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Mari Ness, writer of things

@mariness.bsky.social

2.6K followers 100 following 8K posts

I write things. Occasionally they get published. Also occasionally on other sites, including marikness.wordpress.com, https://medium.com/@marikness, https://www.patreon.com/mari_ness. Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/mari_ness

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · Apr 6

So yes, delighted to say that I am one of the inaugural finalists for the Hugo Award for Best Poem, alongside @angelaliu.bsky.social, @aijiang.bsky.social,
@swantower.bsky.social, @devanbarlow.bsky.social
& Oliver K. Langmead!

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · Apr 6

So, this happened!!!

List of the three finalists for the Hugo Award for Best Poem: Calypso, by Oliver K. Langmead (Titan), "Ever Noir," by Mari Ness (Haven Spec Magazine, Issue 16, July 2024), "There Are No Taxis for the Dead," by Angela Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 58), 219 ballots cast for 266 nominees, Finalists range 11 to 26.

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 1h

I'm holding off a rewatch until January.

When a rewatch will be REQUIRED so that I will be all prepared for season four, right?

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 2h

.....I mean you know I'm just going to say BRIDGERTON in response to this.

(New season coming in January, apparently! So I'll be able to say SEASON FOUR OF BRIDGERTON later on. But not yet!)

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 2h

Have fun!!!!

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

....I should have put Animal on my list!!!!

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

I loved that record so, so much.

It broke - I like to think genuinely accidentally, but I'm fairly certain that no one in the house shared my love for Grover and that record - and I currently don't have a record player, or a single vinyl album.

But I still have those memories of my first record.

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

As you can imagine this did not happen very often. But when it did I was allowed to OPEN THE RECORD PLAYER, put in GROVER, and then hit PLAY, filling the entire area with OVER UNDER AND THROUGH! OVER UNDER AND THROUGH!

MY VERY OWN RECORD

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

Three things had to happen before I was allowed to play my record.

1. I had to be good

2. The weather had to be terrible

3. No adult wanted to listen to something else at that precise moment

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

Grover is this high on the list largely because of nostalgia, I admit.

When I was a kid, I loved to watch my father carefully place vinyl records in the record player. And then - and THEN - on one magical day I got a record of MY VERY OWN.

The GROVER RECORD.

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

True story: I went ahead and indulged in a Pecan Caramel cake earlier today because I KNEW THE FOMO WAS COMING and I needed something in the fridge, so, uh. Here we are.

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

Gonzo!

(Runners-up are Grover, Kermit, little Robin, Miss Piggy, and the one who runs all over the place blowing things up.)

(ok, also the Swedish Chef)

(and Oscar the Grouch)

Cake or Death @johngcole.bsky.social · 3h

Who is your favorite muppet? Personally, I would kill if anyone so much as thought about harming a hair on Janice's head, while Joelle is a big fan of Sweetums.

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 3h

Oooh. My orange cat (Mickey Cat, not in that picture) does NOT like that at all.

He does love to have his little chin and cheeks scratched, though.

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 5h

He completely agrees with you!

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 5h

He is absolutely judging everyone here AND everyone not here for not giving him more cat treats.

Small black cat in fuzzy basket, looking up at the camera with slightly narrowed eyes. A cat toy can be seen just behind him.

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Reposted by Mari Ness, writer of things

The Daily Show @thedailyshow.com · 9h

The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Reposted by Mari Ness, writer of things

Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 8h

U.S. District Judge April Perry says it comes down to a "credibility determination."

"I simply cannot credit [the Trump administration's] declarations to the extent they contradict state and local law enforcement. … DHS' perception of events are simply unreliable."

Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 8h

#BREAKING A federal judge say she will grant "in part" a request by the state of Illinois for a temporary restraining order against the deployment of National Guard troops into the state.

U.S. District Judge April Perry is still ruling and has not outlined the details of her order.

Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 8h

Perry: "I'm going to issue an oral ruling."

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 7h

(I'm being quoted numbers of about $250 per person for "shit seats" before taxes and fees and apparently you have to use Ticketmaster to even get these?)

(not entirely sure what the National Guard can do about this but I am willing to spread the word.)

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 7h

I've been granted permission to share this on-the-ground report from a Chicago friend who says that the city is facing a huge problem right now: "The goddamn fucking costs of Bears tickets. You won't believe this shit. FOR THE FUCKING GIANTS, TOO."

(that's word for word for those wondering)

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 10h

Me too!

Reposted by Mari Ness, writer of things

Alex @alexplatt.bsky.social · 11h

It’s such a wonderful, special novella.

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 13h

Ever read something and fall into dark despair because you will never ever ever be able to write something like that?

In related news I just finished up Amal El-Mohtar's THE RIVER HAS ROOTS, available from Barnes & Noble and other retailers:

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-river-...

The River Has Roots|Hardcover

AN INDIE NEXT AND LIBRARYREADS PICK!The River Has Roots is the hugely anticipated solo debut of the New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award winning author Amal El-Mohtar. Follow the river Liss to th...

www.barnesandnoble.com

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 13h

YES THIS.

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 13h

Further proof that my reaction to THE RIVER HAS ROOTS is NOT JUST ME:

Bryan Camp @bryancamp.bsky.social · 13h

Oh yes. Precisely this. HOW? Just like, How. It's so brief. It's so simple. And yet, I got to the last scene and just wept.

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 13h

I KNOW, RIGHT?

And the whole use of grammar/words/riddles....

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Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 13h

Everything about it was amazing! Language, plot, characters, worldbuilding....

As I said I FELL INTO FLAT DESPAIR, although it's not really a flat despair sort of book.

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 13h

And if you're skeptical about what I have to say about THE RIVER HAS ROOTS, here is a REAL LIVE PROFESSIONAL BOOK CRITIC discussing the work:

Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 13h

I felt the exact same way about this book. Put me into a brief existential crisis about being a book critic reactormag.com/book-review-...

When the Real Breaks Into the True: Amal El Mohtar's The River has Roots - Reactor

A poetic, lyrical novella that feels both real and legendary at the same time.

reactormag.com

Mari Ness, writer of things @mariness.bsky.social · 13h

It was amazing.

And probably going on most/all of my ballots next year.