Specialist_K

@thevaliantone

Contemplating ethical storytelling. #NoGenAI #Neurodivergent #hEDS #Disabled #Trans #NonBinary #Millenial #AsianAm #Parent #Writer #Author (horror, sci-fi, fantasy, romance+) #AsianMedia #BlackLivesMatter #AbolishIce #FreePalestine #LandBack

679 Folgt1.451 Follower5.163 Posts

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Specialist_K@thevaliantone· 7d

I didn’t even know there was a book 2, much less a book 3! Thank goodness for the public library! I will review/skim “The Warden” and read the 2 new (to me) installments! #TheWarden #Necrobane #Advocatei

Three books on a bed and someone’s hand with a thumbs up. The books are The Warden, Necrobane, and Advocate by Daniel M. Ford.

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· 7d

A #RayBradbury story to read today, August 4th 2026, the day the story takes place: Audio: archive.org/details/brad... Text: thephilosopher.net/bredberi/wp-...

heatherwitch
Follow
• • •
18h ago
Ray Bradbury's short story "There Will Come Soft Rains" that was written in 1950 is set on the day of August 4th, 2026 (tomorrow)!! Now's your chance to read it around the time it's based in!
• Audio: A recording of Leonard Nimoy reading it on
Internet Archive.
• Text: A PDF version.
• Graphic Novel: On Internet Archive.
unamccormack
12h ago
• ••
I used to set this one for second year undergraduate creative writing seminars on writing science fiction on a double bill with Octavia E. Butler's "Bloodchild" and no-one here gets out alive.
regionalpancake
11h ago
!!! Today is the only chance we'll ever have to listen to this absolute banger of apocalyptic fiction on the very day the story is set ®
Nemoy's voice is PERFECT in this!
(A content warning if you do listen - the dog dies, though it’s not super graphic)

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· 26d

I did the #LocalAuthorFair at the library! I sold 3 whole books and forgot to even offer to sign them! LMAO #WeeknightWriters

Asian nonbinary femme presenting person with a white button up shirt sits behind a table with many posters, books, standees, and items. The front of the table says “Author LH KUNG” and many other authors have tables set up in the room

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jul 10

These are rough approximations of Zhao Ruilan (Lan) and Xu Heng: the princess and the general. #OriginalCharacters #Wuxia #Cdrama #WIP #WriterSky #BluePitHype Made on #Canva using available stickers, images, elements. #1 colored by finger on iPhone photos editing.

Chinese painting style, minimalist image with black paint strokes. A woman holding a sword in a defensive sideways posture in a red Hanfu with the shadow of a wolf with glowing yellow eye behind her. A man in Hanfu, a flowing robe, and a cone shaped hat with a sword strapped to his back stands with his arms royalist behind her, his legs in a casual wide stance. The impression of sloping mountains or hills behind them with a simple red circle sin in the sky

A backdrop of ancient Chinese building and structures, including a bridge with rounded negative space and a stream or river flowing beneath it, tree branches visible. In the foreground an illustration in Chinese Manhua comic style of a woman in white Hanfu embracing and looking up into the face of a taller man wearing black Hanfu and holding a sword. The image is decorated with yellow filigree framing decorations across the top and bottom

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jul 8

Come check us out at the #LocalAuthorsFair at #WarrenNewportPublicLibary on Monday July 13th, from 6-8 pm! Support local authors, find out about their stories, get some signed books, stickers, and ask us questions about writing and publishing! Meeting Room A/B. Come sign up for my writing workshops!

Connect with local authors and discover your next favorite read! Warren Newport Public Library, Meeting Room A/B. LOCAL AUTHOR FAIR. MON., JULY 13, 6-8PM

Illustrated image of stack of books, typewriter with typed pages coming off the top and flopping over forward over the keys, a feather quill sticking out of a small inkwell, framed by various tropical leaves in the back

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jul 8

Alternative thought… Can he work a zipper? Found these clear mesh zipper pouches that will allow him to see what’s inside. Plus they’re cheaper than the round flat play mat style bags!

Screenshot of Amazon listing for mesh zipper file bags

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jul 8

They make large round fabric play mats that have a drawstring closure and turn into their own storage bags. Highly recommend!

Screenshot of Amazon page, showing a round play mat with legos on it that folds up into a storage cube

Screenshot of Amazon page, showing a round play mat with make up items on it that folds gathers up into a small cinch bag

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jul 7

Here's a #WIPSnip game! Show a snippet of your MC being afraid or struggling with fear. Chen Song is 11-ish, just leaving his lessons with Scholar Ma when a group of debt collectors surrounds him. Nanny Gu, who raised Chen Song, is married to gambling addict, Old Liu. #WIP #Wuxia #Cdrama #WriterSky

Screenshot of Scrivener screen in dark mode with text:

Ren-ge’s voice in his head said, “NO, keep hold of him! Control the situation. Bend the fingers backward with both hands. Then you have him.” But it was too late. He had already lost the chance. The group of unsavory men standing around behind the attacker looked stunned for a moment. Regardless of their momentary shock, they were still very large, rough looking men.

(following screenshotted passage circled in red, drawn onto the screenshot:)
Chen Song’s mouth felt incredibly dry all of a sudden, and he was all too aware of how “tall for your age” still doesn’t mean much on the cusp of adolescence when faced with ruthless debt collectors. He looked around, searching for anything—even one person to make eye contact with. The people on the market street had all fled, and the few people cowering still looking for safe exits were not looking at Chen Song.
(/end of red circled passage)

“Get up, Black Boar. That’s embarrassing. Look at the size of him!” cried one particularly pock-marked enforcer. Another one was saying, “Oh, so this shrimp knows a little gong fu, eh?” at the same time, look Chen Song up and down.

“So, you’re one of Liu Beirong’s kids, eh? Doesn’t look like his father, does he?” Chimed

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jun 22

Local Author Fair
Monday, July 13: 6:00pm - 8:00pm @ Warren-Newport Public Library -
Meeting Room A/B
AGE GROUP: • ALL AGES • ADULTS EVENT TYPE: READING & WRITING
Meet the writers behind the stories.
Connect with local authors and discover your next favorite read.

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jun 19

Here’s the covers / promo images I made for my stories! All the original art is clipart from #Canva, but I made artistic alterations like adding shadows or coloration work, but the compositions are my own. #CoverDesign #BookCovers #WeeknightWriters

Image of an Asian bride in a wedding gown mirrored on both sides, but in a colder blue tone on the right side with the ghostly image of another Asian girl’s face hovering in front of the bride’s face. A man in a tux, torso and hands visible through the central doorway, with enlarged golden wedding bands floating mid picture at the top. The bottom of the image has a vague impression of a lake and forest, as well as a block of text:

POSSESSIVE LOVE
by Leslie Kung
Lyra Liu has been a ghost for nearly 30 years, unable to interact with the world. When she accidentally possesses the body of a woman only weeks away from marrying a gorgeous hunk, she embraces her second chance at life and love. What could possibly go wrong?

A couple with a man and woman sitting are drawn cartoon style with various objects of interest around them, like rock climbing rope, running shoes, stack of books, architecture tools and blueprint:

AT LONG LAST
BY LESLIE KUNG

Jan Burkowitz and Tom Nagihara (Janny and Tommy) have known each other all their lives. When your moms are best friends, you don't have much choice! From toddler playmates to high school and then college classmates, there had always something between them-like gravity or magnetism-but life had a way of pulling them apart just when they were falling in more ways than one). When they reunite as adults, will fate pull them apart again, or is it finally their time?
Featured in Story of a Kiss Anthology.

Futuristic SciFi images of space ships, futuristic buildings, a female robot, galaxies, the silhouette of a woman with an Afro standing in the foreground looking at everything:

LAZARUS SQUAD
BY LESLIE KUNG

"LIVE, DIE, LIVE!
LA-ZA-RUS!
HOOAH!"

Nehami Utendo's life was extended by experimental military bio-tech prosthetics. She's a part of the Lazarus Squad, KIA soldiers. who would be dead without their experimental replacement parts. They wanted super soldiers to win their unending war, but the stolen tech proved too advanced…. Power conversion issues led to fast burnouts. When one of your lungs, your heart, and a section of your brain is dangerously inefficient bio-tech that starts running low, burning out con feel like o second death. The discorded Lazarus Squad gets discharged only to face anti-cyborg bigots, lackluster allotments, and a spy from the other side.
Featured in DARK SPACE, a Disability in Science Fiction Anthology

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jun 11

Monday July 13th, come see us at the #WarrenNewportPublicLibrary #LocalAuthorFair! I am going to make and sell bookmarks, random pick sticker packs (reading, books & writing themed) & my own published works! #Author #Writer #BookSky 📚 If you’re a local Northern IL author, sign up for a table spot!

Screenshot of web page:

LOCAL
AUTHOR FAIR
AUTHOR SUBMISSIONS

Illustration of shelved books side by side.

On Mon., July 13, 2026, the Warren-Newport Public Library will be hosting a local author festival, celebrating the talented creators in Northern Illinois! Our goal is to connect our users to creators, while platforming local authors to share their work directly with the community.
The event is currently in development — we are seeking local authors to participate in any of the following activities on July 13:
1. Local Author Fair (1.5 hours, tabling and selling)
2. Author's Roundtable (30 mins, panel discussion focused on inspiration and cultivating creativity)
If you are interested in participating in either portion of this event, please complete the form below by 6/19/2026.
Author Fair Form

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jun 9

I’m going to start running classes and workshops, so I made a poster with possible class topics, prices, etc. Would something like this interest you, if it were offered locally? What about in online learning format? LMK what you think! #CreativeWriting #Classes #Workshops

Journaling
from the Heart
A 5 week course designed to unlock your creativity while lowering stress and helping you build a habit of journaling.
Journals will be provided.
$100 prepaid, minimum of 5 participants. Bring a friend!

World Building
101:
Have you wanted to build a whole new, fantastical world, but you need a little guidance on how to make an enchanting setting? Need help with sci-fi, fantasy, contemporary world building?
2 hour workshop, $20/person

Character
Development
What makes a character stand out, feel realistic, captures your audience, makes them feel for your character? Walk through character building exercises and learn what makes a well rounded character.
2 hour workshop, $20/person

Author Leslie Kung's Local & Accessible Writing Workshops +
Classes For Everyone!

“express
Yourself”

How to Write
Horror!
Learn how to set up a baseline normal, just to subvert expectations, build suspense & uncanny terror!
(Possible topic: two sentence horror stories!)
2 hour workshop,
$20/person

What creative writing topics do you want to learn about?
If you want to learn about Dialogue, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Publishing, Short Stories, or anything else, just let me know!
I'd be glad to research and develop a curriculum to meet your creative writing needs!

Free Peer Writing
Group @WNPL
Looking for a peer-to-peer writing support group where you can share feedback and receive critiques on your own writing?
I'd love to host a regular, once a month session at the local public library to create an accessible resource for local writers!

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Jun 1

I dunno why this is so funny to me, but LMK when you get this HAHAHA 😂

Screenshot of the Roost app showing a snail being sent with a message that will arrive on October 7th, 2026

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Apr 30

In case my #Grimdark #Wuxia #romance story is ever accused of being AI generated, PFFFFFFT, AI COULD NEVER. Take your insulting little plagiarism bots and stick them up your ***

Picture of a hand holding a traveler’s journal open to a lined page that has handwriting in black ink: “Uncle Chen Shao still pissed @ X3, the Emperor, willing to help Chen Song @ risk of execution” a hand drawn arrow pointing to the words: “*Please clap for Hot Uncle*”

And beneath that block of text is a circled group of text that reads: “You know what? Not enough cross dressing. Gotta fix that.” With a box and a check mark drawn after it.

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Apr 18

Is 42 too old for randomly deciding to thirst trap (specifically about arms)? And yes, I do tend to HULK-tear shoulders and arms in shirts 😭 BUT ALSO I just look lumpy and not thirst-trappy AT ALL in normal every day life. So there’s that.

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Apr 2

I BUCKLED DOWN AND FINISHED MY TAXES. YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Text message screenshot reads:

“Today 8:17 PM

FreelaxUSA Update: Great news, Leslie! Your 2025 federal tax return was accepted. Check your email for details. Reply STOP to opt out.

The sender is not in your contact list.
Report Junk”

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Mar 29

He’s her pretty pretty princess wife, and he loves it

Zhang Linghe playing Xie Zheng from the Chinese drama “Pursuit of Jade” but edited to be dressed as Disney princess Snow White

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Mar 15

#ChineseSteamedEgg #Storm #RainyDay #Jiggle

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Mar 15

I THINK I MANIFESTED THIS?! It’s gonna be a good day today! LOOK AT THE SOCKS!

Small piles of folded laundry on a wooden floor next to freshly washed and dried socks, all laid out next to their matches

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Mar 11

I am trying to figure out how to deal with this right now. The teacher emailed back already. I’m just still……..not okay.

Hi Melonie! I’m asking around and looking for more resources right now about open submission short stories, as some of the ones I was aware of are now closed! I’ll be back with whatever I can find.

P.S. I do not want to make a big deal out of it at all, but I felt like I wasn’t contributing very well to Dave’s feedback and felt a little closed off after he started out greeting me with NEE HOW MAH and translated it as asking if I’d eaten. The rest of the session, with him showing me his shirt, and my explanations that I don’t speak or read Chinese…Awkward to say the least.

While I’m outwardly very culture-forward as an act of reclamation, there’s a lot about my cultural identity that’s not “stereotypical” I don’t think landed well—in terms of being understood by Dave specifically. After I handed back his printed story and said my remarks probably weren’t helpful, he said he would put it through Google translate if he needed to, which was very hurtful for me. I tried to roll with it, but it wasn’t cool. Again, I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, I just wanted to let you know as the facilitator that it was on my mind.

I felt like apologizing that my feedback and engagement was low when it came to Dave’s critique.

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Mar 11

Can y’all #Boost and #share this? My friend needs community support! DIRECT ACTION: CASH APP $JIQOBI VENMO @TRANSTENDERISM PAYPAL TRANSTENDERISM@GMAIL.COM

Photo of a smiling Black person holding flowers:

DIRECT ACTION LINKS
CASH APP $JIQOBI
VENMO @TRANSTENDERISM
PAYPAL TRANSTENDERISM@GMAIL.COM

SUPPORT FOR IMIJE
IMIJE (x/*s) IS A BLACK NATIVE,
GENDERQUEER INTEGRATIVE COMMUNITY CARE
SPECIALIST WHO IS CURRENTLY NAVIGATING PROGRESSIVE MENTAL ILLNESS, DISABILITY, AND DEEPENING RESOURCE INSECURITY WITH MINIMAL SUPPORT.
AS A SURVIVOR OF COMMUNAL, MEDICAL, AND STATE VIOLENCE, IMIJE IS FACING DANGEROUS LEVELS OF BURN OUT WITHOUT CRITICAL CARE AROUND XS SURVIVAL.

X IS SEEKING COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN BASIC CARE NEEDS (UTILITIES, FOOD, MEDS, LAUNDRY, ECT.) & ACCESS TO CARE (TRANSPORTATION, MOBILITY AIDS, CARE SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT).
Wishlist throne.com/sovereigntysong

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Mar 3

Post a Jedi...wrong answers only

Liu Yuning, a very tall Chinese man, stands on sandy desert area next to a fluffy dog, both looking off into the horizon to the left. Liu Yuning is wearing long dark robes and has long hair in a ponytail

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 28

telapsychiatry.com/sour-candy-f...

Is sour candy for panic attacks the right choice? Yes, sour candy can really help ease or even derail a panic attack for a lot of folks. When panic hits, it's like your brain gets stuck on fear and discomfort. That sharp, tangy kick from something like a Warhead or a Sour Patch Kid jolts your senses, pulling your focus away and helping you regain some control.
Many therapists recommend keeping some sour candy handy in your bag,
pocket, or car. It's affordable, works quickly, and you don't need a prescription.
While it's not a cure-all or a long-term fix, having sour candy on hand can definitely be a useful part of your immediate coping toolkit.

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 25

You might have to help us with some hints. This is what I’ve found:

Word search with various highlighted found words, as well as a typed list of found words underneath the drawn on word search puzzle

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 25

I found a lot of words, but I don’t know if I missed the one word you’re thinking of.

A word search puzzle with Chinese drama theme, Chinese New Year’s images surrounding the puzzle

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 24

My tiny kitchen garden from cooking discards/cuttings:

Small white plastic trays line the back of a kitchen sink right up next to the kitchen window, and cuttings from romaine lettuce as well as green onions sit in low levels of fresh water in various states of sprouting and growing

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 19

Screenshot of quoted text before I had to mute and block EVERYONE:

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 17

Teenager me in #ReadOrDie #YomikoReadman #Cosplay at #ACEN:

Me cosplaying as Yomiko Readman, with a book and a suitcase, wearing glasses, a white shirt, brown vest, red necktie, and black skirt, light tan trench coat

Me cosplaying as Yomiko Readman, with a book and a suitcase, wearing glasses, a white shirt, brown vest, red necktie, and black skirt

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 13

I’m an #Xennial, so I’m never surprised when something that’s been established for over 100 years is announced to be ending. I have lived thru the deaths of so many establishments, institutions, technologies—but I gotta say, the death of the #TradePaperback is making me pretty sad. #PaperbackBooks

Femme presenting Asian person wearing green and purple clothes, black rectangular plastic framed glasses, standing in front of book shelves at a store

A hand holding a trade paperback book, stuffed animal cat keychain visible as well as a pink and white water bottle on the floor

A hand holding a trade paperback book, stuffed animal cat keychain visible

A hand holding a trade paperback book: Nora Robert’s Winter Wonderland

Specialist_K@thevaliantone· Feb 13

Made a Paella pan sized portion of beef & veggies. (Used two burners on the stove!) Put the fresh tomatoes & chopped romaine in last as the burners were off, so they gently cooked in the sauce & don’t get all wimpy and disappear. Ingredients and steps in following comments: