotlight: Fonda Lee, The Green Bone Saga. Fonda Lee is the award-winning, NYT-bestselling author of a dozen works of fantasy and science fiction, including the Green Bone Saga, the Breathmarked duology, and most recently, the science fiction novel, The Last Contract of Isako. (She’s also one of the founding members of the I’m a Fan team!)
August 12, 2026 at 4:52 PM