Estantia
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estantia.bsky.social
Estantia
@estantia.bsky.social
21 followers 20 following 67 posts
A queer fantasy writer and artist. Also an enthusiast of cats.
Currently working on a modern cosy queer fantasy, a significantly less cosy queer wuxia, and art commissions (Feel free to message me!)

No AI, just no. Not in my writing, my art, or anywhere.
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estantia.bsky.social
Estantia @estantia.bsky.social · 10d
3/3 My other project is a modern cosy queer fantasy. To Make a Child follows Rowan Oakheart, an aroace disabled farmer slowly healing through the process of making a child (literally) and learning to be a healthy father. He's not sure which is herder.

Currently querying agents and publishers.
estantia.bsky.social
There's #Hearthcon this weekend! An online cosy fantasy convention run by the lovely @mystineptune.bsky.social that I am very much looking forward to.
womenwritersnet.bsky.social Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 6h
Good morning, @womenwritersnet.bsky.social friends! What are your writing and reading plans for this weekend? ✍️📚
October 3, 2026 at 12:07 PM
estantia.bsky.social
Woo! One hundred followers on The Eye of the Unborn Serpent on Royal Road! Milestone achieved!

For messing up the launch and not doing many shouts with only one ad, this is impressive ^_^ I'll do a sneak preview of Book 2 on there to celebrate soon.
The image is a stats screen for a Royal Road story: Total Views: 9209, Average Views: 181, Pages: 573, Total comments: 93, Followers: 100 (woo!), Favourites: 20, Ratings: 7, Reviews: 2.
October 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Estantia
saranadosfiction.com
#LGBTQWriteAThon 2: As per usual, I'm working on my ongoing queer Gothic gaslamp fantasy serial Argentum in Aqua (or, more specifically, working on the next chapter for the third book because I'm very much posting the chapters on my site as they're finished right now)
A book aesthetic post in red, black, and white. The title Argentum in Aqua is displayed in a black bar between two rows of photos. The top row shows a red full moon, a view of a Victorian-era building from below, hands cupped around a candle, and a mountain veiled with clouds. The bottom row shows a path through deep snow, hands covered in blood, a Victorian lamppost against a clouded sky, and a snow-filled alleyway lit by an old-fashioned lantern.
October 2, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Reposted by Estantia
octocon.bsky.social
Ever wished you could have your own incredibly cute Octo? Well why not crochet your very own member of the Octo collective? (Basic crochet knowledge required!) Find out how here: octocon.com/2026/10/croc...
#octocon2026
photo of cute crochet octos in various colours.
October 2, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Estantia
lynnstrong.bsky.social
💙📚🪐 New month, new BookFunnels of #freebooks and #discountbooks! Some of these are by folks you can chat with this weekend at Hearthcon Online and get at a discount from Cozy the Day Away.

First up, free cozy fantasy: books.bookfunnel.com/freecozyfant...
October 1, 2026 at 3:04 PM
estantia.bsky.social
#WIPSnips | injury

From today's chapter of Rival and Lover! The mark of a competent fighter is to deal with the demons first, THEN become a flustered mess. Even more so to not give yourself away in the process.

#JustWuxiaThings #gayromance #writesky
Flowing Silk turned his head to smile down at him and it felt like the New Year fireworks were going off in Ren's chest instead of the sky. Ren chuckled, "What a New Year, full of secrets for the Unborn Serpent already." The priest continued to smile down at him, and either Ren had drunk more than he thought or Flowing Silk's concussion was worse than expected, because his friend's grey eyes were full of warmth and his hand lifted to brush a flake of ash from Ren's cheek, "Yes, so many secrets that need to be kept hidden." Ren opened his mouth to clarify what they were actually talking about when they were interrupted by the residents giving them profuse thanks and boxes of more food than they could hope to consume. Those words followed Ren long after he'd left Flowing Silk with the doctor, given his report on the events and retreated to bed himself. By all rights it *should* have been the aftermath of fighting demons or his friend's injury spinning round his mind, but all he could think of was grey eyes. Ren hid his face in his hand, then both in his pillow. The memory of warm grey eyes floated in the space behind his eyelids, the ghostly (ha) feeling of burned fingertips against his cheek. Not only that but of earlier in the night, when Flowing Silk's eyes were wide with shock and apprehension with the muscles of his waist tightening under Ren's touch. Unborn Serpent, Judge of Understanding and Keeper of Secrets; Please help me keep this desire hidden, Ren prayed fervently. And Tiger Rajah, Judge of Technique and Master of Seduction; Please help me to not mess this up if I *can't*.
October 1, 2026 at 1:30 PM
estantia.bsky.social
Today we have Chapter 18: Leader. In which the group fight some demons, because that's just part of life in a Wuxia.

[Royal Road link](www.royalroad.com/fiction/1816...)
[Patreon link](www.patreon.com/Estantia/pos...)

Patreon is up to [Chapter 22: Adult](www.patreon.com/Estantia/pos...)

#Wuxia
Chapter 18: Leader - Rival and Lover [Wuxia Slice of Life]
Chapter 18: Leader Whether it was the fact that Flowing Silk was tall, the calm but severe expression on his face or the shriek, but the untrained mugger crumbled immediately. “I don’t know anything!”...
www.royalroad.com
October 1, 2026 at 1:08 PM
estantia.bsky.social
I knew my art would get better once I finally managed to understand masks and glow layers. I was not expecting THIS much of a difference!

Illustration from chapter 6 of Eye of the Unborn Serpent. #Art #EotUS #Writesky
A headshot of a man (Flowing Silk Ribbon) waking up in a cave filled with golden mushrooms. The way they're clustered around his face makes it look like he is sleeping on a bed of clouds. The drawing is now fully coloured in an anime style. Flowing Silk is wearing a tall conical priest hat. His black fringe drifts over his face while the rest is tied back into a ponytail with a white ribbon. In the background, golden mushrooms and mycelium coat the small cave's walls and ceiling, you can also see the light reflecting off his eye and hair.
September 30, 2026 at 1:25 PM
estantia.bsky.social
Okay let's get this right this time. The art I did on stream yesterday for a character that will (eventually) appear in the To Make a Child universe: Lorem!

I was timing this to work out static commission prices, this took about 3 1/2 hours start to finish, blank notebook included. #art
September 30, 2026 at 1:15 PM
estantia.bsky.social
#WIPSnips | guard

Having skipped past a lot of spoilers, have an adorable little demon creature and Sheng representing how we would all respond in this moment.

#EotUS #writing #Writesky #JustWuxiaThings
Further into the woods there were now definite rustlings in the undergrowth and some of the knots on the trees looked increasingly eye-like. Not only that but Sheng noticed a few of them seemed to be following the group. "Hmm, a decent attempt at creepiness," Sheng mused to himself as they walked. "Though not quite as unsettling as…" There was a sudden snap of branches behind them and Sheng spun, Flowing Silk drawing his fans to guard from anything that might come from the front. Xiong fell back to be ready to defend his Grandfather. The small black demon hissing at them was around the size and shape of a dog but with a huge falcon beak. It would have been a lot more intimidating were it not holding a stick in its mouth. It bit down, the two halves of the stick falling to the floor. The demon looked almost… confused at its stick being gone, like a young puppy. Sheng felt his eyes light up, "Awwww, it's so cute." "I wonder if that was a threat or if it was trying to get us to play?" Flowing Silk wondered, though his apprehension of demons was clearly warring with how cute it was. The demon opened its beak and screeched, the sound disturbingly loud in the silence of the forest. "... We may wish to move," Flowing Silk said, Xiong and Sheng nodding as the group changed to not quite a run. The demon seemed content to let them go without following, Sheng waving goodbye to it before settling into the Eagle Talon stance.
September 30, 2026 at 10:11 AM
estantia.bsky.social
8pm, Tuesday, and today we're timing some art to see how long it takes to do character pieces so that I can get data for these simpler commissions. Come join us! www.twitch.tv/estantia

Working on character art for To Make A Child to get numbers for more accurate commission prices.
September 29, 2026 at 7:05 PM
estantia.bsky.social
#WIPSnips | well

One from the beginning of To Make a Child this time! In which Rowan deals with an entitled mum.

#WriteSky
Darik had to hand it to this guy, he'd never seen his mum back down so fast when she was demanding something. "You said a hundred originally! I don't carry that kind of money on me!" "I am willing to be paid when you've had time to go to an ATM." The Witch Farmer's posture and voice was so neutral that it was hard to tell if he'd had any emotional reaction at all. "As you tried to guilt trip me, the price went up. 150." Darik could recognise his mum frantically calculating how much her son playing in the tournament was worth. This was glorious. "Fine," she snapped, "150 and you heal him now." The Witch Farmer smiled, only a slight thing, but compared to the expressionless face it felt like a shout, "There's an ATM in the general store. Don't forget that you owe me." Darik's brain kept trying to put some measure of emotion on that expression, making the smile a threat, or maybe a promise? His mum flinched, "I'll go get the money after you heal him." "Very well. Step back then please." The Witch Farmer's eyes moved to Darik and his faint smile vanished to be replaced by calm professionalism. He reached back with a clip to put his long hair into a ponytail, "You will feel quite tired after this, but you should be fine with a good night's sleep." Darik looked at the Witch Farmer with new respect and whispered, "How did you do that? She was in full rampage at the pharmacy." That faint smile returned with a wink, or at least he suspected it was a wink despite only having one eye visible. "Being the only one who can provide a service helps. Don't grow up to be a bully like her." "I won't," Darik promised, and found he actually meant it.
September 29, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Estantia
saranadosfiction.com
#WIPSnips | prime

Turns out running into a Turned - and specifically *Caine,* who's his own kind of nightmare altogether - kinda throws all your previous plans out of the window

( saranadosfiction.com/2023/10/07/s... )
They’d not made a noise, he would have sworn it on his life, but somehow the Turned had still sensed their presence, snapping from sleep to waking fast enough that, if they’d not been already primed to run the moment he moved, he would have caught up to them right then and there. As it was, they’d managed to get at least a little distance, but that wasn’t going to hold for much longer. Their only hope was either to stand and fight – a poor prospect, even if Caine was a normal Turned – or somehow make it back to the relative safety of the Hall and trust that he’d hold to the instructions Foreval had apparently given him. *Two bad choices, and no third option. Not a situation I enjoy being in, and I’ve been in it more than I’d like.* Ahead of him, he saw Viola leap across the stream, landing in a crouch on the far bank. As he watched, she turned to face the oncoming Turned, lowered her head, and snarled, the sound loud enough to carry even through the blood rushing in his ears and the thunder of his racing heart. *What’re you doing? Run! This isn’t the time for heroics, Viola!* If Caine caught him, he’d die – but, unless the Turned was particularly inclined to make certain he wasn’t going to get up again, it wouldn’t be permanent. Viola, on the other hand, had no such protection – if Caine killed her, she’d *stay* dead. And yet, there she was, standing stiff-legged and hackles-up on the far side of the stream, all but daring the Turned to come and have a go if he thought he was hard enough. *Which is impressive, I’ll grant you, but it’s still a bloody terrible idea.* And if Caine took her up on the challenge, it might be the last mistake she’d ever make.
September 28, 2026 at 6:27 AM
Reposted by Estantia
lostcitymagic.bsky.social
Your Cherokee words for today.
The top word is English followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled in English then how to pronounce it phonetically.

Ah-Day-Hah Ah-Stay-Lee-Hah
Image is line paper with writing showing an English word followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled and pronounced. The words are give help and pronounced AhDayHah AhStayLeeHah
September 28, 2026 at 4:25 AM
estantia.bsky.social
#WIPSnips Prime -> First. Going back and editing, found this section folks might enjoy, because calling the trippy vision's bluff is always a good tactic.

#WriteSky #EotUS
"So you refuse to believe that your brother might hurt you?" "I do." The illusion wearing his brother's face chuckled, "How about a bet? I shall show you a truth, and you can give me your answer… if you can stand it." "There's no reason for me to believe that, but fine, you want me to play along with this game?" Flowing Silk stood still, his robes drifting to a stop. "Show me." The thing wearing his brother's face smiled too widely and a shadowed figure stepped out of the darkness in black Magistrate's robes. A dark hooded cloak obscured all their features apart from an evil smile as bright as the sanity searing symbol of Dom Mak gleaming around their throat. "You see now?" 'Han' said, "I am working with him and your blood is required as a sacrifice. How does it feel? Knowing I seek to betray you?" Flowing Silk shook his head. "Firstly, there's no reason for me to believe this interpretation. Did you really think magistrates aren't taught how the truth can be used to mislead? Secondly: it doesn't matter. I know he has a secret, and he has promised to explain it. If he is working with them he probably has a reason and it is unlikely I shall ever have to be in this situation." His opponent looked shocked at how calm he was, "And if it is as I have shown?" Flowing Silk smiled sweetly, "Then I thank you for your warning, and I shall be ready." he raised an eyebrow, "So the choice is down to whether I believe in him, is it not?" His opponent looked at him in shock, then glee as Flowing Silk opened his arms, "Then here is my choice. I choose to believe." The thing wearing Han's face chuckled, laughed, then howled as it spun and hurled the feather blade at him with all its might, sinking deeply into his stomach until the white robes were stained red. Flowing Silk braced himself, grimacing with pain as he reached forward and grabbed something on his stomach, lifting his head with a triumphant look in his eyes. "Got you."
September 28, 2026 at 1:01 PM
estantia.bsky.social
Today we have Chapter 17: Act. In which there is Significant Flirting and unintentional comedy.

[Royal Road link](www.royalroad.com/fiction/1816...)
[Patreon link](www.patreon.com/Estantia/pos...)

Patreon is up to Chapter 21: A Single Li](www.patreon.com/Estantia/pos...)
Chapter 17: Act - Rival and Lover [Wuxia Slice of Life]
Chapter 17: Act EY 3134/3135 (New Year) (Flowing Silk has just turned 16): Sometimes Flowing Silk regretted being part of the Pure Flame School given it meant that he could rarely celebrate as enthusi...
www.royalroad.com
September 28, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Estantia
lynnstrong.bsky.social
www.reddit.com/r/CozyFantas... Coming this weekend - cozy fantasy fans, grab your fluffy socks, a good pot of tea, and get ready for both the Cozy the Day Away book sale and Hearthcon Online! 130+ books, dozens of authors. 💙📚🌈📚🪐📚🌶📚
From the CozyFantasy community on Reddit: Cozy the Day Away group book sale is next Sat/Sunday, Oct 3-4th!
Explore this post and more from the CozyFantasy community
www.reddit.com
September 28, 2026 at 12:13 PM
estantia.bsky.social
An early scene from Rival and Lover today! Because the best way to get to know someone is pacifying their honoured dead..?

(Flowing Silk is seven here, for reference.) #WIPSnips #EotUS
The group moved faster now that Flowing Silk was carrying the bag of ritual components and he peeked inside to take a look. Incense, candles, mask, pre-written mantras of… sleep and binding? Chimes. Fairly standard things for priest work, a bag kept ready for emergencies. Master Li broke the quiet, “Master Yinghao, would you continue telling me about the ghost in question? I would prefer to pacify the spirit of such a noble man rather than seal it. If we can find the cause of his unrest...” The noble looked sad, “While we know the general cause we cannot seem to find the specific cause of his discomfort. He has never rested easily, for all that he took his own life to restore the Clan’s honour after he failed to protect the previous Emperor, may he be reincarnated swiftly.” The priest frowned again, “Strange, that should have eased his soul.” Master Yinghao nodded, expression grave, “That is what we have thought these last six years.” They hurried on as the priest asked more questions, about things they may have left undone, family and duties. Flowing Silk listened quietly as he observed his surroundings and the stance until they came to a large gate, Master Yinghao looking briefly at the guards (Singing Sword style? Definitely tense and alert, they were expecting trouble), “Where?” “Last we heard 5 minutes ago he was past the lily garden and heading towards the nursery, Master Keishin.” Master Yinghao went white, “The children.” All three of them burst into a flat out run, even Master Li managing a surprising turn of speed. Master Yinghao Keishin sped ahead of both of them, his strides becoming wide and flowing. He spun, the small torch flame he had taken stretching and growing to become a living scarf of fire that shed light on the shrubs at the side of the path.
September 26, 2026 at 10:18 AM
estantia.bsky.social
So I mentioned that I do art as well. Here's one of my WIPs, a scene from EotUS Chapter 6. In which Flowing Silk wakes up from an unintentional nap.

#WIP #EotUS
A headshot of a man (Flowing Silk Ribbon) waking up in a cave filled with golden mushrooms. The way they're clustered around his face makes it look like he is sleeping on a bed of clouds. The drawing is lineart in an anime style, the man outlined in black and the mushrooms in gold. Flowing Silk is wearing a tall conical priest hat. His black fringe drifts over his face while the rest is tied back into a ponytail with a white ribbon. In the background, golden mushrooms and mycelium coat the small cave's walls and ceiling.
September 26, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by Estantia
saranadosfiction.com
Title: Argentum in Aqua (Blood on the Snow, Silver in the Ashes, Fire in the Sky)
Genre: Queer Gothic gaslamp fantasy
Word count: 600,000+ words
Funniest moment: Probably various reactions to Viola shapeshifting (because werewolves don't have a nudity taboo)
🔗: saranadosfiction.com/2023/12/11/a...
September 25, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Estantia
cool-summer-breeze.bsky.social
This is the Stolen Neighbors Quilt. Each of the 11,000 squares represents a person taken by ICE in Minnesota.
September 24, 2026 at 2:42 PM
estantia.bsky.social
#WIPSnips | nation

No 'nation' in my works, but there's plenty of 'the Empire'. So I went with that. Enjoy a sneak peek of Eye of the Unborn Serpent book 2 (Which I finished the second arc of this morning!)

#Writesky
Now Flowing Silk smiled and gave a proper small bow, "Brother, it's good to see you again. Yes, depending on what you think we did, we did it." The sorceress raised an eyebrow, "The demon? You faced him and lived?" Flowing Silk nodded, "Yes, and the Minister of Oceans. That said, the demon fled back to the Underworld rather than allowing itself to be defeated." Silk Petal's eyes widened, "The Eye?" Flowing Silk half turned his head towards Sheng and Xiong, but it was a jerk, not a smooth movement. Something was definitely up with the priest, but it looked like it was just nerves or paranoia. Xiong couldn't blame him, he was feeling twitchy at the crowd and he was able to see them all. Xiong bowed low to the room to get their attention, honouring those who were probably older and wiser than him, but not letting go of the Star's crate. "Forgive me, honoured elders, but why should we trust you with our secrets. There are some among you that I know and respect well, but there are also those I know not at all." He glanced at the healer and the young smith, "I do not feel comfortable discussing such delicate matters until I can know you and trust you for myself. I hope I give no disrespect. It is not my intent. But these are dangerous times." For some reason the healer laughed at Xiong's speech, "At least one of you's sensible!" Flowing Silk frowned slightly at the voice, but the peacock man glared at her and spoke first, "That's not unreasonable. We should probably explain who we are, first - I think we're all aware of who the three of you are by now." He bowed, and the peacock on his hat appeared so used to the motion that it barely moved, "I'm known as Swift Nightingale, and I apologise for the intrusion into your privacy, but you're too important to the Empire for us to not keep track of. Please, do sit. There is a lot to discuss."
September 25, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Estantia
canopyrobin.com
If you want a six minute summary of how to support trans+ fieldworkers, then why not check out this video we made (voiced by the incredible @izzyvalkyrie.bsky.social)?
September 25, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Estantia
dhothersall.bsky.social
It's clear many of these cases wouldn't be happening without the seemingly unlimited funds of the anonymous donor who is determined to push transphobia into every corner of Scottish life. This looks less and less like a grassroots women's rights campaign and more and more like a personal vendetta.
September 25, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Reposted by Estantia
pickwick.bsky.social
I think nearly every trade union has voted to support trans people in the last year or two - often against the wishes of their own leaders - and the transphobes hate that, so I think we're seeing a concerted effort to harass and lawfare unions into being anti-trans.
dhothersall.bsky.social Duncan Hothersall @dhothersall.bsky.social · 8d
Today, Alison Ann-Dowling, a Scottish Labour councillor who is a member of the party's ruling body the SEC, together with fellow Scottish Labour Women's Declaration activist Norma Austin Hart, will take their trade union, Community, to court to try to overturn its trans-inclusive policy.
September 25, 2026 at 10:32 AM