V. S. Holmes

@vsholmes

Dark spec fic, from snarky archaeologists in space to slow-burn gothic fantasy and everything in between | STARS' EDGE: NEL BENTLY BOOKS and BLOOD OF TITANS | Represented by @lzats.bsky.social No AI ♿🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ he/him

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V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jul 11

The #WIPSnips word today is "attack," of which I apparently need more instances. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky #fantasy #folklore #gothic

An excerpt of THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN with the word "attacked" highlighted in grey. Excerpt reads: “Lark!” Everything me turns to fire. Let them hurt me, let them kill me, but if she—I don’t remember the last time I cared if I was discovered or attacked. I’ve been beaten too many times to count. I care now. Blood trickles down my scalp and I still, listening desperately in the dark. I told her not to come. I told her; she promised. I can smell the stink of the lantern’s tallow, thick like the sweetness of blood in the air, and fumble the striker from my bag. My hands shake as I work it, a spark dies, then the second falls and catches. Light fills the space and my eyes water.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 29

Beginning the week with "water" from THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN for #WIPSnips. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky #fantasy #folklore #gothic

An excerpt from THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN written in black on white with the word "water" highlighted in grey. Excerpt reads: My guilt-trained eye picks out the dozens of unmarked plots making up my secret cemetery. The graves dot the slope, curving up one side of the terp, far enough from the pitiful stream to avoid contamination. I’m running out of places to dig. At least Miss Lange is not alone. I listen to the wind groaning along the desolate cleave and follow the sullen trickle of water across the pebbled riverbed back to Ossgen. It’s a clank-town, and smells as such—iron and salt, creosote, the tang of chipped stone. Like all towns built long before the Waste, it sits on a terp, the mounded earth protecting the town from spring floods that will never return. I drag myself up its slope. Lines of carved runes ring the top of the dusty chalk and flint wall, evidence that our wardwitch is a skram hekse—stone-worker, one of the lesser magics. I should be used to the stink and dust of it after the months I’ve been here, but it still makes my eyes sting. It’s not pettiness, I swear, it’s an honest professional critique.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 21

A little bit of panic from THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN for today's #WIPSnips word "jacket." As much as Ivigh wants to die, he is picky about the details. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky #fantasy #folklore #gothic

An excerpt of THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN written in black text on a white background, with the word "jacket" highlighted in grey. Excerpt reads: I shove the door to our room closed behind me and collapse on the bed, breath heaving. I try to remove my jacket, but my fingers are numb and clumsy. He knew me. Terror washes over my poppy-hazed thoughts, followed by a traitorous zing of pride. A nec knows me. Time was, I’d have done anything for my name to live on. Even if just in infamy. But when recognition comes with imprisonment made eternal by my unwanted immortality? I stare into the pulsing pattern of the floorboards’ wood grain, almost tempted for a moment. He’s an Achtdam witch. Maybe he’s powerful enough to find a way to end me once and for all.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 20

Today's #WIPSnips word "lounge" in THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN. CW: drug use and blood. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky #fantasy #folklore #gothic

An excerpt of THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN written in black text on a white background, with the word "lounge" highlighted in grey. CW for drug use. Excerpt reads: The light snags on the edges of my ghosts, crowded in the poppy lounge, crammed against one another, seams blurry, attention hungry. Copper, clotted blood gathers in the back of my slack mouth and my lips have ragged cracks when I probe them with my tongue. Bliss ruptures but the mixture still sludges through my veins so I’m stuck drifting above the simmer of bloody memories and longing while the poppy insists on delight. Death. Blood. Mudlark. Honey. Pain. I’m delighted by it all.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 13

It's the very last day of our #pridemonth LGBTQ+ sci-fi, fantasy, and horror bundle! Support LGBTQ+ authors by downloading 23 queer SFFH ebooks for only $10! Just 3 more and we'll double our goal! itch.io/b/3721/lgbtq... #booksky #lgbtqbooks #writesky #tbr #bookbundle #sff #fantasy #scifi #horror

A promo image on a black background with rainbow swirls and the words "LGBTQ+ SFFH BUNDLE! Get these queer sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books for just $10! June 1st-13th." and showing twenty three books:

Puppetry - Nina Waters

Kiss of Death - Bryony Rosehurst

Where Dreams are Lost: The Second Nightmare - Stuart Tudor

Synthetic Sea - Franklyn S Newton

Secondhand Origin Stories - Lee Brontide

The Devil in the Woods - S. Jean

A Crimson Covenant - Amiee Donnellan

Odder Still - D. N. Bryn

A Memory of Blood and Magic - K. N. Brindle

Dark Heart of Ilmoure - Cara N. Delaney

The Day We Ate Grandad - C.M. Rosens

Lock the Last Door - Vincent Lore

Travelers - V. S. Holmes

Of Serpents and Sorrow - Katherine Shaw

Tide Breaker's Curse - Ivy H. Marikova

The Sylvester - Lost in Space - Magnolia Fay

Where Dreams are Lost: The Second Nightmare - Stuart Tudor

Synthetic Sea - Franklyn S Newton

Troubled Bodies - Jake Vanguard

Of Spells and Love - Odessa Silver

The Citizen of Eastport - VB Ruth

Swim With Me, Darling - Sylvie Helstaff

My Lord - L. B. Shimaira

Last Vegas - Sass Everett

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 10

You all are amazing, and I'd love to get to $300 today and get us that much closer to doubling our goal by Friday! If you'd like to support queer authors this #pridemonth grab our LGBTQ+ sci-fi, fantasy, and horror bundle! itch.io/b/3721/lgbtq... #booksky #lgbtqbooks #writesky #tbr #bookbundle #sff

A promo image on a black background with rainbow swirls and bold rainbow letters saying LGBTQ+ SFFH BUNDLE! A white bubble also says: ITCH.IO Bundle 23 Stories for $10!

A promo image on a black background with rainbow swirls and the words "QUEER SFFH BUNDLE! Get these queer sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books for just $10! June 1st-13th." and showing eleven books:

Travelers - V. S. Holmes

Of Serpents and Sorrow - Katherine Shaw

Tide Breaker's Curse - Ivy H. Marikova

The Sylvester - Lost in Space - Magnolia Fay

Where Dreams are Lost: The Second Nightmare - Stuart Tudor

Synthetic Sea - Franklyn S Newton

Troubled Bodies - Jake Vanguard

Of Spells and Love - Odessa Silver

The Citizen of Eastport - VB Ruth

Swim With Me, Darling - Sylvie Helstaff

My Lord - L. B. Shimaira

Last Vegas - Sass Everett

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 8

We don't usually see each other's headers so here's a screenshot of mine.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 3

Doing "ready" for yesterday's #WIPSnips since today's doesn't appear in THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky #fantasy #folklore #gothic

An excerpt from THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN written in black text on white, with the word "ready" highlighted in grey. Excerpt reads: The earth is cold at my back when I press against it, waiting to see which way they might go. My ghosts go still beside me, swaddling me, maybe even muffling my steps. I don’t trust them. I barely trust myself. But I’m all I have, all I’ve ever had, and my gut churns and as I listen to the witches upstairs, I know it’s me they’re hunting. There’s some murmured agreement, and one set of footsteps fades. The other set draws near, pausing on the other side of the door.
I tuck myself against the shadow behind the door, knife bundled to my chest, cane raised, waiting. I’m poised, ready to kill, when torchlight bobs into view, followed by the nec. I squint against the sudden blaze of light. Before I can think better of it, I fall on him. His arm flings wide, catching me on the chin, knocking me down. I flop to my belly and lunge for his foot, grabbing his ankle and pulling him to the floor with a crash.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jun 1

The first of June's #WIPSnips is "loss" of which there is more than enough in THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky #fantasy #folklore #gothic

An excerpt from THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN written in black text on white, with the word "loss" highlighted in grey. Excerpt reads: The conversation turns to more academic debate, and I let my eyes lid. The haze of good food surrounds us. Were it not for the babe asleep on my chest and the hole in my ribs, this could have been any academy evening. When Basa rises to fetch remove the dishes, after waving Veaghdin’s offer away, the prisoner-hekse’s face grows thoughtful.
“Unsavory as it may be, I am curious.” Sharp vanilla slides across my ears when he speaks. “It’s not often that I entertain guests, being that this is technically my prion. And while I look forward to the diversion, I admit I find myself a bit at a loss as to why you’re here.” He stares at me and my skin crawls. “And as to how you’re alive at all.”

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· May 19

It's the last week to take advantage of this Spring Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Horror sale! With 30 titles, you can choose sweeping fantasy landscapes, fast-paced sci-fi adventures, and creeping dread. You're sure to find your next favorite read! books.bookfunnel.com/spring-sffh/... #booksky

A promo image showing the cover for the science fiction book TRAVELERS by V. S. Holmes on a background of sakura blossoms. The promo banner says "Spring SFFH Sale! 30 titles to choose from. Discover this book and many more for a limited time. All of Spring! March 21st - May 23rd."

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· May 7

Today's #WIPSnips is "wings" which was hard to come by in THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN. Have some angst and rumination. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky

An excerpt of THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN written in black on a white background with the word "wings" highlighted in grey. Excerpt reads: At the far edge of the stone thread spanning the cavern, the walls are carved into an entrance, doors, windows. Its face sweeps upward, caught in the updraft of the cave’s jaw. I know the moan of the wind through its windows and its creaking as well as I know the wheeze of my breath, the grinding pop of my joints. It hurts, to see it now. How the moss has grown. The sills and lintels sag, turning her into a swayback nag. Time—both real and the incessant gnaw of the storm—have chewed away the carvings on the entrance to nothing more than smooth stone. I’m shaking, exhausted, every breath spills more ichor down my chest. I don’t dare look, I don’t dare stop. When I nudge the doors open, they groan, but part for me. And into the darkness, with my swirling ghostly entourage. Down the hall, past the dormitory wings where I first kissed Veaghdin, where I convalesced from my surgeries. Where I decided that damnation was better than irrelevance.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Apr 23

Today's word for #WIPSnips is "path" and though it occurs a few other, less dramatic times in THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN, I love this one. Fingers crossed we go on sub with this soon! #booksky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

An excerpt written in black text on white with the word "path" highlighted in grey. Excerpt reads: “Am I dead?” I ask her.
Nechalenia does not answer, but lifts me, cradled in her arms, my head rocking against the heat of her breast, and sets out, ghosts in tow, gliding into the muffled dusk of death. I don’t deserve her to carry me to death, I don’t deserve her touch at all, a goddess. I deserve a listless death, wandering peaceless forever among my ghosts. And oh, their touch, mist across my clammy skin. Perhaps they carry me too. Perhaps they understand. But relief washes after. I’m sorry I couldn’t help Mudlark, but perhaps when my body is brought to Veaghdin, he might help her. And maybe it’s that last favor, the path opened by my death, that carries me to something other than damnation now.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Apr 19

Today's #WIPSnips is "signature" which only occurs once in the entirety of THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #BookSky

An excerpt written in black serif on white, with the word "signature" highlighted in grey, reading:

“The ghosts.” Her voice is soft, almost anguished. “Grim, do you make the ghosts?”
There’s no point arguing or denying. Usually, when the truth gets out, I just pick up and move, hopefully without too much fanfare or beating or jailing. I’ve never really had to discuss it with someone. “You asked what happens to the husks I put to rest. It’s merciful, what I do,” I lie, looking away. I don’t believe in mercy.
“I’ve wasted my time tracking these spirits, thinking it must have been this Layrn fellow’s signature. Only you’re telling me the ghosts are because you’re useless at being a nec, the one thing you’ve been trained to do?”

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Apr 16

You have 30 titles to choose from in this Spring Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Horror sale! Sweeping landscapes, fast-paced adventures, and creeping dread all come together for this season only. You're sure to find your next favorite read! books.bookfunnel.com/spring-sffh/... #booksky #scifi #fantasy

A promo image showing the cover for the fantasy book SMOKE AND RAIN by V. S. Holmes on a background of sakura blossoms. The promo banner says "Spring SFFH Sale! 30 titles to choose from. Discover this book and many more for a limited time. All of Spring! March 21st - May 23rd."

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Apr 12

On sub soon: THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN, folkloric fantasy + gothic romance with death, sex, and Frisian folklore Snarky sapphic scifi archaeologists: tr.ee/qD1Wuh Bloodthirsty gods + broken heroes: tr.ee/SW75Ap Free shorts: vsholmes.substack.com Author Interview App: forms.gle/KsdfzLnSXDF1...

A promo image on a dark forest background showing the two completed series by V. S. Holmes, the six-book scifi series the Nel Bently Books (Travelers, Drifters, Strangers, Heretics, Fugitives, and Emissaries) and the four titles in the dark fantasy Blood of Titans series (Smoke and Rain, Lightning and Flames, Madness and Gods, and Blood and Mercy.)

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Apr 7

The news is finally here: I’ve signed with Laura Zats of Headwater! @lzats.bsky.social fell in love with THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN and I’m so excited to work with someone so dedicated to the art of writing and who loves the weird and undefinable. She totally understands Ivigh's complex, messy story.

A promo image showing a faded sigil on a black background and the text: I’ve signed with Laura Zats of Headwater Literary Management! We will be working with THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN and other future projects.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Mar 26

Tossed into high-tech & higher stakes, archaeologist Dr. Nel Bently only has her trowel, her bad attitude, and her (alien) girlfriend, Lin. Lesbian POV LGBTQIA supporting cast Snark, Science, and Sex Action-Adventure Lovers-to-enemies Space-horror vsholmes.com/travelers #writesky #booksky

A promo image for TRAVELERS, the Stars' Edge: Nel Bently Book 1 by V. S. Holmes. It shows the blue cover with a woman hiking with her archaeological trowel drawn, and a planetary background. There's also a short description and trope check list that reads: Dr. Bently discovers her pristine archaeological site is the center of an intergalactic feud. Tossed into a world of high-tech and higher stakes she only has her trowel, her attitude, and her badass—and alien—girlfriend, Lin. Lesbian POV, LGBTQIA supporting cast, Snark, Science, and Sex, Action-Adventure, Lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, Space-horror, completed series (6 books)

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Mar 21

2026 has been a one-two punch of emotions. That weightlessness before a drop when you could tip into chaos, or control, the tipping point where anything—everything—is possible. Schrödinger's Fall, if you will. vsholmes.substack.com/p/the-rites-... www.patreon.com/posts/rites-... #booksky #writesky

A promo image for my monthly update on Substack, with red berries and the text THE RITES OF SPRING from vsholmes.substack.com

A promo image for my monthly update on Patreon, with red berries and the text THE RITES OF SPRING from patreon.com/vs_holmes

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Mar 20

Today's the last day you can grab this amazing queer SFFH short story bundle! Twelve authors, twelve stories, only $10. Help support queer authors' voices during this dark time. itch.io/b/3577/queer... #writesky #booksky #transrightsreadathon

A promo image for an GBTQ+ Short Story Sampler with rainbow text and art on a black background. It says "a variety platter of short, queer reads from a dozen different worlds, $10 for March 14th - 21st

It also has the covers of twelve books: Zen Solaris and the God-Child - Arden Powell
The Curse Of Seewiif Strand - V. S. Holmes
The Keyhole Shrine - Claudie Arseneault
Rom and Yuli - Amara Lynn
Tide Breaker's Curse - Ivy H. Marikova
Pack Ties - Ceillie Simkiss
Of Spells and Love - Odessa Silver
Heliophilia - Jake Vanguard
Curry in a Hurry - Amara Star
Paris at Nightfall - Merlina Garance
Immortality in the Marrow - S. Jean
Necessary Repairs - Skye Kilaen

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Mar 19

Just a few days left to get this queer short story/novelettes bundle by queer authors, including both award-winning writers and new talent! itch.io/b/3577/queer... #writesky #booksky #transrightsreadathon

A promo image for an GBTQ+ Short Story Sampler with rainbow text and art on a black background. A white icon says "ITCH.IO Bundle, 12 stories for $10!"

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Mar 16

A lot has been going on behind the scenes lately. I'll share details soon, but the micro-press I started over a decade ago is closing its doors. This is ultimately good news, as it opens us up to new opportunities. The biennial head-shave is just an outward symbol of all these shifts.

