To AI covers or not to AI covers? Personally, I don't think it's worth it. #WritingCommunity #Books

I hear it every year, without fail. There is always someone complaining about the date #Easter falls on in any given year, often complaining about how it's constantly moving. BUT Easter is not based on a calendar date. It's based on a solar and lunar calculation.

Much to my dismay (and disgust), internet bullying is everywhere. What I don't understand is if bullying behavior is not acceptable offline, then why do we let it run rampant in the online world? I know there are no easy answers, but... #Cyberbullying #MondayBlogs

Have you had a chance to listen to the music from Rob Milne? I've known Rob for years... and had no idea he could sing like that! The talented people we met.

Resource for getting ARC reviews: BookSirens. It costs US$10 to list an ARC, and they will advertise the book to their subscribers (which is a big network) for 3 months. For every reader THEY find, they charge you US$2. For every reader YOU find, it's free. Totally worth it. #PretendPanel #bookSky

It's always fun looking back at interviews, reminding myself of the pearls of wisdom that I had (that I had forgotten I shared). This one was from when I was on Project Seed Money. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

It's something I wrote in the wake of the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, but reading this poem with a lens of what is happening in the world today, it's taking on a different layer of meaning. (At least it is for me.) #BlastFromThePast #Poetry

RANDOM FACT discovered during today's research for my new novel: The first cochlear implant was developed in 1957. But it wasn't until 1984 that any cochlear implant was granted FDA approval. That's nearly 30 years of development. Now, cochlear implants are common. #AmWriting #WriteSky

Have you put in your nominations for the Sir Julius Vogel Award? Nominations can come from anywhere in the world for spec-fic works from New Zealand creatives. Nominations close March 31. ("Dancing in the Purple Rain" is eligible for Best Novel.) #BookSky #WriteSky docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Read & BOOKMARK the following post from @janefriedman.com It is an excellent summary of the current LEGAL situation regarding AI & copyright law relevant for writers (as it pertains primarily to US copyright law). #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #BookSky janefriedman.com/ai-and-publi...

I've been thinking about accents in dialogue. It's fun writing accents. But there comes a point where the phonetic attempts can be more of a distraction rather than an enhancement. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting

I'm going to be honest: I have no flippin' clue how to answer this question... not for my fiction. For my nonfiction, I focus on the filling in the gaps in the knowledge, pointing out things that you likely suspected but no one has ever voiced. #PretendPanel #WritingCommunity

Some people have called me closedminded because I refuse to use AI for writing or editing. Then something like this happens, where a book is pulled from publication by Hachette because of suspected AI usage. I feel vindicated. #BookSky #WriteSky #WritingCommunity arstechnica.com/ai/2026/03/h...

Everything I write is about the search for the truth, even if the truth goes against the system. Well, just imagine if in that search for the truth, someone uses technology to take your memories away from you. Enter "Dancing in the Purple Rain". #PretendPanel #BookSky #SciFi (FYI, links in bio.)

I'll be the first to admit that editing is expensive. But you are paying for an editor's time, and their time has value. They aren't reading your writing for the pure joy of it (though it is a bonus if we are enjoying what we're reading). #AmEditing #WritingCommunity

The number of times I hear someone insisting that first-person narratives are more intimate is alarming. BUT are they really more intimate? Or is it that they lend themselves to deeper perspectives? #MondayBlogs #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

I wish there was an easier way to see ALL the posts from this weekend's #PretendPanel, including all the comments and subposts (without the mountains of scrolling and clicking on individual post). It's all about marketing Dos and Don'ts, and there are some gems here. Amazing insight! #WriteSky

Yeah, this is a gross practice that seems to have bled over from Twitter. I don't subscribe to the "follow back all" practice either. Neither practice fosters community, which is why I'm on social media in the first place. I'm trying to build a community. #PretendPanel #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

In reading through the #PretendPanel posts from this weekend, I'm noticing that a common Don't is using AI. I'm curious: Is this anti-AI connected to just the books, or is this connected to ALL content? (FYI, I don't use AI for content, so I'm just curious.) #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #BookSky

Oh, I've had this happen for things like services. It's totally ick and really not community supportive. It feels scammy. #PretendPanel #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

OMG, yes. It's yuck. I've actually had this happen to me, multiple times. It reeks of the used-car salesman who is trying to get rid of the lemon off the car lot. Don't use DM marketing in this way. You'll be labelled as a scammer and get blacklisted. #PretendPanel #WriteSky

I find just reading the author talk about their work is the best selling point for me. Seeing their passion is really inspiring and I gravitate towards their stories, esp if I've been following for a while and see them consistently post about their work #pretendpanel

Trying to wrap their head around book marketing? Take note of this thread. The entire thread. It highlights many things that writers do trying to gain attention without thinking about their target audience. There's some good thoughts here. #PretendPanel #BookSky #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Social media is called "social media" for a reason: because it's meant to be "social". That said, I will admit that sometimes, it's hard to remain "social" when the well is running on empty. It's hard staying engaged when all you want to do is curl up with a good book. #PretendPanel #WriteSky

Biggest marketing Don't: not telling others the book exists. Can't buy what I don't know anything about? Next marketing Don't: badmouthing other writers and industry professionals publicly. It's just ick. (But call out the scammers on their bull****.) #PretendPanel #bookSky #WriteSky

Number 1 Marketing Do is to have a "quality" book. This means well-written, well-edited story, with beautiful interior layout and a professional cover. You might be able to sell a book to your family and friends, but to the wider audiences, you need the quality book. #PretendPanel #BookSky #WriteSky

#pretendpanel Having a polished looking, attractive cover works on me because even if it's an indie book that been self-pubbed, that signals a certain level of care and effort put into the work. Also "for fans of" or "if you liked" works for me 🧵 #WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts

So... I was named the "WIP Editor Partner of the Year" at the 2026 Women in Publishing Summit. How cool is that? #WritingCommunity #WritersLife

Is this World War III? Are we just ignoring what is right in front of us?

"Oh look... Something shiny!" Meanwhile, the current manuscript is not getting written. Yep, I know this feeling all too well. But there are some strategies to avoiding the shiny, new syndrome. #WritingCommunity #WritingCoach #WriteSky #MondayBlogs

My biggest roadblock to marketing is finding avenues that will reach my target audience without me shouting into the voice. It's a combination of so much noise, not the right channels, and not the right message. Add overwhelm, and sometimes, I just go "F*** it, what will be will be." #PretendPanel

Marketing seems to be the bane of my existence, so I will be keeping a close eye on this month's #PretendPanel, seeing if I can pick up any tips and tricks. Sometimes, I wish it was a "write it and they will come" situation. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

This post from @scalzi.com deserves a standing ovation. I 100% agree that scammers using AI should die a horrible death. #InternetScams #WritingCommunity whatever.scalzi.com/2026/03/03/i...

Typos happen. They happen to me ALL THE TIME. I don't let it stop me from sharing my work (and the excitement I get from it). But it is a bit of a let-down when the #GrammarPolice try to take away my thunder. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

I agree with this assessment. The idea has merit, but how can we ensure that those subscribing to the service aren't just telling porkies? Honesty is good, yes, but the bad actors will always lie to take advantage of certain situations. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

I've encountered a pleasant discovery regarding my hosting (and domain registrations). My contact details in a WhoIs search are now required to be hidden by law. The image is the screen capture from a WhoIs search on a domain that I will be letting expire come May 2026. #Privacy #InternetSecurity

Seeking critique on our #writing is hard. And it can be even harder to find the value in those critiques, especially if they are harsh (or mean). But there is always value in those critique... and there is a trick to finding the value. #MondayBlogs #WritingCommunity judylmohr.com/2016/08/19/f...

I have tried out different #writing groups over the years. I prefer the discussion groups, where we share ideas. Critique groups don't work for me. Neither does critique partnerships. Writing & editing is a solo activity for me, but I need the sharing of ideas. #WritingCommunity #PretendPanel

#Substack might be popular within the #writingCommunity, but I don't use it for a reason. #OnlinePresence

Today's the day! I'll see you at Tūranga. Let's have a chat about books, writing, and finding our way in the publishing industry. See you there! #writingCommunity #BookSky

Like many aspects of story, the details needed depend on where the reader is within a scene. On the shoulder? On the sidelines? On the hill, overlooking it all? But we can take advantage of fight or flight to add the realism. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #MondayBlogs

I received an email from ZoomInfo, telling me that they have collected my information and are now selling it to 3rd parties. This is all information scraped from websites and social media, so it's publically available. But talk about "ick" factor. #WritersLife #Internet

You don’t write like AI—AI writes like you. Defend the em dash.

I've never written something that "was" a revelation, but I have written something that "caused" a revelation. I once tried to write a pure contemporary thriller, and my writer brain decided to throw in cloning technologies. The Revelation: I'm a speculative fiction writer. #PretendPanel #WriteSky

It's #scape day. This #longexposure image was made in my favorite place on this planet on a nice foggy morning. The swirl is from leaves floating on the surface of the water. #photography #landscape #EastCoastKin #longexposurephotography #springs

Hey #PretendPanel peeps. Interesting question this week. I'm proud of the writing that I put out into the world. But I wouldn't say that "pride" comes easy. Most of the time, I'm hiding my insecurities from the world. "Fake it until you make it." "If I can fool others, perhaps I can fool myself."

Hey Peeps! If you're in Christchurch on Feb 26, come and join me at Tūranga for some fun, as I talk with Fiona Jay about "Dancing in the Purple Rain", being an editor, and writing life in general. It's free! (But they do want attendees to register.)

Wait! David Attenborough is 100 years old? Holy cow! I'm shocked. Such an icon! www.bbc.com/news/article...

Years later, I still struggle to understand why some people fixated on the name of a chair: rocker or slider. Meanwhile, it's the significance of the chair to the character that matters, not its name. #WritingCommunity #WriteTip #AmWriting

Seeing so much medieval sword fighting on my timeline reminds me of one of my favorite reference books - super useful for fantasy writers! #WritingCommunity #BookSky