Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq
@niyyahwrites.bsky.social
Writer (fantasy, horror) , nurse practitioner, mom, candle and soap maker.
My children were fighting over the last fave flavor of energy bar and the elder one just sighed and said, "We're going to have to fight later, gotta make the bus." And they just stopped, each grabbed a different flavor and went out the door. Going forward, I will also be scheduling my quarrels.
December 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
My children were fighting over the last fave flavor of energy bar and the elder one just sighed and said, "We're going to have to fight later, gotta make the bus." And they just stopped, each grabbed a different flavor and went out the door. Going forward, I will also be scheduling my quarrels.
I did not open this and read it … but I had an immediate and visceral reaction that makes me want to write a companion guide: “How to not turn into a toddler when someone is doing well, corrects you, or shares their opinion.”
December 12, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I did not open this and read it … but I had an immediate and visceral reaction that makes me want to write a companion guide: “How to not turn into a toddler when someone is doing well, corrects you, or shares their opinion.”
Saving this for the copy editor in my critique group 🤣
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
December 4, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Saving this for the copy editor in my critique group 🤣
It’s haunted, right?
December 2, 2025 at 5:12 AM
It’s haunted, right?
So many years ago, I did hotel work and Ive discussed this with other hotel workers… as a poll, what floor was your “haunted room “on? (Two of mine were on the third floor)
November 27, 2025 at 7:50 AM
So many years ago, I did hotel work and Ive discussed this with other hotel workers… as a poll, what floor was your “haunted room “on? (Two of mine were on the third floor)
A poem for Monday vibes.
November 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A poem for Monday vibes.
For #kidlit writers. Yes, it's great to have tweens/teens at home for your MG/YA-- But they read your work while you sweat, then your only feedback is "It's good." And if you ask clarifying questions like, "What part was creepiest?" They'll give a long, thoughtful pause and say, "The whole thing."
a man in a suit and tie is smiling .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is smiling .
media.tenor.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
For #kidlit writers. Yes, it's great to have tweens/teens at home for your MG/YA-- But they read your work while you sweat, then your only feedback is "It's good." And if you ask clarifying questions like, "What part was creepiest?" They'll give a long, thoughtful pause and say, "The whole thing."
What an amazing show! Such a good time.
Last night's poetry reading and marionette phantasmagoria was a resounding success! We had a full and very enthusiastic house. I pray some photos will surface. Many thanks to my tremendously talented puppeteers @niyyahwrites.bsky.social & Arrowyn Craban Lauer (pictured here) and Paris Weslyn Meyers.
November 2, 2025 at 7:49 PM
What an amazing show! Such a good time.
Rejections are a part of writing. Here’s something I do to make it them easier. I keep a doc where I save compliments I’ve gotten on my writing. It was awkward at first, but I highly recommend it, especially if you have brain gremlins that attack sometimes. Feel free to share your strategies ⬇️
October 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Rejections are a part of writing. Here’s something I do to make it them easier. I keep a doc where I save compliments I’ve gotten on my writing. It was awkward at first, but I highly recommend it, especially if you have brain gremlins that attack sometimes. Feel free to share your strategies ⬇️
Super fun Halloween week kick off when reading “Say My Name” and then “A Good Head on His Shoulders.” Scary stories for children are difficult, but some of the most fun for “former” creepy kids. I love Portland’s insanely supportive writing community, and all the enthusiastic readers.
October 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Super fun Halloween week kick off when reading “Say My Name” and then “A Good Head on His Shoulders.” Scary stories for children are difficult, but some of the most fun for “former” creepy kids. I love Portland’s insanely supportive writing community, and all the enthusiastic readers.
Finished revision #2 of Under! Unfortunately I now need to cut like 8,000 words before I query 😭 how did I make it harrrrrderrr
October 21, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Finished revision #2 of Under! Unfortunately I now need to cut like 8,000 words before I query 😭 how did I make it harrrrrderrr
Happiness is working with authors and librarians that want to help kids write their stories... and here it was with marionettes. @adambolivar.bsky.social Thank you for your help yesterday !
October 13, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Happiness is working with authors and librarians that want to help kids write their stories... and here it was with marionettes. @adambolivar.bsky.social Thank you for your help yesterday !
Just a post from a Portlander (OR, although we still think Maine is cool). I met up with my super supportive writers group at a local cafe, had an oat milk latte brewed to perfection and my biggest complaint is my library thrift store didn’t have the purple yarn I needed. We are doing ok.
October 10, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Just a post from a Portlander (OR, although we still think Maine is cool). I met up with my super supportive writers group at a local cafe, had an oat milk latte brewed to perfection and my biggest complaint is my library thrift store didn’t have the purple yarn I needed. We are doing ok.
Another agent to consider for my #dvpit friends
#DVpit inspired me to reopen to queries sooner than I'd planned... Starting Nov 2025, I'll be open to unsolicited queries the first week of every month! Still just YA + MG fiction... Really hungry for 🤩 debut voices... You'll be able to submit here: querytracker.net/querybeth #mswl
October 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Another agent to consider for my #dvpit friends
Love you, Mychal!
Publishers, authors, librarians, and readers came together in D.C. for the @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social Save Our Stories Supper, celebrating #BannedBooksWeek and the right to read.
ALA's Deborah Caldwell-Stone spoke about the fight against censorship.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/....
ALA's Deborah Caldwell-Stone spoke about the fight against censorship.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/....
PRH Throws a Banned Books Week Party in the Nation’s Capital
By setting its substantial industry weight behind anti-censorship advocacy, Penguin Random House has become a leading force against book bans. To kick off BBW, PRH sent its bright orange Banned Wagon...
www.publishersweekly.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Love you, Mychal!
Reposted by Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq
If you want to support #FreeSpeech, scan the barcode below to donate a banned book.
#BornBehindBars is on #BannedWagon this year!
#BannedWagonBooks #BannedBooksWeek
#BannedBooksWeek2025
@penguinschoollib.bsky.social @nancyrosep.bsky.social @amandagorman.bsky.social @jacquelinewoods.bsky.social
#BornBehindBars is on #BannedWagon this year!
#BannedWagonBooks #BannedBooksWeek
#BannedBooksWeek2025
@penguinschoollib.bsky.social @nancyrosep.bsky.social @amandagorman.bsky.social @jacquelinewoods.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
If you want to support #FreeSpeech, scan the barcode below to donate a banned book.
#BornBehindBars is on #BannedWagon this year!
#BannedWagonBooks #BannedBooksWeek
#BannedBooksWeek2025
@penguinschoollib.bsky.social @nancyrosep.bsky.social @amandagorman.bsky.social @jacquelinewoods.bsky.social
#BornBehindBars is on #BannedWagon this year!
#BannedWagonBooks #BannedBooksWeek
#BannedBooksWeek2025
@penguinschoollib.bsky.social @nancyrosep.bsky.social @amandagorman.bsky.social @jacquelinewoods.bsky.social
Another agent worth a look for my #dvpit friends
There were so many wonderful pitches for #DVpit yesterday, and I know I missed plenty. If you didn't receive a like but think your project could be a good fit for me, please feel free to send your query and first 10 pages to [email protected]!
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/as...
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/as...
Ashley Reisinger – The Official Manuscript Wish List Website
www.manuscriptwishlist.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Another agent worth a look for my #dvpit friends
Dear Chicago, we are with you, 💜 from Portland.
October 9, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Dear Chicago, we are with you, 💜 from Portland.
I am grateful to have had a 💜 today and am looking forward to entering the querying stage! This is my first time pitching officially and I learned so much just by the experience and everyone’s #dvpit pitches. It’s so inspiring to see so many cool stories being written. So write on, friends!
October 9, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I am grateful to have had a 💜 today and am looking forward to entering the querying stage! This is my first time pitching officially and I learned so much just by the experience and everyone’s #dvpit pitches. It’s so inspiring to see so many cool stories being written. So write on, friends!
Would love to see this book on the shelf!
October 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Would love to see this book on the shelf!
Another agent to consider :-) for #DVPit friends
There is a lot of amazing stuff out there on #DVpit today, but there's a chance I might miss your post!
If you think we are a good fit, I would still be delighted to have you query me. Remember the algorithm or number of likes doesn't define your success or the viability of your book. You got this!
If you think we are a good fit, I would still be delighted to have you query me. Remember the algorithm or number of likes doesn't define your success or the viability of your book. You got this!
Good morning, #DVpit! I'm so excited to see your amazing pitches!
If I like your post, please share with me at this link and mention #DVPit 2025 in the referred by section:
querytracker.net/query/PaigeT...
Happy writing and pitching!
If I like your post, please share with me at this link and mention #DVPit 2025 in the referred by section:
querytracker.net/query/PaigeT...
Happy writing and pitching!
October 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Another agent to consider :-) for #DVPit friends
#DVPIT #MV #MG #F If Tim Burton could stop writing Nawal's life, that'd be great. Dead mom? Twice. Starving Shadows? Check. Why not send her where needs an alias, to beg the help of eccentric witches as she dodges the Shadow Queen? And while you're at it, add blight. And worst of all? The Dad jokes.
October 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
#DVPIT #MV #MG #F If Tim Burton could stop writing Nawal's life, that'd be great. Dead mom? Twice. Starving Shadows? Check. Why not send her where needs an alias, to beg the help of eccentric witches as she dodges the Shadow Queen? And while you're at it, add blight. And worst of all? The Dad jokes.
Can someone publish this story so I don’t have to beg to read this for free?
October 8, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Can someone publish this story so I don’t have to beg to read this for free?
13 y.o.Nawal is tired of being told to take a Deep Breath In. It’s hard enough with all the losses she’s had, but with old Shadows returning to feed off the bad memories? It’s easier to just bury it all. Deep. Under. But sometimes, seeds buried deep take root, and sprout dark stories #MG #MV #DVPIT
October 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM