James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~

@jamesfinegan

Wannabe Author. Writes a lot of fantasy and a thruppence of sci-fi. A lover of Shakespeare, space, and sudoku. Married to an absolute lad. He/him jamesfineganauthor.com

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Bluesky

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James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· 11d

What’s a boy to do whilst my book’s with beta readers? Alright I COULD get on with my next project buuuuut do you know what else sounds fun? Digitising 10+ years of handwritten stuff pertaining to my PREVIOUS book! #WritingCommunity #Booksky

A disorganised pile of folders notebooks and loose pages on a wooden table.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· 22d

Proofreading complete! Now I just need to correct the errors on… every one of the 222 pages 😅 most are minor, shouldn’t take too long before my beta readers finally get it! #BookSky #WritingCommunity

A printed manuscript on a wooden table with a pen. Not Technically Ghosts. James A Finegan. Scrawled on the cover is: ‘Readed[sic] it - 21/7/26’ along with a doodle of two ghosts holding hands with a heart.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jul 13

Gillimoney Quail opens a fake witching school to lure gullible children she can eat to restore her dwindling powers. But when smarmy Prince Wesley threatens to retake the castle she’s using for the school, she may have to work together with the very children she planned to eat! #BluePit 📖 #W #F #MG

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jul 13

Ryan & Albert live 200 years apart - but once per day a time-slip lets them meet. Now they need to solve the mystery of Clarence Hall before they accidentally change history! Oh… and try not to fall for each other in the process! NOT TECHNICALLY GHOSTS #BluePit 📖 #W #R #F #YA #LGBT

Not Technically Ghosts moodboard with pictures
1- An abandoned ruinous hall
2- person on bicycle silhouetted against sunset
3- person from behind, red hoodie, in forest
4- two hands reaching for one another
5- person in night-time woodlands shining a torch
6- black and white person Victorian suit, sitting with book
7- Victorian library multiple high book filled shelves, arches through
8- Victorian school room, old wood desk, blackboard on a stand

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jul 10

#BluePitHype Alas I’m not much of a graphic designer and even less of an artist, but here’s Not Technically Ghosts’ moodboard, ‘movie-poster’ (that came out better than expected!) and random doodles on the bottom of some 3-year-old notes! #BookSky #WritingCommunity

Movie-style poster for Not Technically Ghosts
Ballroom divided in two by blue energy. Left half shades of gold a silhouette boy casually leans against divide. Right half monochrome silhouette boy leans his head back on divide.
Top of poster fading font: Not Technically Ghosts
Top text - from the queer mind that will (eventually!) bring you Spirit Rider The Royal Problem
Below title - Congrats on finding the guy of your dreams! (Less congrats on him living 200 years away!)Quotes in film festival style wreaths - “Fake dates” “Defying fates” “Heartwarming YA” “Dumbass x Bookworm”Bottom text - This is that part at the bottom of movie posters which I think more than anything else makes them Look like movie posters there are supposed to be names of people involved in the production but I already did that with the Spirit Rider Poster so this one is mostly just filler sorry I couldn’t think of a good joke no wait “knock knock” “WHo’s there?” “To” “To Who?” “No, no, it’s - To Whom” Ba-dum Tiss

A page of scribbled notes, above doodles of two people with a crucifix, two faces, someone sitting at a desk, someone sitting in the floor

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jul 4

Printed out Not Technically Ghosts for proofreading! Armed with a red pen and audio-description reading the words aloud, let’s get this thing ready for my beta-readers! #BookSky #WritingCommunity #editing

An open printed manuscript with various scribblings-out and notes in red pen, on a wooden table

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jun 30

We. Are. Done!!!! A year to the day that I finished the first draft of Not Technically Ghosts, my cute YA gay paranormal romance, I’ve just finished its first round of edits - and just in time for the end of Pride Month! Stay zesty guys 🏳️‍🌈👻 #WritingCommunity #editing #BookSky

A screenshot of a word-file “— a ghost, in all but name!”

