Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I'm sorry to hear that. Are there smaller publishers to whom you might submit? Is self-publishing an option for you? I'm sure your ms has life yet to live!
Paranormal romance author recovering from burnout. But also: GenX / Latina / ADHD / Multi-crafter: sewing, weaving, cross-stitch, loom knitting, cooking (but not baking) / Military family
563 followers 201 following 323 posts
view profile on Bluesky Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I'm sorry to hear that. Are there smaller publishers to whom you might submit? Is self-publishing an option for you? I'm sure your ms has life yet to live!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
That can't be right. Better try again to see if a spool of thread and a button that doesn't match shows up.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
We've been busy!! Got our raised beds planted with starters because I can't seem to grow seedlings to save my life. And DH built a beautiful double compost bin!!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Been sewing on my mom's 35 year old Bernina and that thing is going to survive the apocalypse.
Zia Einhorn (@zeinhorn.bsky.social) reposted
INCOHERENT SCREAMING youtu.be/rLoEuOuAcKA?...
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Today is the first day of Dracula Daily!! #reading #readers #horrorreaders #horror
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Canvas is on the frame and ready to stitch! I have all the yarn except the background because I'll need 14 skeins (!!!). It's been ordered all at once so it'll be all from the same dye lot. Haven't decided if I'll need to lash on the sides. Might end up doing that later. 🧶 #needlepoint #yarn
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
The pattern is from www.charleyharperartstudio.com/needlepoint-... 🧶
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you. He was 10 years old and it was unexpectedly fast. We thought we'd have more time with him. But there's never enough time, is there?
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
I recently took up #needlepoint and I'm enjoying it so much that for my second project, I chose an 18x12 pattern in 18 mesh canvas. Cuz I'm on this earth for punishment 🤣 But I found my mom's old scroll frame lap stand! Needs longer scrolls, but I'm excited to use this tool!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you! I'm... okay. One of our Boxers passed away over the weekend, so it's not been great. I picked up his ashes today. There are just a lot of small-to-medium life issues going on that aren't worth fussing over individually, but they do add up, y'know? I really appreciate you checking in!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Why did no one tell me that Record Store Day is a thing?!? Good thing there's still enough time to go to our local and find something to ship to MySonTheMarine.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Gardening is MUCH more expensive than just going to Walmart, or even the farmer's market. I'm growing unusual and hard to find veg because it's so easy and cheap to get squash and tomatoes in the summer. SIL and I buy a bushel of fruit, spend a day canning and preserving, then split the results.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I've collected/been gifted so many jars over the years, but I still have to buy flat lids and pectin and various preserving agents every year. DH and I *finally* sprung for a pressure canner last year - and haven't even used it yet!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Life has become a balancing act predicated on the amount of rage I can absorb from the enraging reality we live in And not giving into either numb helplessness or screaming at my family While still taking action to help those in need And continuing to garden and sew and write joy and love.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
It's harder with things that sit in the balance of "I don't love this. I barely like it, but I CAN eat it." Brussels sprouts for me. DH loves them and orders them as a side dish at our favorite restaurant. I eat one or two, then leave the rest to him because they make him happy.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Thanks to my son, we now use "laundry sauce" rather than laundry detergent.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Tonight, the THEATAH! We're heading in to watch "Some Like It Hot." See you on the other side! #stlouis #theatre
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
It's a fantastic word and it's a pity she was too petty to appreciate it.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Just had someone whine that "avuncular" was too Boomer a word. If she'd said it was new to her, it would have been neat to see her vocabulary expand. Instead, she's just very pleased with her ignorance 😕
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Here's a link to all the services it's on. lnk.to/adhdaha
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
I'm on a podcast! My episode of "ADHD Aha!" is live and available on your favorite streaming service. #ADHD #writerlife open.spotify.com/episode/63t2...
Jess Piper (@piperformissouri.bsky.social) reposted
A reminder that Blue Missouri will meet tonight at 6pm central. We have a panel of activists to talk about how you can spend your time wisely and be involved in pushing back on the insanity and madness coming from the statehouse and the White House. Sign up here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Sweet fucking ferrets. This is where we're moving. Right into Eric Burlison's district.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
www.ky3.com/2025/02/25/s... One of the key components "Codifies reinforcing work as a pathway to self-sufficiency." I think they meant to write "Arbeit macht frei."
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
It took 12 hours, but I downloaded the 4500 ebooks I've purchased from Amazon onto Calibre. Now I OWN them. Not just a license to the content, but the actual content I paid for. From now on, I'll be purchasing through Bookshop.org, author websites, or some other retailer. #BookSky #resist
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I volunteered in my children's school libraries nearly every year they were in school and watched the decline in employment of qualified librarians with horror. Librarians do so much for our kids at every age!
Shawntelle Madison (@shawntelle.bsky.social) reposted
Great news! The Fallen Fruit ebook from @amistadbooks.bsky.social is currently available for just $1.99. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, now is the perfect time. Get your copy before the deal disappears! www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
Sadie 🇨🇦 ELBOWS UP 🇨🇦 Haller 🏴 (@sadiesansfilter.bsky.social) reposted
You can buy direct from me here: shop.sadiehaller.com
Jo (@handyauntjo.bsky.social) reposted
#AltFam #AltGov and all you newbies: Just a reminder, THIS is the official AltGov starter pack. It's not *my* list, it's not some internet rando's list, it's the official one: bsky.app/starter-pack...
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
This is everything!
Ian Boudreau (@ianboudreau.com) reposted
Maybe corny but it was helpful for me to hear Henry Rollins saying "this is not time to be dismayed, this is punk rock time, this is what Joe Strummer trained you for... You can be thunderous in your own life, to the eight people around you. That rubs off... Goodness is viral"
Jeannie Lin (@jeannielin.bsky.social) reposted
On hope and happiness: Have you heard of the Happily Ever After Society? Kickstarter launches next week: www.kickstarter.com/projects/cha...
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I need to clarify that I am not an employee or beneficiary of GY6, I'm just signal boosting an organization that means a lot to me. Their post came across my FB and they don't have a BSky account, so I dragged it across platforms to get in front of more eyes.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
We can’t let that happen. We need your help NOW. Every dollar counts. Please donate and share—together, we can keep our doors open and continue this vital mission. 🔗 Donate here: gotyoursixsupportdogs.org/donate/ #GotYourSixSupportDogs #Veterans #FirstResponders
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
URGENT: Got Your Six Support Dogs Needs Your Help! Due to the federal funding freeze, we are in critical danger of closing. This means vets & 1st responders waiting for life-changing service dogs may be left without the support they desperately need. Thank you! #ServiceDogsSaveLives
Edd Coates | Game UI Database @ Develop (@eddcoates.bsky.social) reposted
I’m seeing a lot of soft takes from industry mutuals at the moment that we shouldn’t be so hard on those who use generative AI because it’s becoming harder and harder to resist. Wrong. Betraying your ethics (and your peers) because ‘everyone else is doing it’ does not suddenly make it acceptable.
Lili Saintcrow (@lilithsaintcrow.com) reposted
So yeah, I, uh, sorta forgot I have a book out today, until a lovely Reader reminded me with congratulations. The second HELL'S ACRE is now loose in the world!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Today's #library read, Nigerian godpunk by Wole Talabi, "Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon." #fantasy 📚💙
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
*cough*enabler!*cough*
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
They carry Eva Rosenstand patterns, too, and someday I'll have the fortitude to start one.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Contemplating 3 new #crossstitch patterns from Permin/Wichelt because I don't have enough half-finished projects already. But they're so preeeeeettttttyyyyy!!!!!
Mychal Threets (@mychal3ts.bsky.social) reposted
“Read the books they’re banning. That’s where the good stuff is!” - LeVar Burton 📚❤️🩹💛 🧵 1/8
Andrew Middleton (@mapcenter.com) reposted reply parent
We can choose to use technologies that serve our values. We can be thoughtful in our choices. Apps aren't "good" or "bad" but we can identify who they serve and use them differently or not at all if it isn't us.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I've spent most of my day making exactly those judgments. DuckDuckGo over Google, Pixelfed over IG, Signal over WhatsApp, Story Origin over Goodreads. It's a big chunk of brain work and time and considering where things exist on the For Me....Not For Me spectrum.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Yes! It worked! Thank you! DDG imported my passwords, but that one's been a pain for a long time. Woohoo!!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
It is and it keeps saying it doesn't recognize my browser, so I can't use my usual tricks to backdoor my way into the account. And of course, I don't have my password list handy. *sigh* I'll just wait until I can get to my list and try again.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
I switched my browser to DuckDuckGo and now I can't get into my author FB acct. It's the only one that actually gets any traffic and I'm not sure whether I should just let it go or keep trying to get back in. For better or worse, I'm keeping my personal one since that's how my community connects.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Also, for future reference. If you have really dense breasts, I had to request that they compare my most recent to the previous scan rather than just blithely request that I come in for another one. Because, not today, Satan.
Crystal Jordan, PhD (@crystaljordan.bsky.social) reposted
Like shapeshifters, scifi, and spicy romance? Try my Wereplanets series for hot shifter bears, tigers, dragons, and mermen. www.crystaljordan.com/series/werep... #booksky #romancelandia #smutsky
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah... It turns out that if you add an "s" to the boxer hashtag, you get something entirely different and very NSFW. Sorry to anyone who wasn't expecting that! That'll teach me to preview hashtags.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Reposting to edit a hashtag. Whew. My poor Lucy is an itchy mess with a stubborn skin infection. We're fixing to start our 3rd round of antibiotics, a side of anti-itch pills, and continuing our regimen of thrice-weekly baths with medicated shampoo. Thank goodness she likes showers. #dogs #boxer
Crystal Jordan, PhD (@crystaljordan.bsky.social) reposted
It's my day on #Bookmas, friends! Get a free copy of my shifter ebooks, Taken Between, TODAY ONLY! www.bookmas.co He's a prince. She's a royal bodyguard. He’s off-limits, but for one night, they’re breaking all the rules. 👑💖🐺🦊 This one is spicy AF! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #romancelandia #freeread #romancereader
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I hear that. ADHD. I'm wildly effective chasing the adrenaline rush of a deadline. At least until it all falls apart. Now I'm trying to retrain myself to work steadily. It's not going well, but I'm trying.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Oof. Guess who didn't see the payment line.
Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes.bsky.social) reposted
If you want to read a new book coming out but don't want to buy it, a great thing you can do is ask your local library to order it. The more requests they get, the more likely they are to acquire it and then lots of people will get to read it who othewise wouldn't.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Now ask me how I burned out after writing a dozen novellas like this. If you do it once, it's not a problem. When your brain decides this is the ONLY way to finish a book, it's a problem. Best of luck and stay healthy!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
pomodoro timers, voice to text, playlist on repeat, whatever it takes. Because you will blow through your primary in the first 8 hours. Whatever your brain spits out is what you write. If you have tentpoles left to hit, aim there. Trust your experience to structure the end of your story correctly.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Monster energy drinks. Coffee is not enough. Take your meds. Don't forget to pee. Ask your family members to check in every 4-6 hours, preferably with snacks. Watch the sodium intake so your ankles don't swell too badly. At least four different productivity hacks -- sprints with friends,
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
If this is for a rough draft, then plow through and get as close as you can. If this is for something that needs to be at 90% or better, then here's what I did: Caveat -- It's best to do this with someone who will look after your physical body because you're fixing to fuck it up for a few days.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I feel like this is one of those situations where an "I completely understand and sympathize" is more useful than suggesting solutions. You'll find your balance. I'm weaning myself slowly...and binging Los Espookys in the meantime.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
@edonald.bsky.social Sounds like your thing
Bob Mayer (@bobmayer.bsky.social) reposted
From my all-time favorite comic strip creator, Bill Watterson.
Steffani Cameron 🇨🇦 (@snarkysteff.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Life continues. No matter how dark or oppressed things get, you need to cook. You need to eat. You need to clean. The sun comes up, it goes down. None of those things ever stopped under the Nazis, the Russians, the Khmer Rouge, the Communist Party.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
He showed up on my list today. Nearly burned off my fingertips at the speed with which I blocked him. Because ew.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
I read so many of these and think, "Same, Murderbot. Same."
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
One word at a time. Because the world needs those words from you. Hugs.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
What kind of person doesn't do this?!?
AltYellostoneNatPar (@altyellonatpark.org) reposted
There's something needs to be said And it's important You don't need to be gay to stick up for your gay friends You don't need to be trans to stick up for your trans friends You don't need to be Jewish or muslim or Hindu or black or white You only need to be good people To stick up for your friends
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
If you went to college/uni: 1. what was your career goal? 2. initial "major"? 3. if changed. what was your final "major"? 4. what do you do now? 1. Interpreter/translator 2. French with a Spanish and German double minor 3. I got the French degree, then got a 2nd BA in Communication 4. Writer
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
My husband asks if it's aged enough when I do that with veg.
Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) (@bookjockeyalex.bsky.social) reposted
Friends, I keep seeing "get a library card!" posts and while yes, that is helpful, it doesn't really mean much unless you *use* it. And just using it won't save programs, funding, or protect from bans. You have to get involved.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
I would like to note that when I went to save this as a bookmark, my browser attempted to categorize it under "Recipes: Sauces/Sides."
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Can you leave one in the car?
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Are you sure it's not the asthma?
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Go, you!! You've got this! 😍
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Still working on the lighting situation. Believe it or not, this is much brighter than it used to be! But I think directional can lighting in front of each shelf is going to be the optimal solution.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Here's a #shelfie for an uplifting moment! (Does not include contemporary and historical romance, which are on another, as yet unorganized shelf.) 📚💙 #romancelandia #fantasy #readsky
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
the problem! But today I'm not snarking at the folks who are sad about losing a major social media outlet and way to connect with people. Hell, I remember folks weeping over MySpace. It's hard and I'm sorry you're in pain. 3/3
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
security secrets? Nope. But I understand how to build a picture out of a thousand small pieces, and it didn't seem worth the potential risk. And I am fully cognizant of how problematic American companies like Meta and Google and Amazon are. I mean, I have an Alexa in my house. I'm part of 2/3
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
I never had TikTok. We're a military family and when the DOD, as well as several cyber security experts I trust, said, "Don't get TikTok," I listened. Did I genuinely believe that China was going to sift through my personal information on the off chance that I might pass on some national 1/3
Lori/Ella Drake (@laphilbin.com) reposted
Another reason to buy ebooks direct from (some) authors and (some) publishers, you can buy the book instead of a license. Other reasons being platform independence and giving direct support to authors.
veronicascottauthor (@veronicascott.bsky.social) reposted
For all the #booktok refugees! You can still find many of us here! go.bsky.app/MaTHmqxo
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Just finished reading "Penric's Demon," a novella by Lois McMaster Bujold, and I am utterly charmed! It was the perfect length for exactly the right amount of story, and now I've requested the next two from my library. Can't wait! 📚💙 #fantasy
Fated Mates (@fatedmates.net) reposted
Loretta Chase's LORD OF SCOUNDRELS is 30 years old this year, so it's a great time to revisit our deep dive. If you've never read it, it's currently priced at $2 at Kobo, Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. It's also available Bookshoporg and Librofm.
Elizabeth Donald (@edonald.bsky.social) reposted
Signing today at Books and Brews, taking place at Old Bakery Beer Co. in Alton, Ill. Come see me and many other authors 11:30-3:30, and also beeeeeer.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you! I was really pleased with how the grey in the weft brightened up against the warp. 🙂
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social) reply parent
It's all cutesie-wootsie until there's blood on the snow!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
I remember this one! It was super cute and worth a re-read.
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Today's project. I started this on my 10" Ashford about a year ago and it's been languishing since then. Figured it was time to get it off the loom. 🧶 #weaving
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Just requested this from my library!
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
Why does this book/story/WIP matter to you? This is my journey back to being a writer. Don't get me wrong, I love the story for its own sake, but the writing of it is about rediscovering my identity. #pretendpanel
Sela Carsen (@selacarsen.bsky.social)
I don't know if I have a favorite yet. I usually identify first with the MMC, rather than the FMC, but I'm not far enough into this story yet to know. #pretendpanel