Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"

@authorlevai

She/her. PhD in Egyptology, now I write fiction. The Night Library of Sternendach is my novella in sonnets. The Glass Garden is space horror and family drama. Will boost almost anything with a bat in it.

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Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· 25d

There needs to be another step in this image for a book that does all that AND rhymes. linktr.ee/authorlevai

Cover of THE NIGHT LIBRARY OF STERNENDACH: A VAMPIRE OPERA IN VERSE, which has red bat wings, a book, and vampire fangs on a field of stars

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jul 6

It is so cloudy and cool here that my brain is suckered into believing Fall has come, and so is less angry than I should be about all the Halloween crap on the shelves already at Target. Except this. This… I just hope Luke Garroway (the Isaiah Mustafa version from the series) is stocking up now.

On a shelf at Target: Old Spice "Pumpking" fragrance body wash, which features cinnamon sticks, a mug, and a smiling jack o'lantern on its label. "Limited Edition" it promises.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jul 3

Thanks, Gabino! Is it hot by you? It's really frickin' hot by me. I think that means you should spend time in a cool European castle library, or maybe a light-filled cave on a distant exoplanet. (One that's nominated for an award next week.) I mean, that's just my opinion. linktr.ee/authorlevai

My two novellas against a starry background: THE NIGHT LIBRARY OF STERNENDACH: A VAMPIRE OPERA IN VERSE, which has batwings, fangs, and a book on the cover. THE GLASS GARDEN has white letters on a kaleidoscope image.

They look amazing, really. I think you should check them out.

Did I mention GLASS GARDEN is nominated for a Shirley Jackson award? Wish me luck!

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jun 30

Nothing like discovering a musical you've never heard of on a trip to Goodwill.

The original cast album of ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME on CD. Cover shows a man and a woman in winter gear smooching while floating in icy water on an iPhone. I don’t get it, either.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jun 29

You can read my #ReaderCon schedule on my blog, but here's the incredibly basic graphic if you prefer. I'm also planning to be at Meet the Pros(e) and, of course, the Shirley Jackson Awards.

My schedule for ReaderCon:

Friday, July 10, 2026
14:00 Fealty, Knights, and Imperialism
16:00 Autograph session

Saturday, July 11, 2026
11:00 Kaffeeklatsch
14:00 Literary Cannibalism
15:00 Fighting for the Freedom to Read
18:30 Reading from my work

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jun 26

ReaderCon is 2 weeks away, and so are the Shirley Jackson Awards. Plenty of time to catch up on the nominated novellas, including this beauty. linktr.ee/authorlevai

Cover of THE GLASS GARDEN, which has the title in white capital letters over a kaleidoscopic red green and blue background.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jun 21

That time of year again.

Text reads: Happy Longest Day of the Year to everyone except Daisy Buchanan.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jun 7

Went to see #BlackSwan musical at American Repertory Theater and even splurged on the commemorative beverage. Show was good. Drink was like someone melted ice cream into a can.

A program, a pin, and a can from a commemorative beverage from a production of the BLACK SWAN musical. They all have the title in capital letters. The can calls its contents “a pas de deux of cocoa & fruit"

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jun 2

Every year I save the stumps of candles I've burned and turn them into a new candle. I try to make a rainbow one in June. This is gonna drip, it already has, but I think it's pretty. Happy Pride, everyone! (Sorry for the delay; took a while to get a half-decent photo.)

A pillar candle, made of the stumps of other candles arranged in a rainbow. It’s sitting on a counter in a glass jar.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· May 22

Hey, who wants to see the cool used prophylactic I found on the sidewalk this morning?

A glass bead decorated with a blue circle in a white circle (aka, the evil eye), with blue and white ribbons adorning it

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· May 19

2004. Pizza Hut across from the Giza plateau. Best pepperoni I ever had in my life. Took this photo from our seat.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· May 13

Happy 1-year Book Birthday to this little number of mine! linktr.ee/authorlevai

The kaleidoscopic cover of THE GLASS GARDEN with arrows pointing to it from words "Coffee" "Adult sibling drama" "Eldritch horror" and "Academics… in space!"

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· May 8

Happy Friday, Gabino! Look at this lovely pair. A little bittersweet romantic verse on the one hand, a little that's-gorgeous-wait-what-happened-to-her-eyes?!! on the other. linktr.ee/authorlevai

My two novellas: THE NIGHT LIBRARY OF STERNENDACH: A VAMPIRE OPERA IN VERSE, and THE GLASS GARDEN. The first has batwings, fangs, and a book on the cover. The other has white letters on a kaleidoscope image.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Apr 28

New addition to my goth pin collection.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Apr 23

My kid's first #Broadway show! #LostBoys #LostBoysMusical

Two people wearing masks, glasses, and chokers, sitting in the audience and holding up the playbill for THE LOST BOYS on Broadway

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Apr 5

Time for my family's Easter tradition. We set the eggs up to pickle the first Sunday of Lent, and today they emerge!

Three salsa jars, in each of which are 4 hardboiled eggs and pickling liquid. The liquid is dyed blue, red, and green.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Apr 2

April is not only #NationalPoetryMonth, but also sees the 5th birthday of my first novella. If you like rhyme, if you like tasteful gore, if you like bittersweet love stories/coming-of-age tales, this is the book for you! linktr.ee/authorlevai

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 31

On this last day of Women in Horror Month, I'm pleased to discover my latest, THE GLASS GARDEN, has earned out. Thank you to everyone who gave it a chance, and future thank you to everyone who buys a copy because they simply must know what the fuss is about. #WIHM #WIHM2026 linktr.ee/authorlevai

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 26

Look what came in the mail from @babeandoak.bsky.social! Thank you so much. Bats are my favorite animal and if I had a favorite insect, bees would be up there. Now I just need to find a frame...

A black and white print featuring bees and bats, enveloped in clear plastic, sits on its cardboard shipping envelope, on my floor.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 19

I watched PRAGUE NIGHTS last night, and today this showed up. Coincidence? Well, no; I ordered it. But still -- neat! #BookMail

Posed on a crumpled brown paper package is THE WITCH OF PRAGUE, by J. M. Sidorova. The cover has a unicorn in a forest, approached by tiny tanks.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 16

I think this is supposed to represent St. Mark, but I call this "Dear Evangelist Hansen" for reasons I think are obvious.

Stained glass with a male figure holding a scroll before him horizontally. Kinda looks like his arm is in a cast.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 14

Celebrating #PiDay with a concert at the local library!

The author, a white woman in glasses, wears a black shirt with fangs in the shape of pi on them, in a warm wood-paneled room.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 11

I'm going to see how long I can keep this thread up. I know I'm starting late, but it has just been one of those years so far.

Blue text on white background says "2025: What I Read"

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 6

Thanks Gabino! I got my copy of this anthology, which contains not only a cool story by me, but cool stories by others. Check it out! darkmattermagazine.shop/products/little-red-flags-stories-of-cults-cons-and-control

A copy of LITTLE RED FLAGS: STORIES OF CULTS, CONS, AND CONTROL edited by Noelle W. Ihli and Steph Nelson. Cover features a sinister-looking man holding a puppet of a woman in a red dress on his palm, while his other hand holds the strings. MWA-HA-HA!

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Mar 3

Hi, I'm Jessica. My horror goes from romantic with tasteful gore and rhymes to oh God what happened to his hands in just two books (so far)! linktr.ee/authorlevai

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Feb 27

Spring is coming. It MUST. Until then… A crack team of salvors and a homebody archaeologist make a phenomenal discovery on a distant exoplanet. It could be the ultimate score. The ticket to their dreams. But only if they can resist its call… linktr.ee/authorlevai

8 copies of THE GLASS GARDEN, arranged so you can see the kaleidoscopic effect of the cover repeat and repeat and repeat…

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Feb 19

This is tonight! A selection of authors sharing their spec fic, with Q&A to follow, giveaways, and sweepstakes! Register for free at StrongWomenStrangeWorlds.weebly.com #SWSWQR

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Feb 18

Look at this cool pin I got.

An enamel pin that reads NO AI with an x in the middle, in orange type on white background. Pinned to my purple camo backpack. You can see an enamel pin of Wonder Woman just above it.

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jan 30

Hi, Gabino. Hope you're keeping warm where you are. In a few weeks I and some of my fellow authors are doing a Quick Read from our work. Great way to find new stuff to read, so mark your calendar now! #SWSWQR

Jessica writes "some messed-up stuff"@authorlevai· Jan 8

As I have said before: times are dark, but the books I made are beautiful. If you want to check them out, links are here: linktr.ee/authorlevai