LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

Allyson McCollum

@writingspider96.bsky.social

Today’s #saturdaysnippet is my first trip to an apple orchard! Thankfully we got up there and got all ours picked before it got hot, and we all enjoyed some cider afterwards. Now I gotta decide what to do with all of mine 😅 #fantasyindieseptember #fallactivities #applepicking

October 4, 2026 at 1:05 AM

Callie (calmarkel the goblin)

@callie.rebelwrath.co.uk

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 5 #saturdaysnippet

“See, we need code names. But as I have already given them my name, you may use that.”

“Call her tee, for all the trouble she brings."

Stella rounded on her bibi-daj. “Trouble? Who was it that left the honey out and got ants all over the kitchen?”

Fantasy Indies @fantasyindies.bsky.social · Aug 30

📝 #FantasyIndiesSeptember 📝

All genres welcome! You can use the prompts for WIPs or published books.
Feel free to ask the hosts questions!

Love,
Faeries at Fantasy Indies
@lvrussell.bsky.social @chesneyinfalt.bsky.social

Fantasy Indies Sept prompts by @ChesneyInfalt & @LydiaVRussell

1. Introduce yourself & WIP
2. How do you choose your next read?
3. Education in WIP
4. Free Friday or do you collect anything?
5. Saturday Snippet
6. Do you know what your next WIP will be?
7. Something in your WIP that surprised you
8. Would/does your MC like school? Favourite subject(s)?
9. What magic or superhero powers would you/your MC choose to have?
10. Does your MC want knowledge or power? How far would they go for it?
11. Free Friday or books that remind you of autumn
12. Saturday Snippet
13. How organized are you/your characters?
14. Lessons learned in WIP
15. How would your characters describe you?
16. Poem or Flash Fiction featuring the word “autumn”
17. What type of book would your MC(s) write?
18. Free Friday or share pet photos
19. Saturday Snippet
20. Words you tend to overuse
21. Power-hungry character in WIP
22. Your autumn TBR
23. What grammar rule(s) do you struggle with?
24. Interesting fact(s) from your WIP’s world’s history
25. Free Friday or music you’ve been inspired by recently
26. Saturday Snippet
27. What research do you do for your writing?
28. Your thoughts on DNFing books
29. Are you/MC an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert?
30. Monthly Wrap Up

September 8, 2026 at 5:41 PM

Ellen Starsmore

@ellenstarsmore.bsky.social

I’ve gone for short and atmospheric for this #FridaySpark and #saturdaysnippet ~ the prompt was “fold”.

This comes early in my book, Beyond the Humming Downs… I know it’s setting. But setting is important, OK?

#FantasyIndiesAugust — 29
📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Snippet from Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore:
The thud of Cloud's hooves echoed in her heart as the animal surged up the slope. From the top of the rise, the Humming Downs fell away in gentle folds to the horizon, wide and mysterious and beckoning in the rising light.

August 29, 2026 at 10:35 PM

Cassandra Lowell 🔞 writing erotica

@cassie69a.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesAugust // Day 29

For the final #SaturdaySnippet of the month, a spicy excerpt 🌶️🌶️🌶️

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingFantasy #WritingRomance #IndieFantasy

Fantasy Indies August prompts by @ChesneyInfalt & @LydiaVRussell

1. Introduce yourself & WIP
2. Two truths and a lie about you or your WIP
3. Show us your book covers
4. Favourite piece of folklore or fairytale
5. Important days in WIP
6. Make a “recipe” for your WIP (tropes, media that inspired it, etc.)
7. Free Friday or your thoughts on retellings
8. Saturday Snippet
9. Do dreams feature in or inspire your writing?
10. Last, Current, & Next Reads
11. How would your characters want to spend their birthday?
12. Top reads of 2026 so far
13. Special items in WIP
14. Free Friday or WIP pitch in one sentence
15. Saturday Snippet
16. Mental health in WIP
17. Fairytale poem or Flash Fiction
18. What book-to-movie/tv show adaptations are you looking forward to seeing?
19. Author tips that have helped you
20. Superstitions in WIP
21. Free Friday or How do you choose character names?
22. Saturday Snippet
23. Favourite fandoms
24. Character names and their meanings in WIP
25. Is there anyone your MC shares their secrets with?
26. Legends in WIP
27. What have you learned recently?
28. Free Friday or Share a funny typo
29. Saturday Snippet
30. Do you prefer series or standalones?
31. Monthly Wrap-Up

Excerpt from Cassie's WIP "When Swans Take Flight":

“Usul,” he crooned. He slid his hand down her belly to her lower lips, which had been split apart by his manhood, rubbing first one side of her slit and then the other.

His fingers teased small flashes of pleasure from her body, lessening the burn of him easing his way deeper between her thighs. He groaned as he bottomed out in her, pausing only a moment before covering her hands with his. Then he pushed her forward, forcing the rest of her body down onto the fur as he pulled her hands further up the bed.

She was lying spread-eagle beneath him now, trapped under the hard planes of his body. They were so close that she could feel him press down on her as he inhaled, and she tried to focus on her breathing, tried to match her breaths to his. It didn’t change anything, she told herself, that he had two members where a man had one. She’d already prepared herself to be taken either way; that he could do both at once meant nothing.

Still, it felt so different. She’d thought she was full before, but now she was filled to bursting. How could she even fit all of him inside her? Her membranes were stretched thin, and she could feel his organs twitch against her.

Bostik laced his fingers between hers, lifting his head to nuzzle the back of her neck. He alternated between tender kisses and soothing murmurs, though his voice was husky with need.

August 29, 2026 at 3:59 PM

Cassandra Lowell 🔞 writing erotica

@cassie69a.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesAugust // Day 22: #SaturdaySnippet

Bostik is already feeling protective of Usul 👀

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingFantasy #WritingRomance #IndieFantasy

Excerpt from Cassie's WIP "When Swans Take Flight":

Outside, two human servants waited. The woman stepped forward, head lowered as Eraitorian women often did before men. “I must escort her to the women’s quarters,” she said, though she made no move to do so, as though waiting for his permission.

“She will eat with the rest of us before we depart,” he replied firmly. He didn’t want Usul left alone with any of these people again.

The woman let out a small huff. “It isn’t proper for women to eat with –”
“She has every right to eat alongside me!” he snapped, and she flinched and quickly retreated.

Bostik turned back to Usul, finding her still in the doorway, hands clasped tightly together like when he had first seen her. He smiled encouragingly, holding out his hand. Slowly, she approached him, hesitating before placing her hand in his.

He squeezed it gently. “Don’t be afraid,” he said in Debeniz. “The delegation will treat you respectfully.”

She gave a fragile smile in return, and he turned to the man, who bowed slightly and signaled the way to the great hall. Bostik led Usul by the hand, not letting go until they reached the large doorway.

August 22, 2026 at 4:04 PM

Cassandra Lowell 🔞 writing erotica

@cassie69a.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesAugust // Day 15: #SaturdaySnippet

Usul has some heavy feelings after her first time having sex 😢

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingFantasy #WritingRomance #IndieFantasy

Excerpt from Cassie's WIP "When Swans Take Flight":

The blankets spilled over the edge of the bed, where she curled up as far from him as she could. No matter how tightly she clutched the fabric about her, the cold found its way inside, and she caught herself missing the heat of him pressed against her. Silently she chided herself, for how could she even think to find comfort in the arms of the man who had taken her virtue?

But she’d already done worse than that. She had liked being with him. Liked the way he kissed her mouth and her breasts and her thighs, the way he moved his fingers inside her, even the way that he defiled her with his monstrous body. How could she, a princess of Surin, enjoy such a thing? All so that he could return to his people and argue for invading her homeland and doing the same to countless others?

“Usul?” His voice was soft, uncertain, and she realized she was crying again.

She wiped at her tears, hating that he knew, hating that he cared. “Leave me alone.”

He made no reply, and she wrapped her arms around herself, staring at the flames dancing low in the candlesticks. They would gutter out soon, and the room would fall dark, just as dark as where Dasya now slept alone for the first time since they were taken prisoner. Only a few hours ago Usul had hugged her tight and promised to return, promised that she wasn’t going anywhere without her.

August 15, 2026 at 12:47 PM

🌚Sam (SK Kelley)🌝

@skkelleywrites.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesJuly 12. #SaturdaySnippet “complicated”

the funniest part of this scene is how James tries to break up with Jayde the second Rose leaves the room even though he’s the one who told her they were dating lmao

"So, what." she asks with a wide smile. "Why is he here now, huh? Are you two together or something?"

"Um—" I hesitate.

How should I answer?

While I wouldn't go that far, our relationship is complicated. James has been repressing his feelings for me, and I'm starting to think I might feel something for him. We've been staying together for a couple weeks now, but we're not together together, right?

Unless...

Wait— Is that what it looks like? Is that how it is?

When I glance at James again, at a bit of a loss, he breaks eye contact and looks to Rose. "Yeah," he says, totally throwing me under the bus without any warning. "I guess we are."

July 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM

🌚Sam (SK Kelley)🌝

@skkelleywrites.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesMaytober 10
#SaturdaySnippet “regret”

"If you ever find yourself regretting this decision, I want you to remember that I gave you a choice."
"Do you think I'll regret it?" I ask with a timid laugh.
"How am I meant to know what you may or may not regret?"
(Sidetracked Part 1)

"Have you made your decision yet?" he asks.
I nod, feigning confidence. "Yes. I want to learn more about immortals."

"Perfect. Glad to hear it."

His expression shifts, now seemingly guarded as he studies something else on the same shelf—a framed photo of me and Rose at our high school graduation, maybe? It's hard to tell exactly what he's looking at.

"That said, if you ever find yourself regretting this decision, I want you
to remember that I gave you a choice."

Okayyy…. There's still time to say no, Jayde.

"Do you think I'll regret it?" I ask with a timid laugh.

"How am I meant to know what you may or may not regret?"

May 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM

🌚Sam (SK Kelley)🌝

@skkelleywrites.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesMaytober 3
#SaturdaySnippet “fear”

A heavy chill washes over me. A sense of tragic understanding. A deep, gnawing anxiety. Fear. And I know I need to find a way out of here. I can't stay with Ice another second.
(from Sidetracked Part 1)

Ice holds out a hand, offering it to me, his mild expression a mockery of kindness. "So, Jayde, what do you say? I can pretend you never saw James if you can forget everything he told you."

What James...told me?

What does he think James told me? What did he think James told me before—on the Fourth of July when he asked the same question with even more alarm in his eyes?

What the hell does James know about Ice?

A heavy chill washes over me. A sense of tragic understanding. A deep, gnawing anxiety. Fear. And I know I need to find a way out of here. I can't stay with Ice another second.

May 4, 2025 at 5:58 AM

🌚Sam (SK Kelley)🌝

@skkelleywrites.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesMarch 15
#SaturdaySnippet “magic”

If Daniel was a familiar, then I…
"Wait—" I gasped. "Am I a wizard?"
He snickered, eyebrows raised, shielding his mouth with one hand. "If that's what you want to call it, I won't stop you."

(magical YA WIP Something Familiar, my beloved 😭)

Magic was real, sure, but nothing else made much sense.

"Daniel, are you a wizard?" I asked finally.

"A wizard?" His face went blank, then he doubled over in laughter. "You kill me, Crys. You absolutely kill me."

I folded my arms over my chest, clinging to my last ounce of patience while I waited for him to recover. Eventually, he wiped the imaginary tears from his eyes, flashed a dorky smile, and said, "No, Crystal. I'm a familiar."

I felt my breath catch, like some part of me understood before ! was completely aware of the truth myself. My knowledge of magic was minimal-and I certainly knew nothing of its place in reality—but I recognized the term "familiar" from movies about magic and witches. A familiar was a witch's pet or magical assistant. A witch's companion.

So, if Daniel was a familiar, then I...

"Wait—" I gasped. "Am I a wizard?"

He snickered, eyebrows raised, shielding his mouth with one hand. "If that's what you want to call it, I won't stop you."

March 16, 2025 at 4:26 AM

🌚Sam (SK Kelley)🌝

@skkelleywrites.bsky.social

#SaturdaySnippet “journey”

There were no conjurers. No familiar work. No magic. Just a bunch of dudes and pack horses trekking through near-untouched wilderness. Following streams, drawing up maps, and scribbling away in notebooks.
(magical YA WIP, Something Familiar)

#FantasyIndiesMarch 8

By sheer chance, he was recruited by a surveying group as a botanist during a brief period he spent in human form.
He sketched and painted native plants. He sorted them into genera and described species for the benefit of scholars back east. He was paid on commission, and he loved every second of it. So he went on more expeditions in Oregon and what would later become Washington.

There were no conjurers. No familiar work. No magic. Just a bunch of dudes and pack horses trekking through near-untouched wilderness. Following streams, drawing up maps, and scribbling away in notebooks.

Then he used the money he made from those expeditions to buy a plot of land and the materials he needed to build his cabin.

March 9, 2025 at 5:56 AM

Cal Black

@thatcalamity.bsky.social

Saturdaysnippet: Humour!

"Someone’s skeleton was in Velta Quorrie’s swamp, and she had no idea how it got there. Presumably it had walked, but that just made Velta’s life harder. Now she had to figure out if it had walked there while being a skeleton (ideal) or while still alive (not ideal)."

a skeleton is standing on the floor in front of a window .

ALT: a skeleton is standing on the floor in front of a window .

media.tenor.com

July 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM

Joe Humphrey - he/him

@joehumphrey.bsky.social

I did lot of writing this week! I'm very happy with it. I'm proud of myself, because it was a lot of work. Worth it though. It's almost always worth it, when it comes to creative endeavors. Putting in the work. It's not always that easy, but it's effective.

#BookSky #WriteSky #SaturdaySnippet

Shadow Spark Publishing @shadowsparkpub.bsky.social · Feb 14

We made it to Saturday, friends! Did you do any writing this last week? If you did, share a short line from your recent writing sessions. Are you happy with it? Do you already have plans to improve it?

#BookSky #WriteSky #SaturdaySnippet 🪐📚💙

Saturday Snippet
Orange and pink gradient scroll

February 15, 2026 at 7:05 PM

Bailey G. Albreit

@baileygalbreit.bsky.social

# 29 - Saturday Snippet - Desire

#FantasyIndiesMarch #writingcommunity #saturdaysnippet #desire #writing #amwriting #amwritingfantasy #paranormal #vampires #ghosts #funeraldirectors #morticians

March 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM

Chris E. Sol

@telaranrhiod.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesJuly
#confession
#SaturdaySnippet
#WritingCommunity
#Earth’sAwakening

In this snippet, there is a hint of tension as Tori tries to understand something.

Not fully a confession, but within the area. She’s looking for them to confess what they were talking about…

Nah, we just talked about our dreams, nothing to
worry about,” Nick said. Tori paused a second.
“Dreams… Like becoming world famous
archaeologists and finding amazing history – you sure are
gonna do that besties!”
“No, like our actual dreams, from when we are asleep,
you know...” Elijah said, giving Tori a hug as she came in.
“What are you guys doing here?” Tori smiled.
“We just wanted to see where my best friend and his
babe moved in to, it’s what best friends do you know? Looks
like a good place though, much bigger than our flat, eh
Anthony?” she looked at her boyfriend.
“Yeah,” he said as he looked around the flat. “Exactly
what kind of dreams have you guys been having?” Anthony
said, peeking into the kitchen, “anything interesting happen
in them?” He turned to look at his hosts.
“Well,” Nick said. “Elijah has had these kinda dreams
forever. And we just realized I’ve had the same kinda dream
lately.”
“What dreams?” Tori asked

The Fantasy Indies prompt sheet for July, written on a fantasy forest backdrop, with butterflies and other small creatures hinted at at the edges.

July 26, Saturday snippet: confession

July 26, 2025 at 6:23 AM

Travis Knight

@blueknight2024.bsky.social

The eclipse gave me life in absorbing the souls from Earth. More than a fair trade! Now with my awakening, I must do the same for the people of Earth, the nearest planet. I must finish what was started eons ago but from within. I'll start with those who walk on my surface.
#SaturdaySnippet
#Moonium

December 7, 2024 at 8:55 PM

AJ Pryor

@thatvoidauthor.bsky.social

#SaturdaySnippet - here's how book 1 of my space opera begins.

#amwriting #januaryworldbbuilders

Screencap of a block of text stating:
1,782 DAYS.
Wraith leaned her head back against the cool plasteel wall of her cell. She had now officially spent longer in this dim three-by-three-meter room than anywhere else in her life; longer than any home, longer than with her team, longer than in the arms of anyone who mattered.
Hell of a thing.
A clunk, and the slot in the wall opened.
“I wonder what’s on the menu today, boys and girls,” she said aloud, standing. “Oh look, it’s a nutri-cube and tepid water. How delightful.”
Her voice bounced off the walls and back to her.
She snatched the cube and ate it slowly. There had been a period, oh, three or four months into her imprisonment where the very sight of one made her gag. The taste, even more so.
But calories were calories, and when it was the only thing they fed you, well, you learned to adjust.
Some days she wished she had it in her to kill herself. Just end this purgatory of the body, mind, and soul.
But it turned out she was too fucking spiteful to die.

January 3, 2026 at 9:20 AM

Tom Ramey

@tomrameytales.bsky.social

#WIP #saturdaysnippet
A worldbuilding sentence from my near complete crime thriller, The Ante. I hope people like their crime thrillers with a bit of urban decay and civic decline.

#saturdayisforwriting #writing

January 3, 2026 at 6:06 PM

Allyson McCollum

@writingspider96.bsky.social

Today’s #saturdaysnippet takes the pre-apocalypse roadtrip down a dark turn after Lucifer and Flit realize where they are in the order of events…they don’t have the time either of them hoped for to explore. #fantasyindiemarch #vitapersequens #books #paranormalbooks #booksky📚💙

March 14, 2026 at 12:31 PM

Allyson McCollum

@writingspider96.bsky.social

For this #saturdaysnippet we turn to page 24 of #vitapersequens and #interim ; funnily enough, both sections are talking about people not even in the scenes themselves, but you’ll see them both later on, for better or worse. #fantasyindiejanuary #morsobliviscens #booksky💙📚

January 25, 2026 at 12:30 AM

Kat Cooper ✍🏻📚

@katcooperwrites.bsky.social

#FantasyIndiesJuly Day 6: Saturday snippet - "secret"

On a tour of the Arcane Syndicate's tower, Mathius's new friend, Kram, introduces him to Giselle, the lunch lady.

#WritingCommunity #amwriting #amediting #writer #fantasy #saturdaysnippet #wip

“Good morning Giselle,” the dragonkin greeted.
“G’mornin, Kram.” Giselle had a thick accent that reminded Mathius of Haltack, and yet it wasn’t quite the same. “We got in some o’ those fruit pastries that ye like. Who’s yer friend?”
“This is Mathius. He is a new member of the guild. Mathius, this is Giselle, our food attendant. If you’re nice to her, she saves the best snacks for you.”
“Don’t be givin’ away my secrets now, ye rascal!” the woman teasingly scolded him. “Pleasure ta meet ye, Mathius.”

July 6, 2024 at 5:59 PM

Alex Larkspur 💛📚🌻

@applesncinnamon.bsky.social

#SaturdaySnippet

I wrote a decent amount last week! My main focus was editing The Witch of the Wood. Here's a snippet from a new paragraph I added! Milo entering the cursed forest...

(Content Warning: Description of a dead animal)