N. Penz
@author-npenz.bsky.social
📖 Author
📚 Avid reader
🤱🏽 Mom of 2
🍎 Teacher
🌈 Proud member of the LGBT+ community
Imaginedworlds.wixsite.com/author-npenz
📚 Avid reader
🤱🏽 Mom of 2
🍎 Teacher
🌈 Proud member of the LGBT+ community
Imaginedworlds.wixsite.com/author-npenz
My writing retreat currently includes:
2 tiny humans
Tall human
2 dogs
1 cat
1 guinea pig
job
laundry
dishes...
Excellent isolation. 😝
What does yours look like?
#momwriterlife #bookbuddy #writersofbluesky
2 tiny humans
Tall human
2 dogs
1 cat
1 guinea pig
job
laundry
dishes...
Excellent isolation. 😝
What does yours look like?
#momwriterlife #bookbuddy #writersofbluesky
September 16, 2026 at 2:43 PM
My writing retreat currently includes:
2 tiny humans
Tall human
2 dogs
1 cat
1 guinea pig
job
laundry
dishes...
Excellent isolation. 😝
What does yours look like?
#momwriterlife #bookbuddy #writersofbluesky
2 tiny humans
Tall human
2 dogs
1 cat
1 guinea pig
job
laundry
dishes...
Excellent isolation. 😝
What does yours look like?
#momwriterlife #bookbuddy #writersofbluesky
Books don't require: "I agree with this person."
They can ask something harder: "Stay here long enough to understand them."
That's where the good stuff happens.
They can ask something harder: "Stay here long enough to understand them."
That's where the good stuff happens.
September 14, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Books don't require: "I agree with this person."
They can ask something harder: "Stay here long enough to understand them."
That's where the good stuff happens.
They can ask something harder: "Stay here long enough to understand them."
That's where the good stuff happens.
New character appears in brain.
Me: Who are you?
Character: No.
Me: What's your story?
Character: No.
Me: Will you at least leave?
Character: Absolutely not.
Book begins...
#characterdevelopment #amwriting #author #writerlife
Me: Who are you?
Character: No.
Me: What's your story?
Character: No.
Me: Will you at least leave?
Character: Absolutely not.
Book begins...
#characterdevelopment #amwriting #author #writerlife
September 14, 2026 at 1:11 PM
New character appears in brain.
Me: Who are you?
Character: No.
Me: What's your story?
Character: No.
Me: Will you at least leave?
Character: Absolutely not.
Book begins...
#characterdevelopment #amwriting #author #writerlife
Me: Who are you?
Character: No.
Me: What's your story?
Character: No.
Me: Will you at least leave?
Character: Absolutely not.
Book begins...
#characterdevelopment #amwriting #author #writerlife
Tomorrow's newsletter:
Why I Keep Writing People Who Hide.
Tonight:
Why do YOU think we're obsessed with characters who won't say what they need?
Wrong answers encouraged.
#newsletter #booksky #writesky #bookstagram #writerlife
Why I Keep Writing People Who Hide.
Tonight:
Why do YOU think we're obsessed with characters who won't say what they need?
Wrong answers encouraged.
#newsletter #booksky #writesky #bookstagram #writerlife
September 13, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Tomorrow's newsletter:
Why I Keep Writing People Who Hide.
Tonight:
Why do YOU think we're obsessed with characters who won't say what they need?
Wrong answers encouraged.
#newsletter #booksky #writesky #bookstagram #writerlife
Why I Keep Writing People Who Hide.
Tonight:
Why do YOU think we're obsessed with characters who won't say what they need?
Wrong answers encouraged.
#newsletter #booksky #writesky #bookstagram #writerlife
If someone consumed a story through words and their brain went:
STORY!!!
I'm not checking credentials.
Read however you read.
#readeveryday #booksky #lovebooks #readersofbluesky
STORY!!!
I'm not checking credentials.
Read however you read.
#readeveryday #booksky #lovebooks #readersofbluesky
September 12, 2026 at 2:25 AM
If someone consumed a story through words and their brain went:
STORY!!!
I'm not checking credentials.
Read however you read.
#readeveryday #booksky #lovebooks #readersofbluesky
STORY!!!
I'm not checking credentials.
Read however you read.
#readeveryday #booksky #lovebooks #readersofbluesky
I don't write fiction because I know the answer.
I write because apparently making several fictional people suffer through the question is my preferred research methodology.
#booksky #writesky #fiction #writefiction #research #researchmethodology #fictional #question #methodology #write
I write because apparently making several fictional people suffer through the question is my preferred research methodology.