A selfie of V against a black wall. His red hair is buzzed, and he's wearing a burgundy collared shirt, round wire glasses, and one dangling earring in his ears.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Mar 15

Already had a few people grab this queer short story bundle! Just for this week you can read twelve shorts/novelettes by LGBTQ authors for just $10! Help us reach our goal and support our work! itch.io/b/3577/queer... #writesky #booksky #lgbtqbooks

A promo image for an LGBTQ+ Short Story Sampler with rainbow text and art on a black background. It says "a variety platter of short, queer reads from a dozen different worlds, $10 for March 14th - 21st

It also has the covers of twelve books: Zen Solaris and the God-Child - Arden Powell
The Curse Of Seewiif Strand - V. S. Holmes
The Keyhole Shrine - Claudie Arseneault
Rom and Yuli - Amara Lynn
Tide Breaker's Curse - Ivy H. Marikova
Pack Ties - Ceillie Simkiss
Of Spells and Love - Odessa Silver
Heliophilia - Jake Vanguard
Curry in a Hurry - Amara Star
Paris at Nightfall - Merlina Garance
Immortality in the Marrow - S. Jean
Necessary Repairs - Skye Kilaen

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Mar 14

It's the first day of this queer short story/novelettes bundle by queer authors, including both award-winning writers and new talent! Discover your next favorite queer author now! itch.io/b/3577/queer...

A promo image with black and rainbow decorations that says: QUEER SHORT STORY SAMPLER! Zen Solaris and the God-Child - Arden Powell,
The Curse Of Seewiif Strand - V. S. Holmes
The Keyhole Shrine - Claudie Arseneault
Rom and Yuli - Amara Lynn
Tide Breaker's Curse - Ivy H. Marikova
Pack Ties - Ceillie Simkiss
Of Spells and Love - Odessa Silver
Heliophilia - Jake Vanguard
Curry in a Hurry - Amara Star
Paris at Nightfall - Merlina Garance
Immortality in the Marrow - S. Jean
Necessary Repairs - Skye Kilaen

And $10 March 14th - 21st

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jan 13

Addict and con artist Ivigh is given an offer he can’t refuse: find the witch damning the dead or be punished for false necromancy. But he shares a dark history with the witch, one rooted in the wound rotting Ivigh's heart and his inability—despite his best efforts—to die. #BluePit 📖 #Q #A #TR #F

A mood board for Ivigh, the narrator for THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN showing a grid of four pictures. clockwise from top: dark clouds with pink light coming through; an old, foggy cemetery; brooding man with longer dark hair smoking a hand-rolled cigarette; and a dark, stone chamber with rough hewn columns. In the center is a sigil with the name "IVIGH"

A promo image of a ceremonial circle of skulls and long bones with an excerpt from THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN, which reads: The small square at the mouth of the rear gate is alight. The stone wall is stoved in, mining tunnels collapsed, the scaffolding toppled. The willow is cracked and bent under the weight of the fallen stones. I hear the wind. It gnaws at the broken masonry, coagulating it until chucks drop like searing jellied stock. The runes carved at the top of the wall are broken, what little protection they provided gone. Jutting from the stained earth are bones. Femurs, tarsals, ribs, phalanges reaching, reaching, some still fleshed and naked and accusing. My no-longer-secret cemetery. I stare numbly at the faces of the dead, condemned to unrest so I might have a meal. A fix.

For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jan 13

VISCERA x THE WOLF AND THE WOODSMAN X GIDEON THE NINTH 💀 Frisian Folklore 🥀 Gothic Romance 🌩️ Acerbic, Unreliable Narrator ♿ Disabled MC 💦 Weird, Ritualistic Sex 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Masc MC 💉 Necromancy-Induced Addiction 🌦️ Grumpy x Sunshine 🌻 Plus-sized Love Interest 🪄 Magicless Witch #BluePit 📖 #Q #A #TR #F

promo image for THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN featuring the title in gold serif font with a six-pointed magical sigil beneath it and "A Frisian inspired folkloric fantasy meets gothic romance. For readers who enjoyed" and the covers of GIDEON THE NINTH, THE BRIAR BOOK OF THE DEAD, VISCERA, and THE WOLF AND THE WOODSMAN.

A promo image for THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN featuring the title in gold serif font with a six-pointed magical sigil beneath it and the blurb: The dead deserve a proper afterlife, with a real necromancer for a grave warden. But with a devouring storm ravaging the world, they are stuck with Ivigh and eternal unrest.

When failed-necromancer Ivigh’s town is struck by a magical storm, the bodies he was supposed to have put to rest spill from the soil. Facing imprisonment, or worse, for his con, Ivigh flees. His magical impotence is discovered by Mudlark, a cheerful sex worker who makes him a deal: she won’t turn Ivigh in if he helps her find Eir Lahren, the very necromancer who unleashed the storm ravaging the world. He has a darker history with Lahren, one rooted in the gaping, bloodless hole in Ivigh’s chest and his inability—despite his best efforts—to die. But, with his terrible reputation barreling down on them and a drug habit he can't afford, he is forced to accept Mudlark’s offer.

The farther they travel, however, the more Mudlark’s story is unearthed and Ivigh realizes perhaps he isn’t the only one with corpse-ridden secrets. But Mudlark’s love for life is as intoxicating as the poppy he injects, and despite his initial complaints, Ivigh realizes she might just be what makes the world worth saving—even if he must expose his darkest, bloody secret.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jan 13

The dead deserve an afterlife, with a real necromancer for a grave warden, but they're stuck with Ivigh and eternal unrest. Then cheerful Mudlark blackmails Ivigh into hunting the witch who damned the dead, or risk exposing the truth behind the hole in his beatless heart. #BluePit 📖 #Q #A #TR #OV

A mood board for THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN showing a grid of nine pictures. From top to bottom, L - R: A brooding man with longer dark hair smoking a hand-rolled cigarette, dark clouds with pink light coming through; a spiral of skulls and longbones; a landscape with ponds and rolling, grassy hills; a dark, stone chamber with rough hewn columns; a close-up of white flowers; a dark European longhouse; a mixed race woman with dark blonde curls; two old 19th cen. syringes of glass and metal on a wooden background.

The opening paragraphs of THE PASSING OF EIR LAHREN with a grassy landscape in the background.

Excerpt reads: Lately, I go by Ivigh.

Howling wind pummels my aching bones, but it’s a welcome change from Ossgen’s stagnation. I crouch at the base of the terp, chapped fingers hovering over colorless soil. Cracked clay and storm-blasted grasses are cast in colorless greys under the perpetual dusk. I don’t blame the townsfolk for their fear of the Waste, but it won’t kill them. Not right away.

I shuffle another dozen steps to the crest of the hill and lean on my cane. Drag marks, down into the gully. Sure enough, in the basin below lies my quarry. It’s Miss Lange, judging by the periwinkle tipdoek. She left the town two days ago searching for the few quickthorn still clinging to life. Most make it back, those who leave to gather or hunt. She wasn’t so lucky. I limp my way down the slope toward her. She doesn’t hear me, doesn’t turn, but remains swaying in the swale. Her smooth hands grasp at something in reflex, maybe remembering her child’s sticky hand.

This is the only time I hesitate, in the stillness when the body recalls its last echoes of humanity. I stop just behind her to pray.

(italics) May her spirit find solace and not find its way back. May Wodan spare us each this fate. (End Italics)

Then I slit her throat.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jan 11

There are nine great titles in this amazing sale, for this month only! These out of this world science fiction romances bring you the very best love stories from far away worlds to add to your TBR today! books.bookfunnel.com/outofthiswor...

A promo image of the northern lights over mountains with the text "OUT OF THIS WORLD SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE SALE!" and "ENDS ON JANUARY 31ST" in white and orange and turquoise text.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jan 11

For next year, I'll be working on the same three projects, which you can catch a glimpse of of here. They're EIR LAHREN, PIRATES OF PORT ANDROMEDA, and an UNANNOUNCED PROJECT.

A graphic showing my 2026 projects: EIR LAHREN, PIRATES OF PORT ANDROMEDA, and an UNANNOUNCED PROJECT. There are also some bullet points that list: continue with querying/requests for Eir Lahren, start Pirates serial, draft new project “Falling”

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jan 11

"The Curse of seewiif Strand," was published in Pride With A Bite's queer horror anthology, WE BITE BACK. That follows a trans man whose village is attacked when his former love interest hauls an otherworldly creature from the sea, and it's is set in the world of EIR LAHREN.

V. S. Holmes@vsholmes· Jan 11

I published 2 shorts: HARBINGERS, Nel Bently 5.5, is from Lin's perspective of the events of the 5th book. Lin’s mission on Earth has failed. Her parents are MIA, her brother betrayed her, and she is told that Nel, too, is dead. Lin must choose how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice.