Eliwood S. Gheist

@eliwoodsgheist

Writer, 30ish, queer. We write alone, but we're writing together. 🚫genAI🚫 Bludeye Beach now available! Member of @hookandquillpress.com

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Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 19d

I'm moving some stuff around in my house, which means digging stuff out of my closet. One uncovered artifact: a shoulder bag that felt oddly heavy. While digging through to see what I left inside, I found this index card. (Transcription in alt) 1/4

A very crumpled index card with pencil handwriting that is badly faded. Honestly, it's like some Resident Evil-ass artifact.
Writing:
"It's kind of like knowing there's this really unknown book out there just waiting to be discovered by me. And it's got all the answers to questions I didn't even think to life and the way for me to finally understand this crazy world. But it's written in Portuguese."
"I know the feeling. It kinda sucks, being so helpless."
"Well, I could learn Portuguese."

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 21d

Okay finally started getting some stuff done and - oh come ON

A woman taking a picture while holding a black and white kitten and a tabby kitten

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 22d

RIP my to-do list i fkn guess

Close up on the face of a sleeping black and white kitten

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 22d

Come on, I had stuff to get done 😭

A black and white kitten asleep in someone's arm

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 26d

I'm on a mini writing break, but finishing my RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH draft has been thinking about future designs 😂

Black outline of a cat with the words RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH inside

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 27d

Finished the word count massacre draft of Return to Bludeye Beach!! 🎆👁️🐈 I feel really good about this draft, and the line edits I was able to make ❤️ (I'm also being so brave about the last two chapters not hitting the arbitrary word count goal since I went well over in the total cut)

Screenshot of a spreadsheet titled Return to Bludeye Beach Word Count Massacre.
There are columsn for chapter, current total (of words per chapter), after (words per chapter), words cut, and goal. Every column is filled out.
Starting word count was 105197, final is 98351, with 6846 words cut.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 28d

Getting close to the end of this RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH draft; I know I've shared pieces of this scene before, but it's definitely hitting me particularly hard this go-through.

“You can do whatever it is you feel like you need to do to prove yourself as a person,” Will said. “You can also do what you need to be happy. Your purpose is to figure out how to do both of those things at the same time.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Maybe. But it’s a lot harder when you can’t admit what you want,” Will pointed out.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 28d

A little update on why I've been busy lately! The Gheist family is getting bigger, four paws at a time. But which four paws? #catsky #newkitten #catsofbluesky

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· 29d

I am 3/4 of the way through this RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH draft, and I've passed the 5k word cut goal for the manuscript! Of course, the word cut goals are just an excuse to clean up language and line edits, but the numbers are making my brain go brrrr

A spreadsheet titled Return to Bludeye Beach Word Count Massacre. There are columns for chapters, current total (of words), after (total of words), words cut, and goal. There are entires up to chapter 15. The previous word total was 105197, the current toal is 99991, with 5206 words cut.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jul 10

Last-minute reminder that I get to be a panelist for WriteHive 2026, chatting about small presses and trying to rep @HookandQuillPress.com 💖 there are tons of great panels going on this year, hope to see you there! writehive.org #writingcommunity #writesky #writehive2026

A cartoon rocket ship with astronaut in space, with the words "Panelist 2026 WriteHive Annual Conference"

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jul 9

I'm biased, but this line literally came to me in a dream 😂😂

The kiss was only a moment of weakness, of softness and warmth, before her brain caught up and she pulled back. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” she managed, and that was as far as she got. Milo cradled her face, kissing her like she was snow he was afraid would melt away.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jul 9

Happy #SummerofStories 9! In all my writing, Kelly Thorne is truly the most exquisitely dressed ❤️🖤

Kelly emerged from the back door behind the counter, swinging her waterfall of golden hair back over her shoulder. As per usual, she wore colored sunglasses, today’s pair bright pink and heart shaped. Instead of the sun dresses and miniskirts she wore in the summer, Kelly boasted perfectly cut jeans, shiny red cowboy boots, a black tube top, and a red denim jacket.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jul 4

Tragically, I didn't have the camera ready when my dog Billy wrapped his leash around the table and then tried to jump onto the couch. So I tried to render said event in the best way I could* *this isn't the most realistic portrayal, but I guarantee the emotional accuracy is 100%

A sketchy drawing of a dog on his back looking shocked, lying between a table and a couch

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jul 4

Happy #SummerofStory 4! Most of my goosebumpy & epic scenes are too spoilery, but I love this moment in EYES SHINE SILVER. It's technically a breath between two epic moments during the climax, but Luke makes a life-changing realization and decision.

“You can’t risk everything over this, Luke!” Henry snapped.
Luke looked his father in the eye. Somehow, he had spent his entire life chasing this man’s approval; or really, he had been chasing something like affection and warmth. It had taken this long for him to realize what that could look like, for someone to accept him, and love him.
He’d just been looking in all the wrong places.
“There was never a world where I would choose you over her,” Luke said.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jul 2

The RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH word massacre continues! I'm three chapters into this revision, and I've already cut over 1000 words from a planned 5k. It doesn't feel like I'm cutting all that much, but it all adds up! Hopefully this will result in a smoother read. #writingcommunity #editing

A spreadsheet titled "Return to Bludeye Beach Word Count Massacre".
There are five columns, Chapter, Current Total, After, Words Cut, and Goal.
The word counts are for words per chapter, 1 through 20, and the goal is 250 words cut per chapter. The words cut column is all 0's except for chapters 1-3, which shows 446, 324, and 372 words cut.
Total words are 105190 for current total, and now 104048for after. The total goal is 5000 words cut from the book.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jul 1

Eliwood the D&D character was (is?) an Eladrin Elf Wizard, highly interested in chaos crystals that had suddenly started appearing and causing wild magical effects. They hired a crew to help investigate, and had a familiar as a gray tabby with antlers 😄 How about yours??

A red-haired nonbinary elf with glasses, a green vest, white shirt, blue skirt, and brown leggings, holding a book. Next to them stands a gray tabby cat with white paws and tiny antlers.

A red-haired nonbinary elf wearing a vest, skirt, leggings, and boots, holding a spell book and casting a cool-ass spell

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 30

The Return to Bludeye Beach word cut massacre has officially begun 😎 So marks the beginning of the 5th draft! #writingcommunity #editing

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 28

Happy #SundaySnips! From BELOW BLUDEYE BEACH, the third book in the BLUDEYE series. I used the phrase "rioting children" not once, but three times in this chapter 😂 Edie certainly has her work cut out for her in this otherwise spoilery scene

The rioting of children reached a fever pitch. Edie had heard an adult say the words “big surprise”, and knew that her time was coming. She did a last check in the mirror to make sure she hadn’t ruined her makeup with the small army’s worth of food, smoothed the front of her dress, and held her ukulele in front of her like a shield.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 28

Happy #LGBTQWriteAThon 28! From EYES SHINE SILVER IN MOONLIGHT, a lil lore dump about Lunarbeasts

“Why do the werewolves need a Medic?” Prince Uldryn asked, eyes wide.
“There’s a lot of things that our bodies are very good at doing,” Audrey explained. “But we’re technically shapeshifters, which gives us a different kind of body than most other species. It makes us very good at guarding important things. We’re immune to most magic, and we’re naturally very resilient. Unfortunately, it also means a lot of medicine and healing can look like an attack to a damaged body, so Lunarbeasts require specialized medical attention.”

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 27

Happy #LGBTQWriteAThon 27! I'm still taking some time off between drafts, but I spent a lot of time outlining a secret new book and prepping for a draft of RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH. I've also been working on some designs 😂

Picture of a black shaggy dog with a single red eye showing. Text reads "They call me a Gravehound because spooky puppy cutie patootie was too long"

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 26

In preparing for this next draft of RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH, my primary goal will be trimming unnecessary language. I found this really helpful when I was drafting BLUDEYE BEACH, so I'm trying to use this as an opportunity to tighten up the prose in its sequel. 😄 #writingcommunity #editing

A screenshot of a spreadsheet titled "Return to Bludeye Word Count Massacre". There are five columns; Chapters, Current Total, After, Words Cut, and Goal. For chapters 1-20, and epilogue, there is the current word count total listed, and Words Cut is currently at 0. There is a goal of 250 words cut per chapter, for a total of 5000 words cut. The current word count for the manuscript is 105190.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 25

I am so excited to be a part of @ofmooseandmindbookshop 's Beach Hair and Beach Reads event on this Saturday, June 27th! Come on down and say hi, check out some awesome books, and get some beachy hair 😎 #cnywriters #manliusny #indiewriters #booksky

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 24

Look what finally arrived! I'm so excited to jump into @scarletvmitchell.bsky.social 's new book 😄😄😄

The cover of The Gerzean Blade by Scarlet Mitchell

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 22

Hello, friends! Thank you to everyone who has already checked out the Bi & Pan Pride bundle 💖 If you're interested, there's still time to pick up 19 books for $18, including a copy of my novel Bludeye Beach! itch.io/b/3742/bi-pa... #indiewriters #booksky

June 15-30
Bi & Pan Authors for Pride Month
19 Books by Bisexual & Pansexual Authors
Only $18

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 21

Happy #SundaySnips! A quiet moment in RETURN TO BLUDEYE BEACH ❤️

“You really don’t have to make tea for my dad,” Edie said. “It’s sweet of you to try, though.”
“No, that’s fine,” Milo said. “I just wanted to give you something, before everyone got here.”
“More flirting?” Edie asked with a grin, bouncing back down the steps until they stood at equal height. It took two steps to do so, but it was a nice change of pace to not have to bend down to kiss her boyfriend.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 20

Hi, friends! Come on by to Divine Realm Books today to say hi and get a free sticker 😄 I'll also be doing a livestreamed reading of Bludeye Beach at 1pm if you want to remotely join the fun! www.youtube.com/live/5eF6sTT... #indiewriter #booksky

A poster that reads the following:
Book Signing (cover of the book Bludeye Beach)
Bludeye Beach by Eliwood S. Gheist
June 20th, 2026 11:00-3:00PM
Divine Realm Books
45 Main St
Camillus, NY 13031
Reading at 1:00PM
Signed copies available
divinerealmbooks,com
www.EliwoodSGheist.com

Photo of the author Eliwood S. Gheist on the left.

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 19

Hi, friends!! I'm so excited to spend next Saturday 6/27 at Of Moose and Minds Bookshop as part of their Beach Reads & Beach Hair event!!! Stop on by (and maybe wish me a happy birthday while you're there 🤭) #indiewriters #booksky #writingcommunity

Of Moose and Mind bookshop showing the cover of Bludeye Beach and portrait of Eliwood S. Gheist
Meet & Greet Saturday June 27th 12:30-3pm
Beach Reads & Beach Hair Event

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 18

ICYMI: I'll be at Divine Realm Books this Saturday, 6/20! Come on by if you're local, I'll have free stickers 😄 I'll also be livestreaming a reading from Bludeye Beach at 1pm if you want to remotely join the fun! Watch here: www.youtube.com/live/5eF6sTT... #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 18

I'm gearing up for the next draft of Return to Bludeye Beach, which means I get to re-visit these two dorks and make myself giddy over moments like this 💖 #writingcommunity #hqpress

“You can go back to sleep,” Edie heard Milo rumbling in her ear, his voice rough and thick. He was starting to sit up, but in her sleepy state, Edie only cared that her back was suddenly cold without his warm body wrapped around hers. She made a noise that might have been some sort of protest, reaching back blindly until her hand found his arm, pulling it back around her. Milo could have easily dodged her attack, but instead she felt his small huff of laughter as he settled back down, pressing his lips to her shoulder. “I have to get ready for work,” he murmured.

From Return to Bludeye Beach by Eliwood S. Gheist

Eliwood S. Gheist@eliwoodsgheist· Jun 17

Hi, friends! I'm so excited to be part of a Bi & Pan Author for Pride Month bundle on itch.io. Bludeye Beach is included along with 18 other fantastic books! itch.io/b/3742/bi-pa... #indieauthors #booksky