Kate Heartfield
@kateheartfield.com
I write weird novels about weird history, plus games and stories. Next novel: MERCUTIO, May 2026. (Mostly) former journalist; currently teaching journalism. From Manitoba, now in Ottawa. She/her. Trans rights or gtfo 🏳️🌈
https://kateheartfield.com
https://kateheartfield.com
Pinned
Kate Heartfield
@kateheartfield.com
· Apr 30
New pinned thread! I'm a writer in Ottawa, Canada. I write historical fantasy novels (see next posts), and other things. I used to be a newspaper journalist. My newsletter, which comes out every second Friday: buttondown.com/heartfield My website: www.kateheartfield.com My typical cat situation:
Also, speaking as a contract instructor, uggghhhhhhhh (it is not the same job, I know, but the gap in compensation is pretty stark.)
November 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Also, speaking as a contract instructor, uggghhhhhhhh (it is not the same job, I know, but the gap in compensation is pretty stark.)
Wait maybe I should get an actual author hat, like Terry Pratchett
November 25, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Wait maybe I should get an actual author hat, like Terry Pratchett
Today I am:
- polishing layout on non-profit report I wrote
- copy-editing appendices on different report for a different non-profit
- photo shoot for campus newspaper with my author hat on
- if time allows, novel writing on laptop somewhere on campus
- teaching a 3-hour evening journalism seminar
- polishing layout on non-profit report I wrote
- copy-editing appendices on different report for a different non-profit
- photo shoot for campus newspaper with my author hat on
- if time allows, novel writing on laptop somewhere on campus
- teaching a 3-hour evening journalism seminar
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Today I am:
- polishing layout on non-profit report I wrote
- copy-editing appendices on different report for a different non-profit
- photo shoot for campus newspaper with my author hat on
- if time allows, novel writing on laptop somewhere on campus
- teaching a 3-hour evening journalism seminar
- polishing layout on non-profit report I wrote
- copy-editing appendices on different report for a different non-profit
- photo shoot for campus newspaper with my author hat on
- if time allows, novel writing on laptop somewhere on campus
- teaching a 3-hour evening journalism seminar
yikes
November 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
yikes
My car was so coated with salt grime that I paid the extra dollar for the non-basic car wash and friends, I've seen colours this morning like you wouldn't believe.
November 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
My car was so coated with salt grime that I paid the extra dollar for the non-basic car wash and friends, I've seen colours this morning like you wouldn't believe.
I still think fondly of all the fruit I ate when I visited Kerala. It's amazing!
November 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I still think fondly of all the fruit I ate when I visited Kerala. It's amazing!
In this house we held Rogue One to be the best SW movie even before Andor was announced, but every heart wants what it wants. In fairness, I tend to award a lot of points just for trying something different, in general.
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 AM
In this house we held Rogue One to be the best SW movie even before Andor was announced, but every heart wants what it wants. In fairness, I tend to award a lot of points just for trying something different, in general.
Yeah. In my case as a journalism instructor, sure, basic fact-checking for a crappy article you didn't write on a topic on which you're not an expert is in fact a newsroom skill. So is AI identification, now. But it is not the skill that my course is designed to develop, so, what happens to *that*?
I'm so tired of people telling me to have students critique LLM outputs. I'm just going to print this on little cards and hand them out
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Yeah. In my case as a journalism instructor, sure, basic fact-checking for a crappy article you didn't write on a topic on which you're not an expert is in fact a newsroom skill. So is AI identification, now. But it is not the skill that my course is designed to develop, so, what happens to *that*?
Reposted by Kate Heartfield
More generally, wherever you are in the world: if you have kids’ toys, books, clothes or anything else in just-about-giftable condition that you were thinking of decluttering some time soon, please do it now, this week ideally, and get them to your local charity shop.
Hey Ottawa folks: I gave some kids' books to Twice Upon a Time and they said they've receved fewer donations than usual for this time of year. So if you have any kids' books in good condition, or time or money to spare, here's the info:
Donate - Twice Upon a Time
twiceuponatime.ca
November 24, 2025 at 8:11 PM
More generally, wherever you are in the world: if you have kids’ toys, books, clothes or anything else in just-about-giftable condition that you were thinking of decluttering some time soon, please do it now, this week ideally, and get them to your local charity shop.
Hooray, glad to spread the word! I think it was @gianttourtiere.bsky.social who put me on to them when I got a box of 100+ brand new kids' books from a publisher by mistake and the sender told me to keep them or dispose of them. Had no idea what to do with them but Twice Upon a Time was perfect.
November 24, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Hooray, glad to spread the word! I think it was @gianttourtiere.bsky.social who put me on to them when I got a box of 100+ brand new kids' books from a publisher by mistake and the sender told me to keep them or dispose of them. Had no idea what to do with them but Twice Upon a Time was perfect.
Hey Ottawa folks: I gave some kids' books to Twice Upon a Time and they said they've receved fewer donations than usual for this time of year. So if you have any kids' books in good condition, or time or money to spare, here's the info:
Donate - Twice Upon a Time
twiceuponatime.ca
November 24, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Hey Ottawa folks: I gave some kids' books to Twice Upon a Time and they said they've receved fewer donations than usual for this time of year. So if you have any kids' books in good condition, or time or money to spare, here's the info:
Today I have seen the (correct, important) argument that not all parts of the world have access to public libraries, and also the (incorrect, weird) assertion that only the US does. Here's an interactive map if you want to check avail stats for a given country (may not give full picture of course).
