Mary Robinette Kowal
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maryrobinettekowal.com
Mary Robinette Kowal
@maryrobinettekowal.com
32K followers 630 following 4.7K posts
Hugo Award-winning author, narrator, and professional puppeteer. Also has a talking cat. My latest title, Apprehension, is available wherever books are sold.
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maryrobinettekowal.com
Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com · 6h
As 2025 wraps up, I'm looking back at what I did in publishing. I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out in the world feels mildly miraculous. For your reading pleasure and consideration for award nominations: maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/mrks...
MRK’s 2025 Publishing Review
As the year wraps up, I’m looking back at what I did in publishing this last year. I’m not going to lie, I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out…
maryrobinettekowal.com
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
alyssaharad.bsky.social
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
blipstress.bsky.social violet allen @blipstress.bsky.social · 1d
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
lindsaykingmiller.bsky.social
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.

The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
aetataureate.bsky.social berserk du soleil @aetataureate.bsky.social · 11h
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
peterbcounter.com Peter Counter, Nightmare Host @peterbcounter.com · 1d
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 11:24 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
byzantienne.bsky.social
I expect nothing less from the brilliant @amalelmohtar.com, but this is gorgeous and heartbreaking in every way. You all should read it.

Free Palestine.
November 26, 2025 at 1:02 AM
maryrobinettekowal.com
As 2025 wraps up, I'm looking back at what I did in publishing. I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out in the world feels mildly miraculous. For your reading pleasure and consideration for award nominations: maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/mrks...
MRK’s 2025 Publishing Review
As the year wraps up, I’m looking back at what I did in publishing this last year. I’m not going to lie, I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out…
maryrobinettekowal.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:13 AM
maryrobinettekowal.com
My final Patreon Q&A of the year is on Tuesday, December 2nd at 8 PM ET. Come with any question, and I'll answer it. Puppetry, writing novels, navigating creativity with ADHD and depression, working with agents and editors, audiobook narration, talking cats... you name it. patreon.com/maryrobinette
Over a purple background with yellow stars is a photo of Mary Robinette Kowal holding books, under which is the text, "Ask Me Anything, Tuesday, December 2nd at 8 PM ET on Patreon"
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
pbsnews.org
Viola Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, has died. She was 111.

"I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot," she told Congress in 2021.

Geoff Bennett has more.
November 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
franwilde.bsky.social
The internet is closed thank you this is the final post.
kclemson.bsky.social KC Lemson @kclemson.bsky.social · 1d
It’s pronounced Christmas jifts
November 25, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
clairewillett.bsky.social
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore

I feel like we need this
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
soniasulaiman.bsky.social
In fact, you can always try your usual neurodivergent skills for task initiation on your writing! I learned that one from @maryrobinettekowal.com (much thanks!). This is the first time I’ve applied my neurodivergent writing skills to making lunch!
November 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
mishellbaker.bsky.social
Can you spread the word about weaintbuyingit.com? This is one of the easiest and safest ways possible to fight back against the current administration. If you've been saying there's nothing you can do - you're wrong! All you have to do is not buy from Amazon, Home Depot, or Target for five days.
We Ain’t Buying It! - Economic Pressure on Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday - We Ain’t Buying It!
We Ain’t Buying It is an economic action and solidarity campaign designed to defend democracy and reclaim community power.
weaintbuyingit.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
uncannymagazine.bsky.social
ICYMI! Reading 2025 fiction?

Try the short story "To Speak in Silence" by Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com!

You can read it in the eBooks now & on the website in December!

buff.ly/CmvWUOr
The cover for Uncanny Magazine Issue 67, "Mushroom Mother of Us All" by Paul Lewin. In the center, an elderly Black woman has her eyes serenely closed, a brown-orange nose piercing on her right nostril and an orange line/mark on her chin. Her hair are the green leaves of trees, trunks growing out of the side of her face, and mushrooms growing through the leaves. She wears large earrings of orange, sienna, with aqua and white lines and dots. Her hands hold a bowl lined with Black faces and mushrooms growing out of the bowl. In the center of the bowl and thus the front of her chest is an orange sun surrounded by a dark pink halo like a globe. The quote reads: “The other chicken, a bright yellow affair, had a smaller chicken sitting on her back and four holes piercing her breast. Through those holes, Big Yellow’s voice emanated, ‘She is late.’ Red and Black’s glazed eye glinted with annoyance. ‘Quiet. She will be here in a moment.’”
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
rdvquantum.bsky.social
Reading @maryrobinettekowal.com's #LadyAstronaut novel The Martian Contingency is claustrophobic the same way good generation starship novels are. What does it really take to survive out there? Do you have to be able to make sheet metal? Copper wire? Capacitors? Ceramics? Glass?
November 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
solarisbooks.bsky.social
@ldcolter.com is on @maryrobinettekowal.com 's MY FAVOURITE BIT today, talking about her novel WHILE THE GODS SLEEP where unsuspecting mortals tangle in the games of the gods! 👉 https://bit.ly/4icARyX

Buy book 1 & 2 - only £2.99 in eBook!
https://geni.us/whilegodssl
https://geni.us/whenthewindss
My Favorite Bit: L.D. Colter talks about WHILE THE GODS SLEEP
L.D. Colter is joining us today to talk about her novel, While the Gods Sleep. Here’s the publisher’s description: The first time Ty died he was five, the second time he was seven. He’s alway…
maryrobinettekowal.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:36 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
Writers: If you've been working on a piece for a while and you aren't sure if it still needs more tweaks, or if you've entered the anxiety-editing phase, Monday's Patreon class is for you. To attend with a free 7-day trial, choose the Livestreaming Classes tier or above. patreon.com/maryrobinette
In addition to a photo of Mary Robinette, the text says, "How Do I Know I'm Done? A class for writers available to Patreon subscribers at the 'Livestreaming Classes' tier, Monday, Nov 24, 8 PM EST. Patreon.com/maryrobinette"
November 21, 2025 at 9:16 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
Approximately once a month (and more often when I have a new book), I send out a newsletter regarding what I'm up to, behind-the-scenes peeks at my current writing projects, Elsie's shenanigans, and more. Here's the latest, if you'd like a taste. maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/the-...
The Mary Robinette Gazette: November, 2025
Would you like to receive my newsletter in your inbox, along with other goodies? Sign up here. I’m wrapping up my book tour with Sam J. Miller for Apprehension  / Red…
maryrobinettekowal.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
Members of my Patreon get fun extras from time to time, such as the chance to beta read my current works in progress. To read along as I write a new novella starring Elsie, join my Patreon at any paid membership tier (starts at $5). patreon.com/maryrobinette
White text over a black background. The title is, "Beta read SF novella: What the Cat Saw" The text says: "Hi folks, I'm working on a novella starring Elsie and I'm looking for folks who are interested in reading along with me as I work. Here's a teaser. The trouble with being a tiny cat was that all the controls on the bridge of the Interstellar Spaceship Iguanodon had been optimized for humans. Not just the controls. The entire ship had been designed for human height and vision. And thumbs. Which was why Dr. Elsie MacGill, fourth of her name, sat on a table beside the navigator's chair instead of at the controls herself. She could use the touch screen but it had not been designed with her in mind. Booping controls with her nose was annoying."
November 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
I'm teaching and critiquing at the 2026 Sandia Starforgers SFF Writers Retreat in Albuquerque, and the scholarship application is due November 30. Learn more and apply here: starforgers.com/2026
Buy Your Ticket – Sandia Starforgers Writers Retreat and Workshop - April 2026
Sandia Starforgers Writers Retreat and Workshop - April 2026, Fri Apr 24, 2026 - Mon Apr 27, 2026 - Sandia Starforgers Writers Retreat and Workshop Scholarship application due November 30 (see below) ...
starforgers.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
Throwback photos from the New York + Brooklyn portion of @sentencebender.bsky.social 's and my book tour for Apprehension and Red Star Hustle. Thanks so much to @twistedspinebooks.bsky.social for hosting us.
Mary Robinette Kowal holding a copy of Apprehension with New York skyline in the background Sam J Miller reading to a seated audience in a bookstore Sam J Miller reading to a seated audience in a bookstore
November 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
Do you have Labor Day plans for 2026? Join @writingexcuses.bsky.social for our last annual (for now!) writing retreat on a cruise ship. We'll sail out of Seattle and visit Alaska and BC in the best of company. Learn more and register or apply for a scholarship: writingexcuses.com/retreats/
November 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
@poisonedpen.bsky.social was so wonderful to host @sentencebender.bsky.social and me to celebrate the launch of Apprehension / Red Star Hustle. In case you missed it, they've shared the recording on YouTube: www.youtube.com/live/8aT8Vkd...
Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam J Miller discuss Apprehension/Red Star Hustle
YouTube video by The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
uncannymagazine.bsky.social
Reading 2025 fiction?

Try the short story "With Her Serpent Locks" by Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com!

You can read it here!

buff.ly/lNxNnJM
The cover for Uncanny Magazine Issue 62, “Mermay - Golden Hour" by Maxine Vee: In a forest of brown, orange, and golden leaves, a mermaid with orange/gold hair sits on a rock in a small light blue pond. She stares at her open palms, illuminated by a beam of sunlight. Purple flowers in shade lie scattered on the ground in the foreground. The names of the contributors, as well as “Uncanny January/February Issue 62,” are atop the image in white letters. The quote reads: "The message hung in the air, glimmering in her Heads Up Display overlaid across the moss garden she was tending. The chill that swept over Euryale made the hair on her arms stand on end and her gut churn. Her cousin wanted to visit."
November 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
bklynbooksbooze.bsky.social
Alas, @maryrobinettekowal.com is unable to join BBB--but @yumewrites.bsky.social can! Also, we have a fantabulous 1-night DRINK: The Wilde Time Villain! Join us next Tuesday at 7pm for Yume, @scottedelman.bsky.social @franwilde.bsky.social & @victorpineiro.bsky.social !

More: BrooklynBooksbooze.com
Authors Scott Edelman, Mary Robinette Kowal, Fran Wilde and Victor Pineiro in an ad for Brooklyn Books & Booze reading on 11/18 at 7pm
November 14, 2025 at 11:05 AM
maryrobinettekowal.com
I made it to Cincinnati via train! It takes sooo much longer than plane, but it was a truly lovely trip and is a far more reliable form of transportation at the moment. I am looking forward to attending Books by the Banks tomorrow. Here is the schedule for this free event: booksbythebanks.org
Mary Robinette Kowal sits on the train with her finger to her mouth as she looks at her laptop. Out the window is a cityscape.
November 14, 2025 at 10:57 PM
maryrobinettekowal.com
Cincinnati, I'll see you this weekend! I am currently en route to participate in the Books by the Banks book festival, where I'll be signing and speaking with fans and readers. The festival is free. Learn more here: booksbythebanks.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
notapipe.bsky.social
UNRELENTING and UNDENIABLE, Books 1 & 2 of THE GRIGORI CYCLE by @jeshonard.bsky.social and @marieparks.bsky.social, are available wherever fine books are sold, and you can get both at a discount at our store here: bit.ly/UndGC

(With a blurb by @maryrobinettekowal.com!)
November 12, 2025 at 12:55 AM