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jun 27

THIS is editing! The notes on this scrap of paper mean nothing to anyone but me, yet solved weeks (months?) of editing woes! #BookSky #WritingCommunity #editing

Scrap of paper with various hastily written notes. Many arrows, circling, further bracketed notes, and aggressive highlighting.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· May 2

Working on it for a bit but guess I should finally announce my new side project (graduating to main project once edits are done on Not Technically Ghosts): GILLIMONEY QUAIL’S TOTALLY LEGITIMATE WITCHING SCHOOL WHERE ABSOLUTELY NO ONE GETS EATEN Pitch below ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Mar 30

Not done one of these for a while - why not! Here's a bit of Ryan and his older brother from Not Technically Ghosts #WIPSnips #WriteSky #editing

Benji scoffs at his cereal. “I’m not goin’ back to Bristol. Ain’t paid rent since I got there anyway. Why am I gonna do that when I can just spend it on what I want?” He looks at me like the thought of ‘paying rent’ is the most stupid thing he’s ever heard of. “Reckon I’ll be alright. Dad ain’t gonna’ make me homeless, is he?”
The kitchen is suddenly colder than the wintery weather rattling the windowpane. Benji is definitely back. An uncaring, selfish smirk on the surface, but I can see the way he sets his teeth, the stony eyes that won’t look at me. There’s a numb certainty about him, like the end of a film has been spoiled for him and he’s stuck watching it anyway.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jan 10

Hello 2026! Back on track after a 2-ish months social media break whilst being creatively stuck and a bit stress-y depress-y. Nearly 1/2 done edits on Not Technically Ghosts (after rEwRiTiNg tHe MiDdLe!) Now ready for a year of success for me and all of you! #booksky #writesky #writingcommunity

Selfie. Me - pale, blond(ish) goblin boy with an attempted smile, wearing pink and white tie-dye tshirt. Sitting on grey patterned bed.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Oct 31

October 25 Wrap-up! ✍️ Good start on Not Technically Ghosts part 2 edits! 👨‍💼 On the path to getting new day-job! 🔀 Mostly fixed a Not Technically Ghosts side plot that had been bugging me! #WritingCommunity #amediting

Me (blond pale goblin, wearing skeleton design black jumper, offering a semi smile that suggests I’m doing this under duress), background corner of a large clock, white wall. Overlaid text: October 25 - wrap up — Good start on Not Technically Ghosts part 2 edits! — On the way to getting new day-job! — 99% fixed a Not Technically Ghosts side plot that had been bugging me!

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Oct 14

Welp if I keep writing much more of this I’ll have no choice but to count Witch-wip as my new side project! (Christopher does NOT approve of me arranging pages on his side of the couch) #WritingCommunity #amwriting

Various handwritten pages and doodles arranged over a black couch. Standard issue cat staring unimpressed in the foreground.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Oct 1

September 25 Wrap-up! ✍️ NEARLY finished Not Technically Ghosts (part 1) edits! 🚴‍♂️ Got on a new health kick! 🧙‍♀️ Started a new witchy wip! (Madam Quail’s Totally Legitimate Witching School Where Absolutely No One Gets Eaten) #WritingCommunity #amediting #amwriting

Me (partially blond pale goblin offering a half smile), background laptop on wooden table. Overlaid text: September 25 - wrap up — NEARLY finished Not Technically Ghosts (part 1) edits — got on a new “health kick” (80% successful??) — started a new wip! Madam Quail’s Totally Legitimate Witching School Where AbsolutelyNo One Gets Eaten

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Sep 8

Alright I’ve got the full layout for every pseudo-chapter/ switch in Not Technically Ghosts. Much easier now to see where things can and NEED to shift for better flow ahead of the bigger edits. #WritingCommunity #amediting

Numerous typed cutouts arranged into 5 rows of varying length on a wooden floor

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 31

August 25 Wrap-up! (Do I do that now? Guess we'll see at end of September? What is this pose??) ✍️ Off to a good start with Not Technically Ghosts (part 1) edits 🏠Moved house (not writing, but big stuff) 🖼️Took part in a bunch of #pitch events #WritingCommunity #amediting

Me (vaguely blond goblin-boy in white and orange stripy t-shirt) giving thumbs up. In background open laptop on dark couch. Picture of London visible on wall. Text overlaid in purple bubbles: "August 25 - Wrap-up" "Started Not Technically Ghosts (Part 1) edits!" "Moved house!" "Took part in a bunch of #pitch events!"

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 16

The worst thing Sam ever had to deal with was telekinetic ducks. That’s until the Grim Reaper HERSELF appears in his living room. Now Sam & Grim must work together to solve a royal mystery, with reality itself at stake! SPIRIT RIDER: THE ROYAL PROBLEM #PosterPit #Q #F #MG / #YA

Movie-poster style image for Spirit Rider The Royal Problem
Snowy blue background. Fiery blue sword pointing down over silhouette multi-towered castle.
Central title in gold and blue- Spirit Rider The Royal Problem
Top text - Accessible fantasy - All the heart - All the snark - Telekinetic ducks!!
“Quotes” within film-festival style wreath “I liked how it was 95k words” “A fun MG/YA crossover”
Below quotes - Ace cinnamon roll teen doing his best - The grim reaper herself trying to keep him alive
Bottom text - James A. Finegan - Finicorp Productions Presents Spirit Rider: The Royal Problem Starring A combination of unknown and big-name actors Music By Some good composer like hans zimmer Editor Me so they don’t cut anything important Production Designer Also me (no one else will pay for this) Written by Me (shocker!) Directed by Someone with good vision but who appreciates this is a fantasy that knows it’s fantasy - CURRENTLY QUERYING!

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 15

Welcome to my #AgentsGuide for SPIRIT RIDER: THE ROYAL PROBLEM 💁‍♂️Ace cinnamon-roll trying his best 💀Snarky Reaper turned mentor 👑A Royal Mystery 😵‍💫Demonic possession 🎩Charming psychopath antagonist 🦆Telekinetic ducks!! #QueerPit #Q #F #MG / #YA

Text on patchy cyan and white background, golden leaf edges.
Grim Reaper silhouette in background.
'An Agent's Guide To:'
'Spirit Rider:'
'The Royal Problem'
'James A. Finegan'
'Fun & Epic Fantasy'
'MG / YA Crossover'
'95k Words'
'Now Querying!'
'Cinnamon-roll MC, just trying his best.'
'Snarky Reaper, turned reluctant mentor'
'Demonic possession, magician duels, royal balls!'
'Telekinetic ducks!!!!!!'

Text on patchy cyan and white background, golden leaf edges. Crown icon at header
'Pitch'
The worst thing Sam ever had to deal with was telekinetic ducks...
That's until the Grim Reaper HERSELF appears in his living room. Now Sam and Grim must work together to solve a royal mystery, before a power-hungry magician deletes free-will from the universe!

Text on patchy cyan and white background, golden leaf edges.
'Moodboard'
Spirit Rider The Royal Problem moodboard with pictures
1- a snowy village with a central snowy church
2- a ruin amongst deep snow
3- a palatial hall
4- silhouette of a grim reaper
5- a malevolent duck in snow
6- a golden crown
7- body shot of dark suited person
8- blue flames

Text on patchy cyan and white background, golden leaf edges.
'Snippet'
“Mystrum — ancient language of the magicians,” Grim said. “You’d better figure it out or ninety-percent of all spell-books on the planet will be useless to you.”
“Right, yeah,” Sam muttered, wondering who else in the Palace could help him read the symbols. Then a new thought came upon him. Dare he ask? “What if you…?”
“Absolutely not!” Grim said flatly, hurrying off the Terrace and back indoors.
Sam followed. “Come on! You’re really good at magic! You could teach me!”
“Flattery, really? Do you think I’m simple?”
“Right, OK. So I guess you’re really not good at magic? Only someone who’s good at magic would want to teach me.”
“Reverse psychology? Pathetic.”
“How about —?”
Grim whipped around, scythe raised, eyes flaming as she bellowed, “Drop it now before I tear out your tongue!”
“Empty threat — you need me for bait,” Sam countered.
Smirking, the fire went from her eyes and she stormed off. “It’d be improper. I'm a killer, not a teacher."
"I don't care."
"Others might."
Then Sam finally had it. "Logic," he said firmly. "You need me alive if you want the best chance to catch Acheron.
If I knew some magic then I'd be able to look after myself better and I'd be alive longer."
Grim froze mid-step, then turned slowly, scowling at him. "You're getting too clever."
"So you'll do it?" Sam said eagerly.
"It would be hard," she said with a nasty smile.
"Fine by me." Sam grinned.
"Very hard," Grim said, somewhat less certainly.
"Even better."

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 15

Spirit Rider The Royal Problem moodboard with pictures
1- a snowy village with a central snowy church
2- a ruin amongst deep snow
3- a palatial hall
4- silhouette of a grim reaper
5- a malevolent duck in snow
6- a golden crown
7- body shot of dark suited person
8- blue flames

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 11

As thankful as I am having had multiple beta-readers for the opening of Not Technically Ghosts - collating & debating the various comments into a coherent list has been a (pleasant) headache! Great stuff to begin edits though! #WritingCommunity #editing

Barely-legible editing notes written in green ink on a torn scrap of paper

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 10

We are go go go - for editing Not Technically Ghosts! The plan? Ehh, reread it and if there’s a bit I don’t like 100% then tweak/cut until I do? Also don’t notably increase the wordcount unless absolutely necessary. #editing #WritingCommunity

Me (blond vaguely feral goblin-boy in blue hoody, rainbow spatter t-shirt) smiling(?) uncomfortably with an open laptop.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 6

Red and black writing over background: wintery branches over a blue sky.
‘NOT TECHNICALLY GHOSTS’
‘James A. Finegan’
‘Feel-good LGBTQ+ time-travel rom-com’
‘YA’
‘85k words (pre-edit estimate)’
‘Heartstopper x The Lakehouse’
‘Dual POV’

Red and black writing over background: wintery branches and peak of a ruined building over a blue sky.
‘Pitch’
‘Ryan & Albert live 200 years apart - but once per day a time-slip lets them meet. Now they need to solve the mystery of Clarence Hall before they accidentally change history!

Oh… and try not to fall for each other in the process!’

Red and black writing over background: wintery branches and snow over a blue sky.
‘Moodboard’
Not Technically Ghosts moodboard with pictures
1- An abandoned ruinous hall
2- person on bicycle silhouetted against sunset
3- person from behind, red hoodie, in forest
4- two hands reaching for one another
5- person in night-time woodlands shining a torch
6- black and white person Victorian suit, sitting with book
7- Victorian library multiple high book filled shelves, arches through
8- Victorian school room, old wood desk, blackboard on a stand

Red and black writing over background: wintery branches, snow, and ruined building over a blue sky.
‘Snippet’
“How about this Saturday?” Hesitating, I realise history isn’t my strong suit and so I have to add, “Does your time have Saturdays yet? Do you know what that is?”

Albert frowns, quirking his brow, before something registers and his eyes widen fearfully. “When the sun sets all the people of my primitive era quail in terror, our minds too addled to ever mark the passing of the days.”

“So…?”

“Yes!” Albert groans, a smirk creeping up his cheek, “Saturday is a known concept.”

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Aug 6

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Jun 30

🏳️‍🌈Happy Pride Month!🏳️‍🌈 By book about gay ghosts-who-aren't-ghosts is booking DONE! May 22 - First notes Jul 23 - Off phone, made official side project Mar 24 - Upgraded to main project Jun 25 - Finished 1st draft! Ah now I need to edit it #WritingCommunity #amwriting #amediting

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· May 13

Just finished reading: They Hate Each Other - @amandawoody.bsky.social Effortlessly heartwarming, with a playful layer of snark. Dylan + Jonah had me pulling out my hair (in a good way), cheering them on, and eventually wishing them the world. Enjoys the stars guys. #amreading

Angled ‘They Hate Each Other’ book cover
Two guys lean either side of the title -one smirking, casual, the other more surly- purple silhouette trees/neighbourhood and a sunset/early evening sky.
‘Amanda Woody’
‘They Hate Each Other’
‘(A Romance)’

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· May 11

Well I know one person who takes *comfort* in my stories! 🐈 #WritingCommunity

Standard issue cat sleeping soundly amongst handwritten pages, using one as a ‘pillow’ on a black couch. Edge of a laptop visible.

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Apr 19

"We're in the endgame now" #WritingCommunity #amwriting

Black text on white background.
Part 4: Fuck you, History!

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Apr 5

Overeager fireworks pepper the new-year’s-Eve sky as I cycle through the graveyard, hoping the ghosts are out partying. #1stLinePit #WIP #F #R #YA #LGBT

James ~Yes Mum, I’m still doing “the writing bit”~@jamesfinegan· Apr 5

The last thing Sam heard was a loud quack — as an unseen force launched him into the wintery air. #1stLinePit #Q #F #MG / #YA