PJ (he/him) is querying...

@pjwrites.bsky.social

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SFF writer. He/Him. RVA. 🇵🇸 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ | 🚫 AI 📷 by makowwka Blog: pjheck.com ☀️ THE EVERWINTER KING | fantasy, adult, querying now!

A charcuterie board with pimento cheese dip, tomatoes, watermelon spheres, cherries, floral crackers, and lemon cupcakes in addition to the usual meats and cheeses. It’s arranged on a circular serving board.
A moodboard with images of people in white cloaks, fox masks, ghostly sheets, and creepy horned disguises. There is also imagery of skulls, ghosts, foggy woods, castles, candles, and lit incense. The title is displayed in the center of the image, "BONE KING'S BLUFF." There is a flickering candle gif next to the title.
The background is an image of a castle atop a forested hill. The sky is gray and dreary. The overall mood is bleak. This background is the same for all of these images except the moodboard slide. The text reads "Part locked-castle mystery. Part Robin Hood-style revenge plot. Adult Fantasy. MM romance subplot. coming to beta readers september 2026 BONE KING'S BLUFF"
"An agent's guide to THE EVERWINTER. 99k. Adult fantasy. Queer norm. MM romance subplot." The background image is a closeup of a classical painting (Bacchus discovering Ariadne by Jacob Jordaens). The image focuses on a hand holding a crown. This background is the same for all images in this post.
Title page for an agent's guide to THE EVERWINTER KING. The title is placed over a moodboard featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. In addition to the title the page reads "Adult Fantasy Standalone. Queer normative world. MM romance subplot. 99,000 words."
A moodboard containing imagery of ghosts, bones, foxes, the night sky, and a palace. The title says "PROJECT BONES."
The opening of THE EVERWINTER KING with a picture of the main character, Mal, carrying a fishing road. Excerpt: The ground threatened to swallow Malachi whole. He’d drowned before, but never in mud. Dying this way was much slower. “You aren’t dying,” said the voice of God in his head. Storm-mauled trees bent away from him as he stretched, trying to grab one of the branches for leverage. His fingertips skimmed a bough. He wasn’t tall enough. “I warned you not to leave the shack.” Maybe he couldn’t reach a branch, but if he could wrap both arms around the trunk… “Now look at you. You’re supposed to be cooking.” “I’m working on it.” Rough bark pressed into his skin where he’d rolled up his sleeves to embrace the sun’s warmth. It was nice to welcome the bright season, even if it paled in comparison to what summer used to be—mild, breezy days on the southern coast, salt crisp in the air as he dug his feet into hot sand. God, what he wouldn’t give to be anywhere but here.
"Pitching my adult fantasy THE EVERWINTER KING at different levels." The background image is a closeup of a classical painting (Bacchus discovering Ariadne by Jacob Jordaens). The image focuses on a hand holding a crown. This background is the same for all images in this post.
Title page for an agent's guide to THE EVERWINTER KING. The title is placed over a moodboard featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. In addition to the title the page reads "Adult Fantasy Standalone. Queer normative world. MM romance subplot. 99,000 words."
A drawing of a bearded man facing to the left with his back to the viewer. He is wearing a white blouse with a green jerkin and tattered brown pants and boots. He has light brown skin and brown curly hair. He's carrying a fishing rod. Behind him is a simplified yellow sun.
A moodboard depicting two young men, sun imagery, figs, and a gazebo. The moodboard has animated text of a scene from the book. "He stepped forward, breaking free from the gathered audience. The small collection of weavers traveling alongside Atreus shifted defensively. Atreus glanced at him, the briefest of looks, then turned to speak to his weavers. Only half a syllable came out before he paused. The slow widening of his unfocused eyes spoke volumes. Malachi opened his mouth to speak. Atreus screamed."
A moodboard featuring images of a Mediterranean inspired fantasy world with winter-y elements. The board also depicts images relating to light and royalty, such as crowns and hands cupping sunlight. The title, “The Everwinter King,” is placed in the center.
The opening of THE EVERWINTER KING with a picture of the main character, Mal, carrying a fishing road. Excerpt: The ground threatened to swallow Malachi whole. He’d drowned before, but never in mud. Dying this way was much slower. “You aren’t dying,” said the voice of God in his head. Storm-mauled trees bent away from him as he stretched, trying to grab one of the branches for leverage. His fingertips skimmed a bough. He wasn’t tall enough. “I warned you not to leave the shack.” Maybe he couldn’t reach a branch, but if he could wrap both arms around the trunk… “Now look at you. You’re supposed to be cooking.” “I’m working on it.” Rough bark pressed into his skin where he’d rolled up his sleeves to embrace the sun’s warmth. It was nice to welcome the bright season, even if it paled in comparison to what summer used to be—mild, breezy days on the southern coast, salt crisp in the air as he dug his feet into hot sand. God, what he wouldn’t give to be anywhere but here.
Title page for an agent's guide to THE EVERWINTER KING. The title is placed over a moodboard featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. In addition to the title the page reads "Adult Fantasy Standalone. Queer normative world. MM romance subplot. 99,000 words."
A meme board featuring character art. The character is a man with light brown skin, dark brown hair, and a golden sun for his left eye. He’s wearing a simple jerkin over a white shirt. The memes are in tweet/tumblr format and read: “mother thinks i’m unfit to reign lol” “what do you mean ‘what’s wrong with him?’ he’s mentally ill. he’s catholic. he’s even gay” “Why don’t we let the guy whose very plan could be reasonably construed as an abstract suicide attempt take a crack at it” “Oh sure let’s blame the guy whose fault it is” “anyone else feel like god is just toying with u however he pleases. he thinks he’s so funny. well i’m about to be hilarious”
Nine queer book suggestions on a pride flag background. The books include: "Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame" by Neon Yang, "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi, "She Who Became the Sun" by Shelley Parker-Chan, "The Bachelor's Valet" by Arden Powell, "The Spear Cuts Through Water" by Simon Jimenez, "The Wicked Bargain" by Gabe Cole Novoa, "The Prospects" by KT Hoffman, "Star Crossed" by KC de la Rosa, and "Off Course" by AM de la Rosa.
PROJECT CLOUDCORE Adult Sci-Fantasy Duology The title is over a moodboard depicting colorful skies, clouds, and airships.
"THE MANOR AT ABINGDON COVE" displayed over a letter graphic with images of the ocean and a portrait galley behind it.
A moodboard containing imagery of ghosts, bones, foxes, the night sky, and a palace. The title says "PROJECT BONES."
Title page for an agent's guide to THE EVERWINTER KING. The title is placed over a moodboard featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. In addition to the title the page reads "Adult Fantasy Standalone. Queer normative world. MM romance subplot. 98,000 words."
The opening of the book. This slide features art of the main character, Malachi, Mal has light brown skin, curly brown hair, and a simple attire of a jerkin over a white shirt. His left eye is covered with a glowing sun. Opening: If Malachi had to sacrifice his boots to make it to the markets, he would. His damp footsteps echoed through the storm-mauled forest, each step muddier than the last. Against his back, the weight of freshly caught trout carried him onward, forcing him to ignore the worn path leading to his cabin. The markets called, and the sun already sat too high in the sky. “Do not blame me for your delay.” Malachi yanked his boot, freeing it from the mud before responding to the voice of God. /I don’t. It’s my fault./
A moodboard depicting a fantasy coastal setting. There is a manor that overlooks the ocean, images of sailing and oceanscapes, a silhouette of a queer couple kissing, and hands touching through mirrors. Inside the manor is a library. There are moving sparkles over some images.
The title and logline for THE EVERWINTER KING over a moodboard featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. Logline: Desperate to find his oldest friend, the missing sun god, a former holy king returns to the home he abandoned and the people he betrayed to reunite with his god and prevent an endless winter. Adult fantasy standalone, 95k.
A moodboard depicting a Mediterranean-inspired fantasy world with poppies, cliff side cities overlooking the ocean, a young queer couple, and imagery around royalty.
Moodboard for THE EVERWINTER KING. The title is placed over a background featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. There are pictures of the ocean, a wintery setting, crowns, red poppies, lemons, and glowing people. The moodboard has small animations of glowing light and sparkles over some images.
Title page for an agent's guide to THE EVERWINTER KING. The title is placed over a moodboard featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. In addition to the title the page reads "Adult Fantasy Standalone. Queer normative world. MM romance subplot. 95,000 words."
A plate of grilled octopus on beans in tomato sauce topped with greens.
“You built houses?” “Repaired houses.” Malachi thoughtfully chewed an olive. The pit hit the glass bowl next to him with a soft clink. “In the northwest.” “Why not give them the money to do it themselves?” Malachi shook his head, knowing Agapios would see. “Felt good to work.” “Your hands are not meant for that work, Kyliares.” “My hands are calloused and torn.” Another olive, another clink. “They can do any work now. I’m not sure luxury will ever suit me again.” THE EVERWINTER KING | Ch 15 | @pjwrites The snippet is shared on a beige square. The background of the image is a moodboard with images of a city on the coast, people glowing with light magic, a skull wearing a crown, a lighthouse, and lemons in water.
"I'm just a fisherman," Malachi said, and Samara's shoulders fell like they often did when he doubled down. She expected more of him. Everyone always expected more of him. THE EVERWINTER KING | Ch 1 | @pjwrites The snippet is shared on a beige square. The background of the image is a moodboard with images of a city on the coast, people glowing with light magic, a skull wearing a crown, a lighthouse, and lemons in water.
A drawing of a bearded man with his arms crossed. He has light brown skin and brown curly hair. He is wearing an off white blouse with a brown jerkin and matching pants. His eyes are light green. Behind him is a close up of his portrait. He has a grumpy expression. In the close up, one eye is bright gold.
A moodboard featuring images of a Mediterranean inspired fantasy world with winter-y elements. The board also depicts images relating to light and royalty, such as crowns and hands cupping sunlight. The title, “The Everwinter King,” is placed in the center.
A patch of dark pink irises in a garden bed
A row of dark pink and white tulips in a garden bed.
The book cover of "They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us: Essays" by Hanif Abdurraqib. The cover is a wolf wearing a red tracksuit with a gold chain standing in front of a blue background.
“The Republic of Memory” book cover by Mahmud El Sayed. The cover depicts a sci-fi city built in layers on a space ship.
A Meyer lemon tree with buds.
A black and white cat and a laptop on a dining table. The table has a green gingham pattern. The walls of the room are light blue.
A list of comp titles with their book covers. The comps include “The Raven Scholar” by Antonia Hodgson, “The Raven Tower” by Ann Leckie, “Witch King” by Martha Wells, and “The Red Winter” by Cameron Sullivan. Bonus comp: Dragon Age II.
A man sitting on a couch holding a phone. The phone emits a bright light that obscures the man's face. The text above the man reads "The Priest." The text by the phone reads "Mal passing under the arch."
Quote from a manuscript. Quote reads: Lorien was reserved, as Samara said, obvious in how he hovered on the edge of the group. He was also familiar. Not in a way that made Malachi fear being revealed, no, he’d never seen the man before. But he knew how weavers carried themselves, and he recognized the worn, gold cowl under his traveling cloak, glimpsed while Lorien altered his boots. It was one thing for a mender to escape Pelolis. A weaver meant a story. Secrets. They didn't have time for someone else’s secrets. “Your cobbler could use more practice,” Lorien said, the coastal accent of Pelolis comforting to Malachi’s ears. “I know. I’m the cobbler.” Color drained from Lorien’s face.
A book recommendation image with a trans flag background. The book recommendations are “Star Crossed” by KC de la Rosa, “The Wicked Bargain” by Gabe Cole Novoa, “Sorrowland” by Rivers Solomon, “Good and Faithful Sinners” by Elliot Sloan (coming September 2026), “The Raven Tower” by Ann Leckie, “Freshwater” by Akwaeke Emezi, “The Build-a-Boyfriend Project” by Mason Deaver, “Off Course: Episode 01 It Takes Time” by AM de la Rosa, and “The Sapling Cage” by Margaret Killjoy (TBR pick).
Garden bed with blooming phlox (small blue and white flowers) and a bunch of irises stems almost in bloom.
A moodboard with light, dreary colors. Features image of cloaked people, pine groves, dirty hands, and foxes.
A picture of a mauve-pink flower shaped Le Creuset pot. The pot sits on a wooden table.
A black and white dog and brown and white cat sitting together on a chair.
Title page for an agent's guide to THE EVERWINTER KING. The title is placed over a moodboard featuring a Mediterranean inspired setting and royalty imagery. In addition to the title the page reads "Adult Fantasy Standalone. Mediterranean inspired setting. Queer normative world. 93,000 words."
A graphic displaying nine book covers. The background is illustrated art of oranges. The books are: "The Saint of Bright Doors" by Vajra Chandrasekera, "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams, "The Raven Tower" by Ann Leckie, "Warriors: Into the Wild" by Erin Hunter, "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke, "Chain-Gang All-Stars" by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, "They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us" by Hanif Abdurraqib, "A Memory Called Empire" by Arkady Martine, and "Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler.
A stack of books. Titles include “Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird,” “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers,” “The Outcast Mage,” “The Red Winter,” “The Isle in the Silver Sea,” and “Green & Deadly Things.”
A moodboard with images of a coastal, fantasy setting and visuals of royalty. Over top is a quote from chapter one of a book. The quote reads: "In the stillness of midnight, the tremor of God on his skin settled into muted mortality. He knew then Agapios would not come." Below the quote is the meta data: THE EVERWINTER KING, Chapter 1, @pjwrites.
A moodboard depicting a Mediterranean-inspired fantasy world with poppies, cliff side cities overlooking the ocean, a young queer couple, and imagery around royalty.
A moodboard featuring images of a Mediterranean inspired fantasy world with winter-y elements. The board also depicts images relating to light and royalty, such as crowns and hands cupping sunlight. The title, “The Everwinter King,” is placed in the center.
a moodboard featuring images of a fantasy country inspired by the mediterranean and a young queer couple. the mood is bright and nostalgic
Charcuterie board full of fruit, cheese, and meat on a red and green tablecloth.
A moodboard depicting a Mediterranean-inspired coastal setting with wintery elements (snow, ice-covered forest) and references to the sun/magic from the sun.