MoonCross Studio
T.J. Nova
--- Stories linger long after the final page. Through writing, photography, and visual storytelling, I explore memory, identity, devotion, and the people history leaves behind.
Writing
Some stories arrive quietly. Others linger for years before finding their way onto the page. Through fantasy and gothic fiction, I explore memory, devotion, inheritance, and the enduring traces people leave behind. Influenced by Black storytelling traditions and a deep interest in community, history, and remembrance, the projects below reflect the themes that continue to shape my work as a writer.
Photography
Light, texture, and atmosphere are at the heart of my photographic practice. Through personal documentary work and visual storytelling, I explore memory, identity, transformation, and the ways people leave traces of themselves behind. My work is rooted in observation, seeking beauty in ordinary moments and meaning in the details that are often overlooked.
About
Behind every project is a story. Shaped by a love of storytelling, a fascination with memory, and a belief in the importance of community, my work explores the connections between people, place, and the stories we carry with us. Learn more about the writer and photographer behind MoonCross Studio.
Work in Progress
Where the Moons Cross
An epic mythic fantasy novel exploring memory, community, stewardship, and the stories that bind people together. Set nearly two centuries after a cataclysm known as the Severing, the novel follows a young priestess whose journey across a fractured world uncovers forgotten histories, ancient truths, and the burden of collective responsibility. Inspired by folklore, Black storytelling traditions, and philosophies of community care, the project reimagines the fantasy "chosen one" narrative through a communal lens.
The Devotion of Graveflowers
A gothic fantasy romance following a young woman descended from a forgotten lineage of memory keepers. Raised on her grandmother's stories and traditions long dismissed as superstition, she spends her days tending neglected graves, speaking names long since abandoned, and preserving the memories of those the world has forgotten.
When her quiet acts of devotion catch the attention of Death himself, she is drawn into a relationship that challenges the boundary between life and death. Blending gothic atmosphere, folklore, and themes of grief, remembrance, and devotion, the novel explores the enduring power of memory and the people who refuse to let the forgotten disappear.
The King She Buried
A gothic vampire fantasy spanning centuries. Beginning in plague-era Ireland, the story follows Lavinia, a tavern keeper transformed into a powerful vampire after a chance encounter with an ancient bloodline. Centuries later, as her husband and king descends into violence and extremism, Lavinia must choose between loyalty and conscience. Combining political intrigue, forbidden love, and gothic horror, the novel explores immortality, inherited trauma, power, and the cost of devotion.
The Prince She Bore
A companion novel continuing Lavinia's story in the aftermath of war. As she navigates motherhood, grief, and the legacy of a fallen king, the arrival of an ancient patriarch threatens both her family and the fragile future she hopes to build. Blending gothic fantasy, family saga, and political intrigue, the novel explores inheritance, identity, and the burdens carried from one generation to the next..
Photography
Artist Statement
My photographic practice is deeply informed by my background as a writer, shaping an approach that is attentive to atmosphere, texture, and the quiet narratives that gather within everyday moments. Through photography, I explore memory, identity, transformation, and the traces people leave behind.
I am particularly drawn to spaces of observation where stillness, presence, and reflection reveal themselves. Whether photographing landscapes, objects, or personal experiences, I seek moments that hold endurance, tenderness, and a sense of connection to something larger than the frame itself.
While the work presented here is primarily digital, my practice remains deeply rooted in analog photography and traditional darkroom processes. The patience, materiality, and intentionality of film continue to shape the way I approach image-making. A collection of analog work and process-based projects is currently being prepared for inclusion in the portfolio.
At its core, my work is an act of attention, an attempt to slow down, look closely, and preserve the moments, textures, and stories that might otherwise fade with time.
Work in Progress
Petals & Salt
A developing photobook exploring metamorphosis, coming of age, beauty, isolation, and healing through a combination of photography, poetry, and journal fragments
Boyhood
A developing photobook examining masculinity, tenderness, violence, and growing up through the eyes of a single mother, combining documentary photography, personal reflection, and interviews.
Biography
T.J. Nova is the creative pseudonym of Tiana Robles, a writer, photographer, storyteller, and mother of three based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her work is shaped by a lifelong love of stories, an interest in memory, belonging, and the belief that communities are built through the stories people share with one another.Drawing inspiration from folklore, family history, Black storytelling traditions, and the natural world, her creative practice spans fantasy fiction, photography, and mixed-media storytelling. Her work often explores themes of remembrance, transformation, inheritance, community, and the traces people leave behind.Outside of her creative work, Tiana can often be found reading, crafting, exploring museums and cemeteries, or filling notebooks with ideas for future projects. She currently works in public libraries and is pursuing graduate studies in Library and Information Science and Children's Literature.One day, she hopes to establish Blackbird Farms, a community-centered homestead & Education center dedicated to literacy, creativity, sustainability, and care. Through both her creative work and future community projects, she hopes to create spaces where people feel seen, connected, and remembered.