Maria Heater
@mariadonna.bsky.social
Book Person @ Nelson Literary Agency
As a professional slush pile reader I propose a compromise: AI programs to read and evaluate the AI generated manuscripts making the queue overflow while humans like me read & evaluate the manuscripts written by humans we actually want to see 😊
Yet another context (is there any context where this isn't the case?) where the arc of corporate LLM tools bends towards text written by LLMs (slush piles being increasingly polluted by such) being 'read' only by another LLM.
There is *absolutely* no point other than LLM pushers making money.
There is *absolutely* no point other than LLM pushers making money.
AI to rescue the slush pile www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
January 11, 2026 at 7:47 PM
As a professional slush pile reader I propose a compromise: AI programs to read and evaluate the AI generated manuscripts making the queue overflow while humans like me read & evaluate the manuscripts written by humans we actually want to see 😊
Reposted by Maria Heater
Getting ready for a vigil for Renee Good in the Western suburbs.
Please also remember Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, also killed by ICE just minutes after dropping a child off at school, on Sept 12, outside Chicago.
Please also remember Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, also killed by ICE just minutes after dropping a child off at school, on Sept 12, outside Chicago.
January 8, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Getting ready for a vigil for Renee Good in the Western suburbs.
Please also remember Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, also killed by ICE just minutes after dropping a child off at school, on Sept 12, outside Chicago.
Please also remember Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, also killed by ICE just minutes after dropping a child off at school, on Sept 12, outside Chicago.
Reposted by Maria Heater
There are 242 working days in 2026. If you write just one page a day - just 250-300wds, roughly 5 Bsky posts - you will have two full scripts or a novel by New Years Eve.
If you write just two pages a day - just 500-600 words - you will have five scripts or one epic novel.
Just. Keep. Writing.
If you write just two pages a day - just 500-600 words - you will have five scripts or one epic novel.
Just. Keep. Writing.
January 1, 2026 at 8:14 PM
There are 242 working days in 2026. If you write just one page a day - just 250-300wds, roughly 5 Bsky posts - you will have two full scripts or a novel by New Years Eve.
If you write just two pages a day - just 500-600 words - you will have five scripts or one epic novel.
Just. Keep. Writing.
If you write just two pages a day - just 500-600 words - you will have five scripts or one epic novel.
Just. Keep. Writing.
Reposted by Maria Heater
As we enter the New Year remember fear of making bad art is holding you back. Fear of people not liking your work is holding you back. Rejection is holding you back
You'll make bad art, you'll have people not like your work, and you'll be rejected. Moving past it is half the job of being a creative
You'll make bad art, you'll have people not like your work, and you'll be rejected. Moving past it is half the job of being a creative
December 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM
As we enter the New Year remember fear of making bad art is holding you back. Fear of people not liking your work is holding you back. Rejection is holding you back
You'll make bad art, you'll have people not like your work, and you'll be rejected. Moving past it is half the job of being a creative
You'll make bad art, you'll have people not like your work, and you'll be rejected. Moving past it is half the job of being a creative
Reposted by Maria Heater
Heads up, the annual year-end free trial period for Publishers Marketplace is live.
Great way to do research for those of you gearing up to query in the New Year. lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/12/a-pm...
Great way to do research for those of you gearing up to query in the New Year. lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/12/a-pm...
December 30, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Heads up, the annual year-end free trial period for Publishers Marketplace is live.
Great way to do research for those of you gearing up to query in the New Year. lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/12/a-pm...
Great way to do research for those of you gearing up to query in the New Year. lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/12/a-pm...
Reposted by Maria Heater
I wrote about Pluribus and the dangers of writing exclusively for the fans. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
The Importance of Critical Thinking in a Zombiefied World
Why romantasy is crucial to understanding Apple TV’s hit show “Pluribus”
www.theatlantic.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I wrote about Pluribus and the dangers of writing exclusively for the fans. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Maria Heater
If you see the words 'irrevocable', 'in perpetuity', 'formats not yet invented', 'net after costs', 'all rights', you're selling every damn thing you could make money from as an author for a one time payment, or in this case, a promise.
