Vecie Of Beautiful Mind

It’s a couples’ dance and the exchanges and communication are mostly between two pairs who are dancing opposite of each other. Aziraphale and mademoiselle bow and greet their partners. So do the others. Aziraphale looks up.

One of them is charming Madame Laverne, one of the most beloved papillon socials in court. The other one is...

The long red hair and dark sunglasses along with a wide grin can only belong to the Spanish ambassador otherwise known as...

Crowley.

The music plays and the dance begins.

~~~

Aziraphale and Crowley have both spent time undercover in the court of the Sun King. One evening Aziraphale’s patience wears thin and he confronts his hereditary enemy. In the palace of deceit some truths will be shared.

Words: 2,163

Status: Complete

Rating: General Audiences

Art Credit: A ball at Versailles by Victor Joseph Chavet

@vecieminde

Crowley had slept. More than he had planned, less than he had hoped for. The air is cool and a quick temptation in a casino doesn’t sound too bad. Yet, the last person he expected to find there was The Principality of The Eastern Gate.

Great.

Now they need to talk. After all, they had parted rather abruptly. Things had been said but not enough. Not nearly enough.

Words: 10,188

Status: Complete

Rating: Teen And Up

@vecieminde

A delightful collaboration of Good Omens writers and artists for Sweet Spicy Spring! Each creator contributed a unique piece inspired by the theme, and you can explore them all through the links below. Enjoy the springtime themes of sweet, the spicy, and everything in between!

Running on Empty: Fill Me Up by Afraid_Industry8409 Rating: E Chapters: 7 Summary: Crowley reluctantly agreed to help his colleague Anathema supervise a car wash to raise money to take their students to Pride. He wasn’t happy about it… until a gorgeous angel stepped out of a ridiculous antique Mini.

The Allure of Desire by AJ Constantine Rating: E Chapters: 5 Summary: In the grand halls of 18th century Eastgate Manor, Anthony Crowley serves with impeccable discretion as butler to the Viscount of Eastgate, Lord Aziraphale Fell. But behind closed doors, their relationship is anything but proper. What began as a hesitant, yet passionate affair has deepened over the past year. The recent hush of winter cloaked them like a dream, each stolen hour strengthening a bond neither dare name aloud.

And now with spring’s arrival, the Viscount’s affections grows bolder. Crowley, ever conscious of the gulf between their stations, cannot bring himself to believe such happiness could last. With the promise of love slipping through his fingers, he must confront the truth of his own desires—and decide whether he has the courage to reach for it.

Somewhere In The Woods by animeangelriku Rating: E Words: 9,475 Chapters: 1 Summary: There’s something about this complete stranger that begs Crowley to stay, to listen to him, to give him a chance.

“Who are you?” he asks, his voice barely audible. The smile on the man’s face grows. His eyes crinkle at the corners. His cheekbones round into a curve that Crowley wants, for an outrageous moment, to bite.

“Aziraphale,” the stranger—Aziraphale—answers. “Now, are you coming with me?”

Written for the prompt: I accidentally stumbled into a fae spring gathering while chasing my runaway cat, and you’re the fae who’s annoyed I didn’t dress for the occasion but still insists on dancing with me.

Night Blooms by GaiasEyes Rating: E Chapters: 10 Summary: Early spring has always stirred both romance and nostalgia in Aziraphale Fell. So, when he stumbles upon a once-familiar, now untended garden one crisp March morning, he cannot resist exploring. One flower in particular calls to him—more vibrant, more fragrant than the rest. Drawn to its beauty, Aziraphale plucks the bloom, certain it will make the most exquisite tea. But when he drinks it, the infusion does more than delight his senses—it stirs dreams richer than reality and conjures the presence of a man who haunts them. Written for the prompt: I found a strange flower in your garden that smells incredible and tasted just as good… only now I can’t stop dreaming about you.

Homecoming by Heretic1103 Rating: E Chapters: 15 Summary: After their friendship ended badly nearly fifteen years ago, Crowley and Ezra meet again when Crowley is temporarily forced back to his hometown to recover from an injury on the job. Have they both grown and changed enough to admit their own shortcomings that led to the falling out that ended it in the first place? Can they rekindle the friendship and possibly turn it into something more?

Alpenglow by LCwrites (Janara) Rating: E Chapters: 5 Summary: Freshly out of a relationship and at what feels like a turning point in his life, Aziraphale takes himself to a lonely mountain cottage with the hope of finding peace and quiet. Solitude is just what he needs, or so he thinks. Until circumstances get him acquainted with his temporary neighbour, who appears to have sought out the remote place for reasons of his own.

Figuring It Out by Leviosally and Wings of Opal Rating: E Chapters: 5 Summary: Spring has come to London, and with it, fresh possibilities. Anthony Crowley--determined to finally follow through on old dreams--signs up for a couple of classes as he tries to revisit what he loves best, get out of a rut, and get back into his career as a freelancer. Aziraphale works as a librarian not far from St. Lucius' School of Fine Art, and when his neighbor and friend, Anathema, asks if he would be interested in a little side-gig as one of the life models for her Intermediate Figure Drawing class, he agrees. That's not going to awaken things in anyone, right? Spring semester Art school meet-cute

Syzygy by Mageofthepeople Rating: E Words: 9,807 Chapters: 1 Summary: Dr Anthony Crowley decided that a small village in Oxfordshire would be the best place to make some astronomical observations for the upcoming Vernal Equinox. Az Fell is a bookseller set to start work on continuing his education. After an encounter in Tadfield's only nightclub ends badly, they find themselves in each other's company in a remote field outside the village. Written for the prompt: I’m an astronomer tracking the equinox, and you’re a witch who’s furious I’ve camped out on your ritual site. I don’t care about magic, and you don’t care about science.

The Breaking Of The Ice by MirjamOmens (Mirjam) Rating: M Words: 6,802 Chapters: 1 Summary: The earth thrummed under Aziraphale’s feet. Huge chunks of ice and debris grated against each other as the power of the flood crashed them into the pillars of the bridge and up the riverbanks. The bridge held, as it had for many years, and soon the flood wave passed, leaving a free, roaring river in its wake. Aziraphale looked upstream, where the river curved behind the small batch of forest, and drew a deep breath to calm his heart.

Spring was here, and with spring came high waters, and with high waters came… the log drivers.

A historical log driver human AU. Aziraphale lives in a village by a river. Every spring the log drivers arrive to spice up the life of the sleepy village for a couple of weeks before they continue downstream. One of them has red hair, strong arms and lovely hands. Not that Aziraphale has been watching, of course.

I'm watching you watch me (the way the devil watches angels) by MM2022 Rating: G Words: 5,116 Chapters: 3 Summary: Crowley met his angel the day he Fell. He was not even being his usual dramatic self when saying this, no—a fall on the runway during Paris Fashion Week was indeed a capital-F Fall. Or, at least, it would have been, if it were not for the angel…

It’s Spring/Summer Paris Fashion Week, and guess who’s turning heads on the catwalk? That’s right—Aziraphale and Crowley! Follow our favourite models (and the rest of the Good Omens cast) through three ethereally beautiful and devilishly tempting fashion shows.

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer, They Were Models!

This Night by ModernDayKlutz Rating: T Words: 13,772 Chapters: 1 Summary: It’d been one year after graduation. Or, at least it was for some people. Anthony thought he'd picked up his pieces and moved on with his life, until one night he's dragged to a party full of people from his old university that he thought he'd never see again. Suddenly, a party game of silly confessions — a bowl full of secrets and harmless fun — could be Anthony's last shot or absolute ruin. That is, on a night like this, if it's a risk he's willing to take.

Unexpected Deliveries by night_gazer Rating: M Words: 18,560 Chapters: 2 Summary: Crowley has finally created his own personal Eden - opening a new flower shop in Soho with Nina. However, his newfound status as 'cool entrepaneur with his shit together' falls apart fast when food deliveries by an unexpectedly compelling angel create a series of encounters worthy of a rom-com. Who is this strong and sweet food angel and how will Crowley find him when he stops delivering? Flower shop owner Crowley falls apart for food deliveryman Aziraphale.

Gelassenheit by On1OccasionFork Rating: E Chapters: 6 Summary: Widower Ezra Falb wants one thing: to see his child Muriel be happy. But when eight-year-old Muriel witnesses a brutal crime, the pair find themselves tangled in a perilous web of corruption. Their only ally is Anthony Crowley, the surprisingly compassionate detective who promises to protect them. After the investigation takes a horrific turn, the terrified Falbs and a wounded Crowley are forced into hiding within Ezra’s Amish community.

Now, Crowley, a city cop, must navigate the unfamiliar world of rural simplicity while battling both external threats and the growing tension between himself and Ezra. Can their fragile alliance — and burgeoning feelings — survive the stark clash of cultures, Ezra’s upbringing, and the looming danger of those hunting for them?

Human AU murder mystery! With Amish Aziraphale and detective Crowley!

Good Old-Fashioned Monster Lover Girls by Pilatesandpinot Rating E Chapters 11 Summary: Azira Fell is a fruit bat vampire, Antonia Crowley is a witchy werewolf. They work as baristas at a small coffee shop in Soho, quietly pining and flirting with each other until they figure out each other’s secret identity. Despite their differences, they form a connection like no other.

Aziraphale’s Big Fat Mythologically Greek Wedding by Shadowfang44 Rating: E Chapters: 11 Summary: One day while Aziraphale, the God of Agriculture is out having a day off, he happens to meet Crowley, the God of the Underworld. His life will never be the same. Greek Myth AU Crowley as Hades, Aziraphale as Persephone

Super Bloom by Snae_b Rating: E Words: 5,905 Chapters: 1 Summary: Spring has finally come to sector seven and science officers Crowley and Fell are on assignment to document the alien super bloom that came along with it. Sci-fi sex pollen!

Courage by SpectrallyDistracted Rating: E Chapters: 7 Summary: Aziraphale Eastgate is unfailingly polite, effortlessly charming, and seems to like everyone in Central London—except Anthony Crowley. And for the life of him, Crowley has never understood why. But when they find themselves trapped on a week-long vacation together with their best friends, Maggie and Nina, it doesn't take long for Crowley to find out.

Hill of Dreamers by Vecieminde Rating: E Chapters: 2 Summary: When Aziraphale is subjected to harsh and unfair performance review, Crowley is determined to cheer her up again. Neither of them are prepared for the hidden desires to be uncovered and for passion to replace any caution they have upheld for millennia. After all, Spring Equinox is a perfect time to let it all go.

Our next sneak peak for the Good Omens Sweet Spicy Spring collaboration is from Vecieminde!

At the court of Versailles, both Heaven and Hell have their own agendas. As the Spring Equinox breathes life nature’s beauty, it also stirs something undeniable between Crowley and Aziraphale. When Heaven’s disapproval weighs heavily on Aziraphale, Crowley sees an opportunity—not just to offer comfort, but to tempt fate with something far more perilous: the pull of love.

It is easy for Crowley to let his mind wander to the angel. Especially with his horse being perfectly capable of trailing the right path without Crowley’s guidance. He had spotted her in the court but had lacked the opportunity to catch up. Aziraphale seemed to be even more anxious than usual to the point that if Crowley did not know any better he might think she is deliberately avoiding him. Her newest persona has infiltrated into the palace as a lady in waiting for the queen while Crowley is here as an advisor. Not that he is being listened to much by the king but Crowley had noticed how the king’s wandering eye had landed on Aziraphale more than once. As much as this observation tested his control over his demonic impulses, he cannot deny that there were plenty of reasons for anybody to admire Aziraphale. Endearing and contradicting personality aside, Aziraphale was simply the most radiant being to walk the Earth both in a literal and metaphorical sense. Even in the woods, everything reminds Crowley of Aziraphale. The scent of petrichor accompanies Aziraphale the same way that rosewood and parchment does. The Spring Equinox has made the day warmer, sunnier. Those of light are cast down through the leaves and the soft patterns they create on the grass reminds Crowley of Aziraphale’s platinum blonde curls that seem to glow when the light hits them right. The colours of the spring are the same as Aziraphale’s eyes. The demon sighs. His damned heart can never stop vocalising its yearning it seems.

Read more when Vecieminde posts on April 9th!

Lucifer Morningstar and the Archangel Michael pay a visit to Maggie's shop in @vecieminde 's "Vinyls and Records"

Download the Above, Below, and the Common Ground Zine for free or with a donation! We're fundraising for the National Network to End Domestic Violence

My entry for the Good Omens fanwork exchange arranged by @transarmageddon. I created this based off a prompt from @vecieminde. The prompt that I was most heavily inspired by was “Aziraphale and Crowley exploring an abandoned place which glory days they might have witnessed”. Full disclosure: I am a bit of a history nerd and so one abandoned place turned into many which turned into a road trip across rural England with a pit stop in Wales. At certain times I veered a bit further from the main prompt than I was hoping but I hope you still enjoy! (About 9.5K and no warnings apply. I’m having a beta review it and then I’ll probably post to AO3) Heavily inspired by the Vera Lynn album “Rose of England” (I am bad at titles and simply borrowed that.) Definitely recommend a listen, it’s a wonderful album. Fic under the cut.

While you are worrying about whether beta readers will steal your ideas, there is a more genuine threat on the horizon.

When offered a publishing contract, please do all your research before you sign. There are a number of fakes and scammers out there, as well as good-intentioned amateurs that don’t know how to get your work to a wide audience. I won’t tell the heartbreaking stories here - there are too many.

Being published badly is worse than being never published.

It can destroy your career and your dreams.

The quick check is to google the publishing house name + scam or warning.

But, to be sure, check with these places first. They aren’t infallible (nothing is) but they can help you protect yourself. They are written and maintained by expereinced writers, editors, publishers and legal folks.

Absolute Write: Bewares and Background Checks

Preditors and editors

Writer Beware

and the WRITER BEWARE blog

Keep yourself and your work safe.

Equally important to know is that you can SELF-PUBLISH through a number of platforms these days. @ean-amhran and I used Amazon’s CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing to publish both of our books. No editors, no contracts, no finagling with publishers who want to change your materials. Just direct-to-market material.

(Granted, it means you’ve got to do a LOT more work yourself with editing and formatting and cover art, but it’s worth it to miss the headache of trying to bargain with publishing houses or avoid scams.)

It lays out how to neatly format an e-book in a wonderful step by step format, and you can get it free from Smashwords. Just leave off the couple of things that are (very obviously) Smashwords specific.

Writer Beware is a wonderful resource, and I highly recommend it. It’s both a good general guide to the scams people run/red flags to watch out for (such as giving up your copyright entirely as opposed to specific rights, or being charged to publish something or have it edited, when they’re trying to act like they’re a “normal” publisher), and a frequently-updated list of the latest specific known scammers, both in “fake agents” and fake/scammy publishers categories. (The company formerly known as Publish America is one of the most famous and egregious cases, but by far not the only one)

Also related to agents: Should you go this route and seek one, DO NOT PAY ONE DIME TO THEM upfront! A real agent only gets paid when he sells your book to a publisher! The average cut is about 10-15% of the first sale profits, if I remember right, with cuts of film and other rights maybe being more, when sold. At most, writers should only be responsible for the costs of phone calls and postage.

For more information see: How Literary Agents Get Paid. Standard Commission Practices and Payments for Literary Agents

Edited to Add: Some other great, highly respected resources for writing and getting published are:

Writer’s Digest

The Writer

Danegeld historic jewellery shared new pictures of their Good Omens props! :)

1., 2., 3. Roman Crowley and Aziraphale, Crowley’s laurel wreath before it was silver 

4. Witchfinder pin

5. and 6. Nuns

7. Aziraphale’s ring and harp cufflings

8. dabbling with the glasses :)

9. collar pin for Famine

I read a sad case today of a young writer who had had her story rewritten into illiteracy by a so-called publisher, who then abused her in email when she wrote to complain. She wsn’t getting paid for her story – instead she was actually buying copies of the anthology to show people that she had sold a story. And I thought, it is time to remind the world, and to enlighten young writers, about…

Yog’s Law: 

Money flows towards the writer.

That’s all. All writers should remember it.  When a commercial publisher contracts a book, it will pay an advance against royalties to the writer. Money flows towards the writer. Literary agents make their living by charging a commission of between 10 and 20% on the sales that they make on behalf of their clients, the writers. When advances and royalties are paid by a publisher the agent’s percentage is filtered off in the direction of the writer’s agent but the bulk of the money still flows towards the writer. If a publisher ever asks for any sort of financial contribution from a writer, they’re trying to divert money away from the writer, in direct contravention of Yog’s Law. If an agent ever asks for up-front fees, regardless of what they call them (reading fees, administration costs, processing fees, or retainers), then they are trying to divert money away from the writer, in direct contravention of Yog’s Law. It’s a brilliantly simple rule. We should thank James D Macdonald for it in the best way there is. Buy his books

Money flows toward the writer.

No, that doesn’t mean that the author should get paper and ink for free, or that he won’t pay for postage. It does mean that when someone comes along and says, “Sure, kid, you can be a Published Author! It’ll only cost you $300!” the writer will know that something’s wrong. A fee is a fee is a fee, whether they call it a reading fee, a marketing fee, a promotion fee, or a cheese-and-crackers fee.