Helen Whistberry
@whistberry.bsky.social
Pen name for autistic/ace indie writer & digital artist, introvert, worried soul, they/she. ๐ซNO A/I! ART PRINTS: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/whistberry/ threadless tshirts: https://whistberry.threadless.com/ Other links: https://linktr.ee/whistberry
created June 1, 2023
7,876 followers 1,380 following 10,241 posts
view profile on Bluesky Posts
Joe Koch (@horrorsong.blog) reposted
My ego is big enough to urge you to listen to my stories on podcasts but too fragile about mirrors and confrontation to have listened to most of them myself. I'm told the narrators are fucking hype. horrorsong.blog/online-ficti...
Natee (they/them) (@himmapaan.bsky.social) reposted
A bit of silliness from 2021. Kong's first line is taken directly from the 2007 BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford.
Bison (@bisonrimant.fr) reposted
Post a mage! ๐ฎ
Madalyn McLeod (@madalynmcleod.bsky.social) reposted
Hey, artist! Quote with your fanart! It's the season after all ๐
Aromie Kim ~Commissions open~ (@aromiekim.bsky.social) reposted
Dratini's Shed Skin ability (quick drawing warmup, Pokรฉmon suggested by @cynfularts.bsky.social thank you~)
Get To Know Nature (@gettoknownature.bsky.social) reposted
I was focused in on the mushroom but something else caught my eye. I zoomed out to see this little head poking up. ๐ Freaking adorable. #FungiFriends ๐ฟ #mammals
Cosmic Devil (@cosmicdevilart.bsky.social) reposted
Space Cat. I've made this one before but I needed to post something.
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
We were lucky that our governor put out an order saying no prescription required. It's all so goofy ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
Vaxxed up before vaccinations are outlawed along with every other scientific advancement of the past hundred years. Woohoo?!? What a world ๐ญ
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you! It is, I hope, a unique experience ๐
Addy Bross ๐ they/xe (@aebrossbooks.bsky.social) reposted
For my friends who are into indie photographers, indie wrestling, and indie publishing, my youngest sibling is an amazing photographer and has a book of prints out for purchase. I have a copy and it is amazing. mandaquevedo.bigcartel.com/product/love...
Georgina Kiersten (@ingloriousgigi.bsky.social) reposted
Author's AI can't replace a human editor and a human beta reader. Omg, Prowriting Aid and Grammarly is only half right most of the time. And I can only think of the horrors of a ChatGPT trying to edit your manuscript. Just say no!
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Not your cup of tea? Here's a thread of my other stuff, most of (ok, all of it) much less bloody!
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thanks! Having a big day here ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you!
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you! ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
This never gets old... to hold in your hand something you pulled out of your own brain and labored over and despaired of... highly recommended feeling
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you!
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
New design available in my threadless shop! Thought I'd get this trans angel in while we are still allowed to say trans. Warrior angel for our times whistberry.threadless.com/designs/tran... If this isn't your vibe, you can browse other designs here: whistberry.threadless.com
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Also will add that I know people who have a lot of anxiety around writing alt-text, but don't let perfection be the enemy of good or whatever that saying is. An honest attempt to convey some sense of what is in the image is better than blankness (in my opinion.) Just do your best ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
Adding so many books to my TBR list today... you all need to slow down a bit ๐ญ๐
Astra Fauna (Sarah Dahlinger) ๐ Granite State Comic Con (@astrafauna.bsky.social) reposted
MICE!
Astra Fauna (Sarah Dahlinger) ๐ Granite State Comic Con (@astrafauna.bsky.social) reposted
That time I was having extreme anxiety and someone suggested sketching things that made you feel safe. โค๏ธ
Riley Black ๐ฆ ๐ณ๏ธโโง๏ธ (@restingdinoface.bsky.social) reposted
Asking for an authorโs book at a library is a wonderful thing to do. The library buys the book, maybe even multiple copies, which really does help authors. A simple request can spread a lot of good around. Also I just love libraries and Iโm always happy when someone checks out one of my books. ๐
Marty Cahill (@mcflycahill90.bsky.social) reposted
The Fox is free! Today my debut, Audition For The Fox, is officially out in the world. Magic. Fables. Time travel. And the many ways even a goofball can resist oppression & fight tyranny. Thank you to everyone who had a paw in bringing this into the world & supporting it. Forever grateful, I am ๐ฆ๐
indui (@monstermonger.bsky.social) reposted
Shepherd
Rick Hollon (@mimulus.bsky.social) reposted
Mushrooms, despite the drought. 1. Chicken-of-the-woods. 2. Pear-shaped puffball. 3. LBMs (little brown mushrooms, donโt know what they are). 4. Possibly ochre-banded conk.
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Turning off comments because this always makes some people really angry and I don't have time for that. There are many users here who are visually impaired or rely on alt-text for other reasons and it is one act of empathy and inclusion that we can do to serve up alt-texted images to them.
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
Semi-regular reminder that you limit your potential reach on bluesky when you don't include alt-text on your images. If you can't or won't for reasons, this is just to let you know there is a pretty dedicated core of people on here who won't repost anything without alt-text as much as we'd like to.
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
๐
Petra Korleviฤ (@petrathepostdoc.bsky.social) reposted
Day 22 #Invertober2024 - Linne's cicada (Neotibicen linnei) ๐ป first drawing on the new iPad, please clap #SciArt #invertebrates
Quil (@quilbug.bsky.social) reposted
Insectember day 16: ceratocanthus sp. Common name: pill scarab beetle Friend rolled down the hill ๐ตโ๐ซ ๐จ #insectember2025 #anthro #bugart
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
I had gotten very good at ignoring it but I must admit to feeling absurdly triumphant to have done it ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
The way it stares at you day after day ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
This is just to say I have painted the patched piece of wall from three years ago which you had probably given up on happening Applaud me it is now done so easy and so fast (Procrastinator's lament ๐
)
Andi Kennedy: Art & Words (@andria-kennedy.com) reposted
Artists! Please show: โจ๏ธ The first piece you did in 2025 โจ๏ธ Your favorite piece of the year โจ๏ธ Your most popular piece โจ๏ธ Your most recent piece
a.d. (@admatthias.bsky.social) reposted
happy places burning reality #conspires to unravel the delicate tapestry draped over divergent eyes gold-threaded lies woven thru smoke & mirrors strangling our truth as we stare defiantly into our bloodshot eyes and snort the #myth that keeps us warm at night #vss365 #whistpr
Elise (they/them)๐ฆ๐บ Book launch in 7 days! (@eliseswritings.bsky.social) reposted
Indie Authors with ADHD/ ADHD Characters, I'm organising an Itch Bundle for ADHD Awareness Month Bundle will be live Oct 1-15. Open To: authors with ADHD, & or a book with a significant supporting character with ADHD (MC's are even better). Let me know if you'd like me to DM you a sign up form!
Tiffany Sanerd (@atypicaltiff.bsky.social) reposted
Am I a #myth you tell your artificial lover? Does she love me like you do, or hate me like you do? Did you feed her my jokes, my poems, my heart, & tell her they were yours? I'm still here, real, in the sun, but so far from the cave now you must puppet my shadow with seven-fingered hands. #whistpr
Quil (@quilbug.bsky.social) reposted
Insectember day 15: papilio agenor Common name: Great mormon butterfly Theres so many regional variants of these guys :D ๐จ #insectember2025 #anthro #bugart
Noll (@nollthere.bsky.social) reposted
I'm late here but #SciArtSeptember: Mimic False cleanerfish! These guys look so goofy. #Art
Emily Tull ASGFA (@artbyemilytull.bsky.social) reposted
"Wild Boar Boarlet" Thread painting - hand embroidery artwork #AnimalArtTuesday #WildlifeArt #embroidery #ArtYear
Bison (@bisonrimant.fr) reposted
2nd september otter Available here : bisonrimant.fr/produit/loutre
CadmiumTea (@cadmiumtea.bsky.social) reposted
Two Crowns
Lissa Harris๐ (@lissaharris.bsky.social) reposted
thumbs to cat ratio off the charts
John Lechner (@johnlechner.bsky.social) reposted
New exhibit of Dutch artist Rachel Ruysch (1664โ1750) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She did amazing still life paintings that included #invertebrates, and was famous in her lifetime yet hardly known today. Check out the amazing samples online ๐ชฒ๐จ www.mfa.org/exhibition/r...
February Grace (@februarygrace.bsky.social) reposted
People are #puzzles and I can never complete the picture I am alien to this world just a soul staring up at the sky looking for home #whistpr #puzzle
Martyn Warren (he/him) (@martynwarren.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Still going. 45 hours in.
Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social) reposted
White-tipped Sicklebill at @tapirvalley.bsky.social #birds #hummingbirds #nature #costarica
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
I am kind of wondering if they report kobo plus stuff correctly. I've only sold a book or two there since I went wide
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
It would have been kobo plus. I've been working through people I know who have books in that program. I have questions myself on how kobo does their reporting
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Pretty sure I read Dexter and Sinister on my kobo reader and I don't remember there being any formatting issues that stood out because I do usually notice ๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
It's never straightforward, is it? Seems like a different problem every time I go to publish
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
I've never tried publishing direct there but it is surprising (or not) how clunky a lot of the publishing interfaces are
Kel (@midwestgothic37.bsky.social) reposted
Spotlights in the warehouse illuminate an old house. There's nothing else but shadows. How could you not recognize your childhood home? It burned down years ago. Ashes in the snow. You shouldn't be here; it shouldn't be here. #Puzzle, prank, or- The front door opens. Ware the house. #whistpr
Andrew is made of MEAT (@formaldehydefce.bsky.social) reposted
I got a new newsletter coming out on 9/20! My first one dispatching from Beehiiv (fuck you, substack)! Not sure how I feel about the platform yet, but I'm giving it a go. If you liked "Sinners", you're gonna wanna catch this one ๐ Subscribe for free here: skeletonsandwhatnot.beehiiv.com
Trung Le Nguyen (@trungles.com) reposted
UwU
Vita Ayala (@definitelyvita.bsky.social) reposted
Reminder that if we say we are supporting trans creators, it means directly as well as figuratively. Michi has been out if work for almost a year. Theyre an incredibly kind, giving, skilled creator. IIf you have the ability, please tip them, join their Patreon, or buy from them. ko-fi.com/michiums
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
It's more because I have illustrations so I tend to double check how they are displaying on different devices. I think if you've got mostly text, it is probably fine
Andi Kennedy: Art & Words (@andria-kennedy.com) reposted
Quote with your blue art. ๐ #art
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thanks! It is very cool that we can publish our stuff and get it out to readers but it is a lot more work than people realize I think
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
Artists! Please show: โจ the first piece you did in 2025 โจ your favorite piece of the year โจ your most popular piece โจ your most recent piece
Steve McKerrall (@photosteve.bsky.social) reposted
A yellow-pine chipmunk looking majestic ๐ฟ๏ธ #mammals
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
I love you all but I wish you'd stop reposting that Zuckerberg photo into my timeline ๐ญ
Em Kait (@vladhat.bsky.social) reposted
Its been a v. bad month, but words cannot describe how excited I am to finally get back to work on the Reign rats. (Though the alt text makes a valiant attempt.) Easing in with the digital version but then we'll be back to carving. #linocut #printsky #printmaking #art #ink #crafts ##workinprogress
Ele Willoughby (@minouette.bsky.social) reposted
Iโm making more cyanotypes on handmade paper with a deckle edge: Fern and wild carrot flower ๐ก minouette.etsy.com/listing/4369...
TORO (@destinytoro.com) reposted
Quote with your blue art ๐ง
Get To Know Nature (@gettoknownature.bsky.social) reposted
There were many beautiful things in the garden yesterday! (A hover fly on the Pickerel Weed) #invertebrates #NativePlants #BugSky ๐ฟ #BloomScrolling
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
At least they don't charge you $50 simply to set up a title with them the way they used to. That was truly the worst... and I think you had to pay another fee every time you changed something? I've honestly thought about not offering paperbacks at all but I know a lot of people still prefer print
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
The images are part of what isn't displaying correctly but I've published other things with them that had images without this problem so I'm kind of at a loss. May need to downsize the images but there's other spacing issues too. It is annoying!
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you!!!
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, I've heard that too. There seems to be some kind of crossover behind the scenes so even if you think you're avoiding Amazon (or Ingram), you aren't necessarily. I went with Ingram for the only hardcover I've done because they have the dust jacket option which was fun
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, Ingram has a totally different template from Amazon and it seems like it should be straightforward but they are very fussy about some technical stuff which I don't always understand so I end up just changing things more or less randomly until they finally accept it ๐
Lindsay Lindhult, PhD (@lindzeamays.bsky.social) reposted
Cuddling Ambush Bugs on a Purple Coneflower. (2025) Watercolor and gouache. 8x10" This might be my cutest commission yet. ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ ****** Where no crawly is creepy LindZeamays Illustration LindZeamays.com ****** #inverts ๐ชฒ๐ชณ๐จ๐ก
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
It's also looking like I'm gonna have to format a copy just for kobo. I've never had this problem before but the ebook is just not displaying right at all on kobo devices even though it looks fine on their app and other platforms. I sell so few kobo copies, kind of debating whether it's worth it :(
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, I've had bad paperback copies from both Amazon and Ingram. I think someone told me once they use the same printers for their paperbacks. Had one from Ingram where a huge chunk in the middle fell out immediately upon opening ๐๐ญ
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh, interesting! I've never used the B&N site directly but that's a good tip to know
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
It is truly terrible and I don't understand why it has to be so complicated. Amazon sucks in so many ways but I've never had any issues with uploading content and cover files first try.
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
Niche vent for self publishing authors: say what you will about Amazon (and there's plenty to say) but you upload a paperback cover and they say OK here's your proof copy! I have never once been successful on my first try uploading a cover with Ingram. There is always something inscrutably wrong :(
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you!
Tom Astle (@tjalamont.bsky.social) reposted
Here is your Monday Morning Mantis. This is a European mantis (Mantis religiosa), a species that has become naturalized in many places (in this case, Montana). They can be various shades of brown or green. This one was especially pretty, with peach-colored wings and yellow-tinted eyes. ๐๐ฟ
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
Quote with your blue art ๐ #art
The Hermit of Everything (@hermiteveryday.bsky.social) reposted
Now in the Etsy storeโฆโNaturelostandfound.โ
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
Tea bushes are in bloom and as you can see, they are a very popular hangout ๐ฑ
rike (@rikedraws.bsky.social) reposted
so ein tag ist das heute ๐พ โ #kleinekunstklasse
key-lime pie (@keymonster.bsky.social) reposted
Nightshade and Jasmine Kitties - Botanimal Pet Portrait 2024 [ #art #illustration #botanimals ]
TORO (@destinytoro.com) reposted
Ko-fi Monthly Supporters get a sticker this month (there are other options if the beetle sticker isn't up your alley)! ๐ You also get a free commission for your 1yr anniversary & automatically contribute to a mutual aid fund! https://destinytoro.com/ko-fi #art #illustration #KofiSharetember
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh thank you so much! I'm so glad you love it ๐
Tim Osborne Photography ๐ (@timosborne.ca) reposted
Always nice to see a moose while out in the woods. Also a note that wildlife photographers have long lenses that make subjects look much closer than they are. Always wise to give moose a lot of space! #wildlife #moose
DrRelling (@drrelling.dev) reposted
Starting a new game with this character later! Very excited ๐
Matt ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ (@mspencerdraws.bsky.social) reposted
Super fun inventory commission for @alchemy.rocks !! Had an absolute blast with this one. <3 (Commish info here: bsky.app/profile/mspe...)
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
That could be a tagline on the cover ๐
David Zinn (@davidzinn.bsky.social) reposted
Roland Zbigniew, Keeper of Lost Petals
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social)
I will repost the same piece of art a thousand times. I do not care. I worked hard on it dammit and I'm gonna shove it in people's faces from now until the end of time ๐๐
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reply parent
These are so delightful!
Matt Mason - One Chaotic Author (@chaoticauthor.online) reposted
Hey everyone, if you're a buyer of fabric for your designs and projects, you might not know my other half has a Spoonflower shop. Please check out her designs www.spoonflower.com/profiles/cat...
Helen Whistberry (@whistberry.bsky.social) reposted
Battle royale #art
Mike Melton (@mikemelton.bsky.social) reposted
#BushtitoftheDay A fierce female Bushtit visited me today. #birds #nature
Art History Animalia (@arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social) reposted
#AncientRome Intaglio: Two #cicadas fighting as gladiators Roman Republic, 1st c. BCE Carnelian, 17 x 21 x 3.5 mm โRare subject referable to the late republican repertoire of #insects that perform human actions.โ www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/...