IFLA Library Map of the World
librarymap.ifla.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Today I have seen the (correct, important) argument that not all parts of the world have access to public libraries, and also the (incorrect, weird) assertion that only the US does. Here's an interactive map if you want to check avail stats for a given country (may not give full picture of course).
Yes. Twelfth Night is Jan. 5*, otherwise known in some traditions as Kate's Birthday Eve
*obligatory not all traditions and calendars disclaimer, do not come at me
*obligatory not all traditions and calendars disclaimer, do not come at me
'Tis the season for one of my holiday pet peeves.
THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS RUN FROM DECEMBER 25 TO JANUARY 5.
THE DAYS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS ARE ADVENT WHICH IS WHY YOU HAVE ADVENT CALENDARS
this compounded by the AMOUNT christian nonsense inflicted on me by ppl who don't know their own shit
THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS RUN FROM DECEMBER 25 TO JANUARY 5.
THE DAYS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS ARE ADVENT WHICH IS WHY YOU HAVE ADVENT CALENDARS
this compounded by the AMOUNT christian nonsense inflicted on me by ppl who don't know their own shit
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Yes. Twelfth Night is Jan. 5*, otherwise known in some traditions as Kate's Birthday Eve
*obligatory not all traditions and calendars disclaimer, do not come at me
*obligatory not all traditions and calendars disclaimer, do not come at me
Reposted by Kate Heartfield
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
It's fabulous and I still do this. I spent a day in a university library when I was researching 13th c city states for Mercutio. Just going from one article to the next, one book to the literal next on the shelf. Very efficient and effective, plus you feel like a human being in a human world.
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
November 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
It's fabulous and I still do this. I spent a day in a university library when I was researching 13th c city states for Mercutio. Just going from one article to the next, one book to the literal next on the shelf. Very efficient and effective, plus you feel like a human being in a human world.
Reposted by Kate Heartfield
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
Reposted by Kate Heartfield
Starbucks workers are still out on ULP strike! Support us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS anywhere until the strike is resolved!! We’re fighting for fair union contracts with better pay, better hours, and an end to union-busting - learn more at the link in our bio! #tobeapartner
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Starbucks workers are still out on ULP strike! Support us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS anywhere until the strike is resolved!! We’re fighting for fair union contracts with better pay, better hours, and an end to union-busting - learn more at the link in our bio! #tobeapartner
: silent screaming :
November 24, 2025 at 6:07 AM
: silent screaming :
Also, sales are what breed sales. Buying one copy of a book from an indie store can actually mean that store gets another copy of the book in, and another person learns about it, maybe the staff read it and rec it. Borrowing a book from the library keeps it on the shelf. This is how we stay alive.
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Also, sales are what breed sales. Buying one copy of a book from an indie store can actually mean that store gets another copy of the book in, and another person learns about it, maybe the staff read it and rec it. Borrowing a book from the library keeps it on the shelf. This is how we stay alive.
Reposted by Kate Heartfield
the vast majority of authors are not rich y’all, we often work multiple jobs or rely on other people’s incomes because this industry pays us shit. i have three different contracts with three different big five publishers and i don’t make anything NEAR a living wage. but i do work seven days a week!🫠
I did a thread a few weeks ago of "authors link your stuff" & one of my author friends who is one emergency away from being homeless had a massive spike in downloads on Anna's Archive from people *who follow me* complaining about how they are poor & should be allowed to steal from other poor people
November 24, 2025 at 5:40 AM
the vast majority of authors are not rich y’all, we often work multiple jobs or rely on other people’s incomes because this industry pays us shit. i have three different contracts with three different big five publishers and i don’t make anything NEAR a living wage. but i do work seven days a week!🫠
Ugh, I didn't know about this one. Of course it has all my books. Not only is that money I could use, but every sale helps those of us hanging on in the midlist keep publishing at all. Love to see hundreds of downloads on series that people complain haven't continued with more books. Yeah guess why.
I posted a buy link here to "A Magical Inheritance" a few days ago, and 24 of you immediately went to Anna's Archives and fucking stole it from me.
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
November 24, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Ugh, I didn't know about this one. Of course it has all my books. Not only is that money I could use, but every sale helps those of us hanging on in the midlist keep publishing at all. Love to see hundreds of downloads on series that people complain haven't continued with more books. Yeah guess why.
Same, same. And it makes me question myself when I read successful novels that feel irritatingly obvious/surface to me, but that isn't what I want to do, ultimately. I struggle to find that middle ground between being true to myself as a writer and being at least a little kinder to the reader, ha.
November 24, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Same, same. And it makes me question myself when I read successful novels that feel irritatingly obvious/surface to me, but that isn't what I want to do, ultimately. I struggle to find that middle ground between being true to myself as a writer and being at least a little kinder to the reader, ha.
I always feel self-conscious about sharing, so that's helpful to hear!
November 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I always feel self-conscious about sharing, so that's helpful to hear!
Hooray! Thanks for taking a chance on it, and I hope you enjoy it. Frankie Porter is a great narrator.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Hooray! Thanks for taking a chance on it, and I hope you enjoy it. Frankie Porter is a great narrator.
If you are putting books on your wishlists for gifts, I'd be honoured if you put one of mine on there. Bookshop has a handy wishlist function:
Kate Heartfield Bookshop
Kate Heartfield is the author of several novels, including The Tapestry of Time (2024), about clairvoyant sisters in WWII; The Valkyrie (2023), a retelling of legends; and the Sunday Times bestseller ...
bookshop.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
If you are putting books on your wishlists for gifts, I'd be honoured if you put one of mine on there. Bookshop has a handy wishlist function: