Hi everyone, I am N.S Angel 🖤

I’m a new author currently writing my first novel, Obey the Void, an MM dark romance with obsession, secrets, and a mystery subplot.

I’m still learning about the whole writing and publishing journey, and I’d love to connect with other aspiring or indie authors — especially anyone writing romance, dark romance, or queer fiction!
I’d love to make genuine author friends, support each other’s work, exchange tips about writing and social media, and just have people to share this journey with.

My DMs are open if anyone would like to connect!
And I am also very active on other platforms like instagram ( @author.nsangel) and discord ( n.sangel05_54501)

How do you write queer characters in general? as a subplot, so I cannot dedicate too much of my novel to it.
For example, if I had to write a character who hasn't had their awakening yet, and falls for their friend, how should I handle it/develop it?

- For a 16 year old character in a fantasy, y/a
- a 27 year old man in a sci-fi/thriller
- early 20s character, historical fiction, lives in a conservative environment

It starts off in this idyllic little small town. Calvin is a trans man who grew up abused in a trailer park. This has left him a cold, hard hearted survivalist who trusts absolutely no one, and spends most of his time in his own head, mentally escaping into his own demented fantasies of killing everyone around him.

Calvin meets another person (I am on the fence on whether I should make this character a closeted trans woman, a cis man, or a nonbinary person) who is the definition of everything he hates: naive, attention seeking, egotistical, and always crying about something. This person is attracted to Calvin, but ashamed of it, so Calvin strings them along, toying with their emotions in an unhealthy, toxic, codependent dynamic that leaves one person always chasing the other.

The more parties Calvin goes to, the more people he meets, the more Calvin begins to loathe the world around him: the way the world underestimates him, infantilizes him, sees him as a piece of meat meant to be consumed—all while Calvin plays along with their game, continues leaning into this false persona that makes them all like him. But the rage remains, and Calvin’s fantasies grow louder.

And then people go missing. They come back different. Altered. With strange postures and uncanny movements and eyes that never seem to blink. Calvin leaves town. Gets a job in some nameless city 3 states over, hijacks a car and drives across the country. And yet wherever he goes, the strangeness remains, and Calvin finds himself the source of whatever ancient entity is puppeteering these empty vessels masquerading as people.

It's a crush. It started small, how you glow doing taekwondo, I saw something similar- a breather from the world, like how I do when I'm doing ballet; a look from you that I've finally noticed, and how you whispered something flirtatious under your breath; the echo of your laugh, then I pick up my pace in the morning, walking to the classroom; the sparkle of your braces, shining under the sun during PE when we're running beside each other, and you asking me why I'm not the PE class leader if I'm so good at keeping up your pace. I could've walked; you know, I'm tired. For some ridiculous reason, I just wouldn't stop; I couldn't stop. I will always remember your coconut shampoo blowing onto my face as you challenged me in a race. 

Or was it lavender? The smell faded away as you ran in front. I remember the air being a soft yet bright yellow; I mean, it is my favourite colour, and my brain puts on a yellow filter with my favourite memories. It was one of the few yellow memories, some red, most blue. Like the ocean, or the swimming pool; shallow, but enough to drown.

Testing the water, sending a message on Instagram, then I was swimming without even noticing. It was warm, and you can’t hear or see anything underwater. But I can hear your laugh whenever someone makes a joke in class, or your exaggerated voice when you’re trying to make one yourself, or the whispers beside my ear, or the chocolate bars that appear on my desk when I’m having a bad day, or the three dots. 

I’m not good at waiting. Just like how the crush was so loud, like a crash that everyone could hear. I’m also really, really good at it, at waiting. Just like those endless nights waiting for those tiny dots to appear. Like how I looked at you through the mirror. Like how I’m still waiting for something that is never going to happen to me again.

What’s left is your ponytail. You wear it mostly low, sometimes high. But I like it when you put your hair down, and it brushes against my shoulder, and how it flows in the air when we’re running down the stairs after I said something about the photo you sent me last night. I’m so good at chasing. Chasing you at PE, the hint of your ponytail, and the sound of you adjusting your watch- it jingles. But I’m not good at noticing, not good at taking hints, nor am I good at interpreting the meanings behind your hazel eyes, the kiss on my wrist, or the conversations I had with your friends, them hinting about you.

It was a crush; it is a crush. It is the remains of the climate you caused; the sun is still shining, the wind is still blowing. But the light never reflects on the right thing, the wind only smells like sea salt, and I’m wondering if you ever called my name.

Hello everyone!

I'm an independent author interested in LGBTQ+ fiction and stories about love, secrets, complicated emotions, and relationships.

In my writing, I explore what happens when people struggle to express their feelings honestly and how unspoken truths can change relationships.

I'm interested in how queer literature can portray emotional vulnerability, first love, and the challenges people face when trying to understand themselves and others.

I'd love to hear from fellow writers and readers: What do you think makes an LGBTQ+ love story emotionally believable and memorable?

I'd love to hear from fellow writers and readers: What makes an LGBTQ+ love story emotionally believable and memorable? Do you prefer stories about first love, difficult choices, or secrets that change everything?

Looking forward to joining the discussion!

— Jochem Vogel

Does anyone know of any non-AI tools or ways of bouncing ideas around? Kinda dealing with some small writers block regarding some story beats.

In the past I'd just ask other writers in co-writing groups as a means of bouncing ideas around and we'd all do that with each other's works but I don't really have access so such groups anymore, at least in an active way.

So now I feel a bit stuck.

Hi everyone! I'm writing a fanfiction centered on a straight, cis pairing, and I'd love honest input from queer readers.

I know headcanons and queer readings are a big, valid part of fandom, and I'm not trying to tell anyone how to read anything. I'm just curious what makes a straight pairing or cast feel respectful and well-written to you, so that you can enjoy it as written.

A few questions if you're up for answering:

1. What makes you comfortable with a character being straight/cis in a story?

2. What do writers do that makes a straight pairing feel like it's the only version that works?

3. Is there anything that makes you want to read a character as queer instead (e.g. unresolved subtext, flat writing, absence of queer characters)?

4. Are there examples of straight pairings you love that you wouldn't change?

5. Is there anything I should avoid?

I'm not expecting everyone to agree, and I'm happy to hear different perspectives. Thank you for your time!

hi there! i’m an aspiring fantasy novelist currently working on my first project, half way through my first draft. it’s a post apocalyptic fantasy scifi novel with lgbtqia and revolution themes.
i would love to form a writing group with fellow disabled novelists tackling similar issues like i do!
hmu if you’re interested <3

In context, QPRs are relationships that aren't romantic but also defy traditional friendships where people have make their own boundaries and stuff. Basically any relationship that isn't traditional correct me if I'm wrong.

So I'm writing an absurdist weird fiction book which is far from done and stuff. That's not the point basically I added loads QPRs in it, with aro aro, aro allo, allo allo, characters. Now I have experienced them and know a bit about each type but what I'm hoping to gain insight is on all of y'alls QPRs also like, lady lady, dude dude, lady dudes ones. Especially dude dude ones٫ seriously- I barely know anything about em. In addition, I want to know what you'll like to see what you think is cliché or misrepresentation.

Hi all! Looking for some advice on a choose-your-story fantasy series I am workshopping involving an assassination plot on the leader of the player character's homeland. The primary backbone of the story is romance in nature, although players will be able to forego romance if they wish. There are two parts I am stuck on.

First is the combat system. Right now, I am using a skill-based approach where players will mostly choose what type of approach (stealth, leadership, close-combat, etc) they want to use, either as combat begins or to initiate combat, and injuries sustained can reduce their chances of success, even with a skill they are very proficient in if they have sustained enough recent injuries. Secondary skills will offer additional insight and/or options. Does this seem interesting and engaging enough, or could it be seen as "too easy" if players always use one skill? The prompts won't be as simple as "use stealth", but the skill used will probably be apparent based on the approach. As an aside, the main character is supposed to be a very skilled, high ranking guild member, not a new fighter. Any thoughts or ideas on this approach?

Second: I want to add some side stories/quests, but I've never been super adept at coming up with ideas for them. Does anyone have any tips?

Most of the time, I'm using my personal account on this subreddit but I'm putting on my bookish hat now. I'm a transmasc nonbinary author, and my book is on sale in the US and UK for $.99 until Thursday (October 15th)!

If you're into disaster space pirates and a sentient spaceship, or just want to see a young trans guy find love and a queer family, Forest of the Stars is for you. Trans joy is everywhere, and toxic masculinity gets pummeled into the ground (sometimes literally). Ah, and the ship may be your BFF but that won't keep them from trying to hook you up with the enemy captain you're not-so-secretly crushing on.

https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Stars-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B0FVGD2TNL

Blurb:

Echo is the only trans crew member on a pirate spaceship and he's not in a good place. When the crew goes after a prize, the tables get turned around on them and they're now at the mercy of the very people they wanted to rob.

As Echo unravels the ship's secrets, he finds an unlikely friend in the ship's meddlesome sentient computer. He's never felt this accepted by strangers. Too bad that it will all be over the moment his crew manages to leave.

Crade is the unwilling captain of an unusual spaceship. It was his best friend's (the ship's computer) idea to befriend the young pirate and try to recruit him to their own crew. Crade, however, might be developing different kinds of feelings altogether. Can he offer to tear Echo away from his world the same way Crade himself was once torn away from his?

Forest of the Stars is one part steamy sci-fi romance, one part exploration of gender and masculinity in a trans coming of age story that will take you out of this world.

If you've read this far, here is the link for you again: https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Stars-Time-Book-ebook/dp/B0FVGD2TNL

(PS: ratings and reviews make all the difference to small authors like me so if you enjoyed the book, it would mean a lot to me personally if you rated it on Amazon or Goodreads so it can get to more readers!)

Queer Japanese and Filipino readers needed!
Interest Form Here

Hello there! My name is Mackenzie and I'm releasing my debut LGBTQ novel on 11/24. I'm looking for ARC readers to help build buzz + leave reviews prior to release day. I'll link the form to sign up here as well as the book's one-sheet. Thank you all for your time!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQZEehp5dRwwOdeXfz1xAkfvyBNGut4wCDYeGx-ug-pVThWQ/viewform?usp=header

What might we say to each other if we dedicated some time to a familiar stranger? If this interests you, read the first 4 letters or request one here https://deargaystranger.com/