mastodon 4.8.0-nightly.2026-10-06Welcome to Underground Bookshelf! My name is Laura. I'm a New England-based, queer, chronically-ill, neurodivergent writer who envisions a world where our art helps up build the world in which we want to live.
March is my birthday month! In celebration of the occasion, my books are on sale on Itch! You can get each book for 20% off or all three for $4.
If you like sci-fi, fantasy, or fables with LGBTQ and disabled representation, then these books might be for you!
#scifi #fantasy #fable #books #booksale #bookstodon #lgbtqia #disability
My #books are all 50%off on Itch for the next 2 weeks! This is a #fundraiser for my work through Underground Bookshelf, particularly the #free secondhand #bookshelf. I give away books from the shelf to anyone who comes to my table as a way to support access to #literature in the community.
But vending at events gets pricey! You can help me afford to keep this program going this summer by buying my books or giving through Ko-Fi.
Itch: https://itch.io/s/184043/fundraising-for-the-secondhand-bookshelf
Congratulations to the writers of the top stories of our March writing contest! The theme was CRIME, MYSTERY, & COMEDY!
"Milk for the Shadows" (Excerpt from novella, The Thing That Asks for Milk) by Giorgio Hypnos
"Thessaloniki, 1957" by Raskolnick
"How Did Yo...Never Mind" by Ri
Winners will be featured on Underground Bookshelf over the next month!
#books #reading #writing #literature #shortstories #writingcontest
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3096639_march-2026-contest-results
My #book The Wood, is free on #Amazon today and tomorrow! This is a great way to see if you like my #writing style. I wrote this book when I was processing the changes long-COVID had made to my body.
The Wood is a #fable full of witch-hunting and adventure, #disability representation, and more: https://a.co/d/0gCMjBed
Alternatively, you can #read it for #free on #WeInk (which pays #authors using ad revenue) or discounted on #itch https://laura-m-browne-lambert.itch.io
Calling writers of #webcomics and #comicbooks! I’d like to feature you on Underground Bookshelf.
-General submissions are rolling,
-Comics are welcome in all monthly contests,
-Author Q&As/book release announcements also available
No fees. I run on donations only.
www.underground-bookshelf.com
In the summer, I give away #secondhandbooks to anyone who comes to my booth at community events. This is a way for me to support access to #diverse #literature during a renewed culture of #bookbans
I believe in doing this for free because not everyone can get certain types of books at their #library or purchase #books for themselves.
But I can't afford to do this by myself. Tabling fees can cost anywhere from $50-$300. Even a dollar would help so much!
#bookstodon
Hey fellow writers! I host author Q&As and book release announcements on my website. If you'd like to participate, please reach out! I don't charge you anything. Tips are welcome but never required.
This week on Underground Bookshelf:
Resources:
- YA Books About ICE, Deportation and Immigration (Part 2)
- Nonfiction Books About ICE, Deportation, Camps (Part 1)
Indie Author Q&A: A.M. Pennyfeather
Short Story: The Nightmare (Chapter 7)
The April Monthly Writing Contest themes are:
#superheroes #comics #manga #action #adventure
Please note: Fanfiction is NOT accepted. Please submit original work only.
Submissions can include the following formats:
#flashfiction
#shortstories
#webcomics
#comicbooks
#manga
#poetry
#illustratedstories
#illustratedpoetry
#excerpts
creative #memoirs
#essays pertaining to the above genres
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3088965_april-2026-contest-submissions
I'm working on the sequel to Aftermath! If you're interested in #scifi, #spaceopera, and the like, this #novella series might be for you. You can find it at the links below:
Amazon: https://a.co/d/0255Qz4r
WeInk: https://weink.app/
Itch.io: https://laura-m-browne-lambert.itch.io/aftermath-book-one-of-the-stone-series
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aftermath-laura-m-browne-lambert/1147528900?ean=2940184376790
This week on Underground Bookshelf:
#shortstory: "The Artist and the Alien"
#bookrelease: My Journey to Financial Freedom
I love that #readingrainbow is back! Can’t wait for my little one to start enjoying it (when he is old enough for screen time). For now, he loves flipping through his board books
Welcome to the third Monthly Writing Contest of 2026! The theme this month is #mystery, #crimefiction or #comedy
That's right, you can choose from any of the above genres (or blend all three!).
Submissions can include the following formats:
#flashfiction
#shortstories
#poetry
#excerpts
creative #memoirs
#essays pertaining to the above genres
Submissions close March 29th
#fiction #writingcontest #genre
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3030188_march-2026-contest-submissions
Do you #write for kids? I’m looking add a kids corner to the website and would like to feature #shortstories and #poems for #kids
If you’re interested, please reach out, or send submissions to contact.undergroundbookshelf@gmail.com
Note: Underground Bookshelf is a free #reading resource and does not pay contributors. It is dedicated to bringing more #diverse #literature to #readers everywhere.
Did you know you could #read original #shortstories, #poems, #memoirs, #essays, and #excerpts by a diverse array of indie writers on Underground Bookshelf?
We’ve even started featuring bilingual work with pieces written in both English and another language. So far, Spanish and Italian are represented, and other languages are welcome!
Visit the Short Stories and Poems page to read something new every week! It’s FREE (but donations are welcome).
My $3 monthly membership tier on Ko-Fi helps cover the costs of Underground Bookshelf programming and gets you a free book at the end of each year!
#books #bookbans #reading #literacy #literature #diversity #lgbtq #disability
If you're looking to support my work as a writer or Underground Bookshelf but aren't ready/able to make a book purchase or donate to the bookshelf, you can read some of my books on WeInk which pays authors with ad revenue. It's one way to support authors without having to spend your own money.
You'll find me there as @LauraWrites
This isn't an ad for WeInk. It's just a way for readers to support my work without spending a penny.
Welcome to the fourth Monthly Writing Contest of 2026! The themes this month are: #SUPERHEROES, #COMICBOOKS, #MANGA, #ACTION, #ADVENTURE
Please note: Fanfiction is NOT accepted. Please submit original work only.
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3088965_april-2026-contest-submissions
My latest literary resource series centers voices and discussions of ICE, immigration and deportation with a focus on the human impact. The first two resources are children’s books on this subject.
#books #bookstodon #childrensbooks #ice #iceout #deportation #immigration #literature
My Patreon subscribers get to read fresh chapters from my works-in-progress! My current WIP is Book Two of The Stone Series - a series that follows families that have been separated by a failed space mission.
Tiers start at $1/month!
#patreon #books #reading #scifi #literature #reading #bookstodon
This week on Underground Bookshelf:
Reading Resource: Children's Books About ICE, Deportation, and Immigration in the United States
Author Q&A: with B.W. Alan
Short Story: "Winter Wonderland" by Katerina Schafer
Welcome to the third Monthly Writing Contest of 2026! The theme this month is MYSTERY, CRIME, or COMEDY!
That's right, you can choose from any of the above genres (or blend all three!).
Submissions can include the following formats:
#flashfiction
#shortstories
#poetry
#comicbook
first chapters
excerpts
creative memoirs
essays
Submission Timeline
Open: March 01
Close: March 29
Results Announced: Week of March 30
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3030188_march-2026-contest-submissions
My #book The Wood, will be free on #Amazon for two days, starting tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25)! This is a great way to see if you like my #writing style. I wrote this book when I was processing the changes long-COVID had made to my body.
The Wood is a #fable full of witch-hunting and adventure, #disability representation, and more: https://a.co/d/0gCMjBed
Alternatively, you can #read it for #free on #WeInk (which pays #authors using ad revenue) or discounted on #itch https://laura-m-browne-lambert.itch.io/the-wood
The latest - an essay by Valek Akechi:
Dharma and Adharma: Pilgrimage in the Mahabharata Epic by Valek Mitsuhide Akechi
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/essays/2997575_dharma-and-adharma-pilgrimage-in-the-mahabharata-epic-by-valek-mitsuhide-akechi
This week on Underground Bookshelf:
Excerpt: "Milk for the Shadows" Giorgio Hypnos (paranormal mystery)
Resource: YA Books about ICE, Deportation and Immigration in the United States
Essay: "Spy for Spy" by Alex Chan
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/
#reading #writing #books #shortstory #ICE #iceout #immigration #paranormal
Author Q&A with S.E. Thomson, the mind behind A Life in Too Many Margins!
#author #disabled #books #bookstodon
https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/author-q-a-series/3014834_disabled-author-s-e-thomson
Seeking #comicbook, excerpts, #shortstories, illustrated #poetry, and #manga style storytelling to be featured on Underground Bookshelf!
(recent/upcoming #bookreleases and #indieauthor Q&As are also available)
I host friendly #writingcontests every month! The March theme is #MYSTERY, #CRIME, or #COMEDY!
Submissions can include the following formats:
#flashfiction
#shortstories
#poetry
#comicbook
first chapters
excerpts
creative #memoirs
#essays (related to the above genres)
Submission Timeline:
Submissions Open: March 01
Submissions Close: March 29
Results Announced: Week of March 30
Top submissions are featured on Underground Bookshelf!
Details are at: https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3030188_march-2026-contest-submissions
Did you know you can support me and other writers on WeInk for free? This isn't an ad for WeInk, I'm just letting you know that if you want to read some of my books, but don't want to make a purchase, WeInk pays authors using ad revenue, so you'd be saving yourself money and helping me get paid ;)
You'll find me as LauraWrites: https://weink.app/
Want a free bookish newsletter to your inbox once a month? The Underground Bookshelf newsletter makes sure you don't miss the previous month of free #shortstories, #poems, bookish #essays, themed #reading resources, #bookrelease announcements, #indieauthor Q&As, and more!