#booksky #writesky #fiction #writefiction #research #researchmethodology #fictional #question #methodology #write
September 11, 2026 at 12:04 AM
I don't write fiction because I know the answer.
I write because apparently making several fictional people suffer through the question is my preferred research methodology.
#booksky #writesky #fiction #writefiction #research #researchmethodology #fictional #question #methodology #write
I write because apparently making several fictional people suffer through the question is my preferred research methodology.
#booksky #writesky #fiction #writefiction #research #researchmethodology #fictional #question #methodology #write
Writing staff performance review:
Dogs: enthusiastic, no editing skill.
Cat: hostile to laptop.
Guinea pig: eating.
All employed.
Management is weak.
Dogs: enthusiastic, no editing skill.
Cat: hostile to laptop.
Guinea pig: eating.
All employed.
Management is weak.
September 9, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Writing staff performance review:
Dogs: enthusiastic, no editing skill.
Cat: hostile to laptop.
Guinea pig: eating.
All employed.
Management is weak.
Dogs: enthusiastic, no editing skill.
Cat: hostile to laptop.
Guinea pig: eating.
All employed.
Management is weak.
My character weakness:
"I am completely fine."
Narrator:
They were catastrophically not fine.
Me: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ continue.
"I am completely fine."
Narrator:
They were catastrophically not fine.
Me: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ continue.
September 8, 2026 at 4:09 PM
My character weakness:
"I am completely fine."
Narrator:
They were catastrophically not fine.
Me: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ continue.
"I am completely fine."
Narrator:
They were catastrophically not fine.
Me: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ continue.
Reposted by N. Penz
"… seven dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays."
publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2026/08/79-c...
#WritingCommunity #KathySWriter
publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2026/08/79-c...
#WritingCommunity #KathySWriter
84 Calls for Submissions in September 2026 - Paying markets
This September there are seven dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, eve...
publishedtodeath.blogspot.com
August 29, 2026 at 3:40 PM
"… seven dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays."
publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2026/08/79-c...
#WritingCommunity #KathySWriter
publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2026/08/79-c...
#WritingCommunity #KathySWriter
Writing advice:
"Wake before your household."
My children, 3 and under: We accept your challenge.
"Wake before your household."
My children, 3 and under: We accept your challenge.
September 7, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Writing advice:
"Wake before your household."
My children, 3 and under: We accept your challenge.
"Wake before your household."
My children, 3 and under: We accept your challenge.
I don't remember deciding to write.
I remember writing, which feels different.
When did you first make something just because you wanted it to exist?
#writingmotivation #remember #writinginspiration #decide #makesomething #write
I remember writing, which feels different.
When did you first make something just because you wanted it to exist?
#writingmotivation #remember #writinginspiration #decide #makesomething #write
September 6, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I don't remember deciding to write.
I remember writing, which feels different.
When did you first make something just because you wanted it to exist?
#writingmotivation #remember #writinginspiration #decide #makesomething #write
I remember writing, which feels different.
When did you first make something just because you wanted it to exist?
#writingmotivation #remember #writinginspiration #decide #makesomething #write
Roll Call:
Who is your fictional dependent?
Mine is probably several people I created, which seems like a conflict of interest.
Who is your fictional dependent?
Mine is probably several people I created, which seems like a conflict of interest.
September 5, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Roll Call:
Who is your fictional dependent?
Mine is probably several people I created, which seems like a conflict of interest.
Who is your fictional dependent?
Mine is probably several people I created, which seems like a conflict of interest.
Character: does objectively terrible thing.
Me: But do I understand WHY?
Yes?
Excellent.
Continue, disaster person.
#understand #character #understandwhy #disaster #fictionalcharacters #bookstagram
Me: But do I understand WHY?
Yes?
Excellent.
Continue, disaster person.
#understand #character #understandwhy #disaster #fictionalcharacters #bookstagram
September 5, 2026 at 2:03 AM
Character: does objectively terrible thing.
Me: But do I understand WHY?
Yes?
Excellent.
Continue, disaster person.
#understand #character #understandwhy #disaster #fictionalcharacters #bookstagram
Me: But do I understand WHY?
Yes?
Excellent.
Continue, disaster person.
#understand #character #understandwhy #disaster #fictionalcharacters #bookstagram
Me: So the thing about the Cathedral is-
Tall Human: 💙
Me: And then-
Tall Human: 💙
Me: You're gone, aren't you?
Tall Human: I love you very much but I have no clue what you're saying.
Tall Human: 💙
Me: And then-
Tall Human: 💙
Me: You're gone, aren't you?
Tall Human: I love you very much but I have no clue what you're saying.
September 4, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Me: So the thing about the Cathedral is-
Tall Human: 💙
Me: And then-
Tall Human: 💙
Me: You're gone, aren't you?
Tall Human: I love you very much but I have no clue what you're saying.
Tall Human: 💙
Me: And then-
Tall Human: 💙
Me: You're gone, aren't you?
Tall Human: I love you very much but I have no clue what you're saying.
What makes you go:
"I don't even know what this author's next book is about. I'm reading it."
That's the DREAM author-reader relationship to me.
What earns it? #relationship #read #book #reader #currentlyreading #igreads #author #bookgram #bookstagramming #nextbook #dream
"I don't even know what this author's next book is about. I'm reading it."
That's the DREAM author-reader relationship to me.
What earns it? #relationship #read #book #reader #currentlyreading #igreads #author #bookgram #bookstagramming #nextbook #dream
September 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
What makes you go:
"I don't even know what this author's next book is about. I'm reading it."
That's the DREAM author-reader relationship to me.
What earns it? #relationship #read #book #reader #currentlyreading #igreads #author #bookgram #bookstagramming #nextbook #dream
"I don't even know what this author's next book is about. I'm reading it."
That's the DREAM author-reader relationship to me.
What earns it? #relationship #read #book #reader #currentlyreading #igreads #author #bookgram #bookstagramming #nextbook #dream
Reposted by N. Penz
Me choosing an author brand:
Contemporary?
Thriller?
Fantasy?
Literary?
Brain:
YES.
Marketing:
That was not the question.
Contemporary?
Thriller?
Fantasy?
Literary?
Brain:
YES.
Marketing:
That was not the question.
September 1, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Me choosing an author brand:
Contemporary?
Thriller?
Fantasy?
Literary?
Brain:
YES.
Marketing:
That was not the question.
Contemporary?
Thriller?
Fantasy?
Literary?
Brain:
YES.
Marketing:
That was not the question.
Day job: Special Education Teacher.
Other Job: Author.
Both jobs occasionally involve:
"Okay. That did not work. Let's try explaining/building this COMPLETELY differently."
Honestly, useful skill.
Other Job: Author.
Both jobs occasionally involve:
"Okay. That did not work. Let's try explaining/building this COMPLETELY differently."
Honestly, useful skill.
August 31, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Day job: Special Education Teacher.
Other Job: Author.
Both jobs occasionally involve:
"Okay. That did not work. Let's try explaining/building this COMPLETELY differently."
Honestly, useful skill.
Other Job: Author.
Both jobs occasionally involve:
"Okay. That did not work. Let's try explaining/building this COMPLETELY differently."
Honestly, useful skill.
New experiment:
Less: Hello, I have books.
More: Why do we love fictional disasters? Why does found family get me EVERY TIME? Why do characters refuse outlines? Why am I apparently incapable of choosing one genre?
Books will be here.
But let's talk stories.
Come sit at my table.
Less: Hello, I have books.
More: Why do we love fictional disasters? Why does found family get me EVERY TIME? Why do characters refuse outlines? Why am I apparently incapable of choosing one genre?
Books will be here.
But let's talk stories.
Come sit at my table.
August 30, 2026 at 5:23 PM
New experiment:
Less: Hello, I have books.
More: Why do we love fictional disasters? Why does found family get me EVERY TIME? Why do characters refuse outlines? Why am I apparently incapable of choosing one genre?
Books will be here.
But let's talk stories.
Come sit at my table.
Less: Hello, I have books.
More: Why do we love fictional disasters? Why does found family get me EVERY TIME? Why do characters refuse outlines? Why am I apparently incapable of choosing one genre?
Books will be here.
But let's talk stories.
Come sit at my table.
Just entered a novella contest and need your comments and criticism! Please share the link inkitt.com/stories/1602798 with anyone who would enjoy a slow burn romance in a boarding school! #storycontest #lgbtqfiction #romancebooks #lgbtqauthors #fictionbooks #womenwriters #writesky #booksky #queersky
When Worlds Collide - Free Story by N. Penz
Kristian Baker likes his world to be perfectly ordered with everything in its proper place, it's what he has always loved about Walton Academy, but when his new roommate shows up in a storm of diso...
www.inkitt.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Just entered a novella contest and need your comments and criticism! Please share the link inkitt.com/stories/1602798 with anyone who would enjoy a slow burn romance in a boarding school! #storycontest #lgbtqfiction #romancebooks #lgbtqauthors #fictionbooks #womenwriters #writesky #booksky #queersky
What's on your nightstand this week? I'm reading Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Desto. J. Mundon.
Highly recommend if you want a light, funny, and charming fantasy that still manages to tackle heavy topics.
#fantasy #reading #booksky #fantasyfiction
Highly recommend if you want a light, funny, and charming fantasy that still manages to tackle heavy topics.
#fantasy #reading #booksky #fantasyfiction
November 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
What's on your nightstand this week? I'm reading Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife by Desto. J. Mundon.
Highly recommend if you want a light, funny, and charming fantasy that still manages to tackle heavy topics.
#fantasy #reading #booksky #fantasyfiction
Highly recommend if you want a light, funny, and charming fantasy that still manages to tackle heavy topics.
#fantasy #reading #booksky #fantasyfiction
Just finished Solito by Javier Zamora. It was so eye-opening. Have you read it? What are your thoughts?
#booksky #bannedbooks #booklove #booknerd
#booksky #bannedbooks #booklove #booknerd
November 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Just finished Solito by Javier Zamora. It was so eye-opening. Have you read it? What are your thoughts?
#booksky #bannedbooks #booklove #booknerd
#booksky #bannedbooks #booklove #booknerd
The MC of my WIP would die for 5 things: his twin, and his 4 closest friends. What would your MC die for?
#booksky #writesky #queerwriters #pitchready #writersofbluesky #amquerying
#booksky #writesky #queerwriters #pitchready #writersofbluesky #amquerying
November 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The MC of my WIP would die for 5 things: his twin, and his 4 closest friends. What would your MC die for?
#booksky #writesky #queerwriters #pitchready #writersofbluesky #amquerying
#booksky #writesky #queerwriters #pitchready #writersofbluesky #amquerying
Reposted by N. Penz
Vampire Haven update: Book 1 with its 1st beta!
M/M erotic romance
❤️ Vampire/Human meet-cute
🧡 Charming playboy/Shy nerd
💛 Soft dom/New sub
💚 Accidentally landing everybody's crush
💙 Psychic connection
💜 Happy eternally after
Sneak peaks:
dannyechase.com/newsletter/
🌈💜📚🌎 🪐📚#rombk🌶️📚#specfic🔱✍️🌈🚀💫
M/M erotic romance
❤️ Vampire/Human meet-cute
🧡 Charming playboy/Shy nerd
💛 Soft dom/New sub
💚 Accidentally landing everybody's crush
💙 Psychic connection
💜 Happy eternally after
Sneak peaks:
dannyechase.com/newsletter/
🌈💜📚🌎 🪐📚#rombk🌶️📚#specfic🔱✍️🌈🚀💫
October 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Vampire Haven update: Book 1 with its 1st beta!
M/M erotic romance
❤️ Vampire/Human meet-cute
🧡 Charming playboy/Shy nerd
💛 Soft dom/New sub
💚 Accidentally landing everybody's crush
💙 Psychic connection
💜 Happy eternally after
Sneak peaks:
dannyechase.com/newsletter/
🌈💜📚🌎 🪐📚#rombk🌶️📚#specfic🔱✍️🌈🚀💫
M/M erotic romance
❤️ Vampire/Human meet-cute
🧡 Charming playboy/Shy nerd
💛 Soft dom/New sub
💚 Accidentally landing everybody's crush
💙 Psychic connection
💜 Happy eternally after
Sneak peaks:
dannyechase.com/newsletter/
🌈💜📚🌎 🪐📚#rombk🌶️📚#specfic🔱✍️🌈🚀💫
Loving the humor in both of these ones!
📚What are your current reads?
#BookSky #currentreads #horrorbooks #fantasybooks #booknerd #booklover #readersofbluesky #bookcommunity #amreading
📚What are your current reads?
#BookSky #currentreads #horrorbooks #fantasybooks #booknerd #booklover #readersofbluesky #bookcommunity #amreading
October 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Loving the humor in both of these ones!
📚What are your current reads?
#BookSky #currentreads #horrorbooks #fantasybooks #booknerd #booklover #readersofbluesky #bookcommunity #amreading
📚What are your current reads?
#BookSky #currentreads #horrorbooks #fantasybooks #booknerd #booklover #readersofbluesky #bookcommunity #amreading