Signing this gives the publisher money meant for you forever.
Signing this gives the publisher money meant for you forever.
Behold, if you will, the...astonishing...contract from Shadow Light Press. A rolling 10-year term...payment on profit (but only after costs are recouped)...appropriation of the author's universe if they can't continue the series...and more www.reddit.com/r/Progressio...
From the ProgressionFantasy community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the ProgressionFantasy community
www.reddit.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:49 AM
If you see the words 'irrevocable', 'in perpetuity', 'formats not yet invented', 'net after costs', 'all rights', you're selling every damn thing you could make money from as an author for a one time payment, or in this case, a promise.
Signing this gives the publisher money meant for you forever.
Signing this gives the publisher money meant for you forever.
Reposted by Maria Heater
we can kill them all if we just work together and ✨believe💫
December 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
we can kill them all if we just work together and ✨believe💫
Reposted by Maria Heater
I do not want Gaston backstory, I do not need Gaston backstory, I reject Gaston backstory
he is a fully formed oaf, consuming eggs by the dozen in one of the greatest villain songs ever written, and that is all we need of him
he is a fully formed oaf, consuming eggs by the dozen in one of the greatest villain songs ever written, and that is all we need of him
Disney Developing Live-Action ‘Gaston’ Movie From Writer Dave Callaham And Producer Michelle Rejwan
Disney is in early development on a new live-action pic centered on the Beauty and the Beast character Gaston.
deadline.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I do not want Gaston backstory, I do not need Gaston backstory, I reject Gaston backstory
he is a fully formed oaf, consuming eggs by the dozen in one of the greatest villain songs ever written, and that is all we need of him
he is a fully formed oaf, consuming eggs by the dozen in one of the greatest villain songs ever written, and that is all we need of him
Reposted by Maria Heater
We library folk do a good job talking about all the free services we offer, but I don’t see many of us talking about how libraries are one or the only places where you can use services without being advertised to.
December 14, 2025 at 11:34 PM
We library folk do a good job talking about all the free services we offer, but I don’t see many of us talking about how libraries are one or the only places where you can use services without being advertised to.
Reposted by Maria Heater
One of the worst parts of the modern condition is having to listen to billionaires airing out the stupidest policy ideas, random musings, and other mental detritus. It’s unbearable.
December 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM
One of the worst parts of the modern condition is having to listen to billionaires airing out the stupidest policy ideas, random musings, and other mental detritus. It’s unbearable.
Reposted by Maria Heater
"I'm not in denial, I'm in open rebellion" damn that quote goes hard
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 10, 2025 at 5:10 AM
"I'm not in denial, I'm in open rebellion" damn that quote goes hard
Reposted by Maria Heater
This is annoying me so much. I cannot believe the BBC is making me defend James Daunt, but this article title is some absolute clickbait bullshit.
"As a bookseller, we sell what publishers publish, but I can say that instinctively that is something that we would recoil [from]," he said.
"As a bookseller, we sell what publishers publish, but I can say that instinctively that is something that we would recoil [from]," he said.
![In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Big Boss Interview podcast, Daunt said while Waterstones uses Al for logistics they currently try to keep Al generated content out of the shops.
"As a bookseller, we sell what publishers publish, but I can say that instinctively that is something that we would recoil [from]," he said.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wcm4hh2h6iy34sjus7x4dgys/bafkreif7mtk2trwjqi4rszwv5fuqiflcr556hgocqt5tjto4u5edroqxua@jpeg)
!["Who's to know? [Technology firms] are spending trillions and trillions on Al and maybe it's going to produce the next War and Peace.
"And if people want to read that book, Al-generated or not, we will be selling it - as long as it doesn't pretend to [be] something that it isn't.
"We as booksellers would certainly naturally and instinctively disdain it," Daunt said.
Readers value a connection with the author
"that does require a real person" he added.
Any Al-generated book would always be clearly labelled as such.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wcm4hh2h6iy34sjus7x4dgys/bafkreifxctl5rq4mlkqpy6s5b6gfpbmcknwnjugfs6xzllgyg3feewjulu@jpeg)
December 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
This is annoying me so much. I cannot believe the BBC is making me defend James Daunt, but this article title is some absolute clickbait bullshit.
"As a bookseller, we sell what publishers publish, but I can say that instinctively that is something that we would recoil [from]," he said.
"As a bookseller, we sell what publishers publish, but I can say that instinctively that is something that we would recoil [from]," he said.
Reposted by Maria Heater
AI generated content of any kind undermines the credibility of whatever is being communicated
I don’t know if anyone else notices or cares, but when I see a presentation in which the speaker uses obviously generated-AI images to illustrate their slides, it makes me immediately less confident in whatever other content they’re presenting.
November 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
AI generated content of any kind undermines the credibility of whatever is being communicated
Reposted by Maria Heater
I'm going to do a little thread on how the money from books works for traditionally published authors because people have questions, and this is always useful info to share IMO. First, a big disclaimer that every contract is different, and there are a million factors that can change things. 1/
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I'm going to do a little thread on how the money from books works for traditionally published authors because people have questions, and this is always useful info to share IMO. First, a big disclaimer that every contract is different, and there are a million factors that can change things. 1/
Reposted by Maria Heater
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 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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.
Reposted by Maria Heater
Most publishers (there are always exceptions) decide whether or not to buy a second book (or a third etc) based on how the previous book did. So when you pirate a book in most cases it’s less about the money you just stole from both author and publisher it’s about the future book you just killed.
November 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Most publishers (there are always exceptions) decide whether or not to buy a second book (or a third etc) based on how the previous book did. So when you pirate a book in most cases it’s less about the money you just stole from both author and publisher it’s about the future book you just killed.
Reposted by Maria Heater
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.
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
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.
Reposted by Maria Heater
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Reposted by Maria Heater
Every time you share a bad take from an overpaid legacy media buffoon you must then share a link from your favorite independent news outlet. As penance
November 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Every time you share a bad take from an overpaid legacy media buffoon you must then share a link from your favorite independent news outlet. As penance
Reposted by Maria Heater
Good morning! AI is being force-fed to you by a handful of billionaires who will lose a bunch of money if they fail to convince you that you need it. You do not need it 🫶
November 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Good morning! AI is being force-fed to you by a handful of billionaires who will lose a bunch of money if they fail to convince you that you need it. You do not need it 🫶
Reposted by Maria Heater
Authors, I think you might enjoy this long interview with a independent bookstore buyer about how bookstores decide what books to stock and display: countercraft.substack.com/p/interview-...
Interview: Fisher the Bookseller Explains How Bookstores Decide Which Books to Sell
The ins and outs of how books are bought and sold in bookstores
countercraft.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Authors, I think you might enjoy this long interview with a independent bookstore buyer about how bookstores decide what books to stock and display: countercraft.substack.com/p/interview-...
Reposted by Maria Heater
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI in Danger After Authors Suing It Gain Access to Its Internal Slack Messages
Authors and publishers, who are suing OpenAI, secured access to internal Slack messages and emails discussing the deletion of pirated books.
futurism.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Reposted by Maria Heater
The most important thing in writing is to finish. A finished thing can be fixed. A finished thing can be published. A finished thing can be made into a movie.
An unfinished thing is just a dream. And dreams fade if you don't hold on tight enough.
So finish the thing.
An unfinished thing is just a dream. And dreams fade if you don't hold on tight enough.
So finish the thing.
November 13, 2024 at 2:38 PM
The most important thing in writing is to finish. A finished thing can be fixed. A finished thing can be published. A finished thing can be made into a movie.
An unfinished thing is just a dream. And dreams fade if you don't hold on tight enough.
So finish the thing.
An unfinished thing is just a dream. And dreams fade if you don't hold on tight enough.
So finish the thing.